Let's start with context. These are my first Beats headphones - wired or wireless. They are not of course my first wireless or wired headphones. I have several wireless headphones including Jabra Move and Jaybird BlueBuds X. I also have several wired headphones with my favorites being KEF M500 (on ear) and Oppo PM-2 (over ear). Beats on Wednesday unveiled its first new product in two years: the fully wireless Powerbeats Pro. The new earbuds are an update to Beats' popular Powerbeats headphones.
371 Headphones Tested- Store-bought headphones; no cherry-picked units
- Retest after major updates
- Easily comparable results
- No ads; unbiased reviews
It's hard to deny that Apple has a pretty nice ecosystem for all their devices. If you have an iPhone, an iPad, or a Mac, then you've most likely been tempted by what Apple has to offer in the headphone department. Although Apple has released a few headphones, some under the Beats brand, they don’t give a very wide selection to choose from. This means that not all the recommendations on this list will benefit from the W1/H1 chip that gives earbuds like the Apple AirPods a slight performance boost and better ease of use on iOS devices. However, all the recommendations will work with your iPhone and iPad wirelessly, some with app support on iOS for better customization features.
We've tested more than 71 wireless in-ears and earbuds and below are our top recommendation for the best headphones for iPhone users to purchase in 2019. See also our recommendations for the best sounding wireless earbuds, the best earbuds with a mic, and the best truly wireless earbuds.
Best Wireless Earbuds For iPhone: Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless
Usage Ratings - Version 1.2Mixed UsageCritical ListeningCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeTVGamingType : In-earWireless : YesMic : YesThe best earbuds for iPhone that we've tested so far are the Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless. Since Apple acquired the Beats brand a few years ago, they’ve released a few models with the W1 chip. Headphones with this chip, like the Powerbeats3, perform slightly better when paired with iOS devices. They have an ear-hook design that ensures great stability for athletes and have an in-line remote that’s practical and easy-to-use.These headphones reproduce audio well and sound a lot more neutral than many of the in-ears and earbuds we've tested. They have a good 12-hour battery life and an outstanding 56-foot wireless range. Furthermore, with the W1 Chip, these headphones pair seamlessly with iCloud – you just turn them on and hold them near your iPhone and they simultaneously connect to all your Apple devices.Unfortunately, the Beats Powerbeats3 have poor noise isolation, letting in all the rumbling of bus or plane engines, which makes them less well-suited for commuters. They also don’t have any power-saving features; if you forget to turn them off, they will continue draining their battery. On the upside, they charge completely in just over an hour and have a quick charge feature that gives you an hour of playback from a 5-minute charge. Overall, they're the best wireless earbuds for iPhone that we've reviewed.Best Truly Wireless Earbuds For iPhone: Apple AirPods 2 Truly Wireless 2019
Usage Ratings - Version 1.2Mixed UsageCritical ListeningCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeTVGamingType : EarbudsWireless : Truly WirelessMic : YesIf you own an iPhone that doesn’t have a headphone jack, you’ve probably considered the Apple AirPods at some point. Although they’re not the best truly wireless earbuds we’ve reviewed in general, their seamless integration into iOS makes them the best truly wireless earbuds for iPhone specifically. They’re super lightweight and have a unique, open fit that is impressively comfortable for earbuds.When fully charged, these headphones deliver over 4 hours of continuous playback, which is decent, but they also come with a compact charging case that gives up to 5 extra charges. They only take a half hour to fully charge, so as long as you have the case nearby, you don’t have to wait too long before you can start using them again. With the new AirPods, you can choose between the regular wired charging case or the new wireless Qi version. They also use Apple’s latest H1 chip, which is supposed to provide even better range and latency performance.On the downside, these headphones are lacking in deep bass and sound a bit bright. They’ll be fine for podcasts and audiobooks, but fans of more bass-heavy genres may be disappointed since you can’t EQ their sound. Their open-back design also lets in a lot of ambient noise, which might be a deal-breaker for those looking for better isolation but is good for joggers who want to monitor their surroundings. Overall, the new Apple AirPods are well-designed truly wireless earbuds.Best Universal Truly Wireless Earbuds: Jabra Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless
Usage Ratings - Version 1.2Mixed UsageCritical ListeningCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeTVGamingType : In-earWireless : Truly WirelessMic : YesIf you like the truly wireless design of the Apple AirPods 2 2019 but prefer something with more bass and better isolation, then get the Jabra Elite Active 65t. They’re not as comfortable as the AirPods, but they have an in-ear fit that blocks a lot more noise and provides better bass. They’re well-built headphones with a smooth matte finish and are rated IP 56 for dust and water resistance.Since these headphones have better isolation than the AirPods, they’re better suited for use while commuting or in noisy environments. Their in-ear fit also helps with bass performance – while their bass isn’t as powerful as some of the other in-ears we've tested, these headphones still sound better overall.These headphones have a decent battery for truly wireless earbuds, but they don’t last as long as the AirPods overall since their charging case only provides 2 additional charges. They also don’t benefit from the W1 chip like some Beats headphones do. On the upside, these headphones are a good option for Android and iOS users alike, thanks to the wealth of customization options offered by the Jabra Sound + app. Overall, the Elite Active 65t are a good, truly wireless in-ear.Best Wireless Earbuds For Sports: Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless
Usage Ratings - Version 1.2Mixed UsageCritical ListeningCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeTVGamingType : In-earWireless : YesMic : YesIf you like the sports-oriented design of the Jabra Elite Active 65t but prefer being able to hang your earbuds around your neck when not in use, get the Jaybird Tarah Pro. They’re well-built with a braided cable connecting the two magnetic earbuds that can snap together for easier cable management. They have a comfortable earbud-like fit that protrudes in the ear canal less deeply than typical in-ears and are rated IPX7 for advanced water resistance.These headphones sound decent out-of-the-box, but what really sets them apart is their compatibility with the Jaybird MySound app that provides a great parametric EQ for you to customize them your way. The app is available on iOS and Android, so you won’t have a problem if you switch between various devices. They have a 13-hour battery life and trigger an auto-off timer when the magnetic earbuds are snapped together, further saving power.On the downside, they use a proprietary charging cradle. This can be frustrating, especially since most people aren’t likely to be carrying a spare Jaybird Tarah Pro charger on them for you to borrow if ever you misplace or forget yours. However, if the charger isn’t a bother for you, this is one of the best Bluetooth headsets for iPhone users, even though they don’t feature the W1 or H1 chip.Best Budget Wireless Earbuds For iPhone: Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless
Usage Ratings - Version 1.2Mixed UsageCritical ListeningCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeTVGamingType : In-earWireless : YesMic : YesIf you want comfortable wireless in-ears with a battery that’ll last all day at a budget price, then get the Anker SoundBuds Curve. They're the best earbuds for iPhone in the budget category. They have a sporty look and a stable ear-hook design that comes with 6 tip options to ensure a perfect fit. The tips don’t enter as far into the ear canal as other in-ear headphones do, which relieves a bit of the pressure some people feel with in-ears. They’re not as sweat-resistant as the similar Anker Soundcore Spirit X, but they’re still a good choice for sports.These headphones sound better than the Apple AirPods 2 2019 for a fraction of the cost. They pack a lot of bass, but are pretty well-balanced overall for budget in-ears. They also have better noise isolation performance than the AirPods, though not as good as Jabra Elite Active 65t. These headphones also have a fairly decent battery, lasting for nearly 13 hours on a single charge.These headphones don’t have Apple’s W1 or H1 chip, so they have to be paired like a regular Bluetooth device and don’t benefit from the same latency and range benefits that other headphones do. They also don’t have a power-saving feature, so they need to be shut off when not in use or else the battery will continue to drain. That said, they offer great value for the price and are a solid budget option for iPhone users.
