There are dozens of earbuds on the market today, and they all claim to be the best, but quality earbuds have a few things in common. The wearables worth your money offer clear and balanced sound, noise-cancelation, long battery life, functional features for exercising, as well as spatial audio and responsive commands.
Also: Premium headphones in 2025: Shopping for headphones made simple
What are the best earbuds right now?
Our pick for best overall earbuds is the Sony LinkBuds Fit These earbuds have a strong and clear soundstage as well as a comfortable, secure fit.
The Sony earbuds are just one of the many wearables we went hands-on with. At ZDNET, we’ve tested all the latest and greatest options to help you find the best earbuds for your budget and needs. Read on to learn more about our top picks.
The best earbuds of 2025
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The Sony LinkBuds Fit steal the show when it comes to value, sound, comfort, and special features. The wearables prioritize top-notch noise-cancelation and are comfortable enough to wear for hours. As a testament to the easy fit, ZDNET’s Cesar Cadenas fell asleep with them in his ears. The wearables have a stabilizing wing tip that reduces pressure after hours of wear. The material of the earbud is also tactile, which helps keep things stable without making your ears sore.
Review: Sony LinkBuds Fit
You’re also getting the same dynamic driver X and V2 processor included in the more expensive WF-1000XM5 earbuds, one of the best earbuds of 2024, for about half the price.
The LinkBuds also come with unique software features in the app. Sony developed a background music mode, which reproduces your music to sound like you’re listening in different settings like a cafe or your living room. With voice control you can say “Hey, headphones” to pause or play music and control other settings.
There’s a wide area tap feature that extends around your ear so you can touch to control the audio. I thought this was clever and helpful given how finicky touch controls on earbuds can be. Just change the wide area tap mode from standard to sensitive.
At $200, the LinkBuds Fit prove that you can get a great-quality earbud with nice sound, decent ANC, and interesting features in the app for under $300.
These earbuds are regularly cost $200, but they’re currently on sale for about $150 from Amazon and Best Buy.
Sony LinkBuds Fit tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: 5.5 hours and additional 21 with the case | Noise-cancelation: Yes | Waterproof rating: IPX4 (water resistant)
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The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds offer top-of-the-line noise cancelation. While I was reviewing the wearables, it was easy for me to dig into my work while listening to a playlist to block out the noisy office chatter.
Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The ear tip’s oval shape and the stability band’s extra grip kept the buds in my ears while maintaining quality sound during my high intensity workouts.
In addition, Bose’s Immersive Audio mode brings music to the forefront of your ears and allows it to move with you. It’s a great feature, but it does significantly reduce battery life. The buds’ battery life isn’t the most competitive at only six hours, but my music sounded so great, it’s not a dealbreaker for me.
While Reddit reviewers said that the noise cancellation was the best they had tried, some users mentioned connectivity issues. When I tested these out, I had trouble connecting to the earbuds, and sometimes my music would cut in and out. But after many months of using these, I don’t have any connectivity issues.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: 6 hours and additional 18 with charging case | Noise-cancelation: Yes | Waterproof rating: IPX4 (water resistant)
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As part of my testing process, I run with every pair of earbuds I review, and the Nothing Ear (Open) earbuds are nearly perfect for exercise.
Many athletes who run outdoors use bone conduction headphones that wrap around their heads and deliver aware sound. I’ve tried a few pairs and found that the volume never gets high enough for my liking. If you’re not pleased with the noise level or the form factor of bone conduction headphones, open earbuds are the way to go.
Review: Nothing Ear Open
Open earbuds are a little different than the other picks on this list. Open earbuds prioritize aware sound suited for outdoor environments instead of prioritizing a sealed fit and noise-cancelation. Comfort and volume are essential for an open earbud to work well, and the Nothing Ear (Open) checks both boxes. It has a fit I could wear all day and has the perfect volume for every environment.
The Ear (Open) wearables are equipped with a light, silicone-wrapped ear wing that’s almost invisible. This nearly unnoticeable design makes your earbuds more discreet while you grocery shop, walk around your neighborhood, workout at the gym, or take calls at your desk.
Instead of touch or button controls, the Ear (Open) earbuds utilize Nothing’s clever pinch controls, which you manipulate on the bud’s stem. I prefer pinch controls over tap-and-swipe controls, which tend to be too sensitive, especially during high-intensity exercise. The microphones on these earbuds deliver clear audio, and the battery life is long-lasting at 30 hours of playback.
The Nothing Ear (Open) retail for $189 but are currently on sale for $129. I can’t find another earbud with features that beat that price tag.
