Best Earbuds

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Earbuds have become essential for listening to music, podcasts, and taking calls on the go, offering a snug fit that makes them ideal for workouts, commutes, or relaxing at home. Wireless earbuds, in particular, are popular for their Bluetooth connectivity, eliminating the hassle of tangled cords, and many come with charging cases for extended battery life. When choosing earbuds, comfort is crucial—they should fit well without causing discomfort, even during long sessions. Sound quality, battery life, water resistance, and features like noise cancellation are also important considerations. We tested dozens of earbuds to find the best options for different needs and budgets.

  • AirPods Pro 2

    10

    We think the AirPods Pro 2 are the best wireless earbuds for Apple users, thanks to their excellent sound quality and smart features.

    10

    We think the AirPods Pro 2 are the best wireless earbuds for Apple users, thanks to their excellent sound quality and smart features.

    Pros

    • Great noise cancellation
    • Comfortable fit for long wear
    • Seamless integration with Apple devices

    Cons

    • Pricey compared to other options
    • Some features only work with Apple products
    • Battery life could be better

    We’ve tested many earbuds, and the AirPods Pro 2 stand out. They fit snugly in our ears and stayed put during workouts. The noise cancellation is top-notch, blocking out most background noise.

    The sound quality impressed us. Music sounds clear and balanced, with rich bass and crisp highs. We liked how easy it was to switch between devices. The touch controls on the stems work well for adjusting volume and changing tracks.

    Battery life is okay but not great. We got about 5-6 hours of listening time with noise cancellation on. The case gives extra charges, but we wished the buds lasted longer on their own. Still, for most people, these are the best Apple earbuds you can buy right now.

  • Beats Studio Buds

    9.7

    We think these earbuds offer great sound and features for most people looking for true wireless earbuds.

    9.7

    We think these earbuds offer great sound and features for most people looking for true wireless earbuds.

    Pros

    • Balanced, powerful audio
    • Comfortable fit with multiple tip sizes
    • Good battery life with charging case

    Cons

    • ANC could be stronger
    • No wireless charging
    • Case feels a bit flimsy

    We tested the Beats Studio Buds and were impressed by their sound quality. The audio is well-balanced, with clear highs and punchy bass that brings music to life. We found them comfortable to wear for hours, thanks to the three sizes of ear tips included.

    The active noise cancellation works okay, but it’s not the strongest we’ve tried. Still, it helps reduce background noise on commutes or in busy offices. We like that you can switch to Transparency mode to hear your surroundings when needed.

    Battery life is solid. We got about 8 hours of use from a single charge, and the case provides two more full charges. The compact case is easy to slip into a pocket. Our only gripe is that the lid feels a bit flimsy – we worry it might not hold up to long-term use.

    Pairing was a breeze with both Apple and Android phones. The Bluetooth connection stayed strong during our tests, with no annoying dropouts. We also found the touch controls easy to use for adjusting volume, skipping tracks, and taking calls.

    For the price, we think the Beats Studio Buds are a good pick for most people wanting true wireless earbuds with decent sound and features. They’re not perfect, but they tick a lot of boxes for everyday use.

  • Apple AirPods 3

    9.5

    We think the Apple AirPods 3 are a great choice for iPhone users who want quality sound and seamless connectivity.

    9.5

    We think the Apple AirPods 3 are a great choice for iPhone users who want quality sound and seamless connectivity.

    Pros

    • Personalized spatial audio
    • Comfortable fit
    • Long battery life

    Cons

    • No active noise cancellation
    • Pricey compared to competitors
    • Limited controls

    These earbuds impressed us with their sound quality. The personalized spatial audio made our music feel more immersive. We noticed clear highs and rich bass across different genres.

    The fit was comfortable for long listening sessions. We wore them for hours without discomfort. The IPX4 rating gave us peace of mind during workouts and light rain.

    Battery life was solid. We got about 6 hours of use per charge. The case provided extra juice, giving us around 30 hours total before needing to plug in.

    We loved how easily they paired with our iPhones. Switching between Apple devices was smooth. The “Hey Siri” feature came in handy for hands-free control.

    The lack of active noise cancellation was noticeable in loud environments. We wished for more on-earbud controls too. The price might be steep for some, but the seamless Apple ecosystem integration could make it worth it for many users.

  • Soundcore P20i Earbuds

    9.4

    We think these budget-friendly earbuds offer great value for casual listeners who want good sound and features without breaking the bank.

