Overall best TWS earbuds:
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony WF-1000XM4 is one of the best earbuds available in the market. It offers great sound performance with class-leading active noise-cancelling.
Specifications:
The earbuds come in unique and compact designs. The charging case is 40% smaller, while the earbuds are 10% smaller than its predecessor Sony WF-1000XM3. The earbuds definitely brownie points for the entirely paper-based, recyclable, and eco-friendly packaging that they arrive in.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 has exceptional digital noise-cancelling performance and a much more comprehensive noise filter. The audio is really excellent and remains audible even in a noisy environment. You get fast pairing for Android and Windows devices and the ‘speak to chat’ feature wherein the audio pauses when you speak. It has decent latency performance for video content with extremely minor delay. Talking about the call quality, the earbuds pick up everything loud and clear.
The earbuds offer 8 hours of playback time with ANC turned on, and you can get 32 hours of quality audio on a single charge with case support.
Along with the Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds, you get a small USB-C charging cable and two additional pairs of foam ear tips (small, and large) with one pair already applied on the earbuds in the medium size.
Sony WF-1000XM4 comes in Black and Silver colours with a starting price of Rs. 24,999. You can buy them on Amazon and Flipkart.
| Pros | Cons |
| Noise Cancellation and audio performance | Price |
| Battery life | No silicon ear tips |
Best TWS earbuds for working out:
Bose Sport Earbuds
The American company Bose launched its Sports Earbuds along with some other devices like Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Bose Frames in India in August this year.
Specifications:
The Bose Sports Earbuds come with a StayHear Max tip, an umbrella-shaped silicone tip that creates a gentle seal at the entrance of the ear canal for optimal audio performance and for blocking ambient noise. The earbuds come with simple touch controls. For example: to increase/decrease the volume, simply swipe up/down on the right earbud. To play/ pause/answer calls, double-tap on the right earbud. On the left earbud, double-tap to engage a shortcut function like checking your battery level or skipping a track. Further to access their Spotify playlist, users can set their shortcut to Spotify in the Bose Music app and browse music with just a gesture on the earbud. These earbuds are rated IPX4 for moisture resistance from sweat and weather and also support Bluetooth 5.1.
In terms of battery, the device offers up to five hours of battery life per charge and 10 hours of additional playback time with the charging case. Further, users can also do a 15-minute quick charge for up to two hours of playback time. In the retail box, the earbuds come packed with a charging case, small/medium/large ear-tips, USB-C charging cable, a quick start guide, and a warranty card.
Bose Sport Earbuds are available in Triple Black, Baltic Blue, and Glacier White colours on both Amazon and Flipkart. These are priced at Rs 17,999 on Amazon and Rs 18,990 on Flipkart.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lively sound | No ANC |
| Secure fit | Pricey |
Best TWS earbuds for iPhone owners:
Airpods Pro (2nd gen)
The Apple Airpods (2nd Gen) is one of the most popular wireless earphones in the segment. In terms of looks, they’re quite similar to the first gen AirPods. But if you’re looking for an upgrade from previous generation Airpods, then this might be a good option for you.
Specifications:
The Apple AirPods (2nd Gen) is quite identical to the previous generation. The earbuds come in a white shiny case premium looking case with a speaker on it to notify you about battery, connectivity, etc.
Apple AirPods (2nd Gen) offer good audio quality with deeper bass and improved ANC from its predecessor, overall giving improved musical performance. The H2 chip enables a higher audio rendition. Active Noise Cancelation allows you to easily block out the world around you. The Adaptive Transparency feature lowers the audio by over 85 decibels to a safer volume for certain situations.
The earbuds offer around five hours of listening from the earphones on a single charge, while the charging case is able to hold around 30 hours of charge for the AirPods. The pair is quite comfortable to use for a longer duration. It also has an IPX4 splash resistance for buds and can also be used with Android smartphones.
Airpods (2nd Gen) is available on Amazon and Flipkart at Rs. 26, 990.
| Pros | Cons |
| Noise cancellation | Price |
| Battery life | Apple ecosystem |
Best TWS earbuds under Rs. 15000:
Sony WF-1000XM3
Keeping up with its reputation of making amazing-sounding audio devices, Sony launched the WF-1000XM3 true wireless earphones in August 2020 in India, after its global launch in 2019.
Specification:
With HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1e and Dual Noise Sensor Technology, the Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds feature amazing active noise cancellation. It also offers 6mm dynamic drivers, a frequency response range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz, and supports Bluetooth 5.0. A proximity sensor in each earbud can detect whether the user is wearing one or both, and adapts playback accordingly. Similarly, its Adaptive Sound Control function can automatically detect if the user is traveling, walking, or waiting and then adjusts ambient sound settings to suit the situation. Users can turn the volume up/down by placing their finger over the earbud. Further, the device features customizable touch controls, hands-free calling, and a location recognizer, and comes with Alexa/Google Assistant.
Talking about the battery, the WF-1000XM3 earbuds could last up to six hours with ANC turned on, and up to eight hours with ANC turned off. The handy charging case further provides three charges, meaning up to 24 hours for noise-free listening and up to 32 hours of listening time without noise cancellation. A 10-minute of quick charging in the case gives up to 90 minutes of playtime.
