Top In-Ear Headphones of 2025: Unmatched Quality and Comfort

Explore the best in-ear headphones of 2025 that provide an ideal balance of sound quality, comfort, and portability.

Introduction to In-Ear Headphones

In-ear headphones may not be as ubiquitous as they once were, but they still represent a fantastic compromise for countless users. Unlike earbuds, which can put pressure on your ears, in-ear headphones are often lighter and more comfortable. They also don't have the bulkiness, insulation, and heat of over-ear headphones.

As the name suggests, in-ear headphones sit "on" the ears rather than fully enveloping them or inserting into them, which allows them to be lightweight and comfortable while still allowing users to hear their surroundings. This feature makes them perfect for workouts as an alternative to sports earbuds.

While many headphone manufacturers, including Sony, Beats, and JBL, have shifted their focus towards larger, more immersive over-ear headphones, companies like Grado and the newer Austrian Audio are maintaining their commitment to in-ear models.

Our team of expert reviewers has tested hundreds of pairs of headphones over the years and takes pride in their market knowledge, employing a unique testing process for in-ear headphones.

We have curated a list of the best in-ear headphones that have excelled in our testing, from comfort and build quality to features and, most importantly, sound quality.

Best In-Ear Headphones of 2025: Quick Overview

1. Grado SR325x – Best overall in-ear headphones. Award-winning wired headphones with an open-back design, perfect for home listening.
2. Sony WH-CH520 – Best budget wireless headphones. These headphones excel at basic tasks and are the top choice in the budget wireless segment.
3. Grado SR80x – Best affordable wired headphones. Another open-back pair from Grado, combining incredible value with amazing sound performance.
4. Grado GW100x – Best premium wireless headphones. Unique open-back wired headphones with outstanding sound quality and 46 hours of battery life.
5. Austrian Audio Hi-X50 – Best build quality. Despite being relatively new in the in-ear market, Austrian Audio's Hi-X50 offers unparalleled build quality and excellent sound.

1. Grado SR325x – Best Overall In-Ear Headphones

These headphones boast remarkable sound quality and an open-back design, making them ideal for home use.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: No
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Battery Life: N/A
• Cable Length: 1.8 m
• Built-in Remote and Microphone: No

Pros

• Excellent detail and dynamics
• Beautifully designed
• Durable

Cons

• Significant sound leakage
• Earpads may not fit everyone

If you're seeking in-ear headphones for home music listening and can afford the price, consider these award-winning Grados, which have earned the What Hi-Fi? Award for the fourth consecutive year as the best in their class.

The Grado Prestige series has been a staple for the company since its inception three decades ago. Despite evolving over the years, Grado has made these developments in small, evolutionary steps. The same can be said for the new generation "x."

These wired headphones have always been known for their detailed and clear sound, and this has not changed. However, the "x" generation sounds slightly more precise and penetrating. They remain the clearest and most transparent headphones in their price range.

These Grados once again prove that evolution may be a more reliable way to improve products than a flashy redesign. While you might not like their industrial look, we’re confident you’ll love their intriguing sound. Just keep in mind that they are open headphones, so they let in quite a bit of sound both ways, making them suitable for home use (but not outdoors).

To get the most out of them, connect them to a digital-to-analog converter or a quality sound source, like a portable music player. As noted by our reviewers, "these headphones will sound acceptable with sources [like phones and laptops], but for a laptop and phone, we need an external DAC like Chord’s Mojo, and at least an Astell & Kern’s A&norma music player, if we want to hear all the capabilities of the SR325x."

2. Sony WH-CH520 – Best Budget Wireless Headphones

A winning combination of features and sound quality in an excellent wireless package.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: Yes
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Battery Life: 50 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Cable Length: N/A
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes

Pros

• Balanced and appealing sound
• Excellent battery life
• Useful and extensive management app

Cons

• Dynamic noise cancellation

Sony's premium wireless headphones have dominated our What Hi-Fi? Awards nominations in recent years, but the brand is increasingly shifting its focus to the budget segment — with great results. The WH-CH520 headphones show that a low price doesn’t mean a lack of features — these in-ear headphones can last an astonishing 50 hours without a charge, which is the best performance among all wireless models on this list.

But it's not just their long battery life. Their design, while somewhat plastic, is sturdy enough to stand the test of time, and they’re quite comfortable (though, like any headphones at this price, they start heating up your ears after some time). They work with standard Bluetooth codecs, and you can manage them through Sony’s excellent app.

