Subj : The best earbuds I recommend for every budget, all TechRadar test (2/2) To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Nov 25 2025 13:45:08 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 Meze Audio Alba Scorecard 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 ^ Back to the top The best cheap USB C earbuds Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Future) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Future) 11. Skullcandy Set USB-C The best cheap USB-C earbuds Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 0.53oz / 15g | Frequency response: 20Hz-20KHz | Drivers: 9mm dynamic | Battery life: N/A Decent sound quality for the price Comfortable listening for long sessions Sleek design No volume buttons on controller Cable noise a tad disruptive Doesnt deliver the most full-sounding audio BUY THEM IF 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. DON'T BUY THEM IF 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 Skullcandy Set USB-C Scorecard 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 ^ Back to the top The best earbuds: score comparison table 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 dont mind paying for it, read our Activo Q1 hybrid IEM headphones review . Activo Volcano: From Astell & Kerns lifestyle sub-brand, these wired IEMs offer punchy bass, versatile connectivity, and a premium build all at a price thats surprisingly accessible (by A&K standards, anyway). While audiophiles might crave more refinement, the sound quality is solid for casual listening. For most people, theyre 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, theyre 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 dont 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, theyre ultra-light, and battery life exceeds Apples (admittedly underwhelming) promise. But heres the catch: you can get the AirPods Pro 2 for the same price regularly, and theyre 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: Theres little wrong with these B&W buds they sound great and have a lovely build but its 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 theyre 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 dont 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: Theres a great standard of build and finish here, as well as great specs. But these bold buds dont 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 youre 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 youre 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. Theyre decent for the price, but with competition ramping up fast, its worth shopping around if your budget allows. Shure SE215: As youll 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, wed 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 youll 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 youll 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 , theyre still a solid affordable option, offering clear sound support for Sonys 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. How to choose the best earbuds Two important things to consider when youre 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. Weve 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. Its all about weighing up whats 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 theyre 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 arent water-resistant. Do earbuds emit radiation? Sort of. But its 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). Theres 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 wont 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 Why you can trust TechRadar 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. ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/the-best-earbuds --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .