The best wired earbuds are still the favored way for many people to listen to music, even in a world dominated by the best wireless earbuds. The fact they're reliable with no battery or connection worries and often deliver better value for sound quality keeps them relevant. Funnily enough, they've even become kind of cool again as an alternative to the ubiquitous AirPods.
Today, the best wired earbuds come in a wide variety of choices, not only in terms of price but also in connection types, especially since most modern phones no longer include a 3.5mm jack (which used to be the standard for all the best wired headphones). That's why we've included the top USB-C wired earbuds alongside models with traditional 3.5mm jacks (and even some with 4.4mm connections) in our guide below with choices to suit every budget.
Our expert team has personally tested all the wired earbuds featured in this guide, as well as many models that didn't make the cut. Some of these alternatives were more affordable but didn't meet our quality standards, and others were high-end in-ear monitors that ultimately weren't the best fit here.
When evaluating the best wired earbuds, our focus is on sound quality first and foremost, but we also consider long-term comfort, ergonomic cable integration, noise from the cable housing, and overall sound isolation. All of this testing has led us to create this guide, featuring only the best options you can buy today.
The Quick List
Quickly browse our wired earbuds recommendations – and you can click through for a full write-up of each one, as well as go the retailers with the best prices.
The best wired earbuds for most people
They've been around years, but they still deliver excellent value and performance, with a premium build and top sound. A rewarding, affordable choice for music lovers.
The best budget wired earbuds
Excellent cheap buds that have a snug fit, good noise isolation, a design that looks premium, and strong sound, even if bass is a little muddy.
The best step-up wired earbuds
These wired buds deliver fantastic audiophile sound in a design that's light, comfortable and looks good, for a very reasonable price – it's just a shame there's no in-line mic option.
The best USB-C earbuds for most people
If you need a USB-C connection, these buds are excellent value for money. With a built-in DAC, they pack hi-res audio into a comfortable design for an affordable price.
The best cheaper USB-C wired earbuds
This is the cheapest USB-C option we've tried that we actually recommend. You get decent sound, a sleek design that's comfortable, and a mic for calls.
The best premium wired earbuds
These Sennheiser buds have a high-end price tag, and they boast impressive high-end sound to match. Expect a comfortable fit and great durability, too.
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The best elite wired earbuds
Everything about these buds screams 'elite', from audio quality and specs to materials and build. They're not perfect, but they're a fantastic choice if you want a premium look and sound.
The best ultra-elite wired earbuds
If money is no object, you're guaranteed stellar sound, an outrageously broad soundstage and a stunning design from these unique Campfire Audio buds.
The best wired earbuds for sound isolation
No option here has active noise cancellation, but these buds are the best we've tested for passive noise isolation – and they have excellent, well-balanced sound too.
I've been testing and reporting on audio products since 2012, back when wired earbuds were still the norm for most people. I've used everything from Apple's cheap bundled iPhone buds up to elite custom-fit professional in-ear monitors or planar magnetic audiophile masterpieces. I worked with our reviewers and editors on the testing and selection of wired earbuds for the list, based on our real-world experience and preferences.
The best wired earbuds of 2024
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The best wired earbuds for most people
✅ You want a reliable pair of buds: With good sound and noise isolation and a pleasing design for a low price, you can't go wrong.
✅ Style matters to you: With rose gold accents and a cool angular design, we love how these buds look.
❌ You want the best sound: You'll be pleasantly surprised by the sound here, but it's not the best money can buy.
❌ You like a premium experience: These buds are way more premium than they should be at this price, but the remote and cable could be improved.
We first reviewed the 1MORE Triple Driver earphones in 2017, but the wired world moves slowly, and these buds have stood the test of time, so they're still our recommendation for most people, given that they cost in the $50/£50-$70/£70 range (depending on discounts).
You'll find better audio quality in something like the Shure AONIC 3 or Sennheiser IE 200, but you'll pay a lot more for it. The Triple Driver buds deliver big, bold and enjoyable audio, considering their price and size. In our review, we wrote: "Music is exquisitely detailed with a good sense of space." This observation still rings true today despite the fact that we've tested hundreds more buds since then. There isn't ANC here, but the buds create a nice seal, which we found during our testing helps to provide a surprising amount of passive noise isolation. In our review, we wrote: "It's more than enough to drown out the world during your commute."
