Best earbuds for iPhone (by what actually works)
Ranked by how many of each model's features work on iPhone, using our sourced feature data. Not a sound-quality review.
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| # | Earbuds / headphones | Features available* | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AirPods 4 AirPods 4 do everything on iPhone: one-tap setup, Siri, Spatial Audio with head tracking, auto-switching, Find My and automatic updates. | 100% | Check price |
| 2 | AirPods Max AirPods Max do everything on iPhone: Siri, Spatial Audio with head tracking, auto-switching, Find My and automatic updates. | 100% | Check price |
| 3 | Powerbeats Pro 2 Powerbeats Pro 2 do everything on iPhone: one-touch pairing, hands-free Siri, heart rate, Find My, auto-switching and Spatial Audio. | 100% | Check price |
| 4 | AirPods Pro 3 AirPods Pro 3 are fully featured on iPhone, including hearing tools, heart rate and Find My. Live Translation needs an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. | 96% | Check price |
| 5 | Sony WF-1000XM6 Sony WF-1000XM6 work well on iPhone with the Sound Connect app, over AAC. No LDAC hi-res audio on iPhone. | 67% | Check price |
| 6 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) work well on iPhone with the Bose app, over AAC. No aptX Adaptive on iPhone. | 67% | Check price |
| 7 | Sony WH-1000XM6 Sony WH-1000XM6 work well on iPhone with the Sound Connect app, over AAC. No LDAC hi-res audio on iPhone. | 50% | Check price |
| 8 | Galaxy Buds4 Pro On iPhone, Galaxy Buds4 Pro handle music, calls and the ANC/Ambient switch. There's no Wear app, so EQ and adaptive modes only stick if set from an Android phone first, and there are no updates. | 19% | Check price |
| 9 | Galaxy Buds4 On iPhone, Galaxy Buds4 are basic Bluetooth earbuds with the ANC/Ambient switch. There's no Wear app, so no Auto Switch, SmartThings Find or updates, and EQ only sticks if set from Android first. | 17% | Check price |
| 10 | Pixel Buds 2a On iPhone, Pixel Buds 2a are basic Bluetooth earbuds: music and calls only. There's no Pixel Buds app for iOS, so no settings, updates or Gemini. | 17% | Check price |
| 11 | Pixel Buds Pro 2 On iPhone, Pixel Buds Pro 2 are basic Bluetooth earbuds: music and calls only. There's no Pixel Buds app for iOS, so no settings, updates or Gemini. | 14% | Check price |
*Works + Needs app count fully, Partial counts half, Unverified and No count zero. Models list different numbers of features, so compare within a brand with care.
Smartwatches on iPhone
- Apple Watch: Works Needs a compatible iPhone; check Apple's compatibility table. · Check price on Amazon
- Galaxy Watch (Wear OS models): No Watch4 and later rely on Google Play services, not supported on iOS. · Check price on Amazon
- Pixel Watch: No Google: 'iPhones aren't supported.' · Check price on Amazon
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