Best in-ear headphones 2023: budget to premium

Best in-ear headphones: budget to premium
(Image credit: Sennheiser)

While many people like the comfort of over-ears, there are still many that prefer in-ear headphones, either because they like the more discrete look or simply prefer the fit.

But which to get? In today’s world that’s a tricky question as there are a variety of different form factors and technologies on offer. Runners may like to opt for a true wireless set with clip or winged tips, which in our experience offer a more secure fit and seal. Audiophiles on the other hand will care more about getting a top-end set of earbuds focussed on audio quality above all else.

As an added layer of complexity, having tested more in-ear headphones than can easily be counted, we can safely say not all the sets doing the rounds are worth your time or investment. Over the years we’ve tested many sets that look good on paper and have compelling price tags, but with real-world use fail to deliver in key areas, like audio and build quality.

Here to help you avoid investing in a lemon, we’ve created this guide detailing the top-performing in-ear headphones money can buy that we’ve tested. Every set of earbuds has been used by our team of expert reviewers both in our test rooms and the real world to ensure they’re worth your hard-earned money. 

How to choose the best in-ear headphones for you

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

First of all, you need to decide how much you are willing to spend but also bear in mind how you are going to use your new in-ear headphones.

Are you going to plug them into a smartphone or will they be used with a premium portable music player packed with hi-res music? You can go the wired route, but there's always the wireless option should you want a bit more convenience from your earbuds.

Compared with the best over-ear headphones which can look and feel big and bulky, the best in-ear earphones offer a more discreet listening experience, while the use of eartips tends to deliver decent levels of isolation from the outside world. So, you will also want to ensure the in-ear headphones you go for (and the tips you get with them) are comfortable. And, if you want to block out more of the outside world, you might want to consider a pair of noise-cancelling in-ear headphones too.

There's a pair of earbuds for everyone on this list, including budget wired headphones and premium models, plus noise-cancelling headphones and Bluetooth headphones, too. Rest assured, we have tested all the in-ear headphones mentioned below, which is why you can be confident they are all up to the job. Check the most recent pricing to bag a possible discount and also don't forget our page dedicated to the best headphone deals.

SoundMagic E11C in-ear headphones in black

On the hunt for cheap and extremely cheerful in-ear headphones? The E11C fit the bill perfectly.
The best budget in-ear headphones you can buy right now.

Specifications

Connector: 3.5mm
Cable length: 1.2m
In-line remote and mic: Yes
Bluetooth: No
Noise-cancelling: No
Sensitivity: 112dB
Weight: 11g

Reasons to buy

+
Entertaining sound
+
Remote and mic
+
Easy to drive

Reasons to avoid

-
Timing isn't perfect

Founded in 2005, a relative flash in the pan compared with many audio companies, SoundMagic rose from obscurity to multiple-Award winners, most notably with its budget in-ear headphone range. And the SoundMagic E11C continue this trend.

The E11C deliver a snug fit and a well-balanced, fun and energetic sound from their 10mm dynamic drivers. Sound is warm and there's decent depth to the bass, which is topped with a clear and crisp midrange. It's also worth noting that their high sensitivity (112dB) means that the E11Cs can deliver plenty of volume which makes them a great fit for smartphones and portable audio players, provided you have a 3.5mm socket, of course. 

Functionality is kept simple with a remote and mic on the cable for the left earphone. It’s a standard three-button job, so it should work with Apple and Android smartphones, giving you volume and stop/start functionality. Given the price, it's hard to find fault with these excellent budget buds.

Read the full SoundMagic E11C review

Shure Aonic 3 in-ear headphones in black

These excellent in-ears deliver a sophisticated performance that justifies their price tag. (Image credit: Shure)
These wired in-ear headphones deliver a real step up from budget models.

Specifications

Connector: 3.5mm
Cable length: 1.27m
In-line remote and mic: Yes
Bluetooth: No
Noise-cancelling: No
Sensitivity: 108dB
Weight: 20.4g

Reasons to buy

+
Awesome dynamics and musicality
+
Insightful and balanced sound
+
Lightweight and comfortable

Reasons to avoid

-
Understated sound

Shure has plenty of experience with wired in-ear headphones, and it shines through in the Aonic 3s. They are comfy and lightweight for starters. The headphone cable hooks over the top of your ears and keeps them secure at all times - there is a slight knack to getting the swivelling buds in place, though.

