You want a pair of wired earphones: Whether you're worried you'll lose true wireless or you don't like the feeling of big and bulky over-ears, it's good to have the option. Finally, the brand you choose will depend on what you're looking for – but we're careful with our lists. That means all of the earbuds and in-ear headphones above come from brands we trust. Still, if you're not sure where to start looking, respected brands like Sony, Apple, Cambridge Audio, Jabra, and Nura are good places to start. How we test the best earbuds Audio quality is excellent for the money and can be personalised using a very effective graphic equaliser found in the Sony Headphones Connect app. And those who are easily frustrated by touch controls will find the WF-C500 particularly appealing as they ditch touch-sensitive surfaces and incorporate depressible buttons instead. These Cambridge Audio buds boast levels of detail and clarity that could rival some of the best over-ear headphones. Boasting 5.8mm dynamic drivers, these earbuds offer tons of dynamism and character, with a lively presentation that will have you tapping your feet. During our testing, as we listened to Normal Song by Perfume Genius, they eked out every last drop of detail with stunning clarity.

Best wireless earbuds 2023, tried and tested | The Independent

They don’t support wireless charging like the AirPods Pro 2, and the battery isn't spectacular at six hours per charge with 18 hours in the charging case with the ANC on. The ANC isn't best-in-class either – but they have more stability in the ear than anything else here, and that's the crucial thing.They’re not the cheapest buds, but because Sony has combined performance, ergonomics and build quality so effectively, we think they’re excellent value. Other true wireless earbuds may surpass the Sony WF-1000XM4s in particular areas – like noise cancellation – but they don’t offer excellent quality across the board. This is even the case after the release of the newer Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, which are fantastic, but we still rate the XM4s as the best all-rounders. We also think they look great too, writing this about their compact design in our review: "These earbuds are very sleek indeed, and their small frame and lightweight build sets them apart from models such as the Apple AirPods." Hear-through and ambient modes are important to you: Though the PurePlay Z3 2.0 claims to have listening modes that give you a better feel for your surroundings, they didn’t prove very useful in our testing. It’s amazing what the best wireless earbuds are capable of thanks to advancements in Bluetooth, noise-cancelling, microphone and audio driver technology.

best budget wireless earbuds 2023 | TechRadar The best budget wireless earbuds 2023 | TechRadar

Any sound comparison between these cheap in-ears and class-leading products. But these JLab buds beat everything in their price range for sound. Our testing proved that vocals are relatively well handled through the mids, the bass is sensibly handled, and the soundstage is relatively expansive. The best cheap wireless earbuds feature built-in microphones that allow you to make and receive phone/video calls via your Bluetooth connection. The number of microphones and their quality will vary depending on the earbuds’ cost, as will their ability to isolate your voice from ambient sounds. Can I just wear one earbud on its own? You want great sound: These sound brilliant and shut out the real world so well - if you want to treat yourself, then you'll really appreciate it. If you do opt for wireless or true wireless earbuds, make sure the battery life is up to scratch, otherwise you may find yourself caught short without any music in the middle of your commute.

These earbuds immediately impressed us during our testing. In our review, we wrote, “there’s vigor and enthusiasm to their presentation, but it’s tempered by unarguable control.” Listening to Kate Bush’s Lake Tahoe, the ability of the WF-1000XM4 to identify and incorporate the tiniest details or the most fleeting transients into a much broader picture was obvious. The noise cancellation on offer isn’t going to win any awards for how well it attenuates sound but that shouldn’t come as a surprise given how cheap the T3 are. It’s reasonable for the money, however, and will reduce the impact of low-end frequencies to a certain extent. With ANC off, the T3 deliver up to 24 hours of battery life, which is perfectly acceptable by modern true wireless earbuds standards. These budget buds are great value, bringing you a solid build quality and top-notch audio performance with a killer battery life. These are all features you'd expect from a product that normally costs double the amount. The Signature setting enhances vocals and bass, while Bass Boost amplifies low-end frequencies and will be the go-to for bass lovers. For something somewhere in between, you can opt for Balanced mode, which delivers the most even sound across the frequency curve.

Best sports headphones 2023: keep active with the best Best sports headphones 2023: keep active with the best

ANC is top of your list: There's no active noise cancellation here, sadly, although the hear-through feature works beautifully to stay aware. Buying a pair of the best budget earbuds can be a challenge. You might uncover a real gem or land yourself with a pair or buds that barely work, let alone sound good. If you're going to be wearing your earbuds for long periods, then comfort and weight are a top priority. ANC is top of your list: There's no active noise cancellation here, sadly, although the hear-through feature works beautifully to stay aware of your surroundings.Neutral and clear audio is your priority: While a rather subjective topic, the frequency profile in these buds isn’t flat, and its scooped mids can only be remedied so much.

Best wireless earbuds 2023: budget and premium | What Hi-Fi? Best wireless earbuds 2023: budget and premium | What Hi-Fi?

We tested the earbuds in a number of different sound environments across a vast selection of musical genres. We listened to podcasts and albums in both quiet rooms and busy aeroplanes, to ensure we knew how they'd handle varying levels of noise too. We also wore them while walking and, often, working out, which meant we could speak to their comfort levels, ANC if available, and how secure they are in your ear.verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Secure, compact and comfortable with an IP57 rating that makes them sweat resistant, these buds are perfect for working out. You'll also get good call quality, great ANC and solid audio. The JLab Go Air Pop are an incredibly accomplished pair of buds considering how cheap they are. Connectivity was instant and reliable throughout our testing, we also liked the simple on-ear volume controls. There's a mic in each earbud for call-handling, and you'll get basic EQ profiles too – triple tap either earpiece and you’ll hear the soothing voice say “balanced’, “bass boost” or “JLab signature”. The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus earbuds have a helpful app, easy-to-use controls and boast excellent connectivity. There’s no noise cancellation on offer here, but the sound isolation is very good, provided you find a good fit with the eartips included in the box. In any case, when we had music playing, we couldn’t hear much of our surroundings.