10 Best In Ear Headphones for Audiophiles to Get in 2021

Looking to find the best in ear headphones for audiophiles you can grab online at the moment? We take you head-first into the world of the best in-ear earphones to buy for your Android or iOS device.

With the rapid increase in technology, the audio segment has improved drastically with many options for the consumers to choose between. If you’re an Audiophile, you must be confused about which In-ear headphones to purchase lately. So here we are with a compilation of “Best In Ear Headphones for Audiophiles”.

Talking about Audiophiles, they are very enthusiastic about Audio technology. An Audiophile prefers pure Audio experience over fancy technology, so choosing the best In-ear headphones is a tough thing to do. Before we provide you with the compilation of the Best In-Ear Headphones you can get for your money, here are few factors that are to be considered while purchasing in-ear headphones.

Our Pick of the Best In Ear Headphones for Audiophiles

Sony WF-1000XM4

9.7/10

Buy Now

Apple AirPods Pro

9.5/10

Buy Now

Sennheiser Momentum 2

9.1/10

Buy Now

Factors to consider while purchasing Best In Ear Headphones for Music

Build Quality

Build Quality is one of the most important things to consider while purchasing a headphone or earphone, as they are exposed to the surroundings more often than other gadgets.

As In-ear headphones are quite expensive, one might expect them to last long. So, it is always advised to check for the build quality before purchasing one.  

Size of the Driver

For starters, the driver is a small speaker that generates sound by converting the electrical signals. Usually, people believe that the headphones with a bigger driver perform better than headphones with smaller ones, and it is completely a myth.

The headphone with a big driver unit performs well at producing bass and on the other hand, the headphone with a small driver unit performs well at producing Treble. So, it is always advised to choose the headphone that matches your musical preference.

Audio Quality

As said earlier, Audiophiles always look for a pure Audio experience and they expect the best out of all. There are multiple options in the market for the best In-ear Headphones for Audiophiles, so it is always advised to check for all reviews and ratings of the device before getting one.

Connectivity

Usually, headphones or earphones feature Wired or Wireless connectivity. Most of the wired headphones or earphones come with either a 3.5mm Jack or USB-C port for connectivity.

When it comes to wireless headphones or earphones, most of them feature Bluetooth technology for connectivity. It is advised to purchase the earphones/headphones based on the requirement.  

Compatibility

Talking about compatibility, almost every manufacturer is developing earphones/headphones that can run on any platform, but few products are designed for a specific platform and in such cases, compatibility issues might arise.

(Best example for this situation is some earphones/headphones don’t support all the features that were once supported on an Android device when paired to an Apple device.)

So, it is advised to check for compatibility support before purchasing an in-ear headphone.

Pricing and Warranty

Talking about Pricing, it is the most basic thing to look out for. As there are several options for in-ear headphones for audiophiles. It is advised to compare the price of several products that are listed under the same price tag and analyze them by checking reviews and ratings.

When it comes to Warranty, it is an assurance from the manufacturer end to the customer about the product. It is better to purchase a product that has more Warranty because it comes in handy when the product is not functioning.

Comparion for Best In Ear Headphones for Audiophiles

Image	Product	Features	Price
	Sony WF-1000XM4	Exceptional Audio Quality and ANC Excellent Battery life Supports Qi Wireless Charging	Check Price
	Apple AirPods Pro	Transparency mode and Spatial audio support.   Comes with IPX4 support.   Ergonomic design	Check Price
	Sony WF-1000XM3	Decent Audio Quality and Noise Cancellation.   Excellent Battery life with Quick Charging.   Quick Attention and Adaptive Sound Control.	Check Price
	Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2	Excellent Battery life with Quick Charging.   Supports SBC, AAC, and aptX codec.    Impressive features like Smart Pause and Transparent Mode.	Check Price
	Bose QuietComfort Earbuds	Decent Audio Quality and Magnificent Noise Cancellation.   Supports Wireless Charging and Quick Charging.   Bass is perfect with the Volume Optimized EQ feature.	Check Price
	Google Pixel Buds A-Series	Ergonomic design and strong build quality   Decent Audio Quality and Battery life.   Very affordable price tag.	Check Price
	Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus	Impressive Audio Quality and Battery life.   Very affordable price tag.	Check Price
	Sony WF-SP800N	Decent Audio Quality and Build Quality.   Noise Cancelling is better than expected.   Fits very well.	Check Price
	Sennheiser CX 400BT	Magnificent Audio Quality and Build Quality.    Excellent Battery life and does supports Quick Charging.    Supports SBC, AAC, and aptX codec.	Check Price
	LG Tone Free FN7	Medical Grade Hypoallergic Ear Gels are very comfortable    Decent Battery life and does supports Quick and Wireless Charging.    Supports SBC and AAC codec.	Check Price

Best In Ear Headphones for Audiophiles

Here is the compilation of “Best earbuds for Audiophiles” with detailed information about each product along with the Pros and Cons.

