In the early 20th Century, a man named Nathaniel Baldwin invented the first pair of headphones. His design was based on telephone receivers, and he ended up selling his headphones to the United States Navy. And so marked the birth of the headphone and, indeed, the earphone. Since then, tech has improved in leaps and bounds, leading to the wonderful little earpieces that are so popular today.

With the modern-day hustle and bustle, people everywhere are seeking efficiency and convenience, not to mention great sound quality, to make life that much easier. That’s why wireless and bluetooth earbuds have caught on so fast in the last couple of years.

Major brands like Apple, Sony, Sennheiser, and Samsung (to name a few) are now competing in what has quickly become a multi-billion-dollar industry. The options are almost endless with new earbuds finding their way to market with what seems like every passing day. Here is a detailed review of some of the best wireless earbuds of 2019.

These earbuds come with earth proofing that provides excellent waterproof and sweat-proof capability. That means that they can withstand any workout session or wet weather. They offer 6 hours of audio on a full charge plus an additional 10 hours in the charging case. That means you achieve a total charge time of 16 hours and 32 hours if using a single bud on its own.

The earbuds are connected via Vista’s wireless tech to ensure clear sound with zero lag. The reliable connection pairs easily with your devices, allowing a seamless listening experience. The earbuds are some of the lightest and smallest on the market, meaning you’ll probably forget you’re wearing them. They also come with a compact case that makes carrying and charging simple.

These earbuds come with three sizes of interchangeable gels that ensure a snug and comfortable fit. The Jaybird app can be installed on your devices and offers infinite EQ control. The driver diameters are 6 mm, meaning they deliver quite the punch. In case you misplace them, the Jaybird app allows you to find them with ease.

Key Features
  • Water-resistant
  • Noise isolation
  • Lightweight
  • Easy volume control
  • Three sizes of interchangeable ear gels
Specifications
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Cord Length: No cord
  • Water-Resistant: Yes
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Battery Life: 16 Hours (32 Hours on single earbud use)
  • Brand: Jaybird
Pros
  • Secure fit perfect for exercise
  • Waterproof
  • In-app, user-adjustable EQ
  • Strong audio output
Cons
  • Limited on-ear control features
Premium pick

2. Bose QC 30

9.65 / 10
Read Reviews

The Bose QC 30 offers something that few other wireless earbuds provide. They come with a unique feature in that it allows you to control exactly how much noise cancellation you would want. The excellent wireless performance and an improved form factor mean that these earbuds are excellent value. The neckband is also a great way to keep your earbuds in place without the fear of dropping them.

The neckband design is a plus, given that you won’t end up easily misplacing them. The battery life on these is fantastic, with Bose promising 10 hours of playtime per charge. The earbuds also feature Bose’s StayHear + tips that hold the earbuds in place. Three industry-sized earbuds are included, which are labeled, meaning you won't have to waste time guessing the sizes.

The neckband comes with a button that allows you to have full control of the earbuds. When you turn on the Bose QC 30s, you’ll be told the battery level and what device they’re connected to. The earbud’s incredible noise cancellation feature means you can tune out any surrounding noise and focus entirely on your music. There’s the neat voice notification feature that’s a delight to have.

Key Features
  • Noise cancellation control
  • Voice notification
  • Three different ear tip sizes
  • Full control via the neckband
Specifications
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Cord Length: 6 inches
  • Water-Resistant: No
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Battery Life: 10 hours
  • Brand: Bose
Pros
  • Good quality, dynamic sound
  • Excellent build quality
  • Great value
  • Different sized ear tips for an ideal fit
Cons
  • Not great for exercise
Buy This Product
Bose QC 30 amazon
Shop
Best value

3. RHA MA390 Wireless

8.38 / 10
Read Reviews

If you're not much of a gym enthusiast and want earbuds for everyday use, then look no further than the RHA MA390. They have an amazing build quality, and they have a fun sound signature. They come with Bluetooth tech that delivers clear sound output.

