Best Wireless Earphones or EarBuds under $250 in 2021

Moderators at OzBargain have decided to run yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. The polls will end once the year is over.


Question

What is the best (true) Wireless BT earbuds in 2021?

As more and more phones now come without a dedicated 3.5mm Audio Jack, it's not surprising that wireless audio devices are starting to become more popular. True Wireless earphones (abbreviated as TWS) are also now common as Apple Airpods have ignited a new trend & styling.

Some of the things you need to consider apart from their sound quality:

  • Battery life of both the charging case and earbuds
  • Size of the charging case
  • How well the buds fit in your ear, comfort, could you wear it while jogging or exercising
  • The quality of the microphone for clearer phone calls
  • Active noise cancelling or passive noise isolation
  • Water resistance (for sweaty workouts)

Remember: You can change your votes at anytime, and suggest more than 1 product over the course of the poll.

How do I suggest products to What Should I Buy polls?

If you have a product that you would like to suggest for the poll (that is currently not in the Poll Options), you'll need to make a top-level comment (i.e. not replying someone else's comment) and fill up "Suggestions" text box just above your comment:

Suggestion box

Do try to make a sensible suggestion (e.g make sure the item is still available to purchase) and include a brief argument as to why you would recommend the product. You can only suggest 1 product at a time.

Poll Options expired

  • 146
    Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
  • 56
    Sony WF-1000XM3
  • 29
    Apple AirPods 2
  • 28
    Jabra Elite Active 75t
  • 11
    Samsung Galaxy Buds Live
  • 10
    Jabra Elite 75t
  • 5
    Bose SoundSport Free
  • 4
    Huawei FreeBuds 3
  • 4
    Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
  • 1
    Audio Technica ATH-ANC300TW
  • 1
    OPPO ENCO W51
  • 0
    Bose Sport Earbuds
  • 0
    Mpow m30 plus
  • 0
    Jaybird Vista
    Suggested by skaman on 19/08/2021 - 16:28
  • 0
    Creative Outlier Air V3
    Suggested by repeat on 28/11/2021 - 06:32
This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2021. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.

Comments

  • Soundspeats Sonic: Plays music/audio for 12+ hours on one charge, 35 hours incl charging case. Mic works well for calls, even when outdoors. In-ear design ensures it snugly fits and holds well for exercise. Passive noise iso. Avail to purchase on Amazon <$60.

    • +2

      Soundpeats sonic has been removed from the poll. There is now a sub $80 budget category poll running.

  • Needs a Taotronics option.

    • +3

      If there's demand for it I might do a budget earbuds poll. this poll is for the high end buds, budget one I might create sometime tonight or tomorrow.

  • So if you are getting the sony under 250 then good for you and get them, the only issue with them is that they kindly look coming out of the ears like i cant explain it but they are big… the application interface is brilliant..

    I got myself momentum 2 they are out of your budget but are pretty good. the application is not as good as the sony though

    Buds live i wouldnt go for them as apparently they have issues with the sound.. depending how snug they are fit and they tend to fall off

    i heard from the jbhifi guy that the jabra ones have had quite alot of returns due to being faulty no idea if the issue is with the new model as well..

    oh well i dont know about others…

  • Suggested Mpow m30 plus

    Excellent running TWS for people with big ears. Very good sound quality. Excellent passive attenuation. Very high build quality.

    Sound great from low to high volume. Plays low without distortion.

    Battery life of both the charging case and earbuds:
    Battery at 4 hours for non exercise purposes. But Plus case has large battery and quickly recharges buds (10 minutes gives me a few hours). Case can be used as a small power bank in a pinch with proper fast charging. I use daily and charge case every week or two.

    Size of the charging case
    Large with the plus model recommended, but case doubles as a small power bank.

    How well the buds fit in your ear, comfort, could you wear it while jogging or exercising
    Fit well in large ears (comes with small tips which I can't test…). They are small, almost discrete, slightly protruding from ears. People regularly try to talk to me with them in. They are designed for exercise and work for running. If the right tip is used they stay firm in the ear. Only real down side is that they can cause slight wind noise when running or jogging into a head wind.

    The quality of the microphone for clearer phone calls
    Reasonable. Need to use both for the active noise cancellation to work at it's best.

    Active noise cancelling or passive noise isolation
    Active noise cancellation for microphone only. Passive noise isolation is excellent. I would estimate it at around 12dB to 15dB for me (compared to properly fitted air plugs). Downside is own movements (like striking the ground when running) sound excessively loud as everything else is so quite.

    Water resistance (for sweaty workouts)
    I can get very sweaty when I run. Mine work fine after six months.

    Further

    Build quality
    These are light and feel cheap but are constructed well. I have slept on them with no deterioration in build. Units from early 2020 were reported as being easy to break.

    If you are not interested in exercise, soundpeats have slightly better sound quality with significant better battery life.

  • +2

    Does anyone have thoughts on the Jabra 85t's? I know they're normally over $250 but I've been looking for some ANC/truly wireless earbuds for the gym, cycling and potentially WFH video calling.

    • I have the 75t and it's the best earbuds I've gotten hands down. I need them mostly for calls and music and they do a great job.

      • How do they perform in noisy environments for calling?

        • Been using it for a few months and I love it. Though u haven't noticed a difference between ANC and ANC off. Must of it is actually just the seal.
          I tested it on the plane, very similar.
          Also for calling, I think the default is hear through for some reason. But you can cha he that setting.

  • Suggested Jaybird Vista

    RRP is over $250 but $200 currently at JW computers.

    Don't sound quite as good as some other wireless buds/earphones (I have a few) but for exercise they are bulletproof.

    And IPX7 waterproof if you sweat a lot. They really hold firmly in the ear when jogging as well.

    They are the best earbuds I've ever used for vigorous exercise.

    • Thanks for your suggestion and recommendation.

  • Suggested OPPO ENCO W51

    Excellent

  • All the great audio of the XM3s, except smaller, better battery, and with IPX4 water resistance.

  • Suggested Creative Outlier Air V3

    I have been happy with these (I bought them for $90) but they are currently on special for $72
    Previously was using Galaxy Buds+, and now I use these ones

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/664361
    Pros:
    Great sound
    Very good for phone calls
    Long battery life
    Wireless charging
    Active noise cancellation
    Ambient mode

    Con:
    Huge case

Login or Join to leave a comment