The best wireless earbuds for 2025

Discovering the perfect wi-fi earbuds could make an enormous distinction in the way you expertise music, podcasts, calls and even day by day commutes. Whether or not you are tuning out distractions on the prepare or taking work calls on the go, in the present day’s wi-fi earbuds pack spectacular audio high quality and comfort into tiny, pocket-friendly types. Many now provide wonderful noise cancellation, good ambient noise modes for staying conscious of your environment and dependable noise isolation to assist hold you targeted — all with out the trouble of wires.

There’s a variety of choices out there, from budget-friendly picks to premium fashions with superior options like multi-device pairing, wi-fi charging circumstances and a number of mics for crystal-clear calls. Regardless of your worth level, there’s a pair on the market that may ship nice sound, consolation and performance to match your wants.

Desk of contents

Finest wi-fi earbuds of 2025

Sony

Learn our full Sony WF-1000XM5 evaluation

Max battery life: 8 hours, as much as 24 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Sure (IPX4) | Driver measurement: 8.4mm

With the WF-1000XM5 flagship earbuds, Sony improves its already formidable mixture of nice sound, efficient ANC and helpful options. These earbuds are undoubtedly the corporate’s finest and most snug design of its 1000X fashions thus far, which was one of many few remaining riddles Sony wanted to resolve. Sony nonetheless manages to pack in additional options than anybody else too, together with trademark ones like adaptive sound and Communicate-to-Chat. Add in upgraded drivers, new chips, eight hours of battery life and important enhancements to sound high quality and these are Sony’s finest earbuds but. However the entire developments come at a price: these are additionally Sony’s costliest set of wi-fi earbuds within the 1000X lineup.

Professionals

  • Glorious sound high quality
  • Improved design
  • Extra snug match
  • A great deal of helpful options
Cons

  • Costlier
  • No battery life enchancment
  • Head monitoring is Android solely
  • Some options nonetheless want fine-tuning

$98 at Macy’s

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Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget

Learn our full Apple AirPods Professional (2nd Era) evaluation

Max battery life: 6 hours, as much as 30 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Sure (IPX4) | Driver measurement: Not specified

Apple’s second-generation AirPods Professional are an enormous enchancment over the earlier fashions. These buds have improved sound high quality and lively noise cancellation, whereas sustaining the entire conveniences that make AirPods the perfect earbud possibility for iPhone, iOS and Mac. Once we reviewed them, we discovered essentially the most spectacular characteristic to be transparency mode, which is extra pure sounding than another earbuds by a mile. You’ll be able to depart these in throughout a dialog and it’s such as you’re not even sporting them. After all, quick pairing, hands-free Siri, spatial audio, good battery life, and now, a USB-C charging case that may additionally energy up wirelessly may even turn out to be useful.

Professionals

  • Improved sound
  • Stellar transparency mode
  • Strong ANC
  • Seamless switching between Apple gadgets
Cons

  • Identical design
  • New contact gesture takes apply
  • Common battery life
  • Customized Spatial Audio outcomes differ

$170 at Goal

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Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget

Learn our full Google Pixel Buds Professional 2 evaluation

Max battery life: 8 hours, as much as 30 hours with charging case (ANC on) | Water resistance: IP54 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Sure (IPX4 for earbuds, IPX2 for case) | Driver measurement: 11mm

The Pixel Buds Professional 2 could also be Google’s priciest earbuds, however they’re additionally its finest. A whole redesign resulted in considerably smaller earbuds that match extra comfortably and securely. The corporate has additionally packed in a Tensor chip for the primary time to deal with audio and ANC sign processing. As you may anticipate, these earbuds provide a hands-free channel to Gemini AI, though they’re not required to make use of the voice assistant.

Google additionally revised the acoustics and drivers on the Pixel Buds Professional 2, delivering ample low-end tone when it’s wanted. There are many helpful options too, like Dialog Detection, Listening to Wellness and Discover My Machine. Spatial Audio is obtainable at launch this time, however you possibly can solely use it with suitable video streaming apps.

