TOP 10 Best Earbuds 2025

The first headphones were invented in the 1880s; they weighed around 4,5 kg and had to be supported on the user’s shoulder. The good news is that quite a lot has changed since then, and, nowadays, headphones are not only more comfortable to wear, but come in plenty of styles to suit all musical genres and listening preferences.

It’s Not the Size That Counts

In case you are just starting to discover what mind-blowing sound opportunities are there once you ditch the buds that came with your phone, we’ve created a brief overview of the major earphone categories. Each of them has unique pros and cons.

The in-ear headphones are small enough to be held in place by the ear canal or concha. They are often also called earphones or earbuds. The earbuds (aka in-ear monitors or IEMs) have soft barrel-shaped tips that slightly enter the ear canal, sealing it off. This allows for better stereo image (especially, when it comes to the bass response) and a more secure fit. However, since everyone has differently shaped ears, achieving that perfect fit can be harder than it seems. Some people also find the feeling of something into their ear canal uncomfortable.

Bluetooth earbuds - are they really without wires?

Once you have picked your favourite type of bluetooth earbuds, you should be aware that three different two exist depending on how many wires there are..

True wireless (also called wire-free) earbuds are the most recent but have become very popular, despite the limited battery life. It is easy to see why; with no cables in sight, they are more discreet and versatile than other types. The microphones are built into the buds themselves together with the track and volume controls. However, an integral part of their manufacturing costs goes into the Bluetooth technology and batteries. That’s why wired earbuds almost always sound better than similarly priced Bluetooth models. Audio purists still insist that even the best wireless in-ears cannot deliver a soundscape equal to a pair of high-quality wired ones.

Corded wireless models have a wire or neckband connecting both earpieces, but they still use a Bluetooth connection. In comparison to true wireless earbuds of the same price category, they often offer slightly better audio and longer battery life. They also are popular among athletes. The neckband typically can be adjusted or clipped during the workout, and, in case, one bud falls out, it will not get lost. These features make a decent trade-in for that one wire; however, the majority of manufacturers lately have been focusing on developing true wireless models.

Precious Sound

We already mentioned that a good fit is crucial to get the best out of your earbuds. Still, a few other factors affect the audio quality as well. These include the format of your music, the drivers, the frequency response, and boosting. However, if you are eyeing wireless in-ears just to conveniently stream tracks from a phone, the subtleties might easily go unheard, and your primary concern should be the Bluetooth connectivity.

First, the later Bluetooth version is used, the better the battery life and sound will be. Secondly, the supported codecs matter too – they reduce latency, improve audio quality, and contribute to energy efficiency. Codecs encode and decode digital audio data into a specific format, transmitting them from your device to the headphones. There is plenty of tech-heavy stuff to dig here, but the short answer is – when it comes to consumer-grade headphones, you should invest in a model that supports a high bitrate codec. It will preserve more data resulting in better audio. On the other hand, the source device also matters, as it must speak the same Bluetooth language. If you are an Apple user, you will get the best performance from headphones that support AAC. For Android devices, do not settle with SBC, if audio quality is your priority. Look for Bluetooth headphones that support codecs from aptX line-up.

Not Fond of Noise?

All earbuds offer what is called passive noise cancellation. By sealing the ear canal, they block out most surrounding environment noises. Thus, for the passive noise cancellation to really work, a good fit is crucial. Your earphone pair should come with at least three different-sized tips, and more is better. For most models, it is possible to get third-party options too, for example, tips of XL size. In case nothing fits right, it might be worth it investing in memory-foam tips. They adapt to the unique shape of your ear canal, offering not only the best passive noise cancellation but also more comfort.

A technology called active noise cancellation (often abbreviated as ANC) is often used in the high-end earphone models. In such a case, special microphones on the buds perceive the surrounding sound waves and then produce inverse sound waves that cancel them out. Theoretically, this seems great; however, not all models are equally effective. Furthermore, with the ANC on, there is a peculiar feeling of pressure on your ears, as if you were under the water, and some people find it unpleasant.

Finally, there is a thing called adaptive noise cancellation. Think of it as an advanced form of what we described above. Yet, now your earbuds also take into account other factors, such as the air pressure, your movement speed and noise type. Adaptive noise cancellation will bring in some of the ambient sounds so that you can order a cup of coffee or stay aware of the traffic during the morning run.

Taking Control

In a perfect case, your earbuds should offer easy and straightforward controls to play, pause and switch between the songs, take a call, and adjust the volume. One way to achieve this is to place sensors or buttons on the earpieces themselves. In such a case, they must be precise and intuitive. Ideally, both earpieces should offer the same functions, or there should be an option to program them according to your liking.

Nowadays, many earbuds also come with a dedicated app that often allows more detailed scrutiny over your devices, noise-cancelling modes or even EQ. Many Bluetooth models also support voice assistants such as Siri or Google Assistant. When it comes to controls, there are no rights or wrongs, but it is essential that you find them comfortable and intuitive to use.

When the Rain Comes Down

If you plan to mostly use your earbuds outdoors and/or for exercise, look for a model that is certified at least as splash-proof. Your earbuds should have an IPX4 water-resistance rating or above; this means that they will not be damaged by sweat or light rain. The IP stands for Ingress Protection. The first character after IP indicates protection against dust (measured from 0 to 6; a higher number means better protection). The second character indicates protection against water (measured from 0 to 9; again, the higher the number, the better).

If we look at our example rating IPX4, which is commonly found on sports earbuds, it means that the product has not been tested against dust, but is resistant to splashes of water (however, it should not be immersed). Still, it is essential to remember that the tests are carried out under laboratory conditions, not real-life situations. Thus, don’t try pushing the limits of your new earbuds to find out how much water they can handle.

Spark of Life

The last but not the least aspects to consider regarding earbuds are the battery life and charging. The vast majority of the wire-free models currently are limited to approximately five to six hours. While corded wireless earbuds tend to last a bit more, devoted music lovers might still find these durations limiting.

The good news is that the true wireless earbuds usually come with a charging case that, depending on the model, can hold two to four more charges, sometimes even stretching the total playback time over 24 hours. Nevertheless, the charging speed often matters more than the capacity. Luckily, many models offer a fast-charging mode that gives an extra hour (or even more) of playback after only a few minutes in the case.

Of course, the case itself must be charged too. Currently, the best connector is USB-C. Being more flexible and faster than micro-USB and Lightning, it is becoming the new charging standard. The wireless charging looks super cool and is convenient since a single standard, Qi, is used by all major manufacturers. However, when it comes to speed, wireless is not the quickest charging option.

Conclusion

The best earbuds nowadays serve not only to deliver powerful sound wherever you are. There are models that also function as excellent headsets, block unpleasant noises during long flights and even allow sharing your music with a friend. Whether you need an unrivalled bass for gym sessions, a discrete set for taking a call on the go or stunning soundscape to enjoy your high-res music collection, our recommended models can handle that with aplomb.