We rank the best earbuds for iPhone on the market today – complete with wired and wireless options!
| Name | Connectivity | Frequency Response | ANC | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Best Overall | Wireless | 5 Hz - 21 KHz | Y | BUY |
| Beats Fit Pro 1st Runner Up | Wireless | 20 Hz - 20 KHz | Y | BUY |
| AirPods Gen 3 2nd Runner Up | Wireless | 5 Hz - 21 KHz | N | BUY |
| Symphonized NRG MFI Best Budget | Wired | 18Hz - 22kHz | N | BUY |
| Powerbeats Pro Best for Workouts | Wireless | 10 Hz - 20 KHz | N | BUY |
| Sony WF-1000XM4 Best Noise Cancellation | Wireless | 20 Hz - 20 KHz | Y | BUY |
| Jabra Elite 7 Pro Most Versatile | Wireless | 20 Hz - 20 KHz | Y | BUY |
| Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset (iOS) Best for Video Recording | Wired | 15 Hz - 22kHz | Y | BUY |
| Pioneer Rayz Pro Best for Long Listening Sessions | Wired | 10 Hz - 22kHz | Y | BUY |
| Belkin SoundForm Rise Best for Calls | Wireless | 20 Hz - 20 KHz | N | BUY |
How to Pick the Best Earbuds for iPhone
The obvious choice when it comes to earbuds for iPhone is Apple’s AirPods lineup. They have that Apple ecosystem compatibility that lets you get the most out of both devices.
However, the AirPods have a steeper price-for-feature ratio when compared to other earbuds in the same price bracket. And they’re not fully compatible with non-Apple devices, making them less ideal for multi-platform users.
Luckily, there are other earbuds available that have just as good – if not better – technical specs. So, read on to see our list of top-rated earbuds for iPhone and how to choose the best pair for you.
Compatibility
Not all earbuds are compatible with the iPhone due to the proprietary Lightning connector and lack of an audio jack. This limits your options, especially if you want to use wired earbuds.
Sure, buying run-of-the-mill ‘made for iPhone’ earbuds on Amazon is easy. But finding good earbuds for the iPhone is another challenge since not many can access all of Apple’s powerful features.
That said, there are two factors that you should look at to ensure the best compatibility between your earbuds and iPhone:
Connectivity
Most modern devices released in the last few years use Bluetooth 5 technology for wireless connectivity.
Bluetooth 5 is backward compatible, so you’ll have no problem using them with older devices. However, it’s important to remember that iPhones only use the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) codec. For this codec to work properly, both your iPhone and earbuds must support it.
Features
Apple’s ecosystem offers better compatibility between iOS products. For example, the newer Beats and Apple earbuds have either the H1 or H2 chip that allows them to connect to iOS devices and access the full range of exclusive features.
The benefits of this include:
- Locating lost Beats or tracking AirPods location through the Find My app.
- Connecting two pairs of AirPods to the same iPhone.
- Using voice-activated Siri commands via AirPods or AirPods Pro controls.
- Activating in-ear detection.
Wired vs. wireless
At the most basic level, wired earbuds are superior in latency and playback time since they don’t rely on Bluetooth or battery. However, the cord limits your freedom of movement.
An additional inconvenience is that iPhone 7 and later don’t have the 3.5mm audio jack. And although Apple offers a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter for this, it has several disadvantages:
- It’s an additional expense.
- Research says it negatively impacts sound quality.
- You’ll have two things plugged into your phone, which may be bothersome.
One upside of the Lightning port is that it produces a digital audio signal. This means earbuds manufacturers can now build a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) into their earbuds, resulting in subjectively better sound quality.
Conversely, wireless earbuds offer much better freedom of movement. However, they run on battery – meaning you have only so much time before having to charge them.
Signal compression (via Bluetooth codecs) is also necessary to transmit audio wirelessly. This means lower audio quality than wired earbuds and potential issues like Bluetooth interference, sound delay, or stuttering.
As mentioned, iPhones only support AAC codec – so your options are limited to wireless earbuds that support it. This also means you’ll miss out on higher-quality codecs like AptX HD or LDAC.
