Best Earbud Headphones

Earbuds have always been one of the most popular options of headphones whether people need them for casual use, for traveling, or for business purposes. Their lightweight build eases portability and the fact that the sound goes directly into the ear canal offering better hearing are the main reasons why people choose earbuds over headphones. Even though there is a greater risk of using this type of earphone (which we will discuss a bit later), people choose earbuds for better convenience. Here is a list of the best earbud headphones that you can buy.

Best Earbud Headphones

Today, while the wired versions are losing their demand to some extent, the market is booming with truly wireless earbuds. They come in different designs and features at both premium and bargain prices to suit everyone’s needs and affordability. The compactness of the earbuds extends to how easy it is for everyone to use these tiny earpieces.  

Additionally, these wireless earbuds use Bluetooth to pair with any device easily be it your phone, laptop, or tablet. Their form factor also allows easy mobility of people without having to deal with untangling the wires which can be frustrating. 

As for the sound quality, one will get an equally powerful sound from the wireless earbuds as the over-the-ear headphones. Some of the best earbud headphones even outperform the bigger regular headphones as they are pegged directly into the ear canal forming a tight seal that prevents the sound from leaking outside. 

Why Earbuds Have Been a Rising Trend?

Equipped with different modern-day and smart technologies, the true wireless earbuds have proven to be hugely beneficial to different segments of the population in several ways. Now, when it comes to shopping for the best true wireless earbuds, it can be quite a tricky situation with the market flooding with options. While some are sculpted to deliver premium sound with extra bass perfect for music lovers, some are oriented for sports and have a tough, water-resistant build. 

To make it easier for you, we have picked up some of the best earbud headphones from different brands under varying price ranges and curated a list of the best earbuds 2021 for you to choose from. So, without further delay, let’s move on. 

Best Earbuds 2021: List of Some of the Best Earbud Headphones

If one is not a headphones fan and have come here all the way looking for the right pair of earbuds, then this is the right place. There are plenty of different options for the best in ear headphones in this section from some well-reputed brands. All of them are good in their ways and have their uniqueness. 

Sony WF-1000XM4: (Overall Best Earbuds 2021)

When it comes to the audio gear and equipment, Sony is usually the forerunner with its amazing line of offerings that have both elegant design and high-level performance. Undoubtedly, the Sony WF-1000XMA, therefore, is one of the most successful products from the company’s premium line.

The earbuds’ main highlight is its best-in-class active noise cancellation feature, along with specially designed earbuds for superior noise isolation. This also brings out the earbuds’ incredibly high-quality and dynamic sound signature with extra bass, which Sony has always been known for. The audio is well-defined at all frequency levels with tight bass, clean and refined vocals, and flawless treble. These are the best noise canceling earbuds for sleep that I’ve used so far.

The earbuds are super comfortable to wear, and the design is simple yet sophisticated to use with the touch-sensor controls that make navigation extremely seamless. The earbuds are also IPX4 rated making them a perfect option for running as well. 

With a battery of 8 hours with additional 16 hours of charge in the case (24 hours in total), you will never have to worry about the low battery while you are relaxing with your favorite playlist on. The earbuds are retailed at a price tag of $279.99 which is on the higher price scale. However, with all the features that the earbud is equipped with, it has been considered one of the best earbud headphones available in the market today. 

Pros : 

• Incredible Bass performance.
• Ergonomic design.
• Excellent battery life.

Cons: 

• Doesn’t have ear tip choices. 
• Expensive option. 

Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds: (Best Wireless Earbuds for Sports Enthusiasts)

Elite Active 75t makes a great pair of earbuds for those who have an active lifestyle. One of the best earbuds of 2021, this product is packed with some incredible features. 

With an IP57 rating, these earbuds are dustproof and waterproof, ideal if you want to hit the gym or use it casually under any kind of weather. The earbuds are compact and offer a snug fit sealing within the ear canal well allowing good passive noise isolation. 

The new model of Jabra Elite Active 75t comes with an ANC feature that offers you a quiet ambiance to enjoy your own space leaving the world behind.  Now it may not be as effective as Sony’s 1000XMA model that we listed above, but the company still has done a great job with the feature. 

The earbuds have energetic bass-boosted audio that music lovers and fitness enthusiasts fall for to crush on their fitness goals. You will get an amazing performance of 24 hours with the ANC feature (28 hours otherwise with the charging case). Elite Active 75t is retailed at $179.00 at Amazon.

