Best Earphones in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 9, 2024
Generally, we are satisfied with original earphones coming with various gadgets and take them for granted. But there is always a ...Read more
PROS

To pair the earphones with your mobile phone, you won’t have to press any buttons whatsoever. Using the Single Mode, you’ll be able to take a call or listen to music in one ear, while having your other ear free to listen to your surroundings. The charging case, with its 500mAh battery, will allow you to recharge the device up to 4 times. 

CONS

The battery doesn't last for a very long time. 

OUR VERDICT

ENACFIRE E18 serves as a great example of what cordless Bluetooth earphones are all about and what are their biggest strengths and advantages. The sound quality here does not trail behind its wired counterparts, the ergonomics are excellent, and their practicality is practically unrivalled. Easily the best earphones in their price range.

detailed parameters
Type

Earbuds

COMPATIBILITY

Wireless (Bluetooth 5.0), Up to 4 hours per charge

SOUND PERFORMANCE

N/A

DESIGN

Sweat-resistant (IPx4 class)

SPECIAL FEATURES

Built-in microphone in each earbud, Mono Mode, silicone ear tips (S, M, L), charging case (500 mah) and charging cable included

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

The active noise-cancellation technology, true to its name, effectively reduces the background noise to about 30 dB, making it virtually inaudible. Comprised of machined aluminium alloy, the earphones are lightweight, modern, but as sturdy as the next metal gadget.

CONS

The package does not include a carry case or a pouch for storage and transportation. 

OUR VERDICT

TaoTronics TT-EP01UK will prove right up your alley if you’re not the type of person who is able to fully enjoy his favourite podcasts or artists with all of those annoying background distractions. Plus, these things will last you for years to come and keep your ears just as comfortable throughout those years.

detailed parameters
Type

Earbuds

COMPATIBILITY

Wired (~1.4 m cord length, 3.5-mm jack)

SOUND PERFORMANCE

20 Hz - 20 000 Hz

DESIGN

Sweat-resistant (IPx4 class)

SPECIAL FEATURES

Active noise-cancelling technology (up to 15 hours per charge, charging cable included), built-in microphone, built-in control panel, silicone ear tips (S, M, L), silicone ear hooks (S, M, L), airline adapter included

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

Equipped with precision-engineered 6-mm drivers that are fed via the 4.1 iteration of Bluetooth, these drivers bring forth powerful and skip-free audio. The built-in microphone, armed with the CVC Noise Suppression technology, will ensure a virtually crystal-clear audio transmission.

CONS

The charging cable is relatively short. 

OUR VERDICT

These budget wireless in-ear headphones from Anker, as far as the price-performance ratio is concerned, are thoroughly impressive. For less than 20 quid, you get a pair of earphones that more or less delivers in just about every category, from the audio quality to the overall convenience. 

detailed parameters
Type

Earbuds

COMPATIBILITY

Wireless (Bluetooth 4.1), Up to 7 hours per charge

SOUND PERFORMANCE

20 Hz - 20 000 Hz

DESIGN

Sweatproof (IPx5 class)

SPECIAL FEATURES

Built-in microphone, built-in control panel, silicone ear tips (S, M, L) and in-ear hooks (S, M, L), magnetic connection, FitClip, shirt clip, storage pouch and charging cable included

WARRANTY

1.5 years

PROS

Supplied with an improved lithium polymer battery, the model gives you up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. It complies with the IPx7 code, meaning that the whole thing isn't just sweat-resistant but full-on waterproof. Apart from that and in addition to 3 regular tips, the model comes with memory-foam ear tips.

CONS

The over-ear clips are not shapeable, so some may find them a tad uncomfortable. 

