Best wireless earbuds under $200

True wireless earbuds, aka wireless earbuds, look like the future. In fact, they look like the kind of future with jetpacks and hoverboards that actually work, and now that wireless tech has matured, you can snag a pair of buds on any budget. With improvements to Bluetooth stability and ergonomics, it’s no wonder folks are shedding cables before ditching wheels. These are the best wireless earbuds under $200 that can bring the future to you today.

The JBL Live Beam 3 is the best for most people

The JBL Live Beam 3 brings an impressive array of features to the sub-$200 wireless earbud market. These earbuds stand out with their innovative smart charging case, which features a touch display for controlling playback, ANC modes, and various other functions without needing to use your phone.

Sound quality is a strong point, with a consumer-friendly tuning that emphasizes bass and treble. The earbuds offer multiple EQ presets, including a “Studio” mode for those preferring a more balanced sound. Active noise cancelation is effective, particularly for low-frequency sounds, making these suitable for commutes and travel. The transparency mode also performs well for staying aware of your surroundings.

Overall, the JBL Live Beam 3 offers an impressive package for tech enthusiasts who want cutting-edge features in their earbuds, backed by solid sound quality and comfort.

• Battery life: 8 hours and 14 minutes
• Connections: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3
• Water resistance: IP55
• Weight: 4.9g per earbud

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has the best ANC

If you have an Android phone, there’s a good chance it’s a Samsung phone. Much like how iPhone users default to the AirPods Pro, it should follow that Samsung users get the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. For one, you benefit from the Samsung Seamless Codec, which constantly adjusts for quality and stability and potentially offers 24-bit audio. All other users get their pick of AAC or SBC.

These earbuds excel at canceling low-frequency noise, making them ideal for commutes and noisy environments. The Galaxy Buds Pro suits a commute well. Meanwhile, the sound profile works well with most music. It has a reasonable dose of bass and a strong emphasis on higher frequencies, making it consumer-friendly. The app also includes EQ presets, so you can find one that suits your tastes.

Comfort is a strong point, with the earbuds feeling lightweight and comfortable for extended wear. The touch controls are responsive and no longer have the oversensitivity of previous iterations. Now that these earbuds are a couple of years old, they can regularly be found on discounts for less than $200.

• Battery life: 4 hours 50 minutes (ANC on)
• Connections: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, Samsung Seamless Codec
• Water resistance: IPX7
• Weight: 5.5g per earbud

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) is the best pair of wireless earbuds for iPhone owners

Apple popularized the wireless earbud revolution with the (not so amazing) AirPods (2nd generation) and (3rd generation), but don’t confuse those for the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation), which come with ANC and silicone ear tips so you can find a good fit. If you have an iPhone, the efficiency of the H2 chip, along with fast pairing and easy device switching, makes the AirPods Pro a good choice. iPhone owners also get the benefit of battery optimization, Spatial Audio, head tracking, hands-free Siri access, and more.

Apple smartened up and got the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) an IP54 with the latest USB-C version of the earbuds for better dust resistance and more universal charging. The frequency response sounds pretty decent, with a pleasant amount of bass and audible mids. The microphone is quite good, and the stemmed design helps with that. If you want something that just works, try the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). If you don’t mind the Apple tax, at least you know what you get isn’t a gamble.

• Battery life: 5 hours and 43 minutes with ANC on (up to 30 hours total with the charging case)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with support for SBC and AAC codecs
• Protected against: IPX4 water resistance rating for both earbuds and case
• Weight: 5.3g per earbud

The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 has the best sound quality

The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 wireless earbuds are an impressive contender in the sub-$200 category, particularly for those prioritizing sound quality. At $150, these earbuds feature a dual-driver system with xMEMS speakers, offering audio fidelity that appeals to audiophiles. They support the latest Bluetooth 5.3 technology and codecs such as LC3, LE, and apt-X Lossless via Snapdragon Sound, ensuring high-quality streaming and future-proof connectivity. The Creative app complements the hardware with a parametric equalizer, allowing users to tailor the sound profile to their preferences.