Pros: 

• Accurately defined sound profile with deep bass with custom EQ option. 
• Compatible with automated voice assistants Siri, Alexa and Google assistant.
• High quality mic with crystal clear voice calls.
• Great battery performance.
• IP57 waterproof rating.
• Long Bluetooth range of 30 feet.

Cons:

• The sound can get slightly cracked at treble when the volume is cranked up. 

Panasonic RZ-S500W: (Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $100)

A pair of earbuds from a well-established brand of audio equipment that is extremely versatile with huge capabilities. Panasonic is not a name that comes to your mind when you think of truly wireless earbuds. Despite this, it has a lot to offer. The earbuds are well-rounded with active noise-canceling features including the Ambient mode, dual microphone for clear voice pick up, and a battery life totaling up to 20 hours. We are talking all these at just $79.99, and wait, there’s more. 

The power charging feature gives you 70 minutes of extra runtime with just 15 minutes of charge. The music or the sound is warm and refined and gives you a pleasant listening experience. 

The design and build make this pair very comfortable to wear and use, with super simple touch controls on both earbuds for easy use. There are playback controls, volume control, voice assistant activation, noise-canceling, call management on the earbuds, so there is no need to use the phone to navigate. The earbuds are bundled with 5 different ear tips of different sizes, so you can try and use the one that fits you accurately.

So if you are on a tight budget but need something that can give you an all-rounder performance, then this is one of the best wireless earbuds you can ever get at a bargain price. 

Pros: 

• Great noise-canceling performance.
• Touch controls are effortless.
• Great sounding earbuds.
• Reliable Bluetooth connectivity. 
• Budget-friendly price.

Cons: 

• The battery-life of the ear buds on a single charge could have been a little better but it is doable for a price this low. 

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: (Best Earbud Headphones With World-class ANC Feature)

One of the best earbuds 2021, this premium pair of earpieces is something you cannot ignore if you have an open budget. The most significant feature of these wireless earbuds is the ANC feature which is on the same level as that of Sony, but it has 11 different levels of noise-canceling that you can choose from. It’s a huge selection for a noise-canceling feature that will give you just the right amount of ambient sound you choose to let in. 

You will get a battery life of 6 hours on a single charge and up to 12 hours in the backup charging case. The earbuds carry a premium price tag of $259.00. You might also want to check out our Jlab Bluetooth Earbuds Review.

Pros:

• Outstanding noise-canceling.
• High quality sound with punchy bassline. 
• IPX4 rating makes it sweat and splash resistant.
• Bluetooth 5.1 offers reliable connection with a range of 30 feet and instant paring with the devices.

Cons: 

• Battery-life is average for a premium product.

Apple Airpods Pro: (Best Wireless Earbuds for Apple Users)

Here’s one that comes from the makers of the original Airpods, which has maintained the originality along with some added features for extra convenience. Airpods Pro comes with a powerful ANC technology with transparency mode to let the ambient noise in and an IPX4 rating for splash resistance. One of the unique things about this product is that its active noise canceling feature keeps getting better each time as the company updates the software. 

Apple has also improved the overall sound quality of the Airpods Pro, and with the ANC added, it gets enhanced anyway. Its three-dimensional, cinematic surround sound can make your gaming or movie experience like never before. The earbuds have superior comfort and compact fit while still maintaining the iconic true wireless design that the original AirPods have. Its smart EQ settings auto-adjusts the sound based on the person’s ears so you get the most out of its sound delivery. 

The battery life is 5 hours with the ANC or the transparency mode turned off or about 4.5 hours with either of the modes on. The earbuds are also loaded with all the benefits that come with the H1 chip.       

Pros: 

• Secure and comfortable fit. Comes with three sizes of eartips.
• User friendly controls for seamless navigation.
• Superior sound quality.
• Good noise canceling functionality.

Cons: 

• Battery life is sub par. 

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ Earbuds: (Best Earbud Headphones Under $100 With Huge Battery Life)

Looking for a versatile pair of earbuds that will not cost a fortune? this one here is sure to impress you then. This pair of earbuds feature a huge battery life of 45 hours giving you hours of function without worrying about the battery drain.

 You will get 9 hours of battery life and can charge it 3 more times with the charging case. The earbud doesn’t have a noise cancellation feature which also means that you get the whole 9 hours to enjoy without any compromise. 

