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.
Latest about Earbuds & Airpods
Apple's upset its own apple cart here, because these budget buds are fantastic — it's just a shame they can't outlast a long-haul flight
It's probably not the most environmentally-friendly earbud finder, but it's better than having to buy a new pair — ChatGPT has better eyes than humans
The Fairphone FairBuds 2's green credentials make up for the relatively slender feature set and serviceable sound quality.
TechRadar's carefully considered pick of the best earbuds in the business – including one or two new models you might not be familiar with.
The Huawei FreeBuds Neo are lovely tiny earbuds — but they also sound energetic and aren't too expensive.
Stay aware with the best open-ear headphones and air-conduction buds for running outdoors, sports, yoga and more.
Samsung Galaxy Buds On are the tech giant's first clip-on open earbuds, promising noise-cancellation technology that actually addresses noise leakage.
Samsung has revealed when the Galaxy Buds On will go on sale, plus the US price, and they're surprisingly expensive Buds.
The top tech of 2026, chosen by our experts — ranging from phones to cameras, to TVs, to speakers, to robo vacs, to smartwatches
Sennheiser enters the cuff-style market with convincing audio clarity and smart features, though a couple of fit, connectivity and control quirks keep them from being a top pick