Ever since the removal of the headphone jack, finding the best iPhone earbuds has been a little tricky. Either you have to deal with a dongle and not be able to charge your phone, or you have to go wireless. Apple obviously wants you to do the latter, and with that in mind, we figured we’d help you out a bit when it comes to choosing which pair is right for you. If you want the best iPhone earbuds then don’t overthink it, most people should just get the AirPods Pro.
Editor’s note: the article was updated on November 24, 2021, to include more information about the Beats Fit Pro.
Apple’s new AirPods Pro is the best iPhone earbuds
With the release of the AirPods Pro, picking the best earbuds for iPhone users suddenly became a very clear choice. While there are other great options you can choose from later in this list, the seamless integration of the AirPods Pro with any iOS device gives it an obvious edge over the competition.
Apple AirPods Pro
Full Review
Like all other Apple headphones that come with the H1 chip such as the AirPods (3rd generation), pairing is as easy as hitting “Connect” on the card that pops up on your device. What sets the AirPods Pro apart from the pack is that Apple includes silicone ear tips and a software-powered ear tip fit test (iOS only) to ensure that you’ve found the right fit. You also get other nifty features like noise cancelling and a transparency mode. The latter uses microphones to help you hear what’s going on around you.
The case still charges via Lightning cable, and Apple provides USB-C to Lightning. So close Apple, so close. Still, you can always throw it on any Qi wireless charger to juice them up which is nice. You can expect about 5 hours of battery life with active noise cancelling turned on. If you bought your AirPods Pro after October 26, 2021, it should include a MagSafe compatible charging case, which Apple doesn’t sell as a separate add-on right now.
Related: Apple AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM4
The long stem is much shorter, and it’s actually functional now: you can squeeze it or long-press it to control playback and toggle active noise cancelling. Microphone quality is very good for a set of earbuds, but the mics can’t completely nullify wind noise.
Taking into account the ease of use, versatility, and reliable connectivity, the Apple AirPods Pro is unsurprisingly the best iPhone earbuds on the market. Say what you will about the one-trillion-dollar company, it knows how to produce products that play nicely with each other. And if you already own a handful of Apple products, the AirPods is the next logical purchase for seamless integration into your daily routine.
What you should know about the best Apple earbuds
There are a few things to pay attention to when picking out the best iPhone earbuds. None of it is rocket science, but minimal attention to detail gets you a long way with your iOS audio headset.
What is Apple spatial audio?
You need a compatible AirPods headset and Apple source device to use spatial audio with head tracking.
Not all Apple earbuds and headphones support Apple spatial audio which offers surround sound to specifically mixed tracks on Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited. Spatial audio is similar to Sony 360 Reality Audio and Samsung 360 Audio, all of which essentially cast each sound as an object that can move in 360 degrees around your head. Apple’s technology, when paired with an iOS device, can track your head movement and adjust the sound accordingly, making for a more realistic experience.
See also: What is the Apple H1 chip?
As of November 24, 2021, these are the products that support Apple spatial audio: Apple AirPods (3rd generation), Apple AirPods Max, Apple AirPods Pro, and Beats Fit Pro.
What Bluetooth codec matters most with iPhones?
Although there are plenty of Bluetooth codecs supported by a variety of devices, the only one that you need to care about with regards to the best iPhone earbuds is the AAC codec. Apple doesn’t support aptX or LDAC, so AAC is your only option. And while AAC isn’t CD quality it performs best with Apple devices.
AAC performs differently depending on what device is being used. It may be a high-frequency sound, but these drop-outs will be audible to younger ears.
Seeing as Apple is Apple and loves proprietary hardware and software, the AAC codec is the only one that’s compatible with the company’s products. If you’re looking at headphones that support aptX, aptX HD, or LDAC, that’s all well and good but won’t be of much help in your quest to find the best iPhone earbuds.
How much does battery life matter?
Music lovers: how long do you listen to your headphones each day?
— Android Authority (@AndroidAuth) August 7, 2018
Upon polling Android Authority readers, we found that a majority of you listen to your music between one and two hours a day. That’s significant, especially when accounting for the listed true wireless models. In order to test true wireless battery life, we use objective measures and subject the earbuds to an infinite loop of pink noise set at an output of 75dB(SPL). That way, we can consistently test each product, allowing for greater testing reliability and minimal variance.
What if you don’t like how studio-quality headphones sound?