OUR VERDICT

If you would willingly describe yourself as a fitness enthusiast and need a pair of affordable wireless headphones to support you through the most rigorous workout sessions and long jogs, Mpow Flame may just prove your cup of tea. Furthermore, the earphones are great for frequent travellers.

detailed parameters
Type

Earbuds

COMPATIBILITY

Wireless (Bluetooth 4.1), Up to 10 hours per charge

SOUND PERFORMANCE

N/A

DESIGN

Waterproof (IPx7 class)

SPECIAL FEATURES

CVC™ 6.0 noise-reduction technology, built-in microphone, built-in control panel, built-in ear hooks, silicone ear tips (S, M, L) and memory foam ear tips (one size fits all), wire clip, storage case and charging cable included

WARRANTY

1.5 years

PROS

The wires incorporate a braided design, so they'll never tangle up inside your pocket. The 3.5-mm connector features 24k gold-plated coating, making it rust- and corrosion-resistant, not to mention that, thanks to the coating, you're not running the risk of electromagnetic interference and sound distortion.

CONS

The model does not incorporate a control panel.

OUR VERDICT

Betron B25 is a great replacement model. It is an even greater temporary solution. Even the most demanding audiophiles will be pleasantly survived by what these earphones offer in return for a price of a couple cups of coffee. If you really need a pair of headphones but have very little money to spare, this is the device to go for.

detailed parameters
Type

Earbuds

COMPATIBILITY

Wired (~1.2 m cord length, 3.5-mm jack)

SOUND PERFORMANCE

N/A

DESIGN

Sweat-resistant (IPx4 class)

SPECIAL FEATURES

Noise-isolating technology, silicone ear tips (S, M, L), cable clip and storage pouch included

WARRANTY

1 year

Some Things Ought to be Simple

You know what we like in our wireless earphones? No, not audio quality, although that’s a fair guess and you’re not wrong on that one. What we like most is simplicity. At the end of the day, isn’t it the biggest appeal of wireless technologies? No cords, no wires, no hassle. With that idea in mind, let’s talk about ENACFIRE E18. What we have here is a pair of earphones that has simplicity as the cornerstone of its design philosophy. To pair this pair (our deepest apologies) with your mobile phone, you won’t have to press any buttons whatsoever. Just pull them out of the charging case and the device automatically appears as a primary Bluetooth option in your smartphone’s Bluetooth menu.

Speaking of the charging case, we really like how small it is. You can easily fit it inside your pocket. The headphones themselves deliver up to 4 hours of continuous playtime and the case will let you charge them 5 times over, so you’ll have 20 hours of music on the road.

Ra's al Ghul in Batman Begins taught the titular character to always mind his surroundings. The people behind these earphones may not agree with the underlying theme of his philosophies but reckon this particular idea has its merits. That’s where the Single Mode comes in. Using this mode, you’ll be able to take a call or listen to music in one ear, while having your other ear free to listen to your surroundings, a particularly useful mode for riding and driving.

Finally, for what is essentially a mid-range device with a price tag below 50 quid, the audio quality here is superb. The bass is powerful and the HD stereo output is crisp and clear. The model is loud enough to block the background noise and the range of 33 feet (10 metres) is more than you need from a device like that.

Long story short, ENACFIRE E18 serves as a great example of what cordless Bluetooth earphones are all about and what are their biggest strengths and advantages. The sound quality here does not trail behind its wired counterparts, the ergonomics are excellent, and their practicality is practically unrivalled. All in all, these are arguably the best earphones in their class.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £21.66
Stock In stock
ASIN B07CKQHCBL

Immerse Yourself in the Music

Most people only use their earphones outside. But you know what else is outside, apart from people using their earphones? That’s right, loads of background noise coming from all sorts of sources and directions. With this model from TaoTronics, it won’t be an issue. Its active noise-cancellation technology, true to its name, effectively reduces the background noise to about 30 dB, making it practically inaudible. It will allow you to enjoy your favourite music and podcasts without that annoying distracting outside buzz.

By the way, the earphones are corded, so you won’t have to recharge them every time you feel like listening to music. That said, the aforementioned active noise-cancellation technology works off the built-in 140mAh battery. That battery lasts for 15 hours. After that, you’ll have to recharge it using the charging cable that comes with the package.

Other parts of the package include 3 earbuds and 3 hooks. With these little interchangeable components, you’ll surely find the ones that suit you most, allowing you to experience hours of playback in complete comfort.

