Earbuds go by many different names, including earphones, in-ear headphones, in-ear monitors or simply buds. They also come in all shapes and sizes and can be both wired or wireless, with some variations. Probably the most widely known (and worn) earbuds are the AirPods, which Apple launched in 2016.
Compared to over-ear and on-ear headphones, they offer a more compact, lightweight design that’s easier to set up and store. Earbuds are often cheaper too (usually), and have better stability. Being small does have its disadvantages - namely with sound quality, which can’t match wired headphones - but every music lover should own at least one pair all the same.
Latest about Earbuds & Airpods
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TechRadar's carefully considered pick of the best earbuds in the business – including one or two new models you might not be familiar with.
Nothing Ear (3a) review: do folks buy Meta glasses because they like the frames? Well, these buds sound good, but their USP had me asking: 'Are they for music, or surveillance?'
Is everything coming up roses for Nothing's new $99 / £99 noise-cancelling earbuds? Depends on whether the USP sits well with you, I think…
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These are the affordable headphones and earbuds actually worth buying.
Here's when Samsung's clip-on earbuds are said to be arriving
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Able (or just 'Galaxy Able') were a no-show, so when could the much-rumored open earbuds release?
Someone used an AirPod to make a 'frisbee tracker' that measures spin and speed, and it looks great
Pavlo Sharhan has created a smart Frisbee that records performance via an attached AirPod
GoldenSound thinks we’ve been using the Harman Curve all wrong, and these new earbuds will prove it
Status Audio and GoldenSound think we’ve been using the Harman Curve all wrong when it comes to earbuds, and their new collab will prove it
The dream of AirPods with removable batteries is still seemingly out of reach, and it's all because of a new EU ruling
Apple fans have been clamoring for AirPods with removable batteries to make them repairable, but it's likely not coming any time soon thanks to a new EU ruling.
The best earbuds for small ears, all tested by a petite-eared audio expert
My pick of the best earbuds for those with a smaller ear canal, tragus or concha, however much you're able to spend.
