Best in-ear headphones

In-ear headphones have come a long way in the last decade. Gone are the bulky, lousy-sounding, uncomfortable headphones. This new era of earbuds and wired in-ear headphones are made to stay in while you move, push out top-notch sound, and are controllable by touching sensors built into the earpiece.

This collection covers the best in-ear headphones today. All have best-in-class sound, stay put when you need them to, and work with most modern phones, computers, and tablets.

If you own an iPhone, it's a no-brainer to invest in AirPods. Apple has a few in-ear headphones out today, but these second-generation wireless earbuds give you an impressive set of features for much less than other offerings. The AirPods fit most ear canals, have class-leading sound, and have the simplest setup of any in-ear buds. 

You only have to open the AirPod case to pair your headphones with your iPhone. A little pop-up window on your phone will guide you through the entire pairing process in just a few seconds. Easy peasy! The microphone on the AirPods filters out background noises, so anyone on the other end of a call hears your voice clearly and without static or traffic noise. Apple AirPods come with a wired charging case. You'll get a solid five hours of playback using only the earbuds. Combined with the case, these in-ear headphones hold out for a full day's worth of listening.

TOZO T6 in-ear headphones have a crisp sound and thumping bass and come with a charging case that you can use on the go to top off the batteries in the buds. The TOZO T6 uses Bluetooth 5.3 and offers a low-latency listening experience. And the waterproof case and buds are amazing. They'll survive being submerged in a meter of water for half an hour, and the case is even washable in the sink with soap and water. 

The T6 buds are compact, fit tightly in your ear, and have touch controls on the earbuds for skipping tracks, taking calls, and summoning up your voice assistant. The TOZO T6 buds are available in six color options, come complete with various sizes of silicone tips for a perfect fit, and cost less than any other in-ear buds on the market.

Beats headphones have been traditionally heavy on the bass, and the Beats Studio Buds are no exception. The low-profile design sits firmly in your ear and the various sizes of included eartips guarantee a perfect fit. Once you find the right tips, these in-ear headphones give an excellent seal that doesn't let exterior sounds interfere with your listening experience. The battery on the Beats lasts eight hours and recharges via the case with a USB-C cable. The Beats Studio Buds are sweat-resistant, stay in your ears well enough to use for running or walking, and come in several colorways.

Bose SoundSport in-ear buds are made for athletes, and thanks to the easy-fit silicone tips and wingtips that hold firm in your ear canal, they do just that. The SoundSports deliver high-end audio that sounds amazing whether you're pumping iron, walking down a city sidewalk, or curled up in your favorite armchair. These headphones pair with Apple and Android devices via NFC, are sweat and water-resistant, and have a battery that lasts up to six hours. All controls are located on the back of the wire that connects the two buds, and through a series of clicks, you can take calls, skip tracks, or pause tunes.

The secure fit and design of the Jabra Elite 65t do a lot to help the sound quality. Thanks to how snuggly these fit in your ear, the sound isolation is excellent, and it's easy to tune out the outside world by pumping the volume up on your favorite tunes. The controls are right on the Jabra Elite buds and can summon up your digital assistant, answer calls, and control audio playback. The Jabra Sound+ app is superb, giving you complete control over EQ and the ability to block outside sounds while you're on a call.

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The best in-ear headphones are the ones that pair effortlessly with your devices, don't cause pain or irritation, and have features that fit your lifestyle. 

If you're invested in Apple's ecosystem, the Apple AirPods wireless earbuds are the way to go. They pair quickly with any Apple device, have onboard controls on the stems, give you instant access to Siri, and come with a charging case.

TOZO T6 wireless in-ear buds have all the features of more expensive options but won't set you back much. You'll be treated to IPX8 waterproofing, a built-in mic that sounds good, and top-notch audio. If you want to save money, these are the buds to get.

Athletes who want in-ear headphones to stay in their ears through every workout will want to grab the Bose SoundSport buds. They're sweatproof, Bluetooth headphones that easily pair with Android and iOS and come standard with different-sized silicone tips and wingtips, so they'll never slip out of place on your run.

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