The best headphones for Android devices
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
All Android smartphones come bundled with earphones for you to listen to your favourite music or podcasts immediately, but they're rarely impressive. It's a fact of life. The smart thing to do is purchase a separate pair of headphones or earphones that suit your needs, as long as you know the kind of headphones or earbuds you need.
It's important to think about when you're going to be using your headphones. For starters, do you want to block out background noise while you're on your daily commute? Do you want a pair that are great while you're running or working out at the gym? Or do you just want to relax at home, listening to music through your headphones, perhaps even while you sleep?
These sort of questions will help you find the best wireless headphones for your Android device. To make it even easier, we've put together a quick guide and rounded up some of the best headphones and earbuds for Android devices.
What is Android?Perhaps best known as the alternative operating system to Apple’s iOS, the Google-owned Android is an open source platform — that means (unlike Apple) any developers and tech companies can use and build on it. It’s used on many non-Apple phones and tablets, including devices made by Samsung and Google itself. Over 3 billion people actively use Android devices.
It stands to reason that headphones made by the likes of Google and Samsung will make headphones that brilliantly sync with Android devices. Generally, look for headphones that have compatibility with Android-specific features, such as Google Fast Pair and Google Assistant. Most decent Bluetooth headphones have access to a voice assistant, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, or Samsung’s Bixby. You just need to set the headphones to your preferred version — in this case, Google Assistant. Be wary of headphones that only support one voice assistant (some have Alexa built-in).
What can Google Assistant do?Once you have Google Assistant set up on your headphones and Android device, it’s seriously helpful. You can ask it to play specific songs — not to mention control all playback features — as well as make calls and send messages, set schedules and alarms, do general searches, and check the news or weather. Some Android devices also support Google's Gemini Live AI chatbot — a step up from Google Assistant. Gemini Live is capable of holding actual, real-time conversations.
What is Google Fast Pair?This Google-specific feature eliminates the faff of fiddling around with menus to connect Bluetooth devices. Your Android device will use Bluetooth Low Energy and location tech to immediately detect any Bluetooth devices nearby. A window will automatically pop up on your device and ask if you want to connect. Fast Pair devices can also sync with your Google account and offer personalised features.
The simple answer is, not usually. If you’re looking to go easy on your wallet, you could just stick with the pair that come with your Android smartphone. This is only really a worthwhile plan if you're prone to losing headphones, because — ultimately — the standard-issue headphones are never that good. If you regularly enjoy music or podcasts, it's definitely worth investing in a more expensive pair that offer more useful features like active noise cancellation or companion apps.
To help you find something that will work for you and your Android device, we have tracked down a selection of your best options. We've done the research, read the online reviews, and have come up with a list of the best headphones for Android users.
These are the best headphones for Android devices in 2025.
- Galaxy AI-assisted features
- First class sound & ANC
- Stylish blade lights
- Translates other languages
- Needs an recent Samsung phone
- Average battery
When it comes to phone manufacturer-produced earbuds, the Apple AirPod Pro is still the model to beat. But the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 are operating at a similar level for anyone with a Samsung phone. Ditching the Galaxy Buds’ “bean” shape for something altogether more AirPod like — though with added “blade lights” along the stems — these are in danger of looking like every other earbud on the market. But it’s what they can actually do that’s important.
These buds boast improved sound and active noise cancellation, which is assisted by Galaxy AI. Both audio and ANC are adaptive, so they analyse your listening habits and ear shape and adjust the sound fin real time.
Other features include AI-assisted translation, so someone can speak to you in another language, and multipoint pairing with two Samsung devices. There’s also 360 spatial audio with head tracking for an immersive experience. The kicker is that you’ll need one of the latest Samsung devices — an up-to-date Galaxy S, Galaxy Z or Tab S — to make use of all the features.
It’s also worth noting that the quality of these — particularly the Apple AirPod-like design, overall comfort, and noise cancellation — has split reviewers, but the the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 get a recommend from us.
