Wireless headphones or earbuds (whatever you call them) are essentially the standard now, with Bluetooth earbuds being convenient and the sound quality difference to wired not being that noticeable to typical people (we realize audiophiles ‘know’).

The market is huge, but here are the best wireless earbuds we’ve tested for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Macs. If you do want a wired connection some of these do offer it in addition to Bluetooth, but we also have a round-up of the best wired headphones and a comparison of over-ear headphones read our comparison of AirPods Max vs other over-ear headphones. We also have a comparison of all the AirPods.

When testing these best earbuds we considered some of the important factors to consider when choosing headphones. Such as whether they support ANC, which is Apple’s codec, or the aptX codec that is now used with many Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, but isn’t supported by Apple (although there are some earbuds, such as the B&W Pi8 below that include a transmitter for aptX support. We explain what to look for when choosing earbuds below.

Best headphones and earbuds for iPhone 2025

We’re comparing all the best earbuds with Apple’s own offerings: the AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC. Also included are various options from Apple-owned subsidiary Beats, which by association benefits from a lot of Apple-specific features. But just how well do they compete with headphones from the likes of Bose, Sennheiser, Bowers & Wilkins and Sony?

1. Apple AirPods Pro 3rd-generation (2025) – Best earbuds for iPhone

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Pros

• More comfortable and secure fit





• Heart rate sensor works well





• Improved battery life





• Better noise cancelling and transparency





• The price didn’t go up

Cons

• No significant new audio features





• Charging case holds less charge

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The AirPods Pro 3, Apple’s newest high-end wireless earbuds, arrived in September 2025. They succeed the AirPods Pro 2 and feature enhancements in audio quality, health tracking, waterproofing, and fit, while maintaining a similar design.

The 2025 AirPods Pro’s headline feature is the new heart rate sensor that uses invisible light to measure heart rate during workouts. Apple claims that the heart rate sensor provides accurate data in the Fitness app for up to 50 workout types. 

Side-by-side comparisons reveal differences with the AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods Pro 3 have new ‘foam-infused’ eartips that are better-fitting. There are now five eartips, including a new XXS option. These eartips create a tighter seal in the ear and rotate inward for a more secure fit. They also deform less than the old silicone flanges. The charging case is slightly larger and has a higher light. Internally, Apple has added ‘next-generation Ultra Wideband technology’ that increases Precision Finding distance by 1.5x.

The AirPods Pro 3 have improved sound quality compared to the previous generation. Apple has enhanced Active Noise Cancellation with new ultra-low noise mic

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