If you’re an Apple user, you’re likely pretty cozy in the little ecosystem they’ve created. If you have an iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, or all of the above, you’ve likely looked into what Apple offers in terms of headphones. While they’ve released a few headphones, mainly under the Beats brand, they don’t have a very wide selection to choose from, so not all recommendations on this list will utilize Apple’s W1/H1 chip. While these chips allow headphones to pair to your many Apple devices much easier, it’s unnecessary, and any Bluetooth headphones will work. While you don’t need to go wireless for an iPhone, it’s much easier as newer iPhones no longer have a headphone jack and require a dongle.
We’ve tested over 210 wireless in-ears and earbuds, below are our top recommendations for the best headphones for iPhone users to purchase. See our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds, the best earbuds with a mic, and the best truly wireless earbuds.
Best Wireless Earbuds For iPhone: Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless
Type In-ear
Enclosure Closed-Back
Wireless Truly Wireless
Noise Cancelling Yes
Mic Yes
Transducer Dynamic
The Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless are the best wireless earbuds for iPhone we’ve tested. These earbuds have an H1 chip, allowing you to seamlessly pair them with other devices in your Apple ecosystem. They also have a settings interface that’s only available on iOS devices, and it offers button mapping and ANC control.
These premium headphones have a comfortable and lightweight fit stable enough for moderate physical activity. Although they lack low bass, they have a neutral and versatile sound profile well-suited for lots of audio content. They also have an excellent active noise cancelling (ANC) system and can block out the low rumble of bus or plane engines as well as office chatter. They also have over five hours of continuous playback time, and their carrying case holds roughly five additional charges.
Unfortunately, they don’t have any sound customization features like an EQ or presets to help you adjust their sound to your liking. Their integrated mic also has a disappointing recording quality, so your voice sounds thin and muffled. That said, these in-ears are sure to please most users looking for iOS-compatible headphones.
ALTERNATIVE WITH BETTER BATTERY PERFORMANCE: APPLE AIRPODS (3RD GENERATION) TRULY WIRELES
f you’re looking for Apple headphones with longer-lasting continuous battery life, check out the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless. Unlike the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless, they lack ANC and don’t block out almost any background noise due to their open-back design. However, the 3rd generation have just under seven hours of continuous battery life, and their carrying case holds five additional charges. They have similarly great build quality, and their H1 chip allows you to seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices. They have an Adaptive EQ feature advertised to adjust the headphones’ sound based on how they fit in your ears, as well as Spatial Audio, which can offer a more immersive audio experience. That said, they lack a thumpy, punchy low-bass, so if you like genres like EDM and hip-hop, you may find their sound a bit lacking. On the upside, the rest of their sound profile is fairly neutral, so vocals and lead instruments are accurately reproduced.
Take a look at the Pro if you want to block out background noise with their ANC. However, try the 3rd generation if you prioritize longer continuous battery life.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless are the best wireless sports earbuds for iPhone that we’ve tested. Thanks to their ear-hook design, they should stay in place during tough runs or workouts at the gym. They’re also comfortable, well-built, and are rated IPX4 for resistance against splashes of water.
Like most other earbuds on this list, they have an H1 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices like your iPhone. They last over 11 hours continuously on a single charge, and their carrying case holds roughly one extra charge, which is handy in a pinch. They also have a fairly neutral sound profile, making them well-suited for a variety of genres. While they don’t block out much in terms of background noise, some users may prefer this design as it allows you to stay aware of your surroundings if you’re jogging outdoors.
Even though they have a companion interface, it doesn’t offer any sound customization features. They also don’t support Apple’s Spatial Audio or Adaptive EQ. However, their comfortable fit and long continuous playback time make them suitable sports-oriented headphones. They’re even among the best wireless earbuds for running and working out we’ve tested.
BETTER-BUILT ALTERNATIVE: BOSE SPORT EARBUDS TRULY WIRELESS
If you want headphones that feel even more sturdy and solid, try the Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless. While their 4.3-hour continuous battery life doesn’t last as long as that of the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless, and they don’t have an H1 chip, they have a better, more premium build quality. They’re also certified IPX4 for protection against splashes of water and have a very stable in-ear fit, so you don’t have to worry about them moving around when you’re on the go. Their smooth and warm sound profile is well-suited for vocal-centric content like podcasts or audiobooks. While they don’t block out very much background noise, some users may prefer this design as you can better monitor what’s going on around you when running outside.
