10 Best Earbuds 2024 in the US

Smartphone owners use their devices for a lot more than just making and receiving calls. We also might use them to listen to a podcast or short video or to stream music while studying, exercising, or doing chores. A pair of earbuds with WiFi or Bluetooth capability can help you hook up to your phone, without being physically tethered to your device!

But, despite their small size, a pair of earbuds have lots of features and specifications. If you’ll wear them when exercising, you’ll want to know how resistant your earbuds are to perspiration or rain. If you want to hook up to several devices, there are earbuds with the capability to remember up to 7 devices at once! And perhaps you want to be able to listen to a phone call or music, even if you’re in noisy surroundings. There are noise-canceling earbuds that can help you overcome all the distractions around you!

We’ll go through the best earbuds in the Best Reviews Guide list. You’re sure to be able to find a pair that suits your needs!

There are several types of earbuds available on the market. Here are some common types that you’ll see in the Best Reviews Guide list:

• Wired Earbuds: These are the traditional earbuds that have a cable connecting them to an audio source, such as a smartphone or music player. They typically have a 3.5mm audio jack for compatibility with various devices. An example is the ULIX Rider Wired Earbuds with Microphone.

ULIX Rider Wired Earbuds with Microphone

• Wireless Earbuds: These earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth or WiFi, eliminating the need for a physical cable connecting them to an audio device. They are usually compact and come with a charging case for storage and battery recharging. Wireless earbuds are popular for their convenience and portability. But they’re not considered “truly wireless”, because they have a wire joining the right and left earbuds. An example is the Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds.

Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds

• True wireless earbuds: You may also see products advertised as “true wireless earbuds”. Whereas wireless earbuds may have a wire connecting the left and right earbuds, true wireless earbuds will have no cables at all. Each earbud is separate and functions independently. An example is the Jabra Elite 3 in-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds.

abra Elite 3 in-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
 

• Noise-Canceling Earbuds: These earbuds use active noise-canceling technology to reduce or eliminate background noise. It works on the principle of “destructive interference”. These earbuds have built-in microphones that capture ambient sound and produce sound waves that are slightly shifted just enough to exactly cancel out unwanted noise. This provides you with a more immersive listening experience. An example is the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

• Sports/Exercise Earbuds: These earbuds are designed for active individuals who engage in sports or exercise. They are typically sweat-resistant or waterproof and feature a secure fit to stay in place during physical activities. For example, the Treblab X3 Pro Earbuds are a pair of sports wireless earbuds with ear hooks to fit around your ear. They are made to be IPX7 waterproof, meaning that they’re resistant to splashes of water, rain, or even being submerged in water for a short period of time. (But they’re not suitable for swimming or other water sports.)

Treblab X3 Pro Earbuds

• Bone Conduction Earbuds: Bone conduction earbuds work by transmitting sound vibrations through your cheekbones directly to the inner ear, bypassing the eardrums. They allow you to hear sound while still being aware of your surroundings, making them suitable for outdoor activities or situations where situational awareness is important. An example is the Sony Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Headphone, which has a bone conduction sensor that can detect your voice, even when you’re in a noisy environment.

Sony Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Headphone

We went over some customers’ impressions of the earbuds that they bought:

• Silicone ear tips: Earbuds have to fit snugly into your ear, to ensure that you hear properly, and you won’t suffer from ambient noise. You’ll notice that the best earbuds will have several pairs of ear tips that ensure a snug fit. That will also ensure that your earbuds don’t fall out inadvertently during exercise or other activities. Some earbuds have an ear loop as well, that you place around your ear. This ensures that the earbud won’t fall out so easily.

• Controls: Some customers who bought Apple iPods were a bit disappointed, in that they weren’t able to adjust the bass or treble to the levels that they wanted. Instead, the electronics of the device would optimize it for you! So, if you’re interested in fine-tuning your listening, look for a pair that aren’t so sophisticated.

• Ability to split between the two earbuds: Many earbuds allow you to set each earbud separately. You can decide to use only one of the two earbuds, while the other is off. That will let you hear what’s going on around you. Alternatively, you can take a call with one earbud, while the other continues to play music.

Here are some features that you’ll see common in the best earbuds:

• Adaptive transparency: You’ll see earbuds that can switch between adaptive transparency and noise cancellation. As we saw, noise cancellation is when the earbuds employ microphones to pick up ambient noise and replay the noise with a slight phase shift that cancels out the noise. Transparency mode is when you want to let the ambient noise in so that you hear what’s going on around you. Devices such as Apple’s AirPods allow you to switch from adaptive transparency to noise-canceling mode by just pressing a button. So, if you want to pick up a call, or hear what’s going on on the road while bike riding or driving, you’ll switch to transparent mode.

• Multipoint connection: A multipoint connection refers to a communication setup where multiple devices or endpoints are interconnected or linked together to enable simultaneous communication among them. When earbuds have a multipoint connection, they’re able to hook up to more than one device at a time. You’ll be able to press a button on your earbuds to switch from one device to another, such as from your phone to your laptop.

• IP ratings: The IP (Ingress Protection) code will indicate the earbuds’ ability to withstand water exposure without being damaged. The IP rating is typically indicated by a two-digit code. The first digit represents the level of protection against solid particles like dust, while the second digit indicates the level of protection against water. For earbuds, the second digit relating to water resistance is the most important. Here are the common ratings and their meanings: For example, IPX4 means that your earbuds are protected against intense workouts, heavy sweating, and light rain, but can’t be submerged in water. A higher number will indicate greater resistance to water penetration. Always refer to the specific product's documentation and guidelines to understand its limitations and recommended usage.

• Battery life: You’ll notice that earbuds will have a battery life for the earbuds themselves, and another battery life for the charging case. You can charge up the case using a USB cable. Then place your earbuds inside the case to charge them up, even when the case itself is not being charged.

• Voice commands: You’ll notice that many of these earbuds can accept voice commands to control volume, or switch between devices. Apple devices will use Siri, while others will use Google Assistant or Alexa!

Final Verdict

We went through some of the features of the best earbuds around. Whether you need earbuds while traveling, exercising, or just while at work or at home, you should be able to find a pair or earbuds that has exactly the specs that you need!