Made from aluminum with rose gold accents – don't worry, not the too-pink kind – these buds look and feel much more premium than their price tag. They have a slightly angled design and come with a choice of silicone and foam ear tips, contributing to their comfortable and snug fit. However, they did stick out from our ears a little during testing. They also have a cable that's sheathed in fabric for added durability, but this caught a little during testing, while a simple but effective three-button remote works fine, but has a cheaper, plasticky feel.
Boasting a bold sound, excellent build quality, and a wallet-friendly price, the 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Earphones offer exceptional value. Whether you're a casual listener or in need of a reliable backup when your true wireless buds run out of battery, these earphones are a solid choice.
Read our full 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Earphones review
The best budget wired earbuds
✅ You're on a budget: These buds sound extremely good for their cheap price.
✅ You care about looks: They may be cheap, but they have a premium look and feel that belies their price.
❌ You want the best sound: At this price, there are imperfections – the 1MORE are a step up.
❌ You care about pumping bass: Again, sound isn't stellar here but bass is particularly lacking.
The SoundMagic E11C's audio performance will not blow you away compared to the higher-priced models here, but for under $50/£40, that's okay with us. They're our top cheap pick, ideal for casual listeners who want a reliable pair of wired earbuds that sound good and look premium on a budget.
In our review, we described the design as "expensive and elegant", especially considering their low price – they had us fooled. They're made from aluminum and have dark silver styling, and the buds themselves are small and unobtrusive. During our testing, we found them comfortable and they didn't come loose with movement, so we'd bet most people will find them snug and stable, even during long listening sessions. There's an in-line remote on the cable that has the basics covered and is highly responsive.
A copper cable with silver plating attaches the buds to your music source. It's also coated in TPE, a thermoplastic rubber, which makes it durable and prevents it from tangling in your pocket.
We found the sound to be solid and enjoyable, even at higher volumes. In our review, we wrote: "For casual listeners, the audio quality is fine, especially when you consider the low price." Thanks to a decent seal, we found that noise isolation worked well, blocking out some but not all ambient noise. Manage your expectations, and you'll be pleasantly surprised by this cheap, reliable and nice-looking pair of buds from SoundMagic.
Read our full SoundMagic E11C review
The best step-up wired earbuds
✅ You want great sound: Sound is clear and really packs a punch – they're a big cut above the cheaper buds here.
✅ You like a discreet design: The way the IE 200's wires hide behind your ears is a neat look.
❌ You want a mic/remote: You don't get one here (though you can buy one separately), so look to the Shure Aonic 3 at #8 on the list if that's important out of the box.
❌ You want a premium look: There's no doubt they're stylish, but the plastic casing doesn't scream luxury.
If you're ready to step up to something more audiophile-grade, get the Sennheiser IE 200. These wired earbuds look good and prove you don't need to spend a small fortune for high-fidelity sound, coming in at under $150/£130.
The Sennheiser IE 200 simply sound excellent. In our review, we wrote that they: "Stoke up excitement with weighty, immersive audio that instantly captures your attention." We noted that sound is smooth and balanced across the range, even when the volume is turned up high. Bass doesn't get super deep. But we did note in testing that "it still hits with a strong level of intensity on tracks centered around low-frequency sounds."
They're also dual-tunable. This means you can put the ear tips all the way onto the earbud or put them at an "outer" position, both of which serve up different sound signatures. We really enjoyed testing these settings to find our favorite. Thanks to the design of the buds, there's also good noise isolation, especially if you use the foam ear tips, but don't expect them to block out all sounds like a pair of active noise cancelling buds.
The buds are small, light and minimal, weighing only 4g each. They're attached to flexible wires that bend behind your ears and come with a selection of both foam and silicone tips. During our testing, we found it easy to get the right fit, and they were comfortable enough for long listening sessions. They look good, the buds have a clean, curved design, and the cable is silver and braided in a chain-like design we described as "classy" in our review. Added bonus points for the fact it didn't get tangled, and it's detachable if you want to replace it. The only problem here is the lack of an in-line controller and mic in the box, which may be a frustration if you'll use them for calls, or when on the move. You can buy a cable from Sennheiser that adds this, but it costs around half as much as the headphones themselves.
With fantastic all-round sound and a nice design, these buds are a great mid-range option if you want quality but don't want to spend high-end prices.
