The 5 Best Earbuds And In-Ear Headphones - Summer 2022 Reviews

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless are the best earbuds we've tested. You may prefer their design if you don't like inserting headphones deep into your ear canal. Although they're a bit bulky for truly wireless earbuds, their stability fins ensure a comfortable fit that doesn't move around or fall out when you're on the go. Like most other headphones from this manufacturer, they also have a great active noise cancelling (ANC) system that can block out ambient noise like the rumble of bus engines and office chit-chat. Their sound profile is well-balanced, making them a solid choice for most kinds of audio content. You can customize their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

If you don't need noise cancelling or if you're looking for sportier earbuds for running outdoors, it's worth considering the Bose Sport Earbuds Truly Wireless instead. Although they look similar to the QuietComfort Earbuds, the Sports Earbuds, they don't block out background noise. This can be beneficial for running outdoors as it allows you to better monitor your surroundings.

In comparison to earbuds, in-ears are inserted into your ear canal. By design, they generally can block out more ambient noise passively. If you prefer this kind of design, the best in-ear headphones we've tested are the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless. These sleek and premium headphones have a couple of features unique to the Apple ecosystem. Their H1 chip allows you to seamlessly pair them with other iOS devices, while their Spatial Audio feature can provide a more immersive audio experience.

While their sound profile is versatile enough for most kinds of audio content, keep in mind that their companion interface doesn't offer sound customization features to help you adjust them to your liking. However, with their ANC on, their battery lasts roughly five-hour continuously, which may not last through long days without a recharge. Luckily, their carrying case holds roughly five additional charges if you need it. 

If you're looking for more wallet-friendly in-ears, the best in-ears under $100 that we've tested are the Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless. These headphones offer quite a few features for their price point. They have an adjustable ANC that can target different kinds of ambient noise, and overall, they do an excellent job of cutting down the rumbles of bus and plane engines as well as office chatter.

Out of the box, they have a bass-heavy sound profile with extra thump, rumble, and punch. They're especially well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop, though you can finetune them to your liking using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. Even though their 5.7-hour continuous battery life may not be able to get you through long days on the go, their carrying case holds roughly four additional charges, which is handy in a pinch.

If you're on an even tighter budget, the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are the best cheap in-ears we've tested. Although they're otherwise simple in design, they have a couple of EQ presets that allow you to customize their bass-rich sound to your liking. They also come in several colors with a matching case to suit your style. Overall, they're decently comfortable, stable enough to stay in place during most workouts, and rated IPX4 for water resistance, so they're a good choice to take to the gym.

Their roughly nine hours of continuous battery life is enough to get through a 9-5 workday, and their charging cable is built into the case, making it easy to recharge them on the go. However, keep in mind that if you damage the cable, you'll need to replace the entire unit.

If you're looking for audiophile-centric in-ears, the MOONDROP Aria are the best in-ear monitors (IEMs) that we've tested. These comfortable headphones have a detachable audio cable design, eliminating audio lag. Their neutral sound profile also has a touch of extra high-bass to add warmth to mixes, while vocals and lead instruments sound clear and present in mixes. Even though they have a metal chassis, which can feel a bit heavy compared to other picks on this list, they come with a more durable hard case to help protect them when you're on the go.

Unfortunately, while they have a good build quality out of the box, users have reported several different issues with their design. This includes the audio cable's nylon wrapping fraying and curling, loose connectors, and paint chipping off the buds. They also aren't as versatile as other earbuds on this list as they don't have any special features and lack a mic by default. However, you can purchase a cable with an in-line mic separately.