By Andy Madden
Contributions from Harry McKerrell
Excellent in-ear earphones for a range of budgets
Jump To:
- Quick list
- Best wired overall
- Best wireless overall
- Best cheap wired
- Best cheap wireless
- Best mid-price wired
- Best mid-price wireless
- Best high-end wired
- Best high-end wireless
- Best Apple
- Also consider
- How to choose
- How we test
- Recent updates
- FAQ
Best in-ear headphones: quick menu
1. The list in brief
2. Best wired overall
3. Best wireless overall
4. Best cheap wired
5. Best cheap wireless
6. Best mid-price wired
7. Best mid-price wireless
8. Best high-end wired
9. Best high-end wireless
10. Best Apple
11. Also consider
12. How to choose
13. How we test
14. Recent updates
15. FAQ
There are many reasons a person might prefer in-ear headphones, or IEMs (in-ear monitors) as they're sometimes called. Over-ears are great for full sound and lots of features, but in-ears offer a more discrete look, lighter weight and greater portability. If you're a sporting semi-pro or workout king, in-ears are the way to go.
Once you know you favour in-ear headphones, you'll need to navigate a complex market to see which ones are right for you. Runners may opt for a true wireless pair with winged tips to give a more secure fit, whereas audiophiles will care more about getting a premium set of earbuds focused on audio quality.
Thanks to our extensive collective experience testing headphones, we can tell you that not all the sets doing the rounds are worth your money. We’ve tried so many over the years that appear luxurious and attractive and then fail to deliver in key areas such as build and sound quality.
Here to help you avoid investing in a dud, we’ve created this guide detailing the top-performing in-ear headphones money can buy. Our expert team has tested every set, in our test rooms and the real world, to ensure they’re worth your cash. You can read more about our testing process, or scroll down to find the perfect pair.
The quick list
1. Shure Aonic 3
Best wired in-ear headphones overall
Breathtakingly musical and comfy to wear, Shure’s Aonic 3 set a new benchmark for wired in-ear headphones.
Read more below
2. Sony WF-1000XM5
Best wireless in-ear headphones overall
If you want a pair of buds that deliver the best in sound quality, design and features, look no further.
Read more below
3. SoundMagic E11C
Best cheap wired in-ear headphones
With an entertaining, upfront sound, plus a remote control and mic, these wired buds are an absolute bargain.
Read more below
Sony WF-C500
Best cheap wireless in-ear headphones
Considering how great these cheap Sony buds sound and the quality of their construction, they're almost unbelievably good value.
Read more below
5. Shure Aonic 5
Best mid-price wired in-ear headphones
Shure’s mid-price in-ear headphones are masters of musicality – just make sure you pair them with a suitable source.
Read more below
6. Sony WF-C700N
Best mid-price wireless in-ear headphones
Comfortable, refined and with effective noise cancelling, the WF-C700N offer great value for money.
Read more below
Load the next 3 products ↓
7. Sennheiser IE 900
Best high-end wired in-ear headphones
They’re a pricey proposition, but if you have a good enough source the IE 900 more than justify the outlay.
Read more below
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Best high-end wireless in-ear headphones
They don’t come cheap, but if you’re looking for brilliant sound and some of the best noise cancelling around, the new Bose buds really excel.
Read more below
9. Apple AirPods Pro 2
Best Apple in-ear headphones
With improved noise cancelling and a wonderfully rich and engaging sound, these are Apple’s best in-ear headphones yet.
Read more below
Written by
Written by
Andy Madden
I am the Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. I've tested dozens and dozens of in-ear headphones during this time, from wired to wireless models, and across all budgets. The comfort and secure fit of in-ear models are paramount when it comes to long-lasting use, while I also ensure I test out the effectiveness of features such as noise-cancelling, call quality and spatial audio in wireless pairs. Most of all, the sound quality must befit the price tag – I'm confident the best in-ear headphone picks below will have you tapping along to your favourite tunes at whichever budget and type you're looking for.
Best wired in-ear headphones overall
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1. Shure Aonic 3
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. These stunning wired in-ear headphones offer a huge step up in quality from cheaper models.
