In-ear headphones are lighter and more portable than over-ear models, but traditionally lag behind in sound quality. However, that is changing, with some of the best wireless earbuds now offering noise-cancellation strong enough to rival jet engines. When choosing, start with major brands like Sony and Bose for premium audio and top-tier active noise-cancelling (ANC). Phone brands such as Nothing, OnePlus, Samsung and Google also produce excellent earbuds, often with seamless pairing for their respective ecosystems.
Our tech expert has tested the latest earbuds with phones, laptops and tablets, evaluating setup ease, sound quality, comfort, fit, and controls. The most important factor is how music sounds: is it bass-heavy or clear in mid-tones and highs? Different music genres were used to assess strengths.
The latest AirPods Pro are Apple's best yet, with improved ear tips for a snugger fit and enhanced ANC effective on planes. New features include live translation via iPhone and a heart-rate sensor for workouts. Battery life has increased from six to eight hours with noise-cancelling on.
Sony's WF-C700N earbuds offer excellent value, including ANC at a budget price. They are small, light, and sound detailed and powerful, though they lack wireless charging and advanced audio codecs. The higher-end Sony WF-1000XM5 are 25% smaller and 20% lighter than their predecessors, with a larger driver for better audio. A bone conductor sensor pauses audio when you speak, though this can be turned off.