Despite their sound prowess, the Aurvana Ace 2 has its limitations. The noise canceling capability is only mediocre, and the absence of auto play/pause functionality may detract from the user experience for some. However, these earbuds stand out for their unique design, lightweight and comfortable fit, and the inclusion of IPX5 water resistance, making them versatile for everyday use. The battery life is adequate, with over 24 hours of total playback time when factoring in the charging case, and the earbuds offer fast charging for quick top-ups. Given these features and their price point, the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 represents a compelling option for those seeking high-quality sound without breaking the bank.

• Battery life: 6 hours and 13 minutes on a single charge (up to 24 hours total with the charging case)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with support for LC3, LE, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC codecs
• Protected against: IPX5 water resistance rating
• Weight: 4.7g per earbud

JLab Epic Lab Edition: Best Value

The JLab Epic Lab Edition offers flagship features for less than $200. These earbuds deliver excellent sound quality thanks to their hybrid driver arrangement developed in partnership with Knowles. With a strong bass response and clear highs, they cater to most listeners’ preferences.

Key features include effective active noise cancelation, a transparency mode, and support for high-quality codecs like LDAC and LC3. The earbuds also offer Bluetooth Multipoint, wireless charging, and a unique USB-C dongle for lag-free PC audio.

While the earbuds are on the larger side, they remain comfortable for most users. The companion app provides a user-friendly interface with a 10-band EQ and customizable touch controls.

The JLab Epic Lab Edition may not match the absolute best in ANC performance, but it offers a compelling package of features, sound quality, and value that’s hard to beat in this price range.

• Battery life: 8 hours 46 minutes (earbuds), additional charges from case
• Connections: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
• Water resistance: IP55
• Weight: 5.4g per earbud

The best bang for your buck is the Nothing Ear

At just $149, the Nothing Ear earbuds punch well above their weight class in terms of features and performance. Nothing packed the Ear with premium specs like 11mm ceramic drivers that deliver outstanding sound quality with great clarity and an immersive soundstage. The advanced parametric EQ allows you to precisely tune the sound profile to your preferences. You also get support for high-quality LDAC and LHDC Bluetooth codecs.

Despite the low price, the Nothing Ear doesn’t cut corners when it comes to features. Highlights include good active noise cancelation, a superb transparency mode, and around 8 hours of battery life with fast USB-C and wireless charging.

The feature-packed companion app provides an advanced EQ, hearing test-based sound personalization, customizable touch controls, and more. You even get a low-latency gaming mode.

While the ANC could be stronger, it’s hard to find a better total package for under $200 than the Nothing Ear. You get premium audio quality, tons of features, and a sleek, durable design at an unbeatable value.

• Battery life: 8 hours and 4 minutes of playback (up to 40 hours total with the charging case)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with support for LHDC 5.0, LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs
• Water resistance: IP54 rating for earbuds, IP55 for the charging case
• Weight: 4.6g per earbud

The Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds are a reliable set of workout earbuds

If your goal is to get an excellent pair of dedicated workout buds, the Sennheiser Sport True Wireless Earbuds have your back with a secure fit via wings and six different-sized ear tips.

Like any good set of exercise-ready earbuds, the Sport Wireless Earbuds have an IP54 rating against dust and sweat. The buds’ touch controls work well, and Sennheiser’s app has EQ and adjustable commands. Plus, the frequency response is very nice, with great bass and mids response and some slight under-emphasis in the treble.

Utilizing Bluetooth 5.2, Sennheiser ensures you get a good selection of codecs, including aptX (for Android users), AAC (for iOS), and SBC. With a battery life of 7 hours, 13 minutes, and two additional charges, these will outlast pretty much any hike or marathon you throw at them.

The Beats Studio Buds Plus are a great budget pick

Updating the successful formula of the Beats Studio Buds are the Beats Studio Buds Plus. Despite belonging to the Apple empire, the Studio Buds Plus works just as well with Android as they do with iOS. They come with good ANC for less than the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), too.