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Rundown
- Best Overall: Jaybird X4 Wireless Sport Headphones at Amazon, 'Versatile, rugged, and an all-around workhorse.'
- Best for Phone Calls:Sennheiser HD1 at Amazon, “Delivers crisp audio quality while still managing to look luxurious.”
- Best for Sports:Bose SoundSport at Amazon, “You’ll get solid performance with decent bass and pretty decent mid-range.”
- Best Value:SENSO Bluetooth Headphones at Amazon, “Solidly built and simply designed, but still comfortable to wear.”
- Best Budget:Anker SoundBuds Slim+ at Amazon, “They are light enough to forget you’re wearing them.”
- Best New Release:Samsung Galaxy Buds at Amazon, 'Samsung has enlisted their longtime audio partner AKG to tune the speakers on these headphones.'
- Best for iPhones:Apple AirPods 2 at Amazon, “They have a superb dual mic set-up with powerful noise cancellation technology.”
- Best Design:Beats BeatsX at Amazon, “You can get two hours of playback in just five minutes of charging”
- Best Noise-Canceling: Bose QuietControl 30 at Amazon, “Lets you adjust the noise-canceling feature.”
- Best for Hearing Protection:ISOtunes PRO at Amazon, “Features 27 dB noise cancelation which significantly reduces the effect of loud sound.”
- Best Battery Life:Jaybird Tarah Pro at Best Buy, 'Delivering an incredible 14 hours of play time per charge.'
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Jaybird X4 Wireless Sport Headphones
4
Versatile, rugged, and an all-around workhorse, the new Jaybird X4 earbuds bring high-quality audio and comfort to everyone, from casual music lovers to not-so-casual triathlon participants. With an IPX7 rating, the device is fully waterproof and able to handle the same weather conditions that you can. Eight hours of battery life allow you to take it on the road, trail, or slopes without worrying about it running out of energy. The buds can get an hour of charge in just 15 minutes so they won't totally slow you down if you run out of juice.
The earbuds prioritize customization: bass and treble can be adjusted using the Jaybird app, while a comfortable, secure fit is available thanks to interchangeable ear fins, Comply Ultra Foam tips, and an adjustable Speed Cinch. With these earbuds, you can do everything from skip tracks, mute the mic, and control the volume, along with answering and ending calls so you never miss a beat.
Best for Phone Calls: Sennheiser HD1 Free Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
4
Whether you’re making a high-stakes sales call or are just dropping a quick line to your mom, the Sennheiser HD1 Free Bluetooth Wireless Headphones deliver crisp audio quality while still managing to look luxurious. Although the neckband style is admittedly not for everyone, the band of this pair is stitched up with a bold red string. A remote sits on the left side of the neckband, which lets you adjust volume, scan tracks and answer or reject phone calls. The discreet microphone offers high intelligibility, so every word you speak is clear. Dynamic drivers deliver a frequency range of 15Hz-22kHz and booming bass, and battery life tops out around six hours – not too shabby!
Best for Sports: Bose SoundSport
4.3
For many athletes, music helps power you through a difficult set or go that extra mile. Good sound is important, but perhaps even more crucial is the fit because no one wants to be fiddling with their earbuds in the middle of a workout. The sweat-proof Bose SoundSport wireless headphones, which come in three sizes, have StayHear+ eartips with soft silicon fins for a loose yet secure fit. Note that the looser fit will allow ambient sound to sneak in, but that’s OK for runners and bikers who need to be aware of their surroundings.
As for the sound, you’ll get solid performance with decent bass and pretty decent mid-range. Battery life is rated around six hours, which should get you about a week of workouts between charges. Plus with easy Bluetooth and NFC pairing guided by voice prompts, you can leave the hard work to your workout.
