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What are the Best In-Ear Headphones for Me?

What are the Best In-Ear Headphones for Me?

Ear-buds and in-ear headphones: everybody uses them to brighten up the daily commute or walk to school; help the workday to run more smoothly, or even to soundtrack the hoovering. In this guide, we tell you what makes a good pair of in-ears. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us!

1. What Are Earbuds / In-Ears?

Because of the size and shape, normal headphones can often be awkward to carry and travel with. Earbuds and in-ears (also see Question 2) are actually a mini-version of normal headphones. Made up of a cable that splits in two to connect with two little oval or round shaped plugs, these sit just in front or slot into your ears and reproduce audio via two tiny internal speakers (also know as drivers). Some models are actually inserted into your earholes, while some can be hooked over the ear before being inserted so that they sit more securely.

If you’re looking for earbuds that just dampen or limit noise, like ear-plugs, see our Hearing Protection section.

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Hearing Protection

2. What’s the Difference Between Earbuds and In-Ears?

As you’ve probably already noticed, no two pair of earbuds looks the same. Although the names are used interchangeably, there is a difference between earbuds and in-ears. Earbuds sit (as it were) just in front of your earhole, and in this way, tend to let a little more noise in from outside, which is great if you don’t want to feel completely cut off from the rest of the world. In-ears are actually inserted into the ear so that you can experience enhanced bass reproduction and any of the noise caused by the environment you’re in is more closed off. With a pair of in-ears, you don’t need to set the volume too high.

Normal in-ears shouldn’t be confused with live in-ear monitors. We have a dedicated section for these. They’re professional in-ear headphones that are used to perform on stage. For more information, see our Live In-Ear Monitor Buyer’s Guide.

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Live In-Ear Monitors
Live In-Ear Monitor Buyer’s Guide

3. What are the Little Buttons For?

Sometimes, you’ll find that part of the headphone cable gets thicker and is fitted with little buttons, and sometimes a small hole. This is the remote control for toggling a connected device, like your smartphone, so you can adjust the volume of the music and/or microphone. With these mini-remotes you can sometimes skip tracks, rewind, pauze, and stop. If a microphone has also been integrated, then you can answer calls on your smartphone without having to pull your phone out of your pocket or bag. Remotes that come with volume controls adjust the level of any music playing or of phonecalls.

Please note: The precise function of a remote can vary depending on the model of headphones. Some only come with volume controls, while others might have a whole control panel. The compatibility (whether they will actually work with your phone) is also important to check. Always read the specifications listed on the product page of a model for more information before making your mind up.

In-Ear Headphones with Microphone
In-Ear Heapdhones with Volume Controls
In-Ear Headphones with Microphone and Volume Controls
All In-Ear Headphones

4. What are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Wireless In-Ear Headphones?

You don’t need a cable. Wireless in-ears are simply coupled via Bluetooth to a device like a smartphone or tablet. This is useful if you’re on the go or if your smartphone isn’t fitted with a standard headphone socket. The bother of constantly being connected to your phone or other device by two wires is removed and you can move your head more freely. For extra comfort, some wireless in-ears come fitted with a headband but these are seen less and less. Wireless in-ears are powered by an internal battery that will need recharging at the end of each day (most of the time, this can be done using a USB cable that usually comes included, and they can be recharged using a smartphone-charger or by connecting them to the USB port of a computer).

Wireless In-Ear Headphones
Fully Wireless In-Ear Headphones
Standard In-Ear Headphones
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5. What Plug Should My Ear-Buds Have?

If you pick a set of in-ears or buds with cables attached, then a jack plug will be fitted to the end. These come in two kinds: the larger 6.3mm jack or the smaller 3.5mm mini-jack. The mini-jack is almost always found fitted to a set of in-ear headphones. Most smartphones and other mobile devices will also be fitted with a mini-jack output, so they’ll have no problems working together. Mixers and other audio equipment usually have the larger 6.3mm jack socket (see Question 9).

Because any set of headphones reproduces sound in stereo, the jack plug will have two black rings around it. This is referred to as TRS (top-ring-sleeve). These days, you might also see a third ring, referred to as TRRS. This extra ring is for a remote control and/or microphone that’s fitted to the cable (see Question 3). Both kinds of jacks work the same in terms of audio transfer and will therefore work just fine when connected to any 3.5mm mini-jack output socket.

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6. What Does it Mean When a Set of In-Ears have Active Noise Cancellation?

If you use your headphones outside, maybe on a busy street, then you’re often forced to turn up the volume to drown out the noise of the traffic or other people. With active noise cancelling, small microphones fitted to each earbud detect all the noise that tries to get in your ears from outside. Then, the volume of any continuous noises like a car engine or a fan are intelligently reduced. This means you can listen to music at a lower volume without being so bothered by any noise from the outside world. If a set of wireless headphones has this function, it can only be used when the battery has enough charge left (see Question 4).

Active Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones
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7. What Does ‘Ohms’ Mean When it Comes to Ear-Buds and In-Ear Headphones?

In general, ear-buds and in-ears have a low resistance (measured in Ohms). So, you don’t really need to worry too much about this. If you want to know more about it means, then feel free to read further:
The impedance (resistance) of in-ears is measured in Ohms. The higher the number, the greater the resistance. Studio and PA equipment is usually fitted with a headphone output with a high output capacity and this works brilliantly with headphones with a high impedance. The same isn’t true of your phone or laptop. This means that if you plug a set of headphones with a really high impedance (say, 250 Ohms) into a smartphone, you would probably be able to turn the volume of your phone all the way up and still barely hear anything. As such, headphones with an impedance of around 50 Ohms are the best choice.

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8. How Important is the SPL and Frequency Response of Ear-Buds and In-Ear Headphones?

The higher the sensitivity of your in-ears (the SPL, or Sound Pressure Level measured in decibels), the more sound they can produce. So you could say, in-ears with a high SPL will be able to make more sound than a set of in-ears with a lower SPL, even when they’re connected to the same device.

What’s less important, but something that manufacturers tend to make a fuss about, is the frequency response. Human hearing can generally only detect frequencies within the 20Hz and 20kHz range, so anything that lies outside of this range, is not actually relevant. Also, it could easily be the case that a set of headphones at 20Hz performs brillaintly, while another set actually sounds mediocre at the same frequency. So, try not to get blinded by these numbers. Have a good look at what other users are saying and in the end, just let your own ears decide.

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9. What Do I Need With My Earbuds or In-Ear Headphones?

sually, everything you need will come included. But a pouch or case is worth having so you can tote your headphones around safely. This is much better than just stuffing them in a pocket or at the bottom of a bag where the cable can get tangled, or you can lose one of your wireless buds.
If you have expensive in-ears that you want to get the best possible sound quality from, then a DAC will do the job. These ensure an immediately clear improvement in audio reproduction. Check that the DAC you’re looking at will be compatible with your device before buying!
And, if it’s not already included, it’s worth having a 3.5mm mini-jack to 6.3mm jack adapter handy (without screw-thread). Essential!
If you want to share what you’re listening to with a mate, then a splitter is a great accessory. Make sure that the splitter has the correct connections for both your headphones and your device.

3.5mm Mini-Jack to 6.3mm Jack Adapters
Splitters
DACs
Headphone Cases & Bags

Links & More Information

Blogs & Buyer’s Guides

Headphone Buyer’s Guide
In-Ear Monitor Buyer’s Guide