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How much do good earbuds cost?
A good pair of wireless earbuds typically costs between $100 and $400. This range includes options with high-quality sound, reliable connectivity, and additional features like noise cancelation and water resistance. While there are cheaper alternatives available, they might compromise on sound quality, battery life, or durability. Investing at least $100 or more will generally ensure a balance between performance and value.
How do I choose the best wireless earbuds for me?
With the vast array of wireless earbuds available, choosing the right pair can be daunting. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting the best wireless earbuds for your needs:
- Fit and Comfort: A proper fit is crucial for achieving optimal sound quality and noise isolation. Look for earbuds that come with multiple ear tip sizes, especially for small ears, or offer a secure, customizable fit. Comfort is also essential, especially if you plan to wear them for extended periods.
- Sound Quality: Assess your audio preferences and prioritize earbuds with a sound signature that aligns with your taste. Review the frequency response and consider earbuds with customizable EQ settings if you prefer to fine-tune the sound.
- Noise Cancellation: If you plan to use your earbuds in noisy environments, active noise cancelation (ANC) can significantly improve your listening experience by reducing external sounds.
- Battery Life: Longer battery life means fewer interruptions and fewer charges. Look for earbuds with at least 6-8 hours of playback time per charge, and consider the additional charges provided by the charging case.
- Connectivity and Codecs: Ensure the earbuds are compatible with your devices and support the latest Bluetooth standards and codecs (e.g., AAC, aptX, LDAC) for higher audio quality and stable connectivity.
- Water/Sweat Resistance: If you plan to use your earbuds during workouts or in humid conditions, look for an IP rating (e.g., IPX4, IPX7) that indicates the level of water and sweat resistance.
- Additional Features: Consider other features that may be important to you, such as wireless charging, touch controls, transparency mode, or voice assistant integration.
By evaluating these factors based on your specific needs and preferences, you can narrow down your options and choose the best wireless earbuds that provide an optimal listening experience.
Is it worth buying cheap earbuds?
Yes, cheap earbuds are not necessarily bad, and for most people, spending around $100 will generally merit sufficient sound quality and even features like noise cancelation.
A while back, I came across a post ranking earbuds by price range, which was super helpful for a lot of people. Since that one’s hard to find now, I decided to remake it using newer models and what I’ve personally tested or researched. This list considers : sound quality, comfort, battery life, features and especially value for money.
Budget ($20–$50)
SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro– $42 Surprisingly good sound for under $50. Adaptive ANC works nicely, has app EQ, and LDAC support for Android. Battery lasts 7–8 hours.
JBL Wave Beam – $39 Punchy bass, typical JBL tuning. No ANC, but passive isolation is great. Compact case and comfortable fit.
1MORE PistonBuds Pro $49 Balanced V‑shaped sound with clean highs and decent ANC. App support and customizable touch controls push them pretty high up in this list.
Hoco EQ16 – $38 Excellent value with nice sound and strong ANC and ENC. They’re the ones I’m using specifically because of the ENC part, it’s hard to find headphones that have decent mic quality. Audio wise I’d say they’re close to Ankers but the price makes it feel like a bargain.
Mid‑range ($50–$100)
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC $79 Smart ANC, great fit, clear mids, and full‑bodied bass. Multipoint and LDAC make it future‑proof.
SoundPEATS Air4 Pro AN – $69 Lightweight fit with airy soundstage and responsive touch controls. Battery clocks in at 9 hours with ANC off. (I struggled with the name too)
High‑end ($100–$200)
Sony WF‑C700N $119 Lightweight version of the XM5, still with great ANC and comfort. Fantastic choice for travel or work.
Technics EAH‑AZ60M2. $179 Premium soundstage with natural mids and crisp treble. Multipoint works seamlessly, battery edges out Sony’s buds.
Jabra Elite 10 ANC. $179 One of the best in comfort and mic quality. Spatial sound support for both Android and iPhone users.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 $189 You guys know about those already
Boss level ($200+)
Once you’re above the $200 mark, it’s really about preference since they’re all pretty good, and keep in mind most of these I haven’t tried (sorry I’m broke)
Sony WF‑1000XM5 -$229
The benchmark for noise cancelling and sound quality(I see this one everywhere i think yall agree) Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds for 279 Best‑in‑class comfort and ANC transparency. Sound is nice and clear, especially good for people who don’t take their headphones off their head.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 with ANC for 250$ Audiophile‑grade clarity, robust build, and customizable EQ. A dream for anyone who values balanced sound over extra bass.
That’s my 2025 lineup!
Let me know which ones you’re rocking, or if I missed some underrated picks — I’ll updateo the post based on what everyone recommends
I am looking for an overall best earbuds. I am willing to spend $400. I want to these earbuds for music, gym use and sometimes for gaming. So, which earbud do you think is the best right now? any advice? thanks in advance!
I did a quick google also and according to top sources these are the best wireless earbuds:
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Sony WF-1000XM5
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
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Bose QuietComfort Ultra
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Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Not sure which one too choose. so, need help deciding.
I am currently using Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds. I used to be, but I am no longer, a fan, because: 1) my ears hurt after a couple of hours, and 2) the battery now wears out very quickly - after about 1 hour of usage. On the plus side, at least my ears don't hurt anymore because they die quickly 😂
I am in the market for new ones. I checked out Sony's XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. I've read that Sony's still suffer from the same battery and comfort issues (WTF), and Bose's have connectivity issues (more WTF). These are deal breakers for me, especially when considering the price.
What would be considered the best earbuds pick in 2025? I don't care about the price if it's justified. My use case is open office work and cycling (so wind noise suppression matters). Oh also, I am rocking an Android phone, so AirPods won't work for me. I welcome your suggestions.
P.S. Sony and Bose seem to be considered top picks in general. Since I am not so keen on those for the reasons explained, I also checked out Soundcore A40 as a budget alternative and am curious to learn how you feel about those. Thanks y'all!