Best in-ear Headphones 2021: Buying Guide

Didn’t the earphones you find along with your electronic device fully satisfy you? Have you bought a smartphone without earphones supplied but can’t resist without music? Don’t worry, Best over-ear Headphones because you are in the right place, at the right time. With this buying guide of mine, I want to help you choose the best in-ear headphones for your tastes, for your listening needs, and your pockets. The market is full of devices of this type, of every price and various quality, to satisfy each user’s need.

There are several in-ear headphones on the market, but also many different types. Consequently, making your choice is not always easy. The term in-ear establishes the shape of the terminal part of the headset. But there are different types. For example, They can connect to the MP3 player or smartphone (which we can generically call source) via cable or wireless—usually using Bluetooth technology. In terms of quality. The line is often preferable, however, in some circumstances. It is better to rely on the extreme—convenience of wireless and clutter-free solutions.

There are also some terms to know before understanding. How to orient yourself in choosing a model rather than another. Nothing complicated, but that can summarize a product’s listening quality without necessarily having to test it. The in-ear headphones are not necessarily inferior in quality. Compared to the more voluminous headphones and. Wireless headphones for tv The various manufacturers offer, on the one hand, particularly cheap models. That can be purchased with negligible costs. But on the other also models. For professional listening of several hundreds of Euro. To find out more. Please continue reading.

What are in-ear headphones?

What are in-ear headphones, and why are they considered different than traditional headphones? The differences are easy to understand, but let’s start from the beginning: generally, a headphone is a device that allows you to listen to music on the move, or in total isolation, consisting of two speakers and pavilions similar in size to those of the human ear joined together of them from a rigid support. They can be connected via cable or wireless and are usually relatively bulky when they have to be carried around.

Earphones were invented for running. Cycling gym or more generally. To move without the hindrance of various kinds. Earphones were invented. Much smaller than headphones. And they were formed simply by the cable and small appendages. At both ends, that is inserted by resting in the pavilion headset. The in-ear earphones are particular types of earphones in which these appendages with the transducer have a shape. They can slip into the ear pavilion until it reaches the ear canal and finally supports themselves with the latter.

This allows several advantages. But also some disadvantages: an in-ear headset often offers superior sound quality. Compared to that of a traditional headset and more effective soundproofing. Similar to that provided by headphones. This is because of occupying the ear canal. It blocks the entry of any external noise and all the sound pressure. Of the transducer is conveyed towards the eardrum. However, an in-ear headset. It can be more annoying to wear than a traditional headset. And can cause more significant discomfort. With prolonged and loud listening. Under this. Suppose you have changed your mind. I suggest you read my guide to buying the best headphones on the market.

In-ear headphones with cable or wireless

Various types of in-ear headphones can connect to the source device either via cable or wirelessly. The former is usually the cheapest because they don’t need a chip to handle the Bluetooth connection, while the latter is generally the most comfortable. Each solution has indisputable advantages: for example, wired in-ear headphones usually have a higher audio quality because it is not degraded by digital compression that occurs via wireless and has a lower construction complexity, resulting in more exciting value for money.

On the other hand, every time we want to use the in-ear headphones via cable, it is necessary to connect the 3.5 mm connector, an operation that in the long run can cause damage to the same or the output in the source. Besides, the cable can get in the way in some circumstances. It is precisely for those who come across these circumstances that I recommend wireless in-ear headphones, usually made thanks to Bluetooth technology. They are more comfortable and preferable for those who play sports or for those who often move (by bike or motorbike) without wanting to do without their music.

Lacking a power cord, wireless in-ear headphones use a built-in battery that can naturally drain in the middle of listening. They need to be changed often, with the various models generally managing to last for 5 or 6 hours on a single charge. In recent years, earphones with a case with an integrated battery have become popular on the market. In this way, they can also be loaded on the fly every time they are placed in the box without relying on a wall socket for autonomy that can even reach the whole day.

How to choose the in-ear headphones

To choose the best in-ear headphones for your needs, you need to know some terms and some basic notions of the audio world to better understand the quality of the product without having to listen to it live first and avoid unpleasant surprises after purchase. Below you will find the definitions of the items that you can find alongside many of the in-ear headphones offered on the market today.

