Top 5 Wireless Earbuds to Buy in 2018

Thanks to the beauty of technology, you no longer have to move around listening to music worrying about getting annoying cables in your way. Bluetooth-compatible earphones can deliver music from your device to your ears with literally no strings attached.
Tech companies have embraced wireless earbuds, and there are now hundreds of models on the market. Finding out which are the best is not easy, which is why we have created a list of the top 5 wireless earbuds of 2018. All wireless earbuds have no physical connection between the audio device and the buds; however, some do have a wire connecting the left and right buds. Our list is made of the best true wireless earbuds based on audio quality, range, design, price, and features.

1. Sony WF-1000X True Wireless Earbuds, $199.99

These are expensive buds ($199), but they are also among the best true wireless earbuds we have tested. Leading the positives is the sound quality, the most important aspect of any audio device.
Balanced sound comes from the buds crisp and clear, especially potent at the low end. Rich sounds boom from the earpieces, allowing a full audio wall, especially through bass-heavy music. Sony deserves credit for delivering a level of noise cancellation we would expect from full over-ear headphones.
Just about a complete package, one negative for the WF-1000X is the lack of volume control on the buds themselves. It’s a small gripe, but it would be nice to be able to handle volume on the device.
Our Rating: 9 / 10

2. Bose SoundSport Free, $249

As buds are worn in the ear, it is important they are comfortable for extended periods. Bose SoundSport Free are very comfortable and look fantastic (they are available in several different colors). Sound quality is excellent, delivering crisp clarity in audio, including some excellent mid tones across a variety of music genres.
Battery life is impressive – if not the best – at 5 hours for a single charge and 10 hours from the portable charging case. Importantly, a quick charge feature will give you 45 minutes from just 15 minutes of charge, ideal for times you forgot to charge but are heading out soon for a gym session.
The Bose SoundSport Free is more geared towards sports use than everyday listening. They are perfect for runs, but leak too much noise to be truly functional in a crowd.
Our Rating: 8 / 10

3. JBL FREE, $99

JBL has managed to create ultra-competitive true wireless earbuds and undercut many of its rivals with the JBL FREE. One of the things we instantly found with the FREE was how comfortable they sit in the ear. Even during a high-energy session in the gym, the buds stayed firmly in place and were unnoticeable.
Build quality is excellent, and the JBL look and feel high-end for their solid price. Battery life and sound quality both hold their own against competitors like Apple’s AirPods. We loved the bass and low-end performance of these buds, while video connections produced no latency.
Unfortunately, it seems JBL traded battery performance in exchange for the lower price. We achieved around 2.5-3 hours on a full charge, less than any other bud in this list.
Our Rating: 8 / 10

4. Apple AirPods, $159

While most people associate Apple products with exclusivity (they only work with other Apple devices), the AirPods will work with any Bluetooth-compatible device. This instantly puts them among Apple’s most versatile products; the company’s usual ability for high-quality hardware is alive and well.
The AirPods are comfortably the easiest wireless earbuds to set up – we were listening to music within seconds. Sound quality is very good if not as detailed and clear as some of its rivals. The range is stunning on the Apple AirPods thanks to Apple’s W1 processor delivering enviable connectivity that allows the buds to work far away from the device.
We were concerned about how the AirPods would fit considering their smooth and sleek aesthetic. They look great, but our worries were founded as they slipped out of our ears much more than other models. Some users will probably have no problem with this, but perhaps the AirPods could be lost more easily than other alternatives.
The lack of an in-line remote is also problematic. Apple wants its Siri voice assistant to be the control hub for the AirPods, and while it’s a solid idea, it is not a good enough replacement for a remote (and is limited to iOS devices).
Our Rating: 8 / 10

5. Samsung Gear IconX, $199.99

Samsung’s reply to Apple AirPods is the true wireless Gear IconX buds. The 2018 update of the original IconX improves on what was already a winning formula. Compared to the first generation, the 2018 scores improved battery life and a much better connection.
A touch-based interface makes controls smoother and more efficient, while the media storage and heart rate tracker have been retained from the first-gen Gear IconX. Like Apple, Samsung wants its Bixby voice assistant to be part of its wireless buds, but also like Apple, it is an incomplete experience, not least because Bixby is exclusive to the Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note 8 smartphones. If you don’t have any of those devices, the Gear IconX 2018 earbuds may not be for you.
Our Rating: 8 / 10

The five wireless earbuds in our list represent the best all-round experience that takes into account audio quality for music and video playback, design, price, range, fit, and added features. There is something for everyone, but it is important to know even the best wireless earbuds will not match high-quality wired earphones. That said, all the products in our top five wireless earbuds list are excellent for when you are on the move and want an audio connection. In order not to get lost in the charges, take a look at the review of the best charging stations we made earlier.