Our top earbuds of 2026 so far: all the buds that wowed us in testing
Brilliant headphones from the Sennheiser, Samsung, Shokz and more.
As the year draws to a close, the testing of headphones continues apace. In this final stretch of 2026, our focus has narrowed to earbuds, with the ones that have impressed us the most receiving four stars or higher in our rigorous tests. Sennheiser has produced standout models at both price points. Their Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds deliver superb sound quality with a side of sustainability, thanks to user-replaceable batteries.
Meanwhile, those on a tighter budget might consider Sennheiser's CX 80U wired earbuds, which offer clean, agile bass alongside solid noise isolation for less than $40. Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro also impressed with their fantastic sound, classy yet understated look, and impressive app features. However, their battery life could be better and they require a Samsung phone to perform at their best.
Other notable earbuds include the Shokz OpenDots 2, praised for their ultra-comfortable fit, and the Baseus Bowie MC2, an affordable choice for comfort-conscious buyers. Other notable mentions include the Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5, lauded for their excellent noise cancellation and sleek design, though they lack lossless audio for non-Huawei devices, and Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 5, which offer premium sound and comfort but with a slightly smaller touch control area.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