• Frequency Response – this value, expressed in Hz, indicates the range of frequencies that the earphones can cover. Knowing that the human ear can perceive frequencies ranging from 20 to 20,000 Hz, buy headphones with a wide range of frequencies and a low gap. The gap is the number of decibels (dB) within which the earphones can remain over the entire frequency range (and therefore can guarantee high fidelity of sound).
• Impedance – is a value expressed in volts/ampere (ohms), which indicates the resistance exerted by the earphones on the audio signal. The higher the impedance, the better the sound quality; however, the maximum sound volume is lowered at high impedances. How to clean ears For optimal listening, you should have the same degree of impedance on the earphones and the device from which the sound is reproduced (e.g., smartphone, tablet, or computer).
• Sensitivity is the value with which the earphones’ acoustic pressure is indicated about the applied voltage (2.83 volts listening to 1 meter away). It calculates in decibels. To simplify the concept as much as possible, a higher sensitivity equates to a higher maximum volume without distorting the sound.

• Noise Canceling

  – In-ear headphones offer a great degree of isolation from outside noise, but sometimes that’s not enough. That’s why there are more advanced (and expensive) headsets that have active noise canceling technology. Active noise cancellation ensures complete isolation from external noise even in the most “noisy” situations (e.g., plane travel), but it requires more energy and leads to higher battery consumption.

• Sound quality – in addition to evaluating the technical parameters above, before buying a pair of earphones, it is good to inquire about the type of sound they offer. There are, in fact, earphones that reward the bass by penalizing the other frequencies, others that provide a balanced sound on all frequencies, and so on. You have to choose earphones that sound good and offer a sound in line with your musical tastes.
• Microphone – earphones with a microphone allow you to answer calls and interact with services such as Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa. Those without a microphone do not offer this feature. It is also good to check that the microphone equips with good technology to reduce external noise.
• The in-ear headphones set of ear tips come with sets of ear tips (usually one small, one medium, and one large) that can accommodate different ears. Therefore, before buying in-ear headphones, make sure that the sales package includes rubber pads of various sizes.

• Control Compatibility

  – Many in-ear headphones have buttons for media playback control, volume adjustment, and call answering. However, in some cases, the commands only work on Android and not iOS / iPadOS or vice versa. Before purchasing headphones for your smartphone, make sure there are no known compatibility issues with them. Also, check which controls are available: in some cheap earphones, there are controls for calls but not those for volume, for example.

• Resistance to water and dust – when buying earphones to be used in sports, or any case in relatively “complicated” situations, it is good to check that they are resistant to water, sweat, and dust.

Which in-ear headphones to buy

Is everything clear so far? Well, then I would say it’s time to put the chatter aside and see which are the best in-ear headphones of the moment. Enjoy the reading!

Best in-ear headphones

Sony MDR-EX15AP / MDR-EX15LP

If you are looking for highly low-cost headsets but still offer a good yield, you should model an MDR-EX15LP home. Sony offers excellent sound quality and decent resistance. Have a frequency response of 8 – 22,000 Hz, an impedance of 16 ohms, and 100 dB / mW sensitivity. They also have a microphone and playback controls, which are absent on the variant called  MDR-EX15LP, for this reason, even cheaper.

Klim Fusion

Among the best-selling cheap wired earphones on Amazon, there is also the Klim Fusion, which has comfortable memory foam pads and excellent technical parameters. The frequency response of 15 – 21,000 Hz and a sensitivity of 118 dB. He has controls on the cable and microphone. These connect via the classic audio jack. But possibly a variant that uses the USB-C port is also available.

Ludos Clamor

The Ludos Clamor earphones are another product characterized by an excellent quality-price ratio. The frequency response of 20 – 20,000 Hz, an impedance of 32 ohms, and a sensitivity of 92 dB. He an attractive design, features memory foam pads that fit snugly in the ears, and there are microphone and volume controls on the cable. This perfect for use in conjunction with smartphones, tablets, and MP3 players. They are available in different colors.

Mpow Sport Bass +

Are you looking for wireless in-ear headphones that are also good for practicing sports? Then I highly recommend you take a look at the Mpow Sport Bass +. These are, in fact, Bluetooth headsets with ear hooks, an ergonomic design, and extremely light. They are compatible with all major operating systems, have an autonomy of about 10 hours of playback, have an integrated microphone, and offer multimedia control buttons. They come with various sets of rubber pads and a carrying case.

Aukey EP-T25

The trend of 100% wireless earphones has recently arisen, without any cable connecting the two drivers. The Aukey EP-T25 belongs to this category. The value for money is excellent: they have 6 mm dynamic drivers that offer high fidelity sound, have touch controls, and support the use of the voice assistant of the smartphone to which they are connected. They can transmit Hi-Fi stereo sound for up to 5 hours on a single charge, and thanks to the supplied case, you can get 20 hours of extra charge for up to four additional charges. They also have IPX5 certification for water resistance.

