Technology
The ones reviewers love in 2020
Science says your wired headphones are doomed to tangle, so get a pair of these wireless earbuds instead.
Do the cords of your headphones look like some sort of impossible puzzle after spending just a few minutes inside a pocket or purse? Turns out there’s a scientific explanation for that.
In 2007, two researchers at the University of California decided to study the likelihood of knot formation by tumbling a piece of string inside a plastic box. They performed no fewer than 3,415 trials of this experiment and analysed the resulting knots using mathematical knot theory. Yep, seriously.
The pair published their findings in a , titled “Spontaneous knotting of an agitated string,” concluding that one end of a string has to cross another part of the string just twice for a spontaneous knot to begin forming. That means as soon as you stash away your headphones, they can be well on their way to Tangle City in a matter of seconds.
The researchers went on to explain that a cord has a good chance of tangling if it’s at least 18 inches long, and that the probability of a snarl forming increases with length. At 59 inches long (or just under 5 feet), you’re pretty much screwed: That’s when a cord reaches its maximum possible likelihood of tangling at 50%. All of this is to say that your 55-inch Apple EarPods are pretty much destined to twist themselves into an absolute state, and there’s really nothing you can do to prevent it.
Mercifully, the tech industry’s collective decision to ditch the headphone jack on smartphones has given rise to a new species of audio gear: wireless earbuds. Just like a pair of standard wired buds, these little guys fit snugly inside your ear’s concha — that’s the shell-shaped cavity right next to the entrance of your ear canal — only instead of sending digital audio signals through a cord, they transmit them via a Bluetooth connection.
If portability and a lower price point appeals to you, you’ll probably prefer wireless earbuds over the on-ear counterpart (wireless headphones). And lucky for you, Apple is no longer the only major brand cranking them out: From Bose to Beats, almost everyone’s got a couple of wireless earbud offerings on the market nowadays.
All those buying options can make for a tricky decision when it comes to finding the right pair of wireless earbuds in terms of fit, style, and intended use. That’s why we’ve sought out the opinions of true experts — that is, actual customers — to bring you the following list of the best wireless earbuds featuring the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology.
These are the best wireless earbuds in 2020.
Available in four colours • Support Alexa, Siri, and the Google Assistant • Three sets of EarGels (adjustable tips) included • Long battery life
Some Redditors have issues pairing their buds to the Jabra Sound+ app
One of the most well-rounded sets of true wireless earbuds money can buy.
Jabra Elite Active 65t
They may not enjoy the same mainstream brand recognition as AirPods or Galaxy Buds, but Jabra’s long-lasting earbuds are excellent.-
Playtime:
5 hours (+10 hours with charging case) -
Style:
True wireless -
Built-in mic:
Yes -
Charging case included:
Yes
The Elite Active 65ts also come highly recommended thanks to something called HearThrough, a mode that uses the buds’ built-in microphones to pick up ambient sounds.
You’ll find plenty of other features on the Jabra Sound+ companion smartphone app, including tools to customise a music profile, monitor your earbuds’ charging status, and connect them to your preferred voice assistant (Alexa, Siri, or the Google Assistant). Really, the only thing they’re missing is a dedicated noise-cancellation mode — although their in-ear tips are said to be good at eliminating most environmental noises.
Very comfortable • Sweat and water resistant • Great sound quality • Excellent noise-cancellation for their size • Easy pairing and a stable connection
Expensive • Playtime takes a hit when noise-cancellation is turned on
The hype is well deserved.
