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
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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.