The best earbuds 2020: our top earphones and in-ear headphones for any budget
The best earbuds and in-ear headphones for every situation
by Nick PinoJUMP TO:
Picking the best earbuds for your needs can be a challenge. There’s so much choice out there, with old-school wired models, neckbud-style wireless earphones, and true wireless earbuds to choose from.
The best earbuds of 2020 span all of these different form factors; the style you should go for is completely down to you. If you want ultimate versatility and have a decent budget, we recommend cable-free true wireless earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM3 and the AirPods Pro.
Do the best earbuds for you feel secure and offer great audio quality? Check out the wired earphones on this list. Or, opt for something that has the best of both worlds with a pair of wireless earbuds, which connect to your phone via Bluetooth but retain a cord between the two buds themselves.
Something that all the best earbuds of 2020 have in common is that they're compact, sound fantastic, and are super-convenient to use compared to bulky over-ear headphones.
Our top earbud picks
1. 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone
The best earbuds you can buy in 2020
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: 20 - 40,000Hz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 99 dB at 1KHz | Impedance: 32 ohms | Battery life: N/A | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: N/A
+ Lush sound quality
+ Excellent build and design
+ Unmatched value
- Plastic remote feels cheap
If you like your headphones to come with a wire, these are the best earbuds you can buy in 2020. After spending a few weeks with both the 1MORE Triple Driver in-ear headphones and the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones we were blown away at just how much value each one gave in their prospective price ranges.
For $100 / £100 (around AU$168), it’s hard to think of a better sounding and built headphone than the 1MORE Triple Driver. That said, if you want just that little extra refinement and luxury materials, the 1MORE Quad Drivers are still a bargain at twice the price.
There’s very little we can fault the Triple Drivers for. Their rubber cable is annoying and its remote control feels cheap but these are just nitpicks.For their price, it’s impossible to do better than 1MORE's Triple Driver in-ear headphones.
Read the full review: 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone review
2. Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds
Noise-cancelling true wireless headphones that made our dreams come true
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 70g | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 6mm | Driver type: Dome Type | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 6 hours | Battery life (charging case): 18 hours | Wireless range: 30ft | NFC: Yes
+ Efficient noise-cancellation
+ Inconspicuous looks
+ Great fun to listen too
- Not suitable for sports
Considering it's still rare to get noise cancelation in wired earbuds at all, the fact that Sony has managed to pack it into a pair that are not only wireless, but true wireless is very impressive indeed.
The Sony WF-1000XM3 manage to offer a level of noise-cancellation that's exceedingly good for a pair of earbuds – they won't offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear headphones, but its a worthy trade off for that sleeker form.
Battery life is above average, and that compact charging case is pretty slick too. On-ear volume controls similar to the PowerBeats Pro have just been introduced via a firmware update, making them even better than they were at launch and cementing their place among the best earbuds of 2020.
Read the full review: Sony WF-1000XM3 review
3. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
Great-sounding and noise-cancelling
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 6g | Frequency response: 5 - 21,000Hz | Drivers: 7mm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 7 hours | Battery life (charging case): 28 hours | Wireless range: 30ft | NFC: Yes
+ Incredible sound
+ Sleek design
+ Support for Hi-Res Audio
- More expensive than rivals
The sound quality, battery life, and design of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 are truly brilliant – and they're a really good alternative to the Sony WF-1000XM3, particularly if your idea of the best earbuds are a little more flashy.
We did find that those with smaller ears sometimes find them a little uncomfortable, however, and their high price just stops them from beating the Sony's to second place of this round up.
Otherwise? Sennheiser has pretty much knocked it out of the park with these earbuds, offering great noise cancellation alongside smart looks and stunning sound.
Read more: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 review
4. Optoma NuForce BE Sport4
Practically flawless wireless earbuds
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 15.5g | Cable length: 58 ± 2cm | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20,000kHz | Drivers: 6mm | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 92dB ± 3dB | Impedance: 32 ohms | Battery life: 10 hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: N/A
+ Impressive audio
+ Customized eartips
+ Practical design
- Not suited to one-ear listening
The NuForce BE Sport4 wireless earbuds are that rare find: earbuds that are good for basically all situations. While they're specifically designed for use in the gym and on the track, the BE Sport4 do an awesome job isolating audio in a crowded city environment and are even good enough for home listening.
The BE Sport4 earbuds have claimed 10-hour battery life, which we found to be pretty close to the mark in our time with them, and from empty you can get two hours of use from just a 15-minute charge – ideal for those needing a quick top-up while they put on their trainers and pack a gym kit.
Consider this a warning shot fellow audio manufacturers: build and audio quality do not need to be sacrificed in order to keep earbuds affordable.
Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 review
5. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1
Mind-blowing sound without the wires
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 9.2g | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 5.8mm | Driver type: Dome Type | Sensitivity: 9.8dB | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 9 hours | Battery life (charging case): 36 hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: Yes
+ Outstanding audio quality
+ Good value for money
+ Comfortable design
- Control buttons can be annoying
The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 come with an outstanding 45 hours of battery life, and combine the brand’s award-winning engineering with the convenience of truly wireless listening.