Sony WF-1000XM4 - Best in-ear Headphones for Audiophiles

Everyone is familiar with Sony and its products. Sony manufactures a wide range of products and one of the most famous ones is its Audio products. Talking about the audio products of Sony, they feel very premium on the hand are up to date in terms of technology.

In addition, almost every product of Sony has excellent reviews and ratings. Coming to in-ear headphones, they are very trendy and almost every headphone manufacturers started developing and manufacturing new products.

Similarly, Sony has manufactured the Sony WF-1000XM4 which can be considered as one of the best sounding wireless earbuds. As we are talking about the best in-ear headphones for Audiophiles, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is arguably the perfect match.

Product Overview:

Features of Sony WF-1000XM4:

1. Features a 6mm driver unit along with Integrated Sony Processor V1.
2. The microphones on this device are very accurate, thanks to the beamforming microphones.
3. Features Bluetooth 5.2 technology and pairs easily with devices.
4. Sony WF-1000XM4 provides a battery life of 8 hours and an addition of 16 hours with the case included.
5. Features fast charging along with Qi wireless charging technology.
6. Features IPX4 rating which can withstand splashes and sweat with ease.
7. Comes with special features such as “Smart listening” and “Virtual assistant” support.

User Experience:

The user experience of Sony’s WF-1000XM4 is promising. The earbuds are designed very carefully and fit very well in the ear, thanks to the ergonomic design.

The best part of these earbuds is Sony’s “Speak to Chat” technology which analyses the user’s activity and automatically reduces the volume during conversations.

The reason for listing “Sony WF-1000XM4” in the compilation of best in-ear headphones for audiophiles is due to its excellent audio output. The output is exceptional and the noise cancellation stands to the company’s claims, thanks to Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 with LDAC codec support.

Pros & Cons

Pricing: $278

Apple AirPods Pro - Best Feature Packed Earbuds

Apple is one of the prominent manufacturers of consumer electronics and the first thing that strikes one’s mind while hearing the word “Apple” is iPhones, which are premium smartphones from Apple.

In addition to iPhones, they make a wide range of premium electronic gadgets and as we are discussing “Best in-ear headphones for Audiophiles”, let us talk about the “Apple Airpods Pro”

Product Overview:

Features of Apple AirPods Pro:

1. Apple Airpods Pro features a Custom high-excursion Apple driver.
2. Supports Active Noise Cancellation and the results are decent. 
3. Comes with special features such as Transparency mode, Adaptive Equaliser, and Spatial audio technology.
4. Features Dual beam-forming microphones.
5. Comes with Bluetooth 5 for connectivity and is compatible with Apple devices only.
6. Features fast charging along with wireless charging technology.
7. Apple AirPods Pro comes with an IPX4 rating and also supports Siri.

User Experience:

When it comes to User experience, Apple AirPods Pro is very comfortable, thanks to the ergonomic design and light form factor. Apple AirPods Pro is considered in the compilation of best in-ear headphones for Audiophiles, as the audio output is very impressive.

The reason behind this is the Custom high-excursion Apple driver and special features such as Transparency mode, Adaptive Equaliser, and Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking technology.

“Transparency mode” on Apple AirPods Pro is quite similar to the “Speak to Chat” technology on Sony’s WF-1000XM4 and as the name suggests, the Adaptive Equaliser adjusts and tunes the music depending on the shape of the ear.

The best out of all these features is the “Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking technology”, which adjusts the surround sound experience based on the movement of the user’s head.

Pros and Cons

Pricing: $250

Sony WF-1000XM3 – Best Alternative to Sony’s WF-1000XM4

Sony’s WF-1000XM3 is the predecessor of WF-1000XM4. As it is a predecessor, it does miss few features when compared to the WF-1000XM4. Though the WF-1000XM3 lacks few features, the audio output is quite impressive, and as a result, it is listed as the best in-ear headphones for Audiophiles.

