If you consider yourself a bass-head and love the thump and rumble of genres like hip-hop or EDM, picking the right headphones for your listening experience is important. You want headphones with deep bass that packs enough punch to be enjoyable without overpowering the rest of the mix. Headphones with great bass can help keep you pumped during your workouts, but bulky over-ears usually aren’t the best choice. Earbuds or in-ears are more portable and breathable, making them better suited for working out.
We’ve bought and tested over 285 earbuds and in-ears, and below are our picks for the best bass earbuds. These picks aren't necessarily the ones that scored highest in the bass category but rather the ones with the most enjoyable bass performance overall. Even if their bass is over our target curve, they don’t sacrifice too much detail or clarity. For more product recommendations, check out the best earbuds, the best wireless earbuds, and the best earbuds with a mic.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 are the best earbuds for bass we've tested. Their bass-heavy sound profile delivers extra thump, warmth, and boom to mixes. Although their treble is recessed, vocals and lead instruments are still clear and present in mixes. You can also use the companion app's 3-band graphic EQ and presets to add even more bass or personalize the audio to your liking. While the square shape of the stability fins isn't the most comfortable, they come in three different sizes to help you find the right fit for your ears.
These buds last eight hours continuously, and their carrying case holds three extra charges. They also have a great active noise-canceling (ANC) system that cuts down the low rumble of engines during a commute. That said, if you prioritize an even higher level of noise isolation, you'll want to consider the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless. These top-of-the-line buds do a fantastic job of reducing background noise and have a bassy sound that you can customize via their companion app. However, they don't feel as well-built or last as long on a single charge.
For those craving a bass-heavy sound at a lower price point than our premium top pick, check out the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless. These headphones have a bass-heavy sound profile that delivers intense boom and warmth. However, they sound muddier than the higher-end Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3, which have a more neutral sound profile. Luckily, they have a parametric EQ and presets to help you fine-tune their sound.
These headphones are comfortable. With various tip sizes included, it's easy to find one that makes a tight seal with your ear canal, meaning people won't hear what you're listening to, even at a moderately high volume. Their active noise cancelling (ANC) system also does a great job of blocking out the low rumble of bus engines you'd typically hear while commuting. With their ANC on, they last just under seven hours continuously, and their carrying case holds three extra charges.
The best wireless earbuds for bass that we've tested in the mid-range are the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless. These well-built in-ears have a bass-heavy sound right out of the box, adding plenty of thump and punch to your favorite tunes. Voices and lead instruments are slightly muddied as a result. There's a bit more brightness in the treble, too, especially compared to the JBL Live Pro+ TWS True Wireless. Still, thanks to the graphic EQ and presets in their companion app, you can customize these headphones' output.
While in the app, you'll find both ANC and Transparency Modes, so you can choose whether to block out as much background noise as possible or let some in to stay aware of your surroundings. These headphones last for nine hours off a single charge. Their carrying case provides four extra charges for when you're on the go. Plus, you can pair them to up to two devices simultaneously, making it easy to switch between different audio sources like a laptop and a phone.
Looking for something more wallet-friendly but that still packs a punch? Try the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless. These headphones have a more neutral sound out-of-the-box, especially compared to other picks like the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 True Wireless. What makes them great for bass lovers is that they're customizable, especially compared to other picks at the same price point. Use their companion app's parametric EQ and presets to amp up the bass or tone it down when you want something different.
These headphones last over eight hours on a single charge, and their carrying case gives three additional charges. They're well-built and comfortable, though not quite as stable in your ear as the Anker, making them less suitable for working out. Without an ANC feature, you can't really block out background noises during your commute. Still, they're a great choice for thump and rumble that won't break the bank.
If you're looking for the cheapest possible buds with a good bass response, check out the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless. These inexpensive earbuds aren't as bare-bones as you might expect since they have a few EQ presets you can choose from with the onboard controls. With the default EQ, they have a rumbly, punchy sound profile to suit fans of a bass-rich sound. They're decently comfortable and well-built, especially for the price. They have a stable fit and an IPX4 rating for water resistance, so they aren't a bad choice for workouts.
They have a long continuous battery life of about nine hours, meaning they can last through a long flight or workday. The portable charging case holds another three charges, so you can always top them up. They lack an ANC feature, so they aren't ideal if you want to cut out engine noise during a flight or bus ride. That said, they'll still cut out a good amount of higher-pitched sounds, like background conversations at the office or the hum of an A/C unit.
Extra bass can help keep you pumped up during tough workouts, so if you're looking for buds that pack in thump and rumble, try the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless. They're resistant to dust and direct water exposure, and their in-ear fit is more stable thanks to their ear hook design, which keeps them locked in place. They also have a bass-rich sound that delivers extra boom, but their graphic EQ and presets let you fine-tune them.
These buds last more than nine hours continuously, and their carrying case holds over three charges. However, they lack ANC and have a mediocre noise isolation performance, which can be annoying if you want to reduce ambient sound at the gym. If you want to cut down noise, try the Jabra Elite 7 Active True Wireless. They have an ANC system, and although it performs similarly to the buds' passive capabilities, the ANC can still cut down a very good amount of background noise. That said, their in-ear fit isn't as stable, and they're lighter on bass, so you may want to use their app's sound customization features to add in more thump and punch.
Sep 15, 2023: Replaced the Skullcandy Indy ANC True Wireless with the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless as 'Best Budget'. Replaced the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless with the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Truly Wireless as 'Best Mid-Range'.
Jul 19, 2023: The text of this article has been updated to improve its accuracy. However, the picks have remained the same.
May 24, 2023: We've replaced the Sony WF-SP800N Truly Wireless with the Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless and the Sony WI-XB400 EXTRA BASS Wireless with the Skullcandy Indy ANC True Wireless, as both Sony headphones are out of stock.
Mar 22, 2023: Made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are relevant and in stock.
Jan 23, 2023: We've added the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless as 'Best Cheap Earbuds For Bass' and replaced the Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless with the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best bass earbuds to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for earbuds and in-ear headphones. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.