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Earbuds go by many different names, including earphones, in-ear headphones, in-ear monitors or simply buds. They also come in all shapes and sizes and can be both wired or wireless, with some variations. Probably the most widely known (and worn) earbuds are the AirPods, which Apple launched in 2016.
Compared to over-ear and on-ear headphones, they offer a more compact, lightweight design that’s easier to set up and store. Earbuds are often cheaper too (usually), and have better stability. Being small does have its disadvantages - namely with sound quality, which can’t match wired headphones - but every music lover should own at least one pair all the same.
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Shokz OpenFit Pro are a great-sounding contender for the open earbuds crown
As sports-specific open earbuds go, the Shokz OpenFit Pro are as good as it gets and their feature set means you'll nearly ditch anything else...
'The AirPods Pro 3 deliver the quietest ANC I’ve ever experienced' — and you can save $50 on the earbuds at Amazon
'The AirPods Pro 3 deliver the quietest ANC I’ve ever experienced,' and Amazon just slashed $50 off the cost, bringing the price down to a near record low.
The best earbuds for small ears, all tested by a petite-eared audio expert
My pick of the best earbuds for those with a smaller ear canal, tragus or concha, however much you're able to spend.
The best wired earbuds, from cheap USB-C buds to audiophile monitors
Still craving a reliable connection, high-end audio, and no battery life anxiety? Here are the best wired earbuds you can buy today.
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