Are you tired of wired earphones and want to test the freedom that comes with true wireless earbuds? In this article, I’m going to take you through the best wireless earbuds you can buy in 2023.
A word of warning though! Once you go wireless there’s no turning back. I know because I have been using wireless earbuds for over three years now. I love how convenient they are. They come with in-built controls allowing you to skip tracks, play previous, adjust volume, and answer/decline calls all without touching your phone.
And the best part is that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of untangling wires every time.
I’m going to divide the earbuds into 3 categories so you can easily find the ones that fit your budget. I know people who are still stuck using wired earphones because they imagine that wireless earbuds are too expensive. Spoiler! My current pair is worth ksh600 and you wouldn’t tell them apart from the Airpods Pro 2 if they were placed side by side.
Here is everything we are going to cover in this post.
The 5 Best Wireless Earbuds in 2023
Before we dive into an exhaustive list, here is a rundown of my top recommended true wireless earbuds.
- RichRipple Pods Pro 3 (Best affordable earbuds) – If you are looking for affordable true wireless earbuds it doesn’t get better than this. These earbuds are physically indistinguishable from the real Airpods Pro 2 and the sound output is excellent.
- Oraimo Freepods 3 (Best affordable buds for calls) – Oraimo is a popular brand with a range of gadgets including smart watches and bulbs. The Oraimo Freepods are their top-of-the-range wireless earbuds that are perfect for calls, especially in noisy places.
- Apple Airpods Pro 2 (Best for iPhone and Apple users) – If you are using an iPhone or any other Apple device, the Airpods pro 2 are perfect because they come with special features that you won’t get in other wireless earbuds.
- Samsung Galaxy buds 2 Pro (Best for Samsung Galaxy users) – Samsung, never ones to be left behind, also has dedicated earbuds that come with special features for galaxy phone users.
- Sony WF-1000XM4 (The best of the best) – Sony needs no introduction. And if you have money to splurge then the Sony WF-1000XM4 are the earbuds for you. These are premium quality earbuds with undefeated sound and a bunch of other extra features that we will talk about.
Now, let’s jump into the detailed review of all the top wireless earbuds you can buy in Kenya. As noted, I’ll go ahead and divide them into three categories based on their price (Most affordable, mid-range, and premium).
The best most affordable wireless earbuds (Under KSH1500)
The earbuds in this category will sound unfamiliar because they are not from any widely recognized brand. But, as someone who has been using the buds in this category for over 2 years now, they are the perfect opportunity to cut the cord without hurting your pocket.
Unfortunately, they all have one common flaw. Poor voice call quality. The person on the other end of the phone will struggle to hear you, especially if you are in a noisy place.
1. RichRipple Pods Pro 3 – KSH 600
Fake it till you make it. That’s what the legends said. There is a certain level of respect that comes with Apple products and these generic Airpods Pro 2 will give you that. The only difference is you don’t have to splurge thousands to get it.
I’ve never been a big fan of stemmed wireless earbuds, but these earbuds were just too affordable to resist. I was not disappointed. The sound is excellent. The bass is defined and the mid and highs are well-balanced. You won’t feel like something is missing when listening to hip-hop and party music.
Additionally, the touch controls work flawlessly and they’re not hard to master. For instance, tap once to play/pause music or to receive/end a phone call.
These generic Airpods Pro 2 have the best voice quality of any generic earbuds I’ve used. I’ve been on a call with them a number of times and I didn’t receive any complaints from the person on the other end.
The only downside I can think of is the charging cable. After about 6 months of use, I have to twist it to a certain angle for it to charge the buds.
2. Iconic Earbuds – KSH 1300
As with most generic earbuds, the manufacturer of these earbuds didn’t give them a name. So I named them Iconic because that’s what I thought of them the first time I used them. I’ve taken a shower while wearing these buds and even left them submerged in water for a few minutes. They still functioned as well as ever
The Iconic earbuds come with an elegant, stylish design which is what attracted me to them. I love the black glossy finish and how they light up when charging or just before connecting to a Bluetooth device. However, it’s the sound on these earbuds that really made me fall in love with them.
