Best Earbuds 2023: Sony, Bose, Apple, Beats, & More!

David & David tell you about the best earbuds in 2023. We've tested 30 different pairs of earbuds including the Sony XM4s, Beats Fit Pro, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, and AirPods Generation 3.

Each pair of earbuds is put through an identical test to get an apples to apples comparison. We tested for overall sound quality, clarity, space, dynamic range, comfortability, and more!

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🕓 TIMESTAMPS

0. Intro [0:00]
1. AirPods 3rd Generation Review [0:16]
2. Beats Fit Pro Review [1:15]
3. Beats Studio Buds Review [2:18]
4. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Review [3:04]
5. Bose Sport Earbuds Review [4:05]
6. Google Pixel Buds A-Series Review [4:50]
7. Jabra Elite 85t Review [5:49]
8. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review [6:40]
9. Sennheiser CX True Wireless Review [7:35]
10. Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless Review [8:27]
11. Sony XM4 Review [9:28]
12. Sony C500 Review [10:34]
13. Best 3 Earbuds of 2022 [11:31]
14. #3 Best: Bose Sport Earbuds [11:35]
15. Tied at #1: Bose QuietComfort & Sony XM4 [12:05]
16. Honorable Mention: Beats Fit Pro [13:10]
17. #1 Most Improved: AirPods 3rd Generation [13:45]
18. #2 Most Improved: Google Pixel Buds A-Series [14:03]
19. Worst 3 Earbuds of 2022 [14:28]
20. #3 Worst: Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless [14:45]
21. #2 Worst: Sony C500 [15:23]
22. #1 Worst: Sennheiser CX True Wireless [16:24]
23. Join Our Channel [17:08]

Tracks We Used For Testing:
🎵 "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk — Pristine, well-recorded track: Overall clarity, space
🎵 "Jack Of Speed" by Steely Dan — Pristine, well-recorded track: Overall quality, 3D space
🎵 "Weird Fishes" by Radiohead/Noordpool Orchestra — Wide Dynamic Range: Clarity from loud to soft & "big" soundstage
🎵 "Tin Pan Alley" by Stevie Ray Vaughan — Wide Dynamic Range: Clarity from soft to loud & "live" sound
🎵 "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson — Bass: Makes you want to move but not overpowering
🎵 "Morning" by Beck — Bass: Not too much or too little (Goldilocks zone)
🎵 "Brass Monkey" by Beastie Boys — Bass: Powerful but doesn't get muddy / rumbly
🎵 "Waterwheel" by Kronos Quartet — Dynamic range & space: Sounds like sound is coming from outside your head

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#BestEarbuds #BestHeadphones #BestTWs #2022

[mickeytran]

I just spent 2 days reading and watching every review on the internet and swear that somehow all of them contradict themselves..

[petermurage]

I feel you guys arent testing as many buds as you should. Bose sport is too old. Now we got the B&O EQ, Soundcore Liberty 3 pro, Technics AZ60

[JB]

After trying a ton of these, including the most expensive Sony, Apple, Sennheiser, Bose. I have to say the BOSE QC's are the best in sound quality, bass response, balanced tone, fitment, upgraded app, etc...
These BOSE QuiteComfort buds are the best out there IMO.

[brisbanemark]

Why is Soundcore not on there? So much better than a load you reviewed and I’m really picky and have given quite a few back

[cactaceous]

I have the Sennheiser CX Plus and they do have an EQ app where you calibrate the sound to your liking. Thinking these two were not aware of it. When you do that, they are amazing.

[estergo]

for me Happy Plugs should be included in your line up! it’s worth experimenting with the ear-tip sizes on offer, since the impact of their tuning can be significant. The default and smaller options offer a crisp, sharp tone that’s detailed but less bass happy, while a switch to a different type brings out more weight and ‘fullness’ across the frequency range.

[GG-fhcx]

Would like a review of the UE Fits... have you guys tested them?

[javtimestwo]

FYI: For any Apple Music listeners who enjoy, "Lossless-CD Quality" sound, none of these wireless earbuds support lossless. At least not right now. If you want to take advantage of Lossless the most budget friendly option is to use the Apple Earbuds, purchase a $9 Apple lightning to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter and enjoy the music. The adapter features a built-in DAC that supports up to 24/48. Just wanted to share because I learned that last year and it was a difficult lesson. Not even the AirPods Max support lossless music at this time

[repe]

Beats Fit Pro and Soundcore A40 are great for me

[McFancypants]

So glad you rated the Bose Quiet Comfort 1 and 2 respectively. I was 1 of the "pre-order guys", and have been through the bugs and firmware updates. Now they are what I was expecting to begin with, extremely comfortable for 8 hours, incredible sound that you'd expect (including customization), and I think the noise canceling is better than you possibly but we can agree they're amazing. Only drawback is the durability is questionable. I've had to get replacements and am on my 3rd pair, thankfully Bose has excellent customer service and it was 2 or 3 days turnaround. Thanks for the review!!

[Acin]

The good thing about most of these wireless earbuds is they have an app where you can customize the eq and get them sounding just how you like it.

[kevinburke]

Need to get the Sound Core, liberty 3 pro on this list heard several of the buds on this list, and it sounds better than all of them at a much lower price plus LDAC be class

[dawnstrongman]

I wish there were more videos out for earbuds for small ears. My ears are tiny, I have a hard time finding buds that fit my ear. Most buds & tips are too big for me. I can’t really try any on without purchasing. I have airpod pros right now………they are big, even with smallest tips.

[montman]

Liberty pro 3 all the way... and the Xm4s are awesome too.. for me.

[HAMMERHEAD-gh]

I'm a musician. I ended up going with Bose. When you put them in as you're supposed to, they definitely won't come out. Great sound quality. Not over bassed like some ear buds however, you can change that with the equalizer in the Bose app and make them sound like other earbuds if you prefer a different sound.

[josegallegosdds]

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro. PHENOMENAL‼️‼️

[chrisg.]

Hi guys,
please read carefully !!
I really like your thorough assessments, BUT all your reviews lack of an important factor !!! :
You test all buds in delivery mode !
When buds have options to equalize the sound
profile (like the xm4’s) the output is a whole different dimension !
If you would equalize every buds to their best possible performance (and share how in your opinion the equalizer set up would be) that would give so much more value to us in regards of the sound comparison and real potential of the buds and how to reach it …

[barryhaley]

Two problems with my AirPods Pro. Max 3:30 battery life. Fall out way too easily. Doesn’t matter what size ear adapters. My wife has same security problem where she stopped using them on walks

[TheAcgtrs]

One critique I have…, you didn’t review how these are for a phone call… You know, the other major concern about buying earbuds…

[davidmcdougal]

I had to hunt a lot but recently found the Tozo NC2 earbuds and for less than $40 they are worth every penny. Lots of good bass, and decent sound blocking. I have large canals so had to get some foam tips to make it seal better but totally worth it.