These 7 top wireless earbuds deliver scarily superb sound

Happy Halloween... or should we say... Podoween? That's because the Fall of 2019 is here, and we're up to our skulls filled with wireless Bluetooth earbuds from all the major consumer technology vendors. Which ones should you buy? We have all the prices and specs for you to peruse for your spooky selves.

See more The best true wireless earbuds of 2019 CNET

Disclosure: ZDNet may earn a commission from some of the products featured on this page. Neither the author nor ZDNet were compensated for this independent review.

• See it now: Amazon

Apple's latest and greatest AirPods pack a lot of technology, including active noise cancellation and ambient Siri assistant support but at a whopper of a price. Many tech specifications are unknown due to the company's secrecy.

• Price: $249
• Release Date:10/30/2019
• Mics/Earbud: 3
• Bluetooth Features: Apple H1
• Audio Codecs: Apple
• Assistant: Siri
• Charging: USB-C/Wireless
• Battery Life: 24 (Case)
• Water Resistance: IPX4

• See it now: Microsoft

Microsoft brings innovative design and support for its Cortana virtual assistant with ambient always-on technology, wireless charging case with long battery life, and active noise cancellation, but at an ultra-premium price.

• Price: $249
• Release Date: Q4 2019, Estimated December
• Mics/Earbud: 2
• Bluetooth Features: 4.1/4.2
• Audio Codecs: SBC and aptX
• Assistant: Cortana (Ambient, Requires App)
• Charging: USB-C/Wireless
• Battery Life: 24 (Case)
• Water Resistance: IPX4

• See it now: Amazon

Amazon comes in at a lowball price, with ambient Alexa always-on assistant support, active noise reduction and Bluetooth 5 technology but lacking USB-C and wireless charging case tech of its competitors.

• Price: $129
• Release Date: 10/30/2019
• Mics/Earbud: 3
• Bluetooth Features: 5.0 HFP, A2DP, AVRCP, iPod
• Audio Codecs: Amazon
• Assistant: Alexa
• Charging: Micro-USB
• Battery Life: 20 (Case)
• Water Resistance: IPX4

• See it now: Google

Pixel Buds 2 finally gives Android phones a set of earbuds comparable to AirPods, integrating always-on Google Assistant technology, active noise reduction, long-range Bluetooth and a wireless charging case, but will not be available until Mid-2020.

• Price: $179
• Release Date: Q2 2020
• Mics/Earbud: 2
• Bluetooth Features: 4.2+, Long Range\
• Audio Codecs: Google
• Assistant: Google (Ambient)
• Charging: USB-C/Wireless
• Battery Life: 24 (Case)
• Water Resistance: Sweat/Water

• See it now: Amazon

The Korean consumer electronics giant has released a solid set of wireless earbuds, at a reasonable price, with the latest Bluetooth 5 support for its current generation of smartphones. Battery life is less than its competitors, and it lacks noise cancellation/reduction, however.

• Price: $120 (Amazon)
• Release Date: Released
• Mics/Earbud: 4
• Bluetooth Features: 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, HFP
• Audio Codecs: AKG/SBC/Samsung
• Assistant: Bixby, others requires pushbutton
• Charging: USB-C/Wireless
• Battery Life: 13 (Case)
• Water Resistance: IPX2

• See it now: Amazon

One of the largest accessories manufacturers for smartphones comes to the bat with its own super premium earbud that is utterly packed with technology including the latest Bluetooth standard, Qualcomm's aptX audio codec, noise cancellation, and a very long battery life.

• Price: $149
• Release Date: December (Estimated)
• Mics/Earbud: 4
• Bluetooth Features: 5.0, AVRCP1.6, A2DP1.3, HFP1.7
• Audio Codecs: Qualcomm aptX
• Assistant: All, requires pushbutton
• Charging: USB-C/Wireless
• Battery Life: 32 (Case)
• Water Resistance: IPX4

• See it now: Amazon

One of the largest accessories manufacturers for smartphones comes to the bat with its own value-priced earbud that is utterly packed with technology including the latest Bluetooth standard, Qualcomm's aptX audio codec, noise cancellation, and very long battery life.

• Price: $109 (Amazon)
• Release Date: Released
• Mics/Earbud: 4
• Bluetooth Features: 5.0, AVRCP1.6, A2DP1.3, HFP1.7
• Audio Codecs: Qualcomm aptX
• Assistant: All, requires pushbutton
• Charging: USB-C/Wireless
• Battery Life: 28 (Case)
• Water Resistance: IPX5

See more The best true wireless earbuds of 2019 CNET