BEST EARBUDS OF 2016
While the popularity of over-ear headphones may be on the rise, for portability, nothing beats earbuds. While wireless models offer the ultimate in portability, the circuitry and the nature of wireless signals can introduce unwanted noise. Wired earbuds might not be the sleekest choice, but they’re still the earphone of choice for many people.
In this list, we’ll be looking at both. While many might call these IEMs or earphones instead, considering that many manufacturers still use the term “earbuds,” we’ll be sticking with it for simplicity’s sake.
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We’ll be kicking things off with our favorite wired in-ears, and move on from there.
RHA T20
by RHA – ($228.85) Amazon.com
Much like some of the other lists we’ve updated in the past few weeks, you’ll be seeing a lot of sequels or one-ups of products that were featured on earlier versions of this list. Previously, we had RHA’s T10s, and while they’re still great, the T20s are even better.
The look and feel of the T20s are very similar to the T10s, but inside is a whole new driver that RHA has dubbed DualCoil™. This offers increased dynamic range and better clarity than the T10s, which were already among the best options we’d heard in their price range.
The swappable filters, one of our favorite aspects of the T10s, return in the T20s. It would be easy to dismiss these as a gimmick, but they actually work surprisingly well, allowing you to tailor the sound to your taste. This, combined with the large amount of tips included, makes the T20s much more customizable than any other in-ears we’ve seen.
At $239, the T20s cost $50 more than the T10s, but if sound quality is paramount to you, they’re absolutely worth it. For a better idea, see our reviews of both the RHA T20and the older T10. Both are available with a simple cable, or with an iOS-compatible mic and remote. There’s a reason these have a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, so why not see (or hear) for yourself.
Jaybird X2
by Jaybird – ($127.88) Amazon.com
What if you just plain don’t like wires? It’s time for yet another sequel. While the original Jaybird BlueBuds X occupied a spot on this list for a year, they’ve been pushed out of the way by the new improved X2s.
Though the BlueBuds branding is gone, these are without a doubt a follow-up to the BlueBuds X, as a simple glance at the headphones will confirm. The style has changed somewhat — the X2s are sleeker, more modern — but you’d be forgiven if you mistook the X2s for a new paint job on old headphones.
The sound remains similar, but has sweetened a bit, and the inclusion of Comply brand memory foam tips makes finding a good fit much easier with the X2s than with their older sibling. While battery life remains close to the original, albeit a bit better, the included case is of a much higher quality, and should keep the X2s much better protected than the older case did the BlueBuds X.
The difference between the T10s and T20s comes down to a matter of taste, but here there is no need to make a decision: The X2s are better than their predecessor in every way, and since they sell for the same price, cost shouldn’t need to be a deciding factor. Sure these have a 3.8 out of 5 star rating on Amazon, but for the full details on the X2s, see our review.
Jabra Sport Pace Wireless
by Jabra – ($99.99) Amazon.com
While the Jaybird X2s are fine to wear at the gym or for a run, they’re more general purpose than headphones focused on fitness, like Jabra’s Sport Line. Released just this month, the Jabra Sport Pace Wireless offer many of the same features found in other headphones in the same line, only at a lower price.
It would be an easy assumption to make that the lower price would mean decreased sound quality, but fortunately that isn’t the case here. The same sound we loved in the more expensive Jabra Sport Pulse is present here, and while the heart rate tracking included in those headphones isn’t present in the Sport Pace, a slew of fitness tracking features are.
As with a few other Jabra headphones, the fitness tracking centers around the company’s Sport Life app, which allows you to plan and track workouts. A dedicated button on the left site allows you to interact with the app without needing to take your phone out of your pocket.
If you’re looking at something like the Beats Powerbeats 2 but don’t want to pay that much, the Sport Pace Wireless are a great option. Not everyone prefers over-ear hooks to in-ear wings, but if you do, these are some of the best out there for the price. For more information, see our review. With a 3.2 out of 5 star rating, these aren’t to be overlooked.
GOgroove AudiOHM RNF
by GOgroove – ($24.99) Amazon.com
But what if you don’t care about wireless and just want a good pair of in-ears without spending a ton of money? You’re in luck, as there are a bunch of great options out there, including the venerable Monoprice 8320 — aka. the Enhanced Bass Hi-Fi Noise Isolating Earphones. They’re still great and can be had for less than $20, but they’re not exactly rugged.
For the GOgroove AudiOHM RNF, on the other hand, rugged is just the beginning. From the metal housing, to the fortified y-connector and cable connectors, to the sturdy cable itself, these are built to last. If that wasn’t enough, the AudiOHM RNF even come with an included carrying case, which isn’t often found at this price.
You might notice the housing seems a little larger than other in-ears in this price range, which is due to the 9mm driver — larger than we often see in budget ‘buds. These larger drivers make for powerful lows and good low-mid depth, while the highs are better than we often find in this price range, especially considering the rugged build. Noise isolation is fairly good as well.
The AudiOHM RNFs aren’t without their issues, but if you’re looking for an inexpensive pair of in-ears that will last you longer than a few months, these are one of the few we’ve encountered that won’t let you down. There are plenty of other options for the price, but these are often overlooked, and really don’t deserve to be. For a more in depth take, read our review.
We’ve said this in other lists, but here it’s truer than ever: everyone’s ears are different, and sometimes it can be tough to get a good fit. Two of the items on this list can’t be used with custom ear tips, but it’s definitely worth looking for custom tips if you can use them with your earbuds. Remember: better fit = better sound.
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Best, Headphones, In Ear Headphones
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