Best truly wireless earbuds launched in 2023 with exceptional audio quality
By Himani Jha | Updated Jan 19, 2024, 1:35 PM IST
Planning to buy a new pair of TWS earphones with exceptionally good features? From Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen to Sony WF-1000MX5, and OnePlus Buds 2 Pro; check out our top recommendations for the earbuds launched in 2023. These earphones offer premium sound output along with some impressive smart features.
TWS earbuds have been around for years and over time, technological advancements have allowed manufacturers to offer incredible audio quality despite the lack of cables. The improvements have also been observed in other luxuries such as advanced codecs, reliable connectivity, advanced noise isolation techniques, and a host of smart features that make it compatible with all kinds of Androids and iPhones.
Although the overall announcements were far fewer in 2023 than in previous years, audiophiles still got to see some impressive wireless audio gear across various price points. The budget segment had left us impressed with the variety and the availability of features whereas the premium segment pushed forward to offer great aural experiences.
In the list of best earbuds launched in 2023, the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (2023) sits at the top whereas for audio output, one can consider buying Sony's earbuds. Apart from these, smartphone manufacturer OnePlus also left us impressed with its premium TWS earbuds. With a plethora of options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.
To help you make the right and informed decision, we have curated the list of best headphones launched in 2023. In this article, we will talk about six top-rated true wireless earbuds available in India based on factors like sound quality, battery life, comfort, and durability before making a purchase.
Best TWS earphones launched in 2023
From Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB Type-C cable to the OnePlus Buds 2 Pro, the TWS earphones market has witnessed several impressive launches this year. Here’s a look at some of the best TWS earphones that you can buy right now.
Best truly wireless earphones launched in 2023
Best overall: AirPods Pro 2nd generation with USB Type-C
Although the overall announcements were far fewer in 2023 than in previous years, audiophiles still got to see some impressive wireless audio gear across various price points. The budget segment had left us impressed with the variety and the availability of features whereas the premium segment pushed forward to offer great aural experiences.
In the list of best earbuds launched in 2023, the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (2023) sits at the top whereas for audio output, one can consider buying Sony's earbuds. Apart from these, smartphone manufacturer OnePlus also left us impressed with its premium TWS earbuds. With a plethora of options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.
To help you make the right and informed decision, we have curated the list of best headphones launched in 2023. In this article, we will talk about six top-rated true wireless earbuds available in India based on factors like sound quality, battery life, comfort, and durability before making a purchase.
Best TWS earphones launched in 2023
From Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB Type-C cable to the OnePlus Buds 2 Pro, the TWS earphones market has witnessed several impressive launches this year. Here’s a look at some of the best TWS earphones that you can buy right now.
| Product | Price |
| AirPods Pro 2nd generation with USB Type-C | Rs 21,999 |
| Sony WF-C700N Bluetooth Truly Wireless | Rs 7,990 |
| OnePlus Buds Pro 2 | Rs 11,990 |
| Sony WF-1000MX5 | Rs 24,990 |
| OnePlus Nord Buds 2 | Rs 2,999 |
| Realme Buds Air 5 Pro | Rs 4,999 |
Best truly wireless earphones launched in 2023
Best overall: AirPods Pro 2nd generation with USB Type-C
This year Apple re-introduced the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with the long-awaited USB Type-C cable support for charging and a few minor upgrades. This year’s AirPods Pro 2 gets an upgraded Apple H2 chip along with an additional detection sensor and speech detect accelerometer. Users will also get more touch controls than the last year’s one. The reason for them being our top pick is their better-than-ever audio quality and Adaptive audio which turns the volume down automatically when detecting the user is talking.
Specifications:
Playback time: 6 hours
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
Noisa cancellation: Yes
What do we like about this product: Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (2023) offers a bunch of exceptionally good features like adaptive audio, personalised audio effects, and of course better noise cancellation.
User’s review: Users are very impressed with the noise cancellation feature that filters out all the background noises and disturbances offering a clear audio quality.
Pros:
Great active-noise cancellation
Adaptive audio
Effective sensors
Live-listen audio
Cons:
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd generation (2023) offers limited features on other devices except Apple.
Best in audio: Sony WF-C700N Bluetooth Truly Wireless
Specifications:
Playback time: 6 hours
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
Noisa cancellation: Yes
What do we like about this product: Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (2023) offers a bunch of exceptionally good features like adaptive audio, personalised audio effects, and of course better noise cancellation.
User’s review: Users are very impressed with the noise cancellation feature that filters out all the background noises and disturbances offering a clear audio quality.
