The 8 Best Earbuds And In-Ear Headphones - Spring 2019
Reviews

From cheap earbuds to the top of the line, in-ear headphones offer a lot of options for all situations, whether you want to use them at the gym, at the office, or during your commutes. Earbuds are ultra-portable and very convenient thanks to their small size and weight. While earbuds rest at the edge of the canal, in-ear headphones have special tips that are inserted into the ear canal.

So far, we've tested 285 headphones and below are our recommendations for the best earbuds to purchase in 2019. See our recommendations for the best truly wireless earbuds, the best wireless earbuds and in-ears, and the best sounding wireless earbuds.

1. Best Earbuds: Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless

   

   Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless

   Unavailable

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.2

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.1

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.5

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   8.2

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.3

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.9

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.7

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : In-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best in-ear headphones that we’ve reviewed so far are the Jaybird Tarah Pro. They’re well-made wireless earbuds with a very stable fit that’s great for sports. They have magnetic earbuds that clip together for easier cable management and also to trigger an auto-off timer, saving battery life. They’re rated IPX7 for advanced water and sweat resistance, and are very breathable and portable.

   These headphones have very good audio reproduction and have a fairly balanced, versatile sound that is well-suited for a range of music genres, from hip-hop to classical. You can also use the great parametric EQ available on the Jaybird MySound app to customize their sound even further. They have a great rechargeable battery that lasts for over 13 hours and fully charges in under 2 hours.

   Unfortunately, these headphones cannot connect two devices simultaneously, whereas the cheaper Jaybird X4 and Tarah can. They also have a proprietary charging cradle, so if you forget their charger at home, you won’t be able to use your phone’s. That said, the Jaybird Tarah Pro are still the best overall in-ear headphones we’ve tested so far and are likely to please anyone looking for great sports headphones that are versatile enough for everyday use.

   See our review

2. Noise Cancelling Alternative: Bose QuietControl 30/QC30 Wireless

   

   Bose QuietControl 30/QC30 Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Earbuds

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, get the Bose QuietControl 30. They’re not as portable as the Jaybird, but they’re more comfortable and have great isolation. They have a versatile around-the-neck design with very good noise isolation and a well-balanced, bass-rich sound. If you usually find in-ears like the Jaybird Tarah Pro a bit uncomfortable, then the QC30's earbud fit may be the solution you've been hoping for, without sacrificing too much portability.

   Unfortunately, their around-the-neck design will not be for everyone. The similarly designed Jabra Elite 65e are much cheaper, but don’t perform as well overall. All things considered, the QC30 are good wireless earbuds for commuters and won’t disappoint for most other use cases.

   See our review

3. Truly Wireless Alternative For Sports: Jabra Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless

   

   Jabra Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Truly Wireless

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you do a lot of sports and want to truly eliminate wires, get the Jabra Elite Active 65t. Their fit isn’t as comfortable nor as stable as that of the Jaybird Tarah Pro, but they’re still a great option for sports, especially thanks to their truly wireless design. They sound decent and you can use the EQ present in the Jabra Sound+ app to customize their sound a bit too. The Elite Active 65t also have great isolation and do a very good job at isolating noise without leaking hardly any sound.

   Unfortunately, like many truly wireless earbuds, their battery doesn’t last very long. You’ll get about 5 hours of continuous playtime with the Jabra Elite Active 65t before you’ll need to charge them again. Thankfully, they come with a charging case that provides 2 additional charges and they have a quick charge feature that gives you about 1.5 hours of playback.

   See our review

4. Best Mid-Range Earbuds: Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless

   

   Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.1

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.2

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.4

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   8.2

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.3

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.5

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   4.9

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : In-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Truly Wireless
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for ultra-portable, feature-packed, truly wireless in-ears, get the Samsung Gear IconX. They’re not sweatproof like the Jabra Elite Active 65t, nor are they noise-canceling like the Bose QuietControl 30, but they're compact, truly wireless in-ears that will easily fit into your pockets.

   They have an above-average sound that you can tweak a bit with the Samsung Gear app. Though they won't be the ideal choice for blocking the noise of particularly loud conditions, they have good enough passive isolation for most commutes.

   The similarly designed Jabra Elite Active 65t are a bit more customizable thanks to their better EQ. They’re also more sweat-resistant and better for athletes who need durable headphones for heavy workouts. That said, the IconX have more features, have a more comfortable in-ear fit, and they even have 4GB of onboard storage, so you do not need your phone to listen to music.

   See our review

5. Cheaper Alternative: Anker SoundCore Liberty Air Truly Wireless

   

   Anker SoundCore Liberty Air Truly Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Truly Wireless

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for a truly wireless option that still delivers a quality listening experience but is a little cheaper, get the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air. They're one of the best sounding earbuds we've tested. They may not be as customizable as the Samsung Gear IconX, but they’re less expensive and even sound a bit better out-of-the-box.

   Unfortunately, the AnkerCore Liberty Air are not as comfortable as the Samsung Gear IconX, since they protrude quite deeply into the ear canal. They do a better job at isolating the wearer, though, and have pretty good noise isolation considering they have no active noise-canceling features. They’re great not only for sports but are also a good choice for commuters who appreciate the extra noise-blocking.

   See our review

6. Wired Alternative: 1More Triple Driver

   

   1More Triple Driver

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Hybrid

   If you just want a simple, wired in-ear design and don't need all the active features of the other recommendations on this list, then the 1More Triple Driver should be your first choice. They don’t sound quite as good as the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air, but they’re still one of the better-sounding wired in-ears we've tested and they're much cheaper than some more established critical listening options from other brands. They're well-built, compact, and are easy to use and to carry around.

   The 1More Triple Driver In-Ear look good, but don't feel as well-built as the KZ AS-10. However, they sound better and feature a mic for added convenience. Although wired headphones may not be as versatile for day-to-day use as wireless ones, if you want a simple in-ear design, the 1More are one of the best in-ear headphones we've reviewed and are easy to recommend for most listeners.

   See our review

7. Best Budget Earbuds: Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless

   

   Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   6.8

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   6.9

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.0

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.9

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.9

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.5

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.3

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : In-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best earbuds in the budget category are the Anker SoundBuds Curve. They don’t have the range of the Jaybird Tarah Pro and aren’t as well built or as durable as the 1More Triple Driver, but they're cheaper and even more comfortable than the more expensive options.

   They look surprisingly good for their price and are stable enough to wear during most sports. They sound pretty good, especially when compared to most wireless in-ears at this price point. They also have a longer lasting battery life than more expensive models.

   The Anker SoundBuds Curve are good for sports but aren’t very sweatproof. Consider the JBL Endurance Sprint as a more sweatproof option, thanks to their IPX7 rating. However, they’re less comfortable and the Curve offer the best value at this price point.

   See our review

8. Wired Alternative: TIN Audio T2

   

   TIN Audio T2

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : No

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you want more affordable wired headphones than the 1More Triple Driver In-Ear, go with the Tin Audio T2 instead. They might not have the sound quality of the 1More, but they're very well-built, especially thanks to their detachable cables that you can replace if they get damaged.

   Unfortunately, they don’t have any active features like the Anker SoundBuds Curve or the Jaybird Freedom, but at least you don't have to worry about charging them. Also, since they're not wireless, you can watch video content without any latency issues. Overall, the Tin Audio T2 are fairly versatile in-ears that should please most people.

   See our review