Since 2014, Bluetooth earbuds have become more popular every year. Customers continue to opt for the wireless earbud option over their cord-using counterparts. With increased Bluetooth technology, they are now compatible with almost any device.
Brands such as Apple, Beats by Dre, and Bose all have great wireless options. But which pair are the most comfortable earbuds? Many people wear their earbuds for hours each day, so comfort is an essential deciding factor. This article will review the best earbuds that don’t hurt your ears, even after hours of use.
Best Comfort Bluetooth Earbuds
In-Ear vs. Over-Ear Earbuds
One important factor is deciding which pair of wireless headphones is best for you: do you want in-ear or on-ear headphones? For activities such as running or working out, over-ear options with a hook can be helpful to keep the earbuds from moving.
However, continually having to readjust the positions of your headphones can be annoying, especially if you have to stop your run from fixing the issue. In addition, the hooks can become uncomfortable during long periods of use if the fit isn’t right.
In-ear earbuds sit inside the eardrum and don’t put any pressure on your head. As a result, they are great options if you want a pair of headphones to use at a desk or for leisure. In-ear earbuds also are smaller and more portable than bigger over-ear options.
Active Noise Cancelling vs. Non-Noise Cancelling
If you travel or have long commutes on public transit, noise-cancelling can be a great option. Annoying background noise can keep you from focusing or getting the peace and quiet you want. Noise-cancelling is a great way to drown out the environment around you.
Certain activities, such as biking or running, can be dangerous with noise-canceling headphones. If you need to hear the environment around you, noise-cancellation may not be a good option. Also, the price point for noise-canceling headphones is typically higher.
Most of the true wireless earbuds on our list are noise-cancelling.
Most Comfortable Wireless Earbuds
AirPods, first released in 2017, has taken the earbud market by storm. They are by far the most popular earbud in the world, and for a good reason. These headphones are consistently reviewed as the most comfortable true wireless earbuds available. The sleek design settles comfortably in the eardrum for a fit that won’t hurt your ears, even with hours of use.
AirPods can pair with any Bluetooth device, but it truly shines with Apple products. With a one-tap setup and Siri capabilities, AirPods can easily unbox and immediately start using. These wireless earbuds sense when you take them out and pause the audio, ensuring you don’t miss anything. The average battery life per charge is 5 hours. The AirPods also come with an on-the-go charging case that provides 24 hours of listening time per charge.
AirPods currently have many versions, but there is a new generation annually. In addition, newer generations of AirPods, like AirPod Pro, offer noise-canceling abilities if desired. Airpods are probably the best wireless earbuds for comfort and audio quality over all.
Sony WF-1000XM4 are truly wireless headphones and the most comfortable earbuds with integrated active noise cancellation and powerful sound. The new Sony WF-1000XM4 has been upgraded with an improved processor and enhanced noise cancellation capabilities. With its innovative design and advanced technologies, these wireless earbuds will be your favorite companion while listening to music or watching videos.
These are great for smaller ears with the foam tips option. They have a solid battery life of 10 hours so you can enjoy the incredible sound performance of Sony and one of the most comfortable earbuds. We think these are some of the best sounding earbuds on this list, next to Bose Quietcomfort earbuds.
Product Features:
- New Sony WF-1000xM4 is equipped with a new high performance DSP chip which provides better noise reduction than previous models.
- Enhanced noise cancellation capability allows users to enjoy their music without any disturbance from outside noises.
- Improved bass response and extended frequency range.
- Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery offers up to 10 hours playback time.
- Upgraded charging case can charge both the left and right earbuds simultaneously.
- Advanced beamforming microphones deliver crystal-clear voice recognition even in noisy environment.
- Talk-to-Chat feature automatically lowers the volume when talking over phone calls.
- Supports LDAC codec for higher fidelity sound.
- Customizable controls allow users to adjust the volume, play/pause music, answer/end calls, change tracks and more.
- IPX7 water resistance rating ensures sweatproof and dustproof operation.
- Compact size makes them easy to carry around.