Pros:
Great active-noise cancellation
Adaptive audio
Effective sensors
Live-listen audio
Cons:
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd generation (2023) offers limited features on other devices except Apple.
Best in audio: Sony WF-C700N Bluetooth Truly Wireless
Sony has been known to offer the best audio quality in the market and the C700N is no different. These in-ear buds come with a lightweight and comfortable fit along with dynamic sound output, and potent ANC packed in a premium feeling design. The earbuds offer around 15 hours of playback time on a single charge and are claimed to provide up to an hour of additional playtime with just 10 minutes of charging. Furthermore, you will also get multipoint connectivity.
Specifications:
Playback time: 15 hours
Connectivity: Wireless, Bluetooth
Noisa cancellation: Yes
What do we like about this product: Sony WF-C700N are great choice for audiophiles who prioritize better sound output over other additional features.
User’s review: Users are very impressed with the audio quality, comfortable fit, and Sony's official equalizer app that offers more control over the sound.
Pros:
Great sound output
Comfortable and premium fit
Sound equalizers for more control
Fast charging support
Cons:
Based on users' reviews, the earphones work best with the Apple devices.
Best in battery life: OnePlus Buds Pro 2
Specifications:
Playback time: 15 hours
Connectivity: Wireless, Bluetooth
Noisa cancellation: Yes
What do we like about this product: Sony WF-C700N are great choice for audiophiles who prioritize better sound output over other additional features.
User’s review: Users are very impressed with the audio quality, comfortable fit, and Sony's official equalizer app that offers more control over the sound.
Pros:
Great sound output
Comfortable and premium fit
Sound equalizers for more control
Fast charging support
Cons:
Based on users' reviews, the earphones work best with the Apple devices.
Best in battery life: OnePlus Buds Pro 2
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 offers a lot of features like AirPods Pro 2nd Generation including Spatial Audio, personalized sound, Find My Headphones support, and more. They even look similar to them to a somewhat extent. Additionally, these earbuds even surpass Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) when it comes to pricing as the former ones are cheaper. Additionally, you will also get Bluetooth LE Audio support, Hi-Res Audio via LHDC, and more.
Specifications:
Playback time: Up to 40hours
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Noise cancellation: Yes
What we like about this product: Along with the great audio quality, the earphones are claimed to offer support for quick charging that enables 10 hours of playback time with just 10 minutes of charging.
User’s review: The headphones feel lightweight and comfortable to wear for longer durations. You can hear every small musical instrument in great detail.
Pros:
Impressive features with OnePlus phones
Attractive design
Good controls
Future-proofed LE Audio support
Cons:
They lack on-device volume control and poor battery life.
Best in features: Sony WF-1000MX5
Specifications:
Playback time: Up to 40hours
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Noise cancellation: Yes
What we like about this product: Along with the great audio quality, the earphones are claimed to offer support for quick charging that enables 10 hours of playback time with just 10 minutes of charging.
User’s review: The headphones feel lightweight and comfortable to wear for longer durations. You can hear every small musical instrument in great detail.
Pros:
Impressive features with OnePlus phones
Attractive design
Good controls
Future-proofed LE Audio support
Cons:
They lack on-device volume control and poor battery life.
Best in features: Sony WF-1000MX5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds set a high standard with their top-tier audio quality, extended battery life, and sleek design. What sets the XM5s apart are their useful features which include head gestures, head tracking, speech tracking, and spatial audio. The devices offer an immersive listening experience like on other earbuds. Additionally, they feature an 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X, and support Bluetooth 5.3, Google Fast Pair, and multipoint connection.
Specifications:
Playback time: 36hours
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
Noisa cancellation: Yes
What do we like about this product: Sony WF-1000XM5 offer the best in industry audio quality with some useful features like head tracking feature and ANC.
User’s review: These earbuds have exceptional audio quality, comfortable fit, and long battery life.
Pros:
Great sound quality
Head tracking feature that adjusts volume as per the movement of the user's head
Impressive noise cancellation
Comfortable fit.
Cons:
Some buyers may find it pricey.
Best in budget: OnePlus Nord Buds 2
Specifications:
Playback time: 36hours
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3
Noisa cancellation: Yes
What do we like about this product: Sony WF-1000XM5 offer the best in industry audio quality with some useful features like head tracking feature and ANC.
User’s review: These earbuds have exceptional audio quality, comfortable fit, and long battery life.
Pros:
Great sound quality
Head tracking feature that adjusts volume as per the movement of the user's head
Impressive noise cancellation
Comfortable fit.
Cons:
Some buyers may find it pricey.