Best mid-range in-ear headphones

HiFiMan RE-400

Among the in-ear headphones with cable, I would also recommend the HiFiMan RE-400, which has a frequency response of 15 – 22,000 Hz, an impedance of 32 ohms, and a sensitivity of 102 dB. They come with various sets of rubber tips and ensure excellent sound quality, but unfortunately, they do not have a microphone.

Sennheiser CX 350BT

Another highly rated pair of in-ear headphones are the Sennheiser CX 350BT. They are Bluetooth, support multi-pairing, and have a convenient three-button remote for controlling music and calls, and there’s also support for voice assistants. The battery guarantees 10 hours. From a technical point of view, they offer a frequency response of 17 – 20,000Hz, an impedance of 28 ohms, and a sensitivity of 110 dB.

Jabra Elite 65t

The Jabra Elite 65t  are wireless in-ear headphones that guarantee an autonomy of 5 hours in music playback and the battery of the case. You can reach 15 hours through on-the-fly recharges. Among the technologies supported, we have Bluetooth 5.0. With AD2P profile. And a gesture system to operate on the back for music. Playback and the management of incoming calls. They offer good audio quality. Have an integrated microphone with ambient sound: suppression and three rubber pads of various sizes to adapt to different ears.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 2

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 headphones are a truly wireless solution with diamond drivers that reproduce music with flawless precision, with maximized treble and bass. They provide up to 8 hours of listening on a single charge, which can be further extended. To 32 hours using the dedicated charging case. They use Bluetooth 5.0 to connect to devices. And through HearID technology accessible from smartphones. It is possible to map personal hearing sensitivity to multiple frequencies to create customized equalization settings.

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1  are true wireless earphones using improved 5.8mm graphene drivers with premium aptX, AAC, and SBC codecs. Then take advantage of Bluetooth 5.0 to connect wirelessly, have commands for music control, and support Google Assistant and Siri voice assistants. These are also extremely light (each earphone weighs just 4.6 grams), equipped with silicone and memory foam rubber, and waterproof. He offers up to 9 hours of playtime on a single charge, and the case offers an additional four total charges.

Best high-end in-ear headphones

Sony WF-1000XM3

Some cute earphones from Sony in this price range are the model called WF-1000XM3. They characterize by their 100% wireless design and the box supplied with the charger function. There is also an integrated microphone, Noise Canceling technology for cleaning environmental sounds, and support for Bluetooth connectivity, with A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, and HSP profiles. You can rely on Near Field Communication (NFC) for pairing with the smartphone for a product that lacks nothing. Sony declares 6 mm drivers with neodymium magnet, while the playback frequency is 20 – 20,000 Hz.

Huawei FreeBuds 3

The Huawei FreeBuds 3 earphones use the in-ear form factor, have a high-precision 14 mm dynamic driver, and have a charging case that allows you to increase the autonomy in music playback. Among the peculiarities, there is also a high-performance antenna and the optimized encoder, the presence of a dual-channel synchronous transmission system to reduce latency and intelligent noise cancellation.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live are in-ear headphones with 12 mm speakers and a dedicated low-frequency channel that can also be used in single mode for calls or mono audio. They have no connection cable. While supplied, there is a case that uses for charging. On the fly and to increase autonomy. There are also three microphones. To eliminate ambient audio from conversations and music playback. And the accelerometer. To track physical activity. The declared independence is 6 hours and the charging case. It can also recharge via wireless for the management of the various functions. We have a gesture system to apply to the casing.

Apple AirPods Pro

The  AirPods Pro represents the top-of-the-range model among Apple earphones. They have a design with in-ear tips that can adapt. To each user’s ear (three pairs of different sizes included) and support active noise cancellation. They also have an equalizer capable of optimizing music. Reproduction in an adaptive way. Based on the shape of the wearer’s ear. They sold with a charging case. It equipss with a battery. Best running shoes That allow you to increase the listening time up to a maximum of 24 hours. The patient can charge both via Lightning cable. And via wireless on Qi standard. And with 5 minutes of charge, it offers an hour of listening with each complete control. However, The AirPods Pro offers autonomy in music playback of 4.5 hours, which becomes 3.5 hours of a telephone conversation.

Powerbeats Pro

If you are looking for good quality earphones with a distinctive sound and above all comfortable during physical activity, then the Powerbeats Pro is perfect for you. They have H1 chips for immediate pairing with iPhones. And iPads and through which you can activate. Siri with the exclusive use of your voice by saying, “Hey Siri.” They can also use with Android devices but losing some functions related to H1. The autonomy is 9 hours with a single recharge. And 24 hours if we also consider the charge. That the supplied case can give (however quite important dimensions), with 5 minutes of charging, you get an hour and a half of listening. In contrast, the controls for calls and music playback are available on both earphones.