Best wireless earbuds: the best Bluetooth earbuds and earphones in 2021

The best wireless earbuds you can buy in 2021 deliver a combination of reliable Bluetooth connectivity, excellent audio quality, and comfortable, compact designs.

Wireless earbuds news

the samsung galaxy buds 2 in black

(Image credit: Samsung)

The latest earbuds we’ve tried out are the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2.

They're a huge improvement over the originals, offering active noise cancellation, better sound quality, and a great fit. While they’re not the best true wireless earbuds out there, they’re easily one of the best for Samsung smartphone owners who want perfect synchronicity with their Galaxy gear.

In other true wireless earbuds news, rumors surrounding the Apple AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 continue to circulate. 

Many of the wireless earbuds in this list are so good and worthy of your time, we think many of them give the best wired earbuds a run for their money – something that wouldn't have seemed possible only a few years ago.

Whether you’re looking for wireless earbuds you can wear while you workout or a noise-cancelling pair that can block out the world around you while you work, we’ve got you covered with our round up of the very best models you can buy today.

What’s more, many of the best Bluetooth earbuds are often cheaper than over-ear headphones, so they’re a great option for anyone on a strict budget – though over-ear headphones are still usually superior when it comes to pure audio fidelity.

This guide covers the two main categories of wireless earphones that you can buy today; true wireless earbuds and neckbud-style Bluetooth earphones. The former have no cables whatsoever, while wireless neckbuds retain a single cable connecting each earbud together.

One of the most popular pairs of true wireless earbuds are the Apple AirPods, which were launched back in 2016 and received an upgrade in 2019. But there are plenty of better options out there, including noise-cancelling earbuds, like the AirPods Pro and our top pick, the new Sony WF-1000XM4.

We're also excited to see how the new Nothing Ear 1 true wireless earbuds perform and shake up the audio tech space. From new audio company Nothing, run by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, these buds undercut the Apple AirPods by a significant amount while offering even more features like active noise cancellation, 34 hours of battery life with the charging case and 11.6mm drivers. 

Neckbud-style wireless earphones are still worth considering in 2021, too. After all, the cable that’s usually worn around the back of your neck gives you a little extra security if you’re worried about losing a bud down the drain (yes, it happens).

With so many different models and styles to choose from, it can be difficult to find the best wireless earbuds for you. That's why this guide includes the Bluetooth earbuds for every budget, every situation, and in every form factor. 

First up – the best true wireless earbuds you can buy today. If you’re only interested in neckbuds, just scroll down the page for our top picks, including the excellent NuraLoop headphones.

[Update: The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 have arrived – and they're a big improvement upon the originals, coming with active noise cancellation and an improved design.]

Best true wireless earbuds

A pair of the Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds in black with gold details

(Image credit: Sony)

1. Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds

The best wireless earbuds you can buy today

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 7.3g | Frequency response: 20-40,000Hz | Drivers: 6mm | Battery life : 8 hours (earbuds) 16 hours (charging case)

Rapid, full-bodied and eloquent sound
Truly useful features
Impressive call quality
Unremarkable battery life
No aptX support

Sony is largely responsible for the rude health of the active noise-cancelling wireless earbuds market, and with the WF-1000XM4, the company has combined performance, ergonomics, and build quality more effectively than ever before. 

Compared to their predecessors, the Sony WF-1000XM3, the new wireless earbuds offer enough quality-of-life features to make them worth upgrading to, even if they are more expensive. 

While other wireless earbuds surpass the Sony WF-1000XM4 in particular areas – noise cancellation, for example – no other model comes close to offering such excellent quality across the board. That’s why the Sony WF-1000XM4 are hands-down the best wireless earbuds you can buy today.

Read more: Sony WF-1000XM4 review

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A press photo of the Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds in black with bronze details

(Image credit: Sony)

2. Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds

These true wireless earbuds are still winners in our book

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 7g | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 6mm | Battery life : 6 hours (earbuds) 18 hours (charging case)

Efficient noise-cancellation
Inconspicuous looks
Great fun to listen too
Not suitable for sports

For nearly two years, the Sony WF-1000XM3 were best true wireless earbuds you could buy – until they were usurped by the WF-1000XM4.

However, the Sony WF-1000XM3 are still worth considering, not least because you can usually find them discounted to around  $170 / £150 / AU$200. 

