We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Credit: Product image courtesy of Amazon.
Finding a perfect pair of earbuds is no easy task, but I’m here to help you narrow down the options. No matter if you’re looking for a luxe experience with high-end noise-canceling features or just a solid pair of earbuds that’ll be able to handle all your ear sweat at the gym, I’ve got you covered.
The best noise-canceling earbuds
Table of Contents
When it comes to the best earbuds to eliminate the racket of the outside world, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra come out on top. That said, the AirPods Pro are not very far behind and might work for Apple users because of their seamless paring and other features specific for Apple devices. If you’re looking for a more wallet-friendly choice with ANC, consider the EarFun Air Pro 3, currently $55.98 (originally $82.98). These EarFun earbuds do surprisingly well for their price point.
The best earbuds for comfort
If you plan on wearing your earbuds for a long time and want to forget they’re even there, consider the Status Between 3ANC earbuds. They are my personal favorite because of how customizable the silicone bits are, all but ensuring a great fit. Like most earbuds, you can choose between a small, medium, or large ear tip—but you can also choose the external silicone piece that lays flat against your ear.
You can choose any combination of these six pieces to get a great tight seal fit for your ear, leading to a very comfortable fit that stays on securely and gets a really crisp sound.
The best earbuds for overall sound quality
Simply put, the Sony WF-1000XM5 offers the best streaming quality audio you can buy, as well as the ability to customize your sound with various EQ and personalization options in the accompanying app. If you’re looking for the Android equivalent of the AirPods Pro in terms of overall quality, these are the ones.
The best earbuds for working out
If you want to bring your music on a run or to the gym, the JBL Reflect Aero earbuds will hang on for dear life. These earbuds have special tips with fins for an extra secure fit on your ear. They are also rated IP68 for their dustproof and waterproof capabilities. These earbuds also have ANC and ambient sound settings, just in case need to hear your surroundings.
The best earbuds for battery life
Battery life a very important metric that often takes a back seat to ANC and other, sexier features. If you want the best earbuds that will last and last, then consider the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC Gen 2 earbuds. These bad boys sport a surprising 70 hours of battery life—broken down into 15 hours after a full charge and an extra 55 from the charging case. If you’re in a rush, a quick 15-minute charge will provide an hour of playtime.
The best earbuds for showering
There aren’t really any earbuds specifically made to be used in the shower, but that doesn’t mean people don’t do it. I love to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks when showering, and my fiancée hates it. So, to keep our relationship healthy, I’ve had to find a pair of earbuds that’ll allow me to listen to whatever I want without creating too much excess noise.
My criteria for the “best earbuds for showering” simply means they are rated at least IPX7 (waterproof) and have push/physical buttons rather than tap controls. Keep in mind that there are no earbuds made to withstand soap or shampoo, and if you’re not careful, the earbuds will eventually stop working properly. Because of this, an affordable pair like the Anker Life A1 by Soundcore are a good choice. They work well and they will not break the bank if (when) they eventually give out.