The earbuds have a universal three-button remote control for easy use. They also have a built-in remote that makes it possible to receive and make phone calls with ease. The earbuds also have a sweat- and moisture-resistant design. The around-neck cable design means that you’re less likely to lose these compared to true wireless earbuds.

The build quality and dynamic sound that these earbuds offer is excellent considering their price point. The lightweight design also makes for great listening sessions while the small ear tips make them comfy to wear. The pack comes with three different ear tip sizes (small, medium, and large) for a perfect fit. What's more, they even come with a small pouch for easy transportation.

Key Features
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Universal 3 button access
  • Built-in microphone
  • Three different ear tip sizes
  • 30-hour standby battery life
Specifications
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Cord Length: 20 inches
  • Water-Resistant: Yes
  • Noise Cancellation: No
  • Battery Life: 5 Hours
  • Brand: RHA
Pros
  • Great build quality
  • Dynamic sound
Cons
  • Earbuds aren’t ideal for exercising

This pair of earbuds is entirely wireless and offers high performance. The earbuds are adjustable and provide a secure fit via their ear hook design. They are lightweight, meaning they offer both comfort and stability while wearing them.

The reinforced design of the PowerBeats Pro earbuds offers sweat and water resistance, making them perfect for a workout. Each earbud comes with its own volume and track control option as well as voice capability and automatic play and pause features.

The call performance is enhanced, meaning that you can receive phone calls with ease and clarity. The earbuds offer balanced yet powerful sound delivery as well as a dynamic range of mids and lows. The noise isolation feature means you can shut out the ambient noise around you and focus solely on your music.

Key Features
  • True wireless earbuds
  • Adjustable ear hooks
  • Volume and track control on each earbud
  • Enhanced phone call performance
  • Powerful, balanced sound
  • Sound isolation
Specifications
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Cord Length: No cord
  • Water-Resistant: Yes
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Battery Life: 9 Hours
  • Brand: Beats
Pros
  • Powerful audio performance
  • Long battery life
  • Secure in-ear fit
Cons
  • The autoplay feature might not sit well with everyone

These earbuds are ideal for any outdoor enthusiast. They come with a neck cable that keeps the earbuds together. In as much as they aren't "truly wireless" earbuds, they are practical for running or exercise since you won’t have to worry about dropping a pricey earbud. That’s thanks to their tactile rope cabling that keeps the earbuds together.

The Jaybird Tara Pro earbuds are designed using premium materials to deliver high audio quality. They come with three color options so you can opt for either titanium/glacier, black/flash, or mineral blue/jade. The cabling is made from woven material, making this pair of earbuds durable.

The cabling and the plastic bits are coated in a hydrophobic material that keeps off sweat, rain, or any form of moisture. That makes these bad boys perfect for a swim, albeit a brief one (max 30 minutes). The button remote is easy to use, while the Switch Fit feature keeps them from falling out. A short 5-minute charge will grant you two hours of use while a 30-minute charge offers seven hours of battery life.

Key Features
  • Woven cabling material
  • Made from a hydrophobic material
  • High-quality audio output
  • Easy to use control features
Specifications
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Cord Length: 20 Inches
  • Water-Resistant: Yes
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Battery Life: 7 hours
  • Brand: Jaybird
Pros
  • Excellent, adaptable sound
  • Durable, compact design
  • A sturdy design fit for workouts
  • Quality audio output
Cons
  • The ear tips may prove fussy

These earbuds offer a truly cord-free design that’s perfect for athletes. Their functional design enables an athlete to maximize each workout without having to worry about the earbuds falling out. The earbuds come with a waterproof feature that promises to withstand any sweat or moisture that the elements might throw your way.

Using what’s known as JBL sound and mic technology, these earbuds come with a feature known as Bionic Hearing. This feature allows you to hear your surroundings with two sound technologies that either amplify music or speech accordingly. The sound is finely tuned to deliver rich bass for those intense workouts.

The battery life allows for up to 20 hours of playtime with a single charge. The Bluetooth tech is easy to connect and delivers a cable-free experience. Extra security is provided by winged ear tips that keep the buds in place. The neat aluminum charging case offers a quick and convenient charge.