This pair of over-the-ear headphones offer excellent sound quality and comfort. The earbud hooks on the Powerbeats Pro are adjustable, and go around the outer ear, allowing users to find the perfect fit for their ears. These completely wireless earbuds are excellent for users who love sports and outdoor activities. They are sweat-resistant and don’t move, thanks to the over-ear hooks.
The average battery life is 9 hours, but like the AirPods, it comes with a charging case. These earbuds have fast-charging capabilities; five minutes of charging gives up to 1.5 hours of listening. Each earbud has complete volume control and song controls, so your device isn’t necessary to adjust your music.
Powerbeats Pro can connect with both iOS and Android. “Hey Siri,” voice-activated help comes standard. On Android, downloading the Beats App from Google Store offers additional controls.
For an active lifestyle, these earbuds are a perfect fit. The adjustable hooks allow users to find the ideal fit for their ears. Currently on sale for $169.95, $80 less than the original price, this is a great deal!
If over-the-ear headphones aren’t your style, but you still want a pair of headphones for running and working out, the Bose Sport Earbuds are comfortable in-ear headphones. These earbuds by Bose come with three sizes of StayHear Max tips to keep your headphones in place with any ear shape.
In addition, a unique shape and flexible wing-tip design keep the earbuds in during any workout, no matter the intensity. They are also resistant to sweat and moisture from the weather, so you don’t need to worry about them in light rain. These are some of the most sturdy earbuds available.
Bose acoustic design promises a sound quality much larger than the size of these earbuds. One-touch technology allows for volume control by sliding your finger up or down. Users can answer calls, pause music, and do so much more with a finger touch. They sound good and the microphone quality will stop wind noise when on calls.
Battery life is up to five hours per charge, and it comes with a portable charging case. For example, a fifteen-minute quick charging can give up to two extra hours of listening time.
These earbuds work best with Android devices and Apple users.
These comfortable in-ear headphones from LG are fabulous for calling and everyday use. The call quality is clear for both parties with dual microphones in each earbud. In addition, they have ear gels made of soft, medical-grade silicone for a comfortable feel.
Some exciting factors with these headphones are UVnano charging case and the find my earphone function. The UVnano charging case not only gives your earbuds a fast charge but also disinfects them. Within ten minutes of charging the earbuds, UVnano kills 99.9% of bacteria on the speaker mesh of the earbuds. Any product that cleans itself, especially during a pandemic, is a plus. The find my earphone function works with the LG TONE free app available on both iOS and Android. If you lose an earbud, you can use the app to have the missing earbud play a sound until found. The days of losing a headphone in the couch cushions are over.
Ambient Sound Mode allows for outside sound to come in so that you can be aware of your surroundings. This is helpful for activities such as running and biking.
At the low price of $84.99, The LG TONE Free earbuds are a great economical option.
The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are the second pair of Bose earbuds we are reviewing is more expensive but offers top-of-the-line comfort and sound quality. Every surface of these headphones that touches your ear is soft silicone: the smooth design and material guarantee comfortable all-day use. With three ear tip options, you can find whichever feels best inside your ear. The Bose QuietComfort are some of the most comfortable in-ear headphones on the market.
Bose claims that these Earbuds are “the world’s most effective noise-cancelling earbuds.” Eleven levels of noise active noise canceling, so you can enjoy whatever you listen to in peace. They also have transparency mode, which lowers noise cancellation so you can hear the conversation. This is an excellent function if you want the option of noise cancelation without having it on all the time.
These earbuds have a higher price tag, but the noise cancelation and comfort are worth it.
Jabra boasts “a fit like no other,” with these 75t Elite Earbuds offering great sound quality, call capabilities, and comfort. The comfortable earbuds have four-microphone technology for calls. This helps to filter out distracting background noises, including windy environments. In addition, the size has been tested for a secure fit, ensuring it won’t fall out of your ears and are the most comfortable earbuds.
Easier to use with Android devices; it is compatible with Siri, Alexa, and Google assistant technology. Alexa and Google Assistant are accessible with one-touch technology on the earbud itself. It would be best if you used your iPhone to access Siri. With the Jabra companion App, you have an extremely high level of sound customization. Control bass and treble levels, individual headphone volume, and much more on your smartphone. These are great Bluetooth Earbuds for Watching TV.