Professionals

  • Tiny, comfortable design
  • Punchy bass, full mids, crisp highs
  • Barely longer battery life than predecessor
Cons

  • Value went up once more
  • Spatial audio is proscribed to video apps
  • Smaller contact panel requires precision

$229 at Amazon

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Samsung

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional evaluation

Max battery life: 6 hours, as much as 26 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IP57 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Sure (IP68) | Driver measurement: Twin drivers (woofer and tweeter); particular sizes not disclosed

The Galaxy Buds 3 Professional borrow closely from Apple’s AirPods Professional in each seems to be and options, and construct upon the inspiration of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Professional. Nevertheless, Samsung did effectively to make issues like Adaptive ANC and voice instructions work effectively. Some options like Voice Detect may nonetheless use some wonderful tuning, however there’s loads to love right here past the essential performance.

The really shocking factor in regards to the Galaxy Buds 3 Professional is the sound high quality. There’s some thick, boomy bass while you want it with loads of crisp element to enrich it. This mannequin actually shines while you pair it with a Samsung machine to unlock 24-bit HiFi streaming. There’s additionally a natural-sounding transparency mode that retains you from feeling shouty throughout calls.

Professionals

  • Nice sound high quality
  • A great deal of helpful options
  • Comfortable match
  • Pure ambient sound
Cons

  • Battery life is shorter than some rivals
  • The perfect options require a current Samsung machine
  • Copycat design
  • Blade lights are a gimmick

$250 at Amazon

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Photograph by Jeff Dunn / Engadget

Max battery life: 10 hours, as much as 50 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Not specified | Driver measurement: Not specified

The Anker Soundcore Area A40 provide the type of options you’d anticipate from wi-fi earbuds that value twice as a lot: ANC, multi-device pairing, wi-fi charging, IPX4 water resistance, a transparency mode, eight to 10 hours of battery life and LDAC help. Once we examined them, we discovered their heat sound to be pleasing proper out of the field, however Anker’s companion app makes it straightforward to customise the EQ curve if wanted. And whereas their ANC isn’t fairly as efficient at lowering background noise as our prime picks, it’s nonetheless efficient for a loud workplace or lengthy flight. For $80 or so, it is a very good worth. – Jeff Dunn, Senior Commerce Author

Professionals

  • Reasonably priced
  • Good battery life
  • Multipoint connectivity
  • Transparency Mode
Cons

  • ANC is not as sturdy as opponents

$59 at Amazon

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Billy Steele for Engadget

Max battery life: 6 hours | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Sure (IPX4) | Driver measurement: Not specified

Learn our full Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds (2nd gen) evaluation

Bose’s Immersive Audio characteristic would be the headline grabber on its QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds, however these additionally include the corporate’s stellar noise-canceling talents. This mannequin is very adept at battling airplane noise throughout a flight, a job I usually depend on over-ear headphones for. The second-gen QC Extremely Earbuds are efficient with human voices too, blocking that distraction higher than a lot of the competitors. However with any type of fixed roar, and lots of irregular sounds, these earbuds will serve you effectively. Plus, Bose’s CustomTune device analyzes the form of your ears and personalizes each sound and ANC.

Whereas the QC Extremely Earbuds provide the perfect pure noise-blocking efficiency on this listing, the additional audio options imply they’ve much less battery life than the remainder of our picks. It lasts six hours with ANC on and Immersive Audio off, however activate the latter and that quantity dips to 4 hours. And though Bose’s tackle spatial audio yields combined outcomes at instances, the inventory tuning is an enchancment over the corporate’s final flagship mannequin. Due to small tuning tweaks, the general sound profile is extra balanced on the second-gen model as effectively.

