Best True Wireless Earbuds In 2020 (TWS Earbuds)

Best True Wireless Earbuds In 2020 (TWS Earbuds)

1. Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds

Noise-cancelling true wireless headphones that made our dreams come true

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 7g | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 6mm | Driver type: Dome Type | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 6 hours | Battery life (charging case): 18 hours | Wireless range: 30ft | NFC: Yes

Efficient noise-cancellationInconspicuous looks great fun to listen too not suitable for sports
The Sony WF-1000XM3 are the best true wireless earbuds you can buy in 2020, hands down.

Considering it’s still rare to get noise-cancellation in wired earbuds at all, the fact that Sony has managed to pack it into a pair that is not only wireless, but true wireless is very impressive indeed.

While models like the AirPods Pro have tried to replicate this, Sony is still top of the true wireless table.

That’s because the Sony WF-1000XM3 manages to offer a level of noise-cancellation that’s exceedingly good for a pair of earbuds – they won’t offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear headphones, but its a worthy trade-off for that sleeker form. See here

Sony has really knocked the ball out of the park with the WF-1000XM3, with fist-pumping musicality and sleek design.

Battery life is above average, and that compact charging case is pretty slick too. Constantly improving, a recent update has brought volume control to the buds themselves, as well as support for Amazon Alexa.

These earbuds might be getting even better in the near future, too; on March 5, the earbuds briefly appeared on the Qualcomm website, suggesting that the Sony WF-1000XM3 could be about to get aptX HD support – and therefore, support for Hi-Res Audio.

ALSO READ: How to clean Galaxy Buds

2. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

Great-sounding and noise-canceling

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 6g | Frequency response: 5 – 21,000Hz | Drivers: 7mm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 7 hours | Battery life (charging case): 28 hours | Wireless range: 30ft | NFC: Yes

Incredible soundSleek design support for Hi-Res AudioMore expensive than rivals
The sound quality, battery life, and design of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 are truly brilliant – and they’re a really good alternative to the Sony WF-1000XM3, particularly if you prefer a more flashy design when it comes to true wireless earbuds.

We did find that those with smaller ears sometimes find them a little uncomfortable, however, and their high price just stops them from taking the top spot of this roundup.

Otherwise? Sennheiser has pretty much knocked it out of the park with these earbuds, offering great noise cancellation alongside smart looks and stunning sound.

3. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 9.2g | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 5.8mm | Driver type: Dome Type | Sensitivity: 9.8dB | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 9 hours | Battery life (charging case): 36 hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: Yes

Outstanding audio quality good value for money comfortable design control buttons can be annoying to use
Cambridge Audio is known for its high-end audio equipment, but until last year, hadn’t ventured into the world of truly wireless earbuds. Enter the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s: with an outstanding 45 hours of battery life, they combine the brand’s award-winning engineering with the convenience of true wireless listening.

For a pair of truly wireless earbuds, the sound quality offered by the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s is sensational. In fact, it rivals that of some of the best over-ear headphones.

They may not have the noise cancellation technology offered by the Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds, but they are $100 / £100 cheaper – and they have superior battery life.

They certainly outperform the Apple AirPods (2019), in all respects apart from the lack of wireless charging cases. This is a small price to pay for that exceptional audio quality, though, and we think they represent much better value for money, too.

4. Lypertek Tevi

Incredible, affordable buds

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 6mm | Driver type: Graphene | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 10 hours | Battery life (charging case): 70 hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: No

Incredible valueNeutral audiophile-like soundGreat battery lifeDesign is a bit plain
You may not have heard of up-and-coming audio brand Lypertek yet, but expect to hear a lot from it soon – its Lypertek Tevi are among the best true wireless earbuds we’ve tried, especially given their low price tag ($130 / £99 / AU$185).

With USB-C charging, a well-balanced sound, lengthy battery life, and waterproofing, they tick every box you could ask for, from what are basically a pair of budget buds.

The Lypertek Tevi, surprisingly, might just blow you away, punching well above their weight and rivaling buds from some of the biggest audio brands on the planet.

Consider us pleasantly surprised.

5. Klipsch T5 True Wireless

Audiophiles will love the Klipsch T5’s sound and build quality

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 8 hours | Battery life (charging case): 24 hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: No

Incredible build qualityWarm, detailed soundExcellent battery lifeDeep fit may be uncomfortable
The Klipsch T5 hold their own against the very best true wireless headphones – in fact, we’d argue that they’re among the best models on the market right now. That’s because they offer stellar sound, high build quality, long-lasting battery life, and one of the coolest cases we’ve ever seen.

Featuring the signature Klipsch sound, these buds sound warm, clear, and never harsh. Acoustic music is lush and detailed, with that clarity extending to the highs as well, allowing the headphones to sing in the higher registers without ever being sibilant.

Battery life is rated at eight hours per charge with the case providing an additional 24 hours – not bad at all.

6. Apple AirPods Pro

The perfect earbuds… for Apple fans

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 5.4g | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): Up to 5 hours | Battery life (charging case): 24 hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: Yes

Good noise cancellation better fit than AirPods (2019)More expensive than better rivalsUSB-C charging cable inbox
Apple’s noise-canceling true wireless earbuds, the AirPods Pro, delivers a much better fit and an improved design compared to the original AirPods.

