Best Wireless Earbuds of 2019: AirPods vs the Competition — The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

Overview

By 2019, the wireless earbud market had officially exploded. What Apple started with the original AirPods back in 2016 had become a full-blown consumer battleground, with Samsung, Jabra, Sony, Anker, and a dozen other manufacturers all throwing their best truly wireless contenders into the ring. The question was no longer “should I go wireless?” — by 2019, that debate was settled. The real question was: which pair should you actually buy?

This guide zeroes in on the four most compelling wireless earbuds of 2019: the Apple AirPods (2nd Generation), the Samsung Galaxy Buds, the Jabra Elite 65t, and the Sony WF-1000XM3. Whether you’re a commuter, a gym rat, a remote worker, or just someone who’s finally tired of untangling wires, this roundup is for you.

One-line verdict: The Apple AirPods remain the gold standard for iPhone users, but the competition in 2019 is fierce enough that Android loyalists and audiophiles have genuinely better options.

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Design & Build Quality

Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)

Apple’s second-gen AirPods retained the iconic — and polarizing — stem design that juts downward from your ear canal. Love them or hate them, you recognize them instantly. The matte white plastic feels premium without being flashy, and the fit is snug enough for casual listening. The updated wireless charging case (sold separately or as a bundle) is a slick addition. In the box: earbuds, charging case, Lightning cable. Notably absent: ear tips or wings for a more secure fit.

Samsung Galaxy Buds

Samsung went a completely different direction with the Galaxy Buds, shipping a compact pill-shaped case that fits easily in a jeans pocket. The earbuds themselves are low-profile and sit flush in the ear, with a rubber wing tip included for extra stability. Three ear tip sizes come in the box — a thoughtful touch Apple ignored. Build quality feels solid, and the matte finish resists fingerprints well.

Jabra Elite 65t

Jabra’s Elite 65t is arguably the most industrial-looking of the bunch — boxy, utilitarian, but unmistakably purposeful. With an IP55 dust and water resistance rating, these are built for real-world punishment. Four ear tip sizes ship in the box, along with a compact charging case. The angular design may not win beauty contests, but it locks into the ear with impressive confidence.

Sony WF-1000XM3

Sony went big — literally. The WF-1000XM3 earbuds are chunky by 2019 standards, with a large driver housing that protrudes noticeably from the ear. The case is also substantial, closer in size to a small glasses case. That said, the build quality is exceptional: premium plastics, a gold accent ring, and a premium unboxing experience with multiple ear tip and stabilizer options. IPX4 water resistance rounds out the package.

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Key Features & Performance

Sound Quality

This is where the comparison becomes genuinely interesting. The AirPods prioritize clarity and balance over bass — they sound clean and open, but audiophiles will find them thin. The Galaxy Buds deliver a warmer, bassier sound profile that pairs well with pop, hip-hop, and EDM. Jabra’s Elite 65t sits in the middle: neutral, accurate, slightly clinical — ideal for podcasts and calls. The Sony WF-1000XM3 wins outright for pure audio fidelity, with deep bass, detailed mids, and crisp highs that embarrass everything else in this roundup.

Active Noise Cancellation

In 2019, ANC in truly wireless earbuds was still a novelty. Only the Sony WF-1000XM3 shipped with genuine, effective active noise cancellation — and it works remarkably well, cutting low-frequency drone and ambient chatter by a measurable margin. The others rely on passive noise isolation from their ear tip seal. Jabra’s Elite 65t actually includes an “ambient sound” mode that pipes in outside noise — useful for street safety.

Connectivity & Pairing

Apple’s W2 chip in the 2nd-gen AirPods makes Bluetooth pairing almost absurdly easy for iPhone users — open the case near your phone and you’re connected in seconds, with iCloud syncing across all your Apple devices. The Galaxy Buds pair instantly with Samsung phones via the Galaxy Wearable app. Jabra and Sony both use standard Bluetooth 5.0 and offer solid companion apps, though neither matches Apple’s seamless ecosystem magic.

Battery Life

The AirPods deliver around 5 hours of listening per charge, with the case providing an additional 19 hours (24 total). The Galaxy Buds edge ahead slightly at 6 hours on-ear, 13 hours total. The Elite 65t matches AirPods at 5 hours, with 10 hours from the case. Sony’s WF-1000XM3 impresses with 6 hours ANC-on per charge and 24 hours total — exceptional given the added power demands of active noise cancellation.