The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x won’t be for everyone because some listeners prefer a boosted bass response.
We here at SoundGuys can type until our fingers go numb about the importance of neutral frequency response, but that isn’t what’s most pleasing to everyone. Yes, if you’re looking to hear the audio as the audio engineer intended, you should use studio headphones, because those products will have the closest thing to a Platonic, flat response. But most of us want our headphones to be fun and reproduce an “energetic” sound, not necessarily an analytical one.
When deciding on the best Apple earbuds, the importance of slightly emphasized low-end and treble was taken into account as the former denotes “liveliness,” while the latter facilitates a perceived increase in clarity; to get a better picture of this, read up on the equal-loudness contour. If you’re wondering how we settled on the best consumer curve, you can read on here.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has the best battery life of any iPhone earbuds
If you like the idea of seamless integration with your iPhone but want a more secure fit when you’re exercising, then you should look into the Apple Beats Powerbeats Pro. The buds sport an ear hook design and nozzles that insert into the ear canal. This improves sound quality and stability.
Apple Beats Powerbeats Pro
Full Review
Battery life comes in at an insane 10 hours, 48 minutes before the earbuds need to be recharged, and even that’s a snappy process: 5 minutes of charging yields 90 minutes of playback. Just like AirPods Pro, combined battery life clocks in at more than 24 hours of listening.
AAC support and H1 chip integration ensure lag-free audio streaming. The updated chip also allows for hands-free access to Siri just like the new AirPods. The earphones have an IPX4 rating and can get through even your hardest workouts.
The Powerbeats Pro is loaded with sensors to streamline operation. Removing the buds from your ears automatically pauses playback, and accelerometers detect when you’re speaking to guide the microphone when you’re in a loud environment. There’s also a button and volume rocker on each earbud, too. If you’re a sporty iPhone owner, get the Powerbeats Pro.
Beats Powerbeats Pro vs Beats Fit Pro: Which is the best iPhone earbuds for working out?
Beats includes three pairs of ear tips for its wing-tipped workout buds.
The Beats Fit Pro is a great set of earbuds for listeners who want all the perks of the AirPods Pro with the athlete-focused design of the Beats Powerbeats Pro. Like the AirPods Pro, the Beats Fit Pro features active noise cancellation, full integration with iOS thanks to the H1 chip, and it even supports spatial audio with head tracking. Though it shares the same “b” logo as the Powerbeats Pro, the Beats Fit Pro is a more versatile set of earbuds as it works just as well on Android as it does on an iPhone (save for spatial audio). Listeners can download the Google Play Store’s Beats app to toggle listening modes, adjust the controls, and more. If you buy the Beats Powerbeats, you can still use it on the Beats app, but it’s really only good for firmware updates.
Wing tips secure the Fit Pro earbuds into place, which is very good but may not be enough for those who regularly take part in vigorous workouts. The over-the-ear design of the Powerbeats Pro can resist virtually all movement and stay in no matter what. Listeners who don’t need the extra-secure fit of the Powerbeats Pro may opt for the Beats Fit Pro as it has a smaller case and earbuds. Ultimately, you can’t go wrong with either headset, though the Beats Fit Pro will blend in more than the Powerbeats Pro.
Hush your surroundings with the Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony really thought this one through. The foam ear tips beget excellent noise isolation, which significantly improves the noise cancelling performance and sound quality. The ANC is among the best available in true wireless earbuds right now, so if top-notch noise cancelling is your main criterion, you can’t pass up the Sony WF-1000XM4.
Sony WF-1000XM4
Full Review
The Sony WF-1000XM4 has a fairly accurate frequency response with de-emphasized treble notes. While you might want to adjust the equalizer settings if you’re not keen on the loud bass levels, Sony’s Headphones Connect app makes that a breeze. Tidal, Deezer, and Amazon Music Unlimited users among you will get to enjoy surround sound with Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format.
Because the foam tips guarantee a good seal, isolation and ANC are incredibly effective on the Sony WF-1000XM4.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is a great pair of earbuds for everyday use. Its nearly 8-hour battery life will get you through almost a full workday of nonstop listening and the USB-C charging case can top you up two more times and some. You can even recharge the case wirelessly if you own a Qi power mat. The microphone is decent and the speech detection feature improves call quality further.
