The 9 best wireless earbuds gifts for music lovers this Christmas: Apple, JBL, more

They’re portable, they’re musical and if they’re here, we like ‘em

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You’re here because you’re shopping for some of the best earbuds around. Good on you for coming to TechRadar – I got you.

Maybe you’re looking for the best noise-cancelling earbuds to gift this year (that’ll be the second section here); maybe you need something for a Secret Santa gift, so the budget trio is the place to go (third section) or maybe you just want the best overall, in which case the first three products here will sort you out.

If you want a larger selection, consult ourbest earbuds, ourbest noise-cancelling earbuds, and of course ourbest budget wireless earbudsbuying guides – and we’ve even got a 13-strongbest wired earbuds and headphonesroundup for audiophile-grade sound, if audio quality is of paramount importance. I’ve simply picked my top three from each wireless category to save you time. Good luck, I’m sending strength!

Not sure ithasto be earbuds? I’ve also compiled a list of thefour best turntablesworthy of your time this holiday season, but for a more general flavor of what’s out there, you might also want to check out our guides to the bestChristmas salesin the US andBoxing Day salesin the UK, for even more great holiday andChristmas gift ideas.

Best wireless earbuds gifts for most people

Best for most people

Simply the best Sony 2023 earbuds

Sony has taken everything I loved about its higher-end buds and put them into this smaller and cheaper package. At this price, the audio quality simply cannot be beaten – and you can read all about it in our dedicatedSony WF-C700N review. OK, you don’t get lossless LDAC or the firm’s top-tier DSEE upscaler, but for this money it would be wrong to expect that.

Best high-end pick

The best new earbuds of 2023 – hands down

Nobody thought Technics would steal the best earbuds mantle this year, but here we are – thanks to triple device multipoint connectivity, an excellent shape, stunning design, great sound and plethora of useful features, Technics gets the nod. Consult ourTechnics EAH-AZ80 review, of course, but also seemy considered thoughts on why they’re the bestif you need it.

Best for iPhones

A no-brainer for iPhone owners

Apple’s ice-white buds offer excellent ANC plus a whole suite of iPhone-only perks. Build quality and sound is solid, as you’d expect from Apple – and now you even get a USB-C port in the pocketable charging nest. They’re the only AirPods to support volume alteration using the stems and we think they’re a top shout all around, as you can see in ourAirPods Pro 2 review.

Best wireless earbuds gifts for ANC

Best affordable ANC

Best for affordable ANC that works

When I first tried these JBL buds for adaptive noise-cancellation alone, I liked them so much I wrote adedicated feature on their merits. If you need our verdict on how good they are overall, ourJBL Live Pro 2 reviewis the place to go, but it might also reassure you to know that I personally gifted these earbuds to a friend who prioritises noise-nixing, recently. I vouch for them.

Best high-end ANC

For the ultimate in ANC and hang the cost, go Bose

As I said in my full-lengthBose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review, these newest Bose buds now boast Snapdragon Sound with aptX Adaptive support, plus Bose’s all-new Immersive Audio for an expansive, moving soundstage. And Bose wrote the book on noise-nixing, so it’s excellent. You don’t get wireless charging or multipoint connectivity… but come on, do you care?

Best ANC for Android

Nice strap in here

These Pro-suffixed Samsung buds are the best wireless earbuds the company has produced by a country mile, as you can read about in mySamsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review. They forego Samsung’s penchant for quirky looks in favor of great 24-bit sound, head-tracked spatial audio, solid ANC and a design that fits comfortably. They’re good, guys. No really, they’regood…

Best budget-friendly wireless earbuds gifts

Best cheap ANC earbuds

The cheap ANC buds to beat – that haven’t yet been beaten

Want good noise-cancellation for little money? This is the set of earbuds for you – as long as you’re OK with stems. They may not look special, but they’re excellent value across the board, boasting a comfort, great sound, decent ANC, multipoint pairing and impressive battery life. As you’ll learn from ourEarfun Air Pro 3 review, they quickly became a firm TechRadar favorite.

Best super-cheap buy

The ridiculously cheap option that’s emphatically not junk

What you need to know is that if your budget only stretches this far, you’ll still be giving a reliable, desirable, musical gift. We’ve writtenan ode to these budsto tell you as much, alongside our dedicatedJLab Go Air Pop review. But, buy cheap, buy twice right? Not so here – these little buds might not boast audiophile sound quality, but they still belie their lowly price tag.

Best for inexpensive chic

The hippest, squarest buds that don’t cost the earth

This cute little package looks a lot more expensive it is – and sounds it, too. Although these earbuds were released in December 2021, the cubist look is timeless. Want to buy them a set of inexpensive buds to make their friends will say, “Ooh what are those?” You’ve just found them, friend – but consult ourAudio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW reviewfor all the details.

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Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.

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