The best earbuds 2024: top buds for all budgets
The best earbuds are essential for easy-to-fling-in-a-pocket music on the go. Podcast for a long-haul flight? Motivational soundtrack for the commute (you got this and you’re doing great, by the way)? Something to throw in a gym bag? Earbuds are a top shout. The best of the bunch can immerse you in a cocoon of sound, blocking out the rest of the world, then slip into a pocket when you need to be back in the room.
These days, you don’t need to sacrifice battery life, extra perks or sound performance to get that tiny form factor either. We’ve tested literally hundreds of pairs and we know what we’re looking at – and listening to.
You may notice the older Sony WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds have disappeared from this list. Yes, it’s the end of an era, but they’re no longer readily available – and the summer 2023-issue Sony WF-1000XM5 didn’t quite live up to the (huge) expectations we had on those. Enter then, the Sennheiser EAH-AZ80, which equal the older XM4 across the board but also offer triple device multipoint connectivity, which nothing else in this list can offer. Sounds like a new class-leader to us… although if it simply has to be Sony, our best Sony headphones guide is the place to go.
Want to prioritise active noise cancellation over sound (or call) quality? Our best noise-cancelling earbuds guide is well worth a look. Have smaller ears and want something to fit you properly? Me too, but I’ve written a best earbuds for small ears guide for that.
Finally, if money is tight, check out our best budget wireless earbuds guide – because however much you’ve got to spend, I want you to have the best set of buds at that price-point.
Becky Scarrott
I’ve reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
The quick list
Want to cut straight to the best earbuds around? We like it – you’re busy and your time is precious. You’ll find a roundup of our top choices here. You can also jump to a more in-depth review for each product, along with our price comparison tool, so you can discover the best deals.
The best earbuds overall
Delivering supremely balanced, detailed sound with triple-point connectivity and outstanding comfort, Technics has created a fantastic pair of buds that stand out even in a saturated market.
Read more below
The best mid-range earbuds
These buds can be bettered, but not for this price – nowhere near. The noise cancellation here is strong, the audio is detailed and immersive, and they’re a delight to wear, too.
Read more below
The best super-cheap earbuds
At this price, JLab’s given us a phenomenally good value pair of wireless earbuds that tick all the right boxes, with solid audio and a light but durable design with small, comfortable earpieces.
Read more below
4. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2
The best earbuds for noise cancellation
Bose has always done active noise cancellation well, and these buds are effectively as good as you can get right now. They also boast beautiful sound and a secure (if chunky) in-ear fit.
Read more below
Super-smart earbuds for iPhone owners
With fantastic noise cancellation, high-quality audio, an unlosable case and tons more Apple-specific features, these buds offer an unmatched experience if you’re all-in on Apple.
Read more below
6. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
The best earbuds for Samsung owners
If you have a Samsung phone, the spatial audio with head-tracking and end-to-end 24-bit high-res audio are great bonuses, along with great sound quality and ANC.
Read more below
Load the next products…
7. 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone
The best wired earbuds
An excellent value pair of in-ear buds for those who don’t like the idea of going true wireless. The audio performance on offer here is lush and the build quality is hard to beat at this price.
Read more below
The best earbuds for supreme clarity
Forget the weird ‘8K Sound+’ marketing here – the audio quality is so, so good. They’re big, but for a similar price to other premium headphones, you’re getting a real step up in sound.
Read more below
Best earbuds for working out
Very secure, very comfortable, and with great smart features on both iOS and Android. You get solid noise cancellation, fun sound, and even spatial audio when used with iPhone.
Read more below
8 April 2024
Considered adding the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 to this guide, but after discussing with the team we decided that while these 2024-issue earbuds are very good earbuds 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.
The best earbuds of 2024
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We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Below you’ll find full write-ups for each of the best earbuds in our list. We’ve tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best earbuds overall
BUY THEM IF
✅ You prefer a neutral, lifelike sound: There’s nothing artificial about the way the Technics EAH-AZ80 sound; they offer convincingly realistic and coherent listening in all circumstances.
✅ You want to switch between devices: Triple-point connectivity is a world-first in a product like this, and it’s brilliantly convenient for those of us who surround themselves with wireless tech.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌ You intend to wear your earbuds all day: Even at its best, the battery life available here is nothing special, though it’s not bad.
❌ You have a lot of external noise to block out: There are many less-capable noise-cancelling earbuds, if silence is important look to the Bose buds at #4 on this list.