Check out the Beats if you prioritize a longer-lasting continuous battery life or an H1 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices. However, go for the Bose if you want in-ears with better build quality.
The Beats Flex Wireless are the best earphones for iPhone with a wireless design and at a budget level that we’ve tested. These colorful and lightweight in-ears have a silicone neck cable design, so you can wear them around your neck when you’re not using them. Thanks to their W1 chip, you can also seamlessly pair them with all your Apple devices.
Out of the box, they have a bass-heavy sound profile that packs a touch of extra thump, rumble, and boom to your mixes, making them well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop. They have a good build quality that feels durable as well as a stable and comfortable fit. Although they don’t have ANC and struggle to block out lower-ranged noise like the rumbles from bus engines, they can help cut down sounds like office chatter. They also have low latency on iOS devices, which is nice if you like to stream video.
Unfortunately, their companion app is very limited, and you can’t customize their sound as they lack an EQ and presets. Even though their continuous battery life of 11 hours should last you through a day at the office, they also don’t have any power-saving features to help conserve battery life when you’re not using them. However, if you don’t mind their somewhat simple design, these in-ears offer a versatile performance at a wallet-friendly price point.
Notable Mentions
- Beats Fit Pro True Wireless: The Beats Fit Pro True Wireless offer a lot of the same iOS-related features as the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless like Spatial Audio and an H1 chip for seamless pairing. However, their fit isn’t as comfortable, and their ANC blocks out significantly less ambient noise. See our review
- Beats Powerbeats 4 Wireless: The Beats Powerbeats 4 are practically identical to the Beats Powerbeats Pro, but with a wire connecting the earbuds. The battery takes longer to charge, and they have less total battery life. See our review
- Beats BeatsX Wireless: The Beats BeatsX are versatile wireless earbuds that isolate a lot of noise and have a fairly well-balanced but slightly bass-heavy sound profile but aren’t as comfortable as the Beats Powerbeats Pro or the Apple AirPods Pro. See our review
- Jabra Elite Active 75t Truly Wireless: The Jabra Elite Active 75t are decent, well-rounded true wireless earbuds with good customization, battery life, and a comfortable fit, but not the best noise isolation. See our review
- Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless: The Bose SoundSport Free are comfortable earbuds with impressive sound quality, but a bulky true wireless design and battery life aren’t on par with the competition. See our review
- JBL E25BT Wireless: The JBL E25BT are budget wireless in-ears with a decent sound and overall performance, though the build quality is mediocre. See our review
- Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless: The Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 are similar in design to Apple AirPods Pro but don’t have ANC or Apple’s H1 chip. See our review
- JLab Audio JBuds Air ANC Truly Wireless: The JLab Audio Air ANC offer mode which reduces their audio latency on iOS outstandingly low. However, their ANC feature doesn’t block out as much noise as the Apple AirPods Pro. See our review
- Bose Sport Open Earbuds Truly Wireless: The Bose Sport Open Earbuds Truly Wireless are comfortable earbuds intended for outdoor sports. They have less latency with iOS devices than the Jaybird Tarah Pro, but their sound profile lacks a lot of bass, and their app doesn’t offer an EQ or presets. See our review
Recent Updates
- Jan 27, 2022: Added the Beats Fit Pro True Wireless to Notable Mentions. Checked our picks for accuracy and product availability.
- Nov 22, 2021: Replaced the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) Truly Wireless with the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Truly Wireless as the third generation offers Spatial Audio and better battery life.
- Sep 22, 2021: Replaced the Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless with the Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless as the Jaybird are getting harder to find in stock.
- Jul 27, 2021: Checked the text for accuracy and product availability. There hasn’t been a change in our recommendations.
- May 28, 2021: Checked picks to ensure that the picks still represent the best recommendations and that the products are in stock.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best wireless headphones for iPhone for most people to buy. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn’t worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for wireless earbuds and in-ear headphones, sorted by Bluetooth iOS latency. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.
