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The best wireless earbuds of 2024 have impressed us by packing cutting-edge audio technology into compact designs. We’ve seen a surge in open-ear designs that enhance situational awareness, advancements in noise-cancelling technologies, and audio quality that solidifies wireless earbuds’ place in the market.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled the most significant launches of 2024 so far, including our thoughts during testing, the broader trends they represent, and potential future improvements.
We’ll also preview the brands set to release new wireless earbuds in the second half of the year, offering predictions about upcoming innovations and the direction of the popular wireless earbuds form factor.
Whether you’re an audio tech enthusiast or simply considering a purchase, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the highlights so far – and what’s on the horizon..
Wireless Earbuds in 2024: What Have Been the Biggest Launches So Far This Year?
We’ve tested an extensive array of wireless earbuds over the past six months, making it challenging to know where to begin. But where better to start than with some exceptional earbuds that sound phenomenal – because that’s what matters most, right?
When we first got our hands on the Final ZE8000 MK2 (above), we were skeptical of the claims that these earbuds deliver ‘8K sound’, but we were proven wrong. In our Final ZE8000 MK2 review, our reviewer stated: “I truly think this is among the most nuanced, detailed, and best audio you can buy in a set of true wireless earbuds.” For sonic excellence, also consider the gloriously expansive and agile Cambridge Audio Melomania M100, which features some of the best-in-class active noise cancellation (ANC).
Several brands have launched earbuds boasting Dolby Atmos sound as their key selling point. If an incredibly powerful and immersive audio experience is a priority, look at the LG Tone Free T90S and the Jabra Elite 10. The latter is a highly accomplished pair of wireless earbuds, with our Jabra Elite 10 review praising their solid feature set, comfortable fit, and excellent Dolby Atmos performance.
But we know not everyone needs immersive or audiophile-grade sound or has the budget for it. Fortunately, we’ve also tested some outstanding mid-range wireless earbuds that still tick all the boxes.
Our recent Nothing Ear (a) review showed why we love this cool brand so much. At only $99 / £99 / AU$169, the Nothing Ear (a) earbuds are incredibly well-specced, with sound we described during testing as “fun, zealous, and expansive,” a great-looking transparent design that Nothing is becoming known for, and top-notch ANC. Nothing also launched the third-gen of its Nothing Ear wireless earbuds, which are expected to offer seriously earth-shaking bass, excellent sound personalization, and a comfortable fit. Did we mention how much we love the Nothing brand?
One of the most significant developments in wireless earbuds in 2024 has been the number of audio tech companies bringing out open-ear designs. These designs don’t cover your ear like the best over-ear headphones or fit inside your ear like many of the best true wireless earbuds. Instead, these wireless designs use air conduction technology and place a tiny speaker above your ear canal.
The design of these earbuds is challenging to get right – there’s nothing to anchor them in place – but we’ve been testing many of these open-ear designs in our best open ear headphones guide. We highly recommend looking at our Shokz OpenFit review and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review for our current top picks.
Wireless earbuds in 2024: what launches are we expecting during the rest of the year?
Predicting future launches can be very tricky because we usually only hear significant news and rumors about the biggest tech brands. One of the most anticipated launches in the second half of 2024 comes from Samsung.
Samsung is gearing up for a groundbreaking reveal at Galaxy Unpacked 2024 on July 10 with the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. These next-gen wireless earbuds promise an exceptional upgrade from the acclaimed Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, featuring enhanced AI capabilities, advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and superior high-resolution sound quality.
Rumors swirl around the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro potentially sporting a transparent, Nothing-inspired case and extending Apple AirPod-like stems. Alongside this flagship model, Samsung is set to unveil the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3, succeeding the popular Galaxy Buds 2, promising innovation in both design and functionality.
As the trend towards air conduction technology gains momentum in 2024, Beyerdynamic is set to debut its first-ever open-ear headphones, promising audiophiles unparalleled high-resolution audio quality while maintaining environmental awareness.
Another significant trend shaping the wireless earbud landscape is the evolution of charging cases. Innovations like integrated cleaning technology and built-in screens are poised to become standard features in the latter half of 2024, elevating user experience and convenience.
Jabra is set to redefine portable audio with the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2, featuring cutting-edge smart cases equipped with Bluetooth LE audio technology. These intelligent cases enable seamless audio streaming from external sources to the earbuds, setting new benchmarks in connectivity and versatility.
Look out for the Iyo One, poised to revolutionize the wireless earbud market as “the first audio computer.” Featuring real-time language translation, personalized workout coaching, and advanced audio enhancements such as spatial audio and AI-driven voice enhancement, the Iyo One promises an immersive audio experience tailored to modern lifestyles.
While the Iyo One is intriguing, other brands are also incorporating AI. Apple will be introducing Apple Intelligence to its products, including AirPods, later this year. Other companies, like Nothing, are already combining earbuds with AI, such as the Nothing Ear integration with ChatGPT.
Amidst these advancements, the challenge remains in balancing technological innovation with user experience. As AI continues to permeate wireless earbud designs, consumers can expect a blend of genuinely transformative features and potential gimmicks, underscoring the importance of thoughtful integration to enhance rather than overwhelm user interactions.