I’m a big rap music fan so bass is very important to me when buying earphones. I want my soul to leave my body every time the beat drops. I also want to be able to hear the lyrics clearly. The Iconic earbuds provided exactly that.
Moreover, they fit in my ears perfectly allowing me to completely get lost in the music world. Included within the package are 4 extra tips to cater to different ear sizes.
At full charge, these earbuds can go for more than 5 hours of active listening. To recharge them just put them back into their charging case. It carries enough power to recharge them up to 40 times. The case can also be used to charge your phone but, it’s not a power bank. It’s only enough to charge your phone to say 7% and then it gets depleted.
Speaking of which, the charging case also boasts of an elegant matte and glossy finish that makes the earbuds seem more expensive than they are. It also has a three-screen display to show its remaining charge capacity and the charging status of the two earbuds.
Iconic earbuds support multipoint connectivity which means you can use one earbud on one device and use the other earbud on a different device.
These earbuds like most of the others on this list are touch-controlled and you’ll have no problem mastering the taps. For instance, tapping the buds once means pause/play if you are playing media, or receive/end if it’s a call. Tapping and holding the buds will activate smart assistant on your phone allowing you to use voice commands.
The Iconic earbuds come with a one-month warranty.
3. RichRipple Y50 – KSH 500
If KSH1300 still feels like too much, the RichRipple Y50 are some other affordable true wireless earbuds you can use. The quality of their sound is great which guarantees an awesome listening experience for all music genres including Hip Hop, Rock, and EDM that require bass to hit the perfect spot.
The design and build of both the buds and charging cases is not as refined as that of Iconic, but remember these earbuds cost KSH500.
The RichRipple Y50 come with a compact design that will fit perfectly in your ears. Additionally, you get two extra ear tips in case you have smaller or bigger ears.
The earbuds are touch-controlled and support all the main functions such as Recieve/End calls, play/pause songs, adjust volume, skip tracks, and voice control activation.
At full charge, the RichRipple Y50 will last up to 3 hours. There is no data on how many times they can be charged through the charging case before it gets depleted. Also, the charging case has no LED to show the remaining charge capacity.
A point to note is that when you buy these earbuds they may have insulating tape on their charging holes and you need to remove it for them to start charging.
These wireless earbuds also support multipoint connectivity.
4. F9 TWS – KSH 1000
These were the first wireless earbuds I ever bought. Then they got stolen at a popular joint along Thika Road.
Again with these earbuds, it was the design that attracted me but it was the sound that made me stay. The F9 TWS look very elegant and stylish for their price which is further compounded by the leather strap finish. A small detail but it makes all the difference.
The build of these earbuds is also smaller which means they won’t protrude as much for people with smaller years. Additionally, they come packed with two extra ear tips to accommodate different ear sizes.
When purchasing the earbuds on Kilimall, make sure you select the type shown above since these earbuds are available in two variations.
The F9 uses the same touch combination as the Iconic earbuds.
5. X15 TWS Gaming Earbuds – KSH 950
The X15 TWS are great earbuds to consider if you are looking for an alternative design. The rugged stem-style design will especially look good on a gamer. The X15 also boasts of lower latency than the other earbuds in this category which means the sound and the action of the game are not disconnected.
Unfortunately, that is as good as it gets.
The sound quality on these earbuds is basic as is usually the case for earphones that don’t have ear tips. As a result, you don’t get totally immersed in the game in the music. Also, the microphone is not very clear which means you can’t talk with online gaming friends.
On the upside, these wireless earbuds can last up to 6 hours on a full charge and support multipoint connection.
But, if you want true wireless gaming earbuds consider the Oraimo Airbuds 3 that we will be discussing in the next category.
Best mid-range wireless earbuds (Below KSH5000)
The mid-range category is where recognizable wireless earbuds start appearing. The difference in sound is not as significant but compared to the generic earbuds, mid-range buds pack more advanced features, better range, and their voice call quality is great.