However, at $249 / £249 / AU$399, they’re pretty pricey too, and as such can’t be called the very best true wireless earbuds in terms of value for money.

These snug-fitting earbuds offer a great sound, and the additional microphones provide strong noise-canceling (particularly when commuting), as well as a useful Transparency mode, which really does let the outside world in.

Apparently, there’s a new AirPods model set to join the original buds and the newer Pros. The AirPods Pro-Lite is rumored to be a new, cheaper variant of the company’s popular truly wireless earbuds, and it could be released this year.

7. Jabra Elite 75t

A worthy successor to the Elite 65t

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 5.5g | Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz | Drivers: 6mm | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 7.5 hours | Battery life (charging case): 20 hours | Wireless range: 33ft | NFC: No

7 hours on a single chargeCompact earbuds and caseApp lets you customize EQOverwhelming, muddy bass
The Jabra Elite 75t true wireless earbuds improve upon their predecessors, the Jabra Elite 65t, in just about every way – except for tonal balance.

The headphones and charging cases are much smaller, battery life makes an immense jump, catching up to the competition, and the customization features we enjoyed in the 65t remain.

While they don’t have the best sound quality and they lack active noise cancellation, neither stops the Jabre Elite 75t from being a solid pair of truly wireless earbuds to use, especially if you make frequent calls with your headphones on.

8. Beats PowerBeats Pro

Impressive-fitting workout ‘buds from Beats

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 9 hours | Battery life (charging case): 16 hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: No

Easy pairing with iOSImmaculate fit case is fairly bulkyLimited noise isolation
The PowerBeats Pro true wireless Beats headphones are something special – they’re supremely comfortable, sound decent, and seem to never, ever fall out.

They might not be the best true wireless earbuds in Apple’s audio arsenal now that the AirPods Pro are here, but they are Apple’s most premium play into the world of running headphones, and they’re the buds we’d recommend to most workout enthusiasts.

That’s thanks to features like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, their long battery life, and good sound quality. If we had to choose between wearing these and the original AirPods around the house, office, or gym, these are what we’d wear.

A new model may be on the cards, too – the Powerbeats Pro 2 are the rumored follow-up to these Beats true wireless earbuds.

9. SoundMAGIC TWS50

Fantastic sound, fantastic price

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 4g | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 6mm | Driver type: Dynamic, neodymium | Sensitivity: 107 dB | Impedance: 20 ohms | Battery life (on-board): 7 hours | Battery life (charging case): 23 hours | Wireless range: 10m / 33ft | NFC: No

Light, compact, comfortable design open, detailed sound decent battery life slightly inhibited dynamics
With the TWS50, SoundMAGIC has hit the price/performance sweet-spot, thanks to these true wireless earbuds’ fantastic price, comfortable design, great sound, and support for Bluetooth 5.0.

They offer a wide, spacious soundstage, with a good, well-balanced presentation, alongside a decent battery life and comfy fit – in short, if you’re looking for some cheap AirPod-alternatives, the SoundMAGIC TWS50 is well worth a look.

10. B&O Beoplay E8 2.0 Wireless Earphones

Pricey wireless earbuds that sound absolutely wonderful

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 13g (combined) | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 5.7mm | Driver type: Electro-dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 4 hours | Battery life (charging case): 8 hours | Wireless range: 100ft | NFC: Yes

Good audio quality Exceptional design Easy to set up Can feel a bit snug
Let’s get one thing out of the way – the B&O Beoplay E8 are some of the best-looking and most expensive true wireless earphones you can buy at $350 / £300 (around AU$570).

Audio quality is undeniably excellent, and you can tweak the sound to your liking using the accompanying Beoplay app on Android and iOS.

Even without tinkering around with ToneTouch, the E8 2.0s sounds crisp and clear, with punchy bass frequencies. There’s no noise cancellation, though, which may expect from truly wireless earbuds at this price.

11. Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW

Big on bass, big on battery life

Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 8g | Frequency response: 5Hz – 40kHz | Drivers: 10mm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 110 dB | Impedance: 16 ohms | Battery life: 45 hours (with case) | wireless range: N/A | NFC: N/A

Sound great long battery lifeWeightyFiddly case
With promising battery life and well-managed bass enhancement over Audio-Technica’s usual neutral sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW true wireless earbuds have a lot going for them.

They sport one of the most complete and well-rounded sound profiles we’ve seen from true wireless earbuds, although they are let down a little by their fit.

Mileage will vary of course depending on your preferred bud style and the size of your ears, but all will find the fiddly case fit will annoy over time. Still, the quality audio here may be a worthy trade-off.

12. Sony WF-SP800N

Spatial audio and noise-canceling smarts

Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 9.3g | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 18 hours (with case) | wireless range: N/A | NFC: N/A

Basic noise cancellationWater-resistant and sweatproofSupport for 360 Reality AudioTight in the ear
Sony’s latest true wireless earbuds, the Sony WF-SP800N, are a triple-threat. They’re IP55-rated to be sweatproof and dustproof with a high degree of water resistance, but they’re also pretty good for commuters because they have active noise cancellation built-in – which is rare for a workout pair of earbuds – and work well for demanding music lovers thanks to their support for Sony’s new spatial audio format, 360 Reality Audio.

They can be a little uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time, however, and the bass is a bit muddy for our liking – still, these truly wireless earbuds are well worth a look.