7 Best Earbuds (2021)

It’s a good time to be a music lover – there are more ways than ever to hear your music, and we’re finally getting to a point where even a lower end set of buds can pump out legitimately strong audio.

Are you still rocking the freebies that came with your phone? If you’re serious about your sound, you may not know what you’re missing if you haven’t looked around lately (like the new Sennheiser headphones).

We’ve got a little something for everybody here.

Like to have a few sets of cheap earbuds so you can stash one in every bag you own? Try Panasonic’s ErgoFit.

Do you require the absolute silence only active noise cancelation earbuds can give you? Bose’s QuietComfort20 has you covered.

Are you all about the bass? The Bowers & Wilkin C5 really blasts it out.

Take a look at this list of the best in ear headphones, all of which are highly regarded and well-reviewed.

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

#1 Best Bass Earbuds

Sony Extra Bass Earbud Headset

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Delivers deep bass sound
Quality earphones on a budget
Ultra comfortable

Pros Cons

The Sony Extra Bass Earbud Headset delivers the best bass sound an earbud can offer! The fit is secure and lightweight while remaining extraordinarily comfortable to the ear. They are inexpensive yet deliver an exceptionally high-quality sound.

The mic for phone calls is not super isolated and sometimes picks up outside noise.

Product Ratings

Sound Quality

9.6/10

These earphones have a 12mm dome driver that delivers a powerful and booming bass sound. The earbuds also have strong noise isolation thanks to the tightly sealed acoustic design.

They come with smartphone playback control to make phone calls, changing music, or changing volume levels a breeze.

Comfort

9.5/10

The earbuds are made of hybrid silicone and provide soft comfort for your ears. The Y-type flat cord with a built-in slider makes these earphones less likely to get tangled. They are incredibly lightweight and have a secure yet airy fit.

Value

9.6/10

If you take care of these earbuds, they can last for years – they are extremely durable. They were originally $49.99 and are now only $29.99 on Amazon. You’re getting quality earphones for a fraction of the price.

#2 Best Bluetooth Earbuds

Jabra Elite Active 65t Alexa Enabled True Wireless Sports Earbuds with Charging Case

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Extremely comfortable
Great sound
Stay in place

Pros Cons

Alexa is built into these 'Wireless Jabra Elite Active Earbuds' so you can change your music, settings, and volume all with a simple command. The Jabra Sound + App enables you to personalize your Jabra earbuds to fit your needs.

Doesn't carry as much of a bass sound as some of our earphone faves.

Product Ratings

Sound Quality

9.2/10

The Jabra Earbuds come with 4-microphone technology to get you the best sound possible. They help isolate outside noise and have wind protection to create a richer, fuller sound.

For phone calls, these earbuds work perfectly – never again will you have to talk loudly for the caller to hear you – these pick up everything.

Comfort

9.4/10

These earbuds provide dependable in-ear stability and are so comfortable – you may even forget you have them in! They go where you go, and they stay put.

Value

9.3/10

These earbuds have a 5-hour battery life, and, with the charging case, they have 15-hour battery life. They are priced at a great value and on Amazon. Plus, they are currently on sale!

#3 Best Noise Canceling Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones

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Noise cancelling
Slim, comfortable design
In-line easy to use microphone for calls

Pros Cons

The Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones keep sound in to reduce distractions and enable you to focus on your music. These headphones have a great feature called "Aware Mode," which allows you to hear your surroundings with the touch of a button.

A little pricey.

Product Ratings

Sound Quality

9.2/10

Thanks to the Bose Active EQ and TriPort technology, these headphones offer digital-quality crisp sound. Some of the best noise canceling earphones on the market, the Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones also offer “Aware Mode,” where at the touch of a button you can tune back into your surroundings.

Comfort

9.3/10

Thanks to the cone shape on the tips of the earbuds, the fit is soft, secure, and gently seals the ears for a better sound. There is an inline remote, making it easy to change or pause tunes and take phone calls.

Value

9.2/10

These are definitely a little pricey, but if it’s within your budget, we highly recommend these earphones.