Specifications
Connector: 3.5mm
Cable length: 1.27m
In-line remote and mic: Yes
Bluetooth: No
Noise-cancelling: No
Sensitivity: 108dB
Reasons to buy
+ Awesome dynamics and musicality Insightful and balanced sound Lightweight and comfortable
Reasons to avoid
- Understated sound
Anyone who prioritises sound quality above all else but still favours the small form factor of in-ears should seriously consider what the Shure Aonic 3 are offering. They're simple but expertly made IEMs that, as far as we can tell, have few serious rivals at this level thanks to their devotion to superb musical reproduction.
Design-wise, the Aonic 3 look like your classic IEMs, with a wired connection feeding a pair of nozzles alongside some handy in-line controls. Getting a good fit is made simple by a choice of nine different eartips to get superior isolation and comfort, while a built-in mic lets you answer calls without digging out your phone all the time.
The true reason to recommend the Aonic 3, of course, is for their peerless audio at this price. The 2023 Award-winners are pros at handling dynamics as well as detail, with a sense of rhythm and timing that gives energy and life to the music they convey. If you want a pair of wired in-ear headphones that offer a step up in sound quality from the more budget SoundMagics below, then these Shures are very hard not to recommend.
Read our full Shure Aonic 3 review
Best wireless in-ear headphones overall
2. Sony WF-1000XM5
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. Sony's latest wireless in-ear headphones are unrivalled all-rounders.
Specifications
Bluetooth: Yes
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Battery life: 8 hours (+16hrs from charging case)
Finishes: Black, silver
Reasons to buy
+ Class-leading levels of detail and clarity Top-notch musicality and timing Comfortable, discreet design
Reasons to avoid
- Some rivals produce more bass Could feel more secure
The Aonic 3 are great for serious music lovers, but we understand that this is 2024, a time when most users are crying out for wireless earbuds for their on-the-go listening needs. If that sounds like you, it will come as no surprise that the Award-winning Sony WF-1000XM5 are our pick of the bunch in this highly competitive field.
The sublime XM5 are smaller than their predecessors (the WF-1000XM4), with a more pocket-friendly case to match, but they’re also more comfortable to wear for long periods, even if others feel more secure when lodged in your ears. That's a great boon if you're planning on making the premium Sonys your pair of everyday buds.
Despite their diminished dimensions, there’s a bigger 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X inside each unit, resulting in unmatched levels of detail and clarity alongside absolutely top-notch musicality and timing. Noise cancelling is superb, and while Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are exceptional and highly recommended in this area, the XM5 have closed the gap by minimising unwanted racket more subtly and feeling less susceptible to those loud bangs that the Ultra Earbuds can end up accentuating.
Throw in a bunch of handy features, including Adaptive Sound Control, Speak-to-Chat, support for hi-res and 360 Reality Audio, not to mention the ability to automatically activate the ANC in certain locations, and you’ve got the undisputed new king of premium wireless earbuds, even if the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (below) are snapping at their heels.
Read our full Sony WF-1000XM5 review
Best cheap wired in-ear headphones
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3. SoundMagic E11C
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. The best budget wired in-ear headphones you can buy.
Specifications
Connector: 3.5mm
Cable length: 1.2m
In-line remote and mic: Yes
Bluetooth: No
Noise-cancelling: No
Sensitivity: 112dB
Weight: 11g
Reasons to buy
+ Entertaining, involving sound Remote and mic Easy to drive
Reasons to avoid
- Timing could be better Shure Aonic 3 above offer even greater insight and propulsion
Despite only having been founded in 2005, SoundMagic rose from obscurity to become multiple-Award winners. Most notable for its budget in-ear headphone range, the SoundMagic E11C provides a perfect showcase for why the brand has already enjoyed so much success.
Cheap they may be, shoddy they certainly ain't. The E11C offer a snug fit and an almost unbelievably well-balanced, energetic tone from their 10mm dynamic drivers, with decent depth to a lower end which is always complemented by a clear and crisp midrange. It's also worth noting that their high sensitivity (112dB) means that the E11Cs can deliver plenty of volume which makes them a great fit for smartphones and portable audio players, provided you have a 3.5mm socket, that is.