These earbuds are sweat-resistant but not waterproof, so be careful in the rain. However, they do come with an extended 2-year protection plan. Which covers against dust and water damage, so you can rest assured that the earbuds are tough enough to withstand day-to-day use.
For a pair of headphones with excellent call quality and sound customization, Jabra is known to make some of the best wireless earbuds, these are no different.
Samsung Galaxy buds wireless earphones are great for Android users but also Apple users. These wireless buds have very good sound performance and noise cancellation, and are also one of the most comfortable earbuds with as many hours of battery life. The silicone ear tips fit well in smaller ears also.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are wireless earbuds that deliver premium sound quality and active noise cancellation. They feature a sleek new design with improved battery life, wireless charging and more intuitive controls. With built-in 360 surround headphones, they provide dynamic sound and an immersive listening experience.
The Samsung galaxy buds microphone quality is better than other true wireless earbuds, this makes these the best noise canceling earbuds due to intelligent spatial audio recognition.
Product Features:
- Enhanced bass response for powerful, rich sound
- Advanced acoustic engineering for superior sound clarity and frequency range
- Built-in 360 surround headphones for immersive listening experience
- New streamlined design with improved battery life
- Improved touch controls for easy navigation
- Quick charge via USB cable
- IPX4 water resistance rating
- Upgraded charging case with additional capacity
- Includes 1-year warranty
Another close alternative is the Google Pixel Buds for android users.
The Beats fit are the best wireless earbuds for running. It seems these are the most comfortable earbuds for an active lifestyle. This pair of earbuds fits more snugly than other earbuds and has amazing audio quality and frequency range.
Beats has always been about more than just headphones. They’re constantly pushing themselves to create products that are better than anything else out there. That means they’ve taken our award-winning design and engineering expertise and applied it to an entirely new category of product — truly wireless noise canceling earbuds. The result? A set of earphones that deliver incredible sound quality, exceptional comfort, and true wireless freedom.
Product Features:
- Flexible, secure-fitting wingtip tips for all-day comfort
- Custom acoustic platform delivers great frequency range with powerful bass response and rich mids and highs.
- Spatial Audio with dynamic Head Tracking for immersive music, movies and gaming
- Two distinct listening modes: active noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Enhanced by the Apple H1 chip for automatic switching, audio sharing (with another pair of beats headphones or Apple AirPods) and voice control.
- Perfect for iPhone users or Android phones
- Sweat and water-resistant earbuds
- Up to six hours of listening time (Up to 24 hours combined with the pocket-sized charging case).
These True Wireless earbuds are the most comfortable earbuds from Sennheiser. Good sound quality and spatial audio in a wide frequency range and it comes with a long battery life. The intelligent noise cancellation blocks ambient noise.
Experience the ultimate wireless listening experience with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2. The innovative True Wireless system allows you to enjoy music without wires while maintaining crystal clear sound quality. You’ll never miss another beat again.
Product Features:
- Ergonomically designed for maximum comfort and ease of use.
- Innovative True Wireless System provides an unparalleled listening experience.
- High fidelity sound reproduction with 7mm dynamic audio driver.
- Built-in active noise cancellation reduces ambient sounds.
- Up to 28 hour battery life with included charging case.
- Customizable controls allow you to easily adjust volume, skip tracks, answer/end calls, and activate Siri.
- Includes two silicone ear adapter sets (XS,S,M, L).
- Included manuals (safety guide and quick guide).
Sony’s new truly wireless earphones are here! The Sony LinkBuds S true wireless earbuds feature an innovative design that allows them to be worn comfortably around the neck or over the ears.
They have been engineered to deliver premium audio quality and superior noise cancellation while providing a secure fit and easy connection to smartphones and tablets. With its advanced noise cancellation technology that blocks ambient noise, the LinkBuds S can block out more than 99% of unwanted sounds, making it ideal for noisy environments such as trains, planes, restaurants, etc.