1. Oraimo FreePods 3 – KSH 3800
If the earbuds I’m currently using ever decide to die on me or get stolen (the more probable outcome), the Oraimo FreePods 3 will be my next buy.
I’ve had a chance to test these earbuds and the sound is amazing. Great bass and perfectly balanced highs and mids. You will not find better-sounding Oraimo earbuds than these. And the best part is you don’t have to compromise on voice call quality. The FreePods 3 leverage environmental noise cancellation (ENC) technology to remove background noises and ensure clear voice call quality even in noisy places.
These wireless earbuds have two hearing modes. There is the awareness mode which allows you to use the earbuds without the ear tips. Then there is the Bass mode which uses ear tips to block out noise from your surroundings and give you a completely immersive hearing experience. Also included within the package are three extra ear tips to accommodate different ear fits.
The Oraimo earbuds can last up to 8 hours on a full charge while the charging case provides additional 28 hours of play. As you would expect the case is very elegant to look at. Personally, I love the white version.
The Oraimo FreePods 3 charging case comes with a USB type-C charging port. They also come with in-built touch control for calls, media, and smart assistant activation.
2. Oraimo AirBuds 3 – KSH 2950
Looking for budget earbuds for gaming? The Oraimo AirBuds 3 are a perfect choice. They come with a dedicated game mode that once activated removes any latency that would normally be experienced while using Bluetooth earbuds.
Just tap the buds four times to activate Game Mode.
Also if, like my dad, you can’t seem to figure out which earbud goes where then you will love the Airbuds 3 because they are interchangeable. There is no specific right or left earbud. These buds are also naturally smaller in size and will, therefore, not protrude if you have small ears.
Two extra ear tips are included in the package in case the original tip is not the right fit for you.
The Airbuds 3 are also IPX7 water resistant. Not only can you use them for a workout without worrying that they will be damaged by sweat, but also you can take them with you for a swim. The problem will be ensuring they remain in your ears.
Unfortunately, if you are looking for some hard-hitting earbuds these are not the ones. The mid and high are great but they have no bass. On the upside, the microphone is well-tuned making the AirBuds 3 great choices for calls.
These wireless earbuds can last up to 5 hours of active listening at full charge. However, this time significantly decreases if Game Mode is enabled.
The Oraimo AirBuds 3 are available in three colours. Green, black, and blue.
3. JBL TWS 4 – KSH 1500
JBL is a big name in the sound industry and it’s nice to see them offering true wireless earbuds in the mid-range category. The JBL TWS 4 has great quality sound for all music genres and won’t dissapoint you when it comes to voice calls.
But perhaps the most impressive thing about these buds is their battery life. At full battery, you can actively use them for up to 8-12 hours.
And while the JBLs don’t come with extra tips to accommodate different ear sizes, they feature a twist lock mechanism that prevents them from falling off your ears.
The earbuds are available in premium glossy white and black.
4. Oppo Enco W12
The Oppo Enco are also excellent wireless earbuds for gaming and the best part is that it does not come at the cost of sound quality. The bass is well-defined and the high and mids are well-balanced. They come with a dedicated game mode that you activate to reduce latency.
The game mode is activated by tapping the earbuds 3 times or through a dedicated Android app that you can also use to equalize the sound to your preference.
And like the Oraimo earbuds, the Oppo Enco 12 charging case also uses type C cable. The downside is you will have to buy it separately since it’s not included in the package. However, you do get two extra ear tips for a more flexible fit.
These wireless earbuds do not support multipoint connectivity.
Best high-end wireless earbuds (Above KSH5000)
Now, if I’m being honest, the earbuds in this category will be an overkill for most people. But if you are an audiophile with money to splurge or you want earbuds for special use with Apple or Samsung devices, then here are the best of the best wireless earbuds for you.