The Bluetooth 5.0 offers strong and uninterrupted connectivity and quick pairing of the devices. The earbuds are compatible with the Melomania App that allows you to customize the sound by adjusting the EQ settings. The overall sound quality offered by the buds are bright and has a wide range of frequency response. This provides high-quality audio with clean low bass response, crisp mids, and seamless high-frequency delivery. 

The construction and design of the earbuds along with the features that come packed with them make it one of the tough contenders in the selection of the best earbud headphones. You will get this at a competitive pricing of $99.99.

Pros: 

• The app support is pretty useful.
• Clear audio. 
• Vivid and detailed sound profile.
• Built in mic paves way for clear voice call. 
• Touch controls are easy to use. 
• IPX5 water resistance and voice control integration.

Cons: 

• No noise cancelling feature. 

Ultimate Ears Custom Fit Earbuds:  (Best Wireless Earbuds With Custom Fit)

It can be annoying when your earbud keeps falling off the ears because of an inaccurate fit. This pair of earbuds is great for people who have small ears or who struggle to find well-fitted earbuds. The main feature of the UE earbuds that draws everyone’s attention is its custom-molded earbuds. 

The company patented technology molds the ear tips to the exact shape of your ears so you get the perfectly fitted earbuds that will never fall or slip off your ears. You will not feel that you are wearing anything at all. And, all these are done in just 60 seconds using the UE app. 

The sound quality is incredible, call quality is clean and clear with a good battery life of 8 hours on a one-time charge. You will get full-bodied, immersive audio with a solid bass response. This is even more enhanced because of the perfect seal that is created by the ear tips in your ears. You can also make changes to the EQ settings to suit your listening preference. 

Now while these earbuds have some great features, it does miss on some key ones like the ANC and good touch controls which are vital given the high-end price tag of $249.00. 

Pros:

• Supreme comfort and excellent fit.
• Excellent passive isolation because of the custom mold.
• Great sound.
• Industry standard battery life. 

Cons: 

• You can mold it once and achieve the shape of your ears which cannot be changed again. This means it is for your personal use only. 
• No ANC feature.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2: (Best True Wireless Earbuds With High-fidelity Sound)

Great and refined sounding earbuds, Sennheiser Momentum makes one of the best earbuds 2021 that can have several applications. The headphone is engineered with an advanced noise-canceling feature that impressively blocks out the ambient sound giving you an uninterrupted listening experience. 

The earpieces are small and fit into the ears perfectly without sticking out. However, some users may find it a bit uncomfortable to wear or take off because of its small size. Nevertheless, they seal into the ears well and do not tend to fall off easily. The touch control on both the ear pads can be customized to different functions depending on convenience. The battery life of these earbuds is also of the industry standards offering 7 hours of constant use extended up to 28 hours with the premium fabric finish charging case. 

With an extended frequency range of 5 Hz to 21 kHz, these earbuds deliver plenty of basses, clean and natural mids, and smooth and crisp highs at any amount of volume. This pair of earbuds is a solid competitor and a great alternative to the Sony WF-1000XMA, one of the best true wireless earbuds in the market. These earbuds are retailed at $219.00.

Pros: 

• Outstanding sound signature.
• Ergonomic design and lightweight.
• Good battery life.
• Integrated voice control features.

Cons: 

• High priced.
• Doesn’t support aptX HD. 

Powerbeats Pro by Beats: (Best True Wireless Earbuds for Sports Enthusiasts)

It is often challenging for fitness professionals to find a good pair of earbuds that can stay intact in their ears to suit their active lifestyle. Power Beats Pro is one of the best earbud headphones that has a tough build for extra durability and offers superior performance. Ergonomically designed with around-the-ear hooks, the earbuds come with different sets of ear tips for a perfectly snug yet comfortable fit.

Whether you need one for running, for your workout sessions, or for casual use to listen to music while commuting, these IPX4 buds are protected against water splashes and sweat. The Apple H1 chip combined with Class 1 Bluetooth connectivity makes pairing with both iPhone, iOS, and other android devices a breeze thus making it the best wireless earbuds for android. The first-class Bluetooth also gives a long connectivity range of 30 feet giving you the independence to move around freely without your handset.

Powerbeats Pro has an augmented and well-balanced sound profile with thumping bass, clean and accurate trebles. The 9 long hours of playback time combined with 18 hours back up in the charging case, can give you non-stop music streaming without having to worry about low battery. To add to it, 5 minutes of power charge, can give you an additional 1.5 hours of additional run time. 