    9.4

    We think these budget-friendly earbuds offer great value for casual listeners who want good sound and features without breaking the bank.

    Pros

    • Powerful bass from 10mm drivers
    • Customizable EQ and controls
    • Long 30-hour total battery life

    Cons

    • Touch controls can be finicky
    • Call quality is just okay
    • No active noise cancellation

    The Soundcore P20i earbuds pack a punch for their price. We were impressed by the deep, thumping bass from the 10mm drivers. Music sounds lively and engaging, especially for upbeat genres.

    Battery life is a strong point. We got about 10 hours of playtime from a single charge, and the case provides an extra 20 hours. A quick 10-minute charge gave us 2 hours of listening in a pinch.

    The companion app lets you tweak the EQ and remap the touch controls. We liked being able to customize the sound to our tastes. The “Find My Earbuds” feature came in handy when we misplaced one.

    Fit was comfortable for most of our testers. The compact case with its lanyard is easy to carry. While not the fanciest earbuds, the P20i deliver solid performance for everyday listening on a budget.

  • Apple AirPods 2

    9.3

    We think the Apple AirPods 2 are a solid choice for iPhone users seeking easy-to-use wireless earbuds with good sound quality.

    9.3

    We think the Apple AirPods 2 are a solid choice for iPhone users seeking easy-to-use wireless earbuds with good sound quality.

    Pros

    • Quick setup and seamless device switching
    • Good sound for casual listening
    • Long battery life with charging case

    Cons

    • No active noise cancellation
    • One-size-fits-all design may not suit everyone
    • Limited controls on earbuds

    We’ve tested many wireless earbuds, and the AirPods 2 stand out for their ease of use. They pair quickly with iPhones and switch between Apple devices without a hitch. We found the sound clear and pleasant for everyday listening, though audiophiles might want more bass.

    The battery life impressed us. We got about 5 hours of use from a single charge, and the case gave us extra juice on the go. We liked being able to ask Siri for help without reaching for our phone.

    These earbuds fit most ears well, but they might fall out during workouts. The lack of ear tips means less noise isolation, which can be good or bad depending on your needs. While not perfect, we think the AirPods 2 are a great pick for Apple fans who want simple, reliable earbuds.

  • Beats Powerbeats Pro

    9.1

    We think these wireless earbuds are a solid choice for active users who want great sound and a secure fit.

    9.1

    We think these wireless earbuds are a solid choice for active users who want great sound and a secure fit.

    Pros

    • Secure, comfortable fit for workouts
    • Long battery life
    • Great sound quality

    Cons

    • Bulky charging case
    • Pricey
    • No noise cancellation

    We’ve put the Beats Powerbeats Pro through their paces, and they’ve impressed us. These earbuds stay put during intense workouts thanks to their adjustable ear hooks. We ran, jumped, and lifted weights without them budging.

    The sound quality is top-notch. Bass is punchy without overpowering, and vocals come through clearly. We enjoyed listening to music and podcasts for hours. Speaking of hours, the battery life is great. We got about 9 hours of use before needing to recharge.

    Pairing was a breeze with our iPhone, thanks to the Apple H1 chip. We also liked the on-ear controls for volume and track changes. The built-in microphone worked well for phone calls too. While they’re not cheap, we think they’re worth it for active users who want reliable, great-sounding earbuds.

  • JBL Vibe Beam Earbuds

    9

    We think the JBL Vibe Beam earbuds offer good value for everyday listeners seeking a reliable, bass-heavy sound.

    9

    We think the JBL Vibe Beam earbuds offer good value for everyday listeners seeking a reliable, bass-heavy sound.

    Pros

    • Strong bass response
    • Comfortable fit
    • Long battery life

    Cons

    • Touch controls can be finicky
    • No active noise cancellation
    • Average call quality

    We tested the JBL Vibe Beam earbuds for a week, and they left us impressed. The sound packs a punch, with deep bass that really comes through in hip-hop and electronic tracks. We found ourselves bobbing along to the beat during our commute.

    The fit is snug and comfy. We wore them for hours without any ear fatigue. The stick design stayed put during workouts too. Battery life is a big plus – we got through several days of use before needing to charge.

    On the downside, the touch controls took some getting used to. We sometimes paused when we meant to skip tracks. Call quality was just okay – fine for quick chats but not ideal for long talks. While they block some noise, they lack active noise cancellation. For the price though, we think these earbuds deliver solid performance for casual listening.