Read our full Sennheiser IE 200 review
The best USB-C wired earbuds overall
✅ You want hi-res sound: You won't get super high-end sound, but it's incredibly impressive for the price.
✅ You want small, discrete earbuds: These are very small for something that sounds great and has a built-in DAC.
❌ You like listening to loud music: They don't go super-loud, so if you like to crank up the sound, look elsewhere.
❌ You'll use them when active a lot: Some cable noise stops us from being able to recommend these for exercise, especially running.
The SoundMagic E80D earbuds deliver hi-res audio in a wired design that's built to connect to any music source with USB-C, like the iPhone 15 series, the best Android phones, or the best laptops.
The headline feature of the SoundMagic E80D buds is that they have a built-in digital-to-analogue converter (DAC), so they can take high-quality digital audio straight from your phone or laptop, at up to 24-bit/96kHz. Comparing them to the DAC-less Skullcandy Set USB-C at #5 in the list during testing, we noticed a significant jump in quality with the SoundMagic buds. The audio is clear and detailed, and can get powerful with well-defined bass. The only downside we noted in our review is that they don't get as loud as we'd like, so may be overcome by external sounds in large environments, although we said "I was surprised at how good the E80D's noise isolation was given their price tag" in our review, so it's not too bad.
The buds are lightweight at 16g, and thanks to a choice of ear gels that come with them, you should get a good fit. During testing, we happily wore them for hours at a time. They're not particularly interesting to look at, but their small size will be welcome for lots of people, and the design of the cable is cool, silver, and kind of twisted-looking. We did experience some annoying cable noise during testing, which isn't a dealbreaker since it was fine when we weren't moving, but it was worse when we were walking.
Overall, the SoundMagic E80D earbuds offer great value for their price. They are our top choice for those seeking hi-res sound in a USB-C-friendly design. With these buds, you can expect fantastic audio quality, impressive noise isolation, and a comfortable fit.
Read our full SoundMagic E80D review
The best cheaper USB-C wired earbuds
✅ You value comfort: Easy to wear for long periods with no irritation or discomfort – a rarity for buds this cheap.
✅ You want to keep the price down: These are basically the cheapest earbuds here, and still sound good.
❌ You want them for walking: The in-line remote isn't great for using on the move and you might notice cable sounds, too.
❌ You want quality sound: The sound here is fine, but not great – the SoundMagic E80D at #4 on the list is a good step up in detail and range for not much more money.
The SoundMagic E80D buds above are our top USB-C pick, but if you're on a tight budget and need a more affordable option, then the Skullcandy Set USB-C are cheaper and still good quality overall. We have tested USB-C buds that are even cheaper than this, but we didn't think they were good enough to truly recommend – you'd be putting up with them, not enjoying them. These are actually good, though.
The Skullcandy Set USB-C only cost $31.99/£29.99 (about AU$50), which is incredibly affordable. Considering this price, the audio is good. In our review, we wrote that the buds "offer pretty good all-round sound," especially compared to other budget buds, which tend to be tinny and unpleasant. You won't find that here. The sound is far from great, but it is enjoyable. The buds come with interchangeable ear gels, which should give you a good seal to provide some noise isolation. In our review, we said that they won't completely nix sounds like a pair of the best noise cancelling earbuds, but "they definitely do a solid job of keeping you tuned into your music."
The Skullcandy Set USB-C buds not only provide a snug fit but also offer exceptional comfort, even during extended wear. Our reviewer wore them while working and commuting more or less constantly for two days without experiencing any discomfort or irritation. The design, while minimal, exudes a refined feel that belies its affordable price, with sleek, curved styling and a choice of colors. The buds also feature an in-line controller, although its functionality is limited. The buds are also IPX4-rated, ensuring they can withstand light rain showers or sweaty workout sessions without any issues – most of the options here aren't rated for rain at all.
While the Skullcandy Set USB-C buds may not deliver top-tier sound or a high-end experience, they are a reliable and affordable option. If you're looking for a budget-friendly way to enjoy music via USB-C, these buds are a solid choice.
Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review
The best premium wired earbuds
✅ You want audiophile-grade sound: The audio quality here is exceptional and they should impress the most attentive listeners.
✅ You want ultimate durability: Made from super-durable ZR01 amorphous zirconium, they'll resist corrosion and scratching.
❌ You're trying to spend less: These are premium buds with a price tag to match, there are plenty of high-quality, cheaper alternatives on the market.