The Sony WF-1000XM3 still manage to offer a level of noise-cancellation that's exceedingly good for a pair of earbuds, fist-pumping musicality, a sleek design, and a decent battery life. 

Read more: Sony WF-1000XM3 review

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The Nuratrue true wireless earbuds in black wth a white logo

(Image credit: Nura)

3. Nuratrue

The most customizable wireless earbuds you can buy

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight : 7.4g (each bud) | Frequency Response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Battery life (onboard) : 6 hours

Excellent sound
Highly personalized
Noise cancellation
Doesn’t use latest Bluetooth version
Battery life could be better

The NuraTrue are perhaps the most personalized wireless earbuds you can buy today – and they’re among the best-sounding, too. 

They’re the first true wireless earbuds from Australian audio brand Nura, following in the footsteps of its NuraLoop earphones – which, incidentally, are our pick for the best wireless earbuds of 2021.

The NuraTrue are another success for the company, offering unbeaten levels of customization that allow the earbuds to be tuned to your ears exactly. The accompanying app even analyzes how well the buds fit into your ears.

The end result is outstanding audio performance that reveals superb levels of detail in your music, and a wide soundstage that enables every instrument to sing. 

And in case you think these earbuds are made with only audio in mind, they in fact come with plenty of features that will appeal to anyone who wants a cheaper alternative to popular models such as the AirPods Pro and the Sony WF-1000XM4. These features include decent noise cancellation, an IPX4 water-resistance rating, fast charging, and support for hi-res audio too. 

Read more: NuraTrue review


A pair of the cambridge audio melomania 1 plus true wireless earbuds and charging case

(Image credit: Cambridge Audio)

4. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus

Mind-blowing sound without the wires

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 9.2g | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 5.8mm | Battery life (on-board): 9 hours (earbuds) 41 hours (charging case)

Stunning audio performance
Great app
Easy controls
No ANC

Cambridge Audio may be best known for its high-end audio equipment, but the past couple of years has seen the British company branch out into the world of true wireless earbuds. 

Its first offering, the Melomania 1, are among the best wireless earbuds you can buy, thanks to their stellar sound quality, However, the new Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are a worthy upgrade, putting many other earbuds in the shade for audio performance, battery life, and ease-of-use. 

While the design of the Melomania 1 Plus hasn’t deviated too far from its predecessors, there’s a clear step up in terms of audio performance, with levels of detail and clarity that could rival some of the best over-ear headphones

A helpful app, easy controls, and excellent connectivity just makes us love them even more. The only downside is that there’s no active noise cancellation. However, when these earbuds sound this good, we doubt you’ll miss it much. 

Read more: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus review

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The Sennheiser CX true wireless earbuds in their charging case

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

5. Sennheiser CX True Wireless

Excellent audio performance and battery life for a great price

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 6g (single earbud) 37g (charging case) | Frequency response: 5 hz - 21,000 Hz | Drivers: TrueResponse Transducer Sennheiser 7mm dynamic driver | Battery life : 9 hours (earbuds) 18 hours (charging case)

Rich bass lines
Improved battery life
Upgraded connectivity
Uncomfortable for smaller ears
No noise cancellation
Bulky case

The Sennheiser CX True Wireless are the latest wireless earbuds from the German audio giant. Picking up where the CX 400BT before them left off, they’re cheaper than their predecessors, despite including a host of upgraded features that comprises a longer battery life and better connectivity. 

Audio quality is exactly what you’d expect from Sennheiser, with a wide soundstage, clear mids, detailed trebles, and powerful bass frequencies. Nevertheless, we were still surprised by how good these earbuds sound for the price. 

The controls and accompanying app are very easy to use, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity ensures a stable connection with your device. Hi-res audio support is included, too, for those who want to eke out every last bit of detail from their music.

Our only real bugbear is the CX True Wireless’ design, which we found far too bulky for our ears. We’re hesitant to judge Sennheiser too harshly for this, since most users will probably be able to use them without issue. 

Read more: Sennheiser CX True Wireless review

The Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 true wireless earbuds and charging case

(Image credit: Lypertek)

6. Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0

The best affordable true wireless headphones out there

Acoustic design: : Closed | Frequency response: : 20Hz - 20kHz | Drivers:: Graphene, 6mm dynamic | Battery life: : 10 hours (earbuds) 70 hours (charging case)

Excellent sound
Great price
Top-notch battery life
Ambient mode is poor

When we first reviewed the original Lypertek PurePlay Z3 true wireless earbuds (then known as the Lypertek Tevi), we were blown away. The Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 true wireless earbuds are their successors. They’re very similar to the originals, with a few key improvements, and yet still come in at the same affordable price point the originals did – $99 / £99.