The bulk of earphones in this price range are made of cheap plastic. With this TaoTronics device, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Comprised of machined aluminium alloy, these things are lightweight, modern, but as sturdy as the next metal gadget. Plus, it the aluminium alloy also reduces battery consumption. On top of that, the model incorporates a gold-plated 3.5mm audio jack, a nice little touch that adds appearance points, and an airplane audio adapter that will definitely come in handy when flying.

We could also mention the 3-button in-line remote control that will allow you to conveniently adjust the volume, select a track, or play/pause the music, but there’s nothing particularly interesting about it.

To rephrase the point we made earlier, these earphones from Taotronics will prove right up your alley if you’re not the type of person who is able to fully enjoy his favourite podcasts or artists with all of those surrounding background distractions. Plus, these things will last you for years to come and keep your ears just as comfortable throughout those years.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01L90O30W

Rich Sound on a Poor Budget

With consumer electronics, one of the best ways to determine whether the product’s worth your money or not is to give it the price-performance ratio treatment. If you do that, this model from Anker easily edges out the majority of its budget peers.

When it comes to affordable headphones, heck, when it comes to low-priced electroacoustic transducers in general, the aspect that usually suffers most from the decrease in price is the audio quality. Which is precisely why we’ve added this model to our list. Equipped with precision-engineered 6-mm drivers that are fed via the 4.1 iteration of Bluetooth, these drivers bring forth powerful and skip-free audio.

Wireless headphones have a lot of obvious advantages over their wired counterparts but sound quality and playback time are seldom one of them. But, as we’ve just covered earlier, the sound quality isn’t an issue here and, fortunately, neither is playback time. On a single charge, this thing gives you up to 7 hours of continuous playback, nothing short of impressive for a budget model.

The built-in microphone, equipped with the CVC Noise Suppression technology, will ensure a virtually crystal-clear audio transmission. On top of everything else, these earphones are great for aspiring athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The IPX5 water-resistant shell, along with the internal nano-coating, delivers a double layer of water protection. The whole thing weighs just 15 grams, so you'll forget this tiny black durable device is even there.

Bottom line, these budget wireless in-ear headphones from Anker are easily one of the best options on the market right now as far as the price-performance ratio goes. For less than 20 quid, you get a pair of earphones that more or less delivers in just about every category, from the audio quality to the overall convenience.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01N6DC2ZE

10 Hours of Non-Stop Music

We were raving about Anker AK-A3235011 as one of the better options that the budget wireless earphones market has to offer but, honestly, the same can be said about Mpow Flame. It has its flaws, sure. For one, the over-ear clips are not shapeable, so there's a decent chance some may find them a tad uncomfortable. But the model definitely has its strengths too.

To start with, this little device is ridiculously good at conserving energy. Equipped with an improved lithium polymer battery, the model gives you up to 10 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, a number that's probably unmatched by any other pair of earphones that costs less than 100 pounds.

Two things make Mpow Flame great for fitness enthusiasts. First, it complies with the IPx7 code, meaning that the whole thing isn't just sweat-resistant but full-on waterproof. You can completely submerge it in water for 5 minutes and the device will come out unharmed. Apart from that and in addition to 3 regular tips, the model comes with memory-foam ear tips. They adapt to your ear canal and ensure a practically flawless seal and a snug fit, so they'll never feel uncomfortable nor will they likely fall out.

Though clearly not the target audience the manufacturers had in mind, the earphones may even satisfy that always demanding audiophile crowd. As long as they remember that this is a below 20-pound model, they'll be likely impressed with the high-definition stereo sound and surprisingly robust rock-solid bass.

In conclusion, if you would willingly describe yourself as a fitness enthusiast and need a pair of affordable wireless headphones to support you through the most rigorous workout sessions and long jogs, Mpow Flame may just prove your cup of tea. Furthermore, the earphones are great for frequent travellers.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B073CCHKMN

Doesn't get Cheaper Than That

Truth be told, Betron B25 isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread. But it definitely has its moments, as long as you keep in mind that, with a price tag way below 10 quid, this is a super budget model. For a price that will get you 2 or 3 cups of coffee, these are easily the best earphones and not just because you could count all of them on your fingers.

