The 6 Most Comfortable Earbuds

Are you looking for the most comfortable earbuds to enjoy your favorite songs? Having earbuds that don’t hurt your ears lets you listen for longer periods without aching or ear fatigue.

There are more earbud options on the market than ever before in 2021, whether you want Bluetooth functionality, true wireless headphones like Apple’s airpods, or you are happy with wires. In this guide, we provide reviews of the most comfortable in-ear headphones out there.

Here are the most comfortable earbuds 2021:

1. Bose QuietComfort 20
2. Philips PRO6105
3. Beats Powerbeats Pro
4. Westone W20
5. Sony WI-XB400
6. LETSCOM U8I

1. Bose QuietComfort 20

The most comfortable earbuds

Bose is a huge brand in the world of headphones, and their QuietComfort 20 do exactly what they promise – stay quiet and comfortable. The noise cancelling technology cancels out ambient sound while the design keeps these snug and comfy within your ears.

To ensure you have bought earbuds that don’t hurt, the manufacturers include three different ear tips. This means you can find the one most suitable for the size and shape of your ear.

Image credit: Bose Check Price on Amazon

StayHear+ tips give you a soft fit and they stay securely in your ear, just match up the right size. ActiveEQ can customize the sound to your preference. ‘Aware mode’ lets you quickly turn off the noise cancelling to check your surroundings easily. A different model is needed depending on whether you use Apple or Samsung devices. If you opt to listen plugged into your device, wires can get in the way.

This is quite an expensive model, but you do get a lot for your money, especially when it comes to noise cancelling and audio fidelity. Bose is a brand that continues to make great earbuds.

2. Philips PRO6105

Affordable, comfortable option

For long listening sessions, wired earbuds can save some hassle. They avoid the need to constantly recharge batteries. This model is from Philips, known for a variety of electronics.

While the fidelity isn’t as high as some competing options, it gives good value for money. Though not recording studio quality, they function as a good set of earbuds for the casual listener, and the comfort is one of the top features.

Image credit: Philips Check Price on Amazon

In-line controls and a microphone allow you to make and receive calls. Strong frequency response for a set of earbuds, the bass response is pretty good compared to most options at this price point. No worrying about battery life. 8.6 mm driver is fairly powerful for compact earbuds. Multiple soft tips let you choose between Small, Medium and Large fit. Not the highest fidelity audio. No wireless audio option.

The soft and adaptable tips provide a comfortable solution for all day listening. If you want something that doesn’t break the bank but is lightweight and fits snugly in your ear, this could be an option.

3. Beats Powerbeats Pro

The most comfortable wireless earbuds

Looking for comfortable Bluetooth earbuds with a true wireless design is hard. True wireless designs can be great for portability and avoiding wires, but some are uncomfortable. The Powerbeats Pro are an example of a good product for this, as Beats have made true wireless a comfortable option!

Image credit: Beats by Dre Check Price on Amazon

24 hours of listening time if you charge via the charging case. True wireless, no wires or cord even to connect the two earbuds. Secure ear hooks feel lightweight and ensure comfort, but also keep the earbuds stable. Control your earbuds by tapping on the sides, no need for inline controls. Apple H1 chip for reliable Bluetooth, but works on both iOS and Android devices. Only 9 hour battery life if you don’t charge mid-use. A little on the expensive side. Some android devices can struggle to pair with these earbuds.

True wireless headphones need some way to stay in your ear, and these have an ear hook design. This is usually where comfort is compromised, but not with the Powerbeats, which are light and adaptable enough to provide long-term listening without aches and pains.

4. Westone W20

Lightweight earbuds for comfort (or best ear tips)

The Westone W20 earbuds weigh just 0.48 ounces. Westone is a brand with a focus on comfort and have been making custom fit ear tips and other earpieces for over 60 years. While not a household name in terms of headphones, they do have some incredibly comfortable models in the W range. The W20 is one of the very best.

The manufacturers call these IEMs or in-ear monitors. They can be used as stage monitors or just casual earbuds. They are the smallest dual driver design in the world. This means plenty of power, but lightweight design.

Image credit: Westone Check Price on Amazon

Five silicone ear tips and five foam ear tips, so you can choose the most suitable. Comes with a 2-year warranty. Extremely lightweight. Ergonomically designed and great for long listening sessions. 3-button MI control system can control your device, both Android and iOS. Cleaning kit included. Dual driver means loads of power when you consider the size and weight. The response is a little lacking in some of the high end frequencies. Quite expensive due to the small, detailed design.

There are a lot of features and functions packed into this small set of earbuds. They come with lots of ear tips and are made to be extremely lightweight, so that your ears don’t become tired when wearing them.

With the W20 earbuds, it truly shows that Westone specialize in making tips that slip comfortably in your ear.

5. Sony WI-XB400

Comfortable earbuds with boosted bass

Sony is a big household name. The WI-XB400 Extra Bass earbuds are comfortable and easy to carry around with you all day, but they also have a brilliant bass boost.

A lot of people love listening to bassy music on their headphones, but the smaller earbud design can struggle with bass frequencies. The WI-XB400 do a great job of boosting kick drums and bass sounds.

Image credit: Sony Check Price on Amazon

Quick charge feature. 10 minutes of charge gives 60 minutes of playback time. 15 hour battery life. Lightweight, with a flexible cable so it doesn’t get in the way. Soft, ergonomic tips. USB-C charger, so you don’t need a specific charger for these earbuds. Can be used for making and receiving calls. 12 mm driver gives plenty of power and added bass response. Not the best quality for making and receiving calls. Mic is not the best quality. Not quite audiophile quality.

If you want to listen to dance music, heavy metal or other bassy genres, you may find that earbuds struggle. A bass boost helps you to get the most out of them, and with the WI-XB400 from Sony you get plenty of bass while retaining a lightweight design that is comfy over long spells.

6. LETSCOM U8I

The most comfortable earbuds for exercise

Comfort is different if you are doing a lot of exercise wearing earbuds. You need a set of earbuds that are going to stay firmly in place, but without rubbing or causing pressure on the ears.

The U8I Bluetooth earbuds manage this, and they are wireless, too. These earbuds do a good job in the gym or if you want to go out running and listen to music securely and comfortably, even for long spells.

Image credit: LETSCOM Check Price on Amazon

Lightweight and soft ear hooks keep the earbuds in place without rubbing or adding pressure around the ears. Reliable Bluetooth connection. 11mm diaphragm for decent bass and high volume. Fairly good noise isolation, to block out some of the sounds of a noisy gym. IPX7 waterproof, you can wear these headphones outside and not have to worry about rain. Only 8 hours of play time from the battery, not as good as some other options. Hook isn’t adjustable, so it doesn’t fit 100% of ear shapes and sizes easily.

These earbuds by LETSCOM fit the bill for a lot of people, they are lightweight and comfy, and if you need to do exercise indoors our outdoors, they stay firmly in place.

IPX7 waterproof protection means you don’t need to worry about sweating or rain if you go out for a run. The LETSCOM U8I earbuds are not ultra high fidelity, but they’re good for casual gym goers and exercising.

Conclusion

Before making your choice on which are the most comfortable earbuds for you, think about what you will be using them for. Do you need wireless? Water protection? Are you looking for lightweight and portable or just comfy earbuds to wear around the house or at work?

The earbuds reviewed above all have their charms and one of the options is likely to be suitable for your specific needs.