For those that prefer to have a lightweight build and an isolated sound, in-ear wireless earphones provide the best experience. Wireless earphones tend to have a cord cinch that rests on the back of your neck and connect via Bluetooth technology. These types of headphones are perfect if you need to move around a lot without losing audio quality or performance. Runners, business professionals, gamers, these headphones are for you.
In this post, we’ll run down four of our favorite in-ear wireless earphones in 2017. Some have been chosen for their build, others for their audio quality, and others for the unique capabilities they provide.
Let’s get started:
4 Best In-Ear Wireless Earphones
Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones
The Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones have become renowned for their comfortable design and their isolated sound. They’re perfect for businessmen and for exercise enthusiasts. Available in Aqua, Black, Citron, and Power Red, they feature silicone tips in the shape of wings and have an inline remote with a mic for taking calls or controlling your music playback, and are connected by a neckband cinch. The material is sweatproof, so you don’t have to worry about them slipping off while you’re running. The headphones connect conveniently over Bluetooth to your phone.
The plastic in the headphones is lightweight and relatively durable. They’re small enough to be transported while robust enough to protect against the regular wear and tear from sitting inside your bag. Once you place the earbuds in your ear, however, you’ll notice that the silicone feels comfier than other earbuds. It may take some getting used to, as there may be a feeling of looseness, but you’ll get over it pretty quickly.
When we played a few radio hits to test the audio quality, we were impressed by the clarity for such small speakers. Songs like Rockstar by Post Malone brought out the snare and Post’s vocals out more prominently. Isolation was sometimes an issue, as I could still hear conversations in the background. It wasn’t enough to distract me from the music though. These headphones are great for calls and classical music, but not so much for bass heavy songs. The bass didn’t boom as much as I would have liked for hip-hop or trap tracks.
These headphones last 6 hours on a single charge, longer than most other wireless headphones.
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Bose SoundSport, Wireless Earbuds, (Sweatproof Bluetooth Headphones for Running and Sports), Black | CHECK PRICE |
Shure SE215-CL-BT1 Wireless Sound Isolating Earphones
The Shure SE215-CL-BT1 Sound Isolating Earphones have quickly become a popular choice for wireless headphones with a loyal following. The headphones promise up to 37dB of ambient noise blockage, extended bass, and pairs up to 4 different devices. A single charge can give you 8 hours of battery life, plenty for your workout or for taking business calls.
The SE215 has an earphone design, which allows the earpiece to fit deep in the ear canal and block out a great deal of noise. The casing for the earphones features a translucent gray, revealing the wiring and circuitry inside and covered by the Shure logo. I liked this a lot, it reminded me of the crystal GameBoy colors that used to be so popular. This part sticks out a little bit but is never distracting. Overall the build quality is solid enough to stand on its own but definitely falls short of perfect.
For such a small amount of space, Shure managed to pack some powerful drivers in these earphones. Although it touts bass as a signature, the overall sound is somewhat neutral. In fact, the bass felt underwhelming at times, but still managed to round out a full sound for many of the songs we tested. We tested “LOVE” by Kendrick Lamar and “Ready For It?” by Taylor Swift. Both songs sounded complete and detailed and we were pleased and surprised by the power and quality behind these earphones.
If there’s one thing we didn’t like about these headphones, it’s the fact that these headphones don’t even have a remote control. It’s definitely a little annoying as most earphones and earbuds these days are starting to make that a standard, but it’s by no means a dealbreaker.
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Shure SE215-CL-BT1 Wireless Sound Isolating Earphones with Bluetooth Enabled Communication Cable | CHECK PRICE |
Apple AirPods
The Apple AirPods made a big splash when they were first announced. Some praised Apple’s focus on wireless, while others criticized the uninspired design. A few months later, the Apple Airpods have started to gain some traction, and more and more people in public have been sporting them.
So what makes these different from the regular earpods? First of all, not only are they Bluetooth wireless but they’re what Apple calls, True Wireless. This is just fancy marketing speak for earbuds that don’t require a cinch or a cord to connect them. The Airpods run on the W1 chip, which helps manage the power when they’re not in use and connects them in seconds (as soon as they’re in range), leading to 5 hours of listening time on one charge. Perhaps the coolest feature? The remote is built into the earphones themselves. Audio plays when you put them in your ear, and pause when you take them out. Want to change the song or make a call? Double-tap to use Siri. Apple has always found unique and convenient ways around functionality issues, and the Airpods are no exception.
The Airpods have the most outstanding build quality. These aren’t cheap plastic earphones, they’re made of solid plastic. Not the kind that comes in different parts and pieces that tend to break, but molded to look minimalist and elegant. Unlike the wired version, the ends of these earphones tend to stick out a little more, to help with both the signal and the microphone quality. We were really impressed by the durability and resilience of the material, and the case just sold us even further with its storage, portability, and charging capabilities.
In reviewing sound quality, the Airpods receive high marks all around. These are leagues better than your average EarPods that come with every iPhone, with some reviewers comparing it to a night and day difference. It may not compete for a toe to toe against other earphones in the price range, but none will have Apple’s sleek design and branding.
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Apple MMEF2AM/A AirPods Wireless Bluetooth Headset for iPhones with iOS 10 or Later White -... | CHECK PRICE |
Jaybird X3 Sport Bluetooth Headset
Finally we have the Jaybird X3 Sport Bluetooth Headset, a popular favorite by many publications and audiophiles alike. These headphones are about three things: portability, performance, and design. The Jaybird succeeds in all three areas. These headphones feature a typical silicone ear tip design that goes in your ear canal and a plastic wingtip that follows the contour of your ear shape. They’re connected by a cinch that goes around your neck, with remote control on one side.
The RE400 IEMs feature a typical silicone earbud that fits inside your ear, with a silver matte casing around the drivers. These materials are rugged and sweatproof, which means the coating will prevent moisture buildup during workouts or rainy days. One reviewer even mentioned leaving it in a washing machine, only to find that the headphones were unscathed after the cycle. For exercising or long runs, these earphones get our vote.
The Jaybird provides a great sound signature for any genre. The balance between bass, mids, and lows is perfectly balanced. The low-end punches and booms as expected, while the mids stayed strong and clear throughout. Compared to other headphones, these get loud. A companion app even lets you manipulate various presets to achieve just the sound you’re looking for.
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JayBird X3 Sport Bluetooth Headset for iPhone and Android – Blackout | CHECK PRICE |
These headphones are perfect for any situation. If you’re looking for a well-rounded option at a modest price, the Jaybird X3 may be your best bet.
Geralt has held various positions in the professional audio industry since 2016 and has been a specialist author, translator, and editor. In addition to making music, he is also interested in recording studio technology and wireless headphones.
Last update on 2023-01-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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