10 Best Earphones 2025 in the United States

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium wireless earphones that excel in delivering immersive sound and effective active noise cancellation, removing twice as much background noise compared to the previous model. Their 3D spatial audio and adaptive EQ provide rich bass and clear vocals, making music and calls enjoyable. Comfort is well-addressed with five sizes of silicone tips to ensure a secure, personalized fit for most ears. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 8 hours with noise cancellation active and even longer when using other modes.

The earbuds support seamless Bluetooth connectivity and quick switching between Apple devices, adding convenience for users in the Apple ecosystem. Durability is reasonable with water resistance and a sturdy build, although the charging case does not include a cable, so you'll need your own USB-C charger. Additional features like heart rate sensing, live translation, and hearing aid support make these earbuds stand out for fitness and accessibility needs.

These earbuds suit those seeking advanced noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and smart health-related extras in a compact, comfortable design.

Apple AirPods 4 are designed with comfort in mind, featuring a redesigned shape that stays stable during daily use and quick-press controls that make handling calls and music easy. They deliver impressive sound quality thanks to the new H2 chip, which also enhances call clarity by isolating your voice from background noise. The Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking offers an immersive listening experience, which is great for enjoying music and movies.

In terms of noise handling, these earbuds provide active noise cancellation alongside a transparency mode, helping you focus or stay aware of your surroundings. Battery life is solid, offering up to 5 hours on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case. The new case is smaller, supports USB-C charging, and includes a speaker to help locate it if misplaced. The AirPods 4 are sweat, dust, and water resistant (IP54), making them suitable for workouts and outdoor use. Connectivity is seamless with Bluetooth 5.3 and effortless pairing, especially for iPhone users. Built-in sensors pause playback when you remove the earbuds, which adds convenience.

On the downside, although the case supports USB-C, the charging cable is sold separately, which might be inconvenient. While active noise cancellation is effective, it may not match the depth offered by some specialized competitors. The earbuds also have a somewhat premium price point, which may not suit all budgets. These AirPods shine for iPhone users looking for comfortable, stylish earbuds with strong sound, smart features like Siri voice controls and spatial audio, and reliable battery life. They work well for everyday activities, workouts, and media consumption but might be less suited for those who want the absolute top-tier noise cancelling or a more budget-friendly option.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are designed for users who want high-quality sound combined with smart features and comfort. They deliver immersive audio with Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation powered by Galaxy AI, which adjusts to your environment to block unwanted noise while letting you stay aware of important sounds. The Adaptive Equalizer further enhances sound to suit how you wear the buds, providing a personalized listening experience. Comfort is improved with a redesigned fit intended for long wear without discomfort, making them suitable for daily use. The earbuds are lightweight and water resistant, adding to their durability for everyday activities.

Battery life offers about 6 hours per charge with an additional 26 hours from the charging case, which supports fast and wireless charging, so you can quickly get back to listening. Connectivity uses Bluetooth 5.4, providing a stable connection within about 10 meters. Extras include touch controls for easy playback and calls, plus real-time language translation features, useful for travelers or conversations in different languages. The charging time of about 135 minutes might feel long compared to some competitors, and while the earbuds are water resistant, they are not fully waterproof, so caution is needed during heavy workouts or rain. The price point and features make them a strong choice for Samsung phone users or anyone seeking intelligent noise cancellation and sound optimization with a sleek design, though those prioritizing the longest battery life or the toughest waterproofing might want to look at other options.