Top In-Ear Headphones in 2025: 9 Best Models for Every Budget

Explore the best in-ear headphones of 2025, featuring top picks across wired and wireless options for every budget and lifestyle.

Why Choose In-Ear Headphones?

In-ear headphones, also known as in-ear monitors (IEMs), offer a unique blend of portability, comfort, and discreet style that over-ear headphones can't match. While over-ear models often deliver big, powerful sound, IEMs provide a more subtle look, lighter feel in your ears, and greater convenience when you’re on the move.

If you're an avid runner or athlete, in-ear headphones are simply the logical choice to fuel your workout with great sound without hassle. From fully wireless models with secure wing tips for a snug fit to premium wired sets designed for audiophiles focused on sound quality, the market has something for everyone.

Navigating this crowded market to find the perfect pair can be tricky. That’s why we’ve drawn on extensive testing experience to bring you this detailed guide showcasing the best in-ear headphones available today.

Quick Overview: Best In-Ear Headphones

Top Wired Overall

Shure Aonic 3
Musically captivating and comfortable, the Shure Aonic 3 sets a new standard for wired in-ear headphones.

Top Wireless Overall

Technics EAH-AZ100
Outstanding wireless earbuds delivering an expansive soundstage and heaps of musical enjoyment.

Best Budget Wired

SoundMagic E11C
Packed with punchy sound, remote control, and mic, these wired buds are a real bargain.

Best Budget Wireless

Sony WF-C510
For deal hunters seeking great value, the WF-C510 is a sonic gem.

Mid-Range Wired

Shure Aonic 5
Mid-tier in-ear headphones from Shure that master musicality; just ensure you pair them with a suitable source.

Mid-Range Wireless

Sony WF-C710N
Comfortable noise-canceling wireless earbuds offering grown-up performance at a great price.

Best Noise Cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Premium noise cancellation combined with sparkling, musical, and detailed sound.

High-End Wireless

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
Luxuriously detailed wireless earbuds for listeners craving a lavish experience.

High-End Wired

Sennheiser IE 900
Top-tier in-ear headphones perfect for those with a bigger budget.

1. Shure Aonic 3 – Best Wired Overall

Award-winning What Hi-Fi? champion, the Shure Aonic 3 offers a remarkable leap in quality compared to budget options.

Approximate Price: $160 USD

Pros:

• Stunning dynamics and musicality
• Insightful, balanced sound
• Lightweight and comfy

Cons:

• Slightly restrained sound

If sound quality tops your list but you want compact in-ear form, the Shure Aonic 3 deserves serious consideration. Their straightforward, expertly crafted design sets them apart, earning multiple What Hi-Fi? Awards since 2020. With nine ear tip options for perfect isolation and a built-in mic for calls, they blend comfort with superb audio fidelity.

The real reason to recommend the Aonic 3 is their unmatched audio at this price.

2. Technics EAH-AZ100 – Best Wireless Overall

Technics’ formula hits the mark with the EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds.

Approximate Price: $320 USD

Pros:

• Best-in-class clarity and detail
• Spacious, engaging sound
• Comfortable design

Cons:

• Great noise cancellation but not class-leading
• Voice call function slightly lacking
• Strong competition at this price

Technics surprises with EAH-AZ100, challenging Sony’s dominance in premium wireless buds. Small, light, and comfy, they provide fully customizable touch controls and strong Bluetooth with multiple codecs. The ANC “muffles noise like heavy snowfall,” though Bose still leads in this department. The sound shines with a clean, open balance and lively dynamics.

Technics found their winning wireless earbud formula.

3. SoundMagic E11C – Best Budget Wired

What Hi-Fi? Award winner for best budget wired in-ear headphones, the SoundMagic E11C offers punchy sound and great value.

Approximate Price: $50 USD

Pros:

• Engaging, energetic sound
• Remote and mic included
• Easy to drive

Cons:

• Timing could improve
• Shure Aonic 3 offers more insight and power

SoundMagic, founded in 2005, quickly earned praise with affordable, quality IEMs. The E11C boasts a secure fit, balanced sound with punchy bass and clear mids, and a high sensitivity ideal for smartphones with 3.5mm jacks. Controls are simple but fully functional. For anyone on a budget, E11C is an excellent alternative to pricier models.

4. Sony WF-C510 – Best Budget Wireless

A What Hi-Fi? Award-winning pair offering great sound at a low cost, the Sony WF-C510 is a top budget wireless option.

Approximate Price: $50 USD

Pros:

• Compact and comfy
• Energetic, balanced sound
• Great control app

Cons:

• Slightly small-scale sound
• Some competitors sound more powerful

Sony’s budget wireless buds continue to impress. WF-C510 improves on its predecessor with richer sound and new features like Multipoint Bluetooth and Ambient Sound Control. With 22 hours total battery life and touch controls, they pack plenty of value.

5. Shure Aonic 5 – Mid-Range Wired

Refined and musical, the Shure Aonic 5 steps up from the Aonic 3 with triple balanced armature drivers.