Sony’s WF-1000XM3 is the best alternate for WF-1000XM4 as it is affordable and does compete with today’s premium earbuds.

Product Overview:

Features of Sony WF-1000XM3:

1. WF-1000XM3 comes with a 6mm driver unit and also supports Noise cancellation, thanks to Sony’s HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1e and Dual Noise Sensor Technology.
2. Features dual microphones and for connectivity, Sony WF-1000XM3 features Bluetooth 5.0 technology.
3. Sony WF-1000XM3 provides a battery life of 24 hours of noise-free listening and 32 hours of battery life with noise cancellation off.
4. WF-1000XM3 supports quick charging and also supports Alexa.
5. WF-1000XM3 comes with special features such as “Quick Attention” and “Adaptive Sound Control”

User Experience:

The user experience of Sony’s WF-1000XM3 is up to the mark. The earbuds provide a snug fit and are very comfortable on the ear.

The Audio quality is impressive and an audiophile would approve it, thanks to the 6mm driver unit. With the help of Sony’s HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1e and Dual Noise Sensor Technology, the audio quality has improved drastically.

Special features such as “Quick Attention” and “Adaptive Sound Control” make the audio experience a lot better. Coming to the “Quick Attention” feature, reduces the volume when the user enables it, which is very handy when the user wants to talk with others.

On the other hand, the “Adaptive Sound Control” automatically adjusts ambient sound settings based on the situation.

Pros and Cons:

Pricing: $198

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 - Best Audio Experience Earbuds

Sennheiser is one of the famous Audio companies that manufacture premium and flagship audio products. Most of the Sennheiser products focus on providing a pure audio experience to the user and as a result, Audiophiles adore Sennheiser.  

Sennheiser’s earbuds are very famous and are usually considered as one of the best sounding wireless earbuds in the market. Here are other earbuds from Sennheiser called “Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2”, which might be the best earbuds for Audiophiles.

Product Overview:

Features of Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2:

1. Features 7mm - dynamic drivers, with stereo sound technology and supports SBC, AAC, and aptX codec.
2. Features “Single-Mic ANC” for Active Noise Cancellation. 
3. Comes with Bluetooth 5.1 technology for connectivity.
4. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 provides 7 hours of battery life and an addition of 21 hours of battery life with the charging case.
5. The earbuds come with an IPX4 rating and also supports Virtual assistant.
6. Comes with special features such as “Smart Pause” and “Transparent mode”.

User Experience:              

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 can be described as a device that is very focused on providing a pure Audio experience. The earbuds are very convenient in-ear and when it comes to prolonged use there are no complaints, thanks to the ergonomic design.

The Audio experience is magnificent and an Audiophile would adore it. The stereo effect on Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 is very promising and to make things better Sennheiser has added SBC, AAC, and aptX codec support.

ANC works as promised and is very useful while having a call or listening to a song. The “Smart Pause” feature on the earbuds is quite impressive as the song automatically pauses when the earbuds are removed and continues when the user puts them back.

Pros and Cons:

Pricing: $228.79

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds – Best Looking In-Ear Headphones for Audiophiles

Just like Sennheiser, Bose is also an Audio company that makes premium and flagship audio devices. Bose has a wide range of products and almost every product of their has decent reviews and ratings.

As we are talking about “Best in-ear headphones for Audiophiles”, here is one from Bose which is the “Bose QuietComfort Earbuds”.

Product Overview:

Features of Bose QuietComfort Earbuds:

1. Features High-Fidelity Audio Technology and supports SBC and AAC codec.
2. Features “Acoustic Noise Cancellation Technology” for Active Noise Cancellation. 
3. Comes with Bluetooth 5.1 technology for connectivity.
4. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds provides 6 hours of battery life on a single charge and does support Qi Wireless charging technology.
5. The earbuds come with an IPX4 IP rating and are very durable.
6. Comes with special features such as “Full Transparency mode” and “Volume Optimized EQ”.

User Experience:

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are very convenient to use and are very reliable. The Audio experience on Bose QuietComfort is impressive, thanks to the High-Fidelity Audio technology. When it comes to the ANC, the earbuds feature “Acoustic Noise Cancellation Technology” and it is very helpful while listening to music and attending calls.

