Earbuds & AirPods
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Earbuds go by many different names, including earphones, in-ear headphones, in-ear monitors or simply buds. They also come in all shapes and sizes and can be both wired or wireless, with some variations. Probably the most widely known (and worn) earbuds are the AirPods, which Apple launched in 2016.
Compared to over-ear and on-ear headphones, they offer a more compact, lightweight design that’s easier to set up and store. Earbuds are often cheaper too (usually), and have better stability. Being small does have its disadvantages - namely with sound quality, which can’t match wired headphones - but every music lover should own at least one pair all the same.
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Latest about Earbuds & Airpods
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Stay aware with the best open-ear headphones and air-conduction buds for running outdoors, sports, and more.
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The JBL Tune 305C have impressive functionality, but their loose fit can cause a few issues.
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Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: everything you need to know about Beats' all-new athletic earbuds
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Technics EAH-AZ100 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: I tested both these noise-cancelling earbuds, and here's how they compare
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Bose's best buds vs Technics' technical triumph – I've compared both directly
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The best wireless earbuds 2025
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Our reviewers spent over 600 hours testing these earbuds, so here’s my verdict on the best wireless earbuds for iPhone, Android or anything else.
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By Harry Padoan published
The re-released Master & Dynamic ME05 are an outstanding pair of wired earbuds with style to match their super sound quality.
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