Nine different eartip choices allow for excellent isolation, while an in-line remote and mic can control your tunes and answer calls.

And the Shures absolutely nail sound quality. They are dynamic, detailed and their sense of rhythm and timing needs to be heard. We can't think of any pair of earbuds at this price that comes close. If you want a pair of wired in-ear headphones that deliver a clear step up in sound quality from the SoundMagics at the top of this list, then the Shures simply must be heard.

Read the full review: Shure Aonic 3

Sony WF-C700N wireless in-ear headphones in white

Sony's new midrange wireless earbuds are a great middle ground between its high-end and budget models. (Image credit: Future)
Five-star wireless in-ear headphones that deliver sensational value for money.

Specifications

Noise-cancelling: Yes
Bluetooth: AAC, SBC
Battery life: 7.5hrs (+7.5hrs from charging case)
Wireless charging: No
Waterproof: Water resistant
Finishes: (White, Black, Sage Green, Lavender

Reasons to buy

+
Very comfortable fit
+
Refined presentation for the money
+
Detailed, dynamic and musical sound

Reasons to avoid

-
No Multipoint Bluetooth (yet)
-
Charging case doesn't add a lot to battery life
-
No aptX or LDAC support

Sony's wireless earbuds slot neatly between the budget WF-C500 and premium WF-1000XM4, both of which feature in this list. They're a relatively new model and deliver fantastic value for money which is why they're so far up this list.

The buds are impressively small, and their lightweight design helps make them more comfortable than a whole host of rivals. Battery life is competitive at seven and a half hours, although the fact the charging case can only offer one extra charge seems a little stingy.

They lack aptX HD and LDAC but do feature noise-cancelling tech, which the WF-C500 lack. Adaptive Sound Control automatically switches listening modes depending on your location, and Sony's DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales low-res digital audio files to higher quality.

The sound quality is superbly balanced too, with deep, detailed bass, expressive mids and engaging highs. They're a very musical listen for the money.

he lack of support for aptX HD and LDAC is disappointing but not the end of the world at this level. Also, Multipoint Bluetooth – which lets you switch seamlessly between devices – won't arrive until later in the summer. But the superb level of comfort, sound quality and great feature set make these in-ear headphones easy to recommend.

Read the full Sony WF-C700N review

Sennheiser IE 900 in-ear headphones

Use these high-end in-ear headphones with an outboard DAC and good quality files for the best results. (Image credit: Sennheiser)
The best in-ear headphones for those with a big budget.

Specifications

:
Connector: 3.5mm, 2.5mm, 4.4mm
Cable length: 1.2m
In-line remote and mic: No
Bluetooth: No
Noise-cancelling: No
Sensitivity: 123dB
Weight: 4g (each)

Reasons to buy

+
Detailed, articulate sound
+
Refined yet entertaining presentation
+
Clever engineering

Reasons to avoid

-
Cable transmits noise
-
No in-line remote

Sennheiser’s IE 900 earbuds will appeal to purists who want to get the best audio possible from a high-quality source. They come packaged like premium in-ear headphones with six ear tip options and three cables with a choice of normal 3.5mm and balanced 2.5mm and 4.4mm connectors. The only thing they don't have is an in-line remote.

Sennheiser's engineers have chosen to go with a single driver rather than the more fashionable multiple unit approach that many rivals take and it is made with rigidity and minimal vibrations in mind. And the results are fantastic. They are impressively clear and open sounding, able to dig deep into the production of a recording. They sound confident and insightful too, revealing layers of low-level information and organising every track they are faced with into a structured and cohesive whole.

Partner these in-ear headphones with a high-quality outboard DAC, such as the Chord Mojo and use good-quality files and you will hear just why the IE 900s justify their hefty price tag.

Read the full Sennheiser IE 900 review

Sony WF-1000XM4 in-ear headphones in white

The Sony's are fantastic wireless in-ear headphones and they perform well across the board. (Image credit: Sony)
Sony's Award-winning, wireless in-ear headphones are excellent all-rounders.

Specifications

OS support: Android/iOS
Bluetooth: Yes
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Battery life: 8 hours (24 hours with charging case)
Finishes: 2

Reasons to buy

+
Clear, detailed bass performance
+
Wonderful sense of musicality
+
Comfortable
+
Class-leading battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacking ear tip choices
-
No aptX HD

The WF-1000XM4 produce one of the most dynamic, detailed and balanced performances we have heard from a pair of wireless in-ear headphones. Bass notes are crisply defined and ooze texture, while vocals sound refined and extremely natural. They deliver tunes with an infectious sense of musicality that keeps you coming back for more. And you will have plenty of time to be entertained thanks to the class-leading eight-hour battery life.