To improve the audio experience, Bose has introduced “Full Transparency mode” and “Volume Optimized EQ”. The best part of Volume Optimized EQ is it provides a consistent balance of bass irrespective of the volume level, thereby improving the audio experience.

As the earbuds are mostly focused on lifestyle, they might not impress a true Audiophile but they can be considered as one of the best in-ear headphones for music.

Pros and Cons:

Pricing: $279

Google Pixel Buds A-Series - Best In-ear Headphones for Everyday Use

Google is known by everyone as it is the famous Search Engine of all time and provides a lot of Internet-related services, but Google is not just a search engine but a collection of many things. Google develops Android and also manufactures Consumer electronics.

Talking about Consumer electronics, everyone is familiar with Pixel smartphones which are developed by Google. As we are talking about Best Earbuds for Audiophiles, Google Pixel Buds A-Series can be considered in the list, let us see what Pixel Buds A-Series is up to.

Product Overview:

Features of Google Pixel Buds A-Series:

1. Features Custom-designed 12mm dynamic driver unit, the Audio experience is decent.
2. Features Passive Noise Cancellation technology
3. Comes with Bluetooth 5.0 technology for connectivity.
4. Google Pixel Buds A-Series provides 5 hours of battery life on a single charge and an additional 20 hours with the case.
5. The earbuds come with an IPX4 IP rating and are very durable.
6. Supports Google Assistant

User Experience:

You might have already noticed that the Google Pixel Buds A-Series are no match to the ones that are mentioned above. Google Pixel Buds A-series might not have all the high-tech features but as we are talking about earphones for Audiophiles, this is an affordable choice.

Talking about the user experience, the buds provide a snug and secure fit. The audio experience is surprisingly good in earbuds at this price, thanks to the Custom-designed Google’s 12mm dynamic driver unit.

For Noise Cancellation, the earbuds support “Passive Noise Cancellation” and the background noise can be heard. As these are affordable and we are looking for a pure audio experience, the Google Pixel Buds A-series steals the spot.  

Pros and Cons:

Pricing: $149

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus - Best Battery Life in In-ear Headphones

Not everyone might be heard of Cambridge Audio, it is similar to companies like Sennheiser, JBL, and Jamaica which focus on manufacturing high-end audio equipment. Cambridge Audio’s products focus on a pure Audio experience and have a decent price tag.

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus can be considered as an affordable alternative to the Google Pixel Buds A-series. As we are talking about the best in-ear headphones for Audiophiles, let us see what Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus is capable of.  

Product Overview:

Features of Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus:

1. Features 5.8mm Graphene driver unit with High-Performance Audio Mode Technology.
2. Supports aptX and AAC codecs
3. Features Passive Noise Cancellation technology
4. Comes with Bluetooth 5.0 technology for connectivity.
5. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus provides 9 hours of battery life on a single charge and an additional 36 hours with the case.
6. The earbuds come with an IPX4 IP rating and are resistive to splashes and sweat.
7. Comes with a dedicated app to customize the audio using EQ along with several other features.

User Experience:

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus feels like a better alternative to the Google Pixel Buds A-series as it has more features and is affordable.

Talking about the user experience, the buds are not ergonomic and as a result, the earbuds pop out of the ear. When it comes to the Audio experience, Cambridge Audio has managed to provide the best audio experience, thanks to the 5.8mm Graphene driver unit and High-Performance Audio Mode Technology.

The earbuds feature Passive Noise Cancellation, but it isn’t effective as ANC. To sum up things, Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus might be the best affordable earbuds for Audiophiles.

Pros and Cons:

Pricing: $99.95

Sony WF-SP800N – Best In-ear Headphones for Sports

Here are another Sony earbuds in this compilation. The Sony WF-SP800N is an alternate to WF-1000XM3 and WF-1000XM4. As Sony provides a balanced audio experience, Audiophiles usually adore their products. Let us look close into WF-SP800N and see what the earbuds are capable of. 

Product Overview:

Features of Sony WF-SP800N:

1. Produces Extra Bass Audio, thanks to Sony’s 6mm driver.
2. Features Digital Noise Cancellation Technology with SBC and AAC codec support.
3. Comes with Bluetooth 5.0 technology for connectivity.
4. Sony WF-SP800N provides 9 hours of battery life on a single charge and does support Qi Wireless charging technology.
5. The earbuds come with an IP55 IP rating and are excellent for sports, as they have a three-dimensional curved design.
6. Comes with special features such as “Ambient Sound mode”, “Adaptive Sound Control”, and “Quick Attention”.

