Top Wireless Earbuds of 2025: In-Depth Review

The wireless earbud market saw major updates in 2025 with three flagship models taking center stage: Apple's AirPods Pro 2, Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and Huawei's FreeBuds Pro 4. After a week of side-by-side testing, here’s how they stack up across key categories.

Design and Build

All three earbuds follow a familiar stem design, though each brings subtle distinctions. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro mimics AirPods aesthetics with angular stems and LED indicators, while the FreeBuds Pro 4 stands out with a sleek gold-accented stem and dual ear tip options (silicone and foam). The AirPods Pro 2 offers a versatile charging case with a built-in speaker and lanyard loop. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro leads in water resistance with an IP57 rating for the earbuds alone.

Controls

Basic press-and-pinch controls work across all models, but the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro feels less responsive due to its triangular stem design. It includes a voice command system as a workaround. The FreeBuds Pro 4 adds tap controls for music and call management, offering the most flexible interaction options.

Call Quality

The FreeBuds Pro 4 delivers exceptional call clarity, maintaining crystal-clear voice transmission even in noisy environments. Huawei claims up to 100 dB of noise suppression for calls, which our tests support. The AirPods Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro handle background noise well but fall short of the FreeBuds Pro 4 in challenging conditions.

Noise Cancellation

The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro takes the win for regular noise cancellation, particularly effective against human voices. The AirPods Pro 2 provides reliable ANC across common disturbances, while the FreeBuds Pro 4 allows slightly more ambient noise but pairs well with foam ear tips for improved isolation.

Audio Performance

Each model has a distinct sonic signature. The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro boasts the strongest bass response, ideal for genres like EDM and hip-hop. The AirPods Pro 2 delivers a balanced, versatile sound with accurate mids, suited for vocal-heavy tracks. The FreeBuds Pro 4 shines with bright, detailed treble and strong dynamic range, excelling in complex arrangements. High-res codecs (SSC for Samsung, L2HC 4.0 and LDAC for Huawei) offer lossless audio but may not be noticeable to most listeners.

Battery Life

All three models offer around five hours of playback per charge, with similar charging case capacities. None stand out significantly in battery performance.

Verdict

The FreeBuds Pro 4 narrowly leads with best-in-class call quality and engaging audio, though it lags slightly in noise cancellation. The AirPods Pro 2 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro remain strong choices for iOS and Android users, respectively, thanks to deep ecosystem integration. Ultimately, all three provide premium experiences, making the decision dependent on platform preference and priority features.