Best wireless earbuds of fall 2026: Apple, Bose, Sony, Nothing or Technics?

Key figures

What launched this fall

September is the busiest month of the year for personal audio, and TechRadar's round-up of the month's nine biggest launches shows it. Most of the list is over-ear headphones, from Sony, Sonos, Nothing, Technics and Beats. Only two of the nine are earbuds: Apple's AirPods 5, from $129, and Bose's $99 wired earbuds with noise cancelling. Bose also announced two open-ear models on 17 September, the $199 Sport Open Earbuds and the $299 Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen), on sale since 1 October; reviews were not yet available when we wrote this. So the best earbuds this fall mix one big new arrival with models launched earlier and reviewed in recent months.

Our picks at a glance

iPhone: AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 5

• AirPods Pro 3: TechRadar's pick for Apple fans, with top-tier noise cancelling, better comfort and a heart rate monitor; battery life is the weak spot. Our AirPods Pro 3 analysis has the details.
• AirPods 5: released on 18 September, they bring noise cancelling and Live Translation to both versions. Engadget praises the stronger bass and recommends the $149 model, which adds wireless charging and swipe volume control. They have an open fit with no ear tips, so they block less noise than the Pro 3.
• For sport: if earbuds fall out when you run, ear hooks help; see our Powerbeats Pro 2 analysis.

Our AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3 comparison explains which to choose.

Android: Samsung, Sony or Nothing

• Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: TechRadar's choice for Samsung owners, with "fantastic sound" and strong noise cancelling, though it found the fit less secure. Hi-res audio and several extras work only with recent Galaxy phones; see our Galaxy Buds 4 Pro analysis.
• Sony WF-1000XM6: for other Android phones, Sony's $330 flagship offers LDAC, a 10-band equaliser and rich sound, but the buds are bulky. Our WF-1000XM6 analysis covers the trade-offs.
• Nothing Ear (3a): released on 7 July 2026 at $99, they cut noise by 80.9% on average in SoundGuys' test and lasted the claimed 10 hours with noise cancelling off. The stock tuning is bass-heavy, so plan to use the EQ.

Noise cancelling and sound quality

• Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): TechRadar calls their noise cancelling the best of any earbuds, with energetic sound. Expect about 6 hours per charge and bulky buds. More in our Bose analysis.
• Technics EAH-AZ100: TechRadar names them its best earbuds overall, for their balanced sound and long feature list. Tom's Guide calls the sound "crisp and wonderfully detailed" and measured 10 hours per charge, 34 hours with the case. Its noise cancelling is only adequate and not strong enough for flights, and the fit can cause pressure in the ear. Tom's Guide saw them at about $248 to $250, below the $299 launch price.

Verdict

iPhone owners should buy the AirPods Pro 3, or the $149 AirPods 5 if they dislike ear tips and want to save $100. Samsung owners will get the most from the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Frequent flyers should pick the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and listeners who care most about sound and battery the Technics EAH-AZ100. On a tight budget, the Nothing Ear (3a) offer a lot for $99. Whatever you choose, fit matters as much as specs: read our earbuds guide before buying.

This article analyses reviews published by other outlets, in our own words. RealDigitalTech did not test these earbuds itself.