The best earbuds 2021 our top earphones and in-ear headphones for any budget
Finding the best earbuds to suit your needs and your budget can be difficult. There are many different types to choose from, including wired in-ear headphones, neckbud-style wireless earphones, and true wireless earbuds. In this guide, we’ll help you pick the right choice for you.
If you hate wires and have a fairly healthy budget, we recommend cable-free true wireless earbuds, like the Sony WF-1000XM4 and the AirPods Pro – many of which now come with extra features, including noise-cancellation.
Perhaps you value security and audio fidelity above all else. In that case, check out the wired earbuds we’ve selected. Or, opt for something that has the best of both worlds with a pair of the best wireless earbuds. These styles are able to connect to your phone via Bluetooth but still retain a cord between the two earbuds themselves – which means less chance you’ll lose one.
Although there are different designs, prices and brands to choose from, all of the top earphones in our list below are compact, sound fantastic, and are super-convenient to use compared to bulky over-ear headphones.
[Update: Apple has announced it's latest earbuds. The long-awaited Apple AirPods 3 come with support for Spatial Audio, adaptive EQ, and a longer battery life than their predecessors. Not only that, but the 2019 AirPods have also been given a permanent price cut, rather than being discontinued altogether.]
- If you're looking for something cheaper, check out the best budget wireless earbuds of 2021
Our top earbud picks
If you want earbuds that come with a cable to keep them secure and avoid losing them, the 1More Triple Driver in-ear headphones are the best wired earbuds you can buy in 2021. After spending a few weeks with both the 1MORE Triple Driver in-ear headphones and the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones we were blown away at just how much value each one gave in their prospective price ranges.
For $100 / £100 (around AU$168), it’s hard to find a better sounding pair of earbuds than the 1MORE Triple Driver. That said, if you want just that little extra refinement and luxury materials, the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones are still a bargain at twice the price.
There’s very little we can fault the Triple Drivers for. Their rubber cable can be annoying and its remote control feels cheap, but these are just nitpicks. For their price, they’re impossible to beat.
- Read more: 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone review
Sony is largely responsible for the health of the active noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds market. With the WF-1000XM4, the company has combined performance, ergonomics, and build quality more effectively than ever before.
Compared to their predecessors, the Sony WF-1000XM3, the new wireless earbuds offer enough quality-of-life features to make them worth upgrading to, even if they are more expensive.
While other true wireless earbuds surpass the Sony WF-1000XM4 in particular areas – noise cancellation, for example – no other model comes close to offering such excellent quality across the board. That’s why the Sony WF-1000XM4 are hands-down the best true wireless earbuds you can buy today.
- Read more: Sony WF-1000XM4 review
NuraLoop boils down the essence of the company's first product, the Nuraphone, into a much more compact, rugged, and affordable package. The great news is, it doesn't lose much in the process.
The star of the show in the Nuraloop headphones – and all products from this brand – is its adaptive audio technology. This is able to automatically determine a listening profile for users and then feeds them customized, well-balanced, lush sound as a result.
On top of this, features like active noise-cancelling, social mode, an IPX3 rating, Immersion mode, a great battery life, and the ability to attach an analog cable for 3.5mm headphone jacks makes this pair of wireless earbuds truly shine.
- Read more: NuraLoop headphones review
The NuraTrue are probably the most personalized wireless earbuds you can buy today – and some of the best-sounding, too.
They’re the first true wireless earbuds from Australian audio brand Nura, following in the footsteps of its NuraLoop earphones, which are in the positive above in this list and some of our favorite wired earbuds of all time.
They offer unbeaten levels of customization that allow the earbuds to be tuned to your ears exactly. The accompanying app even analyzes how well the buds fit into your ears. The end result is outstanding audio performance that reveals superb levels of detail in your music, and a wide soundstage that enables every instrument to sing.
They also come with plenty of features that will appeal to anyone who wants a cheaper alternative to popular models such as the AirPods Pro and the Sony WF-1000XM4, including decent noise cancellation, an IPX4 water-resistance rating, fast charging, and support for hi-res audio too.
- Read more: NuraTrue review
The NuForce BE Sport4 wireless earbuds are a rare find in that they’re great in basically all situations. While they're specifically designed for use in the gym and outdoor workouts, the BE Sport4 do an awesome job isolating audio in a crowded city environment, too, and are even a solid option for at-home listening where audio quality is paramount.