One of the standout features of the Beats Studio Buds Plus is the battery life, which reaches a very impressive 8 hours and 22 minutes with ANC enabled. The noise canceling works where it counts, in filtering out low-frequency noises, and the passive isolation is pretty good, too.

While the tuning of the Studio Buds Plus is a bit more low-end than our ideal, it’s far better for most music than older Beats, which were really bassy. Beats include the standard AAC and SBC codecs, which is fine for most. There’s an app as well, but besides updates, it doesn’t do much, and if you’ve got an iPhone, it’s all integrated into your settings instead. The only bugaboo to keep in mind is that the Studio Buds Plus uses buttons and not touch controls, which can interfere with your fit.

The Grell Audio TWS 1 sounds as great as it looks

Former Sennheiser chief headphone engineer Axel Grell has a new project: the Grell Audio TWS 1 active noise canceling wireless earphones. If you’re an audiophile who wants Bluetooth earbuds that put sound quality first, the TWS 1 is a solid contender. Right out of the box, these earphones sound great, and you can take the sound quality a step further with the SoundID app. Not only can you let Sonarworks’ software create a custom sound built around your hearing abilities, but you can also create a granular custom EQ of your own.

Sound quality aside, these earbuds have a beautiful design with Gorilla Glass-covered touch panels that allow you to control playback and field calls like most wireless earphones. The large panels make for an easy target, so you shouldn’t have to deal with misfires often. The charging case is fairly large to accommodate the earphones, though, which may be a turn-off to those with particularly small bags or pockets.

Grell Audio’s active noise canceling and “noise annoyance reduction” (NAR) effectively combats background noise, but it isn’t technically the most effective ANC on the market, which is purposeful. NAR constantly adjusts the ANC intensity based on how loud your environment is so that it sounds more natural and less jarring, which some listeners experience with other top-tier ANC headsets. The foam ear tips do a great job of handing frequencies higher than 1kHz, so you shouldn’t hear much in the way of generic room noise like chatter.

Should you get the Google Pixel Buds Pro for Android?

For the tech and productivity-minded amongst us, the Google Pixel Buds Pro feels future-forward in a friendly format. These Mentos-shaped earbuds have exclusive features such as Google Translate integrated into the buds to translate a speaker on the fly. The noise canceling is rather good, too. Folks who want spatial audio with head tracking can pair the Pixel Buds Pro with a Pixel phone as well.

No ANC? No problem with the Jabra Elite 4

If you don’t need ANC and just want some reliable earbuds that sound good, try the Jabra Elite 4. By default, these earbuds supply a good frequency response (and the app has EQ too). The Elite 4 utilizes aptX and SBC codecs, which is solid for Android users, although not ideal for iOS. While Jabra also has the exercise-oriented Jabra Elite Active 4, the non-active model still has a robust IP55 rating and improved isolation properties. Uniquely, Jabra designed the Elite 4 with a Goldilocks combination of functionality, pricepoint, and sound. Best of all, it’s well under $200.

