For most people, the answer to the search for the best earbuds for iPhones is easy. Clearly, the best option is a set of AirPods Pro, right? While that is the answer for some iPhone users, and they are certainly an excellent option, the search doesn’t end there.There are so many earbudsto choose from that work excellently with iPhones, even though they don’t have the same seamless integration as AirPods. Whether people wantearbuds with fantastic ANCorearbuds that can also be used for gaming, there is a pair of earbuds out there for everyone.
Asus ROG Cetra True Wireless Gaming Heaphones
Critical Factors For Choosing The Best Earbuds For iPhone
Buyers should consider the following factors when looking for earbuds on iPhone:
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Earbuds for iPhone in 2024
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Earbuds
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Earbuds are the latest wireless noise-canceling headphones available from Apple as an upgraded version of the AirPod Pro of yesteryear with meaningful upgrades such as the onboard H2 chip, Adaptive Transparency, volume adjustment controls, and precision finding.
It should be no surprise that the second-generation Apple AirPods Pro earned the best overall spot. These earbuds offer a seamless user experience, decent sound quality, and a comfortable fit as long as users don’t need an ear tip size that is too big. Plus, the second generation has made many updates and upgrades over the first-generation AirPods Pro to warrant first-generation users considering jumping to the new generation.
From the outside, these earbuds look very similar to their predecessor. Still, the shape and overall lightweight design quickly became a fan favorite for a good reason, so Game Rant can’t fault Apple for keeping it pretty much the same. The significant changes are much more prevalent under the shell. The upgrade to the H2 chip has given the AirPods Pro 2 a much-needed jump in noise cancelation performance and overall sound quality.
The ANC blocks out the majority of outside noise without giving that weird inner-ear feeling that is created with heavy ANC. However, a lot of the noise-canceling depends on how well users can get the earbuds to fit. When listening to music, everything is clear, and the bass is punchy without being overbearing. When comparing them to the Sony WF-1000 XM5, the AirPods Pro doesn’t have as much balance to the sound, but at lower volume levels, the AirPod was consistently more detailed than the WF-1000 XM5.
KZ ZSN Pro X
The KZ ZSN Pro X is an underrated budget IEM that will blow most audiophiles away. Using 10mm dynamic drivers, these earbuds have fantastic sound quality with robust lows, crystal clear mids, and sparkling highs. Plus, unlike many audiophile IEMs, these have inline controls and a mic.
iPhone users shouldn’t sacrifice sound quality just because of a lower budget. The KZ ZSN Pro X earbuds are a terrific option that can even impress picky audiophiles for under $30. As long as users are willing to use a 3.5mm adapter, these earbuds are one of the best ways to get excellent sound quality for an incredibly affordable price. The sound quality of the ZSN is in an entirely different league from that of the typical go-to budget choice for iPhone users, the Apple Earpods. The ZSN Pro X sounds clear and precise; while not quite on the same level as the Sony WF-1000XM4, these earbuds are still pretty good and about $200 less. While there is no ANC, the large size of each earbud makes it pretty easy to tune out the outside world.
As far as comfort goes, these earbuds are a joy to wear, primarily thanks to their wrap-around IEM style. This way, the bulk of the weight is on the outside of the ear, not the inner ear. However, users with smaller ears might have trouble fitting the bud comfortably into their ears.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise Canceling Earbuds
After the massive success of the Song WF-100XM4, the WF-100XM5 had some big shoes to fill, yet somehow it did. Designed to offer an extraordinary audio experience, the smaller, lighter earbud and charging case comes with an improved ear tip design for comfort. These earbuds redefine what wireless earbuds should feel and sound like.
Since the release of the original AirPods, and now especially with the AirPods Pro, there has been a push for a set of wireless earbuds that can take AirPods down from their lofty pedestal. The Sony WF-1000XM5 seems like the earbuds to do it. These earbuds feel premium inside and out, with excellent sound quality, active noise cancelation, and a user experience that rivals the ease of using AirPods on an iPhone. The only thing holding them back is their higher price tag.