The price of these earbuds will vary between $123.00 to $230.00 depending on the color you choose. 

Pros: 

• Works with both Android and iOS.
• Both the earbuds are equipped with audio controls, voice control feature (Siri), call management options for ease of use.
• Great battery life.
• Best wireless earbuds for sports.
• Built in microphone for voice communication.

Cons: 

• The charging case is slightly heavy.
• Some of the colors have an expensive price tag.

 Master & Dynamic MW08 True Wireless Earbuds: (Best Earbuds 2021- an Alternative to Airpods Pro)

While this is not a commonly heard brand name when you think of truly wireless earbuds, this one from Master & Dynamic is a stylish pair of earbuds that features an incredible battery life of 12 hours (10 hours with ANC on). Additionally, the charging case can juice up to 30 hours of backup which is quite impressive. You have the option to switch between the ANC or the Ambient mode or even use it without turning any of the modes on. 

Unarguably, this pair of earbuds is on the high-end of the price scale but it does have some convincingly advanced and powerful features that make the earbuds extremely competitive in the market. Other than good battery life, it has the latest Bluetooth v5.2 interface that gives a strong and secure connection that prevents lags and drops in the middle of the audio or video streaming. 

The sound quality is brilliant with an equally balanced profile right from the low bass to the highest frequency. 6 integrated microphones pick up your voice crystal clear and make you loud and audible. These earbuds are retailed at $299.00. Although expensive, this one, here, is one of the best earbud headphones for those who have an extended budget and want great business or work earbuds for their conference calls or virtual meetings. 

Pros: 

• Impressive battery performance.
• Solid ANC feature.
• Durable built.

Cons: 

• Expensive product.

Earfun Air Pro: (Best True Wireless Earbuds With Hybrid Noise Cancelling at Bargain Price)

Earfun Air Pro is a feature-packed pair of budget-friendly earbuds that has powerful, 10 mm large transducers for high quality and well-defined sound. Earbuds are also engineered with 3 mics on each side of the earbud where 2 mics efficiently filter the ambient noise (blocks out almost 80% of the noise) contributing towards the noise-canceling environment offering crystal clear voice call. 

The earbuds deliver a pleasingly full sound with punchy bass and pure, balanced treble. They are designed for a snug fit and long hours of wear with effortless touch controls. The battery life is also pretty decent for a price that low. With 9 hours of battery life per full charge extending up to 32 hours, this product gives solid competition to several top-tier earbuds in the market. 

With wear detection technology that instigates the play and pause, the crystal clear mic, and other premium features just at $79.99, these are the best wireless earbuds if you do not want to spend a lot of money for a headphone.  

Pros: 

• Competitive pricing.
• Good battery life with decent back up in the charging case. 
• C-type USB charging port.
• Seamless Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
• Large drivers reproduce bass heavy sound.
• Elegant and comfortable design.

Cons: 

• Bulky carrying case (but this may not be a deal breaker)

Jaybird Vista 2 Truly Wireless Earbuds: (Best Earbuds 2021 for Sports With IP68 Waterproofing)

Vista 2 is worth consideration for jogging and workouts. The earbuds have an IP68 rating that you can rely on. This is great if you have an extended and sweaty training session. Other than that, the charging case, unlike most of the other earbud cases, has an IP54 rating for splash protection.

The earbuds come with winged ear tips that create a grip on the ear for a more accurate fit and with the right sized tips you can find your most convenient fit. Jaybird has done a great job with Vista 2 when it comes to the features. Features like the active noise-canceling technology, efficient noise isolation with compact designed buds, and superior sound quality are what make these buds a complete versatile package. Its transparency mode called the SurroundSense maintains a balance between the surrounding noise and what you hear through the buds so you are not completely shut out from what is happening outside. 

The battery life of about 8 hours when charged once but if you have any of the ANC modes on, it will give you a playback time of about 6 hours or so. As for the sound profile, the earbuds deliver a weighing and energetic bass that can revamp your energy level as your crush on your fitness goals. Vista 2 is retailed at $179.99.

Pros: 

• The transparency mode allows you to safely use it in public places.
• Well balanced yet mighty sound signature.
• Fully waterproof.
• Customizable EQ settings for better hearing experience.

Cons: 

• Battery life is average when on ANC mode.
• Some reviews mentioned that the transparency mode isn’t that highly functioning especially in a breezy environment. The sound of the breeze is all you hear. 

