When kicking back on the sofa for a night of music, it’s hard to beat a nice big chunky set of headphones and wireless headphones – and if you’re on a budget, you can even get some cracking cans for under £100.
However, while life hasn’t returned to normal due to the lockdown, many of us are now able to get out and about a bit more – whether for a daily walk or an outdoor run every couple of days.
Something a little more discreet is called for, then, and that’s where earbuds come in – and we’ve got a cracking selection for you to take a look at: From the cheap and cheerful through to the top of the range.
It’s also easier to take your face mask off and put it back on while wearing earbuds than if you're carting around a hefty set of cans, right?
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Despite their diminutive size, all in-ear headphones aren’t created equal. There’s a big difference between the pair you get packed in free with your phone and even the most affordable pairs on the list below, which is why it’s vital that you shop around to find what's best for you.
You can also buy earplugs to protect your hearing for when the tours and festivals return, and these also come in different shapes and with different levels of features.
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How to buy the best in-ear headphones for you
They may be dinky and – in the case of wired models –relatively simple, but there’s a lot to consider when choosing a pair of in-ears. Do you want wired or wireless? Noise-cancelling headphones, noise-isolation or neither? Do you want a mic for making calls? Are you going to use them while going for a run or working out at home?
The fit matters a huge amount, too, particularly in terms of in-ears. Our lug-holes are all different, you see, and failing to ensure that your chosen headphones fit yours correctly could result in them not only falling out, but also sub-standard sound. If possible, try before you buy, and also make sure you try all of the different tips that come with your chosen pair to find the best possible fit.
And if you don’t feel as though you’re getting the fit or sound that you should, return your bought pair and find an alternative.
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In general, wired headphones sound better than wireless headphones as there’s a bit of sound quality lost by the wireless transmission. That said, wireless in-ears are obviously incredibly practical. Before going for a wired pair, do check your phone – and that's assuming you intend to listen to music from your phone - actually has a standard headphone socket.
If it doesn’t and an adapter wasn’t bundled with it, you’ll have to factor in the price of buying one. Also look for tangle-resistant cables, particularly if the headphones will be frequently thrown into a bag or stuffed in a pocket.
If you’re going wireless, take into consideration the battery life and which version of Bluetooth is being used. The later the version – we’re now on 5.0 º– the more battery-friendly and potentially better sounding it is. AptX Bluetooth, meanwhile, is specifically for audio and suggests that sound quality has been prioritised at least somewhat.
Bear in mind that wireless in-ears with a cable or neckband between the two buds tend to have a bigger, longer-lasting battery than true wireless pairs, but the case that comes with true wireless in-ears usually carries two to three extra charges for the buds.
Hopefully that’s helped you narrow down your search, so scroll down to find the best in-ear headphones for you.
The best in-ear headphones you can buy today
Meet the current pinnacle of true wireless in-ear headphones. The Sony WF-1000XM3 has an all-new Bluetooth chip that sharpens up music synchronisation and a noise-cancelling processor that vastly improves noise-cancellation.
There’s better in-ear grip than before too but, more to the point, these just sound great. They’re clear, rhythmic, detailed and deliver all the musical energy you could need. To listen is to fall in love with your tunes all over again.
Read the Sony WF-1000XM3 review
A relative newbie in the audio world, SoundMagic has quickly established itself as one of the top dogs in budget headphones land.
The latest version of the company’s award-winning affordable in-ears boast an updated driver and a silver-plated copper cable that’s twisted to help reduce tangles. There’s a mic and three-button remote for taking calls and controlling your music.
What makes the E11Cs special is the sound. The excellent tonal balance means nothing sticks out and all of your music sounds as it should, from deep bass to twinkly treble, and there’s energy to the sound that makes everything fun. There’s really nothing not to like.
If you’re after a set of wireless earphones that are a perfect choice for working out at home or for when you're on your morning run, Bose’s SoundSport Wireless are the pair to get.
Sweat resistant, lightweight and with extra in-ear scaffolding to stop them falling out while you’re pushing to beat that 10K PB, these wireless in-ears are a better bet than even the Sonys at the top if you’re the active type.
Bluetooth reliability is good too and while battery life could be better, they sound nice and lively, with a decent thump of bass to make you feel like Rocky.
Another pair of simple, wired in-ears, and these are actually even better than the SoundMagic E11Cs - if you’re prepared to pay the extra.
These Klipsch headphones actually look and feel as if they should be more expensive than they are and are extremely snug and comfortable to wear – certainly not a given in this category.
What’s more, they blow most budget in-ear headphones out of the water when it comes to sound quality. Bass is accurate and balanced, treble is sparkly and precise, and there’s a great mix of punch and refinement. You can’t go wrong with these.
Yes, you can buy a pair of wired in-ears for a tenner these days, but they’ll sound as pleasant as stepping on an upturned plug and will last as long as a Buzzcocks song. The same can be said for whatever buds came with your latest phone – if it came with any at all. It really is worth paying more, particularly if you do most of your listening on the move.
That’s where the weirdly named Soul Byrds come in. Easy to listen to but interesting and captivating, too, they’re great for all genres of music - from ferocious metal to sprawling prog epics.
They’re also very comfortable to wear, burrowing into your ears far less than most rivals, and have an integrated mic and controls that work with iOS and Android phones alike.
If a pair of headphones is good enough for Megadeth, it’s got to be good, right? Not that Dave Mustaine’s outfit are the only musicians to use Shure headphones – it seems that practically every band in existence uses the company’s in-ear monitors when on stage.
There are two big reasons Shure’s earphones are so prevalent: they’re supremely tough and durable and they sound neutral and authentic.
The SE425s are the highlight of the current range, offering a supreme sound that, while a bit bass-light, is brilliantly detailed and textured through the midrange. There are no frills here – no mic, no controls, and certainly no Bluetooth – but that’s because they’re serious, pro monitors, and they're all the better for it.
No longer the stuff of sci-fi fantasy, truly wireless in-ear headphones are now a reality. In fact, they’re all over the place, which can make it a bit tricky to choose a pair. If you enjoy running, you should definitely check out the Jaybird Vistas.
Like most in this category, they consist of two entirely wireless buds and a case that doubles up as a charger. You get six hours of use out of the buds, and an extra 10 hours from the case. The fins, meanwhile, keep the earphones snug and secure as you lumber around the park.
Best of all, the sound has all of the energy you need to keep motivation levels up as you gasp for air, and there’s plenty of meaty bass to keep the blood pumping.
Ignore the cringeworthy name and these bargain buds are some of the best in-ear headphones for anyone with less than £50 in their back pocket to spend.
There’s a fairly hefty neckband that helps to keep them in place while you wear them, but it can be removed if you think it’s too chunky, leaving behind a fairly lightweight pair of buds that are tethered together by a thin cable that includes a remote and microphone.
Sound quality is good, particularly for the money, and while the battery life and wireless signal aren’t the best, you can’t have the moon on a stick when you’re paying just £30.
If you’re after a pair of budget wireless headphones to soundtrack your runs or home workouts but can’t stretch to the Bose SoundSports, the Sennheiser CX Sports are definitely the way to go. Those rather garishly coloured fins do a great job of keeping the buds comfortably nestled in your ears regardless of how much you throw yourself into your exercise.
The cable between the two earphones runs around the back of the neck and includes a control unit and mic, as well as the six-hour battery. That might not be great longevity, but at least charging them up is quick – 10 minutes of juice-up time gets you a whole hour of music. Not too shabby, eh?
Audio is weighty, solid and punchy, perfect for delivering that extra bit of musical motivation.
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