If you love music, chances are you won’t be happy with any old earphones. Upgrade your listening experience with one of our top recommendations below and check out our buying advice for the category.
The Best Earbud Deals This Week*
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Best for iPhone Users
Why We Picked It
The second-generation AirPods Pro still closely rival the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II in the noise cancellation department. Sonically, they balance rich lows with crisp, sculpted highs, while top-notch extras like spatial audio and adaptive transparency modes add considerable value.
Who It’s For
If you own an iPhone (or any other Apple device), these earphones offer the most seamless audio experience by far. Brand loyalty (in this case) also gets you near unbeatable active noise cancellation.
PROS
- Rich, well-balanced audio performance
- Excellent active noise cancellation
- Adaptive Transparency mode is genuinely impressive
- Charging case has a useful built-in speaker
- Seamless integration with Apple devices
CONS
- No hi-res codec support
- Offers only non-adjustable EQ presets
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Best Noise Cancellation Overall
Why We Picked It
The Bose QuietComfort (QC) Earbuds II offer the best active noise cancellation of any earphones we’ve tested. That alone qualifies them for this list, but we’re also fans of their rich, engrossing audio experience, as well as their intuitive companion app.
Who It’s For
If you care about blocking out noise more than anything else, you won’t find a better option on the market. People who prefer an accurate sound signature might not enjoy the audio presentation here, but no other Bose headphones output as successful a mix of detail and balance.
PROS
- Engaging audio performance with deep lows and bright highs
- Fantastic low- and high-frequency noise cancellation
- Useful Active Aware mode
- Water-resistant build
CONS
- No way to turn off noise cancellation altogether
- Case doesn’t support wireless charging
Etymotic ER3 XR
Most Accurate Sound
Why We Picked It
Most earphones that claim to offer a flat response rely on some amount of sculpting to craft an engaging sound, but the Etymotic ER3 XR earphones buck that trend by sticking more closely to the ideal of clinical accuracy than any other pair under $500. Compared with the XP edition, this XR version extends the bass range ever so slightly, but not nearly as much as most consumer models.
Who It’s For
Engineers and musicians who need to hear the truth in their mixes aren’t likely to find better earphones than the ER3 XR, especially for the price. These produce every detail throughout the frequency range and present the bass with precision.
PROS
- Accurate audio with deep, but clean, bass response.
- Detachable cable.
- Lightweight, secure in-ear fit with multiple eartip options.
CONS
- Not for those seeking big bass sound.
- No inline remote.
Anker Soundcore Space A40
Best Affordable Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
Why We Picked It
Apart from producing robust lows and crisp highs, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 earphones benefit from a top-notch companion app experience with an adjustable EQ. They also deliver above-average active noise cancellation for the price, making them an excellent value choice.
Who It’s For
If you want to stick to your budget without compromising on audio quality, these Anker earbuds won’t disappoint. You can customize the sculpted sound signature to taste, and Android users can take advantage of the audiophile-friendly LDAC codec for high-res streaming. Their excellent battery life is also ideal for people who are constantly on the move.
PROS
- Rich, detailed audio performance
- Quality active noise cancellation for the price
- App includes customizable EQ and controls
- Strong battery life
- Water-resistant build
CONS
- Light on sub-bass
- Noise cancellation mode slightly affects sound signature
Shure Aonic 215 (Gen 2)
Best Adjustable EQ
Why We Picked It
The Shure Aonic 215 (Gen 2) earphones are a bit bulky, but they are one of the most versatile entries on this list: You can use them in either a wired or wireless mode. Our favorite feature, however, is the very flexible EQ you get in the companion app. It lets you adjust specific frequencies in a way that’s just not possible with competing models.
Who It’s For
If you prefer to sculpt a custom sound signature, this is your best bet. Furthermore, if you have lots of high-quality local media files, the wired listening mode ensures you don’t lose any detail in transmission (unlike with a Bluetooth connection).
PROS
- Accurate audio performance with rich lows and clear highs
- Class-leading EQ
- Customizable controls
- Water-resistant design
CONS
- Expensive
- Bulky build and case
Tribit FlyBuds 3
Best Affordable Earbuds for Exercise
Why We Picked It
The Tribit FlyBuds 3 have remained on our list for several years because no other budget model offers as complete an experience. These earphones sound quite good, can withstand heavy amounts of moisture, and ship with a case that provides an impressive 95 hours of extra battery life.
Who It’s For
If you need earbuds for the gym and don’t want to spend a ton of money, the FlyBuds 3 are a top choice. Sure, you can get better audio quality in more expensive pairs, but these deliver all the low-end power you need to energize your workouts. And because they are so inexpensive and durable, you don’t need to worry too much about losing or breaking them.
PROS
- Bass-forward, powerful audio performance
- Excellent battery life for true wireless earphones—can charge external devices, too
- Affordable
- IPX7-rated waterproof
- Excellent fit stability, with multiple eartip options
CONS
- Ho-hum design
- Wildly sculpted sound signature
- No app, so no EQ to tame the audio
JBL Reflect Aero
Best for Exercise Overall
Why We Picked It
JBL’s Reflect Aero earbuds are our top pick for fitness fanatics. First and foremost, they have an excellent IP68 rating, which means they are fully dustproof and can survive a long time underwater. We also like their bass-forward audio signature and adjustable in-app EQ.
