Wireless earbuds for noisy commute & important calls - need advice!
I analyzed Reddit for the 20 most recommended wireless earbuds in the past year
What are some of the best earbuds for Android phones?
Best app for airpods pro on Android
Are wireless earbuds better than Bluetooth?
No, wireless earbuds use Bluetooth technology for wireless connectivity. Bluetooth is the standard that allows wireless earbuds to connect to devices without cables.
How do I choose the best wireless earbuds for me?
With the vast array of wireless earbuds available, choosing the right pair can be daunting. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting the best wireless earbuds for your needs:
- Fit and Comfort: A proper fit is crucial for achieving optimal sound quality and noise isolation. Look for earbuds that come with multiple ear tip sizes, especially for small ears, or offer a secure, customizable fit. Comfort is also essential, especially if you plan to wear them for extended periods.
- Sound Quality: Assess your audio preferences and prioritize earbuds with a sound signature that aligns with your taste. Review the frequency response and consider earbuds with customizable EQ settings if you prefer to fine-tune the sound.
- Noise Cancellation: If you plan to use your earbuds in noisy environments, active noise cancelation (ANC) can significantly improve your listening experience by reducing external sounds.
- Battery Life: Longer battery life means fewer interruptions and fewer charges. Look for earbuds with at least 6-8 hours of playback time per charge, and consider the additional charges provided by the charging case.
- Connectivity and Codecs: Ensure the earbuds are compatible with your devices and support the latest Bluetooth standards and codecs (e.g., AAC, aptX, LDAC) for higher audio quality and stable connectivity.
- Water/Sweat Resistance: If you plan to use your earbuds during workouts or in humid conditions, look for an IP rating (e.g., IPX4, IPX7) that indicates the level of water and sweat resistance.
- Additional Features: Consider other features that may be important to you, such as wireless charging, touch controls, transparency mode, or voice assistant integration.
By evaluating these factors based on your specific needs and preferences, you can narrow down your options and choose the best wireless earbuds that provide an optimal listening experience.
Why you should get wireless earbuds
We’re witnessing a wireless epoch. It’s no longer niche or novel to listen completely untethered on your way to work. Technological advancements have lowered the financial barrier to entry, and cheap wireless options are readily available to budget listeners.
Wireless earbuds can still be for you if you don’t commute, especially if you like to exercise. Nothing’s more convenient than listening completely wire-free. There are many great wireless workout earbuds for runners and gym rats alike. Numerous companies have gone the extra mile by getting products officially IP certified, but they also integrate useful athletic features (e.g., ear hook design, silicone wing tips, Ambient Aware mode).
While it’s true that battery depletion is a problem, resulting in a shortened lifetime of wireless earbuds compared to their on-ear or over-ear headphone alternatives, you’re paying a premium for convenience. For some of us, it’s easy to justify the cost. Others may be better off with wired earbuds or dealing with bulkier wireless headphones.
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For me, the killer features of airpods are:
Good noise cancelling.
Good passthrough mode.
A small case that slips into my pocket easily (this is where I feel most alternatives fail).
A competent, and most importantly flat sound profile (I cannot stand the bass boosted sound).
I feel like I can find any two of these elsewhere but no one seems to make something that ticks all the air pods boxes. I'm just sick of being treated as a second class citizen as an Android user.
Open to things in the same price range
Was messing around with Reddit data on wireless earbuds recs. Thought I’d share the results.
Its part of my side project to tinker with Reddit data and LLMs. Wanted to create something useful for the community while levelling up my coding chops.
The idea is to highlight which wireless earbuds got the most love. Obviously most love =/= best. But I think its a useful data point nonetheless, especially for those overwhelmed by all the info out there.
I actually posted a version of this list ~5 months ago. Unfortunately there were some naive mistakes in how I did the analysis that the sub helped point out. I’ve since fixed a lot of those issues. Improvements include no longer being limited to models on Amazon, better model attribution, less duplications, model series grouping. Lemme know what you think!