Since I reluctantly hung up my dance shoes (and then enthusiastically became a full-time audio writer) in 2019, the category of best earbuds has absolutely blown up – production of the once truly niche 'open earbuds' category alone has gone up 400% in 2025.
Despite having reviewed more than 170 audio products myself (do note that TechRadar’s legacy stretches much further back; our team has been testing earbuds since 2006 and we’ve tested more than 300 pairs to date) I can barely keep up with every box-fresh pair that lands on my desk in 2025, and I'm quite nippy. But I can tell you that the landscape has never been more varied, affordable, or competitive. And all of that is great for us, the music-lovers and kitchen dancers looking to buy a set.
Know this: every set of earbuds in this guide has been through TechRadar's intense earbuds testing process and has received a fully star-rated review for you to peruse at length. I want you to have the best set that your budget can accommodate. Because, to paraphrase the opening line of one of my favorite musicals, the choosing of earbuds is a difficult matter…
I know wireless buds are oh-so-convenient, but because this is me I've also included a few standout wired models. I mean, maybe you're curious about the kind of hi-res audio that streaming sites such as Qobuz, Apple Music and Tidal offer and that Bluetooth connectivity still can't quite manage? I fully support that – I welcome it, in fact.
My current top pick in terms of wireless earbuds is the Technics EAH-AZ100, offering unique triple-device multipoint (doesn't sound much, but soon becomes essential as you use them) and excellent audio quality. Or, in the budget category, for well under $100/£100 the Nothing Ear (a) still stand out for their unbeatable value at the level (especially since the newer Ear (3) landed).
In fact, if you're shopping on a tighter budget, head to my best budget wireless earbuds guide or take a look at my best cheap headphones roundup. Otherwise, keep reading. And above all, don't forget to dance while you listen – if we're cutting the cord, we have to make the most of it.
⭣ Read more
Why you can trust TechRadar's choices
All of the earbuds in this guide have been tested by TechRadar – guided and assigned by me, Becky Scarrott, TechRadar's Audio Editor. I work with our Managing Editor for Entertainment, Matt Bolton, to craft our buying guides, and between us we have decades of combined experience in the audio tech industry.
We worked with our expert reviewers on a process that combines objective and comparative testing, including ANC performance, clarity, and battery longevity, with the all-important subjective listening experience, because you can't judge how earbuds truly sound or feel based on numbers alone.
I've reviewed over 170 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
4 November, 2025
Replaced the Apple AirPods Pro 2 with the newer AirPods Pro 3 and renamed this category as 'Best for (Apple) features'. Added details into our Nothing Ear (a) entry about the newer Nothing Ear (3) buds. Removed our 'best for Samsung' category and took out the Galaxy Buds Pro 3, switching them for a new 'Best affordable audiophile buy' category and featured the SoundPeats H3 as our top pick. Took out the 1More Triple Driver buds in our 'Best wired buds' slot and replaced them with the Meze Audio Alba. Added a bunch of recently tested options to our 'Also consider' section, including the Creative Aurvana Ace 3 and JLab Go Pods ANC.
The quick list
Want to cut straight to the best earbuds around? You'll find a roundup of our top choices here. You can jump to a more in-depth write-up for each product, and see the latest deals on them.
The best earbuds overall
Delivering detailed sound with triple-point connectivity and now an even smaller earpiece, Technics' follow up flagship earbuds somehow manage to better their superb initial effort – no small feat. Highly recommended.
The best budget wireless earbuds
Yes, they've recently been superseded by the Ear (3) – but that just means they're now even cheaper. Think energetic, detailed sound quality and the best ANC I've heard for well under $100/£100. Also, the design looks much pricier than it is.
The best mid-range earbuds
A solid pair of sleek buds that really put sound quality center stage, but back it up with great specs and effective ANC all for a surprisingly low price. Know this: you'll find exceptional sound-per-pound value here.
The best earbuds for noise cancellation
Bose has always done active noise cancellation very well, and the newest version of these buds is as good as you can get for noise-nixing. They also boast excellent device-agnostic head-tracked immersive audio and lossless support.
The best earbuds for (Apple) features
With hugely upgraded ANC, an on-board heart-rate monitor, live translation powered by Apple Intelligence and more, these are the most feature-packed earbuds you can buy – as long as (and I really need you to note this) you use a newer iPhone.
The best affordable earbuds for audiophiles
If you want excellent audio in a wireless design (I'm talking flagship audio codec support for entry-level money), these are those buds. The case is a bit big and the design is, well, quirky, but the sound quality is impossible to ignore.
Load the next products…
The best for battery life
Up to 12 hours from just the buds or up to 48 hours (yes, two whole days!) in total is some serious stamina in earbuds. Oh, and there's also a smart screen on the case that you can put a photo on – cute!
The best earbuds for premium sound
Expect a thoroughly high-end experience here, with delightful, detailed and dynamic sound, strong noise cancellation, and a comfortable fit for long listening sessions. Want earbuds that offer supreme pride in ownership? These are they.
The best open earbuds
Open earbuds (as you might know) don't penetrate your ear canal, but these deliver unusually good sound to match those in-ear buds and with a greater awareness of what's around you. They're truly secure and very well-priced, too.
The best wired earbuds
These affordable wired IEMs offer impressive detail, strong bass, a comfortable fit and a classy build quality, all at a relatively affordable price. They're an ideal entry-level pick for audiophiles, and the best wired pair we’ve tested at the level.
The best cheap USB-C wired buds
A pair of wired buds that deliver comfortable listening, decent sound and a sleek design – if you need budget wired buds, (perhaps a second pair for a coat pocket or digital audio player, for supreme USB-C passthrough) these are my go-to pick.
The best earbuds of 2025
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best earbuds in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best earbuds overall
✅ You need the best sound around: Like their older siblings, there’s nothing artificial about the way the Technics EAH-AZ100 sound; they offer a convincingly detailed and dynamic listen whatever music we feed them.
✅ You want to switch between devices: Triple-point connectivity is a world-first in a product like this, and it’s brilliantly convenient
❌ You need earbuds that last long into the night: Even at its best, the battery life available here is nothing special, though it's not bad.
❌ You need the ultimate in ANC: There are many less-capable noise-cancelling earbuds, but if silence is imperative look to the Bose buds at #4 on this list.
The 2025-issue Technics EAH-AZ100 buds feel premium (because they are), are packed with features, offer triple-point connectivity, a lovely small earpiece and a sound that really needs to be heard to be believed in a wireless design.
In pretty much every aspect we tested, the Technics EAH-AZ100 made a rock-solid case for themselves, solidifying Technics' spot at the top of the wireless earbuds tree. They look excellent, their control options work flawlessly, comfort is impressive, and they sound engaging, exciting and thoroughly musical. From their thorough specification (which covers everything from adaptive ANC to Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with LDAC compatibility) to a design that's smaller, lighter and yet somehow no less premium in look and feel to their slightly bigger EAH-AZ80 siblings, the Technics EAH-AZ100 are ready to do battle – and for us, they win out in almost every respect.
Unless you prefer stellar battery life or bubble-of-silence noise-cancellation over top-tier sound quality, the EAH-AZ100 are the real deal. One other thing of note while we're on the topic of noise cancelling: we'd advise keeping it switched on to get the best quality audio (and here we assure you, you won't be disappointed). Switch ANC off and the punchy, beautifully-handled low frequencies somehow lose a modicum of bite and substance somehow, which is why they didn't achieve the full five stars despite their considerable sonic talents, comfort and features.