Functionality is kept simple with a remote and mic on the cable for the left earphone, but we're not expecting complex arrangements at this level. It’s a standard three-button job, so it should work with Apple and Android smartphones, giving you volume and stop/start functionality.
Anyone not willing to stretch to the Shure Aonic 3 above can consider the E11C as an excellent, more affordable alternative.
Read our full SoundMagic E11C review
Best cheap wireless in-ear headphones
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4. Sony WF-C500
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. Brilliant budget buds that sound great and are comfortable.
Specifications
Noise-cancelling: No
Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
Battery life: 30hrs (buds: 10hrs; case: 20hrs)
Wireless charging: No
Waterproof: IPX4
Finishes: 4 (Black, White, Orange, Green)
Reasons to buy
+ Compact and comfortable design Spirited, well-balanced sound Fine control app
Reasons to avoid
- Slightly small-scale sound Rivals offer more punch
If the SoundMagic E11C are our pick for the best wired in-ear headphones, the Sony WF-C500 are streets ahead of the competition in the race for affordable wireless bud supremacy. Sony's record recently for making everything from premium wireless earbuds to superb noise-cancelling cans has been exceptional, with the C500 proving that as much attention is being paid to the budget end of the spectrum as it is to the premium side.
If you want quality wireless buds without the high price tag, this is the only place to start, especially now that discounts are starting to cut 20% or more off the original RRP. Why? The WF-C500 sound far better than they have any right to at this price, with a well-balanced and even presentation that benefits from a detailed midrange and plenty of dynamic expression. Bass sounds are ample, too, while the top end has enough bite and crunch to keep you engaged as you listen to your favourite tunes.
No, they don't have ANC (see the C700N below), but that doesn't mean they're light on features. Battery life is 10 hours from the buds and another 20 from the case, and like Sony's pricier buds, they work with the Headphones Connect app to give you greater control over your sound profile and the buds' various functionalities. They can even upscale audio to near hi-res quality via Sony's DSEE technology, something we didn't expect to find for such a modest price.
All in all, they're the very best cheap wireless buds on the market, offering up great sound, a nice build and a substantial feature set at an unbeatable price.The C500 won a 2022What Hi-Fi?Award before repeating the trick in 2023, quickly becoming our go-to recommendation for anyone looking for great wireless sound on a tight budget.
Read our fullSony WF-C500 review
Best mid-price wired in-ear headphones
Top Tip
Top Tip
Ketan Bharadia
To wire or not to wire – it's the eternal question. Wireless headphones of all forms have exploded in popularity over the past ten years, but that owes as much to their convenience and extensive feature sets as it does to improvements in audio performance. To be blunt, wired models still beat comparative wireless rivals hands down – wires are simply far a more effective means of transmitting data than via lossy Bluetooth, and even a relatively cheap pair of wired headphones (the SoundMagic E11C, say) can keep up with a much more expensive Bluetooth rival such as the Sony WF-1000XM5.
5. Shure Aonic 5
A step up from the Aonic 3 above, Shure’s mid-price in-ears deliver sensational musicality.
Specifications
Connector: 3.5mm
Cable length: 1.27m
In-line remote and mic: Yes
Bluetooth: No
Noise-cancelling: No
Sensitivity: 119dB
Weight: 24.5g
Reasons to buy
+ Sophisticated, mature sound Superb levels of detail Exceptional sense of timing
Reasons to avoid
- Require suitable content and amplification Unforgiving of poor recordings
Shure's Aonic 5 certainly know how to catch the eye thanks to the transparent section on each earpiece that allows you to see their inner workings, but it's how they sound that earns them their place on this list. Some of Shure's most premium wireless monitors, these are the in-ears to go for if you truly care about sound quality and you're willing to pay handsomely to get it.
The Aonic 5 employ three high-definition balanced drivers in a dual woofer and single tweeter configuration - provided you've got the right source and material, the result is quite sensational. There's an embarrassment of detail and a wonderful sense of clarity within their presentation, with vocals sounding particularly rich and natural. Bear in mind that they're incredibly sonically transparent, so any ropey recordings will be exposed as the Aonic 5 take no prisoners with their clear, "tell-it-as-it-is" style.