Approximate Price: $530 USD

Pros:

• Sophisticated, mature sound
• Excellent detail retrieval
• Superb timing

Cons:

• Requires good source and files
• Reveals poor recordings

While visually distinct with transparent sections showing their internals, their sound quality is the main draw. They offer an abundance of details and natural vocals but demand quality sources.

6. Sony WF-C710N – Mid-Range Wireless

Five-star wireless earbuds offering exceptional value, the Sony WF-C710N improve on predecessors with enhanced ANC and sound.

Approximate Price: $110 USD

Pros:

• Comfortable fit
• Refined sound for the price
• Detailed, dynamic, musical

Cons:

• Case offers limited extra battery life
• No aptX or LDAC support

Building on the success of their previous models, these earbuds impress with better noise cancellation, call quality, and a richer sound profile.

“Sony WF-C710N had huge expectations for sound, and somehow Sony raised the performance bar.”

7. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds – Best Noise Cancelling

Top-notch ANC with sparkling, detailed, and musical audio quality, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds shine with elegant design and superb noise cancelling.

Approximate Price: $220 USD

Pros:

• Outstanding noise cancellation
• Fantastic refinement and balance
• Excellent detail

Cons:

• Battery life could be longer
• Average call quality
• No multipoint Bluetooth or wireless charging

Bose’s Ultra earbuds improve over predecessors with lively, detailed sound and industry-leading noise cancellation.

New generation Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd generation) are expected soon with improved ANC and voice clarity.

Read our full review of Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

8. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 – High-End Wireless

Award-winning earbuds for those wanting a luxurious wireless experience, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 impress with detailed, natural sound.

Approximate Price: $430 USD

Pros:

• Breathtaking detail
• Natural, refined sound
• Simple, comfy use
• Competitive noise cancellation

Cons:

• Call quality could improve
• No ear tip fit test
• Occasional signal dropouts

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 deliver a mature, polished sound and impressive features, justifying their premium price with exceptional wireless performance.

Unique is the wireless relay feature in the charging case for airplane systems.

Read our full review of Bowers & Wilkins Pi8.

9. Sennheiser IE 900 – High-End Wired

The ultimate choice for audiophiles with a generous budget, the Sennheiser IE 900 offers detailed, clear sound with thoughtful engineering.

Approximate Price: $1700 USD

Pros:

• Detailed, crystal-clear sound
• Refined yet engaging delivery
• Thoughtful engineering

Cons:

• Cable noise transmission
• No inline remote

Sennheiser IE 900 targets purists wanting the absolute best from premium sources and DACs. Their single-driver design offers unmatched clarity and detail, exposing every nuance in your music collection.

Additional Recommendations

• Apple AirPods Pro 2: A breakthrough in Apple’s wireless sound, offering detailed, precise sound with fantastic features—perfect for iOS users.
• Sony WF-1000XM5: A top-tier wireless earbud that remains a benchmark until the possible arrival of WF-1000XM6.
• Sony WF-C700N: Older award-winning budget wireless buds still worth considering as prices drop.
• SoundMagic E80D: Another strong budget option with clear, detailed sound and USB-C connectivity.
• Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: A delightful combination of detailed sound, comfort, and functionality.
• Shure KSE1200: Premium wired IEMs delivering extraordinary clarity and detail—a dream for audiophiles.

How to Choose the Best In-Ear Headphones

Set Your Budget

Decide how much you're happy to spend, considering how you’ll use your headphones. No point splurging on a high-end pair that gathers dust most of the year.

Consider Your Source

Will you connect to a smartphone or a premium portable player loaded with high-res music? Wired options offer the best value for sound quality, but wireless brings convenience.

Prioritize Comfort

Compared to bulky over-ear headphones, in-ear models offer a more discreet and often more isolating listening experience. Make sure the earbuds and tips feel comfortable and fit well. Active noise cancelling (ANC) can further enhance isolation.

How We Test In-Ear Headphones

We evaluate headphones both in controlled environments and real-life scenarios—on commutes, walking, at home, or working out. We allow ample "burn-in" time and test devices with hardware they're likely to be paired with, such as smartphones, DACs, or amps.

Our team listens to a variety of music genres and tests extra features like ANC in multiple settings. Review verdicts are team-based to avoid bias, and we maintain strict independence from PR or sales influences.

FAQs

• What’s better, wired or wireless?
  Wired headphones still edge out wireless in pure sound quality and lack dependency on batteries. Wireless models offer great convenience and extra features like ANC and spatial audio.
• Are premium wireless earbuds worth it?
  Higher prices often mean better features and improved sound. Models like Bose QC Ultra and Sony WF-1000XM5 offer a notable leap in detail and dynamics.
• Difference between in-ear headphones and in-ear monitors (IEMs)?
  The terms overlap largely. IEMs often imply professional-grade gear with robust build and deeper fit, but the distinction is blurred.
• How do I ensure a proper fit?
  Try all ear tip sizes and materials provided. A good seal should feel secure without discomfort and improve bass and isolation.
• Is active noise cancellation necessary?
  ANC can significantly enhance listening in noisy environments but isn’t mandatory if you’re mostly in quiet settings.

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