Along with the earbuds, users will get a charging case, silicon tips, and a USB-C charging cable in the box.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds are available in silver and black colours on Amazon and are priced at Rs 12,141.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great audio quality | No waterproofing |
| Incredible ANC | Large tips make it hard to get a comfortable fit |
| Excellent battery |
Best TWS earbuds under Rs. 10000:
OnePlus Buds Pro
OnePlus Buds Pro is a decent wireless earphone that launched in August 2021.
Specifications:
The OnePlus Buds Pro comes with several useful features like adaptive noise cancellation, transparency mode, a sound customizing feature, water resistance for the buds and the case, wireless charging, and even a white noise mode for relaxation.
Talking about the physical features, the OnePlus Buds Pro has a chic design. The case is compact and features a smooth matte texture with the OnePlus logo. The audio quality is good with a substantial bass response. The earbuds are equipped with Smart Adaptive Noise Cancellation that offers up to 40 dB hybrid noise cancelling with automated environmental noise detection and adjustment.
OnePlus Buds Pro offers up to 5 hours of music playback with ANC on with the case supporting 38 hours of battery. Further, the earbuds are IP55 rated for dust and water resistance whereas the case is IPX4 for water resistance. The earbuds come in Oneplus’ signature Red and White packaging along with three sets of silicone ear tips in three sizes and a short USB-C charging cable.
OnePlus Buds Pro comes in three colours and starts at a price of Rs. 11,990. You can buy it on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
| Looks | Eartips |
| Water Resistant | Microphone quality |
Best affordable TWS earbuds:
Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro
With active noise cancellation and improved sound quality compared to its predecessor, the Chinese manufacturer launched the Enco Air 2 Pro in April this year alongside Oppo F21 Pro Series.
Specifications:
The truly wireless earbuds Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro comes with 12.4mm Titanium-Coated Diaphragm Drivers that are claimed to deliver a deeper base, a wider sound field, and clearer vocals than that of a typical 9 mm diaphragm drivers. Apart from ANC, the earbuds feature Dual-Mic and AI Noise Cancellation for calls. Further, users can switch between ANC and Transparency modes (to talk to others) simply by touching and holding an earbud. The smart in-ear sensor ensures that the audio is paused as soon as the device is removed from the ear and vice-versa. The device, interestingly, can be connected to two devices at the same time and also allows you to take photos just by double tapping the earbud.
The Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro earbuds are rated IP54 for dust and splash resistance. The case, however, is not water-resistant. The device supports Bluetooth 5.2 with AAC high-quality audio codec. Touch controls, music mode, etc. can be customized via the Hey Melody app on both Android and iOS devices. The earbuds can give up to seven hours of listening time with a single charge, and up to 28 hours of playback with the case. A 10-minute of charge can give a listening time of up to two hours.
The retail box contains the earbuds, a glossy, pebble-shaped case along with a USB-C charging cable, silicone ear tips in small and large sizes (medium pre-installed), a user guide, and warranty information.
The Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro earbuds are available in Grey and White colours on both Amazon and Flipkart at Rs 3,499.
| Pros | Cons |
| Stylish | Scratch-prone case |
| Good ANC and overall sound quality | Case not water/dust resistant |
FAQs
What does TWS mean?
True Wireless Stereo (TWS) is a technology that allows two or more wireless devices to connect to each other and work together to produce stereo sound. It is used in a variety of products, including headphones, speakers, and earbuds.
In a TWS setup, each device has its own wireless connection to a source device, such as a smartphone or a computer. The source device sends audio to the wireless devices, which then play the audio in sync with each other. This allows for a seamless listening experience without the need for any physical connections between the devices.
TWS technology is becoming increasingly popular because it allows users to connect and control multiple audio devices easily and provides a convenient and wire-free listening experience.
What should I keep in mind while buying TWS earbuds?
When considering the battery capacity of wireless earbuds, consider both the earbuds themselves and the charging case. A higher capacity will allow for longer playtime on a single charge. Compare the claimed play time with your typical usage of wired earphones to determine if the earbuds will last through a typical day without needing to be recharged. Keep in mind that earbuds cannot be used while charging in their case.
Look for fast charging capabilities to quickly top off the earbuds and charging case in a pinch.
Make sure to check the type of noise cancellation offered by the TWS earbuds. Some brands offer Environmental Noise Cancellation instead of ANC, which helps cancel out ambient noise levels during calls to make your voice clearer to the listener.
If you are considering a semi-in-ear or half-in-ear design, like the AirPods, you may want to try them out in the store. Some people may not find this design comfortable, especially for fast-paced activities.
Many TWS earbuds prioritize sound quality over call quality, but if you plan on using them for office calls, be sure to test their call quality. Generally, stemmed earbuds tend to have better voice calling as the stem allows the microphone to be closer to the mouth.
True Wireless Earbuds with the best bass?
If bass is what you seek, the Beats Studio Buds is the one you should go for.
How to take care of your TWS earbuds?
- Keep them clean: Wipe the earbuds and charging case with a soft, dry cloth to remove any dirt or dust. Avoid using water or other liquids to clean them, as this can damage the earbuds.
- Store them properly: When not in use, store the earbuds in their charging case. This helps to keep them safe and prevents them from getting lost.
- Charge them regularly: True wireless earbuds need to be charged regularly to maintain their battery life. Make sure to charge them fully when they run out of power, and avoid leaving them uncharged for long periods of time.
- Avoid dropping them: True wireless earbuds are delicate and can be easily damaged if dropped. Be careful when handling them and try to avoid dropping them.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, charging, and storing your earbuds. This will help to ensure that they last as long as possible.