Sound quality
Sound quality is mostly subjective to your taste. However, you can look at a couple of factors to gauge whether the best earphones for the iPhone have good sound quality: frequency response and sound signature.
Frequency response is the range of sounds earbuds produce in the audio frequency spectrum. If your earbuds have a frequency response range of 15 Hz – 15 KHz, it means they can’t produce sounds lower than 15 Hz or higher than 15 KHz.
If you go as far as to measure different earbuds’ frequency response ranges, you’ll notice that some models go beyond what humans can hear. This is to smooth over minor distortions that headphones often have in the upper and lower range.
That said, frequency range is only one part of the equation. Sound signatures can also affect how the earbuds sound.
A sound signature refers to the characteristics of an earbuds’ sound. Different earbuds have different sound signatures that emphasize or de-emphasize different audio elements like the bass, vocals, or treble.
For example, if you prefer a balance between bass and vocal, you should consider earbuds with a V-shaped sound signature like the Beats Fit Pro.
Comfort & fit
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting headphones use to one hour a day to prevent hearing damage. But let’s face it, most of us use them far beyond that limit. And if you’re using poor-fitting earbuds, this translates to discomfort and pain that’s significantly more noticeable compared to regular headphones.
However, you can still wear earbuds comfortably for hours if you prioritize certain fit factors. Here are a few to help you choose the best-fitting earbuds:
- Ear tips – Most earbuds these days come with multiple pairs of replaceable, different-sized ear tips. So, you can swap them out and find the ones that feel best in your ears. While silicone is the most common material for ear tips, we recommend using memory foam ear tips or custom-fit IEMs for the best result.
- Accessories – Some earbuds have accessories to maximize comfort, like ear hooks. These hooks wrap around your ear to create a better fit and reduce pressure on your ear canal.
- General shape and design – Since our ears are unique, some earbuds’ shapes and designs will fit you better than others. Semi-in ear designs like AirPods Pro can fit most ear shapes comfortably. In-ear models like the WF-1000XM4 usually have a better fit and sound isolation – but not everyone will feel comfortable wearing them.
Functionality
Every earbuds model on the market appeals to different users with unique lifestyles, activity levels, and preferences. If you’re a gym rat, you might want the best earbuds for the iPhone that have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and sweat resistance. But others might simply want great-sounding earbuds for casual listening.
You know what you want more than anybody else, but sometimes that’s not enough to make good decisions. So, here are some key things to look out for based on your own needs:
- ANC: If you often use your earbuds in crowded places or can’t concentrate when it’s noisy, you should consider getting ones with ANC. That way, you can block out ambient noises and focus on whatever you’re doing.
- IP rating: Using your earbuds in physical or outdoor activities exposes them to moisture damage and dust buildup. If you do a lot of outdoor activities or often wear earbuds while working out, we recommend you go for earbuds with at least an IPX4 rating.
- Noise-reducing mics: If you plan to do a lot of calling with your earbuds, picking ones with a good mic should be your priority as well. Most earbud mics today use Clear Voice Capture (CVC) or Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for clearer calls. Fortunately, there are many earbuds options with noise-reducing mics, including AirPods and AirPods Pro.
10 Best Earbuds for iPhone [2023]
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Key features
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Form Factor: True Wireless IEMs
- Battery Life (earbuds): 6 hours
- Battery Life (charging case): 30 hours
- IPX Rating: IPX4
- ANC: Yes
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 21 KHz
- Bluetooth Audio Codec: AAC and SBC
When talking about the best earbuds for the iPhone, there’s almost a guarantee that the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) will come first on the list. Being an Apple product, the AirPods Pro have a multitude of iOS-exclusive features, giving you the best compatibility experience you can’t get from non-Apple devices.
Like most Apple products, the AirPods Pro connect seamlessly to your iPhone with the one-step setup. They can also switch effortlessly between paired Apple devices depending on which device is playing audio.
The Apple-designed H2 chip also allows you to pinpoint the AirPods Pro’s location through the Find My app. And the earbuds also have speakers that beep when you use the app.
