Let’s face it: Wireless earbuds are now a part of daily life. But Android users have a special challenge in finding a pair of earbuds that take full advantage of the operating system’s advanced controls and sound reproduction features.
We tested products for Android compatibility in a number of conditions ranging from the gym to the office. This list (updated monthly) will help you make the best choice with a focus on quality, durability, Android-compatible features, and overall value for your money.
Wireless earbuds are a modern day essential. Thankfully the past year has introduced a number of advancements in the category, including battery life, sound quality, and durability. Our rolling list of the best wireless earbuds is updated monthly with products to match your lifestyle.
Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 Touch: Editor’s pick for best Bluetooth earbuds for Android – $129.99 at Mifo.com.au
Where to buy the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 Touch Android compatible earbuds
The best wireless Android earphones for moderate to intense listening and all around gym/active lifestyle use come from a brand that is fairly new to Australia. But don’t let that scare you off, as these waterproof earbuds are easily some of the best we have ever tested.
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OTHER OPTIONS
- Editor’s Note: The newly released Gen 2 Touch (denoted by Electric Green or Orange colors) is not available on Amazon or other channels at the time of publishing. The original grey O5 Plus Gen 2 and Gen 2 Touch is available for the similar pricing plus tax on Amazon.com.au here, but does not include power bank and upgraded sound quality.
So what makes the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 Touch the best earphones for Android users?
The best earbuds for Android phones, period. The Mifo O5 Plus Touch includes a slick Bluetooth 5.2 chipset that incorporates a bevy of cutting edge Android features such as dynamic signal processing, anti-lag buffering, and real time voice recognition on chip. Weighing in at just a few grams each, the O5 Plus earbuds feel supremely comfortable, and include 7 silicon ear tip shapes and sizes for that perfect fit.
Absurd battery life with power bank feature. The O5 Plus Gen 2 Touch earbuds themselves will play continuously for 9+ hours, a feat we tested over several days. Not only that, but the included USB-C charging case offers an additional 100 hours of play time. No, that is not a typo. We were able to use the earbuds without charging the case for an entire week before it gave out. Additionally, the case allows you to plug a smartphone in to charge your devices on the go. In our test, we were able to charge an Samsung Galaxy S22 from 0 to 100%.
Fully waterproof and sweat proof. The O5 Plus Gen 2 Touch are rated for total submersion in water, meaning sweat won’t bother them a bit. That’s particularly important as not all wireless earbuds are rated as fully waterproof (look for IPX 7 rated or above) yet seem to market as such.
High visibility color options for safer running. While most Android compatible earbuds feature drab colors, Mifo has created two super bright, high visibility semi-reflective options that offer another point of protection while on the road or in an urban environment. The aluminum case and overall earbud build quality add to these fun colors.
US-based customer support. We have been continuously disappointed with true wireless earbuds in the past, even from tech giants like Samsung. Part of that disappointment comes with poor or absent customer service, particularly with regard to bargain and knockoff sellers who do not offer any domestic presence or support. We tested Mifo on several occasions with questions and every time received proper replies within an hour. That demonstrates commitment to the US market and contributes greatly to our award of Editor’s Pick.
Jabra Elite Active 75t: Solid but pricey Android compatible earbuds – $249.00 at Amazon.com.au
Where to buy the Jabra Elite 75t earbuds in Australia
If you aren’t price sensitive, Jabra may be the brand for you. These true wireless earbuds come with fewer accessories than the Mifo O5, and offer a more generalist approach to the format for Android users.
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Why Jabra makes the list of best earbuds
Good overall quality for true wireless earbuds. Since true wireless earbuds were invented, we have lamented at poor signal quality, dropped calls, and pairing fiascos. Jabra have included top quality chipsets and firmware, and we were pleased with the overall experience. That may not be of interest to Android users who always have a device close by and aren’t usually on the phone, but is worth noting.
Excellent marks for sound quality. While bass isn’t as rich as the Mifo O5, the overall high and low tones of the Elite 75t are quite good. In addition, the earbuds controls are straightforward and simple to use, allowing you to easily change tracks or answer calls while on a run. We’ll leave it to you to determine if they sound $180 good.
Limited Android-specific features. While Jabra does an excellent job with sound quality and calls, they are not designed specifically for Android devices. The 75t suffer from pairing issues, particularly when they run out of power or undergo a reset. Accessory-wise, earbuds also include fewer ear tips than competitors, which are absolutely critical to ensure a complete fit that will not fall out during runs.
