Wireless Earbuds Buying Guide: Oraimo, UGREEN, Nothing and More

Good wireless earbuds no longer require a big budget, but they do require some thought. Battery life, comfort and microphone quality often matter more than brand. Here is how to compare them.

Budget: Oraimo and CMF

Oraimo is a popular African brand with many earbuds aimed at everyday use. The SpaceBuds Lite 2, SpaceBuds Air, Air 2 and Air+ cover the entry and middle of its range. The SpaceBuds 2 and SpaceBuds Fit add features for people who want more. The Oraimo Necklace 5 is a neckband style that is harder to lose while moving around.

CMF Buds 2a, from Nothing's lower-cost label, are another good choice for those who want a stylish design at a low price.

Mid-range: UGREEN, Nothing and Huawei

UGREEN's HiTune T3 Pro and EchoBuds Magic offer noise cancellation and useful extras, with the EchoBuds adding a touchscreen case. Nothing's Ear (a), Ear (2024), Ear (3) and Buds Pro bring distinctive designs and app-based sound tuning. Huawei's FreeBuds SE 2 is a light budget pair, and the FreeBuds 5 Pro targets those who want better sound and noise reduction.

Premium: Sony and Bose

The Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are premium earbuds known for strong noise cancellation. Choose them when audio quality and quiet matter. Fit is critical at this level, so try the included ear tips to get a proper seal.

The Sony WI-C100 is a neckband design that is a simpler and less costly option. If you still like wires, our Oraimo wired earphones are a cheap and reliable backup.

What to compare

• Fit: the best-sounding earbuds are useless if they fall out.
• Noise cancellation: useful on buses and in busy offices.
• Microphone: check reviews or test call quality, especially for work calls.
• Battery life: look at earbuds and case combined, but real-world results vary.
• App support: useful for firmware updates and sound adjustments.
• Water resistance: important for gym and running use.

Bluetooth codecs

SBC and AAC are common, while LDAC, LHDC and aptX formats can offer higher quality when both phone and earbuds support them. iPhones use AAC. You will not benefit from a codec your phone does not support.

Avoid hearing damage

Keep volume at moderate levels, especially on noisy roads. Noise cancellation can help because you do not need to turn the volume up as high. Stay aware when walking or riding near traffic, and use Transparency mode where available.

For brand-specific advice, read about AirPods and Galaxy Buds. If you dislike in-ear tips entirely, try open-ear earbuds.