Read our full Technics EAH-AZ100 review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | Balanced, vibrant and detailed, but low frequencies do lose some substance with ANC off. | 4.5/5 |
Fit & comfort | Small, light and five ear tips ensure a perfect fit, you'll also find responsive voice and touch controls. | 5/5 |
Value | Premium buds through and through with tactile materials, let down only with ANC turned off, which isn't a deal-breaker. | 4.5/5 |
The best budget earbuds
✅ You want strong noise cancellation: At this price, this is the best noise-blocking power we've heard.
✅ You're serious about sound: These are a fun and responsive set of buds, with wireless hi-res support via LDAC as a bonus.
❌ You really want spatial audio: It's not here, but the similarly priced Sony WF-C710N will give it to you (well, those offer Sony 360 Reality support)
❌ You need a big battery life: The 5.5-hour battery with ANC is not very impressive – the Sony earbuds mentioned above offer up to 7.5 hours.
The Nothing Ear (a) rocketed the company from being an audio also-ran to 'these are the best value buds you can get for the price' – and that goes double following reductions in price. As an added bonus, they're available in black, white or a fun yellow color too.
They were our top mid-range pick here for a while, but they've since fallen in price, which means you can now find them for around $75/£65 and sometimes even less. As I wrote in my review: "For the money, Nothing has tweaked its recipe to near perfection here" – the sound is as detailed and agile as you could want from earbuds at this price, and is great fun to listen to.
The noise cancellation is as good as I've tested for the price. You also get smart features such as wearer detection (to auto-pause them when you take them out), multi-point pairing for instant switching between devices, a Find My mode and LDAC higher-res support over Bluetooth. The only thing missing is device agnostic spatial audio, but that's hardly standard on very affordable buds even now, is it?
The 5.5-hour battery life is the only element that's a tad below average, honestly, but I think we can totally live with that – though if you want longer, look at the Sony WF-C710N.
While I'm mentioning other buds, it's worth flagging that these have been superseded by the Nothing Ear (3). The newer set are very good (yes, I reviewed them too), but they're almost double the price. What I'm trying to say is that it's tough to justify the extra outlay when the Ear (a) – the model you're looking at here – exist.
Read our full Nothing Ear (a) review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | As meaty, fun, zealous and accurate as this money buys – even then they're excellent value. | 4/5 |
Fit & comfort | Extremely comfortable to wear in a small and pocketable design. They're also very fun and stylish to look at. | 5/5 |
Value | Solid sound-per-pound value here, especially considering you can now find them much cheaper than they were at launch. | 5/5 |
The best mid-range earbuds
✅ You use a high-quality audio source: With top-tier codec support and superb sound, the A100 will make your music sound excellent.
✅ You like a clean look: The slim, pocket-friendly case here won’t bulk out your clothes – sleek earbuds for a sleek outfit.
❌ You want all the extras: If you're after heart-rate monitoring or spatial audio, other earbuds offer more bells and whistles.
❌ You love bold colors: If black and white don’t excite you, you’ll find more vibrant options elsewhere at a similar price.
If you want energetic and enjoyable audio without spending a fortune, the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 earbuds are well worth your time. They offer a rare mix of premium features, long battery life and clear, detailed sound, all at a mid-range price that feels like a steal.
The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 buds deliver impressive clarity and energy across the board and with support for high-end codecs LDAC and aptX Lossless. They’re tuned with the kind of balance and layering only true audiophiles take the time to ensure (make no mistake, this is Cambridge's obsession), avoiding the bloated or muddied bass you can get at this level. While the low-end can occasionally feel slightly separate from the mids, the overall tuning is lively and musical, with sparkling highs and an open, expressive midrange.
ANC is surprisingly capable too – not quite Bose-level, but excellent for the price, and it offers an excellent backdrop for the sound. Battery life is another win here, offering up to 11 hours per charge with ANC off (a more-standard 6.5 hours with it on – although still above average) and up to 39 hours total with the case. Fast charging via USB-C gives you over three hours of playback from a 10-minute top-up too, which is handy if you're always on the move.
Design-wise, they're not winning any originality awards but the A100 have that stem-style shape and keep things clean and compact. They’re light, comfortable and secure in the ear, with IPX5 water resistance for workouts and rain showers. The slim charging case is easy to slip into a pocket, though the buds can be slightly fiddly to remove from it. Touch controls are responsive, and Cambridge’s Melomania app adds lots of personalization – including custom EQ presets and ANC levels. One standout detail is the option to have voice feedback delivered by the actor Matt Berry. It’s niche, sure, but very fun if you’re a fan.
If you want smart, great-sounding earbuds with standout value, the Melomania A100 are some of the best around at this mid-range price. They’re not feature-stuffed like some fitness-focused rivals, and you won’t get flashy color options, but when it comes to pure audio quality and thoughtful design, they punch well above their price tag.
Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | Expect stunning clarity for the money here – easily the best at the level by some degree, with support for high-end codecs, too. | 4.5/5 |
Fit & comfort | Solid, ergonomic, thoughtfully made with a selection of ear tips for a reliable fit and a choice of black or white designs. | 5/5 |
Value | The best sound-per-pound wireless design on the market at this mid-range price. | 5/5 |
The best earbuds for noise cancellation
✅ You want best-in-class ANC: They deliver the most impressive bubble-of-silence noise cancellation we’ve heard in earbuds – even better than the previous model.
✅ You enjoy head-tracked, immersive audio: Choose between fixed or moving spatial sound, paired with your preferred ANC level, for a truly tailored listening experience.
❌ You already own the Ultras: If wireless charging, a new color, and a slight ANC upgrade don’t excite you then you can skip this refresh.
❌ You need long battery life: Battery performance is fine, but rivals like the Technics EAH-AZ100 at the top of this list last significantly longer.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) are my pick for the best noise-cancelling earbuds in this guide, and for good reason. They take the place of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds that came before them and although they perhaps don't add enough to justify an upgrade if you do already have the originals, for everyone else the second iteration is a much better proposition.
So let's start with the ANC, because these buds are great in other ways, but it's the bubble-of-silence ANC that truly sets them apart from the rest. It really is best-in-class – particularly on Android (Apple's newest AirPods Pro 3 are excellent in this department too and even add a fair few features, but only if you're a newer iPhone owner). Rivals at this level might come close, but can't beat them on ANC alone.
There are also different ANC 'modes' to choose from. The same level of battery life is carried over from the originals, which is 6 hours from the buds and 24 hours from the case. However, Bose adds wireless charging this time, as well as a new deep plum colorway.
These buds deliver fantastic audio. In my review, I noted that they're particularly suited to music lovers who want zealous, powerful audio quality – the kind of tuning that delivers an emotional listen. There are also excellent mics for call handling and another top selling point is the immersive, head-tracked audio. You get to choose whether you want your own personal surround-sound performance fixed or moving, and in conjunction with whatever level of ANC you want. They do miss a few features though, including LDAC support.
