There’s nothing wrong with settling for a set of AirPods and calling it a day, but if your inner audiophile yearns for something with better battery life, crisper sound quality or a more eye-catching aesthetic, then you’re spoiled for choice.
The wireless earbuds market has exploded in popularity in the years since Apple’s “courage” led them to get rid of the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone. Of course, the bad side to this cavalcade of competition in the category is that it’s hard to know where to start. Fortunately, we’ve reviewed dozens of earbuds and run each through a rigorous set of tests to determine whether they live up to their lofty promises of superior sound and nicer noise-cancelling.
Save you the time of trawling through Amazon searching for something that fits your budget and needs and check out our list of the best earbuds you can buy in Australia.
Best earbuds overall: AirPods Pro 3
RRP $429
Apple’s third-generation AirPods Pro come with a few new AI-powered bells and whistles, but the main reasons to consider buying them haven’t changed. As with their predecessors, the sound quality is excellent, the noise-cancelling is superb, the battery life is generous, the iOS integrations are plentiful, and the microphone quality is among the best out there.
- Battery Life: 8 hours per charge, 24 hours total
- Water Resistance: IP57
- Weight: 5.5g per bud
Check price on Amazon
The world of wireless audio is so much wider than AirPods, but Apple’s premium earbuds are still one of the most compelling options out there. Even if the third-generation AirPods Pro are a little more expensive than their predecessors, they up the ante with improved noise cancelling, new heart-rate tracking and better battery life - at least when it comes to playback per earbud.
Even if the overall battery life has dipped a little, the rest of the fundamentals found here have aged gracefully. The AirPods Pro 3 embody a combination of design, sound quality, battery life and form-factor that’s very easy to like, and the no-nonsense squeeze-based control scheme still stands out as an area where the AirPods Pro excel over much of the competition.
The AirPods Pro 3 are simple, reliable, sound superb, and are more fitness-friendly than ever before. They’re not as easy to find on sale as the previous model, but if history is any indication, that won’t stay the case for too long.
Best cheap earbuds: CMF Buds Pro 2
RRP $99
The CMF Pro 2 don’t come with brand power, but they deliver tons of value, thanks to long battery life, appealing design and decent sound quality.
- Battery Life: 11 hours per charge, 43 hours total
- Water Resistance: IP55
- Weight: 4.9g per bud
Check price on Amazon
With Jabra choosing to quit the cheap wireless earbuds conversation, Nothing’s CMF sub-brand has risen to prominence as an option for those after thriftier alternatives to the likes of the AirPods and Sony WF-1000XM5s.
For $99, the CMF Buds 2 Pro deliver a ton of bang for buck. The noise-cancelling here isn’t best-in-class, but it’s decent enough to get you through a training session. Factor in fantastic battery life, a striking and colourful design, a compact case with a volume dial on it and decent durability, and you’re left with a lot of headphones for a price that won’t break your budget.
Best noise-cancelling earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM5
RRP $399
The Sony WF-1000XM5 improve on the WF-1000XM4 in more ways than one. The drivers are bigger, the ear tips have been replaced, the processors have been upgraded, and the exterior has gotten a facelift.
- Battery Life: 8 hours per charge, 24 hours total
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Weight: 5.3g per bud
Check price on Amazon
While Bose used to be the brand to beat when it came to noise-cancelling audio, Sony has since taken the throne. Although the Sony WF-1000XM5s are a mouthful to say aloud and don’t quite live up to the same highs as their over-ear counterparts, they’re still a solid option for those seeking best-in-class noise cancellation. Compared to the previous WF-1000XM4s, the WF-1000XM5s offer bigger drivers, overhauled eartips, upgraded sound processing and a refreshed design.
Although silence is something that anyone can enjoy, these earbuds also come loaded with a ton of other features that offer more control and customisation over the experience they offer, from Spatial Audio and Multipoint to Fast Pair and Google Assistant support. The Sony WF-1000MX5s might be one of the more expensive sets of true wireless earbuds money can buy, but it feels like Sony has ticked every box it can find as it looks to earn that premium.
Best gym-friendly earbuds: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
RRP $399.95
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 combine best-in-class sound quality and noise-cancelling with a form-factor that won't automatically out you as a gym rat but will hold up fine during exercise.
- Battery Life: 8 hours per charge, 36 hours total
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Weight: 8.7g per bud
Check price on Amazon
Given that the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are a remix of the AirPods Pro 2 in a more workout-friendly package, it’s little shock that they’re our go-to set of earbuds for gym rats.
In addition to inheriting the high-end noise-cancelling and sound quality you can find in Apple’s premium earbuds, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 offer a more compact form-factor with smaller winged buds designed to stay put during even the most demanding of workouts. Practical perks like sweat resistance, fast-charging and noise-cancellation are just icing on the cake.
Like the AirPods Pro, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are a set of sleek earbuds that combine premium sound quality with a form-factor built to go the distance.
Also Consider: Nothing Ear 3
RRP $299
The Nothing Ear 3 don’t tinker too much with the likable looks of previous models, but they do come with a few sound improvements.