❌ You want wired buds for workouts: With no in-line remote it's a little frustrating to use them when walking or working out.
The Sennheiser IE 200 at #3 on the list are our step-up pick for audiophiles, but if you want a true premium experience, make that step a leap to the Sennheiser IE 600. A pricey pair of buds that deliver stunning sound in spades.
The Sennheiser IE 600 sound phenomenal and perform fantastically well across all frequencies. In our review, we wrote: "They excel in tying several sonic elements together into a beautiful work of art, with exceptionally clear and beautifully balanced audio." It's hard to fault the high-end audio experience you're getting here, particularly if you enjoy powerful low frequencies. The bass here seriously impresses. During our testing, we listened to Black Eye by Allie X, and our reviewer commented: "I was wowed by the rapid pumping of the drum machine as the bassline dipped to impressive depths."
The IE 600 buds look as stunning as they sound with textured metal casing. They're durable – made from the same material as the drilling head of NASA's Mars Rover – but are also small and light at only 6g per bud. Throughout our testing, the fit was spot on and comfortable, with a design that fits around your ear and a choice of foam and gel tips. We found the foam ones were the best and delivered a decent level of noise isolation, too.
The cable is gray and minimal. It's fine, but we prefer the silver look and feel of the cable that comes with the much cheaper IE 200s (not that this would really sway you – it's just a shame). Unfortunately, there's no in-line mic and remote on the cable – not a dealbreaker but also not ideal if you want easy control on the move, or to make them part of your working setup. It has a 3.5mm connector, but it also comes with a 4.4mm option and a hard carry case.
In our review, we wrote that these buds are built for hardcore audiophiles. As you'd expect, they have an equally hardcore price tag, coming in at $799 / £699 / AU$1,199. However, we've seen them regularly available for more like $499 / £499, / AU$970 from big retailers, so if your budget can stretch and you want to invest in excellent-quality wired buds that sound fantastic and should last for years, they're an exceptional choice.
Read our full Sennheiser IE 600 review
The best elite wired earbuds
✅ You value a premium design and finish: If you like your tech products to look high-end and interesting, you'll love these.
✅ You have a source of high-end music: You'll need a proper music player to really make the most of what the FiiO FH19 have to offer.
❌ You have smaller ears: You get 22 pairs of ear tips to try and customize your fit, but they're not the smallest or lightest buds we've tested.
❌ You want a simple, no-fuss option: Trialling all of the ear tips, finding the right audio filter and switching between connections is a lot of fuss.
The FiiO FH19 are a pair of wired in-ear monitors that aim high. By FiiO standards, these earbuds come with a big price tag, and it’s clear that the brand has gone all out with specs, design, and audio performance. They're very deserving of our 'best elite' title, showcasing FiiO's commitment to top-tier quality.
There’s a lot of audio tech to shout about here. The earbuds have a dynamic driver and balanced armature arrangement, and each earbud features an impressive eight drivers, working together to create an enjoyable and detailed listening experience. The company has collaborated with specialized manufacturers to ensure every component contributes to the best possible sound quality. They come with a 1.2m high-purity sterling silver cable, which connects to the buds using stainless steel MMCX connectors. You can link them to your music source using either the included twist-lock unbalanced 3.5mm jack or the balanced 4.4mm jack, making them versatile for different setups.
The FiiO FH19 have a premium design, featuring a mix of aluminum and titanium, which gives them a solid and impressive build quality. However, the earbuds are on the larger side,. They come with an incredible 22 pairs of ear tips to help you find the ideal fit, but even with all these options, their size and weight may not be suitable for everyone. If you have smaller ears or often struggle with earbuds staying in place, these may not be the best choice. They’re also far from subtle – they’re likely to stick out of most ears.
However, for those with average-sized ears who don't mind the prominent look, these buds can offer a secure and comfortable fit. The ergonomic housing helps keep them snug, and the earbuds also include interchangeable audio filters, allowing you to fine-tune your listening experience. Though switching filters is a bit of a hassle, it adds to the overall premium and customized feel.
The FiiO FH19 offer an informative, and agile sound profile, making them ideal for those who value detail and clarity. In our review, we wrote: "A 24bit/44,1kHz FLAC file of Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, for instance, sounds energetic, wide-open and rapid." However, the high frequencies can be a bit too lively, becoming abrasive at higher volumes. The semi-open configuration of the earbuds provides an expansive soundstage, making them feel less confined compared to other in-ear monitors.
