Top Earbud Headphones 2023

The Beyerdynamic Free Byrd earphones deliver exceptional audio and reasonably good noise cancellation, but their app and on-ear controls could use a bit more attention.

The MOONDROP KATO are decent for neutral sound. They come with lots of swappable parts like foam and silicone-like ear tips to help you get the best fit, as well as brass and steel nozzles, which slightly change how your audio sounds based on how the materials carry sound. When using their spring ear tips and steel nozzles, they have a neutral sound profile with a flat mid-range, so vocals and lead instruments are reproduced clearly. Thanks to their balanced treble range, tracks have detail but aren't overly bright. However, they lack a thumpy, punchy low-bass. Since they have an in-ear design, they also can't create a very immersive passive soundstage with a wide separation of objects like instruments.

The Skullcandy Indy ANC are great for commute and travel. Their portable design makes it easy to bring them on-the-go, and their ANC feature does a decent job blocking out bass-heavy background noises like bus and plane engines. The ANC feature does an even better job blocking out the sounds of people chatting around you, too. However, these headphones may not be comfortable for long listening sessions, and their 5.1-hour continuous battery life may not last through long international flights.

Decent for mixed usage. The Sennheiser AMBEO Smart headset is a versatile option for most use cases thanks to their decent isolation and sound performance. These headphones are compact with a stable ear hook design and they do not require a battery. Unfortunately, they do not block as much noise as some of the other noise canceling in-ears we've tested so they will not be the ideal choice for commuting. Their sound quality is decent but they are not the most durable headphones. They're also limited to iOS since they have a lightning connector and do not come with an adapter.

The bass-forward Bose SoundSport Free earphones are expensive, but nail the design and operational details better than any other pair in the growing wire-free category.

The Grind are decent mixed usage headphones. They're quite comfortable for an on-ear design, they have an efficient and easy-to-use control scheme and a sturdy build quality. Unfortunately, they do not block enough noise for commuting, and they're slightly too unstable for sports. On the upside, they deliver an above-average audio reproduction which should be good enough for most listeners.

The ANC performance and sensitive controls on these buds make them a quirky buy, but the excellent LDX sound quality makes up for any shortcomings at the price.

The 1More PistonBuds Pro deliver an accuracy-focused sound signature and solid noise cancellation for a reasonable price, though their on-ear controls could be better.

Sony's LinkBuds earphones have unique ring-shaped drivers that allow you to hear your surroundings while you listen to music, but just how well they'll fit in your ears is a wild card.

The OnePlus Buds are decent for sports and fitness. While they're stable enough for casual listening sessions, they may fall out of your ears during more intense physical exercise. Also, you can't use their controls unless you pair them to a OnePlus phone. However, they're decently comfortable, and they're easy to bring on-the-go.