- Battery Life: 5.5 hours per charge, 22 hours total
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Weight: 5.2g per bud
Check price on Amazon
Nothing’s fourth-generation in-ear headphones are still riding the coattails of earlier incarnations, but what can we say? We're suckers for nostalgia.
The Nothing Ear 3 continues the boutique brand’s tendency towards transparent tech in the style of an old-school iMac or Game Boy. It’s a stark contrast to the aesthetic popularised by AirPods and just as likable a third time around.
It doesn’t hurt that the hardware here sounds as good as it does. Although the addition of a dedicated Super Mic (a "better" microphone embedded in the case) fails to live up to its lofty potential, the Nothing Ear 3 still offer decent noise-cancelling, an eye-catching design, straightforward software support and competitive battery life.
Also consider: Sennheiser Sport True Wireless
RRP $199
Sennheiser is usually known for its sound quality, but these workout-friendly buds make the most of a budget-friendly price tag and better battery life.
- Battery Life: 9 hours per charge, 27 hours total
- Water Resistance: IP54
- Weight: 6.8g per bud
Check price on Amazon
If you're looking for a more affordable set of fitness earbuds than the Powerbeats Pro 2, the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless are a great option.
Even if you’re not necessarily getting best-in-class sound quality, the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless make up for it with an impressive nine hours of battery life and a form-factor that’s designed to stay put when you’re at your most active.
The Sennheiser Sport True Wireless certainly aren't likely to die on you in the middle of your workout, nor are they going to fall out. Whatever you’re losing in sound quality, you’re getting in practical perks that add up to a lot of bang for your buck.
Also consider: Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 earbuds
RRP $449.95
If you’re seeking an alternative to what Sony has going on but still want to prioritise noise-cancelling over aesthetics or durability, then the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are worth tracking down.
- Battery Life: 6 hours per charge, 24 hours total
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Weight: 7.7g per bud
Check price on Amazon
Even if they aren’t necessarily the best when it comes to all-round value, Bose’s reputation for noise-cancelling headphones is a well-earned one. The first-generation QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds were more than capable of giving the competition a run for its money, and the follow-up builds on that legacy with improved noise-cancelling and additional support for wireless charging.
Although they aren’t all that gym-friendly, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2 still tick a lot of boxes. Throw in features like Spatial Audio support and a microphone filter that enhances call quality, and you’re left with a set of true wireless earbuds that are sure to sate those in search of cleaner sound.
Also consider: Beats Studio Buds Plus
RRP $269.95
If you can't find AirPods Pro on sale, the Beats Studio Buds Plus are a natural second choice.
- Battery Life: 8 hours per charge, 24 hours total
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Weight: 5g per bud
Check price on Amazon
With an aesthetic that harkens back to the era of the Atomic Purple Game Boy, the Beats Studio Buds Plus might look like the anti-AirPods. And in a way, they are. While Beats is owned by Apple, the Studio Buds Plus work equally well with both Android and iOS devices.
On the Android front, you get features like Google Fast Pair and a native app - something Apple refuses to do for AirPods. In the Apple ecosystem, the Studio Buds Plus work pretty much like AirPods. There's instant pairing across any device signed into the same Apple ID.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus are a versatile pair of earbuds backed up by solid sound quality and great battery.
We team up with our sister website Reviews.org AU to find the best earbuds. When we test earbuds, broadly speaking, we're looking at five main considerations:
- Sound: Obviously. Do they sound good?
- Comfort & Design: Are they nice to wear?
- Features: Is the battery good? Is the connectivity reliable? What's the noise-cancelling like?
- Vibe: What's the overall experience like?
- Value: Are they good for the money?
While audio products can be quite subjective for many reasons, we have standardised testing procedures across the team designed to help us look at the category in a consistent way.
FAQs
How do I know if wireless earbuds will work with my device?
By and large, all wireless earbuds should work with any Bluetooth-enabled phone, tablet, or computer. You'll always be able to listen to audio, but in some cases, you'll miss out on features. For example, you need to use AirPods with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to take advantage of their full functionality.
What are the key features to look for in wireless earbuds?
When testing wireless earbuds, the three key features we consider are audio quality, battery life, and comfort.
What is the difference between wireless earbuds and true wireless earbuds?
Wireless earbuds are earbuds that don't require a wire to connect to your device. True wireless earbuds go a step further and remove any cord between the earbuds themselves. All of the earbuds we've looked at in this guide are true wireless, and true wireless and wireless are used interchangeably these days. This is because by and large, the earbud market has converged on the true wireless form-factor.
Are there any wireless earbuds that are good for gaming?
There’s nothing stopping you from using any of the earbuds we’ve recommended above with your gaming console of choice. That said, there are some brands out there that offer wireless earbuds with lower latency. This feature can make for a better experience when it comes to playing competitive shooters or other games where precise timing matters most.
What happened to Jabra? Didn't they used to make true wireless earbuds?
Jabra was one of the first brands to embrace the true wireless earbuds form-factor. However, back in 2024, the brand decided to call it quits. You can still find some stock of older Jabra earbuds on clearance if you know where to look but in other places the initial fire-sale has given way to the usual premium that comes with limited stock.
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Fergus Halliday
Digital Content Editor
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