The Best Earbuds (In-Ear Headphones) for 2024 (2024)

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Why We Picked It

The second-generation AirPods Pro still closely rival the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds in the noise cancellation department. Sonically, they balance rich lows with crisp, sculpted highs, while top-notch extras like spatial audio and adaptive audio (transparency) modes add considerable value.

Who It’s For

If you own an iPhone (or any other Apple device), these earphones offer the most seamless audio experience by far. Brand loyalty (in this case) also gets you near unbeatable active noise cancellation.

Why We Picked It

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer the best active noise cancellation of any earphones we've tested. That alone qualifies them for this list, but we're also fans of their rich, engrossing audio experience, as well as their intuitive companion app. We like that they support the AptX Adaptive codec for Android users, too.

Who It’s For

If you care about blocking out noise more than anything else, you won't find a better option on the market. People who prefer an accurate sound signature might not enjoy the audio presentation here, but it's a reason why many people like Bose headphones.

Why We Picked It

Sony's WF-1000XM5 earbuds are among the most premium you can buy. They support high-res playback via the LDAC codec, offer excellent noise cancellation (thanks to a combination of effective ANC circuitry and hybrid foam eartips), and work with a companion app with a customizable EQ and scores of personalization options. The quality of the onboard mic array is superb, too.

Who It's For

If you want top-notch streaming quality from your Android phone and nearly best-in-class noise cancellation, these Sony earphones are worth the high price.

Why We Picked It

Most earphones that claim to offer a flat response rely on some amount of sculpting to craft an engaging sound, but the Etymotic ER3 XR earphones buck that trend by sticking more closely to the ideal of clinical accuracy than any other pair under $500. Compared with the XP edition, this XR version extends the bass range ever so slightly, but not nearly as much as most consumer models.

Who It’s For

Engineers and musicians who need to hear the truth in their mixes aren't likely to find better earphones than the ER3 XR, especially for the price. These produce every detail throughout the frequency range and present the bass with precision.

Why We Picked It

Aside from producing robust lows and crisp highs, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earphones benefit from a top-notch companion app with an adjustable EQ. They also deliver excellent active noise cancellation for the price, making them an excellent value choice.

Who It’s For

If you want to stick to your budget without compromising on audio quality, these Anker earbuds won't disappoint. You can customize the sculpted sound signature to taste, and Android users can take advantage of the audiophile-friendly LDAC codec. Their excellent battery life and wirelessly charging case are also ideal for people who are constantly on the move.

Why We Picked It

The Shure Aonic 215 (Gen 2) earphones are a bit bulky, but they are one of the most versatile entries on this list: You can use them in either a wired or wireless mode. Our favorite feature, however, is the very flexible EQ you get in the companion app. It lets you adjust specific frequencies in a way that's just not possible with competing models.

Who It’s For

If you prefer to sculpt a custom sound signature, this is your best bet. Furthermore, if you have lots of high-quality local media files, the wired listening mode ensures you don't lose any detail in transmission (unlike with a Bluetooth connection).

Why We Picked It

The Tribit FlyBuds 3 have remained on our list for several years because no other budget model offers as complete an experience. These earphones sound quite good, can withstand heavy amounts of moisture, and ship with a case that provides an impressive 95 hours of extra battery life.

Who It’s For

If you need earbuds for the gym and don't want to spend a ton of money, the FlyBuds 3 are a top choice. Sure, you can get better audio quality from more expensive options, but these deliver all the low-end power you need to energize your workouts. And because they are so inexpensive and durable, you don't need to worry too much about losing or breaking them.

Why We Picked It

JBL’s Reflect Aero earbuds are our top pick for fitness fanatics. First and foremost, they have an excellent IP68 rating, which means they are fully dustproof and can survive a long time underwater. We also like their bass-forward audio signature and adjustable in-app EQ.

Who It’s For

If you need the ultimate in durability for the gym or the great outdoors, these JBL earbuds won't let you down. You can even easily set up integrations with both the Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice services.

Why We Picked It

The Nothing Ear (2) earphones are distinctive thanks to their transparent earpiece and case design. But they aren't just a fashion statement; they produce detailed audio, support the high-end LHDC codec, and offer better-than-average durability. And while they don't cancel noise quite as well as the class-leading AirPods Pro or the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds, they are still quite competitive.

Who It’s For

If your top priorities are audio quality and aesthetics, these earbuds are worth a look. They are just as functional as they are stylish and pair best with the Nothing Phone (1) (which also supports LHDC).