Call Quality & Microphones

AirPods remain best-in-class for calls, thanks to beam-forming microphones and Apple’s deep iOS integration. Callers consistently report voices as clear and natural. Jabra’s Elite 65t is a close second, built with professional communication in mind. The Galaxy Buds perform adequately. Sony’s call quality is the weakest of the four — a notable tradeoff for all that audio performance.

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Real-World Use Experience

Commuting

For subway and bus commuters, the Sony WF-1000XM3 is transformative — the ANC genuinely masks the rumble and screech of public transit in a way no other truly wireless bud in 2019 could match. AirPods, by contrast, let in ambient noise by design, which can be pleasant on a quiet street but frustrating in a noisy train car.

Travel

Long-haul travel is Sony territory again. The combination of ANC, strong battery life, and premium sound make the WF-1000XM3 the obvious travel companion — though the bulky case is a mild inconvenience in a stuffed carry-on. AirPods score points here for their effortless multi-device switching between iPhone and iPad.

Work From Home & Calls

If you’re on calls all day, AirPods and the Jabra Elite 65t are your best bets. Both deliver consistently reliable microphone performance in indoor environments, and AirPods’ auto-pause-when-removed feature is a practical daily-use win.

Exercise

The Galaxy Buds and Jabra Elite 65t win the gym category. The Galaxy Buds’ low-profile fit and included wing tips keep them secure during runs, and the IP55 rating on the Elite 65t means you can soak them in sweat without anxiety. AirPods, with no ear tips, are the most likely to pop out mid-sprint.

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Pros

• AirPods offer unmatched seamless pairing and ecosystem integration for Apple users
• Sony WF-1000XM3 delivers class-leading ANC and audio quality that rivals wired earbuds
• Jabra Elite 65t provides the best call quality and durability for professional daily use
• Samsung Galaxy Buds offer the best value at their price point with warm, fun audio
• All four models feature Bluetooth 5.0 for stable, low-latency connections
• Companion apps across all brands allow meaningful EQ and control customization
• Quick charge features across the lineup (15 min charge = 1–3 hours of playback)

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Cons

• AirPods lack ear tips entirely, making them a poor fit for users with smaller or larger ear canals
• Sony WF-1000XM3 is the most expensive option and has the bulkiest case of the group
• None of the four earbuds (other than Jabra) achieve IPX5 or higher water resistance — gym use carries some risk
• Sony’s call quality lags noticeably behind the competition despite its audio strengths
• AirPods remain Lightning-dependent, while competitors have embraced USB-C

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Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip

Buy the Apple AirPods (2nd Gen) if: You’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, you value effortless pairing above all else, and you prefer a lightweight, low-profile listen for casual everyday use. Skip them if you need a secure fit for exercise or if sound quality is your top priority.

Buy the Sony WF-1000XM3 if: Commuting, travel, and audio fidelity are your priorities, and you’re willing to pay a premium and tolerate a bulkier form factor. Skip them if calls are a core use case.

Buy the Jabra Elite 65t if: You’re a professional who lives on calls, you work in a physically demanding environment, or you want the most durable and well-rounded performer in the lineup. Skip them if you want strong bass or sleek aesthetics.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Buds if: You own a Samsung Android phone, you want great value, and you prefer a compact, comfortable fit for all-day wear. Skip them if ANC is important to you.

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Verdict

Category	AirPods (2nd Gen)	Galaxy Buds	Jabra Elite 65t	Sony WF-1000XM3
Sound Quality	3.5	4.0	3.8	4.8
ANC	N/A	N/A	N/A	4.7
Call Quality	4.8	3.8	4.7	3.2
Fit & Comfort	3.5	4.2	4.4	4.0
Battery Life	4.0	4.2	3.8	4.5
Value	3.8	4.6	4.3	3.9
Ecosystem Integration	4.9	4.3	3.8	3.7
Overall	4.1	4.2	4.1	4.3

2019 is genuinely the year the wireless earbud market grew up. Apple’s AirPods remain the default choice for the 900 million iPhone users on the planet — and for good reason. But the honest truth is that the competition has caught up, and in several key areas, surpassed them. If we were picking just one pair to recommend broadly, the Sony WF-1000XM3 edges ahead thanks to its transformative noise cancellation and audiophile-grade sound. If you’re on Android or budget-conscious, the Samsung Galaxy Buds represent remarkable value. And if your life runs on conference calls, the Jabra Elite 65t is a professional tool disguised as an earbud. Whatever your lifestyle, 2019 is a great time to cut the cord — permanently.