The 10 Best Earbuds and In-Ear Headphones 2023

Almost everyone owns some sort of earbuds, whether you are the sort of person who uses the buds included with your device, or you are constantly in search of the best earbuds. In this guide, you will find a number of the top options for a variety of different needs.

We’ve included options whether you’re looking for incredible value or audiophile quality.

Here are the best earbuds 2023:

1. Sony WF-1000XM3

The best true wireless earbuds

The audio quality and clarity on offer is more than good enough for casual listeners and audiophiles alike. The noise cancelling tech is a big bonus, too, making the Sony WF-1000XM3 some of the top-rated earbuds.

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Excellent HD noise canceling. 24-bit audio streaming. Battery life of 24 hours with the charging case. It also has quick charge functionality, 10 minutes of charge can give 90 minutes of play time. Alexa is enabled and can be activated easily for voice controls and changing tracks. 3 different earbud tips are included so you can choose the ideal size for you. To get the full battery life, you need to use the charging case, so you don’t get 24 hours uninterrupted (this isn’t usually a big problem, though). There is no volume control directly on the earbuds, so this has to be done from the device.

These earbuds feature a ‘true wireless’ design which means that you don’t even have a cable connecting the two buds. This provides the ultimate flexibility.

As well as being exceptional earbuds, these even feature the QN1e noise cancelling technology. You usually only see this sort of technology in bigger headphones. As well as audio clarity, the Sony WF-1000XM3 has some brilliant, state-of-the-art tech features.

2. Sony MDR-XB50AP

The best affordable wired earbuds with extra bass

They’re not the very best for those who are uncompromising on quality, but the excellent little bass boost is great for the gym or exercising and listening to heavier genres of music.

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12 mm dome driver for more power and bass response. Integrated mic and inline controls. Y-type cord is designed to be tangle-free so you don’t have to constantly worry about untangling the cord. Silicone earbuds fit relatively comfortably. 4 different ear tips let you choose the ideal size for you. Relatively affordable, and much cheaper than most wireless models. No option to turn the bass boost off if you don’t want it on for certain music or listening to podcasts. The build materials are quite cheap. These certainly aren’t high-end, durable headphones.

Sony has something for the bassheads out there, too. A lot of people love to listen to music with a little boost in the low end, and lots of headphone manufacturers like Beats offer this EQ boost.

Some earbuds struggle, as the small driver size doesn’t produce much power. However, the Sony MDR-XB50AP earbuds give an affordable choice with plenty of punch.

3. Bose SoundSport Free

The best true wireless in-ear headphones for exercise

For the most part, you know what you will get with Bose quality headphones. The SoundSport earbuds aren’t perfect for every use, but for an active lifestyle they provide a good option.

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Up to 5 hours of battery life, which can be boosted by another 10 hours with the charging case. ‘Find my buds’ feature, ideal for if you do happen to lose an earbud somewhere. Reliable Bluetooth connectivity, you can keep your device in your pocket or anywhere nearby and listen with reliable streaming quality. Sport tips stay in place excellently even during rigorous movement. 3 sizes of ear tip to find the perfect fit. IPX4 weather resistant, these can cope with a bit of sweat and rain. Integrated microphone array for making calls or for using voice control tech. Buttons aren’t the easiest to control volume and skip tracks.

If you are looking for true wireless earbuds that will stay in place comfortably during workouts then Bose might have the answer. Some earbuds aren’t sturdy enough to wear during a run or other exercise as they can fall out or just be uncomfortable. The SoundSport earphones are designed to tackle this.

The Bose brand normally means audiophile quality and high-quality components. This is exactly what’s on offer with the SoundSport earbuds.

4. Shure SE215-CL

The best in-ear headphones with noise isolation

If you are planning to listen in noisy environments, the noise isolating functionality of these earbuds can be hugely helpful. They’re some of the best rated wired earbuds on the market.

Image credit: Shure Check Price on Amazon

Blocks out lots of external noise. Optimized angle for resting within your ear comfortably without causing fatigue when listening for long periods of time. The connector also has a 360 degree rotation for comfort and minimal rubbing and pressure on the ears. Wireless option also available if this is preferred. Comes with a soft case to protect and avoid tangles in the wire. Not suitable for iPhones with Lightning connector. This requires an adapter. Long cord can be annoying and increase the chances of getting caught. This can be replaced if needed.

These earbuds were originally developed for touring musicians as in-ear monitors. The noise isolating features block out the sounds without using “active noise cancelling technology”. This means musicians can hear their own audio mix in isolation. It translates into brilliant noise isolating headphones, though.

They can block 37 dB of outside ambient noise. This is combined with excellent Shure audio clarity for a great sound.

5. Avantree E171

The best budget earbuds with mic

For people on a budget who want earbuds that can make and receive calls, the Avantree E171 could be a good choice. Just be sure to check that they are compatible with your device.

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3 different sizes of ear tips and a wraparound hook design to fit your ears even when moving around a lot. Great microphone for the price, with inline controls. Though not ultra high fidelity, the audio is still pretty good for the price, with a fairly powerful bass punch. The inline controls don’t work with all models of iPhone and iPad. Quite a small cable, not ideal for taller people.

If you are looking for budget earbuds with a microphone included then the Avantree E171 could be a good option. These earbuds are great for sports, with a wraparound ear hook design to keep them sturdy while you are running or working out in the gym.