Design-wise, they're very similar-looking to the older model. One key difference is an 'embedded ear wax guard', which prevents any of the stuff produced naturally by our ears finding its way beyond the casework and into the driver housings. During testing, I didn't have an issue with this, or the fit and comfort; they were stable enough to shake my head, run, go upside down in an aerial silks class – and a fit test ensures you get the best fit and seal so that ANC performs at its best. Then again, the earpieces are still on the larger side, so worth noting if you've got very small ears (and my guide to the best earbuds for small ears is worth a look there) .
They're certainly not cheap, but then we'd never expect a bargain from Bose, especially with noise-nixing this good. Having said that, they might be expensive but they are excellent value if ANC is your top priority. They genuinely cannot be beaten.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2) review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | Immersive audio is wildly fun and engaging but even with all profiles off, the sound is zealous and powerful. | 5/5 |
Fit & comfort | Maybe a little bulky for some still, but there's a good fit test and we found them to be secure and comfortable during testing. | 4.5/5 |
Value | For ANC, they're excellent value as it's best-in-class here. But they're not exactly cheap. | 4.5/5 |
The best earbuds for Apple features
✅ You're into fitness: They track your heart rate, you can ask Siri about your workout and you get Apple's Fitness+ for free if you're not subscribed already.
✅ You want the quietest possible experience: If you've got an iPhone and you want that incredible 'bubble of silence' ANC experience, it doesn't get better than this.
❌ You use Android: Yes, they're packed with features. But step outside of the Apple ecosystem and many of those great features vanish.
❌ You want all-day listening: Battery life here is fine. But even though it's improved over the Pro 2 buds, rivals still go further.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are truly excellent earbuds and the best choice for Apple fans, provided they've a) got the money, and b) got a new Apple Intelligence-supporting iPhone. Active noise cancellation is one of their standout features. The Pro 2 were already great, but ANC has been boosted here to deliver double the bubble – of silence, that is. As I said in my in-depth review, they're "almost scarily good at sucking the noise out of your ear", but without the vacuum effect some solutions fall foul of.
They also include a built-in heart rate monitor, which is great news for fitness fans, plus live translation via Apple Intelligence (again, on newer iPhones) that is extremely useful – and quick – once you've got it set up correctly. As always with Apple's audio tech, you'll need to use them with an iPhone to unlock everything as Apple wants it. Pair them with anything else and you'll be limited to the basics.
Like the Pro 2, battery life is fine (and it is improved here), but can be beaten by rivals in this list. You'll now get up to eight hours with ANC on, dropping to around 6.5 hours with heat-rate tracking. The case is a tiny bit bigger than the previous version and, annoyingly for some, loses the handy reset button – you now have to double-tap the front of the case to do this, which isn't as easy as it sounds. But both buds and case now have an IP57 rating for better durability, which is both unusual and commendable.
Audio performance is frankly fantastic, with an expansive, exuberant soundstage and beautifully textured, three-dimensional vocals. And Apple's own brand of head-tracked Spatial Audio remains one of the company's most impressive tricks – especially with movies. Granted, they're not the last word in detail and neutrality, but that's not the point.
The AirPods Pro 3 are the perfect choice for iPhone users who want the full Apple feature set – and will actually use it, although the AirPods Pro 2 are still well worth considering. With the Pro 3 now out, you can expect some tempting discounts during upcoming sales events.
Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | Awesome sound quality here. It's zealous and powerful. Immersive audio is backed by exceptional ANC, | 4.5/5 |
Fit & comfort | A functional, easy-to-use shape that's been tweaked over previous versions. There are extra ear tips, making them a solid choice for smaller ears. | 4.5/5 |
Value | Packed with high-end features and ANC is the best you'll find for iPhone – though you will need to be locked into the Apple ecosystem. | 4.5/5 |
The best affordable earbuds for audiophiles
✅ You like stemless earbuds: We're sometimes cautious about stemless designs as you can struggle to get a stable fit. But they're secure and comfortable.
✅ You want spacious, detailed audio: Audio is excellent here. If you love crisp, balanced sound over bass-heavy tuning, then these will impress.
❌ You want class-leading ANC: ANC is fine here, but not fantastic. Other buds in this price range will do a better job at shutting out the world.
❌ You like a great companion app: It isn't terrible, but if you like to tweak settings and use in-depth features, it might feel a little limited for you.
The Soundpeats H3 look and sound like earbuds twice their price, making them a seriously competitive mid-range option for audiophiles. Despite a few minor drawbacks in design and some app hiccups, these buds impressed us enough that their sound is impossible to ignore.
What sets them apart is all there, in the specs list. Each bud houses three drivers (Apple’s AirPods, for example, only have one), allowing them to handle the full audio spectrum with impressive balance and precision. The result is vivid, detailed sound with a wide, spacious soundstage and support for a range of high-quality audio codecs. Many affordable buds exaggerate the bass and sacrifice clarity, but not these. For the price, the audio quality really is outstanding.
The Soundpeats H3 buds are small, lightweight and have a distinctive stemless design that fits comfortably and securely, which isn’t always easy with a stemless shape. They also look more premium than you’d expect at this price point. There are some trade-offs though, like a modest IPX5 water-resistance rating and a rather bulky charging case that won’t fit easily in your pocket.
A few problems do stop them from being must-buys for everyone. Battery life is only average at 7 hours and only 5 hours with ANC on. The same goes for ANC. It’s fine but middling and transparency mode also didn’t perform as well as expected. We also ran into occasional connectivity issues with the app. These didn’t affect the sound itself but made accessing extra features less seamless than it could have been.
But the positives far outweigh the negatives. The H3 buds may not pack in every feature but their audio performance more than makes up for that. They deliver rich and articulate sound that genuinely stands out from most same-priced competitors. All at around half the price of other audiophile-grade buds, which is really saying something. These are among the best affordable earbuds we’ve tested all year.
Read our full Soundpeats H3 review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | The specs list doesn't lie, these buds deliver a lovely, neutral sound and support a range of codecs. | 4/5 |
Fit & comfort | Great-looking and lightweight buds in a stemless design. It's a shame the case is a bit big, though. | 4.5/5 |
Value | They're not the cheapest, but they're a lot more affordable than most other equally excellent-sounding buds at this level. | 4/5 |
The best for battery
✅ You take long road trips: The class-leading maximum battery life of 48 hours is akin to two whole days of playback. During testing, these claims proved genuine too (and the case doesn't drain it!)
✅ You like to wear your heart on your sleeve: You can upload a photo of your beloved right there on the case – and when you open the box, it flips the other way up so everyone will still see it properly too.
❌ You want top-tier spatial audio: There are three immersive profiles here (movies, music and gaming), but, sadly, each one is a shade off a fully immersive, Dolby Atmos-type presentation
❌ You desire comprehensive on-ear functionality: Here, you have to select two out of three options for on-ear controls – volume, playback and ANC. You can't have all three.
Here's a feature that no other option within this list offers: a color touchscreen screen on the case. It's a lot of fun – you can select a lock-screen wallpaper from any of the photos on your smartphone, and the image even flips so it stays the right way up when you snap open the case – but that isn't why the JBL Live Beam 3 are in this roundup.