- Type: In-ear
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Spatial Audio: Yes
- Colours: Grey, white
- Fantastic Sony sound
- All-new QN3 processor
- Sony's flawless ANC
- Quick Attention feature
- Cinematic spatial audio
- Not exactly cheap
- No battery upgrade
It’s hard to believe that Sony can keep coming up with better headphones every few years. Go back multiple generations of Sony's flagship ‘phones and they still rank among the best headphones available. That’s why the latest version, the Sony WH-X1000XM6, are nothing short of spectacular. And coming from a third-party manufacturer — meaning there’s no allegiance to either Android or Apple iOS — these are just great no matter which operating system you prefer.
The real improvements on this headphones upgrade are the sound quality and ANC, which comes via always-improving, increasingly nuanced technology. These have 12 mini microphones that are placed in and around the earcups, which combine with Sony’s QN3 processor and Multi Noise Sensor Technology and cancel out external noise at an incredible rate.
There are various add-on ANC features, including Speak-to-Chat, which pauses the music whenever you start a conversation, plus Quick Attention, which stops the music when you place your hand over an earcup.
As for the sound itself? C’mon, this is premium Sony performance. It’s exceptional. The quality of your calls is similarly fantastic. And everything’s controlled and completely adjustable within the Sony Connect app. There’s also something called 360 Upmix for Cinema, which essentially takes any video content in stereo and adds Sony’s spatial audio for a cinematic experience.
- Type: Over-ear
- Battery Life: Up to 30 hours
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Spatial Audio: Yes
- Colours: Black, blue, silver
- Very small buds
- Access to Gemini Live
- Near-flawless ANC
- Multipoint connectivity
- Nice colour options
- Seriously good battery life
- Could be a tad cheaper
- Not really built for fitness
- Not as good for non-Pixel users
It’s no great surprise that some of the best earbuds for the largely Google-powered Android are the tech giant’s upgraded Google Pixel Buds Pro 2.
These amazingly small, comfortable buds continue much of the good work from their predecessors, including very good noise cancellation technology, multipoint connectivity for multiple devices, and very respectable sound.
There’s a range of Google features, including access to the Google Assistant and Gemini Live chatbots. Just say "Hey Google let's talk" to fire up Gemini. And while they’re obviously made to sync with Google Pixel phones (the Pixel Buds app is already loaded into Pixel phones, in fact) they’re good for pairing with any Android phone as the app is available through the Google Play Store.
The app allows you set preferences for the EQ levels and ANC. You can also customise the tap-and-swipe bud controls. And if you're prone to losing buds, there's a Find My Device feature. They’re not perfect, of course. They're pricey for what they are — and these definitely aren’t built for the high-octane gym activity — but otherwise they’re pretty good. We like the range of colours, too.
- Type: In-ear
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Spatial Audio: Yes
- Colours: Hazel, peony, porcelain, winter green
- Top-class noise cancellation
- Large padded ear cups
- Spotify Tap feature
- Two listening modes
- Brand credibility
- Middling battery life
- Very expensive
Bose remains one of the very top names in the headphones game and for good reason. Pairs like these — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, one the best rated headphone sets by any measure— continue to prove Bose’s dominance within audio technology. At the very least, these headphones put them at an equal level to the likes of Sony and Apple.
The big sell of these babies is the sheer quality of thee sound and ANC, which includes Bose's Immersive spatial audio and multi-faceted noise cancelling. Choose between Quiet Mode for regular noise cancellation, Aware Mode to stay in tune with ambient noise, and Immersion Mode to combine full noise cancellation with spatial audio, which allows you to totally lose yourself in your sounds. You can also control Spotify with a feature known as Spotify Tap.
As with other Android-friendly headphones, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra come equipped with Google Fast Pair. That means you’ll be up and running with your Android device literally seconds after removing them from the box.
