Wired earbuds give you better sound for less money than wireless ones, with no charging and no lag. These seven picks, mostly chosen from RTINGS' lab tests, include audiophile in-ear monitors, two monitors made for musicians, USB-C earbuds with a mic for modern phones, and a budget pair that sounds far better than its price.
The best wired earbuds are the Meze ALBA (~$159): balanced, comfortable, and they come with USB-C and USB-A adapters, so they work with phones that have no headphone jack.
For the best sound money can buy, get the Sennheiser IE 900 (~$1,700). On a budget, the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO (~$60) are excellent, and the Samsung AKG Type-C (~$17) are the best cheap USB-C pair with a mic.
Wired earbuds are back. They cost less than wireless earbuds for the same sound quality, never need charging, have no Bluetooth lag for videos and games, and don't end up in a landfill when the battery dies. Most of the best ones today are in-ear monitors (IEMs): sealed earbuds with detachable cables, originally made for musicians on stage, that give audiophile-level sound for well under $100.
Most of our picks are based on RTINGS' lab measurements and its wired and in-ear recommendations, which compare frequency response, consistency, comfort, and noise isolation; for the three RTINGS hasn't tested, we used manufacturer specs and professional reviews. We only include earbuds sold new on Amazon, so we left out several RTINGS favorites, including the CrinEar Reference and MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK, because they're frequently returned there. Since most new phones have no headphone jack, we note which picks plug straight into USB-C and which need a small adapter. Prices are per pair.
| Earbuds | Plug | Mic | Sound | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meze ALBA | 3.5 mm, USB-C and USB-A adapters included | No | Balanced | Most people | ~$159 |
| Sennheiser IE 900 | 3.5 mm, 2.5 mm, and 4.4 mm cables | No | Detailed, punchy bass | Best sound | ~$1,700 |
| Sony IER-M500 | 3.5 mm | No | Dark, bass-forward | Musicians, secure fit | ~$120 |
| Beyerdynamic DT 73 IE | 3.5 mm, 6.35 mm adapter | No | Neutral, slight treble lift | Classical, piano, acoustic | ~$580 |
| TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO | 3.5 mm | No | V-shaped, punchy | Budget | ~$60 |
| Samsung AKG Type-C | USB-C | Yes | Neutral, extra bass | USB-C phones and calls | ~$17 |
| Apple EarPods (USB-C) | USB-C | Yes | Light, casual | iPhone, calls | ~$19 |
The best wired earbuds RTINGS has tested for everyday use. Their balanced sound stays close to RTINGS' target, with a little extra low bass for thumping kick drums and accurate mids and treble that keep voices and instruments natural. What makes them stand out is the included USB-C adapter (plus a USB-A attachment), so they work with modern phones, laptops, and tablets right out of the box.
Worth knowing: there's no mic for calls. They block some noise passively but have no noise canceling, as with all IEMs.
Check ALBA price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Sennheiser's flagship in-ear monitors (IEMs), built around a single 7 mm dynamic driver rather than a stack of tiny ones. Reviewers consistently praise their detail and their clean, punchy bass, and the small aluminum shells seal well enough to block a lot of outside noise. The box includes three cables, a standard 3.5 mm plus 2.5 mm and 4.4 mm balanced, and a choice of silicone and foam tips.
Worth knowing: they're very expensive for earbuds, and reviewers note it can take some experimenting with tips to get the fit right. There's no mic. RTINGS hasn't tested them, so this pick is based on Sennheiser's specs and professional reviews. For more audiophile options, see our best audiophile headphones.
Check IE 900 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Sony's new stage monitors, launched in 2026 for singers and instrumentalists who need earbuds that stay put while they move. Adjustable fitting supporters and four sizes of noise-isolating tips lock them in place and block a lot of stage noise. Reviewers describe a darker, bass-forward sound, with full, punchy bass, relaxed treble that never gets shrill, and a surprisingly wide soundstage.
Worth knowing: the dark tuning loses some clarity in busy mixes, so they're not ideal for detailed mixing, and one review found the fit tiring after about half an hour. Sony says they handle sweat and rain, but there's no official water-resistance rating. 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.One of Beyerdynamic's new family of in-ear monitors, each tuned for a different kind of musician. The DT 73 IE are voiced for strings, winds, and keyboards: reviewers describe a largely neutral, uncolored sound with moderate bass and a gentle lift in the treble that brings out the overtones of a piano or violin. They're very small, isolate well, and are easy to drive at 16 ohms.
Worth knowing: the bass is deliberately restrained, so they're not the pick for hip-hop or EDM, and there's no mic. 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 best budget wired earbuds RTINGS has tested. Their slightly V-shaped tuning adds punch to kick drums and keeps vocals clear and present, with plenty of sizzle up top. Once you get a good seal, they sound very consistent from one session to the next. The lightweight resin shells are comfortable, and the cable loops over your ears.
Worth knowing: the included foam tips wear out quickly, and the 2-pin connectors need some care. There's no USB-C adapter. The ZERO:RED version comes with an adapter that adds more bass.
Check ZERO price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Simple USB-C earbuds tuned by AKG. They plug straight into any USB-C phone, tablet, or laptop, with no dongle, and have a mic and controls on the cable. The sound is fairly neutral with a little extra bass boom, and their low latency makes them good for videos. RTINGS lists them as a cheaper alternative to its top USB-C pick.
Worth knowing: the cable isn't detachable, so if it breaks, the earbuds are done. They don't have an app or EQ.
Check AKG Type-C price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.The familiar earbuds Apple used to put in the box. They don't seal in your ear, so they let in outside sound, which some people prefer for staying aware on walks and at work. RTINGS found them well-built, comfortable, easy to use, and decent for calls. The USB-C version works with iPhone 15 and later, iPads, Macs, and most Android phones.
Worth knowing: the open fit means weak bass and no noise isolation, so they're a convenience pick, not a sound-quality one. They can fall out during runs. RTINGS tested an older version of the EarPods.
Check EarPods price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.| Wired earbuds | Wireless earbuds | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound for the money | Better; no Bluetooth compression | Good, but you pay for batteries and chips |
| Lag with video and games | None | Small, sometimes noticeable |
| Charging | Never | Every day or two |
| Lifespan | Years; replace the cable if it breaks | Batteries fade after two or three years |
| Noise canceling | Rare; passive isolation only | Common |
| Convenience | Cable can snag | No wires, charging case |
Most new phones, including every iPhone since the iPhone 7, have no 3.5 mm headphone jack. You have three options:
In-ear monitors seal deeper in your ear canal than basic earbuds, which blocks more outside noise and gives fuller bass. They usually have detachable cables, and many loop the cable over your ears for a secure fit. Regular earbuds like the EarPods rest at the entrance of your ear, so they're more casual and let in more sound. For more, see our IEMs vs. earbuds explainer and our best IEMs. For a broader explanation of headphone styles, see our guide to headphone types.