This hub lists wireless earbuds in two main styles: noise cancelling and open-ear. Noise cancelling models seal your ear and cut outside sound for focused listening. Open-ear and clip-on models leave your ear canal free, which suits listeners who want to hear their surroundings.
The Baseus Inspire XP1 review covers a pair with strong ANC for the money. The Baseus Eli Sport 2 review looks at rugged open-ear earbuds and their trade-offs. For another noise cancelling option, read about the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds. The JBL Tune Buds 2 review covers big bass and battery with average ANC.
How do I choose the right earbuds?
Start with how much outside sound you want to hear. Pick noise cancelling earbuds if you want to block outside sound. Options here include the Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds and Soundcore Liberty 4 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds. Pick open-ear earbuds if you want to stay aware of your surroundings. The SHOKZ OpenFit 2 Open-Ear Headphones and Baseus Eli Sport 2 Open-Ear Headphones Wireless Earbuds fit this style.
Next, look at how each pair stays on your ear. In-ear models sit inside the ear canal and form a seal. Clip-on models hold onto the outer ear instead of sitting in the canal. The Baseus Inspire XC1 Open Ear Clip-On Earbuds and Soundcore AeroClip by Anker Open-Ear Earbuds use this design.
- Active noise cancelling (ANC)
- Microphones pick up outside sound, and the earbuds play an opposite signal to cancel it.
- Adaptive noise cancelling
- Noise cancelling that adjusts its strength to match the sound around you.
- Open-ear
- A design that rests outside the ear canal, so you keep hearing traffic and voices around you.
Frequently asked questions
Which earbud brand should I pick: Apple, Baseus, Soundcore, SHOKZ, Devialet, Raycon or Status?
Pick by style first. Baseus and Soundcore list both open-ear and noise cancelling models here. SHOKZ appears with an open-ear model. Apple, Devialet, Raycon and Status appear with noise cancelling earbuds. Read each product page to compare fit and features.
Should I get noise cancelling or open-ear earbuds?
Get noise cancelling earbuds if you want to block outside sound. Get open-ear earbuds if you want to hear what happens around you. Open-ear designs leave the ear canal free, so they do not cut outside noise.
What are clip-on earbuds?
Clip-on earbuds wrap around the outer edge of your ear and leave the canal open. One pick here is the Baseus Inspire XC1 Open Ear Clip-On Earbuds. Another is the Soundcore AeroClip by Anker Open-Ear Earbuds.
