Which earbuds do I want?

April 3, 2023 7:19 AM

Which earbuds do I want? Probably not Apple.

Hello! I'm in the market for some new earbuds. Here are my requirements:

-Wireless charging capabilities
-Under $150
-Good mic for phone calls
-The little silicone tip things bc regular smooth plastic buds don't fit in my ear well
-Not bulky

Basically I just want to be able to walk and take calls and listen to music. They are not for heavy duty exercise or hi-fidelity listening experiences. Just something basic enough that doesn't cost $$$$ (otherwise I'd get the Apple Airpod Pro 2nd Gen but I can't justify spending that much).

posted by greta simone to Shopping (13 answers total)

Just a heads up that wireless charging is a premium price kind of thing. While lots of earbuds have what's called a charging case, where the case itself charges the earbuds while they are inside, the case itself can only be charged via USB-C. I'm not aware of any earbuds under $150 that have wireless charging, but maybe someone will prove me wrong!
posted by anotheraccount at 7:27 AM on April 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

I really like the jabra elite line of earbuds. I've had both the active and the pro version. I like the active slightly better. Breast earbuds I've ever had. They have lasted a couple years so far. They are super confortable (come with a few silicone tips in different sizes) and fit great in my ear when ost earbuds hurt. My partner has some more expensive earbuds and borrowedvmine once. He commented on how much more comfortable mine are. The sound is great on my end and anytime I've asked in a call or meeting people say they can hear me fine. If you buy the older versions or catch the new ones on sale they are under 150.
posted by CleverClover at 7:32 AM on April 3, 2023

I paid about $30 in an airport newsstand of all things for a pair of JLab Go Air Pops and they are somehow the best earbuds I have ever owned, wireless or wired. The case has an integrated USB(-A) cable and the battery in it lasts for something like thirty hours, so charging is almost never a concern; they neither irritate my ear canal (my big problem with almost all silicone earbuds) nor fall out (my big problem with smooth plastic buds). They have a satisfying click when they go back in their case and somehow the shape means I don't lose them as readily. The sound is great although I have not used them for calls so I can't speak to the mic. Also, I am not sure if they're marketed as waterproof but I accidentally put them through the wash and they still work fine!
posted by derrinyet at 7:34 AM on April 3, 2023 [2 favorites]

Nothing's Ear (2) should fit your budget and come with wireless charging. They sound pretty good as well.
posted by srednivashtar at 7:35 AM on April 3, 2023

Just checked and the jabra active 7 (newest version) are on sale for $140 right now.
posted by CleverClover at 7:36 AM on April 3, 2023

The Nothing brand ones don't have silicone "tips" (I assume you mean wings that are meant to keep them in your ear). If you literally meant tips, they do have those.

If you did mean wings, I'll say that the Nothing Ear 1 are the only ear bud to ever stay in my ear no matter what. Previously, I'd have Samsung Buds + and Pro and a few other brands, all of which had wings and none of which stayed in my ear.

Your best bet is to find brands that have a return policy. I believe Nothing allows 30 days so you can try them and get a refund if they don't fit. The first version of these buds (which look the same as the new 2s) are the best fit I've found.
posted by dobbs at 7:43 AM on April 3, 2023

Response by poster: I mean the tips that go in the ear, I very much do *not* want wings bc I want as little bulk as possible. Really just hoping for an equivalent but cheaper version of the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen.
posted by greta simone at 7:48 AM on April 3, 2023

My Pixel Buds Pro are great. I see they're on sale on Amazon for $150. I found cheaper earbuds to not have as seamless as an experience. Call quality is great - never had a complaint.
posted by dobi at 7:56 AM on April 3, 2023 [2 favorites]

I love my Soundcore Liberty Air 2 earbuds. The microphone is excellent.
posted by mezzanayne at 8:02 AM on April 3, 2023 [1 favorite]

As ever, I'll recommend the Jabra 85ts. Very good quality mics (for the genre), wireless charging for the container, above average listening experience. I got them on sale for under your price limit. Watch out for forgeries.
posted by Candleman at 8:36 AM on April 3, 2023

If you try Temu or even Ali Express, you can find the full line of the airbuds Lenovo sells in Asia. The LPT3 Pros are shockingly okay for something that runs $12-15.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:29 AM on April 3, 2023 [2 favorites]

Tozo T6 is my recommendation here. Sounds great, waterproof, wireless charging,cost $30 on Amazon
posted by jaymzjulian at 2:43 PM on April 3, 2023

I buy new wireless earbuds every year or so, for reasons of loss or small child, and Scarbir and Rtings have yet to steer me wrong. I'm hesitant to recommend a specific model because the market moves FAST and what I know is out of date. In general, though, I've been a big fan of Jabra for money and SoundPEATS for less money.

I'm not aware of any earbuds under $150 that have wireless charging, but maybe someone will prove me wrong!
posted by anotheraccount at 10:27 AM on April 3

That's one example of how technology has advanced. My Soundcore A1s had wireless charging for $50 CAD about a year and a half ago (they weren't great, but for other reasons), and from a quick scan of Rtings it now looks like a common feature at that price point and up.
posted by ZaphodB at 5:03 PM on April 3, 2023 [2 favorites]