Bowers & Wilkins PI7 S2: In 2023, Bowers & Wilkins upgraded its fantastic-sounding PI7 noise-canceling headphones. The new S2 model has better battery life and Bluetooth range, now up to 25 meters (double the previous range). Additionally, the buds now integrate with the new Bowers & Wilkins Music app for iOS and Android and have a much improved setup experience. Learn more in our full Bowers & Wilkins PI7 review.
JBL Live Pro 2: Over the years, JBL has released a few decent true wireless headphones, but nothing that really excited me. That finally changed with the arrival of the new Samsung-owned brand Live Pro 2 AND Live Free 2 buds. Both sets of buds — the Live Pro 2 have stems while the Live Free 2 have a pill-shaped design — offer a comfortable fit along with strong noise cancellation, very good sound quality and voice call performance, plus a robust set of features, including Bluetooth multi-point pairing, an IPX5 splash-resistant rating and wireless charging.
Master & Dynamic MW09: Master & Dynamic headphones and earphones have always featured unique, eye-catching designs that incorporate premium materials such as aluminum, sapphire glass and Kevlar. Its latest MW09 headphones ($349) look quite similar to its previous MW08 in-ears, but have some internal upgrades that offer better performance, especially when it comes to noise cancellation. The headphones sound great, but are mysteriously available everywhere, so we removed them from the best list. If they come back in stock, we will add them back to this list.
Sony LinkBuds S: Unlike the “open” LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are traditional noise-isolating earbuds with tips that block your ears. They’re more compact and lighter than Sony’s once-flagship WF-1000XM4 and also feature Sony’s V1 processor (Sony has since released the more compact WF-1000XM5). Their sound and noise cancellation don’t match the XM4 or XM5, but they’re still pretty good. They’re Sony’s buds for people who can’t afford Sony’s flagship headphones but want 80% of the features and performance of those buds for a lot less. I have thoroughly reviewed the Sony LinkBuds S and rated them with an 8.4 out of 10 rating.
Sony WF-1000XM4: Released in 2021, Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earned a CNET Editors’ Choice award. They’re still great headphones, but Sony has now released the next-generation WF-1000XM5. They can be a good option if you find them at a good discount. I published a full review of the Sony WF-100XM4 buds when they were released if you think the budget headphones are for you.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3: The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 were among the best new true-wireless headphones of 2022. They are still among the best true-wireless headphones, but Sennheiser has released the improved Momentum True Wireless 4. Also, the newer AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF-1000XM5 are definitely superior, so look to buy the Momentum True Wireless 3 only when they’re heavily discounted. Learn more about the buds in my Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 review.
JBL Tour Pro 2: JBL’s Tour Pro 2 headphones have received a lot of attention for bringing something new to true wireless headphones: a full-color touchscreen embedded in the headphones that lets you access the headphones’ main features and control playback as well as adjust volume levels. It’s a little gimmicky but also useful. The buds could sound a little better for their list price, but overall the JBL Tour Pro 2s are very good headphones that offer a good fit, a robust feature set, solid battery life, plus solid noise cancellation. noise and voice call performance. I took a look at the feature-packed headphones in 2023 and wrote a full review of the JBL Tour Pro 2 that you can read here.
Beyerdynamic Free Byrd: Beyerdynamic may be late to the game, but it finally introduced its first truly wireless headphones, which feature active noise cancellation, up to 11 hours of battery life (with noise cancellation), and impressive sound quality. Read my full Beyerdynamic Free Byrd Earbuds review to learn more.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: Available in four colors, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 noise-canceling headphones don’t sound or cancel as well as the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, but they’re compact (15% smaller and 20% lighter than the Buds Plus previous , they barely stick out of your ears) and cost significantly less. Because they sit closer to your ears — and have that curved design — they also pick up less wind noise. They are IPX2 sweat resistant while the growing Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are fully waterproof (IPX7). My full Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 2021 review has more information on the earbuds.
Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX: Bang & Olufsen’s $399 Beoplay EX earbuds are the company’s best true-wave headphones. They have a comfortable and secure fit (except for those with really small ears), top-notch build quality, great sound, good noise cancellation and improved voice call performance over B&O’s EQ buds, with three microphones in each earcup that help reduce background noise during voice pickup. They’re out of most people’s price range, they’re definitely the best over-ear headphones, and they offer slightly superior sound over the AirPods Pro 2 with better clarity, deeper, more powerful bass, and a richer, fuller sound. correct. I reviewed the B&O Beoplay EX headphones before they were released in 2022 and included some other information there.
Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4: Their sound isn’t quite on par with higher-end buds like Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 3 that cost significantly more, but Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 4 headphones have a solid set of features, including a spatial sound mode with head tracking, multi-point Bluetooth pairing, up to nine hours of battery life, wireless charging and support for the Sony LDAC audio codec that can offer sound enhancements if you have proper configuration. Read more in my Anker Liberty 4 review for more information on mid-range headphones.
Sennheiser CX Plus: The Momentum True Wireless 3 are Sennheiser’s flagship true wireless headphones. If you can’t afford them, the Sennheiser CX Plus (which features very good sound and good noise cancellation) is a good alternative for a lot less money. The descending CX, which has no active noise cancellation, costs even less. Find out more about budget headphones in my full Sennheiser CX Plus review.
