In-ear monitors are the best value in personal audio: wired earbuds that seal in your ear, block noise, and can outperform wireless earbuds costing several times more. These nine picks, mostly chosen from RTINGS' lab tests and all sold new on Amazon, run from a budget favorite to Sennheiser's flagship, with picks for musicians and travelers.
The best IEMs for most people are the Meze ALBA (~$159): a balanced, accurate sound, a secure over-ear fit, and USB-C and USB-A adapters in the box.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA (~$90) are the best under $100, and the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO (~$60) are the best budget pair. For the best sound, get the Sennheiser IE 900 (~$1,700). For blocking noise, nothing beats the Etymotic ER4XR (~$299).
In-ear monitors (IEMs) are wired earbuds that seal deep in your ear canal. They started out as stage monitors for musicians, which is why most have detachable cables and accurate, honest tuning. Today they're the best value in personal audio: a well-tuned $60 pair can outperform wireless earbuds that cost four times as much.
Our picks are mostly based on RTINGS' lab measurements of sound accuracy, isolation, and build. For newer monitors RTINGS hasn't tested, we used manufacturer specs and professional reviews, and we say so on each card. Every pick is sold new on Amazon. We left out several popular IEMs, including the CrinEar Reference, Sennheiser IE 200, and Shure SE215, because they're frequently returned on Amazon.
| IEM | Drivers | Cable | Sound | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meze ALBA | Dynamic | Detachable, USB-C and USB-A adapters | Balanced | Most people | ~$159 |
| Sennheiser IE 900 | Single 7 mm dynamic | Detachable, three cables | Detailed, punchy bass | Best sound | ~$1,700 |
| TRUTHEAR HEXA | 1 dynamic + 3 balanced armature | Detachable 2-pin | Balanced, accurate | Under $100 | ~$90 |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Balanced armature | Detachable | Accurate, light bass | Blocking noise | ~$299 |
| Xvive T7 | 1 balanced armature + 1 dynamic | Replaceable | Not tested by RTINGS | Musicians | ~$120 |
| Xvive T9 | 2 balanced armature | Detachable | Not tested by RTINGS | Stage and studio | ~$200 |
| Sony IER-M500 | 5 mm dynamic | Detachable MMCX-compatible | Warm, bass-forward | Stage and rehearsal | ~$120 |
| Beyerdynamic DT 73 IE | Dynamic | Detachable MMCX | Neutral, slight treble lift | Classical, piano, acoustic | ~$580 |
| TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO | Dual dynamic | Detachable 2-pin | V-shaped | Tight budgets | ~$60 |
The best IEMs for most people. RTINGS measured a balanced sound that stays close to its target curve, with a modest boost in the low bass that adds warmth without muddying vocals. The small shells are comfortable for hours, the cable loops over your ears so they stay put, and Meze includes USB-C and USB-A adapters, so they work with modern phones and laptops straight out of the box.
Worth knowing: there's no mic for calls and no noise canceling, though the seal blocks some noise. For more wired options with mics, see our best wired earbuds.
Check ALBA price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.If you want the best sound you can fit in your pocket, these are it. Sennheiser's flagship skips the multi-driver approach for one carefully engineered 7 mm driver, and reviewers consistently praise its detail, its clean, punchy bass, and how naturally it renders voices and instruments. The aluminum shells are tiny and well made, and the box includes three cables, including two balanced options for high-end players and DACs.
Worth knowing: they're very expensive, and you may need to experiment with tips to get a perfect seal. RTINGS hasn't tested them, so this pick is based on Sennheiser's specs and professional reviews. For more top-end options, see our best audiophile headphones.
Check IE 900 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.A step up from the ZERO for not much more money. The HEXA pair one dynamic driver for bass with three balanced armature drivers for the mids and treble, and RTINGS found them very well matched between the left and right sides, with a balanced, accurate sound that suits almost any genre. The resin shells are light and comfortable, and the standard 2-pin cable is easy to replace or upgrade.
Worth knowing: RTINGS measured a few peaks and dips in the treble, so some cymbals and sibilants stand out more than others. There's no mic, and the 3.5 mm plug needs a dongle for USB-C phones.