Alternatives

Now that you have a list of the best earbuds 2021 has rounded up, there are a few more that are worth taking a look at if you want to see a few more options: 

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 2
• New Beats Studio Buds
• Bowers & Wilkins PI7
• Sony WF-SP800N
• Google-Pixel buds A-Series

Factors to Keep in Mind While Buying the Best Earbud Headphones

With the increase in demand for truly wireless earbuds, numerous brands are coming up with these types of products. Therefore, when you look around for one, there are hundreds of earbuds spread out everywhere, but not every pair of earbuds is well-performing or is worth an investment. 

True wireless earbuds are packed with new-age technology designed to offer convenience in many ways. However, if not chosen the right way, it can give you a hard time, the money invested in it aside. To get the maximum benefit out of your new pair of earbuds, or rather, to pick up the best true wireless earbuds that suit your lifestyle, here are a few things you need to keep in mind: 

Understand Your Need:

The most fundamental thing when you are buying a true wireless earbud is to understand what kind of lifestyle you have or what you need it for. There are earbuds designed for sports, work, casual listening, gaming, etc. for example, if you need a good pair of buds for sports, then your focus should be more on IPX rating, design and build, bass-heavy sound, etc. and so on. If you are looking for the best headphones for editing, these earbuds are not meant for you. Instead, you might want to look for something specifically made to serve the purpose.

Design and Size of the Earbud:

Having a comfortable fit is extremely important. The earbuds have different designs and come in different sizes. It is important to choose one that you are most comfortable with. If the earbuds keep coming off your ears and you are always stressed that you may lose them anytime, then it is best to go for sports buds that have an around-the-ear loop for good grip. Similarly, if you have a smaller face and do not want the earbuds to be hanging low or protruding out, go for the ones with a more compact design. 

Sound Quality: 

Another crucial factor to be considered is the quality of the audio. There’s no point going with a headphone that has mediocre sound performance. You need the earbuds to listen to the music, or to make calls, take meetings for which having a high-quality sound is paramount. So, if you want the best earbud headphones with great sound, make sure that they are engineered with bigger drivers, and have a high-quality microphone. Any added feature like noise-canceling feature etc. that has a direct role in improving the sound quality would be great depending on your budget. 

Battery Life: 

Go for the earbuds with long battery life along with a good battery backup in the charging case. The earbuds should be able to offer a run time of at least 7.5 to 8 hours on a single charge. Some of the best wireless earbuds available today have more powerful batteries with 10 to 12 hours of playback time. 

Waterproofing and Dust Proofing Capability:

This, to the most extent, depends on your lifestyle. If you have an active lifestyle or need a pair of earbuds for your daily workout regime, for swimming training sessions, etc. then you will need one that is waterproof completely or water-resistant depending on the use. You also should go for water-protected buds if you live in a place that experiences a lot of rain or humid weather. 

Brand Credibility: 

With so many options out there, it is quite natural to have trust issues with certain brands. If you do not want to experiment with a new brand, then go for the earbuds that are manufactured by well-reputed or the leading brands like Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, JBL, etc. Brand credibility makes a huge difference when it comes to the overall quality and performance of the product. We have included the best earbuds 2021 from some of the most reliable brands in the audio equipment market. 

Price:

True wireless earbuds are available in a varying price range and the best wireless headphones don’t need to always come with an expensive price tag. Several budget line earbuds have stellar sound and amazing, cutting-edge features. But yes, with a higher price,  you also get the luxury of having some extra features or premium quality components. That said, do keep in mind that you pay for what it’s worth. If you are investing big, then make sure that you have all the state-of-the-art features packed in the earbuds. 

Warranty and Return Policy: 

Last, but not least, make sure that the earbuds you are purchasing have a warranty and a good return policy. This is especially important if you purchase your earbuds online and in case they do not work out, or there is a manufacturing defect, you should be able to return them without hassle. 

Conclusion

A pair of the best earbud headphones can offer a lot of conveniences, right from going wireless to smart features that allow you to access various functionalities hands-free. You can listen to music, play games with their immersive sound signature, attend Zoom meetings, and much more. However, while you enjoy these benefits, what you should also remember is to keep a check on the number of hours you are using the earbuds. Prolonged use of in-ear headphones has negative effects on ear health. It is also important to clean and maintain your earbuds regularly for a healthy listening experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s):