From high-fidelity sound to seamless ecosystem integration, these earbuds amplify your Android experience.
By Adam Birney Zak KhanPublished on June 19, 2024
Sony WF-1000XM5 MSRP: $299.99
Excellent ANC and Isolation
SBC, AAC, and LDAC support
Great app support
Great battery life
Default sound too bassy
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds MSRP: $299.00
Auracast and LE Audio support
Mic performance is sub-par
Best for Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro MSRP: $229.99
Good sound quality
IPX7 water resistance
Fast and wireless charging
Bluetooth 5.3; SBC, AAC, and Samsung Seamless Codec
Case prone to scratches and nicks
Buds are dust magnets
App lacks custom EQ (has EQ presets)
Bang for your buck
Jabra Elite 4
aptX for Android users
Fast Pair and Swift Pair
Active noise cancelling isn't amazing
No AAC for Apple users
Might not fit large ears
Controls have minimal customization
Apple users have the AirPods to cover their in-ear needs, but what wireless earbuds should Android users get? Thankfully, there are plenty of options available for them, often with better features for the price. Whether you’re an athlete, commuter, or general consumer, you’re bound to find something among our picks for the best wireless earbuds for Android.
What's new?
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds excel with Android devices thanks to their support for SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs, ensuring high-quality audio streaming. The earbuds also benefit from comprehensive app support via the Sony Headphones Connect App, which provides users with extensive customization options, including EQ settings, ambient sound control, and firmware updates.
Featuring outstanding ANC performance, fantastic battery life, and LDAC support, the WF-1000XM5's cut out all the noise and keep all the fidelity.
The updated foam ear tips provide excellent isolation, reducing noise by up to 15dB in the low end and up to 50dB for sounds above 1kHz. According to our testing, the ANC attenuates over 30dB of low-frequency outside noise (below 1kHz). This makes the WF-1000XM5 a great companion for daily commuters, frequent flyers, or anyone working in a busy office or cafe. The earbuds offer over 8 hours of continuous playback on a single charge and up to 24 hours with the charging case.
These earbuds are ideal for users who prioritize exceptional ANC, superior sound quality with a slight low-end emphasis, and robust app support for customization. However, their high price point may be a consideration for budget-conscious consumers.
The Sony WF-1000XM5 have even better noise canceling than the WF-1000XM4. Sony made these its most comfortable earbuds by shrinking them and including XS-L memory foam ear tips. The WF-1000XM5 support advanced features like multipoint connectivity and spatial audio with head tracking. You also get plenty of customization options through the free mobile app.
See price at Amazon What is the frequency response?The WF-1000XM5’s sound quality benefits from a frequency response that closely aligns with the preferred headphone curve, with a noticeable emphasis between 30-300Hz. This bass and mid-bass boost makes bassy tones more prominent. At the same time, the 8.4mm dynamic drivers (upgraded from the previous 6mm drivers) ensure vocal and instrument clarity even at high volumes.
What are the MDAQS results?The chart below shows how the sound of the Sony WF-1000XM5 was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD Acoustics.
Sony puts a lot of engineering effort into its microphone quality, though the Sony WF-1000XM5 mics don’t hold a candle to those of the over-ear WH-1000XM5.
Take a listen to our standardized mic samples and vote in our mic poll below.
The capacitive touchpads of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds allow you to control your earphones without worrying about a compromised seal.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds excel in providing a robust feature set tailored for Android users, particularly through Snapdragon Sound support, which enables Hi-Res audio with aptX Adaptive, promising high-quality, low-latency listening experiences. This, combined with Google Fast Pair, enhances the utility for Android devices, ensuring seamless connectivity and future-proofing with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 technology.
If you’re using a relatively new Android phone, the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds are unquestionably among the top options at this price point.
The earbuds offer top-tier active noise cancelation (ANC), capable of diminishing outside noise under 400Hz by up to 34dB and above 1kHz by up to 39dB, effectively providing a significant reduction in perceived loudness. Their IPX4 rating ensures they can handle moisture, making them suitable for various climates and outdoor activities.
Despite their strengths, they may not suit everyone due to their bass-heavy sound profile and reliance on the Bose Music app for accessing features like Immersive Audio, in-app EQ, and firmware updates. Their battery life stands at 6 hours and 11 minutes on a single charge, which is adequate for daily use, and they support quick charging through their case.
In summary, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are a compelling choice for Android users looking for heavy bass, high-quality ANC earbuds with future-proof features and excellent connectivity.
Designed for maximum comfort and the ultimate in ANC from a wireless earbud, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer enhanced spatialized audio, solid battery life, and multiple configurations to ensure a solid fit.
See price at Amazon What is the frequency response?Compared to our headphone preference curve, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have a strong over-emphasis in both the bass and the treble regions. They peak surpassing 14dB around 30Hz, which is about 10dB more than we would like to see in the low-end, and again around 2,500Hz.
What are the MDAQS results?The chart below shows how the sound of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra was assessed by the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD Acoustics.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds score very high in Timbre, meaning they faithfully reproduce the frequency spectrum.
With an overall score of 4.4, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have the average sound quality you would expect from flagship wireless earbuds. However, the Distortion and Immersiveness are a tad lower than we would expect for the price.
How is the microphone on the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds?Like most wireless earphones, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have a microphone array for phone calls. Listen to the standardized samples below if you’d like to hear how well the microphone performs in several common settings.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 earbuds stand out for Android users due to their cutting-edge features, including support for aptX Lossless and Auracast, along with LE Audio support, promising high-quality audio and a more immersive listening experience. With Bluetooth 5.4, these earbuds ensure stable connectivity and are prepared for future Bluetooth advancements, enhancing their utility with Android devices capable of leveraging these codecs and technologies.
The MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 provides an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, making them a durable option for everyday use. They also offer wireless charging for convenience and a battery life of 7 hours and 45 minutes at a typical listening level, which is competitive within the market.
The MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are for deep-pocketed TWS enthusiasts with a new Android phone to listen to higher-bitrate tunes.
Sennheiser’s Smart Control app enriches the user experience by offering a fit test, a customizable 5-band equalizer, and firmware updates, among other features. The earbuds’ ANC capability is commendable, offering significant noise canceling capabilities, posting 83% average noise attenuation in our lab results, and a comfortable fit with various ear tip sizes.
While the microphone performance may not meet the expectations set by the earbuds’ price point and overall quality, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 delivers where it counts for most users: in sound quality and listening experience. With a focus on high-fidelity audio and user customization, these earbuds are a solid choice for Android users who prioritize sound quality and future-ready features, making them a worthy investment for enthusiasts.