They sound good and offer and incredible frequency range to make them some of the best wireless earbuds from Sony. They work with Android and Apple devices.
Product Features:
- Truly wireless – no wires to get tangled up.
- Premium Sound – Enjoy high fidelity sound through powerful drivers.
- Secure Fit & Easy Connection – Stay firm in your ear canal and stay connected to your smartphone or tablet with a simple tap.
- Superior Noise Cancellation – Block out unwanted noises with ease.
- Long Battery Life – Enjoy up to 6 hours of playtime when using the included charging case.
- Quick Charging – Get up to 60 minutes of playtime with just 5 minutes of charging time.
- Waterproof – IPX4 rating means they will survive a few drops of water.
- Stylish Design – Sleek and compact design makes these headphones perfect for travel.
- Built-in Mic – Answer phone calls easily with the built-in mic.
- Customizable Controls – Control volume, skip tracks, answer/end calls, and activate Siri with a single button.
- Connectivity – Use NFC pairing to connect to compatible devices.
OpenRun Pro is an open-ear headphone featuring Shokz’ proprietary 9th bone conduction transducer technology. The result is a more natural, immersive sound quality than previous models. With its unique design, OpenRun Pro provides a secure fit while allowing you to hear what matters most – your surroundings.
These are not the most comfortable earbuds, but are similar to wireless earbuds in that they have no cables. Bone conduction headphones may be comfortable since there are no ear tips in the ear canal.
Features:
- 9th bone conduction Transducer Technology
- Wraparound Titanium Frame
- Durable, High-Quality Construction
- Quick Charge for Up To 1.5 Hours Of Battery Life
- 10 Hour Playtime
- Built-In Mic For Voice Control And Call Recording
- Noise Cancelling Microphone
- Stereo Audio Outputs
- 3.5mm Jack Connector
- USB Charging Port
- IPX4 Waterproof Rating
- Lifetime Warranty
Some additional options for earphones are the best Etymotic earbuds or Black Pods, or read Raycon E85 reviews.
Do They Have Different Ear Tips?
Some pairs of earbuds come with multiple ear tips to fit your ear shape. This includes silicone ear tips and foam ear tips. Some even have memory foam ear tips to form perfectly to your ear canal. Each pair of earbuds is made differently, so you may need different ear tips for small ears. The most comfortable earbuds need the most comfortable ear tips.
How is the Sound Quality with True Wireless earbuds?
The sound quality of all of the most comfortable earbuds is very good. Just like wired earbuds without the inconvenience of wires. With today’s technology, Bluetooth has very good sound quality, better than most wired headphones. When you evaluate sound quality and frequency range, there is almost no difference among the best wireless earbuds.
Why do earbuds hurt my ears?
Ear buds with poor fitting can hurt because they rest in an uneven position in the ear canal. It may cause pressure on the ears and causes discomfort. Memory foam tips can be used to improve your earbuds comfort. IF you have small ears looks for earbuds with multiple ear tips.
Wired earbuds can move around due to stress on the cable, this may irritate your ear canal.
What are the most comfortable earbuds?
The most comfortable earbuds are the Bose QuietComfort earbuds or Sony wf 1000xm4 True Wireless earbuds. They both have great sound quality, active noise cancellation, long hours of battery life and provide comfort for long listening sessions.
The most comfortable earbuds fit properly in your ear canal.
Bottom Line
Finding comfortable wireless earbuds for sleeping & sensitive ears can be difficult. Thankfully, these ergonomic earbuds match excellent sound quality with comfort. We recommend Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling earbuds for the most comfortable Bluetooth earbuds. The small size and comfortable material make them a perfect fit in your ear, guaranteeing no discomfort. The best budget option is the LG TONE Free earbuds.
This lower-price pair of headphones still offers maximum comfort for your ears. The bacteria cleaning case is a nice bonus as well. The Powerbeats Pro Over-Ear Headphones are the best over-ear headphones. They are among the few earbuds on the market with adjustable hooks, allowing customers to find a comfortable fit for their ears. To find the best wireless earbuds, read the guide above, and decide which factors are most essential for you!
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