The Technics EAH-AZ80 buds sound fantastic and they’re packed with features. A standout is triple-point connectivity, which we found to be stable and useful, as well as Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC compatibility. And, thanks to ‘Just My Voice’ technology, these buds are far less prone to wind-noise interference than rivals. Their only minor shortcomings are battery life at only 7 hours from the buds and 25 from the case, and the ANC (which could be a tad more impressive).
The sound they make is also accomplished – it’s both swift and accurate, as well as balanced and detailed. In our review, we wrote: “The whole frequency range is really nicely balanced and coherent from top to bottom and very even-handed from the (deep, nicely textured) bass to the (clean, politely attacking) treble.” We also found the midrange to be both informative and eloquent, with high detail levels and a smooth, seamless, agile journey from ceiling to floor and back.
In terms of design, there’s a resoundingly premium feel here and each bud feels more comfortable, stable and light (7g per earbud) than some rivals. What’s more, the accompanying charging case is an equally svelte 50g. Build quality hasn’t been compromised in order to keep the weight down either – the EAH-AZ80 feels like a product that will outlast its rivals. There are seven different earbud sizes to choose from too, which means you’re likely to get that perfect fit.
The price of the Technics EAH-AZ80 is that of a premium product, for sure – but thankfully, so is the specification. Overall this is a pair of buds that delivers excellent sound quality, a fantastic fit, and that industry-first triple device multipoint connectivity. Add it all together, and we think they’re a better-value package than the top buds from Sony or Bose.
Read our full Technics EAH-AZ80 review
The best earbuds at a mid-range price
BUY THEM IF
✅ You have smaller ears: These rank among the most secure and comfortable we’ve used no matter what size of ear you have.
✅ You want the best sound-per-pound value on the market: The big trick here is getting solid ANC alongside more exciting and fun audio than you get from anything else at this level.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌ You don’t want to charge often: The battery life from the buds is decent, but you only get one extra charge from the case – some others offer three or four.
❌ You want the track to turn off when you remove them: This isn’t a feature of the WF-C700N. No problem for some people, but an annoyance for others.
The Sony WF-C700N are the ideal choice if you’re looking to add ANC to the mix at an affordable price. The N addition here does indeed stand for Noise cancellation, and these buds mark Sony’s new entry-level for ANC earbuds. Also, they’re a huge hit! Their talents include Adaptive ANC and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio support – guided by the same premium Sony Headphones Connect app that’s used for Sony’s flagship XM4 and XM5 earbuds. Multi-point connectivity and adaptive sound control are also onboard (you get to choose ‘Walking’, ‘Waiting’, ‘Travelling’ or ‘Registered places’ in the app, which is seldom seen at this level) plus you get Sony’s standard DSEE audio ‘upscaling’ engine, so even low-res files will sound better.
Those with a Tidal account are in for a real treat thanks to that aforementioned 360 Reality Audio support, but even when we streamed lossy Spotify tracks or much better Apple Music streams during our testing, the WF-C700N put on a resoundingly agile, meaty, enthusiastic performance.
There’s less protrusion than with Sony’s more affordable buds (Sony WF-C500, all eyes on you), because they’re 37% lighter and 38% smaller than the top-tier WF-1000XM4. It should come as no surprise that we found these to be some of the most easy to wear, comfortable earbuds we’ve ever had the pleasure of fitting in our ears – and they stay put for hours on end.
Can the Sony WF-C700N be bettered by rivals? Yes of course, but not for this money. You’ll have to set your sights much farther up the food chain if you want to beat them. For features, design and most-importantly sound quality, these cannot be bettered for this price, which makes them excellent value in our books.
Read our full Sony WF-C700N review
The best budget earbuds
BUY THEM IF
✅ Your budget maxes out at $20 / £20 / AU$50 and you want true wireless: The JLab Go Air Pop are an incredibly affordable set of buds that boast features and sound no other solution to date has managed at this level.
✅ You prioritize a long battery life: 32 hours of playtime, for $20. Let that sink in, while remembering the AirPods Pro will only give you a maximum of 30 hours of listening time.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌ You want full app support: They do amazing things without a companion app (on-ear volume control, EQ, etc.) but if you want a visual cue of their battery life, no dice.
❌ You want top quality sound and have the budget: If sound quality is top of your list and you can spend a little more, do that. This isn’t audiophile territory.