The Sony earbuds are relatively comfortable to wear (although we think the WF-C700N are more comfy for longer listening) and you get great noise isolation from the ear tips and fantastic noise cancelling from Sony's Integrated Processor V1.

IPX4 water resistance comes as part of the WF-1000XM4 package, as does Sony's clever Headphones Connect app for iOS and Android, touch controls, and clever features such as Quick Attention and Speak-To-Chat which both allow you to have a conversation without removing the earbuds. If you want a fantastic pair of in-ear headphones that wont tangle you up in wires, you need to try these Sonys.

Read the full review: Sony WF-1000XM4

Sony WF-C500 in-ear headphones in black

These Sonys are easy to use, easy on your wallet and boast sound quality that's easy to get behind. (Image credit: Sony)
Sony's no-frills Bluetooth earbuds are the best cheap option.

Specifications

Type: In-ear
Wireless: Yes
Battery life: 20 hours
Noise-cancelling: No
Waterproof rating: IPX4
3.5mm connector: No
Weight: 5.4g per bud

Reasons to buy

+
Compact and comfortable design
+
Spirited, well-balanced sound
+
Fine control app

Reasons to avoid

-
Ordinary battery life
-
Slightly small-scale sound
-
Numerous serious rivals

Think of Sony's WF-C500 wireless earbuds as a no-frills version of the WF-1000XM4 found further up this page. They deliver a lot of what makes those in-ear headphones a success for a fraction of the money although you do have to sacrifice a feature or two – noise-cancelling, for example.

These in-ears are good for running and sports, thanks to their IPX4 rating, and you also get ‘fast pair’ connectivity with Android devices and ‘swift pair’ with Windows 10 PCs.

Typically for Sony in-ears, the sound is nicely balanced. There is also loads of midrange detail on show. What you are presented with is a cohesive and musical package.

Battery life is 10 hours from the buds themselves, which is excellent. The case provides just another 10 hours, so the total battery life can be bettered by some rivals. But, if you are after a great budget pair of earbuds and you're working to a really tight budget, the Sony WF-C500 would be our first port of call.

Read the full Sony WF-C500 review

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II in-ear headphones in black and soapstone

(Image credit: Bose)

8. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

Arguably the best wireless, noise-cancelling in-ear headphones we've tested to date.

Specifications

Bluetooth: Yes
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Battery life: 6hrs (24hrs with charging case)
Charging: USB-C
Built-in mic and controls: Yes
Weight: 6.2g each

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptional noise-cancelling
+
Fantastic sense of refinement
+
Beautifully balanced sound
+
Excellent detail levels

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery life can be bettered
-
Call quality is nothing special
-
No Bluetooth multipoint
-
No wireless charging

These premium Bluetooth in-ear headphones sound amazing and set a new benchmark for earbuds of this type.

Smaller and lighter than the original QC Earbuds (which you can find a few places below), the Earbuds II provide a comfy fit and plenty of features. Bluetooth 5.3 support is a big bonus, and the Bose app allows you to play around with the amount of noise-cancelling on offer via various customisable presets.

Speaking of noise-cancelling, the Bose are at the top of their game. They can automatically adjust the amount of ANC on offer so your music isn’t drowned out by particularly loud noises and the effect is deeply impressive. The Bose sound balanced and neutral and have no problems uncovering fine detail. 

It's a shame there's no support for high-quality wireless audio codecs such as LDAC or aptX HD, nor is there wireless charging or Bluetooth multipoint. But we don't think this is the end of the world when you consider that these classy in-ear headphones deliver such a great sonic performance.

Read the full Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II review 

Apple AirPods Pro 2 in-ear headphones in white

At last, Apple has made a five-star pair of wireless earbuds. (Image credit: Future)
The best in-ear headphones currently made by Apple.