No, the real star here, aside from the vastly improved audio quality over the older and slightly disappointing JBL Tour Pro 2, is the stamina. The battery life is nothing short of excellent at up to 12 hours from the earbuds alone, minus noise cancellation, or 10 hours with it engaged (and nearer nine with adaptive ANC on). On that note, I also reviewed the newer JBL Tour Pro 3, but for me, the upgrades didn't warrant the price hike, which is why the Live Beam 3 are still my top pick for battery.
The case also delivers three further charges – I've tested it and the screen doesn't drain it – taking your total audio playback time up to a class-leading 48 hours. To put that into perspective, Apple's priciest Pro-suffixed AirPods offer 5.5 hours with its top-tier Spatial Audio deployed, or a maximum of 30 hours including the case. Big difference in those figures, no?
The JBL Live Beam 3 also boast great value when it comes to the feature set, including a few novel bits and pieces you don't find elsewhere – including "Personi-Fi", which is basically hearing test of each ear to better tailor the sound to your liking.
OK, the spatial audio profiles aren't going to knock your socks off. JBL has offered a total of three immersive soundscapes for music, movies and games, but if you're imagining sonic articles darting past you in a three-dimensional space you'll be disappointed. Also the ANC is good rather than excellent and the on-ear controls work well but involve a compromise. Look past these minor snafus and you'll find the fit is great, the battery is seemingly never-ending and, honestly, the sound is refreshingly good for bass and detail. View the screen as a lovely extra for the money and you won't go far wrong.
Read our full JBL Live Beam 3 review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | Expect big, exuberant sound that also boasts a lot of detail. | 4.5/5 |
Fit & comfort | They're comfortable to wear – though some may find they do fit far into your ear. | 4/5 |
Value | The features and audio here are good for the price, but that excellent battery life makes them even more worth it. | 5/5 |
The best earbuds for supreme sound
✅ Audio quality is important to you: Wonderful sound with great noise cancellation; if you want one of the best listening experiences from a pair of buds, you'll find it here.
✅ You want good travel buds: You can connect the case to any wired source, including in-flight movie systems, and it beams the sound to the buds. Convenient!
❌ You'd like to try spatial audio: The sound here is fantastic, but there's no spatial audio. If you've been keen to try it, look elsewhere.
❌ You want lots of on-ear controls: You'll have to decide if you want on-ear volume control or access to ANC options, not both.
Looking for the closest you'll get to sonic excellence in a pair of true wireless earbuds with the key mod cons? Meet the exceptionally accomplished Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 buds. Let's begin with the sound, which is outstanding. In every conceivable way, including musicality, balance and dynamic nuance, you're getting best-in-class audio. As you'd expect, higher quality streams from the likes of Qobuz and Apple Music sounded exceptional, but I rate these B&W buds for making the most of every music source they can get. In my review, I wrote: "everything was served up with a flourish" whether that was high-res audio files or Spotify tracks.
Noise cancellation is at the same impeccably high standard. As I said upon reviewing them: "That cocooned feeling of leaving the outside world behind kicked straight in but without any sense of wind-tunnel nausea or my eardrums being unceremoniously sucked into a vacuum." This is thanks to B&W's accomplished audio tech, as well as an incredibly snug and comfortable fit, creating the perfect seal for the ANC to work its magic.
Another nice added feature is that the charging case can double as a wireless audio re-transmitter in aptX Adaptive transmission (up to 24-bit/96kHz quality). What this means is you can plug it into a non-Bluetooth source (most usefully an in-flight entertainment system) and the audio will be transmitted to the buds. This makes them an excellent choice for long flights.
The buds are available in several color options, all with a premium matte plastic finish that, as I said at the time, "seems to murmur 'I'm expensive' when you pluck them from their small, pebble-shaped case." As well as looking delightful, they're among the most comfortable buds I've ever tested. This is down to B&W putting in considerable efforts into this particular redesign, and the result is buds that have very well distributed weight and require zero twisting or adjusting – this is extremely rare, even among the best buds I've trialled.
These buds are incredibly close to perfect. Battery life is a little average at 6.5 hours from the buds and a further 13.5 hours from the case, but it's a worthy sacrifice for everything else you get here. Which is excellent, high-quality audio in a comfortable and premium build. If audio quality is your top priority and you've got some cash to invest, these are the buds for you.
Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | Genuinely some of the best sound we've ever heard from wireless buds – impossible to beat. | 5/5 |
Fit & comfort | A very comfortable fit that didn't require any twisting or faffing, at least in our experience. | 5/5 |
Value | You don't get all of the bells and whistles, like hearing tests, but if sound is your priority, which it should be, the value here is great. | 4.5/5 |
The best open earbuds
✅ You don't want to be cut off from the outside world: Open earbuds don't isolate you from sounds around you, so they keep you more aware while delivering the music.
✅ You want rich sound quality too: The reason we like these open earbuds in particular is how deep and energetic the sound is – you don't feel like the open design is holding them back for audio quality.
❌ You're on Android and aren't tech savvy: You have to sideload the app on most Android phones, which is a bit of a pain. No problem on iPhone or Huawei phones, though (and you can use them without the app).
❌ You listen in loud environments: With no ANC and no passive sound isolation, their flip side of the coin to their awareness is that they can't be overwhelmed by outside sounds.
Open earbuds have become incredibly popular recently – and that's why I've included this set. No roundup is complete, in my eyes, without an open-fit option. And in a fast-growing market packed with compromises, the Huawei FreeArc manage to stand out as the best-sounding open earbuds. My colleague Tom Bedford tested these (I can't review every single set that crosses our desk, but I did listen to them alongside his review), and during the review process he often told me he forgot he was wearing open earbuds – which is no small achievement considering how tricky it is to deliver rich, dynamic audio without the in-ear seal you’ll find from most other buds in this guide.
The soundstage here is surprisingly wide for open buds, especially when it comes to depth and clarity. Music sounds crisp and full of energy, particularly in quiet settings, where you can properly appreciate the tuning and detail. It genuinely surprised us how immersive the experience was during our testing. At times, we forgot we were listening to open earbuds entirely, which is just about the highest compliment we can give.
These buds also get high marks for comfort and security. Open designs can be fiddly, but the FreeArc buds sit snugly just outside the ear canal and barely moved during workouts when we tested them. The buds themselves are IP57-rated, which means they’ll handle rain, dust, and sweat without trouble – although the charging case doesn’t share that durability. And while the 7 hours of battery life per charge is solid, the 23 hour total with the case is a little underwhelming compared to some rivals.
There are a few other caveats. If you have an Android phone, installing the companion app can be frustrating because you have to sideload it. And while these earbuds sound excellent, they don’t offer ANC, which some competitors are starting to include even in open designs. That means noisy environments can drown out the audio a bit – it's a trade-off.
Even so, these are minor complaints for this money (and sound quality in an open design). Given the sonic talents, comfort and price, the Huawei FreeArc easily earn their place as our top open earbud pick.
Read our full Huawei FreeArc review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | The best-sounding open earbuds we've had the pleasure of testing so far. A great soundstage, though some rivals now do ANC. | 5/5 |
Fit & comfort | Designed to be lightweight and comfortable, whether you're just walking or working out. | 4/5 |
Value | Great sound, especially for an open design, at a decent price point. | 4.5/5 |
The best wired earbuds
✅ You want audiophile sound without the price tag: You're getting premium quality audio here at an impressively accessible price.
✅ You appreciate a cool-looking design: The combination of zinc alloy and anodized aluminium gives them a refined, high-end finish.