Best Value: SENSO Bluetooth Headphones
3.3
When buying budget headphones, you’ll undoubtedly have to make some sacrifices, but when it comes to the best value headphones, everything you want should be packaged up for the best price possible. That’s exactly what you get with SENSO’s earbuds. The headphones are solidly built and simply designed, but still comfortable to wear. And they certainly don’t skimp on sound quality. With a frequency response of 20-22 kHz, the earbuds deliver true Hi-Fi sound complete with clear treble and booming bass. You’ll get a solid eight hours of battery life to last you a full day of listening, whether you’re commuting, exercising or rocking out.
Best Budget: Anker SoundBuds Slim+
4.2
If you’re not familiar with Anker products, you should be. While the company isn’t yet known for being the best of the best, its products are certainly consistent. Its SoundBuds have a hooked design that sits above your ear, guaranteeing a more secure and comfortable fit. They come with a variety of sizes and shapes for almost every ear. The rubber material also means they are water resistant (IPX5) and weighing just 5.6 ounces, they are light enough to forget you’re wearing. Inside are 6mm drivers that deliver solid bass.
As with any budget item, there are downsides. For the SoundBuds, it’s the fact that the battery only lasts about seven hours. For commuters and athletes that might not be a problem, but if you’re a marathon music listener, you might want to think twice. Still wary about buying a budget product? Anker offers an 18-month warranty plus easy-to-reach customer support.
Best New Release: Samsung Galaxy Buds
4.3
Samsung has tried before to compete with Apple’s now-ubiquitous AirPods, and with the new Galaxy Buds, they've created some serious competition. One of their main selling points: they can seamlessly pair with Galaxy devices right out of the box. It may not seem like that big of a deal to fire up your Bluetooth pairing menu and link up your headphones the old fashioned way, but Samsung now has a pop-up that shortcuts that process.
Convenience isn’t where it ends though; Samsung has enlisted their longtime audio partner AKG to tune the speakers on these headphones, meaning you should get decent, thoughtful frequency response. There are the standard AAC and SBC codecs involved here, but Samsung is also adding in their Scalable Bluetooth compression, which should provide better response for the wireless transmission of audio. There’s an Ambient Sound control mode for staying alert to your surroundings, intuitive touch control, and even the ability to wirelessly charge the 58mAh internal battery alongside the 252mAh battery case. You can pick up the new Galaxy Buds in black, white, or a sportier yellow.
Still can't decide on what you want? Our round-up of the best true wireless earbuds can help you find what you're looking for.
Best for iPhones: Apple AirPods 2
If you’re an iPhone user, chances are that you’ve considered a pair of AirPods. And that’s understandable considering just how nicely they play with the Apple ecosystem. With the impressive H1 chip, as soon as the case is popped up, these AirPods find your iPhone and prompt you to connect it. In a world where many manufacturers make you fumble through a Bluetooth menu, this is really refreshing. The new generation of the AirPods also brings an interesting new feature: wireless charging of the battery case.
The battery life was already impressive—with five hours on a single charge, and a total of 24 hours with the battery case— but now that you can just throw the case onto a Qi wireless pad to charge, the convenience is next-level. The premium build quality here is also amazing, but you’ll lose a bit in sound performance as these headphones sound almost the same as the EarPods that come with every iPhone. If iPhone convenience, build quality, and battery life are paramount for you, though, then these earbuds really are a good bet.
Best Design: Beats BeatsX
While these neckband-style headphones are built by Beats, they are designed with help from Apple’s design and engineering teams. The neckband, or “Flex-Form cable” as Beats calls it, encases two wires made of nickel titanium alloy, which makes it malleable, durable and lightweight. The earbuds house 8mm drivers and are magnetized, so you can stick them together when not in use and wear them like a necklace. And like the Apple AirPods, the BeatsX feature a low-power W1 chip, which enables automatic pairing with iOS devices. You’ll get eight hours of battery life, and if you’re in need of a quick charge (via a Lightning cable), you can get two hours of playback in just five minutes, thanks to what Beats calls Fast Fuel (it's a branded way to say fast charging).
Interested in reading more reviews? Take a look at our selection of the best Beats headphones.