The JLab Go Air Pop buds prove it’s possible to purchase a fantastic set of true wireless earbuds on a tight budget. They boast reliable Bluetooth connectivity and top battery life (eight hours from the earbuds and a whopping 32 hours from the buds and the case combined) plus on-device volume controls that work better than rivals more than double the price, and a triple tap to pick from three different EQ profiles.
Any meaningful sound comparison between these cheap in-ears and class-leading products at 10 times the price really isn’t fair, is it? But these JLab buds easily beat everything else in their price range for sound, features, build quality and reliability. Vocals are relatively well handled through the upper mids, the bass is sensibly refined, and the soundstage is surprisingly expansive.
Design-wise, they’re lightweight at just 3.7g per earbud and incredibly small with three different types of eartips, which means they should suit almost everyone and we certainly found them incredibly comfortable to wear during our testing.
Again, no they don’t beat flagship propositions from the likes of Sony, Apple, or Sennheiser. But they do punch well above their weight. The JLab Go Air Pop sound far better than you’d expect for their nominal ticket price tag and pack in some excellent features that make them fantastic value for money.
Read our full JLab Go Air Pop review
The best earbuds for noise cancellation
BUY THEM IF
✅ Noise cancellation really matters to you: If there’s one thing the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II do really well, it’s noise cancellation.
✅ You want beautifully balanced sound: Whatever CustomTune is actually doing in the ear, it’s working remarkably well. The sound is very well balanced.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌ You’re on a tight budget: It’s easy to argue that the ANC and sound performance of the QCE II are well worth every penny, but these are expensive earbuds.
❌ You’d prefer high-definition wireless sound quality: With support for just low-definition wireless codecs, the QCE II may not be for audiophiles.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are our favorite noise-cancelling earbuds. Yes, even though the newer Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds have essentially superseded them – because the new buds are only a marginal step up for the core sound and ANC quality, and we’re fans of the better value you’ll now get from these (just slightly) older QCE II buds.
The ANC is supremely effective here, thanks to what Bose calls CustomTune, which uses an audio signal – picked up by a mic inside each bud – to automatically calibrate ANC and sound frequency to suit your ear. Unfortunately there’s no wireless charging or multi-point connectivity (there isn’t in the newer set either, which is an oversight from Bose), and battery life is acceptable rather than excellent, at 6 hours or up to 24 hours in total, using the case.
Happily, Bose’s ANC improvements aren’t at the expense of sound quality, and whatever the CustomTune tech is doing behind-the-scenes here made these buds an extremely enjoyable listen during our testing. In our review, we wrote: “We can’t stress this enough – the sound is very well balanced, with a heck of a lot of details and textures coming through.” If you’d still like to tweak the audio output, you can via the EQ in the Bose app.
Design-wise, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are 30% smaller than previous generations with a more compact and lighter charging case. However, we did find the fit took some getting used to and is unlikely to suit everyone at first.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are Bose earbuds, which means they’re typically on the expensive side. But if you can afford them, these are arguably the best noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds you can get today.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review
The best earbuds for Apple fans
BUY THEM IF
✅ You want great sound: These sound superb and shut out the real world so well – and the spatial audio is best-in-class too.
✅ You’ve got all manner of Apple things: If you’ve got an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac and so on, then you’ll really get the benefit from the seamless switching.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌ You want big battery life: There’s nothing wrong with the battery life here, but it’s very much average in the buds – though the amount from the case is good.
❌ You don’t have an iPhone: Android users won’t get anywhere near the full experience, because a lot of setup and control options are done in iOS’ Settings app.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are excellent earbuds that have a strong claim to be the best option for Apple lovers. One of the top features here is the active noise cancellation, which competes with the Bose option above for effectiveness at blocking out almost all external noises (though we rate the Bose slightly higher). The Adaptive Transparency Mode is also a nice trick, adjusting its blocking of outside sounds on the fly. In terms of battery, you get six hours with ANC on and 30 hours with the case too – and that case is IPX4 water resistant and has a speaker and wireless tracking chip, so if you lose it your phone can literally point you towards it, or it can be found by the ‘Find My’ network.
Audio performance is great, and is vastly improved over the original AirPods Pro. There’s rich sound across genres, and a wide and expansive soundstage, bookended by deep-yet-controlled bass and clear, elevated treble. There’s lots of detail, and it’s energetic too – if we were to criticize it, we might say it’s a little too forward compared to the more natural and neutral sound of the Technics at the top of this list. Spatial audio is a very impressive trick of these buds too, especially with movies – it really feels like you’re sitting in a home theater rather than having sound pumped directly into your years.