As usual, Shure provides plenty of tips to help you find the right fit for the bud, but you also get two extra nozzles that you can use to change the balance of the sound. The ones labelled 'Bright' put too much emphasis on the top-end for our liking, but the 'Warm' pair offer a subtle increase in weight and substance. We'd still recommend sticking with the default ones, though, as this is where you'll get the most balance.
If you've got a decent DAC/headphone amp to drive them, the Shure Aonic 5 will show you exactly what they're capable of. If you don't, the Aonic 3 might be worth a look.
Read our full Shure Aonic 5 review
Best mid-price wireless in-ear headphones
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6. Sony WF-C700N
What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. Five-star wireless in-ear headphones that deliver terrific value for money.
Specifications
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
Battery life: 7.5hrs (+7.5hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging: No
Waterproof: Water resistant
Finishes: (White, Black, Sage Green, Lavender
Reasons to buy
+ Very comfortable fit Refined presentation for the money Detailed, dynamic and musical sound
Reasons to avoid
- Charging case doesn't add a lot to battery life No aptX or LDAC support
Ah, the Sony C700N, truly worthy winners during 2023's Awards. The point of the C700N is to be a budget pair of noise-cancelling earbuds, so anyone who still wants ANC but isn't willing to splash the cash on the rather more premium WF-1000XM5 can still enjoy those isolating benefits without paying a fortune. It's a clever corner of the market, and one Sony is filling with great skill.
The C700N buds are relatively small, and while they may be more affordable than the XM5s, their lightweight design helps make them more comfortable than a whole host of more expensive rivals. Battery life is competitive at seven and a half hours, although the fact the charging case can only offer one extra charge does seem just a tad stingy.
They lack aptX HDandLDAC, which is a shame, but do feature that noise-cancelling that the WF-C500 lack. Adaptive Sound Control automatically switches listening modes depending on your location, and Sony's DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) effortlessly upscales low-res digital audio files to higher quality.
Noise cancelling is nothing if the sound quality isn't there, but Sony has once again shown why they're the best in the game in this field with audio that feels supremely balanced and refined, offering up deep, detailed bass, expressive mids and engaging highs to concoct a very musical listen for the money spent.
Multipoint Bluetooth, which lets you switch seamlessly between devices, arrived as part of a software update in 2023, and while the lack of support for aptX HDandLDAC is disappointing, it's not the end of the world at this price. Either way, the superb level of comfort, sound quality, and great feature set make these in-ear headphones easy to recommend as a supremely well-priced pair of Award-winning wireless buds.
Read our full Sony WF-C700N review
Best high-end wired in-ear headphones
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7. Sennheiser IE 900
The best in-ear headphones for those with a big budget.
Specifications
Connector: 3.5mm, 2.5mm, 4.4mm
Cable length: 1.2m
In-line remote and mic: No
Bluetooth: No
Noise-cancelling: No
Sensitivity: 123dB
Reasons to buy
+ Detailed, articulate sound Refined yet entertaining presentation Clever engineering
Reasons to avoid
- Cable transmits noise No in-line remote
Rest assured, Shure aren't the only ones who can pull out a pair of great wired in-ear headphones. Sennheiser’s excellent IE 900 earbuds will appeal to purists who want to get the best audio possible from a high-quality source, and they certainly come packaged like premium in-ear headphones thanks to six ear tip options and three cables with a choice of normal 3.5mm and balanced 2.5mm / 4.4mm connectors. The only thing they don't have is an in-line remote, but that's just about forgivable given how these bad boys sound. They're not at all cheap (retailing currently at around £1,000), which makes them a step up even on the remarkable Shure Aonic 5 above.
So what are you paying for? Well, with rigidity and minimal vibrations in mind, Sennheiser's engineers have chosen to go with a single driver rather than the more fashionable multiple-unit approach that many rivals take, and the results are exceptional. The IE 900 are impressively clear and open-sounding, able to dig deep into the production of a recording with skill and enthusiasm. They also come over as confident and insightful, uncovering layers of low-level information and organising every track they are faced with into a structured and cohesive whole.