Nothing Ear (Open) tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: 30 hours | Noise-cancelation: No | Waterproof rating: IP54 (dust-protected and water resistant)
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We get it. Who wants to spend over $100 on earbuds? If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds with luxury features without the luxury price tag, look no further than the JLab JBuds ANC 3. They cost less than $60, have an extensive battery life and have solid active noise cancellation (ANC). It’s not always easy to find budget earbuds with real ANC and these wearables deliver.
Review: JLab JBuds ANC 3
The JLab JBuds ANC 3 offer three listening modes — ANC, ANC Off, and Be Aware. The ANC mode lowers and distances external sound when you listen to audio. They easily compete with some of the premium earbuds I’ve tried for a fraction of the price.
The buds are lightweight with a snug, yet comfortable, fit. Most importantly, they stay in while I’m exercising. With a long battery life, multipoint Bluetooth, and quality sound, these $60 earbuds are an excellent choice. Reviewers on Amazon complimented the wearable’s ANC and bang for your buck. One reviewer mentioned how these earbuds are great for small ears, too.
JLab JBuds ANC 3 tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth Multipoint | Battery life: 9 hours in the earbuds and 33+ hours in the case | Noise-cancelation: Yes | Waterproof rating: IP55 (dust-protected and water resistant)
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Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 have a new and improved H2 chip that boosts the earbuds’ performance. The chip also increases immersion via high-band connectivity and supports a low-distortion audio driver with a custom amplifier. The technologies combine to ensure clearer audio across various sound frequencies, making them the best-sounding AirPods to date.
The wearables also have a new feature that let the earbuds double as hearing aids.
Review: Apple AirPods Pro 2
As far as noise cancellation goes, these AirPods have double the noise-cancelation compared to the earbuds’ previous version. The upgraded adaptive transparency mode also automatically lowers the volume if it detects harmful noises above 85 decibels. Plus, you can personalize your spatial audio settings to create your ideal sound experience using iOS 16.
Also: FDA approves new hearing aid feature for Apple’s AirPods Pro 2
Most Redditors agree that these are the best AirPods you can buy from the lineup.
I’d recommend the AirPods Pro to people already in the Apple ecosystem because having that easy connectivity to your laptop, phone, or iPad is the most significant advantage of these earbuds. They aren’t the best overall, but the Apple AirPods Pro are the best for Apple users.
AirPods Pro 2 tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: 6 hours and additional 30 hours with charging case | Noise-cancelation: Yes | Waterproof rating: IP54 (dust-protected and water resistant)
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When I reviewed the Nothing Ear (a) earbuds, I compared them to the AirPods Pro’s funkier younger sister who went to art school, buys gifts for friends through the MOMA Store, and can explain the difference between white and orange wine to you.
In short, you’re getting the most fabulous-looking earbuds on the market with the Nothing Ear (a) for only $100, making them as much a fashion statement piece as a mobile accessory.
Review: Nothing Ear (a)
The low price doesn’t skimp on premium features like bass enhancement, responsive pinch controls, ping sounds for when you need to find them — though the sound is not the loudest, and a high-quality build. On a 10-mile run, these wearables stayed comfortably in place, playing gorgeous, bass-heavy music that kept me pounding the pavement.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find such an exciting design in the audio space. That’s why the Ear (a) have my vote as the best-designed earbud.
Nothing Ear (a) tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: 9.5 hours with ANC off | Noise-cancelation: Yes | Waterproof rating: IP54 (dust-protected and water resistant)
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The Galaxy Buds 3 Pro look like AirPods Pro dupes, but they have some fun features Android users. The ultra-high audio playback makes your music sound stellar and interpreter mode can translate conversations in different languages. Unfortunately, these features only work if you own the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 smartphones.
Even so, when ZDNET’s Jada Jones tested out the wearables, she said they made her question her loyalty to her Apple AirPods.
“For sound performance alone, I’m inclined to pick up the Galaxy Buds over my AirPods,” Jones said in her review. She also applauded the Galaxy Buds’ noise-cancelation, comfortable fit, and battery life. They boast seven hours of listening time in the earbud and another 23 hours in the case with ANC off.
“Overall, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro make a great companion for people who enjoy great-sounding music in a small and portable form factor,” Jones said. “People with Samsung Galaxy phones can naturally access all the earbuds’ most remarkable and premium features, but there’s no denying that these earbuds sound phenomenal.”
Review: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 | Battery life: 7 hours and additional 23 hours with charging case | Noise-cancelation: Yes | Waterproof rating: IP57 (dust-protected and protected in accidental drops in water)
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The Bose QuietComfort earbuds are the perfect mid-range price wearable.
Review: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024)
That’s where the Bose QuietComfort earbuds come in. For just $149, they offer the same level of comfort, sound quality, and special features as more expensive options.
ZDNET’s Kyle Kucharski, an admittedly “tough customer” regarding earbuds, says QuietComfort buds provide a light, airy fit.
You can expect excellent noise-cancelation, booming bass, and a long battery life. The QuietComfort comes with 8.5 hours of battery life in the earbud and 30 hours in the case. They also have a headphones command feature you can use without Siri or Hey Google. The feature works by saying, “Hey, headphones,” then following up with a command.
The earbuds’ ANC “hold their own on the subway, on the street, and in a loud office,” Kucharski writes, and do a stellar job of removing ambient noise and chatter.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds tech specs: Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 | Battery life: 8.5 hours of battery life and additional 31 hours with charging case | Noise-cancelation: Yes | Waterproof rating: IPX4 (water resistant)
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What are the tariffs in the U.S.?
The recent U.S. tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.
Also: Tariff war has tech buyers wondering what’s next. Here’s what we know
Headphones and wearable devices, which are predominantly manufactured in these regions, are now subject to tariffs as high as 54% on Chinese imports and 46% on Vietnamese goods. As a result, consumers may see price increases of approximately 20% on these items.
Manufacturers are exploring options like relocating production to countries with lower tariffs, but such shifts are complex and may not provide immediate relief. In the short term, shoppers should anticipate higher costs for headphones and wearables due to these trade policies.
Right now, it looks like some tech may be exempt from the issued tariffs, but since it’s always changing and developing, we are keeping an eye on it and will update you on the latest.
Also: Tariff exemptions for electronics offer a break for tech – but not for long
The best earbuds really depend on what you are looking for. You can trust brands like Sony, Bose, Apple, and Sennheiser to make great quality earbuds.
| Earbuds | Price | Battery life | ANC |
| Sony LinkBuds Fit | $148 | 5.5 hours in earbuds, 21 hours in case | Yes |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | $249 | 6 hours, 18 hours in case | Yes |
| Nothing Ear (Open) | $129 | 30 hours | No |
| JLab JBuds ANC 3 | $60 | 9 hours, 33 hours in case | Yes |
| AirPods Pro 2 | $170 | 6 hours, 30 hours in case | Yes |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 3 | $250 | 7 hours in earbuds, 30 hours in case | Yes |
| Bose QuietComfort | $149 | 8.5 hours, 31 hours in case | Yes |
| Nothing Ear (a) | $99 | 9.5 hours with ANC off | Yes |
*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.
While all of these earbuds are excellent picks, it ultimately depends on what’s most comfortable for your ears, how important noise-cancelation or battery life is to you, and how much you’re willing to spend.
| Choose these earbuds… | If you want… |
| Sony LinkBuds Fit | Earbuds that balance impressive sound, good noise-cancelation, a secure and comfortable fit, and all-day wear. The earbuds also have the same dynamic driver and processor as the brand’s more expensive WF-1000XM5. |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Earbuds with the best noise-cancelation. Bose’s buds offer immersive audio and amazing ANC, but the earbuds are more difficult to wear for long periods. |
| Nothing Ear (Open) | The best earbuds for exercising or being on the move, with loud and clear sound, a truly comfortable fit, and a marathon battery life. |
| JLab JBuds ANC 3 | A conveniently affordable earbud with impressive noise-cancelation, long battery life, and decent sound for less than $60. |
| AirPods Pro 2 | Noise-canceling earbuds with adaptive transparency mode. Apple nails it on both ends of the audio spectrum with the AirPods Pro 2. They also double as a hearing aid. |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro | The best earbuds for Samsung phone users with new Galaxy AI features infused into many aspects of the buds for improved sound quality, ANC, and more. |
| Bose QuietComfort | Mid-range earbuds that offer the strength and clarity of Bose’s ANC and sound but for a cheaper price. |
| Nothing Ear (a) | Great-sounding earbuds that pack an aesthetic punch. The semi-transparent finish and the bold color of the Ear (a) is an indicator of the company’s attention to detail, both in design and sound. |
We chose these earbuds by conducting extensive research as well as our own experiences using these devices to listen to music, podcasts, and movies. We compared ratings and reviews from customers — both good and bad, standout features, brands, and different price points to help you find the best earbuds for your budget and needs. We also paid special attention to these select features as we were testing and considering which earbuds to include.
- Sound quality: Unsurprisingly, this is the most important feature of an earbud, whether they’re Bluetooth-connected or wired. You want your earbuds to deliver high-quality sound so you can properly enjoy your favorite songs, podcasts, or calls without the audio sounding tinny or distorted. Each pick on this list has been tested by experts who approve of the earbuds’ sound quality.
- Price: Since the earbud market is so robust, you can get sub-$50 earbuds with fantastic sound for the price or $300 earbuds with even better sound. There’s no need to forsake quality for price with the options we’ve included on this list. While more expensive earbuds do deliver amplified features, like ANC and longer battery life, you can still get a quality pair of buds for an affordable price.
- Battery life: The picks on this list offer five to over 12 hours of battery life. The longer the battery life, the more you can use these buds in between charges. We also considered how many charges come in the earbuds’ carrying case, a convenient feature of some of the higher-end earbuds.
- Noise cancellation: You definitely don’t need noise-canceling earbuds, but they are an added bonus to an already expensive pair of buds.
I test earbuds for a living. I’m running in busy city streets and parks with them in my ears, playing my favorite songs and podcasts with them in on the subway, working with them in the office, and evaluating them for their performance, connectivity, battery life, comfort, and more.
We only write about products we can actually recommend to people, because we know that spending $200 on a pair of earbuds or another tech product is no pretty penny.
For more information on how we test headphones and earbuds, visit this article that explores our process in-depth.
Over-the-ear headphones are a better option than earbuds for your health since you’re not physically sticking anything in your ear. However, if you prefer the portability and convenience of earbuds, you can still use them, just be smart about it.
We do have tips for preventing hearing loss caused by headphones like keeping the volume lower, opting for ANC headphones to cancel out exterior noise rather than turning up the volume, using quality headphones, and taking breaks while working with headphones in so you can give your eardrums a breather.
Also, you can always opt for open-backed headphones like the Shokz OpenRun Pro.
Your earbuds are likely water-resistant, but they may also be waterproof. To ensure they can withstand bouts in the rain, sweaty workouts, or accidental drops in the pool, you should find their ingress protection (IP) rating.
An IP rating consists of two numbers. The first number indicates a product’s ability to avoid damage from solid foreign objects, and the second number indicates a product’s ability to prevent water damage.
You want your earbuds to have at least an IPX4 rating. This rating means the earbuds were not formally tested for solids ingress but will not be damaged by water splashes. If your earbuds have a more robust IP rating, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s IP57, they will not be damaged by dust and can survive accidental drops in water.
Manufacturers send their products to IP testing facilities to certify a product. To determine dust ingress, a device is placed in a dust chamber, sprayed with dust, and disassembled to assess how much dust is inside. Water testing is more comprehensive, exposing devices to water and other liquids. The lab will subject a device to constant water droplets, simulated rain, water jets, or water submersion to determine liquid ingress.
If your device doesn’t have an IP rating, it doesn’t necessarily mean the product cannot withstand sweat or trips in the rain. Instead, the company did not formally send a product to a lab for testing. However, it’s best to ensure your device’s protection levels and choose earbuds with an official IP rating.
It really depends. If you’re a die-hard Apple fan, the AirPods Pro 2 are the brand’s top-of-the-line earbuds that stack up against many competitors. You can expect ANC, customized spatial audio, and an active transparency mode. They’re also lightweight and reliable.
If you’re open to other brands, Bose and Sony make excellent earbuds.
All our bodies — ears included — are different. Some earbuds are not going to fit comfortably with your ear shape. Some earbud brands will offer three different sized ear tips that you can put on top of your ears for as secure a fit as possible. Try out the tips upon purchasing your earbuds to see which will work best for you.
On the budget-friendly side, I’d recommend the JLab JBuds ANC 3 for a secure, comfortable pair of earbuds that I love to run in. They’re lightweight and come with ANC that cancels out the appropriate amount of noise during my outdoor runs.
If you’re feeling fancy, the new Bose Open Ultra earbuds that boast environmental awareness, a clip-on design, and amazing sound. These are much more expensive, at $300, but they are magical when it comes to getting the most out of my music on my runs while being aware of my surroundings.
Look for earbuds with some waterproof or resistance rating, decent ANC and a battery life of at least six hours.
Other earbuds we’ve tested
Our focus was on delivering a variety of options for the best earbuds. If you want a few more choices, you can’t go wrong with these expert-vetted earbuds.
Headphones & Earbuds Roundups
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