This gets you everything we loved about the original PurePlay Z3 (detailed balanced sound, a whopping 80 hours total battery life from its petite USB-C charging case, and a comfortably fitting bud with physical buttons), and adds wireless charging, a powerful new LDX Audio mode, improved app functionality and a hear through ambient mode.

Our own issue is that app connectivity is patchy at best, and the ambient hear through mode is pretty much useless in comparison to the competition from the likes of Sony’s noise cancelling WF-1000XM4.

Yet, with the price still so low, and nothing to detract from the quality standard the originals set out, with a few notable improvements, they remain must-have earbuds, more than a match for headphones two or three times the price. 

Read more: Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 review

Wireless earbuds

The Nuraloop earphones in black

(Image credit: NuraLoop)

1. NuraLoop headphones

Improving on aural perfection

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 25g | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20 kHz | Drivers: 8.6mm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 16 hours | wireless range: N/A | NFC: No

Rich, adaptive audio
ANC and social mode
Rugged, sweatproof desig
Stiff neckband can get in the way

NuraLoop boils down the essence of the company's first product, the Nuraphone, into a much more compact, rugged, and affordable package, and doesn't lose much in the process.

The star of the show is its adaptive audio technology, which automatically determines a listening profile for the user and feeds them well-balanced, lush sound as a result.

On top of this, features like active noise-cancelling, social mode, an IPX3 rating, Immersion mode, a great battery life, and the ability to attach an analog cable for 3.5mm headphone jacks makes this pair of Bluetooth earbuds truly shine.

Read more: NuraLoop headphones review

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A pair of Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 headphones in black with green details

(Image credit: Optoma)

2. Optoma NuForce BE Sport4

Practically flawless wireless earbuds

Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 15 gram | Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Drivers: 6 mm | Driver type: dynamic | Sensitivity: 92 dB +/-3 dB at 1 kHz | Impedance: 32 Ohm | Battery life: 10 hours | wireless range: 10 m (33ft) | NFC: No

Impressive audio 
Customized eartips  
Practical design 
Not suited to one-ear listening 

The NuForce BE Sport4 wireless earbuds are that rare find: wireless earbuds that are good for basically all situations, whether you're looking to take them out on a run or just wear them around town. 

They're ideal for exercise, although any urbanite will also find their lightweight functionality and impressive sound isolation highly appealing. If you want proof that Bluetooth earbuds can now compete with the best of them, look no further.

Read more: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 review

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A pair of Bowers & Wilkins PI3 Wireless Headphones in black

(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)

3. Bowers & Wilkins PI3 Wireless Headphones

Neckbuds with phenomenal sound

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 31g | Frequency response: 10Hz - 30kHz | Drivers: 9.2mm | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: 96 dB | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 8 hours | NFC: No

Comfortable design
Excellent sound quality
No waterproofing
Average battery life

The Bowers & Wilkins PI3 are the first neckband wireless earbuds for the company, and they're a great start. Well-designed, comfy, and simple to use, they sound really good, too.

Thanks to dual drivers, these buds sound fantastic, with crisp highs, lively mids, and plenty of powerful bass. Look past the fairly unremarkable battery life and limited features, and you'll be mostly very impressed by what these offer.

Read more: Bowers & Wilkins PI3 Wireless Headphones review

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A pair of Sennheiser CX Sport wireless earphones in black with lime green details

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

4. Sennheiser CX Sport wireless earphones

No fuss buds with fantastic audio

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 15g | Frequency response: 17Hz - 21kHz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 112 dB | Impedance: 28 Ohm | Battery life: 6 hours | wireless range: 50 m (150ft) | NFC: No

Fantastic audio quality
Sports-friendly design
Not the cheapest option
Mids could be richer

If the most important aspect of wireless earphones for you is the audio quality, these wireless earbuds from Sennheiser could be a fantastic choice. 

With a lively, bass-heavy presentation, and a comfortable fit, the Sennheiser CX Sport Bluetooth earbuds can really bolster your workout through sound quality alone. 

They have a battery life of six hours, which means they'll last you all day, whether you're wearing them on your commute or taking them out for a jog.