For a pair of true wireless earbuds, the sound quality offered by the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s is sensational, winning it a place among the best earbuds of 2020.
They may not have the noise cancellation technology offered by the Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds, but they are $100 (around £80) cheaper – and have a superior battery life.
Read the full review: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 review
6. RHA T20i
Sound so good you’ll want to go back to wired
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 41 grams | Cable length: 1.35m | Frequency response: 16-40,000Hz | Drivers: DualCoil Dynamic Driver | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 90 dB/mW | Impedance: 16 ohms | Battery life: N/A | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: N/A
+ Excellent build quality
+ Customizable sound
+ Extremely comfortable
- No remote for Android
The RHA T20i are an excellent sounding pair of in-ear headphones with a neat party trick: customizable filters. These filters thread into the headphone housings and let you choose from Bass, Treble, and Reference. Each filter makes an audible impact and are easy to swap out on the go.
As a package, the build quality, sound, and customizable filters make the RHA T20i some of the best earbuds for audiophiles on the go. In fact, they sound so good, they made us want to give up our wireless headphones.
Read the full review: RHA T20i review
7. Bowers & Wilkins PI3 Wireless Headphones
Neckbuds with phenomenal sound
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 31g | Frequency response: 10Hz - 30kHz | Drivers: 9.2mm | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: 96 dB | Impedance: N/A | Battery life: 8 hours | NFC: No
+ Comfortable design
+ Excellent sound quality
- No waterproofing
- Average battery life
The Bowers & Wilkins PI3 are the first neckband headphones for the company, and they're a great start. Well-designed, comfy, and simple to use, their great sound makes them some of the best earbuds you can buy today.
Thanks to dual drivers, these buds sound fantastic, with crisp highs, lively mids, and plenty of powerful bass. Look past the fairly unremarkable battery life and limited features, and you'll be mostly very impressed by what these offer.
Read the full review: Bowers & Wilkins PI3 Wireless Headphones review
8. Sennheiser CX Sport wireless earphones
No fuss running buds with fantastic audio
Weight: 15g | Battery life: 6 hours | Heart rate monitor?: No | On-ear controls?: No (in-line remote)
+ Fantastic audio quality
+ Sports-friendly design
- Not the cheapest option
- Mids could be richer
With a lively, bass-heavy presentation, and a comfortable fit, the Sennheiser CX Sport wireless earphones make an excellent pair of running headphones as well as some of the best earbuds of 2020.
They don't come with a heart rate monitor, but the inclusion of ear fins and sporty neon color scheme makes them ideal for casual workouts.
With a battery life of six hours, they're great for your average running session, or even your daily commute – but marathon runners will want to look elsewhere.
Read the full review: Sennheiser CX Sport Wireless earphones review
9. OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2
Amazing wireless earphones for the price
Acoustic design: closed | Weight: 13 gram | Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Drivers: 6 mm | Driver type: dynamic | Sensitivity: 96 dB +/-3 dB at 1 kHz | Impedance: 16 Ohms | Battery life: 8 hours | wireless range: N/A | NFC: No
+ Magnetic on/off switch
+ Lively sound
+ Strong wireless connection
- Terrible carrying case
OnePlus is most known for its “flagship killer” phones like the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro, but the company also makes headphones – the best example of which are the company’s excellent Bullets Wireless 2, which offer an incredible value in the neckbud earphones category.
In terms of audio quality, they boast a lively sonic presentation and an accurate-feeling soundstage, although bass-heads may want to look elsewhere for headphones that pack a bassier punch.
They're comfortable to wear too, but it's just a shame that they don't have a waterproof rating and the inline remote is so fiddly, because otherwise they could make a decent pair of running headphones.
They may be $30 more expensive than their predecessors, but the improved battery life and sound quality makes up for that; it also makes it worth upgrading if you have the originals and are due a new pair of wireless earbuds.
Read the full review: OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2 review
10. Lypertek Tevi
Incredible, affordable buds
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: N/A | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Drivers: 6mm | Driver type: Graphene | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (on-board): 10 hours | Battery life (charging case): 70 hours | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: No
+ Incredible value
+ Neutral audiophile-like sound
+ Great battery life
- Design is a bit plain
If you're looking for budget-friendly true wireless earbuds, then the Lypertek Tevi are a great choice – they're among the best earbuds we've tried, especially given their low price tag ($130 / £99 / AU$185).
With USB-C charging, a well-balanced sound, lengthy battery life, and waterproofing, they tick every box you could ask for, from what are basically a pair of budget buds.
The Lypertek Tevi, surprisingly, might just blow you away, punching well above their weight and rivaling the best earbuds from some of the biggest audio brands on the planet.
Consider us pleasantly surprised.