Best Noise-Canceling: Bose QuietControl 30
Bose is known for its high-quality noise-cancelation headphones and its QuietControl 30 model only furthers its reputation. The neckband-style headphones rest like a horseshoe around your neck and the earbuds sit in your ear comfortably. The headphones are sweatproof, making them suitable for sports, though the design might bother some athletes.
True to its name, the QuietControl 30 let you adjust the noise-canceling feature. You can raise or lower it by clicking a button on the inline remote or using the Bose Connect app. You’ll likely want to keep it at the highest possible level, but if you’re running or biking, you might want to lower it to hear traffic and other surrounding sounds. Battery life is rated at an impressive 10 hours, but keep in mind that because it doesn’t have a wired option, it won’t work with in-flight entertainment and thus is not an ideal set for travelers.
Take a peek at some of the other best noise-canceling headphones you can buy.
Best for Hearing Protection: ISOtunes PRO Earplug Headphones
Unlike a typical pair of headphones, these ISOtunes were designed as earplugs first and foremost. Whether you're a contractor, woodworker, builder, etc. — if you work in a loud environment, then hearing protection should be a high priority. The ISOtunes PRO Earplug Headphones feature 27 dB noise cancelation which significantly reduces the effect of persistent, loud sound. You can even answer phone calls and rely on the noise cancelation to mute disruptions such as low-flying planes, lawn mowers, fans and vacuums.
The buds themselves are made from a custom-fit material that molds to the shape of your ear and the internal speakers feature ISOtunes's patented SafeMax Technology which allows users to play music at the maximum volume without damaging their hearing. For those who have physically demanding work environments, the ISOtunes Pro headphones have an IPX4 sweat- and water-resistant certification. The headphones are also compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices and deliver 10 hours of playback or 240 hours on standby.
Best Battery Life: Jaybird Tarah Pros
As a company, Jaybird has stayed focused on what it does best — making great fitness headphones. The latest Jaybird Tarah Pros really stand out for their battery life, delivering an incredible 14 hours of play time per charge. That’s almost double the battery life of the Jaybird X4s, and much longer than almost all other competing wireless headphones. The Tarah Pros only take two hours to charge completely, and in a pinch, you can add two hours of play time with only a five-minute charge.
At an IPX7 waterproof rating, these earbuds are reliable in all kinds of weather and can withstand even your toughest (sweatiest) workouts. The buds themselves pivot on the strong, braided cable so you can wear them over or under your ear. They come with three different sets of premium silicon tips, to make sure you find the most comfortable fit. Pair them with the Jaybird app to control the headphones’ EQ and optimize the sound for whatever kind of music you’re listening to.
Tested by
How We Tested
We bought and tested six top-rated pairs of wireless earbuds. Our reviewers spent more than 250 hours using them in all types of scenarios: walking on the street, working out, hanging out at home, and more. We asked them to consider the most important features when using these earbuds, from their design to their sound quality. We've outlined the key points here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
What to Look for in Wireless Earbuds
Design -The designs of wireless earbuds vary greatly. The most common type is the neckband-style earphones, which run the wire behind the nape of your neck. But “true” wireless headphones, which have no wires whatsoever, have also hit the market recently. However, all earbuds sit in your ear canal, making them more convenient for exercising — not to mention safer by letting in some ambient noise.
Sound quality -If sound quality is your top priority, you’ll want to pay attention to the internal drivers. The driver’s diameter is measured in millimeters and it’s generally thought that the larger the driver, the louder the sound it’s capable of producing. Earphone drivers measure between 8mm and 15mm.
Battery life -While wireless earbuds have many advantages over their wired counterparts, the downside is that they have a limited battery life. A solid pair will last you around five to eight hours on a single charge. Plus, they generally charge pretty quickly, and sometimes the case even doubles as a battery pack.