Partner these in-ear headphones with good-quality files and a high-quality outboard DAC (see the Chord Mojo 2) and you'll hear just why the IE 900 justify their hefty price tag. A sensational pair for serious audiophiles.
Read our full Sennheiser IE 900 review
Best high-end wireless in-ear headphones
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8. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The successors to the QC Earbuds II are effervescent, musical and superbly revealing.
Specifications
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
Battery life: 6hrs (+18hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging: No
Waterproof: IPX4
Finishes: 2 (Black, White Smoke)
Reasons to buy
+ Exceptional noise-cancelling Fantastic sense of refinement Beautifully balanced sound Excellent detail levels
Reasons to avoid
- Battery life can be bettered Call quality is nothing special No Bluetooth Multipoint No wireless charging
There are two clear frontrunners in the premium wireless earbuds space right now: the Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. You'll likely have been sold by the XM5's credentials above, so what do the Ultra Earbuds offer that the Sonys don't?
For a start, they look a lot nicer. The XM5s are a little plain and stale in appearance, but these sleek, luxurious Bose buds are handsome fellas, with a secure fit and a bit more aesthetic flair than their rivals - that's a plus point in terms of perceived value.
They also excel in two key areas: ANC and sound quality. The former is back and as good as ever, taking even the noisiest environments and reducing their impact quite dramatically. Every time you pluck the buds from their case and place them in your ears, Bose’s CustomTune calibration tech lets out a tone as it surveys the noise in your environment and adjusts the sound accordingly. Bose knows noise cancelling better than almost anyone, and it shows again here.
The Ultra Earbuds have undoubtedly improved over the QC II regarding sound quality, too. This isn't a case of being better or worse than the XM5s, rather it's about preferring a certain style of sonic presentation. There's a familiar richness and fullness to the sound, but the new buds have a bit more of a skip in their step than the outgoing QuietComfort Earbuds II, as well as more detail around the edges of tones and instruments. For getting out the timbres of instruments, the Ultra Earbuds take things to the next level, offering a style that rewards you with genuine verve, dynamism and impact. The Sony XM5 are more refined and measured, but for musical insight and joie de vivre, the Ultra truly live up to their name.
Feature-wise, the big news for the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is they feature Bose Immersive Audioao (their version of spatial audio) and while the results are a little mixed, the ambition is definitely there. Elsewhere, though, call quality has improved while battery life remains the same, but we'll admit that the lack of Bluetooth Multipoint is a bit of a puzzler at this level.
All in all, a five-star alternative to the Sony WF-1000XM5 and a very, very decent pair of wireless earbuds full stop.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review
Best Apple in-ear headphones
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9. Apple AirPods Pro 2
The best in-ear headphones currently made by Apple.
Specifications
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
Battery life: 6hrs (+24hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging: Yes
Wateproof: Water resistant
Finishes: White
Reasons to buy
+ Clear, detailed and powerful sound Excellent noise-cancelling Longer battery life Smooth, intuitive use with iOS devices
Reasons to avoid
- Many features restricted to iOS devices only Customisable ANC modes would be useful
Apple has historically produced decent but unremarkable wireless earbuds, performing solidly but never challenging the real class leaders from the likes of Sony and Bose. With the AirPods Pro 2, though, the Californian titan has made a pair that finally delivers the goods.
How? The buds' fit and on-ear controls are both very good, while battery life clocks in at a very competitive total of 30 hours with the charging case. You get new, iOS-compatible features such as Apple Adaptive Audio, and, most importantly, a big jump in sound quality compared to previous effort, all for the same price as the original AirPods Pro.
The noise-cancelling is effective, and Apple's Adaptive Audio tech, which dynamically adjusts the level of ANC depending on your surrounds, works a treat. And the sound quality? With weight, detail and a good dose of dynamic subtlety, they really are accomplished in-ears, and while they don't quite match the dynamism of the Bose Ultra Earbuds or the perceptiveness and balance of the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QC Ultra, they're not a million miles away. That gap feels like it's never been closer with the AirPods Pro 2, and if we were gifted a pair, we'd be happy listening to them all day, iPhone or no iPhone.