Read more: Lypertek Tevi true wireless earbuds review
11. 1More Quad Driver In-Ear Headphones
More expensive than the Triple Drivers, but More powerful too
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 18.5 g | Cable length: 1.25 m | Frequency response: 20 - 40,000Hz | Drivers: N/A | Driver type: Dynamic | Sensitivity: 99 dB at 1KHz | Impedance: 32 ohms | Battery life: N/A | Wireless range: N/A | NFC: N/A
+ Beautifully balanced sound
+ Luxurious build quality
+ Remote controls work on
- Cheaper sibling is better value
They're expensive, but the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones are worth every penny. 1MORE hit it out of the park with this flagship pair of in-ear headphones with its balanced sound build quality, smartphone compatibility and price. These in-ear headphones will make mobile audiophiles very happy.
The only reservation that we have is that the Quad Drivers face tough competition from 1MORE’s own cheaper Triple Driver sibling which costs half the price (which sit pretty at the number one spot on our list).
In terms of value, the 1MORE Triple Driver headphones are the winner, but if you're willing to spend a little more on build and sound quality, the 1More Quad Drivers are among the best earbuds you can buy.
Read the full review: 1More Quad Driver In-Ear Headphones
12. SoundMAGIC E11BT
Magic bullets that sound deceptively good
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 24.7g | Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: 20 - 20,000Hz | Drivers: 10mm | Driver type: Dynamic, Neodymium | Sensitivity: 100dB | Impedance: 42 ohms | Battery life: 20 hours | Wireless range: 13m | NFC: No
+ Fantastic price
+ Elegant design
+ Comfortable
- Treble tones can sound harsh
The SoundMagic E11BTs are an extremely capable pair of wireless in-ear earphones, and given their low price, it really is difficult to fault them – the audio quality is fantastic and they look very elegant.
They're comfortable to wear thanks to ergonomically designed eartips and a flat neckband that won’t irritate you while running or working out – and with an IPX4 rating, they should withstand sweaty sessions.
Read the full review: SoundMAGIC E11BT
Tips and tricks
How to choose the best earbuds for you
Which headphones style is best for you?
Check out TechRadar's exhaustive guides to the best headphones you can buy today:
- Best noise-cancelling headphones
- Best Audio-Technica headphones
The best earbuds need to be ultra-comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, and must fit securely in your ear for decent noise isolation.
If you're looking for a pair of running headphones, your new earphones should have an IPX4 water-resistance rating or above; this means that they'll be able to withstand a little sweat as well as a spot of rain.
There are wired and wireless earbuds on this list, but newer models can be completely wire-free. Our current favorite true wireless earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM3 go one step further, combining truly wireless sound with high quality noise cancelation tech.
If you do opt for wireless or true wireless earbuds, make sure the battery life is up to scratch, otherwise you could find yourself caught short without any music in the middle of your commute.
Most importantly, the best earbuds for you should sound good to your ears. If you're a dedicated audiophile, look for buds that support Hi-Res Audio codecs like LDAC and aptX HD Bluetooth for stellar connectivity.
FAQs
The best earbud and in-ear headphones FAQ: quick questions answered
Which brand has the best earbuds? That totally depends on what you're looking for – but we're careful with our lists. That means all of the earbud and in-ear headphones below come from brands we trust. Still, if you're not sure where to start looking, respected brands like Sony, Apple, Cambridge Audio, JBL, and Optoma are good places to start.
What are the best cheap earbuds? At least half of the buds in this list are below the $80 / $80 mark, which makes them ideal for those who need a new set of headphones but can't justify a splurge. We recommend taking a good look at the RHA MA390 Wireless, as well as the 1More Triple Drive In-Ear Headphones. If they're still too pricey for your current budget, then check out our guide to the best cheap headphones of 2020.
Which is better, earbuds or headphones? It's up to you. Some people love the feel and immersive sound experience of over-ear headphones, others prefer the freedom and compact size of in-ear headphones and earbuds. It all depends on what your priorities are.
How do I keep my earbuds from falling out? Although most of the high-end in-ear buds and headphones are designed to stay put, everyone's ears are different. Which means there's still a chance they'll fall out – especially if you're running or moving. If this keeps happening, we recommend opting for a pair built with sports in mind, these tend to have better support and even a different design that anchors them into your ear better.
Should I buy wireless earphones? Wireless and true wireless earbuds are a great option for those who want to listen to music on the go without the hassle of tangled cables getting in their way. However, some audio purists think that the sound quality afforded by Bluetooth connections still doesn't compete with traditional wired models.
Best earbuds 2020, at a glance:
- 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone
- Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Earbuds
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
- Optoma NuForce BE Sport4
- Cambridge Audio Melomania 1
- RHA T20i
- Bowers & Wilkins PI3
- Sennheiser CX Sports Wireless
- OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2
- Lypertek Tevi
- 1More Quad Driver In-Ear Headphones
- SoundMAGIC E11 BT