With everyone using their smartphone for everything from music to gaming, having a good set of earbuds is important. To this end, CGMagazine has looked at a large range of earbuds and tested them all to crown our Best Earbuds 2024. With offerings from Razer, Logitech, Xiaomi and more, it was a competitive year, with some truly stand-out selections across the board.
Even just going on Amazon or heading over to BestBuy, the options can feel endless, with so many claiming to be the best investment for your audio listening. This is why, CGMagazine has looked at a large selection of top brands earbuds with our writers tirelessly testing them out to see just how good they truly are. From the range of reviews consisting of 100’s of hours of testing, our editors have selected compiled our Best earbuds 2024 list to help you select the best choice for where ever your audio journey leads you.
Best Earbuds 2024:
OnePlus Nord Buds 2
Writer: Philip Watson
OnePlus touts itself as ‘the flagship killer,’ with devices that can hold their own against the top brands in the market for a much lesser price point than average. Like how the OnePlus 10T smartphone gives incredible flagship features at a smaller price, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 slides into the very same flagship-killing category with ease, peddling a stylish exterior and a gateway into audio users may not have known possible for their budget.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 are a notable improvement over their predecessor. The inclusion of ANC is a good one as it helps music and phone call clarity immensely. The Dolby Atmos and Dirac audio functions are awesome additions, but they’re lost outside the OnePlus ecosystem of devices which may make other OS users look elsewhere. The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 are an easy recommendation for those who simply need new wireless headphones with an excellent sound signature, but headphones that are compatible with basically everything that has Bluetooth.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 are an easy recommendation due to their compatibility with almost every device, amazing sound, and low cost.
- New BassWave algorithm dynamically enhances your sound for a balanced listening experience with deeper bass and crisp, clear vocals to keep you dancing to the beat.
- Nord Buds 2 are the first Fast and Smooth Nord audio product with up to 25dB of active noise cancellation to add a little more chill to your listening session.
Razer Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeed Earbud
Writer: Matt Keith
The Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeed Earbuds from developer Razer aim to offer a superior, cross-platform true wireless experience for gamers of every walk of life. The newest in the Hammerhead Earbud lineup, the Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeed take inspiration in design from those that have come before and offer a sleek, lightweight experience for gamers and audio enthusiasts alike.
The Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeed Earbuds are an impressive set of earbuds. They produce exceptional audio quality, offer some nice quality-of-life features and have no problem adapting to most gaming situations. Some odd with the tap controls and a lacklustre mic do create some minor issues with the Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeeds, but this is more than made up for with their excellent audio and great feature sets.
While a few small issues hold the Hammerhead Pro Hyperspeed Earbuds from being absolutely perfect, they are nonetheless some of the nicest sounding and functional earbuds I’ve worked with.
- CROSS-PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY: A seamless wireless audio experience compatible across PC, PlayStation / PS5, Nintendo Switch, smartphone / mobile, or Steam Deck via the included HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle (USB-A / USB-C) or Bluetooth 5.3
- HYPERSPEED WIRELESS AUDIO: Use the 2.4GHz Razer HyperSpeed Wireless dongle for a nearly lag-free audio experience or toggle Bluetooth Gaming Mode for gaming-grade performance via Bluetooth 5.3
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Earbuds
Writer: David Walters
When I first got my own personal audio player, and a pair of earbuds to go along with it, the biggest issue I had was that I was constantly having to push them back in. Whether walking, sitting or otherwise, there was never an instance where I didn’t have to keep pushing them back in my ears. The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 on the other hand, have refused to fall out, to the point where I am going to give myself a concussion trying to shake them out.
OnePlus had become my absolute favourite brand for earbuds and they’ve done it again with the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. If the noise-cancelling issue I experienced was a bit better, then these would be the perfect earbuds for me. It won’t stop me from using them day-to-day, but sometimes I want to drown out the world and other times I want to let a bit of it in. I’d just like to be able to tell which one I am doing without having to get my phone out. All that said, I can still happily recommend the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 to everyone.
Another winner from the team at OnePlus, the Buds Pro 2 are incredible earbuds that will suit any users needs.
- Sound Made Smart: Balance powerful sound with pure silence. Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation keeps you in control of your audio. Enjoy crystal-clear calls and a truly personal music listening experience. Powered by worry-free battery life, savor a symphony of powerful features for on-the-go studio-grade sound.Waterproof : No
- Calling loud and clear: AI-powered noise reduction algorithms and three ENC noise-reducing microphones deliver precisely calibrated voice isolation during calls. Elegant and functional, the curved design of the buds further reduces wind and residual noise-pickup. For crystal-clear calls, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 dominate the conversation.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2023
Writer: David Walters
First things first, the Pixel Buds Pro 2023 come in two new colours (to go along with the existing three colours: Charcoal, Lemongrass and Fog) with the new release: Porcelain and Bay, with the former being the set that I received. Both colours are gorgeous, and I particularly like how muted and neutral the porcelain option is. The case colour doesn’t change, just the touch-sensitive part of the earbuds themselves.
There is a lot to like about the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2023, with a lot of software features incoming and two really nice colours. The battery life is manageable for a full day’s work, so I can’t complain too much. In terms of price, they are the exact same price as the set that was released last year, coming in at $259.99 CAD ($199.99 USD). As a result, I can still enthusiastically recommend them to Google enthusiasts and Android users alike.
A lot of new software features headline the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2023 release, making them a hard-to-miss upgrade.
- The battery keeps up with your life, with up to 11 hours of listening time, or up to 31 hours with the charging case[2]; you can charge them wirelessly with Pixel Stand or other Qi-certified chargers[3]
HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 3 Earbuds
Writer: Dayna Eileen
HUAWEI has been the brand in my ears for the last two years between the FreeBuds Pro 2 and the FreeBuds Lipstick, so I found it only natural to take on the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 3 earbuds, too. I’ve always found Bluetooth, touch controls and general connectivity to be an annoyance in earbuds, but after some time with the FreeBuds Pro 3, it feels like things are heading in the right direction, and this time around, HUAWEI has really impressed me.
The Pro 3 earbuds have truly improved in every area they possibly could. Between ease of use, improved battery life, noticeable customization options and touch controls that actually work, the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 3 are the earbuds to beat this year. Just launching this past November for $255.00 USD, I would gladly pay the premium cost for a flawless pair of earbuds.
- Improved Fit: The HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 3 includes a new XS ear tip size, providing a secure fit and better ANC performance. Four sizes are available, ensuring comfort for a wider range of users.
- Sleek Design: The earbuds feature a minimalist design with a glass case and concealed hinge. It comes in three nature-inspired colors.