❌ You want in-line controls or a built-in mic: The lack of on-cable controls is annoying. But it is detachable so you could replace it for another.
❌ You hate tangled cables: The cable here is a little prone to knots.
The Meze Audio Alba are an exemplary set of affordable IEMS, offering clear, revealing sound, a comfortable fit and stunning looks. If you’re looking for a pair of wired buds that won't break the bank (you may be aware that audiophile-grade, multi-driver IEMs can sell for thousands, but I didn't think it prudent to add those here) you may have just found them.
Just in case I haven't hammered the point home enough, sound quality is where the Meze Audio Alba really shine. Expect crisp, detailed audio across the frequency range with just a touch of warmth in the bass, impressive separation, and a surprisingly wide soundstage. Treble can sound just a little sharp when you push up the volume (with our audiophile hats on) but overall, they deliver a dynamic, engaging listening that’ll keep you hooked for hours.
The buds are lightweight and fit snugly, creating a great seal. They have a high-end build made from zinc alloy and anodized aluminium. Apparently they take inspiration from the lustre of a pearl and they do feel far more luxurious than their price tag would suggest. The cable is braided and looks and feels premium too, though it is prone to occasional tangling and lacks in-line controls. The good news is it’s detachable, so you can upgrade or replace it if you need to.
Connectivity is excellent. You get both a 3.5mm jack and a custom USB-C adapter with a built-in DAC and AMP for high-res listening on the move. There’s even an LED indicator to confirm your connection, though there’s no 4.4mm adapter in the box. You won’t get ANC here, but the strong passive isolation does a great job at muting background noise. Even at moderate volumes you’ll stay immersed in your music.
All in all, the Meze Audio Alba are a great entry point into the audiophile world. They look and sound far better than their price point would suggest and will make you hear your favorite music in a whole new light.
Read our full Meze Audio Alba review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | Expect well separated, defined sound with impressive bass and fantastic attention to detail. | 4.5/5 |
Fit & comfort | They fit very well and have a striking, cool design. It's a shame they're a little prone to tangling. | 4.5/5 |
Value | They're phenomenally priced considering the luxurious sound and looks on offer here. | 5/5 |
The best cheap USB C earbuds
✅ You crave comfort: These earbuds were easy to wear all day during our testing and stayed in our ears securely.
✅ You want understated style: Expect a sleek and minimal design with a range of different color options to choose from.
❌ You like to have control: The controller on the buds is limited and doesn't have volume up/down buttons, not ideal for walking.
❌ You want excellent sound: There's decent sound for the price here, but no bassy depths or sonic details – you'd need to pay more for that.
If you're looking for a "second pair" of easy-to-use, durable and reliable wired USB-C earbuds, (I maintain that everyone needs five pairs of headphones, and this use-case is one of them) this set from Skullcandy may not offer the best high-end sonic experience compared to other options in this list, but they're a stylish and reliable choice – especially considering they're incredibly affordable at $31.99/£29.99 (about AU $50). Yes, we have tested even cheaper USB-C buds, but this is basically as cheap as I'd recommend going – especially if you can find them on sale.
In our review we made it clear that these buds "don't whip up top-drawer sound", especially where detail and dynamism are concerned. That being said, sound quality is decent, especially considering their price. Similarly-priced budget buds that we're reviewed sound and feel much more cheap and tinny in comparison.
As you'd expect, there's no active noise cancellation for this price. But thanks to good included ear tips, they have a "noise-isolating fit". This won't reduce all ambient noise, but it does do a decent job at keeping you focused on your music regardless of your surroundings. These ear tips come in three different sizes, which meant in our review we wrote that the buds are "very pleasant to wear", even for long periods of time.
As well as feeling good, we liked how the buds look too. In our review we said: "They sport a sleek, curved look, and come in four snazzy colorways." They also have an IPX4 water-resistant rating, which means they're rain- and sweatproof. The only notable frustrating design feature is there are no volume up/down buttons on their controller, which feels limiting.
These aren't the best buds in our guide, far from it – but they're comfortable, they sound solid and they look good. If that's all you ask, enjoy.
Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Sound quality | Expect solid all-round audio here, which is good for the price and design – though it does sound a little thin at times. | 3.5/5 |
Fit & comfort | A sleek design that doesn't sacrifice comfort. Expect some cable noise though, which can be frustrating. | 4/5 |
Value | You get all the essentials here. Decent sound, a clean look and clear mic at a pretty low price. | 4.5/5 |
The best earbuds: score comparison table
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Sound quality | Fit & comfort | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
Technics EAH-AZ100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Nothing Ear (a) | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Genn 5) | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Apple AirPods Pro 2 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |
JBL Live Beam 3 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Huawei FreeArc | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
Skullcandy Set USB-C | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Other earbuds we've tested
AceFast AceFit Pro: The AceFit Pro aren't bad open earbuds. The almost-in-ear fit was secure during testing and we liked the design. But the open earbuds space is becoming increasingly competitive, so there just weren't enough reasons to buy them over rivals. But do take a look at our AceFast AceFit Pro review if you've been in the market for a pair of open buds.
Activo Q1 hybrid IEM headphones: Part of the Astell & Kern high-end audio brand, these Activo buds are a fantastic option for audiophiles, but are a little specialist for this guide. If audio quality is a top priority for you, and you don’t mind paying for it, read our Activo Q1 hybrid IEM headphones review.
Activo Volcano: From Astell & Kern’s lifestyle sub-brand, these wired IEMs offer punchy bass, versatile connectivity, and a premium build – all at a price that’s surprisingly accessible (by A&K standards, anyway). While audiophiles might crave more refinement, the sound quality is solid for casual listening. For most people, they’re well worth a look – check out our Active Volcano review for the full breakdown.
AKG N5: You'll get great-sounding audio here, as well as top features and a USB-C dongle in the case – very handy and flexible. But it's hard to recommend strongly them because they feel a little too expensive compared to rivals and the battery life is disappointing. Read our full AKG N5 review to find out more.
Anker Soundcore AeroClip: Another strong contender for the best open earbuds pick. These Anker buds clip around your ear rather than sitting in or over it. We were impressed by both the sound quality and the fit, and while we think the Huawei FreeArc in the list are better value overall, this are our favorite affordable clip earbuds at the time of their release. Still, they’re well worth a look, check out our full Anker Soundcore AeroClip review for all the details.
Anker Soundcore C40i: If you're looking for a decent pair of open earbuds, you'll get an impressive bass response, easy-to-use app and customizabe controls here. But, as you'll see in our Anker Soundcore C40i review, they're ultimately let down by disappointing battery life, a fit that's fine but not exactly comfortable and the fact you'll need to tweak the sound before you start listening.
Anker SoundCore Liberty 5: These earbuds pack a punch with big bass, customizable sound, and a stacked feature set – all at a fair price. But fussy touch controls, a bland design, and average ANC hold them back. A solid option, but in a crowded field, they don’t quite rise to the top. Read our full Anker SoundCore Liberty 5 review to find out more.
Apple AirPods 4: We've reviewed Apple's cheaper AirPods 4, and found them to be… fine. They have fun and full audio quality, improved comfort, and great spatial audio – but they're lacking in detail and are a bit too expensive for their quality level. We explore it in-depth in our full AirPods 4 review.