Despite the odd shape of the Sony WF-1000XM5, these earbuds are pretty comfortable. These earbuds are a bit smaller and lighter than their predecessor, the WF-1000XM4, so they are even more comfortable to wear for long periods. Plus, with a fairly robust selection of ear tips in the box, most users can easily find a size that best fits their ears. After finding the proper fit, the passive isolation is pretty good, but the ANC is just that icing on top of the cake that makes tuning out the outside a breeze.
Besides Apple’s own AirPods, the WF-1000XM5 is possibly the most seamless pair of earbuds for iPhones. Getting these earbuds fully connected and ready to listen to is an incredibly straightforward process. Plus, using Bluetooth 5.3, the wireless connection is extremely stable and fast. However, Sony chose not to include support for aptX or aptX HD codecs on this iteration of earbuds, but they still sound amazing.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Wireless Earbuds
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC wireless earbuds are the newest addition to the Liberty earbuds lineup. They feature a pretty impressive battery life of 10 hours on a single charge and 50 hours with the included carrying case, making it easy to get through a work week without recharging. The Liberty 4 NC has 11mm audio drivers to deliver crisp and clear sound, especially with the adaptive ANC, which blocks out 98.5% of outside noise.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC wireless earbuds are some of the newest earbuds from Soundcore. With adaptive ANC 2.0 that blocks out 98.5% outside noise, 10-hour battery life on a single charge, and 11mm drivers for crisp sound, these budget earbuds make quite a good first impression. While these earbuds have features that favor Android users, like LDAC codec support and Google fast-pair, the experience of using them on an iPhone is still pretty excellent.
In Game Rant’sfull review of the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, we found that these earbuds have excellent sound quality, reproducing music and all other content accurately and faithfully. Like the Sony WF-1000 XM4, these earbuds have a pretty bass-heavy EQ out of the box. However, using Soundcore’s app, users can fine-tune the EQ or even use the HearID tool, giving users a series of tones to help create the perfect custom EQ.
Where the Liberty 4 NC really shines is the active noise-canceling. Despite the lower price point, they provide some of the best available ANC, rivaling the much more expensive Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. Using six mics and Soundcore’s AI algorithm to eliminate outside noise, the Liberty 4 NC blocks out full-volume conversations, public transit noise, and annoying flight cabin noise.
Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless
The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless earbuds deliver a thrilling, high-quality sound experience with Active Noise Cancellation, effortless smart interaction, and a sleek design for supremely comfortable all-day enjoyment. These earbuds are one of the best ways to experience high-fidelity audio while using wireless earbuds.
Sennheiser is well-known for its excellent sound quality, whether it’s for over-ear headphones or true wireless earbuds. The CX Plus True Wireless continues to uphold this excellent reputation with sound quality that rivals high-end wired earbuds while having the comfort of a pair of wireless earbuds. These earbuds do not have all the special features that come with most earbuds at this price point, but for users looking for some of the best-sounding earbuds, the CX Plus True Wireless earbuds do not disappoint.
These earbuds do not have as accurate of a frequency response as reference headphones, but they are still pretty accurate. Plus, for most people, completely accurate headphones are boring. That being said, these earbuds sound excellent, no matter what content they are being used for. The highs are sparkly, the mids are clear, and the low-end is emphasized just enough to give the bass lines an oomph while not being overpowering.
The design and shape of the earbuds are probably the most polarizing part of the CX Plus. The large charging case and square shape of everything are not to everyone’s liking, especially compared to Apple’s AirPods' sleek and thin design. However, for users who have used Sennheiser earbuds in the past, these are very similar, and the sound quality makes up for the less-than-ideal design.