In terms of sound, they are balanced, informative, and pleasant. Yes, they are not the most expressive in the bass department, but as we happily reported in our WH-CH520 review, "the bass is solid, deep, and well-controlled at the front edges, so the WH-CH520 confidently delivers rhythm."

The mids could use a bit more clarity, but at this price point, they are informative and quite expressive. In the upper range, they combine brightness with fullness, making the highs sound somewhat rich despite their brightness. More detail could be added, and the dynamics are somewhat limited, but considering the price and battery life, we’re happy to overlook this.

Got a slightly bigger budget and want to take advantage of noise-cancellation technology? You should know that the WH-CH720 over-ear headphones from Sony, which are equivalents to these headphones, are current What Hi-Fi? award winners and come equipped with noise-cancellation for just a bit more money.

3. Grado SR80x – Best Budget Wired Headphones

These open-back wired headphones are more affordable than the SR325x, yet offer excellent entry-level sound.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: No
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Battery Life: N/A
• Charging: N/A
• Cable Length: 1.8 m
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: No

Pros

• Energetic, musical sound
• Lightweight and comfortable fit

Cons

• Significant sound leakage

Since their launch three decades ago, the SR80 headphones have spawned numerous iterations within Grado's Prestige series, and the fact that they remain part of the brand-new Prestige X series makes them the longest-lasting model from Grado. The all-new SR80x replaces the award-winning SR80e released in 2014, which was renowned within Hi-Fi circles and only surpassed in price by the Austrian Audio Hi-X15 over-ear headphones.

"Everything we love about their predecessors — their nimbleness, expressive, smooth dynamics, and understanding of well-defined frequencies — has been inherited," we noted in our SR80x review. "The energy and vivacity that made the Prestige models born performers are largely part of the sound signature of the SR80x." They don't offer much warmth or softness, but this time the added refinement makes their straightforward delivery even more appealing.

Like the next model, Grado's SR325x (which tops this list), the SR80x feature an open design and let sound pass through like a sieve, meaning those around you will hear your music, and you'll hear external noises. Thus, they are better suited for home use rather than, say, on a train or bus.

Grado hasn't broken its own rules and revolutionized its legendary headphones, as there was no need to. But the changes made in the SR80x have undoubtedly increased their value in the right direction. For the money, the SR80 model remains the best budget in-ear headphones for home listening on the market.

4. Grado GW100x – Best Premium Wireless In-Ear Headphones

With an open (non-sealed) design, these wireless portable headphones from Grado sound excellent and last a long time.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: Yes
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Battery Life: 46 hours
• Charging: USB-C
• Cable Length: 1.2 m
• Built-in Remote and Microphone: Yes

Pros

• Clean, open, enthusiastically rich sound
• Excellent battery life
• Quality minimalist design

Cons

• No noise cancellation
• Sound leakage

Like their predecessors (GW100), the GW100x occupy a unique niche in the market.

These Bluetooth headphones, powered by a battery, are meant to be portable open-back headphones that let sound in. They do not fold and lack active noise cancellation, placing them in a strange, somewhat contradictory position compared to almost any other pair of wireless headphones.

However, if you need wireless headphones for use in a quiet place — like when you’re walking the dog, doing housework, or gardening — the GW100x will not disappoint. While most top wireless headphones feature a closed design, the GW100x is the only in-ear model that delivers high-quality sound commensurate with its price. In keeping with Grado's signature sound, the GW100x are defined by exceptional clarity and detail, coupled with the rhythmic and energetic quality that makes them surprisingly musical.

"With wires, it’s still better," our reviewers noted in the GW100x review. "Bluetooth performance is excellent, but the GW100x seems to hit a new level of clarity when connected to a source device via a 3.5mm cable."

They complement these sound capabilities with phenomenal battery life (46 hours at half volume), support for aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, and a lightweight body that fits comfortably in your ear.

In the past, we called Grado the kings of open-back headphones for their outstanding achievements in the wired space, and with the superb and very comfortable GW100x, that crown remains on them.

5. Austrian Audio Hi-X50 – Best Build Quality Headphones

Wonderfully designed wired in-ear headphones that also set high standards for sound quality.

Specifications

• Bluetooth: No
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Battery Life: N/A
• Charging: N/A
• Cable Length: 3 m (optional 1.2 m)
• Built-in Remote and Microphone: No

Pros

• Sturdy construction
• Direct and informative sound
• Unbiased design

Cons

• 1.2 m cable

If you need traditional wired in-ear headphones that don't leak sound like the Grados recommended above, this (closed) pair from Austrian Audio is a top choice.

