Best Earbuds Ranked 2026: My Current Top Picks

The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5 take my number-one spot with 91.2 out of 100. HUAWEI massively improved the noise cancelling, which I scored at 9.5, while transparency and call quality also score 9.5.

They fit comfortably with regular silicone ear tips and do not lock key features to one ecosystem. You get multipoint across any device and LDAC high-res, alongside Huawei-specific L2HC high-res and seamless switching. Sound is rich but clean, and the 10-band EQ lets me push the bass to my preferred level. The boosted upper mids give distorted guitars crunch and attack, so these are one of my go-to recommendations for metal, rock and hard music.

My complaint is the squeeze control: it needs a fairly firm squeeze to activate. It is not a deal breaker, but I had hoped it would improve over the Pro 4.

The AirPods Pro 3 are second with 90.4 out of 100. From a tech standpoint, they are the most impressive earbuds I have tested, with a heart-rate sensor in each bud and the ability to work as a pretty decent hearing aid.

They have the second-strongest noise cancelling, clear and natural transparency, and foam ear tips that I find slightly more comfortable than Sony's. Their sound is clear and clean, with refined bass, crisp and airy treble, plus strong separation and detail.

They are best used in the Apple ecosystem. Android users lose many exclusive features, including wearing detection, and there is currently no workaround for that. Some people find the treble harsh, but I personally do not mind it.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 place third with 90 out of 100. If noise cancelling is your priority, these are the buds to get. The XM6 is the noise-cancelling king, combining strong passive isolation from the hybrid silicone-foam tips with an improved noise-cancelling algorithm.

Sony also improved the fit, reducing occlusion and suction in the ear canal compared with the XM5. Transparency and call quality in wind are better too. I scored sound quality 9.25 out of 10, making this my second-favourite sound right now. With my EQ, they are similar to the Galaxy Buds4 Pro, but more dynamic, more precise and airier in the treble.

I am personally not going to use them often because I do not like the foam hybrid ear tips. If you do not mind those tips, though, they are a great all-rounder with the strongest noise cancelling.

The Galaxy Buds4 Pro rank fourth with 89.7 out of 100. Samsung improved everything slightly over the Buds3 Pro, including noise cancelling, which I scored 9 out of 10, transparency at 9.75 out of 10, and call quality.

They are one of my favourite-sounding earbuds right now. The stock tuning is already great, though I like adding a little sub-bass and treble. You get full but punchy bass, detailed but smooth treble, and some of the best mids. Vocals are forward, full and natural rather than forced. Samsung also added a low-volume EQ for more bass and treble at lower levels.

They are a no-brainer in the Samsung ecosystem and still worth considering on Android. The limitation is that there is no true multipoint connection, while high-res through SSC is limited to Samsung devices at 24-bit 48 kHz.

The Technics AZ100 are fifth with 87 out of 100. Their standout feature is a three-way multipoint connection, the only earbuds I have tested that can have three devices connected at the same time. It does not work perfectly, but it works.

Battery life is also seriously strong: Technics claims 10 hours on the earbuds with noise cancelling on, and I got pretty close to that in my test. Call quality is up there with the best buds too. The sound is open and impressive, although I now find the stock tuning a little muddy. EQ helps, but I can only bring the vocals so far forward, and the crisp treble has a slightly unnatural quality to it.

You can get stronger noise cancelling at this price, and the stems do not suit my comfort particularly well. That fit point is more of a me issue than a universal flaw.

The Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 tie for sixth with 86.2 out of 100. Noise cancelling is the main draw: I scored it 9.75 out of 10 and ranked it second for noise cancelling. Bose achieves that with regular silicone ear tips, rather than the hybrid memory-foam style used by Sony and Apple.

The optional wing tip is another rare and useful feature. If earbuds tend to work loose in your ears, this is a good route to a more secure fit. Sound is super clear, bass reaches deep, vocals are forward, and treble is smooth but detailed. Bose also includes a dynamic low-volume EQ.

The soundstage is a little closed in, and the three-band EQ is very limited by current standards.

The JBL Tour Pro 3 also score 86.2, tying Bose in sixth. Their screen-equipped case offers lots of customisation that I personally never use, but the more useful feature is case audio transmission through USB-C or auxiliary. It can stream over LE Audio for seriously low latency and slightly better sound quality than AAC or SBC.

Noise cancelling scores 9.25, as long as you use the included hybrid foam ear tips. JBL only supplies one foam size, around medium to large, but they are the most comfortable foam tips I have used. The stock sound is too bass-boosted for me, though the app lets you add as many EQ bands as you like and makes these a good option for a dynamic sound.

JBL's controls are frustratingly behind the times. If you use volume controls, you cannot also control playback or noise control. Call quality in wind is terrible after a recent update, although I cannot say for sure that the update caused it.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are seventh and the cheapest earbuds in this roundup. They are still one of the best-value options, especially if you value squeeze and swipe controls. Fit is comfortable, and their stock tuning has a solid, stronger V-shape.

I combine my EQ with the hearing test to bring out clearer detail while retaining the bass boost and crisp treble. Noise cancelling scored 8 out of 10, so it is fine rather than a standout. Call quality is up there with some of the best earbuds.

The codec support is the catch. There is no LDAC high-res or aptX Adaptive, only LHDC, which is not compatible with most phones. The OnePlus Buds 4 are slightly better value and can be much cheaper, but they do not have squeeze and swipe controls, and the Pro 3 sound is a little clearer.

The Denon PerL Pro are eighth, but they are the earbuds to get if sound quality is your priority. They remain my favourite-sounding earbuds, with sound quality scoring 9.5 out of 10 despite having been out for over two years.

The personalised hearing test can take a few attempts to get a decent result, and they need a fair amount of EQ work. Once dialled in, though, I get an immersive and highly tweakable sound. They can be balanced or dynamic while holding on to excellent clarity. Bass is impactful and full without overpowering the mid-bass, leaving strong separation, detail and realism in vocals and instruments.

Noise cancelling and transparency are on the same level as the Status Pro X, which is fine but not class-leading at a similar price. The large circular buds have a distinctive look, and many people will not find them comfortable. I get discomfort after about two hours, although the wing tip helps keep them secure.

The Status Pro X rank ninth with 84.1 out of 100, but they are a huge upgrade over the previous 3 ANC. Status improved comfort, call quality and sound quality, and sound is the real standout.

Out of the box, treble is a little harsh. With my EQ, I get a balanced sound with punchy bass, tasteful mid-bass and direct treble that does not become too fatiguing. The boosted upper mids let percussion and guitars stand out, which makes these a great pick for my fellow metalheads who want a balanced but precise tuning. A dynamic EQ boosts bass and treble at lower volumes too.

Noise cancelling and transparency both scored 8, so there are better options at this price, though both are good enough. Call quality is not great in windy conditions.