With ANC on, the AirPods Pro can negate extremely loud noises like plane engines without giving you that vacuum sensation in your head. The transparency mode also sounds very airy and natural, like you’re not wearing earbuds at all.
In the sound department, the AirPods Pro have clear and crisp details across all frequencies despite running on AAC codec. They have an overall balanced sound out of the box. Still, you can adjust the bass, treble, and vocal performance through the Settings app. Additionally, the Spatial Audio feature makes movies and music more immersive.
Beats Fit Pro
Key features
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Form Factor: True Wireless IEMs w/ wingtips
- Battery Life (earbuds): 6 hours
- Battery Life (charging case): 24 hours
- IPX Rating: IPX4
- ANC: Yes
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
- Bluetooth Audio Codec: AAC and SBC
The Beats Fit Pro are our first runner-up and for a good reason. They have similar features to the AirPods Pro which gives them access to Apple-exclusive features.
Other features shared with the AirPods Pro include the powerful Transparency Mode. This mode filters in surrounding sounds instead of suppressing them. Instead of agitating your ears by removing and replacing earbuds during every conversation, you can simply turn on Transparency instead.
The Beats Fit Pro also have automatic ear detection. When turned on, this feature allows your Beats Fit Pro to detect when they are inside your ear, automatically pausing playback when removed and resuming it when reinserted. This smart feature helps you get into your groove quickly and limits the rewinding of that favorite podcast or audiobook.
However, you might be curious as to how they differ? Well, it’s in the design. While the AirPods Pro have a more slender-fitting ear tip, the Beats Fit Pro have a bulkier fit with a wingtip. The wingtip hooks onto the ear auricle to help keep them in place, reducing the chances of your earbuds falling out.
However, the ANC isn’t as powerful in the Beats Fit Pro as in the AirPods Pro. So, you’ll need to choose the types of environments you use them in. Take advantage of the wingtips if you’re an avid jogger, but try something else for the crowded office.
AirPods Gen 3
Key features
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Form Factor: True Wireless Earbuds
- Battery Life (earbuds): 6 hours
- Battery Life (charging case): 30 hours
- IPX Rating: IPX4
- ANC: No
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 21 KHz
- Bluetooth Audio Codec: AAC and SBC
The AirPods Gen 3 might be considered the younger sibling of the AirPods Pro, but they don’t quite make it to the first position for several reasons. While they have many of the same features, including the Find My app, Spatial Audio, and Adaptive EQ, some aspects fall flat.
One thing to notice instantly is that they don’t have ANC, which results in a longer battery life per charge. Unfortunately, depending on your priorities, this may not be the best trade for everyone.
A welcome improvement, however, is the case. The modification to the IPX4 case really helps keep your AirPods functioning for a lot longer, especially if they are your jogging buddies. While the AirPods Pro themselves can withstand a short rain, their charging case was never able to do the same. With Gen 3 AirPods, this is no longer an issue.
Ultimately, when we compare the two, we favor the AirPods Pro. ANC is just too huge of a feature to ignore in 2023. However, if that extra bit of battery life and case protection fits your individual needs, then AirPods Gen 3 could be a legitimate alternative pick for you.
Symphonized NRG MFI
Key features
- Connectivity: Wired
- Form Factor: In-ears
- Cable Length: 4ft
- IPX Rating: N/A
- ANC: N/A
- Impedance: 16 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 18Hz-22kHz
The Symphonized NRG MFI are our first wired earbuds, and they come with an Apple-certified lightning cable.
Coming in at a budget price, for well under $50, they are the perfect choice for most people to get a chance to test out the iPhone’s new Lightning port-compatible headphones. Even more enticing, they happen to be a good pair, too.
While they don’t come with an IPX rating or ANC, those aren’t features we expect with budget earbuds.
Where they go above and beyond for the budget tier is their 18Hz-22kHz frequency response and inline controls. The inline controller allows volume control, pausing playback, and answering calls via the inline mic.
The most controversial part of the design is the Bubinga wood exterior. Bubinga wood is often used for instruments and is praised for its acoustic insulation properties. While that means it certainly works well for making guitars, the small build of the Symphonized NRG MFI makes it a likely placebo at best.