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: As we said in our AirPods 4 with ANC review these are the best open-ear buds for iPhones. The noise cancellation is impressive despite the lack of a full ear seal, and they deliver a fun, detailed sound. Spatial audio is excellent, they’re ultra-light, and battery life exceeds Apple’s (admittedly underwhelming) promise. But here’s the catch: you can get the AirPods Pro 2 for the same price regularly, and they’re better.
Apple AirPods Pro 2: They were our top pick for Apple fans until the Pro 3s came out. But you know what? They're still an excellent choice. Especially considering they're an older model now so likely to be heavily discounted during the big sales events. Take a look at our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review for all of the details.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024): Our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) review raves about the noise cancellation and general sound quality here. The only drawbacks being the chunky case and lack of higher-res codecs. They may be a better option to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds for sheer bang-for-buck – if you want the best ANC for a mid-range price, consider these.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6: There’s little wrong with these B&W buds – they sound great and have a lovely build – but it’s all about the competition, as there are similar options at the same price in this guide with more features and better connectivity. Read our Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review.
Creative Aurvana Ace 3: These are a top set of earbuds and the solid-state drivers sound great. However, during testing we noticed an occasional squealing issue in the ANC mode that keeps us from truly recommending them – and it's a shame. Read our full Creative Aurvana Ace 3 review to find out more.
Earfun Air 2 NC: These Earfun earbuds deliver punchy bass and customizable, effective ANC at a low price. But take a look at our Earfun Air 2 NC review to see why we think they were a little weak on sound, which means we'd continue to recommend the Sony WF-C510 buds above as our best cheap option.
Edifier LolliClip: If you like the idea of open earbuds but you're not sure which to choose, these clip-on buds are a fun option. You get impressive sound and even some noise-cancelling. As you'll see in our Edifier LolliClip review, they also stand out with health-tracking features, like heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring. They fall short on EQ settings and app support, but overall they’re a unique alternative.
Edifier Stax Spirit S10: These buds sound fantastic and fit well. So why didn't they make the list? Well, as you'll see in our Edifier Stax Spirit S10 review, we experienced some odd pairing problems during our testing and the battery life is disappointing, too.
Final Audio ZE3000 SV: We liked the design of these buds. They're compact, light and comfortable. But although we liked the sound for its balance and detail, it's overall lacklustre and just not up to the standard of rivals in this guide. Do read our full Final Audio ZE3000 SV review to find out more.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: As you'll find in our Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review, these tiny buds deliver a solid choice of noise-cancelling and transparency modes, decent sound and an impressive battery life. But the fit wasn't up to standard, and for a similar price you can find rival buds that perform better in almost every way.
Happy Plugs Clip: As we found in our full Happy Plugs Clip review, these open earbuds missed the mark. While the charging case is sleek and the design initially impressed us, the audio quality is underwhelming, features are lacking, and the fit proved impractical during testing. With competition heating up in the open earbud space, these just don’t make the cut.
JLab Go Pods ANC: A super-cheap pair of buds that are unable to hold a candle to the premium options in this guide. But if you're on a tiny budget, do take a look at our JLab Go Pods ANC review as they're well worth considering.
JLab Go Pop ANC: For a very cheap pair of buds that also (surprisingly!) deliver ANC, these from JLab are a great option. Take a look at our JLab Go Pop ANC review to find out why we rate them so highly.
LG xboom Buds: We really wanted to like these buds and granted in our LG xboom Buds review we did highlight that the LG app is nice, ANC is decent, and bass is, well, very bassy. But otherwise, there's not much going for them and you can do better for the price.
Noble FoKus Rex5: There’s a great standard of build and finish here, as well as great specs. But these bold buds don’t quite nail everything in the way they need to for their high asking price. Still, do take a look at our Noble FoKus Rex5 review if you’re tempted by buds with a unique look to them.
Nothing Ear: The big sibling of the Nothing Ear (a) are very good, but they cost dangerously close to the cheaper (a) version and don't stand out as being dramatically better. Read our full Nothing Ear review for more, but we think the cheaper version nailed the price-to-performance ratio.
Nothing Ear Open: Open-ear buds are a big trend, but sadly Nothing hasn't hit the mark in the same way its other earbuds do. The fit and sound just aren't right, as our Nothing Ear Open review digs into.
OnePlus Buds 4: ANC is excellent here. Not quite Bose levels, but up there. We also rated the light design and the sound is bassy. But other than that, they're a bit of a letdown. The app isn't as slick as it should be, the controls are fiddly and they're more expensive than the previous version. Read our OnePlus Buds 4 review for the full story.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Read our OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review to learn all of the ways OnePlus' latest buds improve on the Pro 2s. They're packed with features, sound superb (especially for the price) and have a great battery life. But they can't compete with some of the similarly-priced buds in this guide. Some core features, like ANC and voice commands, fell short and we're not convinced the design will have mass appeal.
OpenRock S: If you’re after open earbuds that are stable, easy to use and offer solid battery life, the OpenRock S deliver on those basics. But as we noted in our full OpenRock S review, they fall short in key areas – the maximum volume is low, and the case is bulky. They’re decent for the price, but with competition ramping up fast, it’s worth shopping around if your budget allows.
Shure SE215: As you’ll see in our Shure SE215 review, these Shure wired earbuds are a very strong choice, with impressive bass. They might not beat the 1More buds in the list above in every respect for overall bang-for-buck, but if noise isolation is a priority, we’d recommend taking a look at them as alternatives.
SkullCandy Method 360: There's a lot to love about these buds from Skullcandy, like a good price, a snug fit and great sound thanks to a helping hand from Bose. But ultimately, the case is a little too big and we had some connectivity issues. Do read our full SkullCandy Method 360 review though to find out more.
Sony MDR-EX15AP: We recently tested these colorful wired earbuds, which are incredibly cheap. But, as you’ll see from our Sony MDR-EX15AP review, that's really the only thing they have going for them. We say: spend a little more and you’ll be much more satisfied.
Sony WF-1000XM5: Unfortunately, these Sony buds didn't perform as well as we'd have liked. But, the recent WH-1000XM6 leaks lead us to believe that the WF-1000XM6s can't be far away, and we've even compiled a list of 6 upgrades we want to see in Sony's new flagship buds, whenever they do arrive…
Sony WF-C510: These Sony buds were our best budget pick before they were replaced by the Nothing Ear (a). As you'll see from our Sony WF-C510 review, they’re still a solid affordable option, offering clear sound support for Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, and an impressive 11 hours of battery life. However, with no ANC on board, the Ear (a) just edge them out overall – but the Sony are cheaper, so if you want something even lower-priced, we love them.
Sony WF-C710N: If you're in the market for affordable buds, take a look at our Sony WF-C710N review because they're a solid choice. ANC is the star of the show here – especially considering the price – but everything else is done well too. They're not perfect, on-ear controls don't always work well and the new colorway can look a bit cheap, but they almost made this guide.
Status Audio Pro X: Look, if you just want excellent audio, these buds are well worth considering. However, they're a little light on features and everything else to be deserving of a place in this guide. If that doesn't matter so much and you love a premium design, read our full Status Audio Pro X review.
