Best Wired Earbuds of 2024

Connection Type: 3.5mm jack | Microphone: Yes

The UliX Rider - 3.5mm wired earbuds stand out from other models by delivering crisp audio reproduction that is well-balanced and impressively clear across the full spectrum of audible frequencies, so you will be able to enjoy an expansive and immersive listening experience of “warm, strong bass, natural clear mids, and full-bodied but bright treble” according to expert listener Gena Bradshaw. Additionally, the sound quality maintains exceptional clarity as the volume is turned up. The call quality is another standout feature, with the built-in microphone capturing our voices with clarity and minimal background interference, making these earbuds a good choice for audiophiles who also take calls on the go.

We only had a couple of criticisms for the UliX Rider - 3.5mm. This model's passive noise cancellation capabilities fell a bit short of perfect, proving they were slightly more susceptible than other models to external noise. Our expert listeners also felt that the treble was a bit brassy, and while they offer a good fit, cosmetically, they are old school (but if you don't mind the wires, this is a non-issue). If you prioritize greater passive noise isolation and are okay with nearly as good a level of sound quality, then you should consider the Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X. Otherwise, you won't outperform the balance of performance and value with any other wired earbud than the UliX Rider; our team agreed that these earbuds have “great detail” and sound “full-bodied, natural, and untampered.”

Connection Type: 3.5mm jack | Microphone: No

The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro wired earbuds deliver remarkably clear and balanced sound with good depth overall, accurately reproducing sounds across a wide spectrum of frequencies, albeit slightly less perfect than the top-scoring models. Their single dynamic driver configuration produces impressive sound quality with particularly well-executed warm mid-range frequencies, rich bass, and edgy treble, although some clarity across the whole spectrum of frequencies is lost at the higher volumes. Our expert listeners noted a natural sound overall, but when it comes to bass, it is “punchy and powerful but lacks a bit of clarity.”

The earbuds do excel at passive noise cancelling, but don't expect an active noise cancelling level of background sound isolation. Strong passive noise cancelling and great sound and vocal reproduction make them especially suitable for studio monitoring applications. Like all wired earbuds, they offer the ultimate convenience of never needing to be charged and do not suffer from data loss like you might experience over a wireless connection like Bluetooth, ensuring uninterrupted studio sessions without battery anxiety.

Despite their acoustic merits, the IE 100 Pro has several shortcomings. Our test team felt that the ear tips were overly soft, and finding the perfect fit took a lot of effort. They also didn't perform as well as the top-scoring models we tested when it came to sound reproduction, and you can't make calls with them — which is something we would expect from a mid-range priced pair of earbuds. Most people will find greater value in a model like the UliX Rider - 3.5mm.

Connection Type: 3.5mm jack | Microphone: Yes

The Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X offers a spacious audio and calling experience that punches above their price point and has strong passive noise cancellation. With dual drivers packed into each earbud, they are able to deliver a rich and balanced soundscape, with notably crisp separations in the mids that best highlight vocal-centric tracks. Our expert listeners really appreciated the dynamic range and punchy bass response that stays tight as the volume increases. Detachable cables are a thoughtful addition, protecting against unexpected tugs that could otherwise damage the earbuds or cause discomfort. For those seeking reliable call quality, these deliver. Strong passive noise cancellation ensures you will have near crystal-clear communication even in noisier environments. These earbuds can also really crank up the volume, or as one of our analysts says, “These buds can party!”.

While the Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X earbuds excel when it comes to sound quality, call performance, and passive noise cancellation, our testers felt that the user experience fell short in the areas of comfort and a secure fit. The overall ergonomics and comfort level of the earbuds may not suit all users, particularly listeners with smaller ears, and they lack the secure fitment that would allow you to confidently use them while moving around and performing tasks. For users willing to overlook the great, albeit less remarkable sound quality as compared to the UliX Rider - 3.5mm, as well as the slightly less comfortable and secure fit, the ZSN Pro X's impressive sound quality and call performance makes it a compelling option, especially at this price point.

