Best headphones and in-ear headphones buying guide: Welcome to TechRadar's roundup of headphones, in-ear headphones and headphones you can buy in 2019.
Headphones. Headphones. In-ear headphones. As you call them, they are without a doubt one of the most convenient ways to listen to music if you opt for wired, cordless or wireless headphones.
They can be found at checkout counters, airports and gas stations around the world - but just because you can find them at your local store doesn't mean you should buy them there. Instead, the best headphones are often found online from manufacturers such as 1MORE, RGA, Shur and Nuforce.
Of course, there are plenty of big brands making some of the best in-ear headphones, and with Apple rumored to be dropping its second generation wireless AirPods 2 in 2020, there could soon be even more to choose from.
If these names are unfamiliar, don't worry - we have information on all the best friends and their producers.
Can't Decide Which Type of Headphones to Buy? Watch our video guide below:
In this regard, not only are the best pairs of in-ear headphones ultra-comfortable to wear for long periods of time, but newer models can be completely wireless and support Hi-Res audio codecs and support aptX HD decoding.
Our favorite true vacuum headphones, the Sony VF-1000XM3 take it one step further, combining true wireless sound with high quality noise canceling technology.
Until you find any discount-ben headphones on our list, you can rest easy knowing that the buds you see below are rugged, durable, and sound (for the most part) out-of-this-world. As we review multiple models, this list will change, which means you can expect to get the best headphones on the market at any given time and anytime you buy one.
Best in-ear and in-ear headphones
What brand of headphones is best? It totally depends on what you are looking for. But we are careful with our lists. This means that all of the in-ears and in-ears below come from brands we believe - you can't go wrong with our picks below.
What are the best cheap headphones? At least half of the buds on this list are below the £80/$80 mark, making them ideal for those who need new headphones but can't justify the bragging. We recommend looking at the Zdra MA390 Wireless as well as the 1More triple drive in-ear headphones. If they're still too expensive for your current budget, then check out our guide to the best cheap headphones of 2019.
Which is better, headphones or headphones? It's up to you. Some people love the feel and pervasive sound of headphones, others prefer the freedom and compact size of in-ear and in-ear headphones. It all depends on what your priorities are.
How can I make sure the headphones don't fall out? While most high-end in-ear headphones and headphones are designed to stay in place, everyone's ears are different. This means there is still a chance they will fall out, especially if you are working or moving. If this continues, we recommend opting for a pair of sports built in mind they tend to have better support and even a different design that anchors them in the ear better.
Should you buy wireless headphones? Wireless and wireless headphones are a great option for those who want to listen to music on the go without tangled cables getting in their way. However, some audio purists think that the sound quality provided by a Bluetooth connection still doesn't compete with traditional wired models.
- Looking for headphones you can take swimming? Read our roundup of the best waterproof headphones
The best headphones and in-ear headphones of 2019:
After spending several weeks with the 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones and 1MORE Quad Driver In-Ear Headphones we were amazed at how much value each gave in their future price ranges.
For $100 (£100, about au$168), it's hard to imagine a better sounding and built-in 1MORE headphone than a triple driver. That said, if you just want a little extra sophistication and luxury materials, 1MORE quad drivers still haggle for double the price.
There are very few things we can blame triple drivers for. Their rubber cable is annoying and the remote feels cheap, but it's just that it's a bit of an inconvenience. But, for their price, it's impossible to do better than the triple driver 1MORE in-ear headphones.
Read the full review: 1More triple driver in-ear headphones
Image credit: pro
Given that it's still rare to get noise canceling wired headphones at all, the fact that Sony has managed to pack in a pair that's not only wireless, but right wireless are very impressive.
The Sony VF-1000X manages to offer a level of noise cancellation that's very good for a pair of headphones - it doesn't offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear cans, but if you're after a sleek form factor, then the compromise is worth it.
That being said, despite some minor issues, we think Sony has kicked the ball out of the park with the WF-1000XM3: Not only are these hands-down the best-looking true wireless headphones, but they combine some serious noise-canceling tech with punchy musicianship. If you don't want to carry full sized cans, they are a compelling alternative.
Battery life is above average, and that compact charging case is pretty slippery too. On in-ear headphones, a volume control similar to the over-ear pros would be nice, but again, this is not critical in our books.
Read the full review: Sony VF-1000XM3
While truly wireless headphones are definitely the future of portable audio, there are still trade-offs in battery life and wireless reliability. Plus, they're easy to lose if you're not careful. Neckbuds, or headphones worn around the neck, are a great alternative to true wireless headphones, as they offer longer battery life for uninterrupted listening and strong wireless performance.
That being said, if you're interested in picking up a pair, it's hard to do better than the healthy MA390 Wireless, which easily stands as one of the best neckbuds on the market. After spending a few weeks with them, I was impressed with the package RGA came up with: headphones are very well built, sound good, can take a beating and still remain relatively affordable.
Its archrival, the OnePlus Bullet's WiFi (featured below), is also excellent, however the Zdra MA390 offers more dynamic sound and better build quality.