At first glance, the Bubinga looks like a cheap, faux finish. So, if aesthetics are an absolute deal-breaker for you, they might not make it to your top choices when picking earbuds for the iPhone.
Powerbeats Pro
Key features
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Form Factor: True Wireless In-ears w/ ear hooks
- Battery Life (earbuds): 9 hours
- Battery Life (charging case): 24 hours
- IPX Rating: IPX4
- ANC: No
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 20 KHz
- Bluetooth Audio Codec: AAC
The Powerbeats Pro are a great secondary choice to the Beats Fit Pro. However, one of the biggest differences you’ll first notice is that the Powerbeats Pro come with ear hooks, making them great for full-body exercise.
While the Beats Fit Pro wingtips added some security, ear hooks offer better protection by going around the ear to ensure they won’t fall off.
Another area where they beat out the Beats Fit Pro hands down is the battery life. Off a single charge, they can last up to 9 hours. That gives you twelve 45-minute workouts without having to think about charging once.
Unfortunately, they don’t hold up in other areas. While they do have the H1 Chip, other parts of their hardware don’t allow ANC, transparency mode, or adaptive EQ. The verdict is clear; unless you’re going for hardcore workout earbuds, take the Beats Fit Pro instead.
Sony WF-1000XM4
Key features
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Form Factor: True Wireless In-ears
- Battery Life (earbuds): 8 hours
- Battery Life (charging case): 16 hours
- IPX Rating: IPX4
- ANC: Yes
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
- Bluetooth Audio Codec: AAC, SBC, LDAC
- Companion app: Sony | Headphones Connect
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are the latest edition in the popular 1000X series. They’re a popular choice, largely due to their comfortable shape and powerful ANC. However, their price runs high, currently at almost a 50% markup compared to our favorite, the AirPods Pro. So, are they doing enough to justify the price?
It essentially comes down to how much you favor ANC capabilities and what environments you need noise cancellation in the most.
The WF-1000XM4s outperform the AirPods Pro by a mile, though, when it comes to piercing high-pitched notes. They’re also better at blocking out lower frequencies, but tie with the AirPods when canceling out the mids.
If you’re working around grating, high-pitched industrial noises, or deep, rough noises, the Sony WF-1000XM4 are the earbuds to preserve your sanity.
Another key factor about the Sony WF’s noise cancellation properties is the memory foam ear tips. The ear tips work excellently in giving you a comfortable and snug fit. Plus, they’re likely a healthier choice to make as memory foam is shown to have sound-dampening properties.
While the Sony WF-1000XM4 aren’t from Apple, they connect seamlessly with iPhones. This is especially true with the companion app Sony | Headphones Connect, which offers advanced features like sound position controlling, ambient sound control, etc.
Jabra Elite 7 Pro
Key features
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Form Factor: True Wireless In-ears
- Battery Life (earbuds): 8 hours
- Battery Life (charging case): 30 hours
- IPX Rating: IP57
- ANC: Yes
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
- Bluetooth Audio Codec: AAC & SBC
- Companion app: Jabra Sound +
At the core of the Jabra Elite 7 Pro design is the idea for users to have ultimate control over what they do with the headphones. This is highly apparent in the features and specs of these earbuds.
For example, you can simply use one headphone and leave the other one charging. You can also utilize wireless charging, which allows for quick and simple drop-and-grab movement.
Additionally, the earbuds are rated IP57. That number ‘5’ where the X usually goes indicates that the Elite 7 Pro are dust-protected in addition to being water-protected. This shows just how far Jabra is willing to go when it comes to allowing people to use the Elite 7 Pro as they wish.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro also have a great companion app, Jabra Sound+. The app is filled with features that make it a worthy competitor to what Apple has to offer. This includes personalized EQ based on a hearing test and multiple sound modes. These modes offer multiple presets for different activities, such as commuting or studying.
One of the few things against flexibility would be the lack of a wide range of Bluetooth codecs. Luckily, this doesn’t matter as much for iPhone users because they support AAC.
So, where do they fall flat? The ANC is very touch-and-go. It doesn’t provide the same level of quality as the AirPods Pro and certainly not the Sony WF-1000XM4.
Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset (iOS)
Key features
- Connectivity: Wired
- Form Factor: In-ears
- Cable Length: 3.8ft
- IPX Rating: N/A
- ANC: Yes
- Impedance: Not specified
- Frequency Response: 15 Hz – 22kHz
The Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset are wired earbuds with a lightning connector. The unique feature they possess is binaural recording, which makes them great for videos.
If they sound very niche, that’s because they is. Understanding the value of the Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset comes down to understanding binaural recording. This dual-mic recording technique gives listeners the impression that they are in the environment where the sound was recorded.
Coincidentally, the dual nature of the recording the Sennheiser AMBEO Smart headset allows also makes them ideal for ASMR artists.
Also, a special note is that these earbuds are great for posting on TikTok. The wired connection virtually eliminates any lag, creating a more personable feel.
Unfortunately, the lightning adapter can be a bit fiddly, and the hard rubber surfaces of the exterior and wiring begin to degrade in quality after about half a year of use. If you’re a part of the particular market they serve, they’ll do well, but if you aren’t you might want to steer clear.
Pioneer Rayz Pro
Key features
- Connectivity: Wired
- Form Factor: In-ears
- Cable Length: 4ft
- IPX Rating: N/A
- ANC: Yes
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 22kHz
- Companion app: Pioneer Rayz
The Pioneer Rayz Pro are wired earbuds with a unique Lightning plug-in. What makes them so cool and convenient for long listening sessions is the fact that there is a simultaneous listen & charge functionality. You can listen all day without worrying about your phone’s battery life.
Of course, comfort must also be considered when wearing earbuds for extended periods. Luckily, the Pioneer Rayz Pro also have a lot of great options in this realm, including multiple shapes and sizes of comfort tip choices and attachable wingtips. Overall, they give you many options for comfort than typical earbuds bother to.
Additionally, the Pioneer Rayz companion app gives you a great degree of functionality, including a ‘Hey Siri’ mode and customization for the earbuds’ inline control panel. Here, you can also set up the equalizer and smart noise canceling. There’s even a special conference mode for meetings.
Unfortunately, the very thing that makes this product so cool – the charging cord – can also be its downfall. It is finicky, and having multiple points to plug in also means it is riddled with many potential failure points. With just some wear, at least one of the many plug-ins might begin to loosen and potentially fall out.
Belkin SoundForm Rise
Key features
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Form Factor: True Wireless In-ears
- Battery Life (earbuds): 7 hours.
- Battery Life (charging case): 24 hours
- IPX Rating: IPX5
- ANC: No
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 KHz
- Bluetooth Audio Codec: AAC, SBC, AptX, AptX HD
Finally, the Belkin SoundFrom Rise are an excellent choice for calls. They have two beam-forming microphones per earbud, ensuring a good quality uptake of your voice despite having to pick it up from around your head.
The headphones also work to pick up the local sounds of your voice and ignore far-away sounds, like your neighbor mowing their lawn.
Marked by Belkin as a plus for video streaming, the low latency of the headphones also works great for video conferencing. This makes the lips of the speaker more likely to sync up with what you hear. Little touches like this can make or break the feeling of having grandma in the room during long-distance FaceTime sessions.
While they perform excellent for calls, the Belkin SoundForm Rise are lacking ANC. So unless these earbuds fit really well in your ears, you’ll still hear ambient noises. Belkin also doesn’t have a companion app, making them far less customizable – especially compared to other iPhone-focused alternatives.
The main advantage versus the AirPods Pro, then, is simply price. Also, if you want earbuds to use almost explicitly for calls on your iPhone, these are the pair. If not, you may want to pass.
Hi John,
thanks for review. Very good and structured information what helped me a lot.
One thing I noticed. Links you used for “Check latest price on Amazon” at least for first 2 earbuds are incorrect
For Airpods Pro is pointing to some older 2021 version
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZPML7NP
Second Beats fit pro to even more weird product
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07J2Z5DBM
Otherwise all good for me.
Hi Peter,
Thanks for flagging out the errors. We have fixed the issue to the best of ability.
Colin