The Best Earbuds for iPhone in 2023
iPhones don’t have headphone jacks, but that doesn’t mean you may’t enjoy a fantastic audio experience. Whether directly from Apple or a third party, there are some excellent wireless and wired earbuds available for the iPhone.
Best Earbuds for iPhone Overall:Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation (USB-C)
Apple has updated itsAirPods Pro 2nd Generationfor 2023 with a few welcome changes. They are still small and lightweight buds with a powerful, premium performance. However, the audio quality has improved, with more resounding low frequencies and enhanced details in the mids.
You also get the same excellent ANC that effectively eliminates most unwanted background noise. But, with the addition of Adaptive Audio mode, you get a middle ground between ANC and Transparency mode, and Conversation Awareness detects when you’re in a discussion and reduces the audio.
Another positive development is that the MagSafe-compatible charging case has now switched from a Lightning connector to a USB-C, which is great news for iPhone 15 owners.
AirPods Pro 2nd Gen are the best iPhone earbuds overall. On top of excellent ANC and improved sound quality, the charging case now has a USB-C connector compatible with iPhone 15.
Best Budget Earbuds for iPhone:Apple EarPods USB-C
Apple EarPodsoffer iPhone users excellent value for money. In fact, with the switch to a USB-C connector, Apple EarPods offer users of any USB-C device excellent value for money. While you won’t get the same audio quality that AirPods Pros offer, you will get a set of wired buds that deliver better sound than their rock-bottom price might suggest. In other words, they’re a great choice for casual listening.
They’re also among the best picks you can find in this price range for taking calls. EarPods have always been renowned for microphone quality, and the USB-C update is no different. Voices are crystal clear, and Siri rarely misunderstands.
With the switch to USB-C, Apple EarPods are now the best budget option for almost any device. With good audio and outstanding call quality, you get excellent bang for your buck.
Best Premium Earbuds for iPhone:Sony WF-1000XM5
TheSony WF-1000XM5sare a welcome update on the already fantastic XM4s. The first major update is the size, with the XM5 buds and charging case noticeably smaller and lighter.
The buds' design is also more streamlined and slender, complementing the noise-reduction engine with AI machine learning to considerably reduce background noise, like strong winds, when taking a call. The ANC has also improved significantly, with Sony claiming a 20 percent reduction in noise.
Sound quality-wise, you get the same high-res 360 Reality Audio placing individual sounds in a spherical bubble around you. Additionally, the audio is more balanced than before, offering less emphasis on low frequencies and more focus on detail and clarity.
With their premium price, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer premium features. You get excellent audio quality on top of first-class ANC in a lightweight and compact design.
Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds for iPhone:Beats Fit Pro
TheBeats Fit Proemulates the ANC featured in the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. They also offer more Apple-centric features than other flagship ANC buds, such as automatic device switching, spatial audio, and hands-free Siri access. In short, you’ll experience most of what the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen 2 offer at a lower price.
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds are designed for iPhones, mainly iPhones you like to take with you when exercising. They have a snug fit with wing tips that hold them securely in your ear and an IPX4 rating that repels sweat and light rain.
Audio-wise, the sound profile is now more balanced, although the resonating low-frequencies Beats earbuds are renowned for still reign supreme.
With quality ANC to rival Airpods Pro 2nd Gens, Beats Fit Pro offers a good alternative at a lower price. Bass quality is as resonating as always, but there are improvements in the mids and highs, meaning the audio quality surpasses previous Beats earbuds.
Best Wired earbuds for iPhone:Rayz Pioneer Pro
You might prefer a wired set of earbuds that eliminate the need for Bluetooth pairing and battery charging. TheRayz Pioneer Proearbuds are a quality choice and offer features you might not expect in wired earbuds. Chief among them is the presence of adaptive noise cancellation. While you don’t get the level of reduction that Beats Fit Pro or AirPods Pro 2nd Gens can offer, they still provide a good level for the price point.