All in all, a superb pair of in-ears for Apple fans everywhere.
Read our full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review
Also consider
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: At last, a pair of wireless earbuds to break the Sony / Bose duopoly! The Momentum TW4 are the real deal, wowing us with a refined, detailed sound presentation that feels rewarding and effortlessly musical. They're also comfortable, responsive and laden with useful features and fully earned five stars across the board. Sony and Bose, you have competition!
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: Just because the new Ultra Earbuds are here, doesn't mean the previous-gen QC Earbuds II are redundant. Despite the excellence of the newer model, the QC Earbuds II remain sonically superb, keeping up with the Sony WF-1000XM5 thanks to their emphatic, hugely vibrant sonic sensibilities and peerless, near-unbeatable noise cancelling. Thanks to their recent "ousting", prices are plummeting, and that can only be a good thing for the consumer.
- Shure KSE1200: Got a wad of dosh burning a hole in your wallet? Shure's KSE1200 may be costly (really, really costly to some onlookers), but boy are they an outstanding pair of wired in-ear headphones. Blending astonishing detail and agility with some of the most striking clarity and insight we've heard for a long time, these are an audiophile's dream pair of in-ears.
How to choose the best in-ear headphones for you
First of all, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend. That will be somewhat determined by how you are going to use your new in-ear headphones – there's no point forking out hundreds of pounds or dollars for something that will sit in a drawer for most of the year.
Are you going to plug them into a smartphone or will they be used with a premium portable music player packed with hi-res music? You can go the wired route for the ultimate performance-per-pound value, but there's always the wireless option should you want a bit more convenience from your earbuds.
Compared with the best over-ear headphones, which can look and feel big and bulky, the best in-ear headphones offer a more discreet listening experience, while the use of ear tips tends to deliver decent levels of isolation from the outside world. So, you will also want to ensure the in-ear headphones you go for (and the tips you get with them) are comfortable. And, if you want to block out more of the outside world, you might want to consider active noise-cancelling, which is an increasing feature on all but the very budget true wireless earbuds these days.
There's a pair of earbuds for everyone on this list, including budget wired headphones and premium models, plus noise-cancelling headphones and Bluetooth headphones, too. Rest assured, we have tested all the in-ear headphones mentioned above, which is why you can be confident they are all up to the job. Check the most recent pricing to bag a possible discount and also don't forget our page dedicated to the best headphone deals.
- Headphones vs Earbuds: which is best for you?
How we test in-ear headphones
We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London and Reading where our team of experienced, in-house reviewers test the majority of hi-fi and AV kit that passes through our door, including in-ear headphones.
Testing in-ear headphones, whether it is the wired or wireless variety, naturally doesn't require us to be in a test room all the time, although when we want peace and quiet and to compare pairs with their closest rivals, then a dedicated room does come in handy. For the most part, we test in-ear headphones in our daily life and in the outside world: on a train during our commute, when walking around town, around the house and even when on a run or workout session.
We treat in-ear headphones as though they are speakers, so we give them plenty of time to run in, and then we use them with the equipment they are most likely to be partnered with, be it a smartphone, headphone amp and DAC, or portable music player.
We also try a wide range of music and music file types, and if the earbuds offer extra features such as noise-cancelling, we also test this and use them in different environments to make sure it's up to scratch.
All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we are being as consistent and thorough as possible with our reviews. There is never any input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the overall verdict, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for nearly five decades.
Recent updates
- March 2024: Added also consider section to offer more alternatives for buyers
- February 2024:Added FAQ section to help with buying decisions and commonly asked questions.
- January 2024: Replaced the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II with the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds following a five-star review for the latter.
- November 2023:What Hi-Fi?Award winners labelled after the 2023Awards Best Buys and Product of the Year announcements.
FAQ
Which is better: wireless or wired?
If you are looking to get the absolute best sound quality you can for your budget, wired headphones still have an advantage over their wireless alternatives. Wired headphones, be they in-ear or over-ear, are generally more sustainable, too, as they don't require batteries or frequent charging to run. You can see a selection of great options in this category in our best wired headphones guide.
