If you're after the biggest sound and best audio from a pair of headphones, you'll likely be looking toward over-ear headphones. But, for all their audio chops, those big, bulky headphones aren't always the best option in everyday life. When you're on the go, commuting, or at the gym, a pair of earbuds is more likely to be a worthy companion.
Earbuds are much easier to pack into a bag, purse, or pocket. And, if you're wearing them while you're on the move, the minimal weight of the earbuds themselves leaves them less prone to shaking around and falling off your head. While you can still run into tangled cords, that issue is resolved by the many wireless earbuds available. As an added perk, many of the best earbuds are a bit more affordable than the comparable over-ear headphones, perhaps thanks in part to a lower bill of materials.
We've picked out some winning options to help you jam out and enjoy media on the go. They come in a variety of sizes and price points, so you can find one that's going to work just right for you.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Earbuds:
- 1More Triple Driver
- Sennheiser CX 300S
- Jabra Elite 5
- Sony WI-1000XM2
- JLab Epic Air Sport ANC
- Apple AirPods
- Shure SE215
- Audeze Euclid
- Shokz OpenRun
1More Triple Driver
Best Earbuds
You could go out and spend a few hundred dollars on a pair of earbuds, believe it or not, but the best earbuds should offer not only good sound quality but also a solid feature set and a good value. That's just where the 1More Triple Driver earbuds land. These earbuds aren't cheap, though they're not insanely expensive either, and you're getting what you pay for.
The 1More Triple Driver earbuds have a chic design with metallic casings and two-tone styling. Delivering on audio quality, the earbuds feature two balanced armature drivers and a third dynamic driver giving them an impressive frequency response range. Bass comes through punchy despite the earbuds' size, and mid-tones are nice and warm. The treble could be more pronounced, but the overall sound quality is impressive for the price. 1More also includes a range of tips in the box, so you can get a perfect fit for your ears.
Sennheiser CX 300S
Best Budget Earbuds
For a pair of simple, affordable earbuds you can plug into any old 3.5mm headphone jack, the Sennheiser CX 300S get the job done. These earbuds aren’t too flashy, but they do provide a bit of style with matching color accents on the earbuds and cable. The Sennheiser logo is also a touch on the shiny side. They may not be Bluetooth, but that means they also won’t suffer from audio syncing or pairing issues.
The Sennheiser CX 300S will make it easy to get a good fit and seal as they include four different ear adapter sizes. That improved fit will also make for a better listening experience. The earbuds include a simple in-line control to play and pause audio or to answer a call. They also feature a microphone, so you can leave your phone in your pocket when you’re on the go and need to take a call.
Jabra Elite 5
Best Wireless Earbuds
Jabra packs a perfectly balanced, expressive audio experience into a compact pair of wireless earbuds with the Elite 5. Using Bluetooth Multipoint, you can pair with two devices, and once connected, using Jabra’s intuitive Sound+ app, you can play around with EQ settings and ANC sound modes. That hybrid noise cancellation is surprisingly decent, whether it’s drowning out an airplane’s engine or muffling the voices at a coffee shop, though it does struggle with high-pitched sounds.
While you enjoy a pleasant listening experience, others will appreciate the six microphones that make your voice super clear on calls, even on windy days. And you won’t need to worry about breaking a sweat or getting stuck in the rain thanks to the earbud's IP55 dust and water resistance. While a manageable seven-hour battery life with 28 additional hours from the case means you should have no problem getting through workdays or long travel days.
Sony WI-1000XM2
Best Bluetooth Earbuds
As slick as they are, true wireless stereo Bluetooth earbuds might not be for everyone. If you’re constantly taking your earbuds out and putting them back in, you’ll be a whole lot less likely to misplace them when they're attached to each other. So, there’s still a place for tethered Bluetooth earbuds, and the Sony WI-1000XM2 earbuds are the best option you’ll find. Once you simply connect to your device over Bluetooth, these produce an impressive audio experience. However, you can always opt to use the wired adapter if you prefer. And if you’re worried about all these wires getting into a tangled mess, the earbuds are actually magnetic, and a sleek carrying case is included to prevent this.