Professionals

  • Stronger ANC filters out extra distractions
  • Enhanced name high quality
Cons

  • Battery life isn’t improved
  • Cumbersome design is unchanged

$299 at Bose

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Bose

Learn our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) evaluation

Max battery life: 8.5 hours, as much as 31.5 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Sure (IPX4) | Driver measurement: Not specified

Prior to now, you needed to pay round $300 in case you needed Bose-quality ANC on a set of earbuds. With the brand new QuietComfort Earbuds, the corporate packs in a variety of its finest options for much less cash. You’ll get efficient ANC, good sound high quality, and options like voice controls.

The earbuds are smaller than typical Bose fare, which implies they’re extra snug and match higher. You’ll additionally take pleasure in effectively over eight hours of battery life with ANC on and an IPX4 ranking that can be adequate for exercises. And if the product web page is to be trusted, you may as well stay up for Bose’s distinctive spatial audio (Immersive Audio) coming quickly.

Professionals

  • Nice sound high quality
  • Efficient ANC
  • A number of helpful options
  • Reliable battery life
Cons

  • No Immersive Audio (but)
  • Audio and ANC sacrifices in comparison with the QC Extremely Earbuds
  • No CustomTune characteristic
  • Poor name high quality

$149 at Adorama

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Billy Steele for Engadget

Learn our full Noble Audio FoKus Rex5 evaluation

Max battery life: 5 hours (ANC on), as much as 45 hours with charging case | Water resistance: N/A | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Not specified | Driver measurement: Not specified

If you’d like the perfect sound high quality, you’ll should pay for it. The FoKus Rex5 are an eyewatering $449, and simply the most costly wi-fi earbuds I’ve examined. Nevertheless, Noble Audio’s five-driver setup is extra strong than the competitors the place one or two drivers is often the norm.

There’s a degree of pristine element and sonic separation I haven’t heard on different earbuds. For instance, traits of the guitars, together with the person nuances of a number of gamers on a monitor, contribute to a wider soundstage and extra immersion than you’ll encounter elsewhere. These are removed from an entire bundle by way of options, however the audio prowess is unmatched.

Professionals

  • Detailed, immersive sound
  • Customized audio profiles are saved on the buds
  • Comfy match
Cons

  • Very costly
  • Only one coloration and it’s not for everybody
  • Subpar ANC efficiency

$449 at Amazon

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Billy Steele for Engadget

Learn our full Technics AZ100 evaluation

Max battery life: 12 hours, as much as 29 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Sure (IPX4) | Driver measurement: 10mm

For a protracted whereas Bowers & Wilkins was my choose for finest total sound high quality. However, as Dylan sang, “the instances they’re a-changin’.”

Technics borrowed magnetic fluid driver tech from its in-ear screens (IEMs) to enhance the sound high quality on the AZ100. The result’s deeper, extra immersive bass that’s complemented by detailed highs and ample mid-range tone.

There are additionally a variety of options on the AZ100, together with multipoint Bluetooth for as much as three gadgets. Sony’s LDAC codec can also be supported, as are Dolby Atmos and Dolby’s dynamic head monitoring.

Professionals

  • Glorious sound high quality
  • Tons of choices within the app
  • Small measurement means comfortable match
  • Three-device multipoint Bluetooth
Cons

  • ANC lags behind the perfect
  • None of in the present day’s “good” options
  • Spatial audio doesn’t enhance default tuning

$287 at Amazon

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Photograph by Billy Steele / Engadget

Learn our full Beats Match Professional evaluation

Max battery life: 6 hours, as much as 24 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Sure (IPX4) | Driver measurement: Not specified

A lot of the finest AirPods options in a set of exercise earbuds? That’s the Beats Match Professional. Due to Apple’s H1 chip, these buds provide one-touch fast pairing, hands-free Siri and Discover My instruments. They’ll additionally permit you to use Audio Sharing with an Apple machine and one other set of AirPods or Beats wi-fi headphones for tandem listening or viewing. Balanced and punchy bass will hold the vitality up throughout exercises whereas good noise cancellation, an IPX4 ranking and cozy silicone ear ideas make these a strong possibility outdoors of the fitness center too. And there’s loads of help for Android gadgets, so these aren’t only a good purchase for iOS customers both.