Connection Type: USB-C | Microphone: Yes

The Apple EarPods - USB-C is the mainstay for the iconic earbud design that has become synonymous with the brand while offering dependable audio performance for casual listening. Many Apple users will instantly recognize them as the quintessential earbuds from Apple, dating back to the first EarPod introduction in 2012, replacing the more circular design Apple previously offered. More than 10 iPhone versions and over a decade later, these wired earbuds are seemingly the same. The integrated microphone delivers consistent call quality with good external noise isolation, making them a suitable choice for voice calls and virtual meetings. Although classic in design, the USB-C connection ensures broad compatibility with modern devices. As with all wired earbuds, they offer the convenience of never requiring charging, making them a reliable option for users who prefer not to worry about battery life.

Our test team did have some criticisms though, as the Apple EarPods - USB-C's are far from perfect. Their one-size-fits-all approach to design proved problematic for our testers and detrimental to comfort and usability. They manage to feel plasticky, hard, and insecure, resulting in a loose and uncomfortable fit that significantly impacts how long you will want to wear them. While the sound quality is adequate for casual listening, they lack the depth and detail that many competitor models can produce in this price range. Our testers thought that the sound was notably “distant, flat, and lacking in the lows.” That said, their straightforward plug-and-play nature and reliable microphone performance somewhat redeems these shortcomings, making them a practical choice for users who prioritize simplicity and voice call clarity over acoustic excellence. All that said, and Apple enthusiasm aside, we believe most users will actually be much more content with a far superior, but equally affordable model like the UliX Rider - 3.5mm.

Connection Type: 3.5mm jack | Microphone: No

The Moondrop Blessing 3 wired earbuds have garnered significant attention, hype, and anticipation in the audiophile community, and while our experts found their soundstage to be fairly balanced and neutral overall, they failed to excite us with their bland sound. Their build quality feels notably premium, featuring a beautifully crafted shell with an elegant finish that suggests exceptionalism, but the listening experience didn't completely satisfy our expert listeners, especially for a model with a rather high price point.

While the bass is warm, it also “lacks some punch and power, and mid-range frequencies can feel a little thin with vocals that are sterile and underwhelming,” said Bradshaw. The absence of a microphone limits their versatility, especially for users who frequently take calls, but this also lends them to being an okay studio monitor. However, the lack of basic features is incredibly disappointing for its price. We also found that getting a secure and comfortable fit can be challenging, but once achieved, also provides strong passive noise isolation. These are some beautiful earbuds that we really wanted to love, but they didn't perform as well in our testing as less-expensive models like the UliX Rider - 3.5mm and Linsoul in sound and call quality.

How We Test Wired Earbuds

Testing is our priority at GearLab. We've invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to build our state-of-the-art sound testing studio, which allows us to produce unbiased, measurable, and objective test results, formulate scores, and make expert recommendations for any budget and use case.

We also brought together a panel of audio experts who dedicated endless hours to meticulously listening to playlists across a wide range of musical genres, as well as recorded speaking audio, including Harvard sentences, to add human insight to the comparisons made in our frequency response recordings. For more on our frequency response testing, check out our in-depth article about our intensive testing procedures, and how we created our own House Curve for testing the frequency response produced by all of the earbuds we tested.

Sound Quality

Sound quality in earbuds isn't just a luxury, it is fundamental to how we experience music, audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio content in an increasingly mobile world. High-quality sound reproduction allows listeners to experience music as the artists and producers intended, without the loss of subtle nuances that enhance the music. A couple of wired earbuds, which are also rather budget-friendly, did an impressive job delivering this experience, punching above their price point compared to similarly capable earbuds.

Expert Panel Sound Quality Ratings

Product	Bass	Mid-Range	Treble
UliX Rider - 3.5mm	8.8	8.0	8.0
Sennheiser IE 100 Pro	7.8	7.5	7.5
Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X	7.3	7.8	6.5
Apple EarPods - USB-C	5.5	6.5	6.8
Moondrop Blessing 3	5.0	4.5	6.0

The UliX Rider - 3.5mm scored well in our comprehensive sound quality testing. They produce a spacious and layered sound that you might not expect from an earbud as you might with an over-ear headphone, evoking a truly expansive and immersive listening experience. In our individual product review of the Ulix, we wrote, “The treble range is crisp and strong yet balanced in the mix. At high volumes, it can become brassy, but at normal levels, it remains nuanced and full. Abby Webster's high twang sounds superb in 'Tall Boy' and the bright high notes pop in 'Sunny' (featuring Connor Price) by Boney M.”

