Best Wireless Earphones or EarBuds under $250 in 2022

scrimshaw on 31/03/2022 - 15:15
Last edited 31/03/2022 - 15:15

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 2022?

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)

We asked the same Question in 2021 and the Winner of the poll is Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus (146 votes), followed by the Sony WF-1000XM3 (56 votes), and Apple AirPods 2 took a humble third place at 29 votes.

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:

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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

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2022. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
Electrical & Electronics Active Noise Cancelling Earphones Anker Apple Audio Technica Bluetooth Earphones Earphones Edifier Huawei Jabra JBL Samsung Sennheiser Sony What Should I Buy

Comments

  • stirlo on 31/03/2022 - 15:57

    Why under $250? AirPods 3 ($279 RRP, $248 at Amazon right now) and AirPod Pros ($399 RRP, $299 at Kogan right now) are some of the best sellers in the marketplace but are excluded by this somewhat arbitrary price limit…

    • scrimshaw on 31/03/2022 - 16:08

      Apple Airpods 3 is a valid suggestion, the poll is completely disregarding Recommended Retail Price of the earphones, but rather the actual market value price of the product. What kind of Ozbargainer would buy things at RRP?

      RRP is $279 but looking at the product tag it has been seen as low as $239 from Sydney Mobiles eBay, and currently $249 @ Amazon / Kogan. And many other occasions where it has been lower.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/03/2022 - 16:17
    Suggested Huawei Freebuds 3

    Huawei Freebuds 3 $105 at aliexpress there is freebuds 4 but haven't used it.

  • Axelstrife on 31/03/2022 - 16:26
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy Buds 2

    While the buds pro do sound better they hurt like hell after a very short time and constantly fall out especially while talking (i ended a few calls pushing these things back in and accidentally ending the call)

    • Depesh Khadka on 01/05/2022 - 12:55

      I agree with pro falling down and hurting your ear.

  • ShortyX on 31/03/2022 - 17:24
    Suggested Apple AirPods 3

    Adding AirPods 3

  • defenderC on 31/03/2022 - 18:14
    Suggested Sennheiser CX Plus

    https://www.amazon.com.au/Sennheiser-CX-Plus-True-Wireless/d…

    Fantastic audio. Great price at $167. Solid anc and voice calls. Can't go wrong at that price.

    Contends with Soundcore liberty 3 pro. Soundcore liberty 3 pro is probably better in more areas but that is currently priced at 269. Was 209 on sale previously.

    Made typo spelling Sennheiser in my suggestion - please change it on the poll.

    • BusMan247 on 11/06/2022 - 22:46

      I couldnt return these CX Plus headphones quick enough. One of the worst i have tried. Considering the TW2 are actually quite good barring the buzzing sound they make around electromagnetic sources, I was shocked at how poor these are. I own and have tried many, easily the worst pair I had.
      Want cheap? Soundpeats Mini Pro, T2 or even the Tozo NC9s for the money are incredible.
      But pricier, go with beat fits pro, air pod pro or H1 (still kind of cheapish but amazing sound)
      Jabra 7 actives had amazing software but the actual headphone is kind of average. Think regular airpod type sound, but that shake grip after 2 weeks becomes slippery. Hopefully I help someone who’s buying. Seinheiser TW2s are honestly sounding like the T2s. $50-$70. It’s a joke. The tw2s you couldn’t use independently.
      And I don’t know how you use the Sonys for anything other than sitting. They hang out of your head like Frankenstein bolts.

  • YeemaiI on 31/03/2022 - 20:11
    Suggested Moondrop Sparks

    A popular selection in the Chi-fi audio community, still your traditional consumer V-shaped sound, but not grossly overdone.

    Oh yeah, and, depending on who you ask, the packaging may or may not be a rather tasteful tasteless addition of the Sparks

  • gasman70 on 07/04/2022 - 10:29

    I have the Sony WF-1000XM3, and they are easily the best I've owned, including Apple's offerings.

  • billsa on 09/04/2022 - 20:31
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

    I've had them for nearly a year with no complaints though took a while till I learned to put them in the right way
    They are very often on sale for below $150

  • fozzie on 24/04/2022 - 15:02
    Suggested Huawei Freebuds Pro

    Huawei Freebuds pro Great reviews, ordered a pair from Dicksmith I’ll post an update once I receive them.

  • Yorkshire-Man on 11/05/2022 - 12:50
    Suggested Soundcore Anker Life P3

    I have to admit I have a problem buying wireless earbuds… I own too many on this list.

    The best one however is missing IMO, the best I've found is the Soundcore Anker Life P3. The sound quality is outstanding, the volume is loud and the bass is strong, they are also amazingly well built. I also own the Airpods Pro, they are better, but the Life P3's are the next one on my list, I paid $83 delivered via an ebay code from the Anker Direct seller.

  • usbc activist on 13/05/2022 - 18:46
    Suggested Audio Technica CKS50TW

    Industry leading specs, battery, anc

  • Nos 4r2 on 17/05/2022 - 10:27
    Suggested JBL Club Pro Plus

    These review very highly when it comes to sound quality and bass across the board. And it comes with some great EQ options in its companion app. I own these and I agree that the touch controls are a bit finicky, but I have not had any issues with it charging as some reviewers have mentioned.

    They are usually $249 at JB Hifi, but google it and you will find it at $149 at another retailer and they will price match it. At $149 it will be difficult to find better sound quality at that price point.

  • samyall on 21/05/2022 - 15:31
    Suggested Edifier NeoBuds Pro

    Just in this category at $130 with no discounts.

    Incredible pair of headphones. Sound/battery/ANC all top range for a tiny price.

  • BadAtNames on 02/06/2022 - 16:46

    Looking for bluetooth but not true wireless earphones to replace my Jaybird X3's (one of the speakers has is loose and falls out).

    The issue I have with true wireless is that I will lose them or leave them behind somewhere, I need a pair that I can dangle around my neck. Any feedback or advice is appreciated as online most of the reviews I am seeing are for true wireless earbuds.

    Budget: Under $150

  • Rail Rider95 on 21/09/2022 - 08:16
    Suggested Anker Soundcore Space A40

    RRP of $130 I believe. Great sound quality, solid noise cancelling, amazing battery life, and super small/lightweight. Plus bluetooth multipoint. And an excellent app with lots of customisability for EQ and tap functions.

    • usbc activist on 14/10/2022 - 11:15
      +1

      Yeah. I am really surprised at how they managed to achieve all that at such a price. They are so comfy to wear. The white I bought looks great.

      • Rail Rider95 on 14/10/2022 - 11:49

        Given the 10hrs on a single charge, you'd want to hope they were comfortable lol

  • noise36 on 07/12/2022 - 09:30
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

    Competitive with airpods pro 2 at half the price.

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