Apple AirPods Pro
Apple’s in-ear buds are now even better with the addition of active noise-cancellation technology.-
Playtime:
4.5 hours of listening time and 3.5 hours of talk time (+24 and +18 hours, respectively, with charging case) -
Style:
True wireless -
Built-in mic:
Yes -
Charging case included:
Yes
Featuring a shorter and wider design and clearer sound quality over the second generation of AirPods, the Pro version’s secret to good noise cancellation are its soft, removable silicone tips, which come in three different sizes. These tips make the AirPods Pro far more comfortable than most in-ear buds, but more importantly, they create a tight seal to effectively tune out ambient sounds. Granted, it’s virtually impossible to achieve total silence with a little pair of in-ear buds — for that, you need a nice, hefty pair of headphones that cover your entire ear. But for their size, the AirPods Pro are pretty great at eliminating the hubbub of your surroundings.
If you ever decide you want to hear some of that hubbub — say, if you’re waiting for the tube or crossing the street — simply turn on the AirPods Pro’s Transparency mode. It’s just like the Jabra Elite Active 65t’s HearThrough feature in that it uses the buds’ built-in microphones to pick up some of the sounds of your environment while preserving the clarity of whatever it is you’re listening to.
Very lightweight • Four sets of EarTips and EarWings included • Sweatproof and water resistant • Easy pairing • Customer service is great
Short battery life • Don’t fit securely enough for running or rigorous workouts
They won’t blow you away, but they’re excellent for the money.
Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo
Offering decent sound for the money, Anker’s buds are a worthy upgrade from the junky earbuds you impulse-bought at the airport.-
Playtime:
3.5 hours (+9 hours with charging case) -
Style:
True wireless -
Built-in mic:
Yes -
Charging case included:
Yes
Now, that’s not to say the Neos are as good-sounding or comfortable as a pair of high-end earbuds like the AirPods — you get what you pay for. The vast majority of customers who left reviews on Amazon and the Anker website say they’re really easy to pair with other devices and deliver balanced, natural sound with above-average bass, but some reported connection issues with random audio drops and an awkward fit.
All things considered, they’re an excellent value and a good choice for light use. Moreover, Anker’s customer service has an awesome reputation among reviewers; more often than not, the company will send a free replacement if a customer reports an issue.
Durable build quality with modern design • Reliable connection • The best sound quality money can buy • Splash resistant
Weak battery life • Pricey
Very high quality at a high cost.
Sennheiser Momentum
If you can justify the high price tag, you’ll be the proud owner of the best-sounding buds on your block.-
Playtime:
4 hours (+12 with charging case) -
Style:
True wireless -
Built-in mic:
Yes -
Charging case included:
Yes
No, but seriously: Sennheiser has a reputation for engineering high-end audio equipment of exceptional quality (as any audiophile can tell you), and its Momentum True Wireless earbuds are no exception: The mid-tones are clear, bright, well-balanced; the bass is super bold (but doesn’t rattle your skull); and high notes don’t sound tinny — rather, they twinkle.
What’s more, Sennheiser’s companion Smart Control app lets you tweak the earbuds’ frequency response to accommodate your personal listening preferences, and there’s a Transparency Hearing mode that lets you listen to your surroundings without removing the buds from your ears.
Long story short: If you can afford these puppies, well, lucky you.
Water resistant • Stellar overall sound quality • Fit is secure • Available in four different colours
Mediocre battery life • Bulky design
If you care about the sound quality of your music above all else, these should be your go-tos.
Bose SoundSport Free
These bulbous little buds offer some serious oomph — just don’t expect much from them when it comes to video syncing.-
Playtime:
5 hours (+10 hours with charging case) -
Style:
True wireless -
Built-in mic:
Yes -
Charging case included:
Yes
In terms of overall sound quality, former Mashable tech reporter Raymond Wong made the bold claim that the SoundSport Frees “sound better than [first-gen] AirPods” when he reviewed them in 2018, citing crisper tones and a “much clearer separation between the left and right earbuds.”
Amazon customers are huge fans of the SoundSport Frees’ easy pairing, as well as the fact that their companion smartphone app (Bose Connect) features a tool that can help you track down a lost bud if you accidentally misplace it.
The biggest issue most reviewers have with the SoundSport Frees is that they’re crappy when it comes to video syncing — the audio tends to lag a second or two behind — so if you spend a lot of time watching Netflix or YouTube, skip these buds.
