The best in-ear headphones 2024

If you want a pair of in-ear headphones that excels at a little bit of everything, then you'll want to try out the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. They have solid audio quality and a respectable 6-hour battery life, but where it really shines is in the design.

The build is lightweight with a focus on comfort, so you'll rarely need to readjust them as you're walking around. Plus, thanks to the intuitive touch controls. Combine all of that with great noise cancellation, and you've got a pair of in-ear headphones that anyone can love.

It can feel a bit strange and awkward to get used to at first, but the large and secure design of the BEATS Powerbeats Pro is excellent. Anyone who frequents the gym knows the struggle of loose-fitting earbuds, which is why we adore these headphones so much since they stay in place so well. To further add to that, they are water and sweat resistant, so they're a surprisingly durable pair as well.

It's not just an excellent design either; the 9-hour battery life is on the upper end of playtime. As such, we also recommend this pick to anyone planning outdoor outings like a one-day hike.

Cities are noisy, and nothing is more annoying than struggling to hear your audio over loud traffic as you walk around; the noise cancellation from the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro is a great way to counteract that. They also have voice detection tech, meaning that it will pick up when you're speaking and lower your volume accordingly so you can chat away and hear yourself without needing to take them out.

We also want to acknowledge the sturdy case. While most in-ear headphones that come with charging cases are well-protected, these can certainly take an extra bump or too. In fact, thanks to the IPX7 waterproofing, these are some very durable headphones.

When testing, we found "The overall tone is rich, clear and punchy, giving your music the respect it needs to bring out all of its colours. This is made even more impressive when coupled with the noise cancellation. Together, they silence the outside world completely, allowing you to focus in and get it done – whether ‘it’ is focusing on a work assignment, drowning out the screaming kids on the morning bus commute or hitting a deadlift PR."

Read our full review of the Galaxy Buds2 Pro here.

With a seriously impressive 20 hours of playtime, the Sony WF-C500 are the ultimate pick for those tired of running back and forth from charging ports. Even in the rare case that they do run low, the compact charging case is easy enough to bring with you and gives them a quick boost on the go.

While we do appreciate the small size and how it makes them so easy to fit in your pocket, they're not the most comfortable choice. That said, they do come with a few replacement heads of different sizes, so there's likely to be one more suited for your ear shape.

Read our full review of the Sony WF-C500 here.

Now for something a bit different; KBEAR Storm in-Ear wired headphones. As a wired pair, they feature all the ups and downs you would expect. The most notable, of course, is the fantastic price point. The benefits of wires mean you have exceptional audio quality for a fraction of the price, and these headphones look as good as they sound.

Due to the nature of wires, you will find they get tangled frequently. Although finding a way to connect them to modern phones can be a pain, if you can stomach it, you can reap the benefit of not worrying about a battery life restricting you.

Even if you prefer a different design, we think these are more than worth it to have just as a backup emergency pair.

Apple's 4th generation of AirPods brings an air of excellence to in-ear headphone designs. Even without noise cancellation, it sports an impressive volume capable of blocking out most background chatter, so these are another great pick for a commute. They also sport some pretty solid playtime, especially when paired with the charging case.

Perhaps the only notable downside of these headphones is that they have a tendency to slip out during fast movement, so consider which gym activities you do with them, though they are sweat resistant.

The Soundcore Sport X10 earbuds are another fantastic choice for those wanting in-ear headphones for a workout or gym session. They have been designed with being sweatproof as a priority, and the wrap-around design ensures they won't fall off even during a sprint on the treadmill.

During testing, we said that "What makes these earbuds stand out for me is the playback time – 8 hours on one use, plus three full charges from the case. It feels really comforting knowing that I can do a long journey, like catching a train, onto a four-hour flight and then an airport transfer on the other side all on one charge. With extra juice in the case as backup."

Read our full review of the Soundcore Sport X10 earbuds here.