We have to admit that these aren’t exactly cheap, but nothing is at this level. And the battery could be better. After all, you can find much cheaper headphones with much bigger battery life. It's also worth pointing out that if you prefer in-ear, there are QuietComfort Ultra earbuds too.
- Type: Over-ear
- Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
- Noice Cancellation: Yes
- Spatial Audio: Yes
- Colours: Black, plum, white, blue
- World-class battery life
- Signature JBL sound
- Durable build
- Multipoint connectivity
- Google Assistant access
- Not many other features
- Reliable but behind the times
- A bit plasticky
It doesn’t matter whether you’re using Android, iOS, or something in-between, the JBL Tune 520BT are just a great set of headphones. They’re nothing flashy — and certainly not expensive — but they're highly reliable, with JBL’s signature sound, solid Bluetooth connection, and a tough-wearing build that can take just about anything. Seriously: Throw these in your bag or wear them permanently around your neck. You’ll find they last for literally years.
It's fair to say that the features are stripped back. There’s no noise cancellation — which is unusual with on-ear style headphones anyway — but you do get multipoint pairing, hands-free calls, and access to Google Assistant at the push of a button. Best of all, they have an absolute monstrous battery life. You’ll be hard-pressed to find any headphones that beat 57 hours.
If you do want flashier features, the JBL Tune 760NC add noise cancellation. They're slightly more expensive but still very affordable — though they don't pack the same amount of battery life as these budget
- Type: On-ear
- Battery Life: Up to 57 hours
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Spatial Audio: No
- Colours: Black, blue, purple, white
- More affordable price
- Upbeat sound
- Decent ANC performance
- Nice and comfortable
- Lost mode helps find buds
- EQ presets aren't customisable
- Overall mid-level quality
The Samsung Galaxy FE are a pared down version of the flagship Buds3 — less than half the price and a bit lighter on actual features. They don’t have premium additions such as multipoint pairing, for instance, but they’re generally very good and come in at less than £100.
As with the pricier Samsung buds above, they’re made for Samsung device owners, though they’ll suit anyone using Android. There are no high-end Samsung-specific AI features here. But if you have Apple devices thrown into the mix, don’t bother — the app isn’t available on iOS.
The Android app offers with a range of EQ level presets and ANC control, with an option for full noise cancellation or transparency mode. The ANC is well-reviewed, even at this mid-range price. Other features include support for the Bixby voice assistant plus a Lost mode for recovering misplaced buds.
The battery life is pretty respectable when you factor in the charging case — up to 9 hours on a single charge and 30 hours in total with the case.
If you’re Samsung specific, you could also try the Samsung Galaxy Buds2, which have dropped in price since the Buds3 took their place.
- Type: In-ear
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Spatial Audio: No
- Colours: Black, white
- Superb Beats sound
- Silicone hooks hold them firm
- Heart-rate tracking via fitness apps
- App available through Android
- One-touch Android pairing
- Some features are only on Apple devices
- Expnsive Beats tech
It seems counter intuitive to include Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 in this Android round-up. They’re made by Apple, after all. But if you’re talking fitness buds, these are pretty much the best of the best. And Beats has made efforts to sync with Android in a way that Apple AirPods never have, or likely ever will.
For starters, the Beats app is available on Android and there’s one-touch pairing with Android devices. When it comes to these buds’ most notable upgrade — heart-rate monitoring — Android users almost have an advantage over Apple devotees. The Apple Watch can cause some fiddly issues with the heart-rate measurements, effectively cancelling out the Powerbeats, but there are no such issues with Android-powered devices. The heart-rate tracking simply works without any fuss through any number of compatible fitness apps.
The buds’ most distinctive feature work no matter what system you’re using — silicone hooks that grip onto the ear and hold firm in any activity. As you’d expect from Beats, they sound fantastic too.
You will give up some features — multipoint pairing and spatial audio are for Apple devices only — though they won’t make much difference during training. And other top fitness buds for Android devices lack those features anyway.
mashable
