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
Moto's new open earbuds with Bose sound and Swarovski crystals make me want to listen to Diamonds & Pearls
Add sparkle to your soundtrack with Moto's gorgeous new ear cuff-style buds
AceFast AceFit Pro review: these open-ear buds are more expensive than they're worth
Sorry, but the open-ear market is too competitive for these buds
The second pair of open earbuds with Bose tech are coming, but not from Bose
A new report says that Motorola is preparing to launch its first pair of open-ear headphones, and a smartwatch too
Applying 'extreme heat' to lithium-ion batteries reportedly restores their capacity, and I think it's the sustainable tech breakthrough of 2025
Could applying extreme heat to your AirPods’ ailing batteries restore them? A new report claims yes – but don't try this at home.
Happy Plugs Clip review: open ear headphones with a low price and low-quality sound to match
I’ve tested tons of headphones and these open earbuds might be the worst I’ve ever used, due to sub-par sound quality and a lackluster design.
OpenRock S review: affordable open earbuds that sadly focus on iffy extra features rather than simply delivering the goods
The OpenRock S try too hard with features that don’t work well and it's a shame, because at their core, these are respectable low-cost fitness earbuds
Sony WF-C710N review: excellent ANC in slightly bigger earbuds makes for a solid hit
Sony's newest budget noise-cancelling earbuds sound good and come with perks – and that's before we get to the excellent bubble-of-silence ANC.
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE 2 earbuds specs spotted, revealing bigger battery and even Wi-Fi support
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE 2 filings spotted in the US and India, along with dual-band Wi-Fi specs and 'Buds Core' name.