Professionals

  • Comfy design
  • Good ANC
  • H1 chip affords fast pairing and switching between Apple gadgets
  • Loads of Android help
Cons

  • Name high quality could possibly be higher

$153 at Macy’s

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Sony

Max battery life: 6 hours, as much as 20 hours with charging case | Water resistance: IPX4 | Noise cancellation: Sure | Multipoint: Sure | Included charging case: Sure | Waterproof: Sure (IPX4) | Driver measurement: Not specified

One of many greatest surprises final 12 months wasn’t Sony’s distinctive open-wear LinkBuds, it was the extra mainstream follow-up. With the LinkBuds S, the corporate debuted a extra historically designed pair of earbuds akin to its premium WF-1000XM4, solely this mannequin is far smaller and lighter which results in a way more comfortable match. These tiny wi-fi earbuds muster some punch in terms of sound high quality too and help for high-res listening (LDAC and DSEE Excessive) are each onboard. Succesful ANC lends a hand with environmental noise and transparency mode can hold you tuned in when wanted. What’s extra, helpful Communicate-to-Chat is right here and Adaptive Sound Management can mechanically change settings primarily based on exercise or location. That’s a variety of premium options at a mid-range worth.

Professionals

  • Comfy design
  • Good sound high quality
  • Communicate-to-Chat
  • Adaptive Sound Management

$158 at Amazon

What to search for in the perfect wi-fi earbuds

Relating to looking for earphones, the very first thing to contemplate is design or put on fashion. Do you favor a semi-open match like AirPods or would you like one thing that utterly closes off your ears? Should you’re looking for earbuds with lively noise cancellation, you may need the latter, however a case will be made for the previous if you wish to put on all of them day or frequent locations the place you might want to be tuned in to the ambient sounds. The general form of earbuds can decide whether or not you get a snug match, so can the dimensions and weight, so that you’ll wish to take into account all that earlier than deciding. And keep in mind: audio firms aren’t excellent, so regardless of numerous analysis, the earbud form they selected might not fit your needs effectively. Don’t be afraid to return ill-fitting earbuds for one thing that’s extra snug.

As wi-fi earbuds have develop into the norm, they’re now extra dependable for staple items like constant Bluetooth connectivity. Corporations are nonetheless in a race to pack as a lot as they’ll into more and more smaller designs. This usually means an extended listing of options on the extra premium units of earbuds with primary performance on the most affordable fashions. Rigorously take into account what you possibly can’t stay with out when deciding on your subsequent earbuds, and ensure key objects like automated pausing and multipoint connectivity are on the spec sheet. You’ll additionally wish to examine the amount and contact controls as you’ll typically should sacrifice entry to one thing else to make that adjustment through on-board faucets or swipes. Some earbuds even provide app settings to tweak the audio profiles or firmware updates to enhance efficiency over time.

For these within the Apple ecosystem, options like auto-pairing with gadgets, particularly with AirPods Professional 2, will be an added benefit, whereas Android customers might wish to search for fashions that supply comparable cross-device performance.

Relating to battery life, the common set of earbuds lasts about 5 hours on a single cost. Yow will discover units that last more, however that is seemingly sufficient to get you thru a piece day in case you’re docking the buds throughout lunch or the occasional assembly. You’ll wish to examine on what number of further costs can be found through the case and if it helps wi-fi charging.

Corporations may even make lofty claims about name high quality on wi-fi earbuds. Regardless of numerous guarantees, the truth is most earbuds nonetheless depart you sounding such as you’re on speakerphone. There are some units that ship, however don’t get your hopes up except evaluations affirm the claims.