Read the full review: RHA MA390 wireless
Image credit: pro
Good sound is subjective, yes, but there are things we can all agree on that make good headphones sound: bass should be tight and efficient, highs should be detailed but not harsh, and mids should be as smooth as honey.
Most headphone manufacturers shoot for these specs, but what if you want a little more bass or want more energy highs? For most headphones, you'll have to fiddle with alignment. But RHA has different ideas.
The Zdra T20i is a great-sounding pair of in-ear headphones with a neat trick: customizable filters. These filters thread into the earphone housings and allow you to choose from bass, treble, and links. Each filter makes a sonic impact and is easy to change on the go.
In terms of packaging, build quality, sound and customizable filters, choose the RGA T20i for music lovers on the go. In fact, they sound so good, they made us want to give away our wireless headphones.
Read the full review: RHA T20i
Credit Image: By Optoma
The NuForce Sport4 wireless headphones are a rare find: headphones that are good for just about every situation. While they are specifically designed for use in the gym and on the track, the Sport4 does an amazing job of isolating sound in crowded urban environments and is even good enough for home listening.
The Sport4 headphones claimed a 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 a 15-minute charge – good for those who need a quick while they put on their trainers and gym set.
Consider this a warning shot from fellow audio makers: build and sound quality shouldn't be sacrificed in order to keep headphones affordable.
Read the full review: Optoma NuForce be Sport4
Image credit: pro
Divorce is best known for its “flagship killer” phones OnePlus 6, but the company also makes headphones - the best example of which is the company's excellent bullet holes in the ears.
For $70 (£70, about au$124), the OnePlus Bullet Wireless offers incredible value in the neck-bud headphone category. Sure, true wireless headphones are all the rage right now, but tethered wireless headphones provide better battery life and signal strength for a lot less money.
Read the full review: OnePlus wireless bullets
Image credit: pro
NuForce knocked it out of the park with the Sport3 printer headphones. They are an incredible value for a pair of wireless headphones that sound good yesterday all day, have a bulletproof build and incredible noise isolation.
While they're not the most dynamic, either NuForce's headphone solution shows us that the future of wireless headphones is bright.
Read the full review: Optoma NuForce be Sport3 printer
Credit image: Jabra headset
If you want a pair of high quality truly wireless headphones, look no further. by Apple AirPodsthen the Jabra Elite 65T headset should be at the top of your list.
After spending over a month with them, I was impressed with the clean-cut package that Jabra's headset managed to create: the headphones offer a slim, mature and reliable wireless connection, which is not always the case with truly wireless headphones. Plus, they are good compared to the competition.
While the Jabra Elite 65t speakerphone is easily one of the highest scoring true wireless headphones we've reviewed, there are a few others on the market worth considering: if you want a pair of exercise headphones, there are Jabra elite sports headset , which has higher water resistance and user-friendly sports-oriented features. For music lovers who don't mind stretching the budget, active noise cancellation Sony VF-1000X are an excellent choice. Bassheads will want to try Salt Republic Air Amplifiers.
If you only have the budget for one of them, it's true, go for the elite 65t.
Read the full review: headset jabra elite 65t
Image credit: pro
From an attractive candy apple with detailed descriptions, Sennheiser gets you in the door. But once you're in, you're left with the killer sound quality that comes from the pulse of in-ear headphones.
They are one of the best deals on the headphone market today. The company has a version available for every flavor of mobile OS – Android and iOS – so everyone can get in on the goodness.
Read the full review: Sennheiser headphones impulse in-ear
Image credit: pro
They are expensive, but the 1MORE Quad Driver in-ear headphones are worth the money. 1MORE kicked it out of the park with this flagship pair of in-ear headphones with a balanced sound quality, build, smartphone compatibility and price. These in-ear headphones will make mobile music lovers very satisfied.
The only caveat is that quad drivers face stiff competition from their own 1MORE cheaper three-seater single-level driver that costs half the price (which sit pretty at the top of our list).
In terms of value, the 1MORE triple driver headphones are a winner, but for those who just want a little better build and more detailed sound, the 1MORE quad driver headphones are worth the extra cash.
Read the full review: 1More quad driver in ear headphones
Image credit: pro
While they're not quite top in the ears like the exceptional1MORE triple driver or RGA T10i's, Optoma NuForce's HEM6 does bring a lot to the table. Namely, that includes great-sounding - and ultra-comfortable - headphones.
So why are they so far down the list?
While the NuForce Sport3 printer strikes the perfect balance between performance and price tag, the HEM6 skews a bit on the expensive side, not offering enough performance difference to justify the price tag. That's not to say they're bad headphones - they're quite the opposite - it's just that we feel there are better values out there in the headphone world.
Read the full review: Optoma NuForce HEM6
Additional resources:
- Check out TechRadar's comprehensive guide to top headphones buy today, including top headphones и best on-ear headphones.
- For some more specialist couples, take a look at our guides to best wireless headphones, into true wireless headphones best noise canceling headphones.
- Looking for some headphones you can take to the pool or for a run? Check out our guide to best swimming headphones and headphones with a radio.