The UliX Rider sounds neutral, natural, and uninfluenced. It also does not veer in any direction toward favoring a certain frequency range. Both the Linsoul and Sennheiser offer a clear and crisp balance of sound across the full spectrum of frequencies, which namey translates to greater vocal clarity in the songs our experts listened to. The Sennheisers excel at treble frequencies, which can often sound piercing. In the song “Tummy Hurts” by Renee Rap, the sharp, high notes sounded strong but controlled at 1:57. In our review of the Linsoul, we wrote “The electric organ in “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae sounds fabulous. It's forward and present in the mix, with warm and well-developed vocals.”

Many of the wired models we tested offer higher gain in volume than their wireless Bluetooth counterparts, as they don't suffer from data loss inherent with wireless data transmission. In no specific order, the UliX Rider - 3.5mm, Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X, Moondrop Blessing 3, and Sennheiser IE 100 Pro all offered great clarity as we cranked the volume, whereas the Apple EarPods - USB-C surprised us with the lack of ability to really crank up the volume.

User Experience

Sound quality hardly matters if you can not achieve a comfortable fit or use your wired earbuds for more than a short length of time. The UliX Rider - 3.5mm rivaled in comfort with the Sennheisers thanks to their multiple silicone tip sizes that are versatile to all ears. Our testers said the tips also feel “light and nonintrusive,” compared to others. The Linsoul's also never put too much pressure against our ears, but felt a bit clunky.

User Experience Ratings

Product	Comfort	Stability	Customization
UliX Rider - 3.5mm	8.0	8.0	0.0
Sennheiser IE 100 Pro	8.0	7.0	0.0
Moondrop Blessing 3	5.0	8.0	0.0
Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X	7.0	4.0	0.0
Apple EarPods - USB-C	5.0	4.0	0.0

The UliX Rider and Moondrop Blessing's had the best stability of the wired earbuds. We wore these all day long at work and home, and they never fell out. “These could be appealing to those looking to wear earbuds while doing activities,” said Bradshaw. And, while the Sennheisers stayed mostly secure in our ears, the wires go down your back, so it could be easy to swivel them around in your ears if you have long hair or the wires catch on something.

None of these wired earbuds came with any sort of smart app or sound customization, so if you want a pair of earbuds that do have these features, you should visit our earbuds review.

Call Quality

The majority of the wired earbuds our team tested were perfectly suitable for handling phone calls, with the exception of two microphone-free models, the Moondrop Blessing 3 and the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro. These models were better suited for use as an alternative to the typical studio monitor headset or strictly for listening to media.

Call Quality Ratings

Product	Subway	Office	Baseline
Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X	9.0	9.0	9.0
UliX Rider - 3.5mm	8.0	9.0	9.0

Wired earbuds like the Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X did an excellent job of passively blocking external noise. These are able to replicate male and female voices in the Subway clearly. It's worth nothing that Subway calls are the most difficult test we conducted, and even many wireless earbuds failed here while the Linsoul and UliX Rider excelled.

The Subway has a unique mix of sounds from wind, screeching train cars, shuffling of feet, chatter, and booming intercom speakers. This makes it our most challenging test for taking phone calls.

Why Trust GearLab

Before conducting product tests, our team thoroughly researches the market, dedicating extensive time to investigating emerging technologies and comparing the leading offerings. To ensure impartiality, we purchase all tested products at full retail cost. Our expert panel then designs and executes comprehensive evaluations to assess the performance level of each model.

We pulled together an incredible team of experienced audio experts, testers, analysts, and outside consultants to capture the objective data used in our reviews. Our in-house team included Senior Audio Analyst Dave Berkman, a multi-talented artist, musician, and DJ, with more than twenty years of professional studio work, and an impressive list of clientele. Senior Review Analyst Genaveve Bradshaw, brings her invaluable research skills, test design experience, wisdom from years of tenure at GearLab, and musically attuned ears to our testing.

Senior Review Analyst Graham Faulknor, who holds patents to multiple products and has developed a wide range of products from race cars to satellites, brought with him a combination of analytical skills, critical thinking abilities, tech-savvy, as well as product research and design experience.

Writer and contributor Ben Hickok breaks down our team's findings into clear, actionable takeaways, helping readers understand exactly what they should look for when choosing wired earbuds.

Together, their combined musical, audio, and testing experience were critical to designing tests, rating sound, refining our House Curve, executing our testing, and capturing data. We further refined our testing protocols and procedures with the help of industry experts and brought in consultants and audio engineers, including the expert audio test and measurement team from Listen, Inc.