Read more: Sennheiser CX Sport Wireless earphones review

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A pair of the oneplus bullets wireless 2 earbuds in black

(Image credit: OnePlus)

5. OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2

Amazing wireless earphones for the price

Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 13 gram | Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Drivers: 6 mm | Driver type: dynamic | Sensitivity: 96 dB +/-3 dB at 1 kHz | Impedance: 16 Ohms | Battery life: 8 hours | wireless range: N/A | NFC: No

Magnetic on/off switch  
Lively sound
Strong wireless connection 
Terrible carrying case 

OnePlus is most known for its “flagship killer” phones like the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro,, but the company also makes headphones – the best example of which are the company’s excellent Bullets Wireless 2, which offer an incredible value in the neck-bud headphone category. 

In terms of audio quality, they boast a lively sonic presentation and an accurate-feeling soundstage, although bass-heads may want to look elsewhere for headphones that pack a bassier punch. 

They're comfortable to wear too, but it's just a shame that they don't have a waterproof rating and the inline remote is so fiddly, because otherwise they could make a decent pair of running headphones

They may be $30 more expensive than their predecessors, but the improved battery life and sound quality makes up for that; it also makes it worth upgrading if you have the originals and are due a new pair of wireless earbuds. 

Read more: OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2 review

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A pair of the soundmagic e11bt earbuds

(Image credit: SoundMagic)

6. SoundMAGIC E11BT

Magic bullets that sound deceptively good

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 24.7g | Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: 20 - 20,000Hz | Drivers: 10mm | Driver type: Dynamic, Neodymium | Sensitivity: 100dB | Impedance: 42 ohms | Battery life: 20 hours | Wireless range: 13m | NFC: No

Fantastic price
Elegant design
Comfortable
Treble tones can sound harsh

The SoundMagic E11BTs are an extremely capable pair of wireless in-ear earphones, and given their low price, it really is difficult to fault them – the audio quality is fantastic and they look very elegant. 

They're comfortable to wear thanks to ergonomically designed eartips and a flat neckband that won’t irritate you while running or working out – and with an IPX4 rating, they should withstand sweaty sessions. 

Read more: SoundMAGIC E11BT 

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A pair of the Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds in teal with a logo on the side

(Image credit: Jaybird)

7. Jaybird Tarah Pro

Well-crafted wireless earbuds for endurance athletes

Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 18 grams | Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Drivers: 6 mm | Driver type: dynamic | Sensitivity: 95 dB +/-3 dB at 1 kHz | Impedance: 16 Ohms | Battery life: 8 hours | wireless range: N/A | NFC: No

 Excellent adaptable sound   
Durable and compact design 
Proprietary charging dock  
Fiddly eartips 

The Jaybird Tarah Pro headphones are wireless sport headphones for the endurance runners, athletes and fitness nuts out there. With a neck cable to keep the earbuds together, they aren’t quite ‘true wireless’, but will be practical for those concerned about dropping and losing a costly earbud in the heat of a race or training session.

As the first in Jaybird’s new ‘Pro’ range of Bluetooth earbuds and aimed at offering higher quality audio and materials, the Tarah Pro will suit anyone not willing to sacrifice audio quality in harsher outdoor conditions or indoor workouts and who don't mind spending a bit more to get a premium product.  

Read more: Jaybird Tarah Pro review

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A pair of the Jaybird X4 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones in silver

(Image credit: Jaybird)

8. Jaybird X4 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

Compact comfort, good quality, competitive price

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 14.7g | Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Drivers: 6 mm | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: 99 dB +/-3 dB at 1 kHz | Impedance: 16 Ohms | Battery life: 8 hours | Wireless range: 10m / 33ft | NFC: No

Excellent adaptable sound
Durable and compact design
Proprietary charging dock
Button lag

Now committed to a yearly refresh of the popular mid-range model, the Jaybird X4 manage to outdo both the previous Jaybird X2 and Jaybird X3 wireless Bluetooth earphones, with an upgraded IPX7 water-resistance rating. Whether you're sweating buckets or running doggedly through the rain, the X4 will be able to cope with it.

The Jaybird X4s also manage to keep the series' surprisingly good sound. These earphones are certainly fitness first, but that doesn't mean the other things people look for in a pair of earphones – you know, like music – have fallen by the wayside.

Jaybird's excellent app also provides easy EQ customization as well as the ability to make your own sound profile, with various ear tip sizes to boot. A great all round choice for runner who don't want to skimp on sound – or be wary of the weather.