Austrian Audio may not be the most exciting name among new Hi-Fi equipment manufacturers, but the people behind it are former AKG employees and some of the most experienced in the industry. This maturity is reflected in the Hi-X50 headphones.

They are beautifully constructed, with a wide use of metal in the headphone arch. Add in foldable hinges and mounting brackets, and you get a pair of headphones that feel much sturdier and well-constructed than their cheaper plastic competitors. "The headphones are comfortable to use as soon as the initial strong clamp eases," our experts noted in the Hi-X50 review. "We noticed our ears warm up during long listening sessions, but that’s the nature of closed-back headphones. Additionally, these Austrian headphones are lightweight and easy to forget you’re wearing them, which is a good thing."

Bonus: You can replace some components (like memory foam ear pads and headband cushions) if they wear out over time. This not only saves you money on buying new headphones in case of wear but is also good for the environment.

In terms of playback, they generally favor analysis over enthusiasm, but this never crosses over into an unemotional or clinical manner. If you want to deeply dive into a recording and catch subtle instrumental parts, the Hi-X50 excels better than almost anything we've heard in this price range (especially when compared to closed-back competitors).

If you're looking for well-thought-out wired in-ear headphones for portable or home use, these Austrian Audios should be at the top of your list.

How to Choose the Best In-Ear Headphones for You?

Wireless or Wired?

When selecting the best in-ear headphones, you'll want to ask yourself what's most important to you. Do you need wireless headphones with Bluetooth to avoid being tethered to your phone (or another source)? Or do you need a wired pair of headphones that will deliver the best sound quality within your budget?

If wireless, make sure you’re comfortable with the stated battery life and Bluetooth codec support. If your phone or music source supports a higher quality codec, like LDAC or certain versions of aptX, you can take advantage of this by buying headphones that also support it. While active noise cancellation (ANC) is becoming more common in wireless in-ear headphones, it is less prevalent in models that don't seal the ear due to their design, which rests on the ear. Indeed, neither of the wireless Grados nor the Sonys we recommend above have ANC.

Open-Back or Closed-Back?

Moreover, the question arises as to which style you need — open or closed. With wired headphones (and the wireless Grados on this list), open-back headphones provide fantastic sound quality but let music escape, often making them suitable only for home use. Closed headphones, on the other hand, are more commonly found in over-ear models and don't let sound leak, making them more convenient for travel.

Consider Portability

When choosing the best in-ear headphones, you should also think about how portable you need them to be. Most (but not all) pairs can physically fold to fit into a pocket or small bag, and some are so lightweight that you might forget you're wearing them. We always recommend trying headphones in-store if possible — especially if you're looking for in-ear models for workouts — or at least checking their weight.

And if you're looking for a wired pair primarily for home use, pay attention to the length of the accompanying cables and the costs of any additional ones you might need.

How We Test the Best In-Ear Headphones

We have specially equipped, ultra-modern testing laboratories where our team of experienced reviewers tests most Hi-Fi, audio, and AV equipment that comes our way.

Of course, testing in-ear headphones doesn’t always require such conditions. What matters in the headphone testing process is that each pair a) is used as intended, outdoors or at home, depending on their style and type, and b) is compared to the best in their price and style segment — whether that’s one outstanding pair or several, among more than 100 pairs we listen to each year for reviews and What Hi-Fi? ratings.

Indeed, comparative testing is a key part of how we review headphones. We keep the best in their class in our stores to always compare new in-ear headphones with those we know and love and assess how good a given pair is in the market context.

We are always impartial and ensure that each product sounds its best, which is why we listen to many different musical genres and give them ample time (and let them “warm up”), while wired headphones that can be used with a DAC (all but the most budget models) are tested with a suitable DAC.

While sound quality is the number one factor in reaching a final verdict, it is not the only criterion. Several members of the reviewing team wear each pair of headphones to ensure they fit well on various head shapes and are comfortable for long listening sessions. We also pay attention to design and ease of portability during testing, as well as check whether the stated battery lifetimes of wireless models hold up in real-world conditions. If headphones offer active noise cancellation, we make sure a portion of our testing involves using the headphones in different environments.

In-Ear Headphones: FAQs

• What’s better: earbuds or in-ear headphones?
• Which in-ear headphones are best for noise cancellation?
• How do I know if in-ear headphones are right for me?
• Can I wear in-ear headphones during workouts?
• Are wired headphones better than wireless?

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