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 Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earphones are designed especially for active users who want secure-fit earbuds that stay comfortable during intense workouts. Thanks to their earhooks reinforced with flexible nickel titanium alloy and multiple ear tip sizes, they offer a reliable and comfortable fit for most ear shapes. In terms of sound, these earbuds deliver rich, balanced audio with clear highs, strong mids, and powerful bass, enhanced by Adaptive EQ and Personalized Spatial Audio for an immersive experience.

The active noise cancellation is the best Beats has made, effectively blocking distractions while also providing a Transparency mode to stay aware of surroundings, which is useful during outdoor activities. Battery life stands out with up to 45 hours total listening time via the compact charging case, and fast charging gives 1.5 hours from just 5 minutes. Connectivity uses Class 1 Bluetooth, ensuring strong, stable wireless connections and seamless integration with Apple and Android devices, including features like one-touch pairing and customizable controls through the Beats app. Durability is good with sweat and water resistance (IPX4), making them suitable for rain or sweat-heavy workouts.

Unique extras include heart rate monitoring sensors that track your pulse in real-time, and excellent call quality with updated microphones. On the downside, the earbuds are slightly heavier than some ultra-light options due to the reinforced earhooks, and the charging case does not include a USB-C cable, which you must buy separately. While the IPX4 rating protects against sweat and splashes, they are not fully waterproof for swimming. These earbuds are ideal for fitness enthusiasts and those wanting premium sound and workout tracking in one package, though casual listeners might find them a bit specialized and pricier than basic wireless options.