The crucial part for why you’d choose these over other options, though, is the extra features they include for those with lots of Apple gear. On top of the Find My support, they switch between your Apple devices seamlessly, they can share audio with other AirPods or Beats headphones, they offer personalized audio tweaks, and even optimized battery charging to help make sure they last longer. But to access all of this, you must use them with iPhone. With anything else, you’re looking at basic ‘they play music and you can switch between noise cancellation and Transparency’ functionality.
They’re excellent all-rounder, and during sales events are regularly available for a little less than the premium competition – who would think Apple would be the more budget option, eh?
Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
The best earbuds for Samsung phone users
BUY THEM IF
✅ You own a Samsung Galaxy smartphone: A no-brainer. The Buds 2 Pro present themselves on your Galaxy device for easy pairing and give you handy home-screen widgets.
✅ You want Samsung’s best sound-per-pound audio quality: We didn’t expect to enjoy Samsung’s immersive, expressive, head-tracked 24-bit audio as much as we did.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌ You want a long battery life: Five hours with ANC activated is behind most of the competition here.
❌ You own an iPhone: With no iOS app to control their functions, you’re far better off with something else.
Samsung has a formidable reputation in the smartphone market, but its Galaxy Buds never quite hit a home run. That changed with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. These earbuds are packed full of useful perks, including excellent ANC, voice detect, wearer detection and customizable on-ear controls – all of which work very well indeed – plus IPX7 water ingress protection. This would have been an almost perfect list of specs, marred only by the disappointing five-hour battery life.
The headline-grabbing feature, if you own a Samsung Galaxy device, is spatial audio with optional head-tracking, thus allowing you to use your phone as the focal point to direct more of that new end-to-end 24-bit high-res audio to whichever ear you prefer. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro sport a two-way driver design, with a 10mm woofer and 5.4mm tweeter in each earbud. It’s a formidable improvement on Samsung’s previous earbud releases.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are refreshingly smaller and lighter than most rivals – and a huge improvement over previous Galaxy buds (remember the jewels and kidney bean shaped buds? These are nothing like those and we’re happy about it). The result is a stylish, minimalist, secure and ergonomic look and fit that almost feels as if you’re not wearing earbuds at all – or at least that was our experience during testing.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro squeeze an incredible amount in here for only mid-range money. There are a few minor things lacking, (the ability to tweak ANC in increments on a slider in the app would be lovely), but forgive this and it’s hard to quibble with the sound-per-pound value.
Read our full Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review
The best wired earbuds for most people
BUY THEM IF
✅ You want a pair of wired earphones: Whether you’re worried you’ll lose true wireless or you don’t like the feeling of big and bulky over-ears, it’s good to have the option.
✅ You’re on a tight budget: These earbuds were available for around the £100/$100 price mark initially but now can be picked up for nearly half that.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌ You want wireless: It goes without saying that if you’ve become accustomed to wireless earbuds, you’re not going to be happy with these.
❌ You want ANC: There’s decent noise isolation here, but nothing like the levels of ANC and immersion you’d find from buds specifically designed with ANC in mind.
The 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones are a simple pair of wired headphones. As you’d expect given their design, they aren’t packed with features, but there’s a handy three-button remote that works with both Android and iOS – and already that’s something not every headphone can do.
During our testing we found that they deliver a solid and enjoyable audio performance, noting in our review: “Music is exquisitely detailed with a good sense of space. Instruments are layered and complex songs don’t sound muddled as each instrumental layer remains audible.”
Design-wise, these are simple in-ear earphones that look relatively sleek and refined, albeit within a budget. They come with both foam and silicone ear tips, although we found only the foam ones gave a good enough seal for proper testing. Their rubber cable can be annoying, and the remote control feels a tad cheap, but this is perhaps a little unfair given the ticket price. Then again, if you’re looking for luxury materials, the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones that are a step up from these are still a bargain at twice the price.
After spending a few weeks with both the 1MORE Triple Driver in-ear headphones , we were blown away at the value. Although you’ll find more detailed and better-sounding in-ear headphones much farther up the food chain, you’ll have to pay a hefty premium for a significant boost in performance.
If you want earbuds that sport a cable to keep them secure, the 1More Triple Driver in-ear headphones are among the best value wired earbuds you can buy today.
Read our full 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone review
The best earbuds for supreme sound
BUY THEM IF
✅ You want the best sound quality in a wireless design: This is among the most detailed and just best audio you can buy in a set of truly wireless buds – and the ANC is surprisingly good too.
