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Because wired earbuds delivertrue hi-res audiowithout Bluetooth compression or battery woes.
Theyre experiencing something of a renaissance (a push back against the ubiquitous AirPods, perhaps?)
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but the truth for audiophiles is, the best wired earbuds never went away.
For testing, we use theFiio M23portable music player andTidalshi-res musicstreaming to ensure consistency.
Want to know more?
Check out ourhow we testandhow we test earbudsguides.
Thats why this guide covers the best wired earbuds for every budget, with options for all connection types.
After extensive hands-on testing, weve curated this guide to highlight the best wired earbuds available today.
Looking for over-ear options?
Check out ourbest wired headphonesguide as well.
A rewarding, affordable choice for music lovers.
You get decent sound, a sleek design that’s comfortable, and a mic for calls.
Expect a comfortable fit and great durability, too.
They’re not perfect, but they’re a fantastic choice if you want a premium look and sound.
March 20, 2025Refreshed the introduction to focus on our years of hands-on testing expertise.
Added score cards to each entry so readers can quickly scan for the info they need about each recommendation.
The Triple Driver buds deliver big, bold and enjoyable audio, considering their price and size.
In our review, we wrote: “Music is exquisitely detailed with a good sense of space.”
This observation still rings true today despite the fact that we’ve tested hundreds more buds since then.
However, they did stick out from our ears a little during testing.
They’re made from aluminum and have dark silver styling, and the buds themselves are small and unobtrusive.
There’s an in-line remote on the cable that has the basics covered and is highly responsive.
A copper cable with silver plating attaches the buds to your music source.
We found the sound to be solid and enjoyable, even at higher volumes.
Read our fullSoundMagic E11C review
SoundMagic E11C score card
3.
If you’re ready to step up to something more audiophile-grade, get the Sennheiser IE 200.
The Sennheiser IE 200 simply sound excellent.
Bass doesn’t get super deep.
They’re also dual-tunable.
We really enjoyed testing these prefs to find our favorite.
The buds are small, light and minimal, weighing only 4g each.
The big question is, does the re-release do the originals justice?
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Especially if we’re talking audio quality.
In our review, we wrote that these buds deliver “an incredibly satisfying sound signature.”
There’s great balance and warmth, serving up an enjoyable yet tightly controlled listen.
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The only way they disappoint just a little is down at the low-end.
These wired earbuds are one of our top picks, but they’re not perfect.
Read our fullMaster & Dynamic ME05 review
Master & Dynamic ME05 score card
5.
These are actually good, though.
The Skullcandy Set USB-C only cost $31.99/29.99 (about AU$50), which is incredibly affordable.
Considering this price, the audio is good.
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You won’t find that here.
The sound is far from great, but it is enjoyable.
The buds also feature an in-line controller, although its functionality is limited.
Read our fullSkullcandy Set USB-C review
Skullcandy Set USB-C score card
6.
A pricey pair of buds that deliver stunning sound in spades.
The Sennheiser IE 600 sound phenomenal and perform fantastically well across all frequencies.
The bass here seriously impresses.
The IE 600 buds look as stunning as they sound with textured metal casing.
We found the foam ones were the best and delivered a decent level of noise isolation, too.
The cable is gray and minimal.
It has a 3.5mm connector, but it also comes with a 4.4mm option and a hard carry case.
In our review, we wrote that these buds are built for hardcore audiophiles.
Read our fullSennheiser IE 600 review
Sennheiser IE 600 score card
7.
The FiiO FH19 are a pair of wired in-ear monitors that aim high.
They’re very deserving of our ‘best elite’ title, showcasing FiiO’s commitment to top-tier quality.
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Theres a lot of audio tech to shout about here.
The company has collaborated with specialized manufacturers to ensure every component contributes to the best possible sound quality.
However, the wired earbuds are on the larger side,.
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Theyre also far from subtle theyre likely to stick out of most ears.
Though switching filters is a bit of a hassle, it adds to the overall premium and customized feel.
However, the high frequencies can be a bit too lively, becoming abrasive at higher volumes.
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They aren’t without their flaws.
The bulky design and issues at the high end of the frequency range may be deal-breakers for some.
However, for those seeking premium tech and a luxurious experience, these wired earbuds deliver.
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Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon
You want a unique sound experience:These buds are unlike anything else.
Want to feel challenged and surprised?
You might find Campfire has tweaked it too much here.
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They sound incredible, look stunning and cost a small fortune.
Lets get something clear.
These Campfire wired earbuds deliver absolutely mind-blowing sound.