Sound will be subjective, so we suggest making an attempt before you purchase if in any respect potential. That is very true in case you’re an audiophile. We perceive this isn’t straightforward when most of us do a variety of buying on-line, however making an attempt on a set of earbuds and listening to them for a couple of minutes can prevent from an costly case of purchaser’s regret. If a retailer doesn’t enable a fast demo, most retailers have return insurance policies that can allow you to take earbuds again you don’t like. After all, you need to be prepared to quickly half with funds in an effort to do that.

We additionally suggest taking note of issues like Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, 360 Actuality Audio and different immersive codecs. Not all earbuds help them, so that you’ll wish to make certain a perspective pair does if that form of factor excites you, particularly in case you plan to make use of them for playback of high-quality audio.

How we take a look at wi-fi earbuds

The first means we take a look at earbuds is to put on them as a lot as potential. We choose to do that over a one- to two-week interval, however typically embargoes don’t enable it. Throughout this time, we hearken to a mixture of music and podcasts, whereas additionally utilizing the earbuds to take each voice and video calls. Since battery life for earbuds is often lower than a full day, we drain the battery with looping music and the amount set at a snug degree (normally round 75 p.c).

To evaluate audio high quality, we hearken to a spread of genres, noting any variations within the sound profile throughout the kinds. We additionally take a look at at each high and low volumes to examine for consistency within the tuning. To evaluate name high quality, we’ll file audio samples with the earbuds’ microphones in addition to have third events name us.

Relating to options, we do a radical evaluation of companion apps, testing every characteristic as we work via the software program. Any holdovers from earlier fashions are double checked for enhancements or regression. If the earbuds we’re testing are an up to date model of a earlier mannequin, we’ll spend time getting reacquainted with the older buds. Ditto for the closest competitors for every new set of earbuds that we evaluation.

Different wi-fi Bluetooth earbuds we examined

Sony WF-C710N

The WF-C710N is a set of compact and cozy earbuds that supply a number of of Sony’s finest options. Whereas the ANC efficiency is above common for this worth ($120), sound high quality isn’t nearly as good as the corporate’s barely costlier choices. Battery life fell under said figures and name efficiency isn’t adequate to make use of these buds for work.

Beats Powerbeats Professional 2

The most recent model of the Powerbeats Professional have an improved, snug design, balanced bass and new H2 chips and a coronary heart price sensor inside. However coronary heart price help is presently restricted on iOS, and there is a risk these capabilities make it onto the following AirPods Professional fashions.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 3

The Galaxy Buds 3 mix ANC with an open-type design, which renders the noise-blocking talents of the earbuds largely ineffective. Nonetheless, there’s nice low-end tone with ample bass when a monitor calls for it. There are additionally numerous helpful options, most of which require a Samsung cellphone. However at this worth, there are higher choices from Google, Beats and Sony

Sennheiser Momentum Sport

I actually like the general form of the Momentum Sport earbuds. They’re extra snug than the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 and slot in my ears higher. What’s extra, the physique temperature and coronary heart price sensors work effectively, sending these stats to quite a lot of apps. Nevertheless, that sport-tracking characteristic works finest with Polar’s app and gadgets, so there’s that consideration. Additionally, the audio high quality and ANC efficiency isn’t nearly as good because the MTW4, and these earbuds are expensive.

Beats Solo Buds

There’s loads to love in regards to the Solo Buds for $80. For me, the first perk is that they’re very snug to put on for lengthy intervals of time due to some considerate design concerns. You solely get the fundamentals right here by way of options and, as anticipated, the general sound high quality isn’t nearly as good because the pricier fashions within the Beats lineup. You’re going to get 18 hours of battery life although, for the reason that firm nixed the battery within the case and beefed up the listening time within the buds themselves.

Bose Extremely Open Earbuds

Bose created one thing very distinctive for this set of earbuds that permits you to keep in-tune with the world whereas listening to audio content material. The clip-on design may be very snug, however sound high quality suffers because of the open-type match, particularly in terms of bass and spatial audio.

Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7

These stick buds have a compact design that’s snug to put on and the nice and cozy sound profile is nice at instances. Nevertheless, total audio efficiency is inconsistent and there’s no automated pausing.