The BE Sport4 in-ear headphones have claimed 10-hour battery life, which we found to be pretty close to the mark in our time with them, and from empty you can get two hours of use from just a 15-minute charge – ideal for those needing a quick top-up while they put on their trainers and pack a gym kit.
Consider this a warning shot fellow audio manufacturers: build and audio quality do not need to be sacrificed in order to keep earbuds affordable.
- Read more: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 review
Cambridge Audio might be best known for its high-end audio equipment, but over the past few years, the British company has branched out into the world of true wireless earbuds.
Its first offering is the Melomania 1, which are among the best wireless earbuds you can buy. However, the new Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are a worthy upgrade, putting many other earbuds in the shade in terms of audio performance, battery life, and ease-of-use.
While the design of the Melomania 1 Plus hasn’t deviated too far from its predecessors, there’s a clear step-up in terms of audio performance, with levels of detail and clarity that could rival some of the best over-ear headphones.
A helpful app, easy controls, and excellent connectivity just makes us love them even more. The only downside is that there’s no active noise cancellation. However, when these earbuds sound this good, we doubt you’ll miss it much.
- Read more: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus review
When we first reviewed the original Lypertek PurePlay Z3 true wireless earbuds (then known as the Lypertek Tevi), we were blown away – and they were so good, we made them our headphone product of the year.
Fast-forward a couple of years, and we’re now looking at their successors, the Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 true wireless earbuds. They’re very similar to the originals, with a few key improvements, and yet still come in at the same affordable price point as their predecessors.
You're getting everything we loved about the original PurePlay Z3 (detailed balanced sound, a whopping 80 hours total battery life from its petite USB-C charging case, and a comfortably fitting bud with physical buttons), as well as wireless charging, a powerful new LDX Audio mode, improved app functionality and a hear through ambient mode.
On paper, the GT220 from Grado seem to have their work cut out. $259 / £250 / AU$365 for small, humdrum-looking true wireless earbuds with no active noise-cancelling and no control app.
However, by performing with absolute confidence and assurance, they stand head and shoulders above the majority of true wireless earbuds on the market today in terms of exceptional audio performance and quality.
This is because they extract every shred of information from the digital files of your favorite music and deliver it with such authority, and in such a complete and coherent manner, that it manages to sound completely fresh even if you’ve heard it a thousand times before.
But it’s not just about sound, we found them to be comfortable and lightweight and even though there’s no control app, there’s great, responsive touch and voice control on offer here.
- Read more: Grado GT220 review
The Bowers & Wilkins PI3 are the first neckband headphones from the brand, and they're a great start. These wired earbuds are well-designed, comfy, and simple to use.
They’re a great option if you want the security of a neckband and the quality of a trusted brand. But it’s their great sound that makes them some of the best earbuds you can buy today.
Thanks to dual drivers, these buds sound absolutely fantastic, with crisp highs, lively mids, and plenty of powerful bass. You’ll need to look past the fairly unremarkable battery life and limited features, but you'll be mostly very impressed by what these in-ear headphones offer.
The sound quality, battery life, and design of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 earbuds are truly brilliant – and they're a great alternative to the Sony WF-1000XM4, particularly if your idea of the best earbuds are a little more flashy.
We did find that those with smaller ears sometimes find these earbuds a little uncomfortable, however, and their high price just stops them from beating the Sony's to second place of this round up.
Otherwise, Sennheiser has pretty much knocked it out of the park with these in-ear headphones, offering great noise cancellation alongside smart, sleek looks and stunning sound.
- Read more: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 review
OnePlus is mostly known for its “flagship killer” phones, like the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro, but the company also makes headphones – the best example are the company’s excellent Bullets Wireless 2, which offer incredible value in the neckbud earphones category.
In terms of audio quality, these neckband earbuds boast a lively sonic presentation and an accurate-feeling soundstage, although bass-heads may want to look elsewhere for headphones that pack a bassier punch.
They're comfortable to wear, too, it's just a shame that they don't have a waterproof rating and the inline remote is so fiddly, because otherwise they could make a decent pair of running headphones.
They may be $30 more expensive than their predecessors, but the improved battery life and sound quality makes up for that; it also makes it worth upgrading if you have the originals and are due a new pair of wireless earbuds.
- Read more: OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2 review
They're expensive, but the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones are worth every penny. 1MORE hit it out of the park with this flagship pair of wired earbuds, with their balanced sound build quality, smartphone compatibility, and price. These in-ear headphones will make mobile audiophiles very happy.