The FiiO FH19 are high-end earbuds with the design, build quality, and specs to justify their price. They aren't without their flaws. The bulky design and issues at the high end of the frequency range may be deal-breakers for some. However, for those seeking premium tech and a luxurious experience, these earbuds deliver.
Read our full FiiO FH19 review
The best ultra elite wired earbuds
✅ You want a unique sound experience: These buds are unlike anything else. Want to feel challenged and surprised? Give them a go.
✅ You want a premium-looking design: These things looked like they've been forged in a mythical fire deep beneath the earth.
❌ You are on any kind of budget: The only real issue with these earbuds is that they cost $2,670 / £2,669 / AU$3,779, but that is quite an issue.
❌ You want a very neutral sound: Do you want to hear music as it was intended? You might find Campfire has tweaked it too much here.
If you’re looking for the ultimate in audio excellence from a pair of wired earbuds and like to stand out from the crowd, then let us introduce you to the wonderfully unique Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon (what a mouthful, eh?). They sound incredible, look stunning and cost a small fortune.
Let’s get something clear. These Campfire earbuds deliver absolutely mind-blowing sound. But it’s also a surprising sound as Campfire intentionally shakes things up. In our review, we wrote: “There’s something very distinctive and unique about Campfire Audio’s talent in shaping sound.” This looks like an incredibly revealing listen, presenting nuances through the frequency range and taking the listener on a music journey, even through tracks they already know well. Our review said: “They're some of the best earbuds I've tested in terms breadth and texture through the lowers mids.” The result is one amazingly immersive experience, that “feels as if the audio has escaped beyond its beautiful enclosures and wrapped itself around your head, down into your shoulders and actually under each ear.” It's not the kind of uncolored, neutral sound that some audiophiles crave, so be fairly warned – but we absolutely loved it.
Everything about these buds is distinctive, including their design. During our testing we decided that they have a steampunk-style look thanks to their stainless steel housing and an unusual gold inlay. They’re not the smallest of buds, but Campfire has slimmed down the size of the driver housing since its previous buds, the discontinued Solaris. This revamped design has made the fit more snug and secure. Our review commented: “They snake happily and comfortably around my ear and their translucent nature means they won't clash with fashion choices.” The cable has silver-plated conductors ending in 2.5mm balanced, 2.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced connections. The best news? It’s almost impossible to get them tangled.
Want to hear unexpected secrets from your much-loved music? The Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon earbuds deliver an exciting and surprising sonic performance that will delight audiophiles and those looking for a truly unique experience. Of course, you’ll have to pay a huge amount for this unique experience at $2,670 / £2,669 / AU$3,779. But sonically, these earbuds are unlike any other.
Read our full Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon review
The best wired earbuds for sound isolation
✅ You want audiophile sound for a mid price: They're capable of delivering beautifully balanced audio for a decent price, especially compared to rivals.
✅ You want customizable choices: Choose your ear tips, bend the wires, detach the cable, there's a lot you can do.
❌ You want a quick and easy fit: We found them comfortable but some trial and error got us there.
❌ You like heavy bass: There's clear and controlled bass here, but the buds don’t deliver the impactful bass performance some prefer.
Most of the wired earbuds in this list do a surprisingly good job at isolating noise, thanks to a snug fit and a choice of ear tips. But if we had to recommend just one pair for those looking for top noise isolation (bearing in mind that none of these offers active noise cancellation), then we’d pick the Shure AONIC 3. These customizable, audiophile-friendly earbuds deliver excellent, balanced sound and are good at keeping many of the loudest ambient sounds at bay.
The Shure AONIC 3 deliver a balanced and full-range sound profile. In our review, we wrote that they “elegantly capture the essence of complex, layered audio and unearth subtle sonic details to produce a fantastic listening experience.” The only downside is that bass frequencies are not as impactful as we expected. But mid-range tones are rich with powerful vocals, blaring electric guitars and impactful percussion. As we’ve already clarified, these are our top picks for noise isolation, and we said: “While in the office, I heard little to nothing other than the music playing from these buds (at 50% volume), and was massively impressed by their ability to keep unwanted distractions at bay.”