Audio is also pleasing, with a balanced and clear sound, and the package includes Lightning and USB-C adapters to make them compatible with most iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. it’s possible to also use them with most Android devices.
Wired earbuds are becoming less common, but that doesn’t mean there is no place for them. The Rayz Pioneer Pro earbuds offer good-quality ANC and audio. Additionally, they come with adapters for both Lightning and USB-C, which means they are compatible with any modern iPhone.
Q: How do I connect my earbuds to my iPhone?
This depends on whether your earbuds are wired or wireless. Most earbuds are wireless, so you must first put them into pairing mode, which usually involves pressing and holding down a button on the buds. Next, you must ensure Bluetooth is activated on your iPhone. The iPhone will scan for your earbuds and display the name on-screen when it finds them.
If you have wired earbuds, you need to ensure you have the correct cable. If your device is an iPhone 15, you’ll need headphones with a USB-C cable. If you have an older iPhone, you’ll need one with Lightning cable.
If you do have an iPhone 15 and you want to use a pair of headphones with a Lightning cable, you’re able to try the officialApple USB-C to Lightning Adapter.
Q: Will any pair of earbuds work with my iPhone?
Most wireless earbuds will work with your iPhone. However, you should ensure they are compatible with your phone’s Bluetooth standard.
If your earbuds are wired, remember that buds with a Lightning cable are incompatible with iPhone 15. Likewise, buds with a USB-C cable are incompatible with older iPhones. If your headphones have a 3.5mm headphone jack, you will need the right adapter, like thisLightning and USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter.
Q: Why are my earbuds not connecting to my iPhone?
There are several possible reasons why your earbuds aren’t connecting. The most common is a Bluetooth issue, and the basic checks you can initially do are to see if you have Bluetooth activated on your iPhone and if your earbuds are in pairing mode. You may also be out of range, or your buds’ battery may have run out of juice.
The old on/off trick can also fix minor Bluetooth issues. Restart both your buds and your iPhone, and try again. If this doesn’t work, you can try resetting your buds to factory defaults or check the manufacturer’s website for firmware updates.
you could also try resetting your iPhone’s network settings (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings), but be aware that this will erase all your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth passwords. You can also check to see if your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Software updates can sometimes fix Bluetooth issues.
If your earbuds are wired, you can try cleaning the USB or Lightning port. Use a flashlight to check for dust or debris and clean with compressed air if possible. Don’t insert sharp objects such as a toothpick, as this could damage the pins.
Q: What are the differences between the different AirPods versions?
The Airpods Pro (2nd Gen) are the latest and greatest. They are superior to the AirPods 2nd and 3rd Gen, while the AirPods and AirPods Pro 1st Gen have been discontinued.
Airpods Pro 2nd Gen earbuds offer the H2 chip and feature excellent active noise-cancelation and Transparency mode with Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. They are also resistant to dust, sweat, and water and come with a Magsafe USB-C charging case.
AirPods 3rd Gen are cheaper than AirPods Pro 2nd Gen but lack those advanced features. However, they improve on the 1st Gen buds by including Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. They are also sweat and water-resistant and have a better battery life.
Q: Why do my earbuds and AirPods keep falling out of my ear?
The most common reason is that they don’t fit snugly. Most earbuds come with multiple ear tip sizes to try. Choose the tip that fits to create a good seal in your ear canal.
If you use your buds when exercising, sweat and continuous movement can cause them to fall out. Ensure your buds are sweat-resistant if you use them for sports or in the gym.
Some earbuds have a hook or wing design to keep them firmly in place when working out and are an excellent choice if you continuously face this problem. If they still fall out, investing in something like theACOUS anti-slip coversmay be your way forward.
Q: What is active noise cancellation (ANC)?
ANC is a technology found in many earbuds and headphones. It helps reduce unwanted sounds from the outside world, especially low frequencies, such as loud engines. This noise reduction also improves sound quality, and you could use ANC headphones without listening to anything to help improve your focus. This last benefit is particularly useful when reading or working.
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