If you love taking your earbuds out and about, the Sony WF-1000XM4 won’t let you down. The IPX4 water resistance rating means you won’t have to worry when you get into a light rain, and wearing the Sony WF-1000XM4 while working out is no problem, either.
Stand out with the well-designed Master & Dynamic MW08
There’s more to the Master & Dynamic MW08 than the unique design. The earbuds also impress passersby with their excellent build quality, not least because it sports an IPX5 water resistance rating. You can’t take the MW08 for a swim, but general workouts or light showers shouldn’t be a problem.
Master & Dynamic MW08
Full Review
One of the best features of the Master & Dynamic MW08 is its call quality. Three microphones separate speech from background noise, producing a clear sound. While the playback sound quality is fine overall, it does emphasize bass levels, and there’s no way to adjust EQ settings. You can switch between different ANC modes in the Master & Dynamic Connect app, which also lets you activate the auto-off timer and in-ear detection.
The ANC is much better than in previous models, but it’s lacking in sub-bass frequencies. A tighter fit could have improved the noise isolation in the higher frequencies, as it does with the Sony WF-1000XM4, but the good thing is that you can easily upgrade your ear tips.
Read on: The best noise cancelling true wireless earphones
As an iOS user, you’ll only care that the MW08 includes AAC, but in case you do have an Android device kicking around, you should know that it also supports aptX and features Bluetooth 5.2.
Control your smart home with the Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen)
You wouldn’t get a pair of Amazon Echo Buds if you didn’t want to use Alexa, or would you? Not only will you gain an in-ear digital assistant, but with ANC, IPX4 rating, and a battery of Alexa app features, these earbuds also happen to be quite affordable for what they offer. And you can set them to use Google Assistant or Siri, if you prefer.
Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen)
Full Review
Let’s get the bad news out of the way: the sound isn’t great, but it’s good enough. You can fix it using the equalizer within the Alexa app. Here, you’ll also find the Ear Tip Fit Test, which helps you identify the best ear tips to use with your Amazon Echo Buds. Remember that a good seal improves sound isolation, which in turn improves sound quality.
Related: How your in-ears fit matters a lot
Those tight-fitting ear tips help tremendously with blocking out environmental noise. With ANC enabled, the Amazon Echo Buds mute the kinds of background sounds you’re likely to encounter during your commute. You can toggle ANC settings using the capacitive touchpad on either earbud or the Alexa app. The app is core to the Amazon Echo Buds. You can also use it to find your earbuds, enable wake words, customize tap controls, gather workout data, access live battery data, or switch to power-saving mode.
The one thing to be mindful of is that the battery life per charge is just under 5 hours. That’s enough for most people, but if you travel frequently or want to use your Amazon Echo Buds for more than just your commute, it might be a deal-breaker.
Ready to spend big? Get the Apple AirPods Max noise cancelling headphones
The headphones come with a smart case and a charging cable, and nothing else.
The Apple AirPods Max is the company’s debut over-ear noise cancelling headphones, and Apple is confident you’ll want to buy it. So confident, in fact, that it costs $549 USD. While this is certainly cost-prohibitive for many shoppers, those locked into the Apple ecosystem may find the H1 chip conveniences justify the high price.
You might like: The best noise cancelling headphones
This hybrid noise cancelling system outperforms that of the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort 45, Apple’s main competitors in the ANC headphones space.
The Apple AirPods Max house an H1 chip in each headphone to maximize processing power.
You also get access to features like Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio with head tracking. The former is a technology we’ve seen from the Apple AirPods Pro, and it makes real-time adjustments to the sound profile depending on how well the headset fits. Spatial Audio, on the other hand, is Apple’s take on surround sound and supports 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos content, which is great for movie playback.
The cost is a hard pill to swallow, but if you want noise cancelling headphones that operate seamlessly with your Apple devices, perhaps the AirPods Max is worth the purchase.
The best iPhones earbuds: Notable mentions
If you don’t care for custom equalization offerings, the Bose adaptive EQ is great and makes the QuietComfort Earbuds an easy device to use.
- Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2: This affordable set of true wireless earbuds has one of the best microphone systems around, outperforming those double the price.
- Apple AirPods (3rd generation): It has come a long way since the first model back in 2017. The fit is still loose with basically no isolation, but sound quality has improved, and you now get Spatial Audio and a suite of other features. We still recommend the AirPods Pro over the AirPods (3rd gen), but at least this unsealed headset has an IPX4 rating.