Alternatively if you're after an even more premium experience, the Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds offer higher-quality audio and materials for a somewhat higher $159 £139 / AU$229 price tag.

Although we're still big fans of the Jaybird X4 headphones, take a look at the Jaybird Vista true headphones further down the list – they're our top pick if you're in the market for a pair of true wireless earbuds. 

Read more: Jaybird X4 review

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A pair of the Beats X headphones in black

(Image credit: Beats)

9. Beats X

Good-sounding wireless earbuds that can charge in five minutes

Acoustic design: closed | Weight: N/A | Frequency response: N/A | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 8 hours | wireless range: N/A | NFC: No

 Balanced sound signature  
Quick Charge feature 
 Relatively expensive  
Lacking in clarity 

Beats haven't always gotten the best rap when it comes to audio performance, but the Beats X is trying to set the record straight. The Beats X hence make up for their slightly bassy, confined sound with a rock solid connection and a pairing process that, on iOS devices at least, is as painless as it's possible to be. 

If you’re shopping for a no-fuss pair of Bluetooth earbuds that charge in 5 minutes, work well with iOS and don’t mind spending a little extra money on them, the Beats X are for you.

Read more: Beats X review

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A pair of the Beats PowerBeats 3 in black

(Image credit: Beats)

10. Beats PowerBeats

Revamped fitness-focussed Powerbeats

Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 26.3g | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 15 hours | Wireless range: 10m (33ft) | NFC: No

Great battery life
Good wireless range
Fit could be better
High price

The latest Powerbeats are a thoughtful evolution of Beats' wireless workout earbuds. They're missing a few niceties like active noise-reduction and may potentially feel less comfortable than some competitors, but by and large they're a decent cheap alternative to Apple’s higher-end in-ear headphones.

After spending some time with them, it's clear that the new Beats Powerbeats is a significant upgrade on the company's wireless workout earbuds, offering a sound quality lifted directly from the Beats Powerbeats Pro, an IPX4 rating and Apple’s H1 Wireless Chip that can summon Siri with the sound of your voice.

What we don't like about them is that the fit can be tough to get right and even slightly uncomfortable when you wear them for an extended period.

Read more: Beats Powerbeats review

How to choose the best wireless earbuds

With so many wireless earbuds to pick from, how do you know which are right for you? 

Obviously, price is a huge factor. You can get a good pair of wireless earbuds for under £100/$100. But often you do get what you pay for in terms of connectivity, build and noise cancellation. 

Next up is form. Do you intend to workout with your earbuds? In which case you'll need a design that'll stay put, like the Beats Powerbeats. Or maybe small and minimal is what you're after, so opt for a pair of discrete true wireless buds, like the Jabra Elite 85t. 

But the biggest consideration is whether you should go wireless, which means there isn't a cable from your phone to your buds. Or true wireless, which is totally wire-free. Let's take a look at the differences, pros and cons of these types of buds.

Wireless vs true wireless: what's the difference?

Wireless earbuds have existed for a while now, basically since Bluetooth was invented. Though battery-powered and not physically connected to your phone, they have a cord connecting both buds – and sometimes a band around the neck too.

True wireless earbuds have no cord whatsoever. While wireless allows us to wear headphones a few feet away from our music players, True Wireless cuts the cord between the earbuds, giving us true freedom. If you're looking to go full wireless, we also have a round-up of the best true wireless headphones, but you'll find our top picks here, too.

Wireless headphones are traditional over-ear or on-ear headphones without the wire – the two earcups are connected by a headband. Check out the best wireless headphones for more.

Best wireless earbuds, at a glance:

True wireless earbuds

  1. Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds
  2. Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds
  3. NuraTrue 
  4. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus
  5. Sennheiser CX 400BT
  6. Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0

Wireless earbuds

  1. NuraLoop headphones
  2. Optoma NuForce BE Sport4
  3. Bowers & Wilkins Pi3
  4. Sennheiser CX Sport
  5. OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2
  6. SoundMAGIC E11 BT
  7. Jaybird Tarah Pro
  8. Jaybird X4 
  9. Beats X
  10. Beats Powerbeats 

Wireless earbud deals



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Best wireless earbuds: the best Bluetooth earbuds and earphones in 2021 Best wireless earbuds: the best Bluetooth earbuds and earphones in 2021 Reviewed by mimisabreena on Thursday, August 12, 2021 Rating: 5

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