How to Choose the Best Wired Earbuds

You will need to consider a few things before purchasing a pair of wired earbuds, but first, you should make sure a wired pair of earbuds is right for you. Although they are typically more expensive, wireless earbuds may offer some benefits in the way of freedom and comfort that may be worth considering. See our comprehensive review of earbuds, where you can compare dozens of wireless and wired earbuds.

Comfort, Fit, and Stability

Our reviews of earbuds include a user experience score that assesses comfort, fit, and stability — or how easily the buds slip out of your ears. Beyond the decision to go wired or wireless, you'll want to consider the length of time you'll be using your earbuds and whether or not the pair you are interested in can provide a proper fit and comfort for as long as you need or want to use them. You'll also want to consider what you're using them for. If you're bringing them into the office or for studying, stability may not be as important. If you're using them for exercising, you'll want them to be extra snug in your ear. Be sure to look at those scores and our top recommendations so you don't end up with an uncomfortable pair or buyer's remorse.

Sound Quality

Several factors determine earbud sound quality, but two are easier to identify and consider which have the most significant impact on your listening experience. An earbuds frequency response describes how well they reproduce different sound frequencies. A quality pair should deliver balanced coverage across the full spectrum of audible sound. This includes deep bass frequencies of 20-250 Hz, a rich midrange of 250-2000 Hz to crisp highs in the 2000-20,000 Hz range. Uneven frequency response can result in muddy bass, harsh treble, or midrange frequencies that make vocals sound distant and underwhelming.

Many manufacturers will build earbuds around the target frequency response they believe their customers will likely listen to and enjoy, allowing them to utilize specific hardware to the detriment of music that requires a different or less popular frequency response. Whereas, the best earbuds produce a more crisp response across the entire audible spectrum, providing an expansive and immersive listening experience that is layered and detailed all around.

Secondly, gain factors into sound quality significantly. Given the more simple design of wired earbuds, there is far less data loss than there is with wireless data transmission. The end result is that a wired model can generally replicate sound better as the volume is turned up. A good comparison would be the difference between listening to a vinyl record and an mp3 that has suffered data loss through compression so that it can be bootlegged more rapidly around the internet and the world back. Most would agree that the vinyl experience is far superior.

Take a close look at the sound quality scores earned by each of the models we tested to ensure the model you choose will best suit your listening needs.

Connection Type

Most wired earbuds utilize either a 3.5 mm jack or a USB-C connector. While USB-C is the more modern connection type both are widely supported and proven in the audio world. Inexpensive adapters also exist to connect a 3.5 mm jack to a USB-C device, and visa-versa. Wired earbuds won't offer the cable-free versatility and freedom of wireless models and, therefore, do not require a Bluetooth connection, but a wired solution, regardless of whether or not it uses a 3.5 mm jack or USB-C connection, does generally offer the aforementioned benefit of cleaner gain.

This amplification, or 'gain', is significantly cleaner, likely due to the direct transmission of an audio signal, whereas a wireless connection like Bluetooth can suffer from packet data loss that can create noise and ultimately negatively affect sound quality, which becomes more notable as things get louder. The size of a wired pair of earbuds can also be smaller as they do not have to house a battery, or they can utilize the same space for larger drivers, or even multiple drivers, delivering expansive sound difficult to achieve within the confines of a wireless design.

Cost

The best wired earbuds find the middle ground between affordability and well-balanced high-quality sound. The cost for wired earbuds ranges greatly, with more typical models that only cost about twenty dollars that perform really well and are great for throwing in a laptop case, traveling, and taking phone calls. Studio monitor-style earbuds lack a microphone with the intent to eliminate possible distortion and help ensure an unadulterated sound. These can range in cost from one hundred dollars to as much as three hundred dollars or more, and based on our testing, are not always worth the added cost.

While the most expensive studio-style models we tested, the Moondrop Blessing 3 and the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro, may be great as entry-level studio monitor earbuds, they may not satisfy the needs, hype, or expectations of most music lovers. A less hyped pair, like the all-around great UliX Rider - 3.5mm or the Linsoul KZ ZSN Pro X cost a fraction of the prices commanded by studio monitor style models and will not disappoint. Apple users may also like the familiarity of the quintessential Apple EarPods and cheap price point, although they didn't perform quite as well as our top recommendations.