The best wireless earbuds under $200: Notable mentions

• Anker Soundcore Space A40: These budget-minded earbuds have a lot of great features, such as ANC for a cut price of $79 at Amazon.
• Beats Fit Pro: These buds feature stabilizers to keep them in your ears and come in a myriad of colors, too (for $139.95 at Woot!). They can be fussy with some Android devices, but in-ear detection and a decent ANC rate as some of their upgraded features.
• Beats Powerbeats Pro: Beats workout earbuds have an IPX4 rating, secure ear hook design, and battery life (10 hours, 52 minutes). You need a Lightning cable to charge the case, which may be frustrating for those who don’t use Apple products. Still, the Powerbeats Pro is generally for iPhone owners since it has the same H1 chip as the AirPods Pro. Try it for $159 at Amazon.
• Bose Sport Earbuds: These stalwart earbuds have been around for a couple of years and do all the exercise tasks you might throw at them well. Importantly, they grip your ears with stabilizers and sound pretty good, too. Pick them up for $165 at Amazon.
• Bose Sport Open Earbuds: This is for the person who does not want or need ANC. In fact, this person wants to hear everything. With such a niche set of earphones, the Bose Sports Open keeps you aware while you exercise and provides a stable fit (for on the product’s website). Its AAC and SBC codec support only, and the case doesn’t provide any battery charging.
• Google Pixel Buds A-Series: This headset is ideal for Google Pixel phone owners and Android phone owners at large. You get a pretty consumer-friendly sound when you enable the boosted bass EQ mode, and the default frequency response is great for spoken word content like audiobooks or podcasts. These sell for $79 at Amazon.
• Jabra Elite 7 Pro: Durable noise canceling earbuds with tons of customization from the Jabra Sound+ app. The Jabra Elite 7 Pro checks almost all the right boxes for $199 at Amazon.
• Jaybird Vista 2: If you plan on running over your earbuds while dunking them in mud, the Vista 2 sports IP68 and MIL-STD-810G certifications. The price teasingly sits just below $200 ($117 at Amazon), which is why it’s here. However, you get good sound quality and a comprehensive app. Great isolation and above-average ANC make the Vista 2 a solid alternative.
• JBL Tune Buds ($69.95 at Amazon): If you are able to get a good fit with the JBL Tune Buds, you will enjoy using these earbuds. They are packed full of features and have a sound quality that most people like.
• Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless: This pair of wireless earbuds bring great noise canceling at a reasonable price ($89 at Amazon). You don’t get many extras with these earbuds, but Sennheiser makes sure that all music sounds good through this headset with its neutral-leaning frequency response.
• Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3: The third time is the charm with the MTW line of earbuds from Sennheiser. On this go, Sennheiser includes stabilizing wing tips and support for aptX Adaptive. This is a great pair of earbuds for listeners who value sound quality and ANC, but the price makes it a bit cost-prohibitive ($169 at Amazon).
• Shure AONIC Free: If you don’t like noise canceling or just don’t want it, the AONIC Free from Sennheiser is a great headset (for $199 at Amazon). These earbuds feature narrow-diameter nozzles and comfortable memory foam ear tips. The headset does a great job of blocking out noise without the need for ANC. You still get great Sennheiser sound and build quality, along with an excellent software experience on any mobile OS.
• Sony LinkBuds S: These subtle-looking earbuds feature excellent ANC and a solid frequency response curve with LDAC and AAC. Check them out for $148 at Amazon.
• Sony WF-C500: This fresh pair of wireless earbuds from Sony feature DSEE upsampling and an IPX4 rating. Listeners get many of the same bells and whistles as the premium Sony WF-1000XM4 for less than half the price, $98 at Amazon.

What you should know about wireless earbuds under $200

How long do wireless earbuds last?

This seemingly simple question has a few answers. On average, most wireless earbuds have a standalone battery life of between four and six hours, with the charging case providing an extra two or three charge cycles. In other words, you can get anything from 12 to 24-plus hours of battery out of your true wireless earbuds and the case before you need to recharge them.

While the battery life is still the Achilles’ heel of any wireless product, some manufacturers have an ace up their sleeves. Many cases can quickly charge your earbuds. You’ll commonly see specs like 10 minutes of charging provides 60 minutes of listening. Some manufacturers like OnePlus go above and beyond with their fast charging speeds, but most stick to the “10 minutes yields one-hour” standard. It’s a stat worth checking because you want to listen and not wait around for your buds to charge.

What are Bluetooth codecs?

Bluetooth codecs help make the difference between an okay sound and a very good sound, and here’s your friendly reminder that the headphone jack is still the queen of quality. Codecs allow your smartphone or laptop to communicate with your headset. Every Bluetooth audio device supports SBC by default, so at the very least, your earbuds can stream over that. If you’re steeped in the Apple ecosystem, all you need to know is AAC is your codec of choice.