Specifications

Bluetooth: AAC, SBC, 5.3
Water resistance: IPX4
Noise-cancelling: Yes
Battery life: 30hrs
Weight: 5.4g each

Reasons to buy

+
Clear, detailed and powerful sound
+
Excellent noise-cancelling
+
Longer battery life
+
Smooth, intuitive use with iOS devices

Reasons to avoid

-
Many features restricted to iOS devices only
-
Customisable ANC modes would be useful

Apple's in-ear headphones have always been decent wireless earbuds, but unremarkable. They've performed solidly but not spectacularly over the years. But with the AirPods Pro 2, Apple has made a pair of in-ear headphones that deliver the goods.

How? Noise-cancelling is very good, battery life is very competitive, and you get new features and, more importantly, a big jump in sound quality compared to previous efforts. They're also the same price as the original AirPods Pro, which helps.

Fit is very good, and the new design feels a lot less intrusive than some rival in-ear headphones. Apple has finally added on-bud volume controls, which improves the user experience too.

The noise-cancelling works a treat, while Adaptive Transparency muffles loud noises when letting in ambient sounds. And the sound quality? With weight, detail and a good dose of dynamic subtlety, they really are accomplished in-ears.

Read the full Apple AirPods Pro 2 review

Earfun Air in-ear headphones in black

Earfun might be a new brand to many of you, but these budget wireless in-ears are brilliant. (Image credit: EarFun)
Wallet-friendly and feature-packed in-ear headphones.

Specifications

OS support: Android/iOS
Bluetooth: Yes
Noise-cancelling: No
Battery life: 7 hours (35 hours with charging case)

Reasons to buy

+
Punchy, expansive sound
+
Great feature set
+
Classy build and finish

Reasons to avoid

-
Treble needs more refinement

Earfun isn't the first brand that jumps to mind in this category, but If you want cheap and cheerful wireless in-ear headphones and don't fancy the Sony WF-C500, the Airs are worth a try.

These earbuds are packed with features. You don't get noise-cancelling at this price, but Earfun Airs do provide excellent noise isolation and they feel comfy in situ too. They are also waterproof to IPX7 standards (submersible in one metre of water for up to 30 mins), support virtual assistants and include Qi wireless charging if you have a suitable charger to hand.

Battery life is seven hours from the buds and a further 28 hours from the charging case. Amazingly it all feels fairly premium too. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection is solid and stable, calls sound clear and for the money, the in-ears offer an energetic and spacious sound.

If you are after a pair of affordable and entertaining in-ear headphones, the Earfun Airs have plenty going for them.

Read the full Earfun Air review

Shure SE425 in-ear headphones

These Shure in-ears have been around for almost a decade, but we're still huge fans.
The finest in-ear headphones we have heard at this price, even after all these years.

Specifications

Connector: 3.5mm
Cable length: 1.6m
In-line remote and mic: Optional
OS support: Android/iOS
Bluetooth: No
Noise-cancelling: no
Sensitivity: 109dB

Reasons to buy

+
Energetic delivery
+
Solid midrange performance
+
Immersive sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Some rivals boast more bass

Given that we first reviewed the Shure SE425s back in 2013, it's fair to say they have stood the test of time. Fun, absorbing, classy, polished and captivating are just a few adjectives we would use to describe their sound. The level of finesse and refinement on offer is astonishing for the money.

The first thing you will notice about these headphones is the design: Shure has gone for the in-ear pro-style in-ear monitor configuration, where the cable passes up your back and splits behind your head before passing over the top of your ears.

Once you have got your head around the set-up, you will almost certainly be wowed by quad micro drivers that deliver sparkling vocals and plenty of detail. A choice of foam and 'Soft Flex' tips should make for a snug fit, too.    

As for drawbacks, the standard SE425s don’t come with a remote or mic unit. You can buy separate ones (including a three-button version for Apple devices and a one-button model for everything else), along with a Bluetooth 5.0 module.

Their looks might not appeal to everyone, and they can be a bit fiddly to wear at first, but these are all about the amazing audio. And boy do they deliver.

Read the full Shure SE425 review

Shure KSE1200 in-ear headphones in black

These electrostatic in-ears will blow you away with their amazingly detailed and beautifully balanced sound.
The best high-end in-ear headphones we've heard at this level.

Specifications

Connector: LEMO
Cable length: n/a
In-line remote and mic: No
OS support: N/A
Bluetooth: No
Noise-cancelling: No
Weight: 44g (headphones) 155g (amplifier)

Reasons to buy

+
Sensational levels of detail
+
Superbly balanced sound
+
Exceptional agility

Reasons to avoid

-
Partnering amp adds bulk
-
Require the right source

The Shure KSE1200s are no ordinary in-ear headphones. First, they are an electrostatic design. Second, because of that design, they come with their own headphone amplifier. And third, they sound out of this world.