Best in budget: OnePlus Nord Buds 2
OnePlus Nord Buds 2 are the best budget earphones that launched in 2023. Budget-conscious buyers who want a decent pair of headphones at a pocket-friendly price then these could be the best options. These earbuds not only come with a premium design but also offer features like up to 25dB noise cancellation, Up to 36-hours battery life, and IP55-rated water resistance. While the audio quality is on par, the mic does not seem to offer impressive call quality based on what users have said. Overall, it's a good pair of earbuds that one can buy without breaking the bank.
Specifications:
Playback time: 36hours
Connectivity: Wireless, Bluetooth
Noise cancellation: Yes
What do we like about this product: These earphones are a great deal in the budget segment.
User’s review: The earphones feel lightweight and comfortable to wear for longer durations and the ANC works great.
Pros:
Looks like OnePlus Buds 2 Pro
Comfortable to wear
36-hour battery life with case
ANC works great
Cons:
Keeping the price in view, there are no such cons, however, if you're an audiophile, then these earbuds are not meant for you.
Value for money: Realme Buds Air 5 Pro
Specifications:
Playback time: 36hours
Connectivity: Wireless, Bluetooth
Noise cancellation: Yes
What do we like about this product: These earphones are a great deal in the budget segment.
User’s review: The earphones feel lightweight and comfortable to wear for longer durations and the ANC works great.
Pros:
Looks like OnePlus Buds 2 Pro
Comfortable to wear
36-hour battery life with case
ANC works great
Cons:
Keeping the price in view, there are no such cons, however, if you're an audiophile, then these earbuds are not meant for you.
Value for money: Realme Buds Air 5 Pro
These budget-friendly earphones are a great option for those who don’t want to splurge on earbuds. With a glossy look and stem design, the earbuds offer a comfortable fit, up to 50dB ANC, 40 hours of battery life and decent audio output. Additionally, you will also get support for voice assistant and device connectivity. For gaming, it offers 40ms low latency and IPX5 water resistance.
Specifications:
Playback time: 40hours
Connectivity: Wireless, Bluetooth
Noise cancellation: Up to 50dB
What do we like about this product: The Realme Buds 5 Pro offers impressive performance and features. Although, it may not have as premium built as the high-end earbuds, but is good enough to last long.
User’s review: Overall the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro strikes a good balance between sound quality, ANC capabilities, and battery life.
Pros:
40hours battery life
Effective noise cancellation up to 50dB
Sturdy build quality to last long
Up to 40ms low latency for gaming
Cons:
Users have said that the Realme link app is sometimes buggy and does not detect the device for in-app operations.
FAQs
Q. What are the key features to look for while buying a pair of premium TWS earbuds?
A. Some of the best TWS earbuds in India come with features like great audio output, impressive battery life, noise cancellation as well as spatial audio effect, head tracking features, and more.
Q. Which is the best TWS earbuds launched in 2023?
A. The best TWS earbuds depend on personal preferences, however, if you look at overall features, quality and other possible aspects, the the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (2023) sits at the top. However, for audiophiles, Sony WF-1000XM5 will be the best choice.
Q. Do Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen work with Android phones?
A. Yes, Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen does work with Android devices, however, they offer access to limited features only. Functionalities like automatic ear detection, Find My Device and a few others only work with the Apple devices.
Specifications:
Playback time: 40hours
Connectivity: Wireless, Bluetooth
Noise cancellation: Up to 50dB
What do we like about this product: The Realme Buds 5 Pro offers impressive performance and features. Although, it may not have as premium built as the high-end earbuds, but is good enough to last long.
User’s review: Overall the Realme Buds Air 5 Pro strikes a good balance between sound quality, ANC capabilities, and battery life.
Pros:
40hours battery life
Effective noise cancellation up to 50dB
Sturdy build quality to last long
Up to 40ms low latency for gaming
Cons:
Users have said that the Realme link app is sometimes buggy and does not detect the device for in-app operations.
FAQs
Q. What are the key features to look for while buying a pair of premium TWS earbuds?
A. Some of the best TWS earbuds in India come with features like great audio output, impressive battery life, noise cancellation as well as spatial audio effect, head tracking features, and more.
Q. Which is the best TWS earbuds launched in 2023?
A. The best TWS earbuds depend on personal preferences, however, if you look at overall features, quality and other possible aspects, the the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen (2023) sits at the top. However, for audiophiles, Sony WF-1000XM5 will be the best choice.
Q. Do Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen work with Android phones?
A. Yes, Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen does work with Android devices, however, they offer access to limited features only. Functionalities like automatic ear detection, Find My Device and a few others only work with the Apple devices.
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