Sony LinkBuds Wireless Earbuds
The Sony LinkBuds feature an open-ring design, which allows users to stay aware of their surroundings while enjoying audio. The earbuds are ultra-small and come with five sizes of fitting supporters. The product uses Precise Voice Pickup technology for clear phone calls. A quick 5-minute charge offers up to 60 minutes of playtime with a maximum battery life of 20 hours. The earbuds are also equipped with an IPX4 rating, providing resistance against sweat and splashes.
Unlike the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, the Sony LinkBuds use an open-back design that allows for outside noise. Initially, the donut-shaped driver feels a bit weird, but once users get it to fit correctly, it is incredibly comfortable and doesn’t go anywhere. Even with some pretty heavy movements, these earbuds can’t shake out with the right fit.
Now, these are not the earbuds to tune out the world and jam out. They are made so people can listen to music and still hear the world around them. So, these earbuds are an excellent option for outside runners who want to stay aware of traffic or parents who want to keep an ear out for their children. However, the open-back design does have some pretty considerable drawbacks when it comes to bass performance. Music with a lot of highs and mids comes through very clearly, but once a bass-heavy song comes on, it feels like nothing is playing.
The comfort level that the LinkBuds provide, plus the open-back design, makes these perfect for all-day wear, but the battery life does let that down a bit. At 5.5 hours, they don’t have the shortest battery life, but it would be hard to make an entire workday listening to music the whole way through.
Asus ROG Cetra True Wireless Gaming Headphones
The ASUS ROG Cetra True Wireless Gaming Headphones emerge as the Best Overall pick in this guide for their unbeatable combination of low-latency audio, robust battery life, and superior sound quality. These earbuds are a powerhouse, excelling across crucial factors like battery longevity and noise cancellation, making them the quintessential choice for serious gamers.
Whether people are looking for earbuds that can work for both console and mobile gaming or want a pair that guarantees a low-latency listening experience, the Asus ROG Cetra True Wireless earbuds are perfect. These earbuds don’t stop at the low-latency connection, though. The ROG Cetra earbuds also sound amazing, have solid ANC performance, and come at a reasonable price, especially compared to other gaming earbuds like the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless earbuds.
Despite not supporting aptX for iPhone users, these earbuds deliver a high-quality audio experience, whether gaming or listening to music. The sound quality isn’t quite to the level of the Sennheiser CX Plus or Sony WF1000XM5, but these earbuds are pretty impressive for about a third of the price. Mids and highs are clear, and the lows, while a bit overemphasized, make explosions and action scenes feel much more impactful. However, the narrow sound stage makes it hard to pick out spatial sounds.
Every good gaming headset needs solid microphone quality to be worth it for most gamers, and the ROG Cetra delivers on this. Instead of using beamforming microphones like most earbuds, these earbuds use omnidirectional microphones, which allows voices to sound much more natural and full. However, that does mean these microphones do pick up a fair amount of background noise, which can be annoying, but as long as gamers are in a reasonably quiet environment, these earbuds sound much better than most other earbuds.
The Search Doesn’t End At Airpods
Apple AirPods have been the best overall earbuds for iPhone and will probably continue to be, thanks to their almost flawless integration and excellent sound quality. Game Rant is excited to see what comes out of the coming generations of AirPods from Apple, but they are not the end all be all. For people who don’t like AirPods or can’t afford them, plenty of options will provide excellent sound quality (in some cases better) and still a pretty seamless integration with iOS.
When looking for a pair of earbuds for the iPhone, remember the three key factors for choosing the best earbuds for the iPhone, and the search will be much more straightforward. These include:
FAQ
Q: Do Apple earbuds only work with Apple devices?
While the best experience of using AirPods is with an Apple device, they are also supported on Android devices. They are compatible with any device that can connect to Bluetooth audio.
Q: Do EarPods work with all iPhones?
The newest version of the EarPods from Apple uses a USB-C connection, so those will only work with the iPhone 15 and further generations. However, for people using older iPhones, there are versions of the EarPods that use a lighting connection.