At £1796 the Shures aren't cheap, but the electrostatic tech is impressive. Well-engineered electrostatic drivers tend to have lower distortion and a faster response than any alternative technology. This means that the KSE1200s sound sensational, with a wonderful balance and sense of organisation. Insight and precision are first-rate too.

The black headphone amp (about the size of a pack of cards) is solidly built and boasts a classy knurled rotary volume control. On the back, there is a micro USB input for charging the internal battery, which should last 12 hours on a full charge (though it depends on volume level).

Downsides? They work perfectly well with a smartphone, but we find you can get better performance using hi-res and CD-quality files through a laptop and dedicated music player software, or by hooking them up to a high-end music streamer.

Still, if your budget can stretch and your system is of the right ilk, you will be blown away.

Read the full Shure KSE1200 review

How we test in-ear headphones

We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, where our team of experienced, in-house reviewers test the majority of hi-fi and AV kit that passes through our door.

Testing earbuds, whether it's the wired or wireless variety doesn't require us to be in a test room all the time, although when we want peace and quiet and to compare pairs with their closest rivals, then a dedicated room does come in handy.

We treat in-ear headphones as though they are speakers, so we give them plenty of time to run in, and then we use them with the equipment they are most likely to be partnered with, be it a smartphone, headphone amp and DAC or portable music player.

We try a wide range of music and music file types and if the earbuds offer extra features such as noise-cancelling, we also test this and use them in different environments to make sure it's up to scratch.

All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we are being as thorough as possible, too. There is no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.

MORE:

Feel the burn: best wireless headphones for running and the gym

Brilliant Bluetooth options: best wireless noise-cancelling headphones

Andy Madden

Andy is Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. Over the years he's also contributed to a number of other outlets, including The Sunday Times, the BBC, Stuff, and BA High Life Magazine. Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.

  • Kuala
    So I should believe in author's expertness when he thinks earbuds and iems are the same thing...
    I'm outta here...
    Reply
  • JoaoCarlos
    Almost every single one has 5 stars. How are we supposed to pick one?
    Reply
  • Blasterinn
    I could probably name 10 iem's that are better, cheaper and better looking than many of those you mentioned.
    This is more like "The big label consumers list for the uninformed from the uninformed"
    Sorry to rain on you but this is just supermarket stuff alot of the time.
    Reply
  • brettone2002
    You forgot the B&O e8 third generation. 107, 109db sensitivity (higher than any I've seen in buds), longer battery life, bluetooth 5.1, far better than anything mentioned here - what gives? lol
    Reply
  • brettone2002
    You also listed some with wire lol - not in 2021
    Reply
  • bristollinnet
    What would we all do without What Earbuds...
    Reply
  • musicphile
    brettone2002 said:
    You also listed some with wire lol - not in 2021
    The sentiment is true and very unfortunate. Lately only manufacturers in China, and a few smaller ones in the West, seem to be putting sound quality first and produce wired IEMs, some even with balanced inputs. The bigger manufacturers are bluetoothing everything. The irony is that any wired headphone can turn into wireless very easily but the opposite is impossible - the Chinese get it.
    Reply
  • Salty Maud
    brettone2002 said:
    You also listed some with wire lol - not in 2021
    Yes in 2022. Wireless is a convenience feature for use on the go, I'm looking for quality for stationary home use. As much as I love my LCD-2C, I'm looking for something lighter for casual use and possibly gaming.
    Reply
  • Bamabams80HD
    brettone2002 said:
    You also listed some with wire lol - not in 2021
    You do realize this is an audiophile site, right? Bluetooth doesn't support lossless audio....you can't find a pair of bluetooth headphones that can produce the same quality of sound as wired.
    Reply
  • Navanski
    Bamabams80HD said:
    You do realize this is an audiophile site, right? Bluetooth doesn't support lossless audio....you can't find a pair of bluetooth headphones that can produce the same quality of sound as wired.
    I can't fault your logic. However to presume that this is an audiophile site I think is a mistake. Time and time again lists of the 'best' devices are produced by this site which are, in reality, very little to do with audio fidelity. There is very little variety - it seems to always be the same old brands. If one was being cynical one might suspect that brown envelopes are involved.
    Reply