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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Apple Earpods will save you money and still offer decent sound quality and comfort for music listening and calls, with the added convenience of a built-in microphone. However, if you prioritize higher sound quality and much better noise isolation, which can be crucial for noisy environments or air travel, the Etymotic ER4XR would be the more suitable option, though it comes at a premium price and without a microphone for calls. Both are wired and lack features like sweatproof certification and active noise cancelling. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Earpods
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
Key differences
Gaming
8.3
6.2
The Apple Earpods is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
8.0
4.7
The Apple Earpods is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Apple Earpods is poor.
Cost
$20
$234
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
Build Quality
7.6
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Apple Earpods has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be very good for music, while the Apple Earpods is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4
7.3
The Apple Earpods and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.4
7.4
The Apple Earpods and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
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How the Apple Earpods and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Earpods | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.1/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Earpods
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Michael Andronico | May 2023
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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