Got a Galaxy S20? Pair it with some of the best headphones!

Looking for the best wireless headphones for your Galaxy S20? We review dozens of wireless earbuds every year and are here to assist you in selecting the right option for your needs. Samsung ditched the 3.5mm jack starting with the Galaxy S20, so the default option to listen to music on your new phone is through Bluetooth. Thankfully, there are excellent choices available right now. Here are our picks for the best wireless headphones for the Galaxy S20

1. Samsung Galaxy Buds+: Best Overall

If you don’t want over-ear headphones and are looking for a true wireless option, the Galaxy Buds+ are the obvious pick. Samsung overhauled the earbuds’ sound profile, adding a secondary driver in each earbud to deliver much better sound quality. There’s also Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, three microphones, and fast pairing.

Another area that saw a massive change is battery life. The Galaxy Buds+ feature an 85mAh battery, and they manage to deliver 11 hours of battery life between charges, nearly double that of their predecessor. You also get wireless charging over the Qi standard, and the case has enough power to provide an additional 22 hours’ worth of music playback.

Pros:

• Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
• Qi wireless charging/fast charging
• Excellent battery life
• Decent sound

Cons:

• Limited bass
• Finicky controls

Best Overall

Samsung Galaxy Buds+ True Wireless Earbuds

• $110 at Amazon
• $110 at Best Buy

Same design, much better sound

The Galaxy Buds+ deliver much better sound and a larger battery than their predecessor.

2. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro: Best ANC

If you’re looking for wireless earbuds with excellent ANC, the Galaxy Buds Pro are the obvious choice. These are the best wireless earbuds available for Android, delivering outstanding sound quality with plenty of customizability. They’re great for wearing throughout the day and include wireless charging.

But the standout option here is the ANC: these earbuds may just be the best in the market in this particular area. They do a great job droning out all ambient noise, and there’s a wind deflector built-in that lets you take calls while you’re out and about. Whether you’re working from home or need to tune out ambient noise while outside, the Buds Pro are a great choice.

They last five hours on a full charge, and you get a few charges out of the case. The charging case itself is pocketable and not too bulky, and you can pick up the earbuds in a lot of interesting colors. The one downside is that some of the settings are exclusive to Samsung phones, so you miss out on things like smart switch — seamlessly switching connectivity from your phone to tablet.

Pros:

• Outstanding ANC
• Highly customizable sound signature
• Elegant design
• Standout audio quality
• Wireless charging

Cons:

• Some settings limited to Galaxy phones
• Costly

Best ANC

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Bluetooth Earbuds

• $200 at Amazon
• $200 at Best Buy
• $200 at B&H Photo

The best wireless earbuds for Android

The Galaxy Buds Pro deliver all the features you’re looking for in high-end wireless earbuds, including class-leading ANC.

3. Sony WH-1000XM4: Best Sound

A year after their launch, the WH-1000XM4 continue to be the headphones to beat. Sony nailed the basics, and the lightweight design allows you to wear the headphones all day without any discomfort. You get plush ear pads, intuitive controls on the right earcup, and the ability to connect to Google Assistant and Alexa. There’s also 30 hours of battery life, fast charging over USB-C, and a fold-down design for easy portability.

A lot of what makes the WH-1000XM4 great is Sony’s dedicated processor, which does an incredible job with noise isolation. The result is that the WH-1000XM3 are in a class of their own when it comes to active noise cancelation. If you frequently work at cafes or are looking for headphones to block out ambient sounds while working from home, the WH-1000XM4 should be at the top of your list. They are costly, but you’re getting great value for your money here.

Pros:

• Exquisite sound quality
• Unmatched active noise cancellation
• Great for all-day use
• Lasts 30 hours
• Charges over USB-C

Cons:

• Costly

Best Sound

Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones

• $348 at Amazon
• $350 at Best Buy
• $348 at B&H

Still, the headphones to beat in 2021

The Sony WH-1000XM4 offer an incredible combination of sound quality and noise isolation.

4. TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones: Best Value

TaoTronics makes some of the best sub-$100 headphones you can buy, and this particular option stands out in a lot of ways. First up, you get active noise cancelation, which in itself is a big deal since it’s usually reserved for more expensive headphones. Combine that with a great sound profile with a bass-heavy sound signature and a fold-flat design, and the headphones become that much more exciting.

But the biggest reason to get these is the battery life. These headphones last well over 40 hours from a full charge, and you also get a carrying case. The design is nothing to write home about, but the overall value here is incredible.

Pros:

• 40 hours of music playback
• Bass-heavy sound
• ANC toggle
• Portable design
• Fast pairing

Cons:

• Plain design

Best Value

TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones

• $50 at Amazon

The best value you’ll find in this segment

TaoTronics’ latest headphones come with active noise cancellation and last over 35 hours from a full charge.

5. Aukey True Wireless Earbuds: Best on a Budget

Aukey is another brand that caters to the budget category, and the EP-T21 wireless earbuds continue to be a great option if you want Bluetooth headphones for under $50. You’re getting a lot for a little here: The neckbuds have an IPX4 rating that makes them ideal for workouts, they’re great for calls and Zoom meetings, and you get five-hour battery life from a full charge.

The lightweight design also makes them ideal for all-day use, and they pair over Bluetooth 5.0. You do miss out on some features. However: they charge over microUSB, and don’t have AptX codecs. That said, the value on offer here is truly astonishing.

Pros:

• Bluetooth 5.0
• IPX4 rating
• Lightweight design
• Five-hour battery life

Cons:

• Micro-USB charging
• Limited to SBC

Best on a Budget

Aukey True Wireless Earbuds

• From $30 at Amazon

Just throw ’em in your bag

Aukey’s True Wireless Earbuds have IPX4 water-resistance, form-fitting earbuds, and over five hours of music playback.

6. Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2: More For Less

Plantronics has managed to carve out a name for itself in recent years by offering a similar feature-set similar to Sony and Bose, but at a much more affordable price point. The BackBeat 2 Pro illustrate this point perfectly. They deliver great sound quality and last for 24 hours between charges, and you get excellent active noise cancelation that minimizes ambient noise in your surroundings.

There isn’t a downside here, and the fact that you can get your hands on the BackBeat 2 Pro for around $100 makes them a fantastic choice. You also get a carrying case, and the Bluetooth range on offer here is incredible. There are a few trade-offs, like Micro-USB charging, and the design is a bit bulky, but overall you’re getting excellent value for your money here.

Pros:

• Outstanding sound quality
• ANC that works
• 24 hours of music playback
• Portable design

Cons:

• Bulky
• Mushy controls
• Micro-USB charging

More for Less

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Noise Canceling Headphones

• $110 at Amazon

Great audio quality, low price

The BackBeat 2 Pro delivers similar sound quality and features as high-end headphones but at half the retail price.

Plenty of great options for your Galaxy S20

The audio industry has focused heavily on the wireless segment over the last four years, and the result is that you can get your hands on decent Bluetooth headphones for under $50. The best overall option is still the Galaxy Buds+. Samsung has managed to deliver much better battery life here, and the sound profile is cleaner. Combine that with the fact that you can charge the earbuds wirelessly on the back of your Galaxy S20, and they become an even better deal.

But if you’re looking for the best out there, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is the obvious pick for your Galaxy S20. Sony’s high-end options has everything you’re looking for in a pair of headphones. You get excellent audio quality with customizable EQ, a lightweight design that’s great for all-day use, and noise isolation that’s on a whole new level.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Harish Jonnalagadda is the Regional Editor of Android Central. A reformed hardware modder, he now spends his time writing about India’s burgeoning phone market. Previously, he used to ponder the meaning of life at IBM. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.