Earbuds

This category covers in-ear wireless earbuds: buying guides for different budgets and situations, plus practical advice for everyday use. If you want something small enough for a pocket but good enough for commutes, workouts and calls, start here.

What to check before you buy

• Fit and ear tips: a proper seal improves bass and noise isolation, so look for several tip sizes.
• Noise cancelling: worth it for flights and busy commutes; less important if you mostly listen at home.
• Battery and case: compare the earbuds’ own runtime with the extra charges the case adds.
• Phone compatibility: some features and codecs work best with a particular phone brand.
• Water resistance: check the IP rating if you train hard or run in the rain.

Popular guides include our best noise-cancelling earbuds comparison and best budget wireless earbuds. For specific needs, see discreet invisible earbuds, earbuds for motorcycle riders, and our tips on how to hide earbuds at work.