If you want to enjoy your favorite music while you’re out and about, the best earbuds are a need. Whether you want to unwind to classical music on a lengthy trip, listen to the greatest podcasts on your commute, or work out to a motivational soundtrack while you’re at the gym.
All of the earbuds on our list are small enough to fit in your pocket, even while they are in their charging cases, thanks to their compact design. But, despite their compact size, the best earbuds don’t sacrifice battery life or sound quality; in fact, if you select one of the finest wired earbud alternatives, you won’t even need to consider battery life.
Throughout the years, we’ve examined a lot of the top wireless earphones and true wireless earbuds, so we are aware of the features, aesthetics, and audio quality you should look for when selecting a pair to fit your budget.
You might want to have a look at the best headphones and best wireless headphones recommendations as well if you want to enhance your audio experience but don’t like the notion of earbuds. Check out our guide to inexpensive wireless earphones if you’re seeking for less expensive options. Check out our selection of the finest bone-conducting headphones and sweat-resistant running earphones if you’re looking for earbuds made exclusively for exercising.
2023’s Top Earbuds: Our Picks
1. Sony WF-1000XM4 Wireless Earbuds
The success of the active noise-cancelling, true wireless earbuds industry is entirely attributable to Sony. With the WF-1000XM4, the business has successfully blended performance, ergonomics, and build quality.
These new wireless earbuds, which cost more than their predecessors, the Sony WF-1000XM3, provide enough improvements in quality of life to warrant an upgrade. They may not support aptX, but they make up for it with amazing call quality, superior in-app functionality, and the impression that you have purchased a sophisticated set of earbuds.
The WF-1000XM4’s capacity to recognize and include even the minute nuances or the ephemeral transients into a much larger image was evident while I listened to Kate Bush’s song Lake Tahoe. Although using the word “communicative” to describe a person’s singing voice may sound redundant, the WF-1000XM4 are communicative if anything.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 may be outperformed by other true wireless earbuds in some areas, including noise cancellation, but no other model comes close to providing as high quality throughout. The Sony WF-1000XM4 are indisputably the finest true wireless earbuds available right now because of this.
2. JLab Go Air Pop
You can get a set of inexpensive earbuds without compromising your listening experience or risking damaging your eardrums. The JLab Go Air Pop is an excellent low-cost alternative that enables discriminating listeners to take advantage of high-quality sound on a tight budget.
They not only outperform everything else in their price category in terms of sound, but they also defy expectations given their low cost by sounding far better. Our evaluation of these wireless earbuds revealed that the midrange is generally handled effectively, the bass is handled intelligently, and the soundstage is generally wide.
They may not outperform flagships from companies like Sony, Apple, or Sennheiser, but they more than hold their own when it comes to audio and features. Also, they have a strong battery life, ergonomic fit, lightweight earpieces, and dependable Bluetooth connectivity.
3. 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone
The 1More Triple Driver in-ear headphones are the best wired earbuds available right now if you want earbuds that are secured by a cord so you won’t lose them. We were astounded by how much value each of the 1MORE Triple Driver in-ear headphones and the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones offered in their potential pricing ranges after using them for a few weeks.
The 1MORE Triple Driver are the best-sounding earbuds available at this price point. But, even at twice the cost, the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones are still a great deal if you want a little bit more finesse and high-end materials.
There isn’t anything we can criticize about the Triple Drivers. These are minor quibbles, but their rubber cable may be a pain and the remote seems cheap. These are beyond compare for the price.
4. Honor Earbuds 3 Pro
They indeed resemble Apple’s AirPods Pro in appearance, and no Honor Earbuds 3 Pro review worth their Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity can deny this. However, Honor has taken the form of the pro-attached AirPods and added on-device volume control to the stems, a more customizable and enjoyable noise-cancellation experience, a new sleek and simple app (as long as you don’t own an iPhone – it’s only available for Android), and most importantly delivered a fuller, meatier bass, a more expansive soundstage, and an overall better, more detailed sonic experience.
And it has accomplished everything for a more agreeable price than Apple’s Pro substitute. Despite the Earbuds 3 Pro’s well-known headshell and toothbrush-head design, Honor has taken a risk by using the first coaxial dual-driver design in the world here, complete with an 11mm dynamic driver and a piezoelectric ceramic tweeter. In essence, the two separate driving units are constructed concentrically to emit sound from a single location. And it may have ended badly. But the reality is completely different. It’s a resounding victory, and Apple ought to be concerned.
5. Apple AirPods Pro 2
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are outstanding earbuds that have great ANC and enhanced audio performance in Apple’s cozy and recognizable AirPods-like style. But if you have an iPhone, they’re a far better option than if you don’t.
From the original AirPods Pro, the Pro 2 headphones represent a major improvement. New drivers and amplifiers improve audio performance while making modest design improvements. In our testing, we gave the Pro 2’s sound an exceptional rating because it offers rich audio across genres and a big, open soundstage.
Further enhanced and performing amazingly well, ANC almost eliminates all outside noise. Because it is adjustable, transparency mode is now more helpful because it enables you to conduct casual conversations when you don’t want to take out your earbuds.
Battery life has increased. You may use the ANC-enabled earbuds for 6 hours, and the charging case will last 30 hours. The charging case is now IPX4 water resistant, meaning it can handle light rain and perspiration. It now includes a speaker, which is helpful if you misplace them because it lets you send a “Find My” request.
If you can get the original AirPods Pro for less money, we still recommend them, but the Pro 2 are strong competitors for the title of best earbuds. If you use an iPhone, we would even suggest the Pro 2 over the Sony WF-1000XM4s due to the Pro 2’s superior ANC. They’re great all-arounders, mixing terrific audio and style into a pair of earbuds you’d be happy to wear all day, much like the Sonys.
TOP EARBUDS: FAQs
How to pick the ideal earphones for your needs
For effective noise isolation, the finest earbuds for you must fit snugly in your ear and feel extremely comfortable to use for lengthy periods of time.
If you’re searching for the finest running headphones, your new earbuds should have an IPX4 water-resistance grade or above, which implies they can handle some sweat and light rain. Even swimming may be done with some of the best waterproof earphones.
This list includes both wired and wireless earbuds, but going wire-free need not mean sacrificing audio quality. The Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless earbuds, which are currently our favorite model, combine industry-leading sound with top-notch noise cancelling technology.
Be sure the battery life is enough if you decide to get wireless or truly wireless earphones; otherwise, you risk being left without music during your commute.
The best earphones for you should sound excellent to your ears most crucially. If you’re a die-hard audiophile, seek for headphones that have excellent connection and Hi-Res Audio codecs like LDAC and aptX HD Bluetooth.