The only reservation that we have is that the Quad Drivers face tough competition from 1MORE’s own cheaper Triple Driver sibling which costs half the price (which sit pretty at the number one spot on our list).
In terms of value, the 1MORE Triple Driver headphones are among the best you can buy, but if you're willing to spend a little more on build and sound quality, the 1More Quad Drivers are even better.
- Read more: 1More Quad Driver In-Ear Headphones
Apple's noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds, the AirPods Pro, deliver a much better fit and an improved design compared to the original AirPods.
However, at $249 / £249 / AU$399, they’re pretty pricey too, and as such can’t be called the very best true wireless earbuds in terms of value for money – but they may be the best true wireless earbuds for Apple fans. That said, AirPods Pro deals are becoming more commonplace as the buds age.
These snug-fitting earbuds offer a great sound, and the additional microphones provide strong noise-cancelling (particularly when commuting), as well as a useful Transparency mode, which really does let the outside world in. They even support Dolby Atmos immersive sound, following an update last year.
Apparently, there's a new AirPods model set to join the original buds and the newer Pros. The AirPods Pro 2 are rumored to be a new, cheaper variant of the company's popular true wireless earbuds, and they could be released in the next few months.
- Read more: Apple AirPods Pro review
The SoundMagic E11BTs are an extremely capable pair of wireless in-ear earphones, and given their low price, it really is difficult to fault them. The audio quality on offer here is fantastic and they look very elegant, too.
They're comfortable to wear thanks to ergonomically designed eartips and they're attached to a flat neckband that won’t irritate you while running or working out. thanks to an IPX4 rating, they should withstand sweaty sessions, too, making them a solid option for an spare pair of workout buds.
- Read more: SoundMAGIC E11BT
The Jaybird Tarah Pro headphones are wireless sport headphones for the endurance runners, athletes and fitness nuts out there. With a neck cable to keep the earbuds together, they aren’t quite ‘true wireless’, but will be practical for those concerned about dropping and losing a costly earbud in the heat of a race or training session.
As the first in Jaybird’s new ‘Pro’ range of Bluetooth earbuds and aimed at offering higher quality audio and materials, the Tarah Pro will suit anyone not willing to sacrifice audio quality in harsher outdoor conditions or indoor workouts and who don't mind spending a bit more to get a premium product.
- Read more: Jaybird Tarah Pro review
These new earbuds from Sennheiser boast audiophile-grade sound quality – especially if you use them with a good DAC or external amp – but they’re expensive for a pair of wired buds.
The Sennheiser IE 900 blow pretty much every set of wireless earbuds out of the water in terms of audio performance, and that’s as good a reason as any to forgo the convenience of being cable-free. Incidentally, you get three different cables with these buds, each ending in a different-sized jack, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to connectivity.
During our testing, we were disappointed to find there’s no inline control – especially considering the price – but this is a minor quibble. Much attention to detail has gone into making of these buds, from the aluminum housings to the microfibre cleaning cloth included in the box.
The Sennheiser IE 900 are comfortable to wear for long periods of time – and, trust us, you’ll certainly want to use them for extended listening sessions. In fact, they sound so good, you’ll struggle to tear yourself away. If you have the money, they’re a brilliant investment.
- Read more: Sennheiser IE 900 review
How to choose the best earbuds for you
The best earbuds for you need to feel ultra-comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, and must fit securely in your ear for decent noise isolation.
If you're looking for a pair of running headphones, your new earphones should have an IPX4 water-resistance rating or above; this means that they'll be able to withstand a little sweat as well as a spot of rain.
There are 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-1000XM3 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 could find yourself caught short without any music in the middle of your commute.
Most importantly, the best earbuds for you should sound good to your ears. If you're a dedicated audiophile, look for buds that support Hi-Res Audio codecs like LDAC and aptX HD Bluetooth for stellar connectivity.
- Apple AirPods vs AirPods Pro: which buds are best?
FAQs
Which brand has the best earbuds?
That totally depends on what you're looking for – but we're careful with our lists. That means all of the earbud and in-ear headphones below 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.
What are the best cheap earbuds?
Some of the buds in this list are below the $80 / $80 mark, which makes them ideal for those who need a new set of headphones but can't justify a splurge. We recommend the 1More Triple Drive In-Ear Headphones – but if they're still too pricey for your current budget, then check out our guides to the best cheap headphones of 2021 and the best budget wireless earbuds.
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source https://www.techradar.com/news/audio/best-in-ear-headphones-1276925/
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