10 Best Ear Earbuds 2025 in the United States

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are a solid choice for those seeking premium wireless earbuds. They excel in sound quality, thanks to the Apple H2 chip that delivers high-fidelity audio with crisp highs and rich bass. The active noise cancellation feature is highly effective, capable of reducing background noise significantly, while the transparency mode allows you to hear your surroundings when necessary. These earbuds also offer personalized spatial audio, which can adapt to your unique ear shape for an immersive listening experience.

The fit and comfort are well addressed, with four sizes of silicone tips included to ensure a secure and comfortable fit for a variety of ear shapes. This makes them suitable for extended wear without discomfort. Battery life is decent, with up to 6 hours of listening time and 30 hours with the charging case, though heavy users might wish for a bit more longevity. The earbuds are also dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP54), making them durable enough for workouts and light rain. Connectivity is seamless with Bluetooth 5.3, and the touch controls are intuitive, allowing easy management of playback and calls. Siri integration adds convenience with voice commands.

One of the standout features is the pioneering hearing aid capabilities, including a hearing test and active hearing protection, which can be beneficial for users with hearing concerns. However, the price point is on the higher side, which might be a drawback for budget-conscious buyers. Additionally, while the USB-C charging is modern and widely compatible, some users might miss the older Lightning port if they have invested in those accessories. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer a comprehensive package of advanced features, making them ideal for users who prioritize high-quality audio, noise cancellation, and comfort, despite the higher price tag.

The SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds 3 FE (2025) are true wireless earbuds designed to deliver powerful sound quality with their larger 11mm dynamic drivers, providing deep bass and clear audio suitable for everyday music listening and calls. They include active noise cancellation to help block outside noise, as well as an Ambient mode that lets you stay aware of your surroundings when needed. Comfort-wise, they come with multiple ear tip sizes for a better fit, which should suit extended wear. Battery life is solid, allowing for long listening sessions with fast recharge capabilities.

Connectivity is seamless, especially for users with multiple Samsung Galaxy devices, since the earbuds automatically switch between phone, tablet, and PC. The touch controls are intuitive, letting you manage audio and calls with simple taps and swipes. Added features like hands-free voice assistant access, real-time translation, and a Find My Earbuds function add convenience.

The earbuds are water-resistant, making them durable for daily use, though they may not be best for heavy sweating or swimming. While priced competitively for their feature set, some users might find the noise cancellation less effective compared to higher-end models. These earbuds represent a strong choice for Samsung users looking for balanced sound, comfort, solid battery life, and smart features in a mid-range package.

Apple AirPods are well-known wireless earbuds that work especially well if you use Apple devices. They offer clear and lively sound thanks to the Apple H1 chip, making music and calls sound good. The fit is lightweight and generally comfortable, though their in-ear design might not suit everyone for long use. Battery life is strong, with about 5 hours of listening on a single charge and more than 24 hours total with the charging case, which is convenient for all-day use.

Noise cancellation is basic, focusing mostly on sound isolation rather than active noise cancelling, so they won’t block out loud environments completely. Connectivity is a strong point; AirPods pair instantly and switch smoothly between Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs, which is a great feature for Apple users but less so for others. They have easy touch controls and voice activation through Siri, making it simple to control music and calls without reaching for your phone.

The earbuds are water resistant to some degree, which helps protect against sweat and light rain but aren’t meant for heavy water exposure. In terms of price, AirPods are on the higher side compared to many other earbuds, but they offer seamless integration with Apple products that many find worth the cost. If you use Apple devices and want earbuds that are easy to use with good sound, decent battery life, and smart features, AirPods are a solid choice. However, if you need strong noise cancellation or a custom fit, there are better options elsewhere.