That said, wireless performance is improving all the time, while certain features such as ANC, spatial audio and transparency modes, are increasingly only found in Bluetooth models. Best of all, the massive convenience brought about by not having a trailing cable is a huge benefit, especially when wearing headphones outdoors. Wired headphones are practically obsolete when it comes to running and workout models.
This one all depends on priorities. If it's sound and nothing else, go wired. If it's convenience or next-gen features you can't live without, go wireless.
Are premium wireless earbuds worth it?
Higher price doesn't necessarily mean the earbuds sound better, but they do tend to come with a full set of features that more affordable models don't. Premium earbuds do come with the expectation that they should sound the best, too. In our opinion, the best pairs are most definitely worth it, provided they meet your given use case.
The best premium wireless buds, such as the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds and the Sony WF-1000XM5, offer a clear step up as far as sound quality goes, granting more detail, greater dynamics and a more overall polished performance. Many budget models don't have the same spread of features as more expensive designs, and might be missing key things like active noise-cancelling, spatial audio and niche benefits such as Bluetooth Multipoint, in-app ear fit test, customised sound profiles, personalised hearing tests and more.
To state the obvious, premium buds aren't worth it if you're not that interested in improved sound and extensive features. Many decent, mid-range buds such as the Sony WF-C700N offer a decent raft of benefits, including ANC and Bluetooth Multipoint, alongside eminently pleasing sound for an affordable price. If you just want a pair of headphones that you can live with, it's worth doing your homework to decide where you draw the line.
MORE:
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Want to block out the world? Here's our best noise-cancelling headphones
Best headphones – every type tried and tested
11 best prog rock tracks to test your hi-fi system
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Andy Madden
Andy is Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. Over the years he's also contributed to a number of other outlets, including The Sunday Times, the BBC, Stuff, and BA High Life Magazine. Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.
With contributions from
- Harry McKerrellStaff writer
10 CommentsComment from the forums
Kuala So I should believe in author's expertness when he thinks earbuds and iems are the same thing...
I'm outta here...Reply
JoaoCarlos Almost every single one has 5 stars. How are we supposed to pick one?
Reply
Blasterinn I could probably name 10 iem's that are better, cheaper and better looking than many of those you mentioned.
This is more like "The big label consumers list for the uninformed from the uninformed"
Sorry to rain on you but this is just supermarket stuff alot of the time.Reply
brettone2002 You forgot the B&O e8 third generation. 107, 109db sensitivity (higher than any I've seen in buds), longer battery life, bluetooth 5.1, far better than anything mentioned here - what gives? lol
Reply
brettone2002 You also listed some with wire lol - not in 2021
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bristollinnet What would we all do without What Earbuds...
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musicphile brettone2002 said:
You also listed some with wire lol - not in 2021The sentiment is true and very unfortunate. Lately only manufacturers in China, and a few smaller ones in the West, seem to be putting sound quality first and produce wired IEMs, some even with balanced inputs. The bigger manufacturers are bluetoothing everything. The irony is that any wired headphone can turn into wireless very easily but the opposite is impossible - the Chinese get it.
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Salty Maud brettone2002 said:
You also listed some with wire lol - not in 2021Yes in 2022. Wireless is a convenience feature for use on the go, I'm looking for quality for stationary home use. As much as I love my LCD-2C, I'm looking for something lighter for casual use and possibly gaming.
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Bamabams80HD brettone2002 said:
You also listed some with wire lol - not in 2021You do realize this is an audiophile site, right? Bluetooth doesn't support lossless audio....you can't find a pair of bluetooth headphones that can produce the same quality of sound as wired.
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Navanski Bamabams80HD said:
You do realize this is an audiophile site, right? Bluetooth doesn't support lossless audio....you can't find a pair of bluetooth headphones that can produce the same quality of sound as wired.I can't fault your logic. However to presume that this is an audiophile site I think is a mistake. Time and time again lists of the 'best' devices are produced by this site which are, in reality, very little to do with audio fidelity. There is very little variety - it seems to always be the same old brands. If one was being cynical one might suspect that brown envelopes are involved.
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