Earbuds Comparison – How to Choose the Right Pair

A high-quality pair of earbuds can transform the way you listen to music and enjoy your favorite podcast or audiobook. But how do you choose the right pair? There are a number of considerations, including price, fit and comfort, ANC effectiveness, sound quality, battery life and features like Bluetooth connectivity, a hear-through mode and noise cancelling. This guide will help you narrow down your options and find the earbuds that best suit your needs.

There are a lot of things to consider when shopping for earbuds, but the most important is fit. You want earbuds that fit snugly in your ears, without causing any pressure or discomfort. The fit is even more important when you’re wearing earbuds while doing an activity, such as running or working out. Earbuds come in a wide range of sizes, so it’s important to try them on before you buy to ensure that they’re comfortable for long periods of time.

Other important features include a hear-through mode (which allows you to hear your surroundings when listening), active noise cancellation (ANC), and Bluetooth codec support. Many earbuds support at least AAC, but if you plan on using them with an iPhone, it’s worth paying extra for the Apple-specific AptX codec that delivers higher-quality audio and better latency.

The Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 earbuds are a solid option for rock fans, thanks to their boosted bass and clear mid-range, but they aren’t the most comfortable and don’t offer the best ANC or hear-through mode. The earbuds are also thick and lack stabilizing wings, so they may not stay in small ears, and the case is larger than average.

Unlike some other true wireless headphones, the Denon AH-C510 buds feature an ANC mode that can be activated by pressing down on one of the buds. The earbuds sound very good, and the companion app lets you tinker with the EQ to customize your sound profile. The earbuds also support Apt-X lossless codec for better audio quality, although they don’t have the greatest noise cancelling in our tests and aren’t the most comfortable for jogging.

The Jabra Elite 925 earbuds are a great choice for people who want a premium pair of earbuds that can be used with a variety of devices. They have the second-best overall sonic performance in our tests, and they’re especially impressive with acoustic music and podcasts. Their mid-range is crisp and clear, and their treble range adds just enough sparkle to cymbals to make them sound realistic but not too piercing.

If you’re heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, you might prefer the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation), which have a strong transparency mode and excellent ANC. However, their virtual surround sound features aren’t compatible with Android devices.