Best earbuds for iPhone
AirPods get the deepest iPhone integration, but they aren’t the only good choice. Here’s what to buy at each budget, including Apple’s new AirPods 5.
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Quick answer
AirPods get the deepest iPhone integration, but they aren’t the only good choice. Here’s what to buy at each budget, including Apple’s new AirPods 5. Best overall: Apple AirPods Pro 3, $249. Best value AirPods: Apple AirPods 5, $129. Best for workouts: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, $249.99. Best noise cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), $299.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Best overall | $249; often about $190 at Amazon |
| Best value AirPods | Apple AirPods 5 | Best value AirPods | $129; $149 with wireless charging case |
| Best for workouts | Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 | Workouts | $249.99 |
| Best noise cancelling | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Strongest noise cancelling | $299 |
| Best budget | Sony WF-C510 | Budget | About $60–$70 |
iPhones use the AAC codec, not LDAC, so high-resolution codecs on some rivals don’t help on iPhone.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Earbuds | Price (Oct 2026) | ANC | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 3 | $249 (about $190 at Amazon) | Yes | Most iPhone owners |
| AirPods 5 | $129; $149 with wireless charging case | Yes | Open-fit comfort on a budget |
| Powerbeats Pro 2 | $249.99 | Yes | Workouts |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd gen) | $299 | Yes | Strongest noise cancelling |
| Technics EAH-AZ100 | $299.99 | Yes | Sound quality and multipoint |
| Sony WF-C510 | About $60–$70 | No | Budget |
The picks in detail
1. Apple AirPods Pro 3
Best for: Best overallWhat Hi-Fi?[2] names AirPods Pro 3 its best all-round iPhone earbuds. Apple rates up to 8 hours of listening with ANC, and they add heart-rate sensing and hearing-health features alongside automatic switching, Find My and spatial audio. Apple says their ANC is up to three times stronger than AirPods 5.
Price (Oct 2026): $249; often about $190 at Amazon Source
Pros
- Deepest iPhone integration
- Strong ANC and transparency
- Heart-rate and hearing features
Cons
- Fewer features on Android
- Silicone tips don’t fit everyone
- Full price is $249
2. Apple AirPods 5
Best for: Best value AirPodsApple announced AirPods 5 on September 9, 2026, and they went on sale September 18. Active noise cancellation is now standard on the open-fit design. They’re $129, or $149 with a wireless charging case, and rated IP57. The open fit is comfortable but can’t block noise as well as AirPods Pro 3’s ear tips.
Price (Oct 2026): $129; $149 with wireless charging case Source
Pros
- ANC on every model
- Comfortable open fit, no tips
- Low price for AirPods
Cons
- Shorter battery life than AirPods Pro 3
- Open fit limits noise cancelling
- No ear-tip seal for bass
3. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Best for: WorkoutsBeats’ ear-hook design stays put during runs and gym sessions, and Powerbeats Pro 2 use Apple’s H2 chip, so they pair and switch like AirPods. They add ANC and heart-rate sensors. For more options, see best earbuds for running.
Price (Oct 2026): $249.99 Source
Pros
- Secure ear hooks
- Apple H2 chip features
- Heart-rate sensors
Cons
- Large case
- Bulky for everyday wear
- Same price as AirPods Pro 3
4. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
Best for: Strongest noise cancellingBose’s flagship earbuds are a frequent top pick for noise cancelling in published reviews. They work fine with iPhone over AAC but lack Apple-only features like automatic device switching. Compare more ANC picks in our best noise-cancelling earbuds.
Price (Oct 2026): $299 Source
Pros
- Excellent ANC
- Comfortable fit with stability bands
- Customizable EQ
Cons
- $50 more than AirPods Pro 3
- No Apple ecosystem features
- Bulky case
5. Technics EAH-AZ100
Best for: Sound quality and multipointTechnics’ flagship earbuds focus on sound quality and can connect to three devices at once, handy if you switch between an iPhone, a Mac and a work laptop. Their LDAC support won’t help on iPhone, which uses AAC.
Price (Oct 2026): $299.99 Source
Pros
- Three-device multipoint
- Strong call quality
- Detailed sound
Cons
- LDAC unused on iPhone
- No Apple ecosystem features
- Expensive
6. Sony WF-C510
Best for: BudgetIf you just want reliable wireless earbuds for under $100, Sony’s small WF-C510 is a well-reviewed budget option. There’s no noise cancelling, but they’re light and inexpensive.
Price (Oct 2026): About $60–$70 Source
Pros
- Low price
- Small and light
- Sony app with EQ
Cons
- No ANC
- Basic case
- No wireless charging
Also considered
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds4 Pro are excellent but lose many features on iPhone; see AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds4 Pro. For over-ear options for flights, see our best headphones for travel.
AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 5?
Pick AirPods Pro 3 if you commute, fly or work in noisy places: the ear tips seal better, ANC is stronger and battery life is longer. Pick AirPods 5 if you dislike ear tips and want the cheapest AirPods with ANC. For Sony’s rival, see AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best earbuds for iPhone?
Do non-Apple earbuds work well with iPhone?
Do AirPods 5 have noise cancelling?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Apple: AirPods (apple.com)
- What Hi-Fi?: Best iPhone headphones (whathifi.com)
- 9to5Mac: AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3 (9to5mac.com)
- Beats: Powerbeats Pro 2 (beatsbydre.com)
- Technics: EAH-AZ100 (us.technics.com)
Related
AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 5
The decision comes down to ear tips. The $249 AirPods Pro 3 seal your ears for much stronger noise cancellation, more bass and 8 hours of battery. The AirPods 5 ($129, or $149 with the wireless case) keep an open, tip-free fit.
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best ofBest Wireless Earbuds
Your phone decides most of this: AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone, Galaxy Buds4 Pro for Samsung. Sony and Bose lead on sound and noise cancelling, and you can spend under $100 and still get ANC.
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AirPods win on iPhone convenience. XM5 still wins for Android codec flexibility and Sony’s app EQ.
best ofBest Earbuds for Running and Workouts
Secure-fit and open-ear picks for road running and the gym. We compared official IP ratings, battery claims and prices from the brands and The Verge—research-based, not a lab test.
best ofBest headphones for travel
On a plane you want strong low-frequency noise cancelling, all-day comfort, long battery life and a wired option for seatback screens.
best ofBest Earbuds for Running and Workouts
Secure-fit and open-ear picks for road running and the gym. We compared official IP ratings, battery claims and prices from the brands and The Verge—research-based, not a lab test.