If you’re in the market for new earbuds, there’s some positive news: you have a plethora of options. The drawback? The sheer number of choices can swiftly become confusing. Do you recall when iPhones included complimentary earbuds?
While you can still find wired earbuds (one will be on this list), the industry is largely ruled by wireless alternatives. These consist of models with sophisticated noise cancelling features to eliminate ambient sounds in hectic settings. An ideal pair should also feature a decent microphone for on-the-go calls. Fortunately, there are numerous high-quality earbuds to select from.
Earbud prices fluctuate between $10 and $1,000, particularly for professional-level studio headphones. If noise cancelling is a priority, plan to invest around $300 for serenity. You can also discover specialized variants, such as sleep earbuds.
Our top earbud selections include the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and the Panasonic Technics AZ100s, both delivering outstanding sound performance, but each retails for $299. While we vouch for the value of everything on this list, we realize that $300 for headphones is a considerable amount.
I tested the best headphones and earbuds for exercising during my daily run
Significant shopping occasions like Black Friday and Prime Day are perfect for purchasing these devices, but excellent deals are available throughout the year, and we are adept at uncovering them.
Prepared to shop now? Here are our top earbud picks for 2025.
Types of earbuds
There are two categories of earbuds: wireless and wired. Although these terms are quite clear, let’s explore their details.
Wireless
Wireless earbuds link to devices through Bluetooth for wire-free usage. They vary from $20 budget-friendly models to premium versions equipped with active noise cancelling. While they don’t require a cord to connect to a device, some wireless earbuds do have a wire that loops around the neck to tether the buds.