For Android users, the situation seems more nebulous and dependent on both your device and your use case. If the earbuds in question only have AAC and SBC, sometimes you get better quality results with SBC. Otherwise, to reduce latency (which is a real bugaboo with Bluetooth and video), look for higher resolution options like aptX or aptX-LL. Some manufacturers (similar to Apple) have chosen to optimize for their own ecosystem. Samsung’s proprietary codec works best with other Samsung products.

Basically, pay attention to codecs. SBC might be a one-size-fits-all situation, but maybe you want some tailoring.

What is a frequency response?

If you’ve poked around our site enough, you’ve probably seen frequency response charts. Basically, we measure how closely an audio product reproduces sound relative to our house curve (consumer or studio). In our updated frequency response charts, cyan represents the product in question, and the pink line represents the SoundGuys curve. Although many people prefer a studio or “flat” response, most of us average listeners like a bit more bass and treble in our tunes. You can read more about the SoundGuys house curves, but the gist is that this is what works well for most people.

A good frequency response is one that does not unduly hide other frequencies by being too loud. In other words, if bass sounds are too loud, you probably can’t hear quieter sounds of other frequencies as well. That’s how human brains work. We just don’t process quieter sounds as well as louder ones. This often results in folks turning up the volume, and you want to keep your hearing, right?

Why does fit matter?

A contributing factor in finding the perfect true wireless earbuds has to do with fit. Fit matters because we can post about all sorts of awesome features, but none of them make a difference if the buds fall out of your ears. More often, the topic of fit means something more subtle. Do the buds adequately seal your ear? A poor fit actually alters your perception of the frequency response.

Fortunately, most earphones ship with a selection of different-sized ear tips. When in doubt, try a third-party option. We also typically include ear tip measurements when reviewing a product so you can compare it to what you already have.

What is isolation/active noise canceling (ANC)?

Remember know how fit matters for hearing things correctly? It also matters for achieving isolation. Isolation works much in the way that earplugs do: by creating a physical barrier between your ears and the noisy world. Inherently, some designs isolate better than others. Sometimes, that’s so you can hear your surroundings out of safety. Isolation works best typically for higher-pitched incidental sounds, like clangs in a café.

Active noise cancellation uses microphones that detect your environmental surroundings and basically use the opposite soundwaves to cancel the noise out. Frequently, there is a small delay while it detects the environmental noise. For that reason, ANC fights droning sounds best because it is somewhat predictive in nature. A fast, brief burst of sound is typically too quick for ANC to dramatically quiet it, hence why isolation is the best tool for clangs. ANC is your friend for airplanes, as it typically works on repeating sounds that land in lower frequencies.

How we choose the best wireless earbuds under $200

At SoundGuys, we perform objective tests to measure things like frequency response, isolation, microphone quality, and more. In order to do so, we use a Bruel & Kjaer 5128 head and torso simulator (HATS) with an anatomically realistic ear canal and outer ear. We also use a standardized setup to test the microphone quality of products with pre-recorded phrases from a calibrated artificial mouth in our test chamber. This allows us to present standardized microphone samples to you so you can judge the quality of various products and compare them across the board. After we collect all of this data, we then score each product through a variety of objective and subjective measures.

Our team then confers with one another regarding the best products for a given category, and we present our list to you. It’s not over after we hit “publish,” though. Instead, we treat every article as a living document that we update as new and worthy products come out.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

We have no ulterior motives. All of our contributors abide by a strict ethics policy. This means none of us receives compensation from manufacturers, and we don’t do direct sales. Our site features no advertisements or “hit pieces.” SoundGuys only makes money when readers choose to purchase a product through a referral link to a retailer. Because of this model, we have no financial reason to suggest or prefer one product over another.

Our recommendations are based on our years-long industry experience and each product’s merit. We use review copies of products, but none of us can keep them. Instead, we give them away or gift them to worthy causes. In other words, we do our best to provide accurate and fair content. We endeavor to correct our mistakes and constantly improve our testing methods. Our goal at SoundGuys includes making sure you are well-informed and can make the best decision for your needs.

Frequently asked questions about wireless earbuds