Key Features
  • True wireless earbuds
  • 20 Hours of battery life
  • Bionic hearing technology
  • Wireless Bluetooth connectivity
  • Aluminum charging case
Specifications
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Cord Length: No cord
  • Water-Resistant: Yes
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Battery Life: 20 hours
  • Brand: JBL
Pros
  • Great microphone clarity
  • Powerful bass delivery
  • Rich all-round sound performance
  • Strong battery life
  • Waterproof
Cons
  • Has a slight hiss at low volumes

The Soundcore Anker Liberty Air Earbuds come with drivers that are coated in graphene. This feature eliminates any sound distortion by enhancing sound clarity and accuracy. That way, you can enjoy detailed highs, mids, and deep bass.

The built-in touchpads allow you to control your music and incoming calls easily. The earbuds come with two inbuilt microphones that eliminate any ambient noise for more vibrant sound quality. A one-step pairing procedure via Bluetooth 5.0 allows easy link up with your device.

The extended battery life offers 5 hours of playtime, which is boosted to 20 hours via the charging case. These earbuds come with a water-resistant feature that offers excellent protection against sweat or moisture. Their fantastic price point and fantastic quality allow them to rival the best earbuds on the market.

Key Features
  • Graphene enhanced sound clarity
  • Extended playtime
  • Ultra-stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection
  • Integrated touch control
Specifications
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Cord Length: No cord
  • Water-Resistant: Yes
  • Noise Cancellation: Yes
  • Battery Life: 20 hours
  • Brand: Soundcore
Pros
  • Great sound quality with bass-forward audio
  • Water-resistant design
  • Easy to use integrated touch control
  • Great battery life for extended playtime
Cons
  • The case isn’t of great quality

If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds that offer supreme comfort, then look no further than the Beats X. The earphones come with a flat, tangle-free cable that offers excellent compatibility with iOS devices. They come with quick charge functionality that allows the buds to last up to two hours on a five-minute charge.

The design features two earbuds that are connected via a cable that goes around your neck. That means that you won’t end up losing these earbuds that easily. The wire also provides in-line controllability meaning easy access to your music. As basic as they may seem, you can use the controls to do a variety of things, including to play or pause your music, lower the volume or skip tracks.

The design is intelligent in that the bulky control panel sits around your neck instead of on one side. That eliminates that annoying feeling that your earbuds are always ready to fall off. The sound quality is quite clear and well balanced. The earbuds are also magnetic, ensuring a tangle-free experience while the ear tips come in a variety of sizes for personalized comfort. Aesthetics meets convenience with this pair of earbuds.

Key Features
  • Neckband minimizes chance of losing an earbud
  • Centralized control panel
  • Quick charge
Specifications
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Cord Length: 12 inches
  • Water-Resistant: No
  • Noise Cancellation: No
  • Battery Life: 8 hours
  • Brand: Beats
Pros
  • Balanced sound signature
  • Quick charging time
  • Different sized ear tips for customized comfort
  • Magnetic earbuds for tangle-free experience
Cons
  • Lack of clarity
Buy This Product
Beats X amazon
Shop

These earbuds offer superior sound quality. They come with a premium build both on the inside and outside and have easy controls for convenient and effortless pause and play options. The charge time is beyond amazing. Each minute of charge gives you a full hour of listening time, and a full charge takes only 14 minutes.

The magnetic control of the earbuds is what offers ease in controlling. By simply clipping the bullets together, you can magnetically turn them on or off. When you want to resume playback, separate them, and your music will start playing again.

The earbuds can be connected to two separate devices, and with a double-tap of the switch, you can seamlessly move from one device to another. Pairing functionality is straightforward. Just tap the "connect" option on your device, and that's it. The earbuds offer soft trebles and low bass thanks to improved audio tech. That means you get to a clear, powerful, and premium sound every time you press play.