Check HEXA price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.The ER4XR fit deeper in your ear canal than any other pick here, and RTINGS found they block more outside noise than some noise-canceling headphones, with no battery at all. They barely leak sound, so they're ideal for flights, trains, and libraries. Etymotic is known for accurate tuning, and the "XR" (extended response) version adds a little more bass than the studio-flat ER4SR. They're durable, and the cable detaches if it ever fails.
Worth knowing: the deep fit takes getting used to, and RTINGS found them slightly uncomfortable. Bass is still light for many listeners, and there's no mic or controls. For wireless options, see our best noise-canceling headphones.
Check ER4XR price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Xvive is best known for wireless in-ear monitor systems for musicians, and the T7 are its hybrid monitors, pairing a dynamic micro-driver for the low end with a balanced armature driver for detail. The shells are 3D-printed in a single pass, and the box includes replaceable cables, a carrying case, ear tips, a cleaning tool, and a 1/4-inch adapter for mixers and amps.
Worth knowing: there's no mic, and USB-C phones need a dongle. RTINGS hasn't tested them, so this pick is based on Xvive's specs and retailer listings.
Check Xvive T7 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Xvive's step-up monitors use two Knowles balanced armature drivers in each ear, a mid-woofer and a micro tweeter with its own port, the multi-driver approach common in professional stage monitors. Balanced armatures are fast and precise, which helps you pick out your own part in a busy monitor mix, and Xvive designs the T9 for studio work, band rehearsals, and live performance.
Worth knowing: the listed frequency response tops out at 16.5 kHz, lower than most IEMs, so they're built for monitoring rather than audiophile listening. There's no mic. RTINGS hasn't tested them, so this pick is based on Xvive's specs and retailer listings.
Check Xvive T9 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Sony's in-ear monitor for performers, with a warm, bass-forward tuning that helps you lock in with the rhythm section, and a secure over-ear fit with fitting supporters that keep them in place while you play. At 16 ohms, they're easy to drive from a wireless monitor pack or a phone.
Worth knowing: the dark tuning loses some clarity in busy mixes. RTINGS hasn't tested them, so this pick is based on Sony's specs and early professional reviews.
Check IER-M500 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Beyerdynamic's DT 7x IE family offers a different tuning for each kind of musician, and the DT 73 IE are voiced for strings, winds, and keyboards. Reviewers describe a largely neutral sound with moderate bass and a gentle treble lift that brings out the overtones of a piano or violin. The shells are very small and isolate well.
Worth knowing: the restrained bass isn't for hip-hop or EDM. RTINGS hasn't tested them, so this pick is based on Beyerdynamic's specs and professional reviews.
Check DT 73 IE price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.The cheapest way into good IEM sound. Two dynamic drivers, one just for the bass, give deep, clean low end, while vocals and instruments stay clear. They're comfortable, isolate well, and the standard 2-pin cable means you can swap in an upgraded cable, or one with a mic, later.
Worth knowing: the included foam tips wear out quickly, and the 2-pin connectors need some care. There's no USB-C adapter.
Check ZERO price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.An in-ear monitor is an earphone that seals inside your ear canal, like an earplug with a speaker inside. That seal does two jobs: it blocks outside noise, so you can listen at a lower volume, and it lets the tiny drivers produce real bass. Most IEMs use one of two driver types, or a mix of both:
More drivers don't automatically mean better sound; tuning matters more. Not sure if you need IEMs or regular earbuds? See our IEMs vs. earbuds explainer.
An IEM that doesn't seal loses most of its bass and lets in noise. Try every tip size in the box, and don't assume both ears need the same one. Foam tips, like the Comply tips included with the DT 73 IE, expand to fill your ear canal for the best seal and isolation, but they wear out and need replacing. Silicone tips last longer and are easier to clean. If an IEM sounds thin or tinny, a bigger tip usually fixes it.
Almost never. IEMs are very easy to drive, and every pick here plays loudly from a phone or laptop. If your phone has no headphone jack, you'll need a small USB-C-to-3.5 mm dongle, which has its own tiny DAC; the Meze ALBA include one. A better dongle DAC can lower background hiss with very sensitive IEMs, and for a desktop setup, see our best headphone amps and DACs.