They’re not the best-looking buds. They’ve got a chunky controller (though at least they have one, unlike Sennheiser's options) and Y-cable, but the earbuds themselves look sleek, giving you a stylish and modern look. We also found their fit to be comfortable. They slip behind the ear like many of the other mid- to high-end range buds in the list. We found that this makes for a discrete and clean look. The wrap-around design also ensures cable noise is kept to a minimum. They’re also comfortable and come with a range of foam and gel ear tips so you can find the size that best suits you.
There are other ways to customize these earbuds: they can be inserted into one of the included adapters for use in 6.3mm jacks, and the buds are detachable, which means you can get a wireless adapter for them and listen via Bluetooth.
These buds deliver some excellent high-end sound and great noise isolation in a plain but comfortable design all for a decent mid-range price. If you want wired buds that are the best choice for blocking out sounds, you can’t go wrong.
Read our full Shure AONIC 3 review
Other wired earbuds we've tested
We test many earbuds here at TechRadar, but only the best ones make our guide. Although we still think it's worth mentioning other wired earbuds we've reviewed recently that fell short in some way. With this information you either know to avoid these buds or, if you're looking for something a bit different outside of the parameters of what we'd think of as 'best', you may want to consider them.
EarPods USB-C: These EarPods are a blast from the past for those who have always had an iPhone. This version comes with USB-C and you do get the distinctive Apple-esque design and a sleek controller at a low price. But the audio quality is only fine and any external noise easily seeps into your listening experience. Read our EarPods USB-C review to find out more. But essentially, these buds aren't bad, we just think you can do better.
Belkin Soundform Wired Earbuds: As you'll see from our Belkin Soundform Wired Earbuds review, these wired earbuds might be cheap., but unfortunately, there's a reason for that. We found the sound here to be tinny during our testing. The mic also wasn't up to scratch and the design isn't particularly nice. You will find good noise isolation and IPX5 waterproofing, but that doesn't mean much when the sound is poor.
How to choose the best wired earbuds for you
Although all of the best wired earbuds in this guide may look physically similar, they’re not created equal and not all of them will work with your personal preferences, needs and budget. What we mean by that is if you need a pair of earbuds for running or the gym, you’ll need at least IPX4 water resistance so they can withstand rain and sweat – only the Skullcandy Set USB-C would be right for you.
Preferences: How do you plan on using your earbuds? If you’re going to be wearing them for a long time, maybe to focus at work or when you’re studying, you’ll need to consider comfort and weight. We took these factors into account during our testing, specifying whether they feel lightweight and if they come with a selection of ear tips for comfort and customization.
You might also prefer a more durable build. Especially if you want to wear them to the gym or tend to throw your tech into your bag and don’t want to worry about anything breaking. High-quality materials, including metal casing and reinforced cables, are good for durability. If you don’t like getting into a tangle, also look for a braided, tangle-free cable, which is easier to manage. Will you be wearing them when you’re walking? You might also want to consider earbuds with a mic on that cable so you don’t have to keep checking your phone.
Needs: As well as figuring out your preferences, there are certain things you don’t just want from your wired earbuds, but you need. Like getting the right connection. This is massively important and that’s why we've highlighted which of our options use USB-C for connecting to headphone-jack-less phones, and which will also work with laptops and other digital devices. Most of our picks use a 3.5mm jack, but some come with other sizes of jack for those with one of the best headphone DACs or one of the best portable music players where these are an option.
Another factor we’d describe as a need rather than simply a preference is noise isolation. Wired earbuds don’t come with active noise cancellation. But they are able to block out some ambient sounds, depending on the quality of their fit. If you plan on listening at work or on public transport, this is an important consideration.
Budget: You’ll want to consider sound quality, of course, and that often comes down to budget. It’s not always the case, but as a general rule, the more you spend, the better things will be. But you certainly get diminishing returns: there's a bigger difference going from cheap Skullcandy buds to mid-range Sennheiser buds, than from those mid-range buds to higher-end options. But those who really love music will hear the difference, so it's all about your budget and what you can realistically afford.
The best wired earbuds FAQs
What are the best USB-C wired earbuds?
The SoundMagic E80D are our top USB-C wired earbuds pick. You'll get hi-res sound thanks to a built-in digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) and an immersive experience thanks to decent noise isolation. The buds are lightweight at 16g, and thanks to a choice of ear gels that come with them, you should get a good fit.
If you want a cheaper option, the Skullcandy Set USB-C are our top budget USB-C wired earbuds choice. The sound is far from great, which you'd expect at this price, but they do boast an enjoyable and comfortable listen with a nice design.
Do wired earbuds have better sound quality?
The question of whether wired earbuds have better sound quality compared to wireless earbuds depends on several factors.
First up, wired earbuds benefit from a direct connection to your audio source. This can sometimes result in higher fidelity audio that sounds clearer and more detailed. Wireless earbuds can also suffer from latency issues and additional compression of audio files.
Obviously, elite wireless earbuds will sound better than cheap wired earbuds, so it really all comes down to value. Wireless earbuds have a lot more technology in them, and that costs money, whereas wired earbuds can put it all into the sound.
If you have two pairs of earbuds at the same price, one wired and one wireless, you'll almost certainly find that the wired earbuds sound better. For example, you can get a mid-range mainstream pair of wireless buds from Beats for the same price as the Sennheiser IE 200, but the IE 200 are really pushing audiophile grades of sound quality, and the Beats are not.
What are the disadvantages of wired earbuds?
While wired earbuds offer several advantages, they also come with certain disadvantages that might make them less appealing. The main difference between wired and wireless earbuds is, as you'd expect, the wire. The presence of a cable can sometimes be annoying, especially when you're exercising or commuting, or if it gets tangled in a bag or pocket.
Wired buds also have limited connectivity options. Which means you may need to rely on adapters of choose USB-C or Lightning wired earbuds, depending on your phone, which aren't universally compatible.
Wired earbuds also don't tend to have as many high-end features, like active noise cancellation, advanced apps with EQ settings and sound profiles and much more. So while wired earbuds work better for some people and usually sound better for the price, they're not guaranteed to give you a better experience or level of convenience.
Are wired earbuds healthier than wireless?
There are two questions here: one is about hearing health, and one is about electromagnetic radiation from wireless signals.
Wireless earbuds use Bluetooth, which emits low levels of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. The levels are safe by regulatory standards and safe for humans, there is no danger from using wireless earbuds.
Hearing health is more complicated. Many people listen to their headphones too loud for the long-term health of their hearing, and so hearing issues are on the rise among younger people (you can read more from the American Osteopathic Association). This is where active noise cancellation can be a big advantage: by reducing the impact of outside sounds, people can listen to their music at a lower volume, protection long-term hearing health.
Wired earbuds generally don't include active noise cancellation, so you would need to push the volume higher in order to hear as well. So if you'll use headphones on your commute or other loud places, the best wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation are arguably better for your hearing health.
How can I use wired earbuds with my USB-C phone?
Using wired earbuds with your USB-C phone can be simple, but it can sometimes require additional accessories depending on the type of earbuds you have.
The easiest way is to buy buds that have a USB-C connector. They're made to plug directly into your phone's USB-C port without any adapters. Most phones will recognize the device and switch the audio output to the earbuds.
If you already have high-quality 3.5mm wired earbuds you want to keep, you can use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. Just be sure to check that the adapter is compatible with your phone model.
How we test the best wired earbuds
Every pair of earbuds in this list has been tested by our expert reviewers extensively. We ensure they have several hours to run-in before we assess them, to make sure they're performing at their full quality, and then we test them using various devices and source material.
Our primary in-house testing equipment is a Fiio M11S – our currently pick as the best hi-res music player for most people, with high-quality components – with Tidal streaming as a source, ensuring that we're listening to music in very high quality. Our reviewers will listen to a broad range of music, but we ask them to listen to a particular playlist of tracks too, to ensure some consistency and points of comparison between different models. Our full explanation of how we test earbuds at TechRadar includes that tracklist, so you can see it for yourself and listen along, with tips on what we're listening out for.
It's not just about pure sound quality, of course. We are pay attention to the passive noise isolation offered by these headphones, and we'll try the different tip types, if they come with them. We'll also use them in different environments and at different levels of activity, partly to test the fit, and partly to see if any noise from cable movement is transferred to the earbuds, interfering with the sound.
We're judging them on design aspects too – how well-balanced they feel sitting in the ear, whether the cable catches or tangles easily, the build quality of the in-line controller (if they have one), and whether the connections all seem solid.
We've tested many more earbuds beyond what's here, and made direct comparisons between them and the ones we've chosen to ensure that we're only recommending the best options for different needs.