For one, the wires incorporate a braided design, so they'll never tangle up inside your pocket. The 3.5-mm connector features 24k gold-plated coating, making it rust- and corrosion-resistant, not to mention that, thanks to the coating, you're not running the risk of electromagnetic interference and sound distortion.

Again, this is an exceptionally affordable model, so you can't really expect out-of-this-world audio performance from it. But, for their price, the 9-mm drivers are superb. The bass they give you is deep and rich and the acoustics are surprisingly clear and crisp.

The fact that earphones like that deliver a solid audio performance is fairly impressive in the first place. Add to the unusually effective noise-isolation technology and you're literally left to your own devices, enjoying your favourite music regardless of the environment and its surroundings.

Sure, the model comes without a microphone. But the package does include a cable clip and a storage pouch, which is always a plus. By the way, with their sweat-resistant, IPx4 class protection, they aren't bad for running either.

To sum it all up, Betron B25 is a great replacement model. It is an even greater temporary solution. Even the most demanding audiophiles will be pleasantly survived by what these earphones offer in return for a price of a couple cups of coffee. If you really need a pair of headphones but have very little money to spare, this is the device to go for.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £9.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00P89DXYI

What Are Earphones?

It's no secret that for many of us, headphones mean a lot. A high-quality pair of earbuds can take us into the atmosphere of a loud and clear sound, literally changing the world around us. Everyone knows how exciting it can be to listen to music while moving in a car or public transport. Many people can't imagine their jogging and workouts at the gym without these accessories as well.

Earphones are small audio output devices designed to allow listening to music personally. Here, the audio signal from different sources is transferred via cables and special connectors to mini speakers built in a metal or plastic housing. Headphones can be worn over ears as well as put inside ear bowls. Now, a pair of earbuds is an essential accessory of any gadget that gives the excellent opportunity to enjoy music wherever you are.

To get maximum enjoyment from your favourite movies, we suggest that you consider purchasing one of the DVD players. And if you're a driver, you may be interested in car subwoofers.

What Features to Compare

The first vital feature when choosing the right headphones is the Sound Performance they have. Basically, many different technologies are applied to get clear and powerful sound. It follows that even tiny in-ear earphones now are capable of providing high-quality sound. Such models can have a nice frequency response as well as the sound clarity that make music come alive. Some earbuds also can boast additional speakers providing deep and solid bass while other support A2DP for transmission music via Bluetooth and without cables. The last is an essential point for those fond of jogging and sports in general.

Secondly, pay attention to the Design of headphones as this is the key feature which defines whether you're going to feel comfortable wearing them. Fortunately, there is a huge variety of styles and you can easily choose any you like. Let's consider two major types of portable earphones.  

  • In-ear headphones. Earphones of this type are put inside an ear canal where silicone tips provide a tight seal. In-ear headphones also ensure the best isolation from outside noise giving you clear and crisp sound. Such models are generally the best in terms of price and size.
  • Earbuds. This is another type of portable earphones that are placed in ear bowls. Earbuds also excel in portability, however, the protection from background noise is poorer.

Finally, don't neglect Additional Features since often they matter very much. Here, it's necessary to note tangle-free and special braided cables. They don't actually need to be neatly folded and can be hastily put in a backpack until you need them again. Therefore, there is no longer need to untangle long wires wasting your precious time! As you may know, some models also feature a remote and microphone that allow answering phone calls and talking just on the go! To provide comfortable use, many models of earphones come in special cases or are equipped with convenient storage pouches.

Sources:

1. How to Choose Headphones, wikiHow.

2. Headphones, Wikipedia. September 6, 2016.

3. Headphones and Earphones Buying Guide, the HUB. November 4, 2013.

4. Lewis Skinner How to Buy the Best Headphones, Which?

5. Steve Guttenberg How to Pick the Right Headphones -- for You, CNET. July 26, 2014.

6. Ali Pardiwala Tech 101: Things You Need to Know Before Buying Headphones, Gadgets360. August 27, 2015.

7. Simon Jary Headphones, Consumer Reports.

8. Sebastian Arreguin How do I Choose the Best Earbuds for Me? Quora.

9. Lynn Wright How to Choose the Best Headphones, SagaMAGAZINE. May 20, 2016.

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