See Our Top 3 Wireless Earbuds in Action
Test Results: Jaybird X4 Wireless Sport Headphones (Best Overall)
4
What We Like
- Attractive design
- Great-quality build
- Bassy and full sound
What We Don't Like
- Uncomfortably tight fit
- Slightly pricey
- Sound also lacks definition
“These headphones look amazing,” raved one of our testers. “The cool color options, the understated earbud design, and the substantial rubber casing are all great for athletes and runners.” One reviewer also loved their high-quality build. These earbuds’ fit, however, wasn’t a highlight: “These earbuds fit so snugly that it's uncomfortable and affects the sound quality,” reported one tester. Our reviewers also wished that these earbuds could be charged via USB. Lastly, its full sound had both pluses and minuses, according to one tester: 'There’s a satisfying fullness and richness to them that will give fans of electronic music a certain satisfaction,' he said. 'But the heavy-handed use of bass seems to swallow up a lot of the detail.'
Test Results: Sennheiser HD1 Free Bluetooth Wireless Headphone (Best for Phone Calls)
4
What We Like
- Excellent sound quality
- Great battery life
- Comfortable fit
What We Don't Like
- Dated design
- Cheap case and cheap look
- Slow to charge
“With a brand like Sennheiser, it's no surprise to see solid sound quality here,” our tester explained, “but we really were impressed by these wireless earbuds.” He also loved their comfortable fit and battery life: “Six hours is on-par with the best battery life we've seen in this class of earbuds,” he noted. One aspect he wasn’t as enthused about, however, was their design: “These don’t look quite as sleek and premium as many other headphones at this price point,” he said. He also thought that their case felt cheap and that they were slow to charge.
Test Results: Bose SoundSport (Best for Sports)
4.3
What We Like
- High-quality bass
- Solid battery life
- Comfortable fit
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Small power button can be hard to find
Superior sound quality was the hallmark of these headphones, according to our testers. “Bose has a great reputation for sound quality,” one reviewer said, “and these earbuds live up to the reputation.” An added bonus? Our testers found that this pair had better-quality bass sound, specifically, than other earbuds. In terms of drawbacks, one reviewer thought that the power button on the earbuds was small and tough to find.
Test Results: SENSO Bluetooth Headphones (Best Value)
3.3
What We Like
- Customizable fit
- Great construction
- Good-quality bass sound
What We Don't Like
- Muddy sound
- Connectivity not always seamless
- Muffled microphone sound
One of our testers loved these earbuds because of their solid build and customizable fit: “The over-ear wings can be adjusted and hold firm to any ear shape,” he noted. Another plus, according to one reviewer, was the bass quality: “You get a surprising amount of bass for such small drivers,” he explained, “which is ideal for EDM and pop music fans.” The negatives? One of our testers thought that the connectivity wasn’t always seamless and that the overall sound was “muddy” and “lacked detail.” One reviewer also felt that the microphone sound could have been better, noting that “the sound is muffled due to the microphone’s placement on the earbud itself.”
Test Results: Anker SoundBuds Slim+ (Best Budget)
4.2
What We Like
- Easy to use
- Quick charging
- Completely hands-free
What We Don't Like
- Distant sound quality
- Difficulty connecting at first
Although one of our reviewers felt that the sound quality of these headphones could have been better, she was “super impressed” with them, overall, as her first pair of Bluetooth earbuds. A quick charge time was also a definite plus: One of our testers reported it took just 20 minutes to get to a full battery. Our testers also loved the carrying case that came included: “It made it super easy to transport and keep the headphones in when I wasn't using them,” one said.
Test Results: Samsung Galaxy Buds (Best New Release)
4.3
What We Like
- Excellent battery life
- Secure fit
- Reasonable price
What We Don't Like
- Slightly cheap build
- Limited Bluetooth codecs
- Thinner bass response
“You really can't beat the value presented here,” raved one of our testers. “For playback, convenience with the Galaxy ecosystem, and a nice-feeling fit and finish, you won't regret buying these.” In terms of negatives, he thought that their bass sound was a little thin and that their build was slightly cheap: “In keeping with the light weight of the earbuds, the construction feels like it lacks a bit of durability,” he explained.