- Beats Fit Pro: The latest Beats true wireless buds sport most of the same features as the AirPods Pro and integrates seamlessly with your iPhone.
- Beats Studio Buds: Apple packed great sound quality into these great fitting and compact earbuds. The Beats Studio Buds also support quick pairing with Android devices and charge via USB-C. The downside: you don’t get any H1 chip with it.
- Bose Sport Earbuds: This is one of the latest true wireless earbuds Bose has to offer, featuring a sleek design, IPX4 water-resistant build, and intuitive touch controls.
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: This is Bose’s latest flagship true wireless earbuds—delivering excellent active noise cancelling in an IPX4 water-resistant build. These buds are essentially the in-ear version of the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.
- Jabra Elite Active 75t: Durability is the name of the game with these IP57-rated earbuds. Not only do they operate via Bluetooth 5.0, they also support multipoint connectivity. This means you can connect them to two devices at a time. Other features include quick charging, excellent mic quality, and automatic ear detection. If you’re willing to sacrifice some durability for a few bucks, the Jabra Elite 75t is also a great option.
- Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro: By far, the coolest feature of these earbuds is the AI-enabled TicHear and TicMotion technology. The former of which allows users to say, “Hey Tico” for hands-free access to Siri or Google Assistant. That’s right, Mobvoi worked out a clever way to sidestep H1 chip or Google Assistant integration. On the other hand, battery life is quite poor.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: Samsung’s Galaxy Buds lead the true wireless pack in with a good battery life and good ANC. If you want AAC support, a whimsical design, and wireless charging for less, try it. Just be aware that you can’t access any software updates, unless you or a buddy has an Android device.
- Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless: If you like ANC, try the CX Plus True Wireless. It doesn’t have the H1 chip but it does have Bluetooth 5.2 and a consumer-friendly frequency response.
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2: Among true wireless earbuds, it’s tough to top the sound quality, controls, and fit of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2. The ANC, however, leaves a bit to be desired.
- Sony WF-1000XM3: A great option for athletes and commuters alike. This well-designed pair of earbuds will isolate you from the world when you want it but it can’t compete with the newer XM4.
- V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless Codex: Arguably some of the most durable headphones on the market, the Crossfade 2 Codex includes both aptX and AAC support. Plus, you can customize nearly everything about these cans, even the screws.
How we tested the best iPhone earbuds
Now, we use a Bruel & Kjaer 5128 test head to perform isolation and frequency response tests, as seen with the AirPods (3rd generation).
We made sure to subject each candidate and pick to our battery of objective testing which includes isolation, frequency response, and battery life. We respect that listening is a subjective experience, while also acknowledging that sound can be measured and discussed objectively at the same time.
Learn more: How we test
Yes, our trio of tests are fundamental, but they analyze what consumers care about the most as it applies to the best iPhone earbuds and wireless earbuds in general. Regarding battery life readouts, your mileage will likely vary as it depends on how loudly you’re listening to your music. In order to combat this variance, we subject each unit to a constant 75dB(SPL) output. Additionally, in most cases, you can improve isolation by using third-party ear tips.
Why you should trust SoundGuys
While we don’t usually sleep on the job, we will if a product calls for it like the Bose Sleepbuds.
Working at SoundGuys serves as each of our day jobs; yes, it is a dream. We get paid to listen and test as many products as possible while constantly researching, which means that our opinions aren’t influenced by the companies manufacturing them. If we don’t like something, we say it. Simple as that.
Additionally, each of us has several years involved in the audio community, and after having kept up with the audio industry for years, we’re able to easily tell the gimmicks from the goldmines. If you have the time or desire, feel free to read our full ethics policy here.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Beats Powerbeats Pro offer additional features over the standard Powerbeats, including a prolonged battery life, true-wireless design, and an IPX4 water resistance rating. This expanded feature set does come at a cost, putting both earbuds in two different price brackets. Make sure to read Lily’s article for a more detailed comparison between the two earbuds.
The AirPods Pro offer additional features over its non-pro counterpart, such as active noise cancelling and interchangeable ear tips. We have actually compared the two earbuds in a previous article.
Yes, any of the listed wireless products are also compatible with Android and any Bluetooth-enabled device. We selected our picks as the best iPhone earbuds because they have iOS-friendly features like AAC support or, in the case of the AirPods Pro, H1 chip integration.