Who It’s For
If you need the ultimate in durability for the gym or the great outdoors, these JBL earbuds won’t let you down. You can even easily set up integrations with both the Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice services.
PROS
- Powerful audio performance with deep lows and bright highs
- Multi-band in-app EQ
- Supports hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant
- Fully waterproof and dustproof design
CONS
- Average noise cancellation
- Sculpted, bass-forward sound signature won’t appeal to everyone
Monoprice Horizon ANC
Best Noise Cancellation Under $50
Why We Picked It
The Monoprice Horizon ANC earphones offer competent noise cancellation and strong Bluetooth codec support for their budget price. You don’t get a companion app or EQ, but the default sound signature is pleasant.
Who It’s For
If you want decent audio and noise cancellation on a shoestring budget, this Monoprice model is a winner. AptX Adaptive support is an unexpected bonus for Android users.
PROS
- Rich, detailed audio performance with bright highs
- Good Bluetooth codec support
- Affordable
CONS
- No app
- Cumbersome touch controls
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3
Most Stylish
Why We Picked It
The Momentum True Wireless 3 earphones look quite stylish, offer a customizable EQ via a companion app, and can compete with the best in terms of sound quality. They don’t cancel noise to the same degree as the AirPods Pro or the Bose QC Earbuds II, but not everyone needs best-in-class performance in that arena.
Who It’s For
If your top priority is audio quality and you don’t want to settle too much in the noise cancellation department, these Sennheiser earbuds are worth a look, especially if you can find them for a discount. Everything from their design to the fabric-lined (and Qi-compatible) case exudes sophistication.
PROS
- Excellent audio performance with rich bass and detailed highs
- Solid active noise cancellation
- App features adjustable EQ and control customizations
- Case supports wireless charging
CONS
- Sculpted default sound signature
- Limited EQ settings
Buying Guide: The Best Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) for 2023
What’s the Difference Between Earphones and Earbuds?
The terms earbuds and earphones might seem interchangeable but they usually indicate an important distinction. For our purposes, earbuds don’t enter your ear canal and instead sit just outside of it. This design fits more loosely and can cause problems when it comes to accurate stereo imaging (in which both ears get the same amount of audio) and bass response.
In-ear earphones, meanwhile, have silicone or foam tips that fit in the ear canal and form a seal inside your ear, blocking outside noise while piping sound directly into your ears. These often come with eartips in different sizes that help ensure the best possible seal. Others ship with additional flexible fins that provide even more fit security.
All that said, the term earbuds has become synonymous with earphones and in-ear headphones, so the difference is ultimately academic. Whatever you call them and whatever they say on the box, you should look for earphones that form a good seal inside your ear with silicone or foam eartips. They sound much better than models with plastic-covered drivers that rest loosely against your ear canal.
4 ways you’re using your headphones totally wrong — Clarification Please
Should You Choose Wired or Wire-Free Earphones?
At this point, true wireless earbuds have become so prevalent that you won’t come across many wired earphones (or even Bluetooth earphones with a wire connecting them) unless you seek them out. True wireless earphones consist of two individual earpieces that connect to your phone and each other over Bluetooth, so you don’t have to deal with any cable at all. They’re convenient and refined enough that you can find a pair to fit almost any need or budget (there are plenty available for under $50, for instance).
This doesn’t mean that wired earphones are no longer worth considering. You can still get a pair of earphones that connect to your phone via a 3.5mm headphone jack or even a Lightning or USB-C connector. You don’t need to charge them like wireless earphones and many pricier pairs offer better fidelity for audiophiles.
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)
(Credit: Tim Gideon)
What Are the Best Earphones for Exercise?
Earphones might not be as eye-catching as headphones, but they can be much more convenient. Besides their size and weight, earphones are often more resilient than headphones when it comes to moisture. Their IP rating indicates whether they are water-resistant or even waterproof. This is an important factor to consider if you want to listen to music at the gym. Sweat can soak and wear out earpads over time, so most full-on headphones aren’t likely to stand up to the constant friction that comes with working out. For the best options, check out our lists of the best headphones for running and the best true wireless earbuds for running.
Not all earphones are workout-friendly, though; don’t assume your earphones can handle what you throw at them unless they explicitly list an IP rating (ideally IPX5 or higher). Really pricey earphones can be as fragile as really pricey headphones and you don’t want to accidentally ruin a $200 pair with ear sweat.
Recommended by Our Editors
JBL Reflect Aero
(Credit: Tim Gideon)
How to Care for Your Earphones
If you get wired earphones, make sure to use any included pouch or carrying case as often as possible to preserve their longevity. Balling them up, shoving them into a pocket, and then untangling them each time you want to listen does more to wear them out prematurely than just about anything else. Of course, this isn’t a factor for true wireless earphones which stow away inside a charging case. Just don’t assume that the case has the same IP rating as the earphones; they often aren’t waterproof at all. For more details, check out five easy tips to extend the life of your headphones and eight ways you’re using your headphones wrong.
And if you’re shopping on a budget, scan our picks for the best cheap true wireless earbuds.
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