Wireless PowerShare lets you juice up with other Galaxy devices • Lightweight • Splash resistant
Establishing a connection with your smartphone is kind of a hassle • Not the most comfy
From charging options to touchpad controls, there are plenty of ways to make these things your own.
Samsung Galaxy Buds
These durable and highly customisable earbuds offer the sort of convenient functionality that even Apple devotees can get behind.-
Playtime:
6 hours (+7 hours with charging case) -
Style:
True wireless -
Built-in mic:
Yes -
Charging case included:
Yes
For starters, Samsung’s Galaxy Wearables app is a must-download; it allows you to tweak your Buds’ touchpad controls, adjust their notifications, and customise their sound via an equalizer for a personalised listening experience. There are also options to switch your Buds to an Ambient sound mode, which lets you hear some of your surroundings, and enable a “Find My Earbuds” tool that’ll pinpoint a lost Bud’s hiding spot.
With the Galaxy Buds, even your charging options are flexible: Pop the Buds inside their included charging case for up to seven extra hours of battery life on the go, or use the Wireless PowerShare feature to steal some juice from your Galaxy S10 series smartphone.
Based on the reviews we’ve read, the biggest issue people seem to have with the Galaxy Buds is that they’re annoying to pair with other devices. You have to create a Samsung account and download the SmartThings app to establish a connection, and the Galaxy Wearables app is a whole other thing that’s strictly for fine-tuning your settings. Still, they come highly recommended overall.
Secure fit • All-day battery life • Sweat and water-resistant • Quick and easy syncing
Not true wireless • Reviewers say there’s barely any bass
Great for morning runs, but not so much for daily use.
Vi Lifebeam
These AI-enabled earbuds have the potential to replace your Fitbit and your personal trainer.-
Playtime:
8 hours -
Style:
Wireless -
Built-in mic:
Yes -
Charging case included:
No
From the AI-enabled wearables maker LifeBEAM comes the Vi Sense Wireless Headphones, the ideal workout buddy for runners and cyclers alike. They’re powered by a voice-activated, artificially intelligent personal trainer named Vi (think of her as Siri’s more athletic cousin), who uses the buds’ built-in biosensors to deliver personalised training sessions based on statistics like your heart rate, motion, and elevation. You can access these custom fitness plans and track your progress anytime on the Spotify-compatible Vi Trainer app, which you can try for free for a whole year.
It should be noted that the Vi Sense aren’t true wireless earbuds (like the rest of the buds on the list); they’re attached to each other with a small cable that’s connected to a flexible neckband. It’s a design that won’t appeal to everyone, but most reviewers really seem to like it.
Four pairs of eartips included • Available in four different colours • Fast pairing thanks to Apple’s H1 chip • Great battery life • Great sound quality
Charging case is huge and requires a lightning cable • Expensive
An excellent AirPods alternative for Apple zealots.
Powerbeats Pro
Love Apple, but hate AirPods? The Beats Powerbeats Pro are a sporty alternative comfy enough for all-day wear with an all-day battery life to match.-
Playtime:
9 hours (+24 hours with charging case) -
Style:
True wireless with earhooks -
Built-in mic:
Yes -
Charging case included:
Yes
Enter: Beats’ Powerbeats Pro, a Mashable’s Choice Award-winning pair of totally wireless earbuds and one of the few that are actually comfortable enough for all-day use. Granted, their somewhat bulky design isn’t for everyone — but if you don’t mind the ear hooks that keep them securely positioned, you’re in for a really solid pair of ultra-wearable buds that won’t budge.
Speaking of, the Powerbeats Pros are actually pretty similar to the AirPods as far as their tech specs go: They come equipped with Siri, feature the H1 chip for quick and easy pairing, and offer hours upon hours of battery life. If you’re an Apple user who really, really hates the look of those white Q-tips, the Pros might make a solid Plan B.
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