10 Best In Ear Earbuds 2025 in the United States

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds are a premium choice in the in-ear-earbuds category, excelling in several key areas. One of their standout features is the Active Noise Cancellation, which effectively reduces background noise, making them ideal for use in noisy environments. The Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio ensure you can stay aware of your surroundings when needed, while the Conversation Awareness feature intelligently lowers volume during conversations, enhancing the user experience.

The sound quality is impressive, thanks to the Apple-designed H2 chip and custom-built drivers, delivering crisp highs and rich bass. Additionally, these earbuds offer personalized spatial audio, which adapts to your unique ear shape for an immersive listening experience. The customizable fit with four sizes of silicone tips ensures comfort and a secure fit for various ear shapes, making them suitable for extended use. Durability is another strong point, with an IP54 rating for dust, sweat, and water resistance, making them reliable for workouts and outdoor activities.

The battery life is competitive, providing up to 6 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled and up to 30 hours with the charging case. The case itself is versatile, supporting multiple charging methods, including MagSafe, Apple Watch, USB-C, and Qi-certified chargers. However, the AirPods Pro 2 come at a premium price, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. Additionally, the best experience is achieved with Apple devices, so users of other platforms might not fully benefit from all features. Despite these few drawbacks, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are packed with advanced features and are an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality sound, effective noise cancellation, and seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem.

The Apple AirPods 4 earbuds offer a blend of comfort, sound, and smart features that suit everyday users, especially those already in the Apple ecosystem. They are redesigned with a shorter stem and refined shape, making them stable and comfortable for long wear. Thanks to the H2 chip, sound quality is impressive, with clear voice calls assisted by Voice Isolation, and a rich, immersive experience through Personalized Spatial Audio that adjusts as you move your head.

Battery life supports up to 5 hours on a single charge and 30 hours with the charging case, which is smaller and now uses USB-C for quicker, more universal charging. Noise control features help reduce background sounds, though they focus more on isolation than full active noise cancellation, which might be a consideration if you seek deep noise blocking. Connectivity is seamless with Bluetooth 5.3 and quick pairing to Apple devices, plus handy extras like Siri voice commands and the ability to share audio between two sets of AirPods.

The earbuds and case are IP54 rated for dust, sweat, and water resistance, making them suitable for workouts and light rain but not for heavy water exposure like swimming. Controls are intuitive with touch and press options, including novel head gestures for Siri, which add convenience. The charging cable is sold separately, which might be a minor inconvenience. For those who want earbuds that prioritize ease of use, smart features, and comfortable fit with good sound and moderate noise control, the AirPods 4 are a fitting choice. Users seeking stronger noise cancellation or a lower price may want to consider other alternatives.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are a solid choice if you're looking for in-ear earbuds with strong sound and smart features. Their sound quality is enhanced by an Adaptive Equalizer and AI-driven noise cancellation that adjusts based on your surroundings, helping you focus on music or calls without distractions. Comfort has been improved with a redesigned fit, making them suitable for longer wear. Battery life offers about 6 hours of playback per charge, with an additional 26 hours available from the charging case, which also supports wireless and fast charging.

Noise cancellation is effective and adapts automatically, but if you're in very noisy environments, some users might expect a bit stronger blocking. Connectivity uses Bluetooth 5.4, providing a stable wireless connection within about 10 meters, which is typical for this kind of device. The earbuds are water resistant, so they're safe for light sweat or rain, but not for swimming. Controls are touch-based and customizable, allowing easy management of music and calls. Additional handy features include real-time translation through the Samsung app, which is unique and useful if you often interact in multiple languages.

The charging time of about 2 hours is a bit long, and while the earbuds have a sleek, lightweight design, their durability mostly covers everyday use rather than harsh conditions. For those seeking premium sound, adaptive noise cancelling, and smart extras in a comfortable, stylish pair of earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are a fitting option—especially if you use Samsung devices to get the most from the AI features.