If you’re on the go for most of your day and love listening to music, chances are you want an affordable and durable pair of earbuds for the best listening experience. And if you have small ears, you know how challenging it can be to find earbuds that fit properly and comfortably.
Thankfully, there are plenty of options available that work really well for small ears. For instance, the JLab Epic Sport 2 Wireless Earbuds are rugged yet lightweight and comfortable. They come in a variety of sizes, meaning they'll fit right, and since they're water-resistant, they're perfect for outdoor activities, even in the rain or snow.
Most current models of earbuds are wireless and connect via Bluetooth, but many are still wired via a 1/8-inch headphone — or Lightning for iPhone — jack. If you’re an iPhone user and don’t have Lightning earbuds, don’t worry — there’s an adaptor available that can convert 1/8-inch to Lightning.
Some earbuds are noise-canceling, and while they won't block out background noise completely, they do a pretty good job of isolating the sound coming from your earbuds so you can hear it better. This is a great feature if you're on public transit, in a car or otherwise on the go, as those environments tend to be louder. Noise-canceling headphones typically work by emitting a subtle degree of white noise to cancel out noisy frequencies. They tend to cost a little more, but are a great investment for anybody who needs to be able to focus on what they're listening to without any distraction. They're also excellent for offices and conference calls.
Generally, headphones fall into two different categories: over-the-ear and in-ear. Most earbuds are considered in-ear, but some have hooks that go over your ears, especially if they're meant for sports.
The most important feature of earbuds for small ears are their earbud tips, which are the rubber or silicone parts that fit over the plastic of the earbuds so that they will fit in your ears. If you have small ears, it’s best to go with the smallest size earbud tip. Most earbuds include extra pairs of earbud tips in various sizes.
Most wireless earbuds have buttons or controls on the sides of the earbuds. Usually the main on/off button is on the right side where the Bluetooth antenna is located. Volume control and track shuffle might be on either side or might be accessed by tapping the earbuds a certain amount of times. If your wireless earbuds have a built-in microphone, there may be additional controls or buttons on either side. Most wired earbuds have volume controls on the earbud cords where the two join together into one wire. If your wired earbuds have a built-in microphone, it's generally located on top of this control and can be pushed to talk.
Some wireless earbuds come with custom EQ settings, which can be accessed via tapping or pushing a button. This means you can boost the bass if you’re listening to very rhythmic music like hip-hop, or make it louder all around if you’re listening to rock. Alternatively, you could also turn up the treble for classical music or audiobooks.
Most wireless earbuds come with a case that charges the earbuds, usually via powered USB, when you’re not using them. The case has a built-in battery, which will hold a charge for a certain amount of hours. Most wireless earbuds can last for at least a day without being charged, depending on your usage habits.
Earbuds range in price from $10-$300, the upper range being more typical of earbuds that are custom-molded to one’s ear.
A. If you're a runner or anyone who is often out in the elements or sweating a lot, you'll probably want earbuds that are water-resistant to some degree. Any earbud listed as being for sports will generally be water-resistant. Some earbuds are classified as truly waterproof, meaning they can be immersed in water for a certain amount of time before they stop working.
A. If your earbuds fall out of your ears, you might want to consider wired earbuds. If you really want wireless earbuds instead, look for a model with a lanyard connecting both earbuds or connecting around your neck or to your wrist. You can also get custom earbuds made by having a mold created from the inside of your ear, which is then used to make the earbud fit exactly. These tend to cost more but typically come with a long warranty and are less likely to fall out of your ears because they will fit so well.
JLab Epic Sport2 Wireless Earbuds: available at Amazon
Our take: These durable earbuds are built for high-intensity sports activities in any weather condition and will easily fit any ear size, with a variety of earbud tip sizes and hooks around each ear.
What we like: They have an IP66 waterproof rating. They come with a waterproof charging case, which will charge the earbuds for up to 20 hours. They have a custom EQ setting.
What we dislike: The hooks might be uncomfortable for some users. Bluetooth pairing can be tricky.
Tozo T6 True Wireless Earbuds: available at Amazon
Our take: These affordable wireless earbuds pair quickly using the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology for no dropouts or audio delays, making them great for phone calls.
What we like: They're IPX8 waterproof. They charge in less than an hour. The touch controls are easy to use.
What we dislike: Some users find the hinge of the charging case to be slightly flimsy and the touch controls too sensitive.
Anker Soundcore Life P2 True Wireless Earbuds With Microphone: available at Amazon
Our take: These lightweight earbuds have two microphones and noise cancelation, making them great for the office.
What we like: They come with built-in bass enhancement. The charging case can charge up to 40 hours. They're IPX7 waterproof.
What we dislike: Some users find that the fit is not that comfortable.
Adrian Wengenroth is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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