Earbuds: what to buy now and what's coming next

Start with fit, noise cancellation, battery life and the phone you use. Those differences matter more than codecs and tiny spec changes for most people.

What you can buy now — and what’s close

Start with the Guide for the full picture, or open News to see what changed recently.

Available nowAppleAirPods 5$129Guide News
Available nowNothingNothing Headphone (1) ProFrom $399.00Guide News
Available nowSamsungGalaxy Buds 4$179Guide News
Available nowGooglePixel Buds 2a$129Guide News
Available nowBoseBose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)From $299.00
Available nowBoseBose Sport Open EarbudsFrom $199.00
Available nowEarFunEarFun Clip 2From $79.99
Available nowHuaweiHUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5
Available nowiFLYTEKiFLYTEK AI Translation EarbudsFrom $279.00
Available nowJBLJBL Live Beam 4
Available nowJBLJBL Live Buds 4
Available nowJBLJBL Live Flex 4
Available nowNoble AudioNoble Audio OspreyFrom $199.00
Available nowXiaomiREDMI Buds 8
Available nowSennheiserSennheiser ACCENTUM Clip
Available nowShokzShokz OpenFit Air 2From $129.95
Available nowSonySony WF-1000XM6From $329.99
Available nowSoundcoreSoundcore Liberty 5 ProFrom $169.99
Available nowSoundcoreSoundcore Liberty 5 Pro MaxFrom $229.99
Available nowSOUNDPEATSSOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro+From $129.99
Available nowTimekettleTimekettle W4 Plus AI Interpreter Earbuds
Available nowTOZOTOZO NC20 Pro
Available nowSamsungGalaxy Buds 4 Pro$249Guide News
Available nowAppleAirPods Pro 3$249Guide News
Available nowGooglePixel Buds Pro 2$229 (~$170 discounted)Guide News
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Samsung Galaxy Buds On

◆ Reader prediction

Samsung's open-ear buds slipped from July. Do they land by October 31?

They were expected on the July Unpacked stage and moved to a September-October window while Samsung keeps tuning them.

17devices covered
4on our radar
13available now
Updated Oct. 8

Works with

Which earbuds work with iPhone and Android?

  • AirPods 5: Made for iPhone, with iOS 27 or later required. They also work with Android phones for listening and calls, but Siri, Apple settings, firmware updates and other Apple-only features need an Apple device.
  • AirPods Pro 3: Made for iPhone with iOS 26 or later. They also work with Android, but there's no Siri, and hearing features, heart-rate sensing, settings and firmware updates need an Apple device.
  • Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: They work best with Samsung Galaxy phones. iPhone and Android work too, but some features are missing.
  • Pixel Buds 2a: Works fully with Android phones. iPhone gets Bluetooth audio and calls, but there is no Pixel Buds app on iOS.
  • Pixel Buds Pro 2: Best with a Pixel phone. They also work with Android phones and iPhone, but some features need a Pixel or Android.
  • Samsung Galaxy Buds 4: Samsung Galaxy phones get full support, though 24bit/96kHz and HD Voice need listed models. iPhone loses the app, updates, Auto Switch and SmartThings Find; Android phones outside Galaxy lose several Galaxy-only features.
  • AirPods 4: Made for iPhone. They also work with Android, but you lose Siri, Apple settings, automatic switching and Find My.