Wireless earbuds are everywhere now, spanning from budget price ranges all the way up to more premium options. The basic expectation is that the more you pay, the better the sound, build, and features that you get. For the most part, that remains true, at least up until a certain point.
Staying under $200 guarantees you some of the best Bluetooth earbuds that you can get overall, but $200 is a lot of money, so you want to make sure that you make the right decision and buy a pair that will make you happy. These are some of the best options that you can get.
Nothing Ear
$149.00
At this price point, competition is tight, but the Nothing Ear is my overall pick because it has the best balance of features. First, its price is much lower than the max, you get 11 mm drivers in each ear, there’s Hi-Res Audio support, and you get an impressive 40.5 hours of playback. Plus, the design is the icing on the cake.
Sennheiser Accentum
$199.95
Sennheiser is a premium audio brand, sitting beside the likes of Bose. The Accentum earbuds look great and very obviously, sound great too. You get amazing active noise cancelation, an okay 28 hours of battery life, and IP54 dust and water resistance. The charging case is wireless charging compatible too.
Sony WF-C700N
$118.00
Want to spend a bit but not too much? The Sony WF-C700N earbuds cost the least of any on the list, but being Sony buds, you’re guaranteed great sound before anything else. What you pay is relatively evident, as you only get IPX4 water resistance and 15 hours of battery life with the case, but for the sound you get, you might not mind.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
$159.99
Come on, there’s not much I can say. Samsung has made some of the best earbuds for Android phones for a few years now. These were a close call for Best Overall. You get Hi-Res Audio, great IPX7 water resistance, a really nice build, and 30 hours of battery life with the case. Plus, Galaxy AI integration.
Google Pixel Buds Pro
$199.99
These buds max out the limit, but they are very good. First, the design of the buds stands out and they’re available in quite a few colorways. Second, you get amazing ANC and amazing passive cancelation thanks to “Silent Seal”. 11 mm custom drivers deliver fantastic sound, and that can go on for 31 hours with the charging case.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
$179.00
Bose is one of the most popular audio brands in the world, and just from looking at the name of these buds, if you prioritize ANC, they are for you. Battery life with the case is just 24 hours, which isn’t the best, but the rest of the package makes up for that deficiency. You also get amazing call quality.
Sennheiser Momentum
$147.97
If you like Sennheiser but the Accentum is a bit too heavy price-wise, the Momentum is a perfect substitute. You get the signature Sennheiser sound, fantastic ANC, wireless charging, 28 hours of battery life with the case, and a pretty nice design. Plus, there’s IPX4 water resistance, so they’ll survive workouts.
Jabra Elite 8 Active
$199.99
Do you want insane battery life? Look no further than the Jabra Elite 8 Active. With ANC off, you get 14 hours of playback off the earbuds alone, and that goes to 56 hours with the case. These are also designed for the fitness-focused, with a great fit in the ear, water resistance, and military-standard ruggedness.
You Get What You Pay For; Great Sound, Great Features
$200 is a lot of money, but if you love your music and use your earbuds every single day, is it really? Good earbuds can follow you for years, so think about that. All I know is that the more you pay, the more you can expect, and these earbuds deliver on a lot of fronts.
The Nothing Ear delivers in all categories: sound quality, battery life, water resistance, and price; making it a fantastic choice for almost anyone. If you want to go hard on battery life though, the Jabra Elite 8 Active is the single best option on the list, and it’s not even close.
