If you want to listen to your favorite music while you’re out and about, you need the best in-ear Headphones. You can listen to motivational music at the gym, classical music on a long flight, or a bunch of the best podcasts on your way to and from work. All of the earbuds on our list are small enough that you can carry them in your pocket, even when they’re in their charging cases. But even though the best earbuds are small, they don’t skimp on sound quality or battery life. If you choose one of the best wired earbuds, you don’t even have to think about battery life.
Over the years, we’ve reviewed a lot of the best wireless earbuds and true wireless earbuds, so we know what to look for in terms of features, style, and sound quality to help you choose the right pair for your budget. If you want to improve your audio experience but don’t like the idea of earbuds, you might also want to look at the best headphones and best wireless headphones guides. Below we have mentioned some of the best in-ear Headphones.
Best in-ear Headphones
Sony WF-1000XM4
Specifications
| Assistant Support | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Compliant Standards | IPX4 |
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Maximum Run Time | Maximum Run Time |
Sony has been on best in-ear Headphones since the beginning. But the new WF-1000XM4 with adaptive active noise cancellation are coming into a market that is more competitive than ever. This is mostly Sony’s fault, let’s be honest.
It has set standards that other brands have had to meet, so the WF-1000XM4 have their work cut out for them if they want to keep Sony as the “top dog.” If Sony does lose the top spot, it won’t be because they didn’t try. The WF-1000XM4 are a completely new design, and their ergonomics and environmental friendliness have been thought about just as much as the sound they make or the noise they block.
Pros
- Articulate, convincing sound
- Ergonomically impeccable
Cons
- Great call quality
Jabra Elite 3
Specifications
| Assistant Support | Amazon Alexa |
| Compliant Standards | ROHS |
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Protection | Water-resistant, IP55 |
| Bluetooth Audio Codec | SBC, aptX |
Sometimes the basics are all you need, and that’s where the Jabra Elite 3 earbuds stand out from the rest of the sub-$100 competition. Their best in-ear Headphones puts more emphasis on the bass, but it still sounds well-balanced and clear for this price range. The earbuds can play music for up to seven hours straight, and the small case can hold three more charges.
Their big buttons are easy to use, and the earbuds are rated IP55, which means they can stand up to dust and water. The Elite 3s don’t have the multipoint feature that Jabra has been known for for a long time. This is the main thing you give up for the price, but unlike older models, either earbud can be used on its own in mono mode, which is an improvement.
They are also very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The Elite 3s don’t have features like noise cancellation or wireless charging, but they work well and have a strong Bluetooth signal. They’re a great deal for the price.
Pros
- Expressive and detailed sound
- Lightweight, ergonomic and comfy
Cons
- Detached bass, lack of dynamics
- Not the highest perceived value
- Push-controls can affect fit
Sony WF-C500
Specifications
| Noise-cancelling | No |
| Waterproof rating: | IPX4 |
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Protection | Water-resistant, IP55 |
| Battery life | 20 hours |
The WF-C500 wireless earbuds from Sony are like a stripped-down version of the WF-1000XM4 that you can find further up this page. They give you a lot of what makes those in-ear headphones popular for a lot less money, but you have to give up a few features, like noise cancellation.
The IPX4 rating on these best in-ear Headphones makes them good for running and sports. You can connect them to Android devices using “fast pair” and to Windows 10 computers using “swift pair.” Like most Sony in-ear headphones, the sound is well balanced. There is also a lot of detail in the midrange. What you get is a musical package that fits together well.
Pros
- Compact and comfortable design
- Spirited, well-balanced sound
- Fine control app
Cons
- Ordinary battery life
- Slightly small-scale sound
- Numerous serious rivals
Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless
Specifications
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Compliant Standards | IPX4 |
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Ear Pad Material | Leather |
| Battery life | 20 hours |
| Use | Sports |
The Google Pixel Buds Pro Truly Wireless are the best in-ear Headphones we’ve tried that are in the middle of the price range. Even though these earbuds cost less, they still have a lot of useful extra features. They can connect to more than one device at once, so you can use your phone and computer at the same time. They also have ANC, which does a great job of blocking out noise.
