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We think each of these categories are equally important, especially if youre making an investment.

Person holds Bose Quietcomfort Earbuds

Credit:Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

But it means Im well versed to write this piece.

Below youll find the top picks for the best earbuds of the year.

The sound quality on voice calls is somewhat lacking.

Amazon Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Credit: Amazon

Finally, we were surprised by how different and effective the listening modes were.

The earbuds themselves are quite large and can feel uncomfortable after a while.

These sleek Bowers & Wilkins earbuds have customizable control parameters fornoise cancellation, voice assistant, and volume control.

A hand removing a Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbud from the carrying case

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

We wish they felt more secure in our ears.

Apple products are some of the most seamlessly integrated on the market and that includes these headphones.

This does mean that the transparency mode doesnt work quite as well.

A person removing a Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbud from its case over a laptop

The silicone lends itself to more of a noise cancelation style, Fox says.

The setup is less than stellar and took us several tries to pair with our phone via the app.

The noise cancellation is less effective than others we tested.

Two hands holding an opened Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds case

The ANC is somewhat less effective, with more of a muffled background than true cancellation.

Lastly, you’re free to customize your earbuds with accessories and case covers in different colors.

There is no noise-canceling mode.

A close-up from the side of a person wearing the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds while sitting on a plane seat

These are great for people who run outside or cycle in traffic, though there are no ANC features.

These earbuds are also a terrific option for people with sensitive ears.

We had a harder time hearing voice calls than on other earbuds.

Two hands holding the a phone displaying the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds app

We loved the ability to tap the earbuds to navigate music and found the controls intuitive and responsive.

These felt really comfortable during extended periods of wear, and were lightweight and flexible for long workouts.

Though theyre water-resistant rather than waterproof, they stayed put during sweat sessions.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds on a persons lap while they hold a phone containing the earbud’s app

With just one listening mode, users might miss transparency and ANC.

They also have the longest battery life of all the earbuds on this list: up to 14 hours.

The main detraction with these was a less comfortable fit.

A person sitting on a plane on their laptop while wearing the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

This has been helpful in noisy offices, while traveling, or simply when were trying to focus.

If ANC is an important feature to you, check that the headphones you choose have it.

In addition, all of the earbuds on this list come with a charging case.

A hand removing a Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbud from the carrying case

And while Apple AirPods will work with Android phones, some features wont be available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing wireless versus wired earbuds depends on personal preferences and needs.

For most people, the answer is a resounding yes.

A person removing a Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbud from its case over a laptop

ANC can also make it easier to rest or sleep during the flight.

Check the manufacturer page, app notifications, and paper instructions for your individual set.

Two hands holding an opened Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds case

A close-up from the side of a person wearing the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds while sitting on a plane seat

Two hands holding the a phone displaying the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds app

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds on a persons lap while they hold a phone containing the earbud’s app

A person sitting on a plane on their laptop while wearing the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

Credit: Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones in someone’s ear

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jackie Cucco

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones with green indicator light

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones with open case

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones being taking out

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones on an airplane

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones in someone’s ear

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones taken out of case

Green Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones case

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones syncing

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones with all the accessories

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones in someone’s ear

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones with green indicator light

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones with open case

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones being taking out

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones on an airplane

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones in someone’s ear

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones taken out of case

Green Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones case

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones syncing

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Headphones with all the accessories

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)

Credit: Amazon

A hand removing a AirPod Pro 2nd Generation from its carrying case

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A hand placing a AirPod Pro 2nd Generation into its carrying case

A hand removing the last AirPod Pro 2nd Generation from the carrying case

A hand holding an opened AirPods Pro 2nd Generation case near a laptop

A close-up of a person on a plane while wearing the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation

A person dancing in front of a white wall while wearing the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation

A hand removing a AirPod Pro 2nd Generation from its carrying case

A hand placing a AirPod Pro 2nd Generation into its carrying case

A hand removing the last AirPod Pro 2nd Generation from the carrying case

A hand holding an opened AirPods Pro 2nd Generation case near a laptop

A close-up of a person on a plane while wearing the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation

A person dancing in front of a white wall while wearing the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX

Credit: Amazon

A hand holding an opened Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbud case pairing to a phone resting on a laptop

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A person on their phone while holding an opened Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbud case

A person putting on the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds while on a plane

A close-up from a side-angle of a person wearing the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX

A person wearing the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX while one the matching app on their phone

A close-up of an opened Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbud case with one earbud missing

A close-up of a hand placing a Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbud into their ear

A person smiling in a room while tilting their head to test the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds

A hand holding an opened Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbud case pairing to a phone resting on a laptop

A person on their phone while holding an opened Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbud case

A person putting on the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds while on a plane

A close-up from a side-angle of a person wearing the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX

A person wearing the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX while one the matching app on their phone

A close-up of an opened Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbud case with one earbud missing

A close-up of a hand placing a Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbud into their ear

A person smiling in a room while tilting their head to test the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds

Sony LinkBuds Fit Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones

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Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds on a tray table

Credit: Travel + Leisure/Morgan Ashley Parker

Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds on an airplane tray table

Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds on a tray table

A person holding the Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds

A woman wearing the Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds

Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds on a tray table

Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds on a tray table

Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds on an airplane tray table

Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds on a tray table

A person holding the Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds

A woman wearing the Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds

Sony Linkbuds Fit Truly Earbuds on a tray table

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Credit: Amazon

A close-up of a person’s ear wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Two hands opening the carrying case of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

A hand removing a Bose Ultra Open Earbud from its carrying case held above their leg

A close-up of two hands opening a Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

A person sitting on a plane on their laptop while wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

A close-up from behind of a person putting a Bose Ultra Open Earbuds into their ear

A person wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds while holding a phone containing their app

A person exercising in a bedroom while wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

A person tilting their head while wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds in a bedroom setting

A close-up of a person’s ear wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Two hands opening the carrying case of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

A hand removing a Bose Ultra Open Earbud from its carrying case held above their leg

A close-up of two hands opening a Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

A person sitting on a plane on their laptop while wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

A close-up from behind of a person putting a Bose Ultra Open Earbuds into their ear

A person wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds while holding a phone containing their app

A person exercising in a bedroom while wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

A person tilting their head while wearing the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds in a bedroom setting

Beats Fit Pro Noise Canceling Earbuds

Credit: Amazon

A person wearing Beats Fit Pro Noise Canceling Earbuds while leaning on a exercise ball.

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik

Beats Fit Pro Noise Canceling Earbuds in their case on a desk with office supplies

A person wearing Beats Fit Pro Noise Canceling Earbuds in a room with another person

A person wearing Beats Fit Pro Noise Canceling Earbuds while leaning on a exercise ball.

Beats Fit Pro Noise Canceling Earbuds in their case on a desk with office supplies

A person wearing Beats Fit Pro Noise Canceling Earbuds in a room with another person

Soundcore Sleep A20 by Anker Sleep Earbuds

Credit: Amazon

Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones in hand

Credit: Travel + Leisure/Jackie Cucco

Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones in hand

Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones and accessories

Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones on a table

Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones on a table

Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones in hand

Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones in hand

Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones and accessories

Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones on a table

Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 headphones on a table

A hand removing a Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 earbud from its case

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro in Bora Purple displayed in their case near box and extra tips

Travel + Leisure / Sally Slack

A person placing a Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 earbud into their ear

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim