Last month, Google focused on the “wired it girls” at its Made by Google event. During the presentation, a sponsored episode of Kareem Rahma’s SubwayTakes talk show was aired, featuring Rahma and comedian Amber Singletary poking fun at wired earbuds for looking “messy,” “foolish,” and “unfashionable.”

“The only thing they [wired earbuds] do is tangle,” remarked Rahma while using a corded microphone, to which Singletary replied, also with a corded mic, “Yeah, they tangle, and now you appear foolish.”

A comment on SubwayTakes’ Instagram captured it well: “Wow, this is the easiest disagreement ever.” I firmly believe wired headphones remain valuable in 2025, particularly Apple’s iconic EarPods.

I recently traded my $249 AirPods Pro for a $19 pair of wired earbuds, and they’re likely the last Apple earbuds I’ll buy. Even the new AirPods Pro 3 don’t attract me.

I wanted to love the Pros, and I truly did.

I genuinely desired to appreciate the AirPods Pro. I purchased Apple’s original in-ear, noise-canceling wireless earbuds in 2020, hoping to use them while traveling and exercising. Reviews praised their clear sound, superb ANC, and comfortable fit. (Mashable’s reviewer even referred to them as “[probably] the most comfortable in-ear buds I’ve ever worn.”)

I found them on sale for almost $100 off, making it appear to be the ideal buy.

Eager to experience Apple’s premium earbuds and still excited about the deal, I took my AirPods Pro for a walk. They didn’t feel secure, but my snug beanie held them in place. At home, I attempted their Ear Tip Fit Test and changed the silicone tips for another set, convincing myself they fit better (mistake No. 1). I thought their lack of stability was my issue.

After several walks, I realized that my AirPods Pro didn’t fit well, no matter the ear tip used. We were not compatible. Unfortunately, I came to this conclusion after the return window had closed (mistake No. 2).

I continued using my AirPods Pro while it was chilly enough to wear a beanie. But when summer arrived, they ended up in a drawer. Apple only allows for AirPods recycling, not trade-ins, leaving me with the choice to resell them — but I questioned whether anyone would buy used earbuds.

The in-ear design of the AirPods Pro simply doesn’t suit me.

I have been using over-ear headphones since then but still sought a more portable alternative.

In late August, I discovered a pair of EarPods in an old backpack — the ones with the 3.5mm audio jack that Apple used to include with iPhones (until the iPhone 12). They feature round, plastic earphones that rest on the outer edge of your ear canal rather than inside it, a design that served me well when I used an iPod nano. I decided to give them another chance.

While EarPods aren’t complimentary anymore, Apple sells them for just $19 with three connection options: the original 3.5mm plug, Lightning, and USB-C. I purchased the USB-C variant for my iPhone 15 Pro and MacBook Pro — on sale for $18.50. They are as comfortable as I recall and sound adequate for my casual listening, so I carry them everywhere.

You simply cannot argue with $19.

For me, the perfect fit of the EarPods surpasses the necessity for additional features. I cannot relish the AirPods Pro’s ANC or spatial audio when they’re constantly slipping out. But that’s not the sole reason they are my preferred earbuds.

I <3 wires.

While the "inconvenience" of a corded design is often viewed as a reality, I believe it’s subjective. You may dislike a wire because it can snag or tangle. Science indicates that tangling is unavoidable, so I'll concede this point.

Still, the wire brings advantages. It keeps my EarPods together, alleviates low-battery anxiety, and sidesteps audio lag and Bluetooth pairing issues — all while signaling to others that I'm not amenable to conversation. The range! I'm fine with the EarPods' occasional Tangela cosplay.

Additionally, there’s something liberating about not needing to be cautious with my earbuds. (Replacing a lost AirPods Pro earbud costs $89, over four times as much.) From a cost-value perspective, EarPods are the best product Apple offers for under $20 — with the only other contenders being the infamous Polishing Cloth, an extension cable, and a few adapters. It's not even comparable.

This explains why I haven't yet tried the $129 AirPods 4, which feature a similar but more oval "open-ear" design that might suit me. It's also why I'm not keen to upgrade to the new AirPods Pro 3, even though they include two additional ear tip sizes. I've come to understand that I can manage with wired earbuds that are significantly cheaper — and I won’t panic.