✅ You pay for a proper music subscription: With aptX Adaptive and Snapdragon Sound onboard, you’re going to want to pay for a decent Tidal, Qobuz or Apple Music subscription to get the goods here.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌ You like an all-singing, all-dancing app: The companion app is a clear area for improvement with these Final buds compared to slicker competition.
❌ You want small earbuds to slip in a pocket: These earbuds are a fair bit larger than many of the current heavy-hitters.
OK, if ever the term “8K Sound+” could apply to something you hear rather than see, that is what you’ll get with these earbuds. We’re not saying we approve of the term used by Final, but nevertheless you should know that the sound quality here is excellent. You’re getting a zealous, expansive, and glorious soundstage that has us living happily in our heads, and forgetting the cost.
So why the less than perfect star rating? These excellent earbuds are marred only by a slightly disappointing battery life (which is five hours tops or 15 including the case, but closer to four when you deploy 8K Sound+) plus an app that supplies the basics rather than the premium, all-seeing all-dancing experience you might expect at this level.
The four noise cancellation modes and volume step optimizer (which gives you better precision when tweaking the volume level) work very well indeed and add value, plus there’s a four-band EQ tab, but forget hearing tests, spatial audio support, wearer detection or the option to customize the on-ear controls – and in our tests, we sometimes found the app a little unreliable in that it failed to fire up or chose not to recognise the earbuds it was connected to.
Then again, we keep coming back to their sound. Honestly, the sound is among the best we’ve ever heard in a true wireless design, and at a price comparable to the best buds from Sony and Bose, despite sounding clearly better. The lack of features (and the large size) may not be for everyone, but if you value music above all else, you must consider them.
Read our full Final ZE8000 MK2 review
The best earbuds for working out
BUY THEM IF
✅ You don’t want to miss out on features: There’s ANC, there’s spatial audio with Apple devices, there’s fast pairing with iOS or Android, there’s Apple Find My support.
✅ You want a rock solid fit in a smaller bud: The in-ear fit combined with a fin, and a fairly light bud overall, means that once these are in, they don’t come out unless you want them to.
DON’T BUY THEM IF
❌ You need best-in-class noise cancellation: They have it, and it works fine, but you can tell it’s from buds that are a few years old now.
❌ You want high-quality sound: Again, they sound absolutely fine, but the likes of Apple’s own AirPods Pro 2 or other premium buds are a clear step up.
When it comes to earbuds especially for working out, there’s a shift in importance. Sound quality and other features are still a big factor, but none of it matters if the earbuds don’t stay in your ears when you’re mid-run, mid-row or mid-set.
Beats Fit Pro were released in 2021, and so are beginning to show their age compared to the wider earbuds competition – for a little more money you can step up to the more premium buds here, which will offer you better sound quality and noise cancellation – but we still really rate them for how they balance a secure fit with the sound and features.
The design has both an in-ear tip plus a fin that fits against the arches of your ear, connected to a reasonably small and light but, which means they hold in place absolutely securely. They’re extremely hard to dislodge accidentally, and their on-device buttons are easy to push without loosening the fit.
They also have smart features for both Apple and Android – on both platforms, you get fast pairing and music playback. On Android, you also have the Beats app, which enables you to customize the controls, check the battery easily, and take a fit test to make sure you’re getting the best from the ANC. On Apple, they offer spatial audio, auto-switching between devices, and audio sharing with other Beats or AirPods.
The IPX4 rating means they should resist sweat, though this won’t make them the most resistant to accidental drops in water or wearing our in heavy rain – if you need something more hardcore, check out the Jabra Elite 7 Active.
Read our full Beats Fit Pro review
How to choose the best earbuds
Two important things to consider when you’re 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.
We’ve included both wired and wireless earbuds on this list, but you don’t have to compromise on audio quality by going wire-free. Our current favorite true wireless earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM4 combine class-leading sound with high quality noise cancellation tech.
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. It’s all about weighing up what’s 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.
How we test the best earbuds
Why you can trust TechRadar
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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.
One of these is the features – whether they compare 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.
Most importantly, we also 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.
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.
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.
At the time of writing, we’re beginning 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. We’ll re-test our current favorite earbuds using the new system, and we’ll use it for reviews 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’re adding certain specific and repeatable tests that all of our reviews can use, so we know we’re getting a fair and even comparison between earbuds.
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.
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. At the moment, we’re still working on gathering this information, so please bear with us – an even better buying guide is coming!
Latest updates to the best earbuds
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.
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