Meet the team
Our audio tech team put hundreds of pairs to the test in a range of environments in order to determine if they're worth recommending or not. How do we know what to look for? Because we've collectively got years (make that decades) of experience reviewing all sorts of headphones, from expensive, noise-cancelling buds that block out the world to budget earbuds that are cheap and cheerful.
Becky Scarrott is the Audio Editor at TechRadar. She first joined the TechRadar audio team in 2022 as a Senior Staff Writer and has focused on all things audio and hi-fi since. Before joining the team, she worked for more than three years at What Hi-Fi? where she tested all of the latest audio tech devices, from affordable earbuds to high-end sound systems. Becky also has an MA in journalism.
Matt Bolton is the Managing Editor for Entertainment at TechRadar. In this role, he heads up the site’s movie and TV show coverage. He also oversees everything we write about headphones, soundbars, speakers and televisions. Matt has more than 10 years of experience in tech journalism before joining the team at TechRadar. He was the editor of T3 magazine and has written for MacLife, PC Gamer, Digital Camera World, Edge, PC Plus, MacFormat and many more.
Simon Lucas has been working as a tech journalist for more than 20 years. Throughout that time he's written about many different devices and industries with a focus on the audio and video tech that makes up your home entertainment system. Before going freelance, Simon was editor of What Hi-Fi? magazine and whathifi.com. He's also written for Wired, Metro, the Guardian, HiFi+, GQ and more.
Harry is one of TechRadar's Reviews Staff Writers. During his time on the team, he has reviewed all sorts of devices, covering everything from fun party speakers to the best portable battery packs. He particularly enjoys testing audio tech and gaming devices. Before joining the TechRadar team, Harry worked as a journalist covering innovation and sustainability.
How to choose the best earbuds
Two important things to consider when you’re choosing new earbuds is what you want to listen to and where you want to listen to it.
For example, if you like fairly quiet music and want to listen on the bus or train, you'll need effective noise cancellation.
If you're looking for a pair of the best running headphones, you should look for IPX4 water-resistance so they can withstand sweat and rain. Some of the top waterproof earbuds can even be used for swimming. The best bone-conducting headphones are popular for fitness fans too, because they don't block outside sounds.
If you're going to be wearing your earbuds for long periods, then comfort and weight are a top priority.
We’ve included both wired and wireless earbuds on this list, but you don't have to compromise on audio quality by going wire-free – the B&W Pi8 above are proof of that. If you do opt for wireless or true wireless earbuds, make sure the battery life is up to scratch, otherwise you may find yourself caught short without any music in the middle of your commute.
The best earbuds for you should sound good to your ears. Which means if you're a dedicated audiophile, look for buds that support Hi-Res Audio codecs, like LDAC and aptX HD Bluetooth for stellar connectivity.
We also recommend you consider your budget. If you want cheap earbuds you may have to sacrifice features, like ANC or a long battery life. It’s all about weighing up what’s more important to you.
Finally, the brand you choose will depend on what you're looking for – but we're careful with our lists. That means all of the earbuds and in-ear headphones above come from brands we trust. Still, if you're not sure where to start looking, respected brands like Sony, Apple, Cambridge Audio, Jabra, and Nura are good places to start.
Are earbuds waterproof?
Some are, but not all of them. Always check the IP rating. Many modern earbuds are water- and sweat-resistant to a point, which means they’re fine for workouts or getting caught in the rain but wouldn't survive a dip in a pool.
Look for ratings like IPX4 (mostly splash-resistant) or IPX7 (can survive full submersion) in our best waterproof headphones guide if you need something more rugged. Just remember that even waterproof buds often have cases that aren’t water-resistant.
Do earbuds emit radiation?
Sort of. But it’s very low-level and considered completely safe. Wireless earbuds use Bluetooth, which is a wireless technology that emits non-ionizing radiation (that's the same type used in Wi-Fi and mobile phones).
There’s currently no solid evidence that Bluetooth radiation from earbuds is harmful and it's far below the safety limits set by global health organizations.
What earbuds have the best bass?
If you love deep, punchy bass, then look for models specifically tuned for low-end performance. We commented on the solid bass from the Technics EAH-AZ100, Apple AirPods Pro 2, Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, and JBL Live Beam 3 buds above, so take your pick depending on your other preferences.
If bass is a priority, then we'd also recommend that you look for earbuds that let you adjust EQ settings in their companion apps. That way you can dial in the exact sort of thump you want.
Do earbuds damage hearing?
Well, they can if you were to listen at high volumes for a very long time. Prolonged exposure to loud audio in any form is one of the leading causes of hearing loss, especially if you were to use earbuds that sit close to your ear canal.
However, it's worth mentioning that using noise-cancelling earbuds can actually help protect your ears, because you won’t need to crank up the volume to block out the world quite as much, and they can stop loud outside sounds from damaging your ears.
A good rule we've heard experts recommend is to listen at around 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time – though most earbuds here, you probably won't need the volume that high.
Do earbuds have microphones?
Yes, most modern earbuds – especially most of the wireless ones we're recommending here – come with built-in microphones.
But don't be spooked. These microphones are essential for phone calls, controlling voice assistants and even for effective noise cancellation. Because they listen for exterior sounds, like traffic or voices, and help the earbuds create an “anti-noise” signal to cancel it out before it reaches your ears. The more mics (and the smarter the tech to go with them), the better the noise-blocking tends to be.
How long should earbuds last?
That depends on how you use and care for them. As a general rule, most earbuds will give you two to three years of solid performance before the battery life starts to decline.
Taking care of the battery (not letting them fully run out of power, not leaving them in extreme heat) can help them last longer. Even once the battery starts to go, it usually just means a shorter total playing time, not that they stop working suddenly.
Wired earbuds can last much longer, sometimes even a decade or more, as long as you don't break the cable.
In both wired and wireless cases, however, water and/or sweat can be the silent killer. If you wear earbuds to the gym that don't promise any waterproofing, sweat may get in and damage them.
Which earbuds have the longest battery life?
Some of the best performers in our guide above include the JBL Live Beam 3 and Cambridge Melomania A100.
But you'll want to look for the amount of battery you get from the buds themselves in a single charge as well as the amount you get from the case. Because some of the buds listed here deliver a relatively short amount of time from the buds, but hours and hours from the case.
For example, the Nothing Ear (a) only give you 5.5 hours from the buds, but 24.5 hours from the case. If you have an opportunity to stop listening and charge them, that shorter bud battery life won't be an issue.
But if you want guaranteed all-day-wear, the JBL Live Beam 3 offer an impressive 12 hours from the buds and 48 hours in total, including the case.
How we test the best earbuds
☑️ More than 2,400 audio reviews
☑️ 15 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech
We've tested each of the top earbuds in this guide to make sure they tick some key boxes, which are reflected in our full review.
Audio: Most importantly, we want to be sure the sound is excellent, with clarity and a decent level of bass. We listen to music from a range of sources, from social apps and YouTube, to lower-quality streams from the likes of Spotify, to high-quality files from streamers such as Apple Music and Tidal. We'll listen to a range of genres, and we'll use a mix of new music and tracks we've known for years and in which we can hear all the subtle differences.
Comfort: Next is comfort and wearability. You need to know you'll be able to pop the best in-ear buds in your ears for hours at a time, so they have to feel secure and comfortable. Some seem naturally designed for a snug fit, others come with different silicone tip options to help you get the fit just right. In terms of design, we also look for compact buds, those that don't stick out of your ear too much and (in the case of true wireless designs) earbuds that come with a small charging case for slipping into a backpack, handbag or even a pocket.