Bose Sports Earbuds: Earphones that live up to the Bose name – $289.00 at Amazon.com.au
Where to buy the Bose Sports Earbuds in the US
Bose has delved into the true wireless category by focusing on sports. And while the Sports Earbuds are an excellent successor product, they suffer from an aging Bluetooth chipset and mediocre battery life, costing Bose a higher position in our list for runners.
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Why Bose gets our overall approval for workout earbuds
Great sound that comes at a cost. While Bose has engineered a product that is indeed worthy of the name, it does come at a cost. Reduced battery life and Bluetooth 4.1 instead of 5.0 hurt the product and age it to the first generation of true wireless product. That may bother some runners who need uninterrupted music to keep them focused.
Fun, fitness-oriented colors. Of note are the options to pick from a bright, bold, and just plain fun color scheme. While not strictly to do with features, the Soundsport makes going out for a run just a bit more interesting, and may help improve daytime visibility when out on the road.
Built for sports, but may not work for Android. While the Soundsport is made for active movement, we found it a bit bulky when switching between various Android devices. If you have a multi device household, you may experience some annoying additional steps when switching devices throughout the day.
Sony WF-1000XM3: Great for sitting at home, tough to use on the go – $328.00 at Amazon.com.au
Where to buy the Sony WF1000-XM3
Sony have spent years of research and development on the WF1000-XM3, but over engineered an expensive and somewhat clumsy product for runners. And while the active noise canceling and sound quality are superb, those little annoyances add up with an otherwise excellent product.
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The positives include a great sound profile that is well balanced with a light emphasis on lower tones, and an overall simple user interface that anybody can figure out. Unfortunately, that’s where the positives end.
Sony stumbles when it comes to features. We gave the WF1000-XM3 a higher rating in 2020, but it’s 2024 now and there are new challenger products that outperform the WF1000-XM3 on nearly every front. That includes battery life (more below), charging capabilities, and overall miniaturization of previously large components.
You’ll get 3 to 4 hours of battery life from the earbuds themselves if you listen at high volume, and the included charging case provides an added 4 charges. That’s fine and good, but not up to par with other earbuds in this price range. In the same vein, the WF1000-XM3 are not water proof and don’t do well with repeated exposure to sweat.
Larger, heavy design is also a big miss for Sony. The WF1000-XM3 is simply uncomfortable to wear for longer than 10 minutes of movement. The earbuds themselves are too large for small ears, even when using smaller ear tips. They are far too easy to catch with natural arm motion, and tend to fall out when you least expect it.
We also wish Sony would release an updated model with very important features for sports like complete waterproofing, shock proofing, and a more durable charging case standard.
While Sony brings a decent result to the table with the WF1000-XM3, they are hurt by an uncomfortable product that should be redesigned or priced far lower than it is today.
Runners-up: Best Wireless Earbuds
There are many, many wireless earbuds compatible with Android devices. And while we attempt to test as many as possible for our running enthusiasts, some units simply don’t make the cut. Here’s a quick peek at Android approved earbuds that didn’t make the list.
Apple Powerbeats Pro – $329.00 at Amazon.com.au
Yes, it’s the marriage of Beats and Apple. Yes, it’s meant to be used when working out. But for the money, you can do better. The Powerbeats Pro are sleeker with better battery life than their predecessor Powerbeats model. But our biggest complaint about the Pro comes from their limited compatibility with Android devices. Pairing is finicky at best, and added features like device controls and easy voice commands are absent. That makes them distracting, and unsuitable for longer multi device sessions. Did we mention the giant clamshell charging case? Yeesh.
Apple AirPods Pro – $348.00 at Amazon.com.au
We couldn’t do a roundup without Apple’s latest contribution to the true wireless format. The iconic AirPods now feature a revamped design, active noise canceling, and better integration with iOS. Which raises a major gripe we have with AirPods: The features are only 50% there when using Android. That combined with a stem design that easily catches and falls while moving, and we can’t fully recommend the AirPods Pro for movers and shakers.
Jaybird Vista – $279.99 at Amazon.com.au
The Jaybird Vista are the next iteration of the dismal Jaybird Run XT earbuds, and are designed for runners. It’s a shame that these purpose-built true wireless earbuds don’t live up to the moniker. Jaybird has the right idea, but falls short in sound quality and Bluetooth signal strength, making them competitive with other earbuds in the price category, but still too expensive to warrant top marks.
Samsung Galaxy Buds – $299.99 at Amazon.com.au
The Galaxy smartphone is one of the most popular on the planet, and the pressure to create award-winning accessories is high. But from active movers’ perspectives, the Galaxy Buds don’t quite justify their price tag. Samsung tackled the challenge of an all around true wireless earbud, but failed to address Android devices outside of the Samsung ecosystem.