Key Features
  • 10 mm dynamic drivers
  • Easy magnetic control
  • Quick charge time
  • Premium ergonomic design
Specifications
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Cord Length: 2 ft
  • Water-Resistant: No
  • Noise Cancellation: No
  • Battery Life: 14 Hours
  • Brand: OnePlus
Pros
  • Easy control system for convenient access
  • Rapid charge rate
  • 14 Hour playback time
  • Ergonomic design for comfort
  • Supports Google Assistant
Cons
  • The carrying case isn’t well designed

If you're looking for a decent pair of workout earbuds, then the Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 is an excellent option. They offer sweat-proof capability and water resistance, meaning that you can tackle your workout sessions with comfort and ease. The drivers are coated in graphene, meaning they deliver crystal clear sound. The battery life offers an incredible 10 hours of music playback.

The batteries are also quick charge with a 15-minute charge providing 2 hours of listening time. The unique SPINFIT twin blade ear tips offer excellent comfort levels while also giving stability so that the earbuds won’t fall out. The ear tips are made out of silicone for a snug fit while ear wings personalize the fit further.

The earbuds come with an in-line remote that makes it easy to control the volume. The remote feature also offers media playback functionality while allowing you to activate Siri or Google Assistant. This in-line remote also makes it easy to take and make phone calls on the go. The earbuds are made from a combination of aluminum and polycarbonate, giving them a lightweight frame that’s also durable.

Key Features
  • Quick charge
  • Inline remote
  • Graphene coated drivers
  • 10-hour battery life
Specifications
  • Wireless: Yes
  • Cord Length: 18 Inches
  • Water-Resistant: Yes
  • Noise Cancellation: No
  • Battery Life: 10 Hours
  • Brand: Optoma
Pros
  • Great audio output
  • Customized ear tips for more comfortable wear
  • Ergonomic design
  • Waterproof means they’re great for exercise
  • Quick charging time
Cons
  • Unsuitable for one-ear listening

The 80s were famous for the Walkman. With a pair of AA batteries, a mix tape, and a pair of headphones, it was possible to enjoy music on the go. Their portability is what made them such a hit in the first place. People could jam to their favorite tunes at school, work, while out on a walk or when doing grocery shopping.

Tech companies took note of the trend and have worked on that principle of portability to advance audio equipment. Nowadays, if you purchase a phone, you’ll find a pair of earbuds tucked away in the box. And for a long time, those customary earbuds would be wired in the sense that they’d have a 3.5-millimeter jack that you could plug into your phone. Well, those days are slowly and surely turning into an urban legend given the rate at which technology is moving.

Besides the fact that in-purchase earbuds are often low on quality and durability, people are now moving away from wired to wireless. Wires get in the way a lot, and there's also that nasty habit of getting all tangled up (it remains a mystery how that even happens!). Companies have had to move with the times or risk losing out on market share.

In the last few years, in particular, wireless earbuds have caught on like wildfire and are now the go-to option for lots of smartphone users. Millennials have had a profound impact on this trend. They prefer the simplicity and benefits that wireless earbuds offer. And since none of the big tech companies want to get left in the dust, they’ve had to up their game in regards to research and development of wireless earbuds.

With a wireless pair, you can enjoy your favorite tunes on a flight or in the gym or while you’re out walking your dog. Some brands offer incredible battery life meaning fewer charges in between listening. Other factors such as brand, design, and price come into play as well.

If you're one of those brand-loyal types, then you'll want a pair from your favorite brand. Perhaps aesthetics matter more to you, so you're after a pair that not only sounds good but also looks the part. If you're money-conscious, then you'll be on the lookout for something that offers value for an affordable price, and you'll figure out how to extend their life so they last you awhile. Whatever your preference, the choices are plenty.

So, the question lingers, what makes a good pair of wireless earbuds? A pricier option doesn’t always guarantee better quality. Well, here's a list of the ten best wireless that 2019 has to offer. Hopefully, at the end of the list, you'll be a bit less confused and a lot more enlightened.

Resources — Life Hack, Tech Radar

Share this Buyers Guide About The Author