Users of the Google Pixel can also use the Spatial Audio feature, which is meant to help make a more immersive soundstage. The earbuds have a solid battery life of about seven hours and come with a case that can hold two extra charges. Their slightly v-shaped sound profile puts more emphasis on the thump and rumble of low bass, while instruments and lead vocals sound clear and bright.
Pros
- Consistent audio delivery.
- Graphic EQ and presets available in companion app.
Cons
- Depending on your ear shape, buds can pop out of your ear.
- Bad passive soundstage.
Apple AirPods Pro
Specifications
| Headphone Driver Technology | Dynamic |
| Maximum Run Time | 5 hours run time |
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Ear Pad Material | Ear Pad Material |
| Microphone Mount Type | Built-in |
| Standby Time | 72 hr standby run time |
The H2 chip, made by Apple, takes advanced audio performance even further, making noise cancellation smarter and sound more immersive. The custom-built, low-distortion driver produces high notes that are clear and crisp and low notes that are deep and rich. So every sound is clearer than it has ever been. If the size of the earbud tips doesn’t match the size of your ear canals or the headset doesn’t fit right in your ears, you might not get the right sound quality or call performance. This is one of the best in-ear Headphones you can buy.
Change the tips of the earbuds to ones that fit better in your ears. Up to twice as much Active Noise Cancellation as the previous Apple AirPods Pro. This means a lot less noise on your commute or when you want to concentrate. Adaptive Transparency lets you hear the world around you without being bothered by loud noises like sirens or construction.
Pros
- Fantastic active noise cancellation
- Very strong audio quality
- Great features when used with iPhone
Cons
- Average battery life
- No lossless support
What is an In-Ear Headphones?
When we think of earbuds, most of us probably think of the first pair we ever had. They were ugly, made of hard plastic, didn’t fit well, and didn’t always work. If you turned your head the wrong way, they would fall out of your ears and hit the ground. Before you could put them back in, you had to pick them up, separate the long wires, and clean them. In-ear headphones and earbuds are now very high-tech and space-age. They have a lot of features and functions that we could only dream of a few years ago.
What’s the Difference Between Earbuds and In-Ear Headphones?
First of all, earbuds are headphones that don’t fit inside your ear canal. Most models don’t have any kind of cushion on them, and they’re basically just tiny plastic speakers that sit on the concha of your ears. Most people who have an iPhone are used to this type of headphone. Some models have a loop that you can hook over your ears to hold them in place.
On the other hand, in-ear headphones are made to slide past the concha and into the ear canal itself. Most of the time, the extension comes with a silicone tip that covers it and keeps the headphones in the ear.
However, there are many other sizes, shapes, and materials besides silicone that can be used instead. Most people think of these when they hear the word “earbuds.” You can see now that there is a difference. If you want to get even more technical, the headphones in each can also have different specifications, but we’ll save that for another day.
FAQs
Which is the best brand in-ear Headphones?
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless are the best earbuds we’ve tried so far. These buds are a good choice if you want the best of the best. They are the next version of the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless. They have an amazing noise-canceling (ANC) system that is better than anything else on the market.
Which earphone is best in ear or on-ear?
There’s no wrong choice, but on-ear headphones are probably better if you care about battery life and portability. If you don’t mind the weight and want slightly better sound quality and noise cancellation, you should get over-ear headphones.
Which is the No 1 earbuds in the world?
Sony’s WF-1000XM4 are the best overall wireless earbuds you can buy, but they cost a lot. They have great active noise cancellation and sound that is warm, clear, and detailed. The ANC isn’t quite as good as Bose’s newer QC Earbuds II, but it still has a lot of power.