Though they won’t give you ultra high fidelity audio, these earbuds will stay in place easily, and also provide simple and easy calls. Inline controls let you accept or reject calls or even call the last dialed number without touching your phone. The mic is good quality, even if you are in a busy environment.

6. TBI Pro PowerPro Sport 5.0

The best battery life

They’re great earbuds if you plan on long listening spells, or for taking on your travels with you. If you want an elite audiophile sound then you might need to spend a little more, but for most, the PowerPro Sport 5.0 provides a good listening experience.

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Reliable Bluetooth 5.0 connection. Silicone ear hooks keep these earbuds in place around your ear and help if you are exercising. IPX7 waterproof design. You don’t have to worry about using these earbuds in the rain or sweating a lot in the gym. 11 mm driver gives a surprisingly strong and clear sound for the price tag, especially in the bass frequencies. Not ideal for noise cancelling or noise isolation. Ambient noise does get in. Needs a slightly improved frequency response to be considered the very best earbuds for sound.

This is one of the only sets of earbuds that is truly top-rated and not made by one of the most well-known audio brands. Though it doesn’t carry the brand reputation of Bose or Shure, these earbuds have some very modern features and amazing battery life.

The battery is 50 hours, but this does rely on it recharging using the charging case. The features and audio quality are surprising for the price, especially as these are true wireless earbuds.

7. Beats Powerbeats Pro

The best Beats earbuds

With high-tech features and an excellent, high-end design, it’s easy to see why Beats are so popular. These earbuds are great for the gym or for listening around the house or on public transport.

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Available in multiple color schemes with an iconic Beats design. True wireless. No cables to snag or annoy you. Sweat and water resistant for use in adverse weather or for exercise. Comes complete with the Apple H1 headphone chip, but also Class 1 Bluetooth, these can be used on Apple or Android devices. Track controls on the earbuds so you can easily switch between songs. Charging case provides 24 hours of listening time, and a quick charge means 5 minutes of charging can give an hour of listening time. Microphone included, and calls can be taken from either earbud. Sync may not be as reliable on Android devices. Not the most comfortable earbuds currently on the market.

There is a reason that Beats has become one of the powerhouse brands in the world of headphones in such a short space of time. The Powerbeats Pro are very highly rated, and the best Beats earbuds with a true wireless design.

8. TaoTronics TT-EP002

The best wired earbuds with ANC

For active noise cancelling on a budget, these can be a good option. For earbuds, they’re a bit bulky, but if you don’t mind carrying them around, the TaoTronics provide quality audio for the price.

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ANC can reduce unwanted ambient noise by 25dB. “Monitoring Mode” can allow you to quickly switch off the cancellation when you need to hear what’s going on around you. Very durable. An aluminum build combined with a matte finish means they look great and feel sturdy. MEMS microphone is noise cancelling. You can isolate your voice when talking to others in busy environments. Battery pack is large and can be annoying, making these less easily portable. Could be more comfortable, a little bit of pressure is applied to the ears when listening.

Active noise cancelling technology isn’t included in a huge number of headphones. The TaoTronics are one of the most affordable ways to get ANC technology, perfect for those who need to block out repetitive sound such as public transport.

These in-ear headphones are very highly rated, and they are great for the money. At the price point, you’ll struggle to find many better wired earbuds.

9. FiiO FH7 5-Drive

The best audiophile earbuds

Audiophiles are likely to be very satisfied by the excellent quality of these earbuds. The multiple drivers and high-tech design appeals to the music tech geek inside all of us. If you are looking to invest in high-end earbuds, the FiiO FH7 are worth looking into.

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Made of aerospace-grade alloy. Includes 4 Knowles driver units combined with a 13.66mm Beryllium driver. Exceptional LC-3.5C 8 strand cable made out of Litz copper-plated silver wires for ideal conductivity. 15 pairs of eartips included to choose the ideal fit for you. Incredible sound from small earbuds, with a wide frequency response, balanced bass and crisp high end. High tech acoustic structure avoids distortion and helps with resonance. Very expensive compared to most options on the market. Can feel a little heavy after long listening sessions.

If you are looking for sound quality, and you don’t mind spending extra to get it, the FiiO FH7 earbuds may be an exceptional choice. The manufacturers really have not compromised in any area when manufacturing these earbuds.

10. JBL Tune T110

A great budget option

If you are opting for the JBL T110 earbuds, it’s important to be prepared for the fact they aren’t the most elite model out there, but for those wanting good audio for a very affordable price tag, they are worth exploring as an option.

Image credit: JBL Check Price on Amazon

Bass forward in spite of the size and price. 9mm drivers deliver a pretty respectable low end sound. Inline controls provide a microphone and easy volume controls as well as taking calls. Flat cable avoids tangling. Fairly comfortable to wear. Not the best build quality, which is to be expected for the affordable price tag. Audio quality is not great for those who want to hear a lot of detail and high fidelity. These are definitely budget earbuds.

If you are looking for cheap earbuds to do a decent job, and you aren’t too worried about an elite sound, then the JBL T110 earbuds might be an option.

JBL is a huge audio brand, and though these headphones are affordable, they are good enough for casual listening, and better than most cheap headphones.

Conclusion

Our earbud reviews span a variety of different price ranges and some of the top brands on the market. The industry is huge, and the choice can be overwhelming at times.

It’s worth doing some research to find the best option for you, whether you want noise cancelling, high fidelity audio or great value for money.