#4 Best Earbuds for Running

Jaybird X2 Sport Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

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Snug yet comfortable fit
8 hours of battery life!
Sweatproof

Pros Cons

The Jaybird X2 Sport Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are the perfect workout headphones. These headphones stay in place and remain comfortable throughout your activities.

The bass sound is not very powerful in these earphones.

Product Ratings

Sound Quality

9/10

The foam tips provide noise isolation, while the Shift Premium Bluetooth Audio delivers premium sound and warm bass audio.

These have got an 8-hour battery life and use smart Bluetooth technology.

Comfort

9.2/10

These earbuds are specifically designed for active use. The premium foam tips and in-ear fins provide a snug yet comfortable fit.

The earphones come with multiple sizes of foam tips and three different ear fins so you can find the fit that works best for you.

Value

9/10

These are priced at a good value and are the perfect earphones for the avid runner or gym goer.

#5 Best Earbuds under $20

Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones

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Come in a variety of colors
Super soft fit
Inexpensive

Pros Cons

The Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones are the cheapest earphones on our list and a very gentle fit to them. They stay in and are incredibly durable.

They have no mic - to make calls you'll need to speak directly into your phone.

Product Ratings

Sound Quality

8.9/10

These earphones do a pretty decent job at keeping noise isolated. You might not want to blast these earphones in a quiet environment as the sound does bleed a little bit. They deliver a clear sound, nothing super enhanced, but they are only $7.50, and they get the job done.

Comfort

9/10

These Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones are gentle on ears. They have an ergonomic fit and genuinely stay in while you run or are active. The cord is roughly 3.5 feet, which is excellent for flexibility, and these buds come with three different ear pieces that range from small to large so you can use what fits you best.

Value

9.1/10

These earphones are only $7.50 on Amazon. If you’re looking for standard, everyday earphones – you really can’t beat this price.

#6 Best Earbuds Under $50

Sennheiser CX 300 II Precision Enhanced Bass Earbuds

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Bass-driven stereo sound
Great sound quality for all music types
Great noise isolation

Pros Cons

The Sennheiser Precision Enhanced Bass Earbuds provide a superior sound with ultra-soft silicone ear tips.

Some users do not like the asymmetrical cord design.

Product Ratings

Sound Quality

9/10

The Sennheiser Precision Enhanced Bass Earbuds have a high-quality sound thanks to the durable bass-driven stereo. The perfect fit of these earbuds provides extreme noise isolation so you can enjoy your music.

Comfort

8.9/10

These earbuds come with multiple sizes of ear adapters so you can find the best custom fit that works for you. The cable is asymmetrical to help reduce tangling, and a convenient carrying pouch is included.

Value

8.9/10

These are some of the most affordable headphones on our list, and they provide a high-quality sound. These headphones also come with a 2-year warranty!

#7 Best Earbuds under $100

1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Earphones Hi-Res Headphones

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Provide pure sound clarity
Super comfy
Sleek and stylish

Pros Cons

These 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Earphones Hi-Res Headphones have an incredible sound quality that is even crisper than other name brand earbuds that sell for twice the price.

Not wireless - but come with a clip so the cord will stay in place.

Product Ratings

Sound Quality

9/10

A pretty crazy fact about these earbuds is that the final tuning was actually engineered by a Grammy Award-Winning sound engineer (Luca Bignardi)! 1MORE really stepped up and went the extra effort to bring you the perfect presentation of your favorite music.

The two balanced armatures and the separate dynamic driver create an incredible, precise sound.

Comfort

8.9/10

The aluminum alloy pieces are designed with oblique angles that accurately match your ear canals. There are nine different sets of ear tips enabling you to find the perfect fit for your ears – and to keep the sound solely between you and your earbuds.

These earphones have an in-line remote control so you can easily control volume, move through songs, and receive phone calls.

Value

9.1/10

These earphones make a perfect gift – they come in an elegant package with three sets of foam ear tips, six sets of silicone ear tips, a magnetic travel case, a storage case, an airline adapter, and a shirt clip (that matches the earphones) for activities! These are on sale for only $68.87 and honestly, work just as well or better than earbuds that sell for twice as much.