1. Sony WF-1000XM4 – KSH 27,500
I haven’t had the pleasure of testing these earbuds but I know Sony from my experience using their home theatre systems. I’ve also seen what users have to say about the sony WF-1000XM4 and here is what I gathered. The experience with these wireless earbuds is transcendence. You can hear every little detail and every little instrument in the music.
These earbuds may come with a big price tag, but you get value for your money. To begin with, the Sony WF-1000XM4 support full EQ customization so you can tune their sound to your exact liking. If you are on Android the buds come equipped with Sony’s LDAC codec that offers a higher audio quality even over long distances.
The noise-cancelling technology on these wireless earbuds is considered the best in the industry. Then to top it off, Sony uses foam-style ear tips that expand in your ears to form an excellent seal.
Speak-to-chat technology is another distinctive feature on the Sony wireless earbuds that will automatically reduce the volume and active noise cancelation when you are having conversations.
With the Sony WF-1000XM4, you never have to worry about the clarity of voice calls even in the noisiest environments. The buds come with a battery life of 8 hours that extends to 24 hours through the charging case.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 don’t natively support multipoint connectivity but the feature can be added by updating their firmware. They are compatible with both Google and Alexa smart assistants.
2. Apple Airpods Pro 2 – KSH 30,500
For users in the Apple ecosystem, Airpods Pro second generation are the best earbuds for you. The buds come equipped with Dolby Atmos, a revolutionary spatial audio technology that uses the iPhone’s TrueDepth camera to make it seem like the sound is coming from all around you.
The Airpods Pro 2 also support audio sharing meaning that you and a friend can use different sets of Airpods to listen to the same music from your iPhone or iPad. And with automatic syncing across your iCloud devices, you don’t need to manually configure the airpods on every device. Instead, they automatically switch between your Apple devices if they detect that a video or music is playing
If you have been using the Airpods Pro 1 and were disappointed by their sound quality and noise cancellation you will be happy to know that the issues have been fixed in Airpods Pro 2.
Also, for the first time, the airpods come with different sizes of ear tips including an extra small option. The buds can be used for 6 hours on a full charge and 30 more hours using the charging case.
These wireless earbuds use touch sensors for control and Apple has added swipe-based volume controls.
In case you misplace one of your Airpods, Apple has added a nifty feature to help you track it. Just tell Siri to “find my Airpods” and she will play a sound from the AirPod case to help you locate it.
3. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro – KSH 9,500
For Samsung users, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 will be a great pick if you want special features like spatial sound. It works similarly to Apple Airpods Pro 2 by tracking your head movement to accurately simulate surround sound. The buds also support automatic switching between all your Galaxy devices and even Samsung TV so that you don’t have to manually set them up every time.
This should come without saying but the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro come with amazing sound that is further enhanced through active noise cancellation. You can also trust them to deliver crystal clear voice call quality regardless of your surrounding environment.
Factors to consider when buying wireless earbuds
Here is what you should look at when shopping for wireless earbuds to ensure you are getting the best deal.
- Design & Build – The best earbuds should have a premium and compact design that fits your ear well and looks good on you. They should also include extra ear tips to accommodate different ear sizes. To finish it off, the case should also be comfortable to carry. Also, make sure to consider other features such as water/dust resistance, charging indicators, and a dedicated app.
- Sound quality – Even the best-built earbuds will mean nothing if they can’t transport you to a different world with their sound quality. How is the bass, are the mid and highs perfectly balanced? Do the earbuds come with active noise cancellation?
- Control – Which controls are supported by the earbuds? Can it adjust the volume, play/pause media files, skip to the next file, or go back to the previous one? Do the buds support touch control or do you need to press a button? You have to use a combination of touches to execute a task so the earbuds need to feature easy control.
- Battery life – How long can the earbuds last when you are actively using them without needing a recharge?
- Voice call quality – Can you depend on the earbuds to have crisp clear calls even in noisy places?
Conclusion
There you have it. A list of the best wireless earbuds you can buy in 2023. I made sure to include wireless earbuds in all price categories so that you don’t have any excuse to make the switch. Welcome to the wireless revolution!
Leave feedback about this