The Best Earbuds for Your Android Device
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When they first arrived on the scene, wireless earbuds often weren’t even worth the added convenience of being cable-free. But now, today’s best earbuds for Android devices are a world of difference from their early ancestors.
These new Bluetooth buds have also greatly improved when it comes to charging time and battery life, too. These can last multiple hours in one go, and since the included charging case gives them an extra boost when put back, it extends listening time even more.
What Are the Best Earbuds for Android?
Since you’ll be using these with your mobile Android device, take into consideration things like built-in microphones and wireless range. Buds come with multiple mics inside to pick up the details and nuances of your voice when speaking, and a lengthy range (generally about 30 feet) allows you to pace around the room freely without dropping the call or cutting out.
And since these have longer playtimes with each new generation, comfort is crucial too. Most ear tips are made with silicone, a soft and bendy material that won’t irritate skin and can sit in ears for hours.
They may be small, but the drivers inside are often pretty powerful, providing a wide spectrum of sound all around. High-end instruments like cymbals and strings should come through crisp and clear, with low-end instruments like bass and kick drums giving a deep and full punch.
Even when you’re not listening to music or podcasts, playing mobile games or talking, the best new Android-compatible earbuds still offer a feature that’s hard to live without once you’ve experienced it: noise-cancelling tech. Simply sticking a pair in your ears is often enough to cut way down on loud noise around you, making them perfect for when you want some silence. Most even let you adjust the amount of noise you want to let through, so you can still be safe and aware of your surroundings without stopping the music.
Here are some of the best earbuds for Android.
1. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
With hours of playtime on a full charge, sticking these noise-cancelling Samsungs back in the case gets you even more listening time.
There’s an 11mm woofer as well as a 6.5mm tweeter in each bud, bringing big bass, warm mids and shining highs. Each earbud has dual speakers, multiple mics and four AmbientAware levels to block out noise while still hearing important sounds around you.
The Galaxy Wearable app lets you have increasing control right from your Android device, and Bluetooth 5.0 ensures a quick and strong connection. They’re also IPX7 water resistant, meaning the pair can be submerged in a meter of water for 30 minutes and still function.
2. Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds
When you need to keep an ear on what’s going on, the WF-1000XM3’s two mics pick up on any sound around you with automatic ambient sound control. And with Quick Attention Mode, jumping into a conversation is effortless, and so is starting the music back up again right afterwards.
The buds automatically power up when removed from the well-designed case, which can also refuel them. You’ll get 90 minutes of playtime after charging for only 10 minutes.
Touch controls are quick to get the hang of. Taking a call requires just a double-tap on the earbud, and pairing with a second device can be done right from the buds themselves. But it all comes down to what’s really important: the sound quality, and that’s seriously impressive. The buds’ 24-bit audio signal processing and signal-to-noise ratio is hard to top. And different sizes of silicone ear tips are included to ensure they fit as good as they sound.
3. Jabra Elite 85t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
With a total 25-hour battery life with their charging case, the 85t earbuds will last you all day long. They have excellent active noise cancellation, but they also let you adjust how much noise you want to let in. The 85t earphones also have a large 12mm driver (compared to the 6mm on the 75t), and provide balanced and restrained bass.
Call and voice quality sound clear on them, too, with six total mics, along with the Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. A 15-minute wired charge will net an hour of play time. One standout feature for the 85t earbuds: Qi wireless charging — simply stick this on a wireless charging pad and let it juice back up, cable-free.
4. SENNHEISER Momentum True Wireless 2
The 7mm drivers in each of these buds create a soundstage that’s noticeably large, and does a great job of separating out different instrument frequencies so nothing gets too muddled. And with ANC enabled it becomes even clearer when the sounds of the outside world are virtually silenced (or keep an ear on everything with Transparent Hearing mode). The Smart Control app lets you go even further, and set the EQ exactly how you want it.
Each bud operates by touch control instead of buttons, providing a sleeker and more futuristic feel, but may take some getting used to not hitting it by accident when adjusting the fit, or doing things like moving long hair over your ears. They’re very comfortable to wear for long stretches, and are even IPX4 rated, meaning they can stand up to light splashes of water and sweat.
5. Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds
With snug, silicone-cushioned buds, the QuietComforts provide superb sound and excel at silencing surroundings. There’s a total of 11 different levels of noise cancelling, including a Transparency Mode that makes it easy to hold a quick conversation without removing the buds, then get the music going again with one touch.
These are Bluetooth 5.1 ready, meaning you’re free to roam around within 30 feet of your device, and they’re Qi-certified to charge up wirelessly, as well as with a cable. Plus they’re IPX4 rated, resistant to sweat and rain droplets, and a handy exterior LED light shows you the battery status of your charging case.