Comparison: We completed a new testing procedure for earbuds to enable us to add more direct comparison between buds, to make it easier for you to choose which one will suit you best. In mid 2024, we re-tested our then-favorite earbuds using the new system, which we use for reviews now – and will in the future. You can read the full information about how we test earbuds at TechRadar at that link, but the crucial part is that we added certain real-world tests that all of our reviewers can use, so we know we're getting a fair and even comparison between earbuds.
Features: A huge part of our testing is features – whether the review sample we have up for review compares well to other earbuds in the same price for elements such as connection options, smart app controls, active noise cancellation and battery life. We test all these features in different ways. We try the active noise cancellation in different real-world environments, and we check battery life by running them down and tracking the timing.
Microphone quality testing: We'll also test the microphone quality for picking up speech by recording us talking, and we'll make those recordings available to hear on the site, so you can compare them yourselves, if you want. And we'll detail exactly how long the battery lasts in real-world use, and provide that information for easy comparison too, in tables.
Sound quality testing: The major part of this is a particular playlist that will be used for sound-quality testing, from a specific source device and music service. Our reviewers will also test other songs and sound sources, but this playlist provide a baseline comparison, and you can copy the playlist to make your own comparisons, if you like.
Value: And when we've tested all this, we judge them on their value, which essentially means how all of the above balances against their price, and the price of other earbuds.
Latest updates to the best earbuds
4 November 2025
Replaced the Apple AirPods Pro 2 with the newer AirPods Pro 3 and renamed this category as 'Best for (Apple) features'. Added details into our Nothing Ear (a) entry about the newer Nothing Ear (3) buds. Removed our 'best for Samsung' category and took out the Galaxy Buds Pro 3, switching them for a new 'Best affordable audiophile buy' category and featured the SoundPeats H3 as our top pick. Took out the 1More Triple Driver buds in our 'Best wired buds' slot and replaced them with the Meze Audio Alba. Added a bunch of recently tested options to our 'Also consider' section, including the Creative Aurvana Ace 3 and JLab Go Pods ANC.
8 August 2025
Refreshed the introduction. Switched the original Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds for the newer Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) as our 'Best for ANC' pick. Added several new entries to our 'Other earbuds we've tested' section. Checked the whole guide for older products and made sure everything is up to date.
3 July 2025
Expanded the introduction with more information about our testing. Updated the Nothing Ear (a) entry to be our 'best budget' pick, based on long-term changes to its price. Added the Cambridge Melomania A100 as our new 'best mid-range' choice, following its recent review. Updated all of our entries to reflect the market in 2025, and added scorecards to each, so readers can see how they compare at a glance. Added several new entries into our FAQs section. Added some recently reviewed earbuds into our list of other products we've tested.
1 June 2025
Swapped the Shokz OpenFit for the Huawei FreeArc as our 'best open earbuds' pick, based on recent testing. Added several new options we've reviewed this month into our list of other earbuds we've tested, including the AKG N5 and OpenRock S.
See more updates…
1 May 2025
Added the Shokz OpenFit as our 'best open earbuds' pick. Updated the 'also consider' section to include several of the earbuds we've tested recently that are great but don't quite make the cut for this guide.
3 April 2025
Rewrote the introduction and included a mention to the upcoming Sony WF-C710N, which we're currently reviewing. Added the LG xboom Buds to our 'also consider' section.
7 March 2025
Refreshed and tightened up the introduction. Edited the 'also consider' section to condense down our recommendations.
10 February 2024
Checked all recent reviews against the options on this list, and updated the list of other earbuds we've tested we've recently.
9 January 2024
Replaced the Technics EAH-AZ80 with the Technics EAH-AZ100 in the top spot in this guide. Rewrote the intro to reflect this and added other options to our 'also consider' section
19 December 2024
Checked all entries against our latest reviews, and updated the 'Also Consider' section with recent reviews of earbuds that didn't make onto our curated list.
21 November 2024
Added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in as our 'best for ANC' pick, removing the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 that are currently out of stock in most places so not worth recommending.
7 November 2024
Refreshed the introduction. Added new images to each entry to give readers a better look at the devices. Itemized our 'how we test' section to add more clarity about our reviewing process. Added a 'meet the team' section to give you an insight into our combined tech knowledge and expertise. Added news and suggestions to several of our entries, like the JBL Tour Pro 3 in our JBL Live Beam 3 entry. Added some extra recommendations into our 'also consider' section, like the Edifier Stax Spirit S10.
11 October 2024
Swapped the JLab JBuds Mini for the Sony WF-C510 as our 'best budget' pick. Switched the Samsung Buds 2 Pro for the Samsung Buds 3 Pro based on our review as our 'best for Samsung' choice. Swapped the Final Audio ZE8000 Mk2 out for the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 in our 'best for sound' category. Added several recent reviews to our 'Also consider' section, including AirPods 4 and OnePlus Buds Pro 3.
3 September 2024
Added the 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones as our 'Best wired' pick based on our review, and recent testing of the competition.
30 July 2024
Added the JLab JBuds Mini as the best super-cheap option, and updated the 'Also Consider' section with information on the latest products that didn't make it into this list.
1 July 2024
Added the JBL Lve Beam 3 as our top choice for battery life, thanks to their 48-hour total. Removed the older 1More Triple Driver wired set, since the Skullcandy Set USB-C occupy that wired space extremely well, if you're looking for something inexpensive and wired.
7 June 2024
We added the Skullcandy Set USB-C wired earbuds as the best super-cheap wired buds that we'd actually recommend buying, based on testing of several big-name budget options.
9 May 2024
Swapped the Sony WF-C700N for the Nothing Ear (a) as the best mid-range option. They're extremely close in quality, but the Nothing's slightly better noise cancellation and hi-res support just win out.
8 April 2024
Considered adding the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 to this guide, but after discussing with the team, we've decided that while these 2024-issue earbuds are very good indeed, other products narrowly edge them in each key aspect (ie. sound, ANC, battery life, feature set) – so there's no clear reason for their inclusion. Updated the intro here to reflect the WF-1000XM4 being no longer readily available, hence their departure from this list, and explained why the Technics EAH-AZ80 are now our top pick. Added new links to the buying guides to better direct readers.
19 March 2024
Removed the Sony WH-1000XM4 due to stock running out at last. Technics EAH-AZ80 moved to number 1, Sony WH-C700N moved to number 2, JLab Go Air Pop moved to number 3.
8 February 2024
Added the Beats Fit Pro as our best workout buds, reflecting what's in our dedicated guide.
22 January 2024
Added Final ZE8000 MK2, and removed the now-discontinued Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus. Updated all copy throughout.
10 November 2023
Added more information about how we test, and added a link to our Black Friday earbuds deals coverage.
8 October 2023
Checked all entries against current reviews to ensure list is relevant.
6 September 2023
Refreshed entries to reflect current prices/value ahead of sales events later in the year.
30 August 2023
Changed the main image.
24 August 2023
Rewrote each product entry to summarize the features, sound quality, design and value of each review, including adding in 'buy it if' and 'don't buy it if' boxouts.