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But its also a surprising sound as Campfire intentionally shakes things up.
Everything about these buds is distinctive, including their design.
This revamped design has made the fit more snug and secure.
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The cable has silver-plated conductors ending in 2.5mm balanced, 2.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced connections.
Its almost impossible to get them tangled.
Want to hear unexpected secrets from your much-loved music?
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But sonically, these wired earbuds are unlike any other.
The Shure AONIC 3 deliver a balanced and full-range sound profile.
The only downside is that bass frequencies are not as impactful as we expected.
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But mid-range tones are rich with powerful vocals, blaring electric guitars and impactful percussion.
Theyre not the best-looking buds.
We also found their fit to be comfortable.
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They slip behind the ear like many of the other mid- to high-end range buds in the list.
We found that this makes for a discrete and clean look.
The wrap-around design also ensures cable noise is kept to a minimum.
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If you want wired buds that are the best choice for blocking out sounds, you cant go wrong.
Read our fullShure AONIC 3 review
Shure AONIC 3 score card
10.
If you have it, these earbuds are a no-brainer.
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Activo is a sub-brand of audio tech company Astell & Kern.
And as anyone in hi-fi knows, perfect partnering is the key to audio excellence.
They’re just the ideal companion for the P1 is all.
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If you’ve got a P1 player, they’re a no-brainer.
We found the sound here to be tinny during our testing.
The mic also wasn’t up to scratch and the design isn’t particularly nice.
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EarPods USB-C:These EarPods are a blast from the past for those who have always had an iPhone.
But the audio quality is only fine and any external noise easily seeps into your listening experience.
Read ourEarPods USB-C reviewto find out more.
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But unfortunately, the fit and overall sound disappointed us during testing.
Which you’re able to read more about in ourJBL Tune 305C review.
JBL Tune 310C:If seriously budget wired earbuds are what you’re after, you’ll like these.
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They’re very cheap and bass is decent.
But that’s about it.
Cable noise is noticeable, you don’t get a particularly detailed listen and noise isolation isn’t great.
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Still, if you want a budget second pair, they’ll do.
Take a look at ourJBL Tune 310C reviewfor more.
But otherwise, they’re disappointing, with audio that can sound muffled and really poor mic quality.
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Read our fullPanasonic RP-TCM225 reviewto find out what we wouldn’t recommend them.
Shure SE215:You’ll get a great fit, passive isolation and solid bass here.
However, there are a couple of problems that stop them from making it into this guide.
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The audio is just a little too cluttered through the soundstage, and there’s no in-line mic.
Take a look at our fullShure SE215 reviewfor more.
Preferences:How do you plan on using your wired earbuds?
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You might also prefer a more durable wired earbuds build.
High-quality materials, including metal casing and reinforced cables, are good for durability.
Will you be wearing them when youre walking?
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Another factor wed describe as a need rather than simply a preference is noise isolation.
Wired earbuds dont come with active noise cancellation.
But they are able to block out some ambient sounds, depending on the quality of their fit.
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If you plan on listening at work or on public transport, this is an important consideration.
Budget:Youll want to consider sound quality, of course, and that often comes down to budget.
The best wired earbuds FAQs
What are the best USB-C wired earbuds?
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TheSoundMagic E80Dare our top USB-C wired earbuds pick.
If you want a cheaper option, theSkullcandy Set USB-Care our top budget USB-C wired earbuds choice.
Do wired earbuds have better sound quality?
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The question of whether wired earbuds have better sound quality compared to wireless earbuds depends on several factors.
First up, wired earbuds benefit from a direct connection to your audio source.
This can sometimes result in higher fidelity audio that sounds clearer and more detailed.
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Wireless earbuds can also suffer from latency issues and additional compression of audio files.
What are the disadvantages of wired earbuds?
While wired earbuds offer several advantages, they also come with certain disadvantages that might make them less appealing.
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The main difference between wired earbuds and wireless earbuds is, as you’d expect, the wire.
Wired earbuds also have limited connectivity options.
Are wired earbuds healthier than wireless?
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Wireless earbuds use Bluetooth, which emits low levels of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation.
Hearing health is more complicated.
How can I use wired earbuds with my USB-C phone?
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The easiest way is to buy buds that have a USB-C connector.
They’re made to plug directly into your phone’s USB-C port without any adapters.
Most phones will recognize the machine and switch the audio output to the wired earbuds.
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Just be sure to check that the adapter is compatible with your phone model.
It’s not just about pure sound quality, of course.
Added the Activo Q1 Hybrid IEMs as our ‘best for budget players’ pick.
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