10 Best Wired Earbuds

The Moondrop Blessing 2 earbuds released in June 2020 are a premium-priced option known for delivering a very good sound quality with a particular strength in music listening. They offer a closed enclosure design and come with a detachable cable. Note that they have a poor mic quality, so they might not be the best option for calls or meetings. Additionally, these earbuds are wired, lacking wireless capabilities; thus, they may not suit those seeking wireless convenience for activities like exercise. They provide very good comfort and build quality but have limited features with no active noise cancelling or sweatproof certification, and their size is on the larger side, affecting portability.

The Etymotic ER2SE earbuds are a wired, closed-back option and are recognized for their excellent overall sound quality, being among the best for music listening. However, they lack built-in controls and score poorly for calls and meetings due to their microphone quality. They're constructed well with a detachable cable and despite not having active noise cancelling, they provide top-tier noise isolation. They are not particularly comfortable for all users and are not suitable for exercise, but if you prioritize superior audio fidelity in a lower midrange price and can handle a fair comfort level, these could be a solid choice.

The 1More Triple Driver earbuds are a lower midrange-priced option best suited for a high-quality music experience, with sound quality and soundstage rated as good. They excel in comfort and have very good build quality and built-in controls. They're wired with a non-detachable 1.28-meter cable and include dynamic and balanced armature drivers for detailed sound. However, they do not support wireless connectivity or active noise cancelling, and they're not optimized for sweat or dust resistance, making them less ideal for exercise and air travel. Their performance in calls and meetings is poor, and they may not be the best choice for gaming due to potential latency issues. They weigh 9 grams, come with an integrated microphone, and provide a variety of included secure fit accessories.

The Moondrop Chu is an earbud that is well-suited for listening to music with a very good overall sound quality and comes at a budget price. It has a closed enclosure with a wired connection and a dynamic driver, although it lacks wireless capabilities. These earbuds excel in call and meeting quality, as well as gaming, providing very good microphone quality and sound. They are not optimized for exercise due to their poor score in that regard and do not offer features like active noise cancelling, sweatproof or dustproof certification, which might be important for some users. Comfort is rated as good, but built-in controls score poorly, so if you prefer earbuds with easy access to controls, you may need to consider other options. Moondrop Chu is quite portable with a large earbud size, and they come with cable ear hooks for a more secure fit but do not support wireless charging. They might be a good fit for users who prioritize sound and microphone quality over wireless convenience and who are not using them in very active scenarios.

The Thieaudio Monarch Mk II earbuds are a high-end choice known for outstanding sound quality with a combination of balanced armature, dynamic, and electrostatic drivers that deliver a rich and detailed listening experience. They feature a closed, stemless design and come with a detachable 1.2-meter cable. Given their very good soundstage and build quality, along with excellent performance for music and video, they are well-suited for audiophiles. However, they do not have wireless capabilities and their comfort and built-in controls are rated only as good and poor, respectively, which could be significant if convenience and ease of use are priorities for you.

The Etymotic ER4XR earbuds are a premium-priced, wired model known for their exceptional noise isolation quality. They offer good sound quality, soundstage, and imaging, making them suitable for enjoying music. They're very well built but lack in comfort and microphone quality. Users looking for earbuds with detachable cables and balanced armature drivers will appreciate these. Nonetheless, their isolation and sound quality come with the drawbacks of being less suited for exercise, not optimized for wireless use, nor calls and meetings. They are also not recommended for gaming and TV due to their fair scores in these areas.

The Antlion Kimura Duo earbuds are a midrange-priced, wired option with stemless, closed enclosures, offering very good overall sound quality and excellent comfort. They feature a boom microphone that provides very good mic quality but with built-in controls rated as poor. While they perform very well for gaming and music, they're not the best for calls and meetings or for use during exercise. The Kimura Duo does not support wireless use, active noise cancelling, or sweatproof features, but they have a detachable cable and a large earbud size, which might not be ideal for portability. They are designed with both balanced armature and dynamic drivers but lack optimization for Android or Apple devices.

Apple's Earpods are a budget-friendly earbud option known for their open enclosure design, which means they don't create a seal in your ear and allow you to remain aware of your surroundings. They're comfortable and provide good overall sound quality, with very good mic quality making them suitable for calls and meetings. Despite being wired with a 1.14-meter cable and not having wireless capabilities, they are highly portable. Suitable for general music listening, their open design is not ideal for use during exercise or air travel due to poor noise isolation. They lack features like sweatproofing, active noise cancelling, and app-based customization. However, they are optimized for Apple devices and are durable for everyday use. If you're looking for an affordable and reliable wired option mainly for use in quiet environments or for calls, the Earpods could serve you well.

The Sennheiser CX300S earbuds offer good sound isolation, a sturdy build, and are comfortable for extended use, making them suitable for commuting and everyday listening. However, they lack wireless capabilities, which limits mobility, and the microphone quality is rated as poor, which may not be ideal for call clarity. The sound quality is fair, so they could serve well for casual music listening, but may not satisfy audiophiles. They do not have features like active noise cancelling, sweatproof certification, or an app for equalizer customization. Additionally, the CX300S are lightweight and come with a 1.2-meter cable but no option for a detachable cable.