The Sony WI-1000XM2 earbuds offer up loads of convenient features, including noise cancellation and adaptive sound control. By blocking out those outside distractions and tuning the audio to fit your environment, you’ll be fully immersed in your music. And DSEE HX is even supported, so your compressed audio files can be amped up closer to the original recording’s sound. You’ll be able to listen to your audio for the long run with a 10-hour battery life. Comfort won’t be an issue during those marathon listening sessions either, thanks to the lightweight band that rests on your neck.
JLab Epic Air Sport ANC
Best Sports Earbuds
With the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC, you won't have to cut your workout short. These earbuds wrap around your ears to keep them securely in your ears even during the wildest workouts. And, with an IP66 rating, they'll hold up even during the sweatiest hot yoga sessions. To top it off, the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC have a top-notch battery life, offering up to 15 hours from the earbuds themselves and an additional 55 hours in the charging case (and maybe we're wrong, but you probably shouldn't be working out for 15 hours straight anyway).
These earbuds can deliver a quality audio connection over Bluetooth 5.0 and support the AAC codec. And, you'll get to focus on your audio even if there are distracting outside noises thanks to the active noise cancellation available through these earbuds. That said, if you want to take them on an outdoor run, you should be able to hear your surroundings for safety, and that's where the buds' Be Aware' mode can come in handy.
Apple AirPods
Best Earbuds for Apple Users
No list of earbuds would be complete without Apple's AirPods. This 3rd generation of AirPods has seen some of the biggest updates from previous models to date including a new contoured design, longer battery life, and smart audio features. If you own any combination of an iPhone, iPad, Mac computer, or Apple TV, you almost owe it to yourself to snag a pair of these super easy-to-connect wireless earbuds.
Of course, you can use AirPods with Android and Windows devices as well, but you'll miss out on some of the features. However, you'll still get the main benefits including total wireless freedom, all-day comfort, and superb audio quality. The new EQ Audio feature will tune music to your ears and the Spatial Audio feature places the sound around you. Battery life still is not the best out there at only 6 hours per charge, but the case offers an additional 30—that's certainly enough to get through the workday. Also, they are already on sale, which is unusual for such recent Apple releases.
Shure SE215
Best Sound-Isolating Earbuds
If you’ve spent any time around a microphone, you’ve undoubtedly encountered the Shure brand. The company makes more than just mics though, as Shure also produces quality audio electronics such as these great earbuds. The SE215-K also fits nice and snug in your ear.
Beyond the excellent sound clarity and comfort for $100, the SE215-K have a unique feature where the cable between the earbuds is actually detachable and replaceable. You can go wireless too with an optional Bluetooth cable.
Audeze Euclid
Best High-End Earbuds
For high-quality audio, you can step above the common dynamic drivers and step into the world of planar magnetic transducers. And, with the Audeze Euclid, you can get this technology in a compact earbud. The Audeze Euclid earbuds feature 18mm planar magnetic transducers that can deliver a refined and detailed audio experience. And, with an impedance of just 12 ohms, you shouldn't have much trouble powering these earbuds with a wide variety of audio sources.
The Audeze Euclid earbuds come with a braided cable MMCX cable that ends in a 3.5mm jack. But, that doesn't mean that's how you have to use them. You can pair these earbuds with your own MMCX cables. Audeze also has plans to release 4.4mm balanced cables to pair with these earbuds as well as a Bluetooth adapter for wireless use.
Shokz OpenRun
Best Earbuds for Running
When you're out on a run, pumping-up music is a great motivator and distracter. However, if you’ve got earbuds deep in your ears, they’re blocking out all the external sounds around you, raising the potential of accidents. The Shokz OpenRun solves this issue by hooking around your ears and positioning the speakers just outside the ear canal, while a compact, lightweight neckband keeps them firmly in place, ensuring you can hear the world and your music without sacrificing your safety.
The Shokz OpenRun are bone-conducting, so they send sound vibrations through your cheekbones to your ears using transducers. That means some sound leakage will occur, but there’s still a good amount of bass and clarity. An impressive IP67 rating also allows you to take them out on a jog in the rain, while an 8-hour battery life ensures the headphones can keep up with you during a marathon.
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark