Best Earbuds: 9 Top Picks

Choosing the best earbuds is hard. We selected 9 of our top choices to share with you.
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CNET editor David Carnoy tells you which his favorites are. Chime in with your top picks.

00:00 Intro
00:41 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
01:17 Google Pixel buds Pro
01:48 EarFun Air S
02:22 Sennheiser Momentum TW 3
02:51 Sony LinkBuds S
03:28 JBL Live Pro 2
03:58 Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
04:36 SoundPEATS Air 3 deluxe HS
05:09 AirPods Pro 2

[ELJefeReviews]

The lack of Soundcore products here is surprising. Especially with their performance per dollar outshining most on this list.

[victoralvarez-vjzs]

Beats fit pro needed to be there, really great product

[outermarker]

All good choices but Anker Soundcore competes, equals or outright slays anything on this list.
The App support alone is as powerful as any other at any price.
A few options,
Under 50, Life A3i, Liberty 2 Pro
Under 100, Space A40, Life P3
Under 200, Liberty 3 Pro or Liberty 4

[kevinbranch]

In January I purchased Sennheiser Momentum 3s and was very happy with the headphones for several months. Recently the left headphone began admitting high pit sounds when the active noise canceling was on or when I received a phone call. When off there is very little sound coming from the left headphone. It has been impossible to contact senheiser to return or get them replaced.

[DannerBanks]

I feel like the atypical earbuds shopper - I want a case that connects to my keychain, I want the case to be small, and I want multipoint. ANC and wireless charging, while nice (based on my experience with expensive earbuds in the past) aren't as important for me. As a result, I'm using the Skullcandy Dimes. And I've decided for anything with a headphone jack (Meta Quest 2, switch, fire tablet, Xbox series controller) I'm just going to use wired headphones. I love your Earfun recommendation though, $60 for multipoint functionality is great.

[Megatron-slus]

I'm surprised to find Soundpeats Air 3 Deluxe HS and Earfun Air S in the CNET recommendation of 2022. CNET should do more videos on the low cost budget earbuds.

[blaster]

Really surprised Jabra didn't make it in this year's top lineup. They usually are top tier options for best value 😳

[superiortoall]

I’d have to say in addition to sound quality, integration with ecosystem plays a part. That’s why I prefer my AirPods with my iPhone rather than my Galaxy Buds with my Galaxy phone. AirPods just interact better in their respective ecosystem. Although, the Beats Fit Pro takes the cake for someone who’s into fitness.

[karkinissan]

Cnet hasn't reviewed the Jabra elite 7 pro. rtings review for them is pretty solid. The ANC is basically non--existent but audio quality is very good I think.

[Rickiye]

Good stuff David. Perhaps it'd be great if next time you include a section to earbuds with quirky and niche features. Like the LG with their transmit from aux cable feature which is great to use with non-Bluetooth devices,
Sony Linkbuds with their donut design and cheekbone button feature etc.

[bulldogsplash]

I'm currently rocking the oppo enco x2. Really comfortable and sound really good.

[defaultmysq]

you are great David! always love watching these

[Vinnieacp]

Best of the best is the Sony WF-1000XM4 which you mention but are not on your list but should be at the very top!

[tommangan]

While sound quality is important, it seems the manufacturers forgot about functionality. AirPods 2 had the best functionality in that you could simply tap the side of your head near the earbud to move forward or backward in your playlist. This is particularly important to those who live in colder climate who routinely wear hats and gloves. Further, those who use them while running or working out appreciate the ability to tap and go rather than having to press or squeeze the stem. Now, users have to squeeze the stem or tap directly on the earbud, which simply isn't practical while wearing thick gloves and/or a hat. And there is always the danger of having the earbud fall out while trying to tap/squeeze it while running or working out. Sure, users can say, Hey, Siri..." and all that, but nobody around you wants to hear you say that over and over while you scroll through your playlist or repeat a tune a few times.

[farzadsamavati]

Thank you for useful information, but I cannot understand why nobody mention this important feature that which earbud could be used in single bud state each right or left???

[isreal]

I dislike grabbing a ball in my ear, for that reason JBL was very attractive alternative to my round hard to maneuver buds. JBL has awesome sound, bass, and noise canceling on the new models.

[ikejennings]

Make sure, you ave ur codecs enabled in your phones too get/ sbc/ aac/ aptx/ etc...if you dont, you will be listening to ur twss on default mode....all.phones ave dac players in em for bt codecs...peace

[tadeuszlufik]

Linkbuds S are hard to fault and a great default pair of buds for all occasion and a great deal under 150 - I like that I can lay my head flat on a pillow or against something and they arent uncomofortable in my ear. Jabra Elite 85ts werent mentioned but I think they have amazing sound with their larger drivers and accurate, punchy bass. Finally, for working out Ive always loved the Jabra 75t (I think the older Jabra 75t and 85t are better than the newer Jabra offerings) but with the 75t's out of production, the new king of workout buds has to be the Beats Pro Fit. Great lockdown/stable fit and bright yet punchy sound which is great for Hip-Hop, Rock or EDM. Im most excited to try the new Bose.

[Ilovepizzandnb]

according to the Snapdragon Summit last week, Bose will have an update on the Quietcomfort Buds II to add Snapdragon Sound, so I'm assuming Apt X as well

[praveenpgec]

So jabra not in the list itself? If a model is already there in market and decent enough to compete with other brands latest models, still it won't be considered...so only recent ones are good?