The Top 10 Earbuds of the 2020s (So Far)

The 2020s are the decade wireless earbuds stopped being a compromise. What began as a convenient way to lose the cable has turned into pocketable gear that cancels the roar of a plane, streams near-lossless audio, and doubles as a hearing aid. To mark the halfway point, SIGNAL ranked the ten earbuds that defined the run so far — spanning 2021 to 2025, judged on how they landed against their rivals at the time and how they hold up today.

This is an editorial ranking, informed by the aggregated press scores across every pair, then argued out in our own words. Prices shift constantly, so treat the figures as launch reference points and click through for the live number.

10. Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC)

The wildcard of the list. Getting real noise cancellation out of an open, tip-free design is a genuine engineering trick, and at $179 these are the AirPods for everyone who can't stand silicone jammed in their ears. An open fit will never seal like in-ear buds, so they place last on pure performance — but on comfort-per-dollar for iPhone owners, nothing here touches them.

9. Sony WF-1000XM4

The oldest pair here, and the one that proves how far ahead Sony was in 2021. Class-leading ANC for its era, LDAC hi-res on Android, and a warm, engaging sound that still satisfies. The chunky fit and the existence of two newer Sony models are the only reasons it sits this low — on a used-market discount, it's still a steal.

8. Apple AirPods Pro 2

For two years, the default answer to ‘which earbuds should I buy?’ for iPhone owners. The H2 chip, seamless switching, and genuinely good ANC still hold up, and now that the Pro 3 exists, the Pro 2 has quietly become the value pick in Apple's lineup. Still an easy recommendation — just no longer the newest one.

7. Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

The comfiest buds we've tested, full stop, and the sensible all-rounder for Android. Smaller and lighter than the first Buds Pro, with strong ANC, reliable multipoint, and a Tensor chip driving Gemini. The catch is AAC-only audio — no hi-res — which keeps them out of the top five for keen listeners but doesn't dent the daily experience.

6. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

Samsung's AirPods-style reinvention, and a fun, bass-forward pair that comes alive on a recent Galaxy phone thanks to the near-lossless Seamless Codec and Galaxy AI features. Dock a point for how much of that value is locked to Samsung's ecosystem, and another for launch-day quality-control hiccups — but the sound and comfort are the real deal.

5. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4

The audiophile's pick. Sennheiser's tuning and aptX Lossless support put these ahead of the mainstream crowd on pure sound quality, with a refined, natural signature and excellent transparency mode. They land at five rather than higher because the ANC trails Bose and Sony and the buds are genuinely bulky — but if sound is your priority, start here.

4. Sony WF-1000XM5

The bridge between Sony's landmark XM4 and its current flagship, and still a superb pair in its own right. Smaller than the XM4, with excellent ANC, LDAC hi-res, and a class-leading microphone system. Now that the XM6 exists, the XM5 is the value flagship — you give up very little for a noticeably lower price.

3. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

If your single priority is silence, these are the buds to beat. Bose's noise cancellation is the benchmark, the comfort is superb for long wear, and the immersive sound tuning is genuinely enveloping. They rank third rather than first only because the battery is short and the fit protrudes — but for pure ANC, nothing here is better.

2. Apple AirPods Pro 3

The best earbuds Apple has ever made, and the ones most iPhone owners should buy. The ANC and call quality are genuinely class-leading, the heart-rate sensor and hearing features are real bonuses rather than gimmicks, and IP57 sweat resistance finally makes them workout-proof. On Android you lose half the magic — which is the only reason they don't take the top spot outright.

1. Sony WF-1000XM6

The most complete pair of wireless earbuds you can buy, and our earbuds of the 2020s so far. The XM6 do everything well — reference-grade ANC, superb sound, LDAC hi-res, a much-improved microphone system, and a design that finally folds flat for travel. They work brilliantly across iPhone and Android alike, which is exactly what an all-time-best pair should do. If you want one set that handles flights, commutes, calls, and music without an asterisk, this is it.