User Experience:

Unlike WF-1000XM3 and WF-1000XM4, the Sony WF-SP800N is designed for Sports. The WF-SP800N provides a very firm fit and won’t fall any time soon.

The audio experience is a little weak when compared to WF-1000XM3 and WF-1000XM4 but the bass is very impressive. The earbuds feature Digital Noise Cancellation Technology but aren’t effective as ANC.

The best part of the earbuds is the “Ambient Sound mode”, “Adaptive Sound Control”, and “Quick Attention” which are very useful in real-time situations.

Pros and Cons:

Pricing: $129.99

Sennheiser CX 400BT - Best Audio Experience in Affordable In-Ear Headphones

Sennheiser CX 400BT is an affordable alternative to Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2. You might miss few features in the CX 400BT, but it can be considered as one of the best earbuds for audiophiles.

Product Overview:

Features of Sennheiser CX 400BT:

1. Features 7mm driver, which produces High fidelity sound and supports SBC, AAC, and aptX codec.
2. Features Passive Noise Cancellation. 
3. Comes with Bluetooth 5.1 technology for connectivity.
4. Sennheiser CX 400BT provides 7 hours of battery life and an addition of 20 hours of battery life with the charging case.
5. Comes with a special feature called “Built in-Audio Equalizer”

User Experience:

Sennheiser CX 400BT is very convenient to use and doesn’t cause any inconvenience when used for several hours straight. There isn’t a lot to talk about CX 400BT, as it is concentrated on providing a pure audio experience to the user and it is very impressive.

If an Audiophile is looking for affordable earbuds and doesn’t want to pay for the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, the CX 400BT is the best choice.

Pros and Cons:

Pricing: $99.98

LG Tone Free FN7 – Best ANC In Ear Earbuds

LG is famous for its electronics and has a wide range of products including consumer electronics which has decent reviews and ratings. As we are talking about the best in-ear headphones for Audiophiles, here is one from LG called “LG Tone Free FN7” that might match the description.

Product Overview:

Features of LG Tone Free FN7:

1. Features Preset EQ with Meridian Sound effects.
2. Features Triple microphones per bud and supports Active Noise Cancellation.
3. Features Bluetooth 5.0 technology for connectivity and pairs easily with devices.
4. LG Tone Free FN7 provides a battery life of 7 hours and an addition of 14 hours with the case included.
5. Features fast charging along with Qi wireless charging technology.
6. Features IPX4 rating which can withstand splashes and sweat with ease.
7. Features Medical Grade Hypoallergic Ear Gels for comfortable use.

User Experience:

Unlike other in-ear headphones listed here, the LG Tone Free FN7 comes with a twist. The LG Tone Free F7 features Medical Grade Hypoallergic Ear Gels and they are super comfortable to use. The company claims that the ear gels eliminate bacteria and is safe for prolonged use.

Talking about the Audio experience, it is very promising with LG’s Preset EQ and Meridian Sound effects. The audio produced is slightly inclined to bass, but the results are magnificent.

Active Noise Cancellation is as promised and is very useful while listening to songs and attending calls.

Pros and Cons:

Pricing: $129.99

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use in ear earbuds while charging?

Since most earbuds are wireless, with the charging coil built into the case, there is no way of listening to the audio of earbuds while charging them. This is actually a safety mechanism since it is considered hazardous to use earphones and headsets while charing them.

Are noise-canceling earbuds bad for your ears in the long term?

Science seems to support that the technology behind noise cancellation earbuds is safe to use for people of all ages. Users have reported hearing a slight hissing sound at times when using ANC headphones, and while it may seem irritating, or even unbearable to some ears, it does not damage your hearing in any way.

SUMMARY:

These are some of the best in-ear headphones for Audiophiles. Almost every product in this compilation has received excellent reviews and ratings.

If you’re looking for premium best in-ear headphones for music and calls, the Sony WF-1000XM4, Apple AirPods Pro, and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 are very impressive.

If you’re looking for affordable alternatives, the Google Pixel Buds A-Series and Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are very promising.