Grasp & Dynamic MW09

Retooled audio, higher ambient sound mode and dependable multipoint Bluetooth are the perfect issues the MW09 has to supply. They’re costly although, and you’ll find higher ANC efficiency elsewhere.

Wi-fi earbud FAQs

What is taken into account good battery life for true wi-fi earbuds?

Most wi-fi earbuds will final 5 hours on a single cost, in any case. Yow will discover some pairs which have even higher battery life, lasting between six and eight hours earlier than they want extra juice. All the finest wi-fi earbuds include a charging case, which can present extra hours of battery life — however you may should return every bud to the case in an effort to cost them up.

Is sound high quality higher on headphones or earbuds?

Evaluating sound high quality on earbuds and headphones is a bit like evaluating apples and oranges. There are a variety of variables to contemplate and the variations in parts make a direct comparability troublesome. Personally, I choose the audio high quality from over-ear headphones, however I can inform you the sound from earbuds like Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wi-fi 3 can also be excellent.

Which wi-fi earbuds have the longest battery life?

With new fashions popping out on a regular basis, monitoring the hours of battery life for every this may be troublesome to maintain tabs on. The longest-lasting earbuds we’ve reviewed are Audio-Technica’s ATH-CKS5TW. The corporate states they final 15 hours, however the app was nonetheless displaying 40 p.c at that mark throughout our checks. The one draw back is these earbuds debuted in 2019 and each know-how and options have improved since. By way of present fashions, Grasp & Dynamic’s MW08 affords 12 hours of use on a cost with ANC off (10 with ANC on) and JBL has a number of choices with 10-hour batteries.

What wi-fi earbuds are waterproof?

There are many choices as of late in terms of elevated water resistance. To find out the extent of safety, you’ll wish to search for an IP (ingress safety) ranking. The primary quantity signifies intrusion safety from issues like mud. The second quantity is the extent of moisture safety and also you’ll wish to guarantee that determine is 7 or greater. At this water-resistance ranking, earbuds can stand up to full immersion for as much as half-hour in depths as much as one meter (3.28 toes). If both of the IP numbers is an X, meaning it doesn’t have any particular safety. For instance, a pair of wi-fi earbuds which are IPX7 wouldn’t be constructed to keep away from mud intrusion, however they might be okay in case you dropped them in shallow water.

Which earbuds keep in ears the perfect?

A safe match can differ wildly from individual to individual. All of our ears are totally different, so audio firms are designing their merchandise to suit the most individuals they’ll with a single form. For this reason AirPods will simply fall out for some however keep put for others. Design touches like wing ideas or fins usually come on health fashions and people parts might help hold issues in place. You’ll seemingly simply should strive earbuds on, and in the event that they don’t match effectively return them.

What wi-fi earbuds work with PS5?

PlayStation 5 doesn’t help Bluetooth audio with out an adapter or dongle. Even Sony’s personal gaming headsets include a transmitter that connects to the console. There are common choices that permit you to use any headphones, headset or earbuds with a PS5. Upon getting one, plug it right into a USB port on the console and pair your earbuds with it.

Latest updates

Could 2025: Up to date to make sure prime picks and shopping for recommendation stay correct.

March 2025: Up to date the highest choose for the perfect sounding wi-fi earbuds – runner up.

January 2025: Up to date the highest choose for finest sounding wi-fi earbuds.

July 2024: Up to date our listing to incorporate the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Professional.

Liam Johnson
Liam Johnson

Hi, I’m Liam Johnson, the founder and editor of Nextuo.
Technology has always been my passion, and for over 8 years I’ve been exploring the world of hot tech, mobiles, gadgets, and gaming.

At Nextuo, I share unbiased reviews, guides, and insights to help readers make smarter tech decisions. My goal is to make technology more accessible, clear, and useful for everyone.

When I’m not writing, you’ll probably find me testing the latest gadgets, discovering gaming innovations, or engaging with the global tech community.

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