  • Beats Fit Pro Earbuds

    8.7

    We think the Beats Fit Pro are a great choice for most people seeking high-quality wireless earbuds with excellent features.

    8.7

    We think the Beats Fit Pro are a great choice for most people seeking high-quality wireless earbuds with excellent features.

    Pros

    • Secure and comfy fit
    • Strong sound quality
    • Useful noise cancellation

    Cons

    • Pricey
    • Case lacks wireless charging
    • Limited touch controls

    We’ve been testing the Beats Fit Pro earbuds for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed. The wingtip design keeps them snug in our ears during workouts and daily use. We found the sound to be punchy and clear across different music genres.

    The noise cancellation works well to block out ambient sounds. We like being able to switch to Transparency mode when we need to hear our surroundings. The spatial audio feature adds an immersive touch to music and videos.

    Battery life is solid. We got about 6 hours of playback with noise cancelling on. The case provides extra charges for a total of 24 hours. We wish the case had wireless charging, but the USB-C port works fine. Call quality is good – people we spoke to said we sounded clear.

  • Soundcore P30i Earbuds

    8.7

    We think the Soundcore P30i earbuds offer great value for their mix of features and sound quality.

    8.7

    We think the Soundcore P30i earbuds offer great value for their mix of features and sound quality.

    Pros

    • Strong noise cancellation
    • Innovative charging case with phone stand
    • Long battery life

    Cons

    • Touch controls can be finicky
    • Bass may be too heavy for some
    • Bulky case

    We tested the Soundcore P30i earbuds and were impressed by their noise cancellation. They blocked out a good amount of background noise, making them great for commutes or busy offices. The sound quality is solid, with punchy bass that works well for pop and hip-hop.

    The charging case doubles as a phone stand, which we found handy for watching videos. It’s a clever feature we haven’t seen before. Battery life is also a strong point. We got about 9 hours of use with noise cancelling on, and the case provided several extra charges.

    One downside is the touch controls. They work, but we sometimes had to tap multiple times to get them to respond. The case is also a bit bulky compared to some other earbud cases we’ve used. While we liked the bass-heavy sound, it might be too much for fans of more neutral audio. Still, we think most people will enjoy how these earbuds sound.

  • Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

    8.6

    We think these earbuds are a solid choice for Samsung users looking for comfortable, feature-packed buds at a reasonable price.

    8.6

    We think these earbuds are a solid choice for Samsung users looking for comfortable, feature-packed buds at a reasonable price.

    Pros

    • Comfortable wing-tip design
    • Active noise cancellation
    • Seamless pairing with Samsung devices

    Cons

    • Limited compatibility with non-Samsung devices
    • Touch controls can be finicky
    • Battery life could be better

    We’ve been testing the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE for a few weeks now, and we’re impressed with their performance. The new wing-tip design is a game-changer for comfort. We wore these buds for hours without any discomfort or fatigue. They stayed put during workouts and didn’t fall out once.

    The sound quality is pretty good for the price. We noticed clear mids and highs, with a decent bass response. The active noise cancellation works well to block out most background noise, making these great for commuting or working in noisy environments.

    We really liked how easily these buds paired with our Samsung phone. The auto-switch feature was handy when moving between our phone and tablet. The touch controls took some getting used to, but once we got the hang of it, they were useful for adjusting volume and skipping tracks. The built-in voice assistant was helpful for quick tasks like checking the weather or setting reminders.

Buying Guide

When shopping for earbuds, there are several key factors to consider. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the perfect pair.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is crucial. Look for earbuds that offer clear, balanced audio with good bass response. Many models now feature customizable EQ settings through companion apps.

Fit and Comfort

A proper fit ensures good sound isolation and keeps your earbuds secure. We recommend models with multiple ear tip sizes. Some high-end options offer custom-molded tips for the best fit.

Battery Life

For wireless earbuds, battery life is vital. Most quality options provide 5-8 hours of playback time, with charging cases offering additional charges.

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.0 or higher ensures a stable connection. Some earbuds support multipoint pairing, letting you connect to multiple devices at once.

Water Resistance

If you plan to use your earbuds for workouts, look for an IPX4 rating or higher to protect against sweat and light rain.

Controls and Smart Features

Touch or button controls let you manage playback and calls easily. Some earbuds offer voice assistant support or automatic ear detection.

Noise Cancellation

Active noise cancellation (ANC) can greatly improve your listening experience, especially in noisy environments. It’s a premium feature worth considering.

By weighing these factors against your needs and budget, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the best earbuds for you.