Here at Gravastar, our customers love our wireless earbuds. But sometimes, we also get asked a lot about wired earbud options for iPhones.
Wired earbuds can significantly enhance your listening experience with good sound and comfort while not worrying about running out of battery. Choosing the right ones for your iPhone is essential for several reasons.
High-quality earbuds deliver superior sound, making your music, podcasts, and calls more enjoyable. They also offer a secure and stable fit, ensuring they stay in place during daily activities. On the flip side, a lousy pair can lead to bad audio and hurt your ears, might have distortion, fall out frequently, or not last.
After extensive testing and research, we're excited to share our top pick: Apple EarPods. These offer an excellent blend of sound quality, comfort, and durability and are built specifically for the iPhone.
How We Picked
When selecting the best wired earbuds for iPhone, we focused on several critical criteria to help narrow down the options and find the models that delivered the all-around performance we liked.
Sound Quality
Sound quality is a critical factor with any type of earbuds, and wired options are no different. Good earbuds should deliver clear audio with great detail across all frequencies. This ensures you can listen to every nuance and note from music, podcasts, and anything else.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort is also crucial, especially if you plan on using the earbuds for extended periods for exercise or work. We looked for models that offer a snug yet comfortable fit, with various ear tip sizes to accommodate different ear shapes. A good fit also helps with noise isolation to enhance the overall listening experience.
Durability
Durability was another important aspect we looked at. Wired earbuds should be able to withstand regular use without breaking down. We favored models with sturdy construction, tangle-resistant cables, and strong connectors that can handle daily wear and tear.
Compatibility
Since these earbuds are specifically for iPhone users, compatibility with Apple's Lighting or USB-C connector is essential. If you have an iPhone 14 or earlier, you'll want a Lighting connection. USB-C is the connector for the iPhone 15 and newer models in the future.
Microphone and Controls
A good in-line microphone and easy-to-use controls are vital for making calls and controlling your music on the go. We tested each model for microphone clarity and the responsiveness of control buttons. This feature isn't essential but is very nice to have.
Best Overall: Apple EarPods
- Sound Quality: Balanced and Clear
- Comfort: Excellent
- Durability: Reliable
- Compatibility: Designed by Apple for iPhone
The Apple EarPods are our top choice for the best wired earbuds for iPhone. They offer a balanced sound profile that is great for listening to music, taking calls, or just about any other purpose. We enjoyed the clear mids, decent bass, and crisp highs that these offered in all our testing.
In our opinion, and we're not alone here, their sound quality is unmatched for wired options. They provide an enjoyable listening experience that is hard to beat. Another thing we really love about the EarPods is their comfort, which is another standout performance factor.
They feature a unique design that fits the geometry of the ear, making them more comfortable than many traditional, circular earbuds. The design also ensures they stay in place during daily activities, although they aren't the most secure compared to over-ear options.
If we did need to pick a downside for these, it's that they don't have that much of a low end and are not a great option for exercise. When we tried to use them during really active sports or in the gym, they tended to fall out when you're moving around a lot.
Best Design: Symphonized NRG MFI
- Sound Quality: Rich and Warm
- Comfort: Good
- Durability: Excellent with Wooden Housing
- Compatibility: Lightning Connector/ MFi Certified
The Symphonized NRG MFI earbuds stand out for their unique wood design, which we found helps provide a rich and warm sound signature. In our opinion, the natural wood housing enhances the overall sound quality, delivering deep bass and clear highs that make music come alive.
Comfort is another area where the Symphonize NRG excels. They come with several ear tip sizes, ensuring a snug fit for different ear shapes. The in-ear design also helps with noise isolation, allowing you to enjoy your music without external distractions.
The wooden housing, which not only looks stylish but also adds to the robustness of the construction, is responsible for the impressive durability. We also like that these come with a tangle-free cable, which makes them a reliable everyday use choice.
One downside worth mentioning is that these earbuds might be a bit bulkier due to the wooden construction. This can make them slightly less comfortable for users with smaller ears. We think that the sound quality is a good tradeoff, but they might not be the go-to for tiny ears.
Best for Sports: Avantree L171
- Sound Quality: Clear and Dynamic
- Comfort: Secure Fit
- Durability: Water and Sweat Resistant
- Compatibility: Lightning/MFi Certified
One option that we found was perfect for sports enthusiasts or athletes was the Avantree 171. These offer clear and dynamic sound, with a focus on delivering punchy bass and clear treble. In our opinion, this is the ideal sound profile for energetic workouts and keeps you motivated.
Comfort and fit are crucial for sports earbuds, and the 171 does not disappoint here. They come with ear hooks that ensure a secure fit, preventing them from falling out during intense activities. This design also adds to their overall comfort, making them suitable for long workout sessions.
We also liked how durable these earbuds were for workouts and general use. They are water and sweat-resistant, making them perfect for outdoor activities and intense sweat sessions. The sturdy construction ensures they can withstand regular use without any issues.
One thing to mention here though is that the ear hook design might not be comfortable for everyone, especially if you have sensitive ears. Additionally, while they are good for sports, they might not be the best choice for casual listening due to their bass-heavy sound profile.
Best Budget Option: ADPROTECH Lightning
- Sound Quality: Balanced
- Comfort: Good
- Durability: Decent
- Compatibility: MFi Certified
If you're on a budget, the ADPROTECH Lightning earbuds offer excellent value for the money. They deliver balanced sound with clear mids and highs, making them solid for various audio content. In our opinion, these aren't hi-fi earbuds, but they provide good sound without breaking the bank.
We like that these come with multiple ear tip sizes, ensuring a comfortable fit for different ear shapes. This is an awesome feature for an affordable set of earbuds. The in-ear design helps with noise isolation, allowing music to be enjoyed without external distractions.
The durability of these is decent for the price. While they might not be as strong as some higher-end models, they are well-built and can handle regular use. The tangle-resistant cables are a nice touch, adding to their overall value.
The main downside of the ADPROTECH Lightning earbuds is that they don't quite reach the sound quality of more expensive options. The bass is clearly less pronounced, and the audio lacks detail. They work as a budget option but don't expect high-quality sound.
Best Hi-Fi Sound: Guguearth Lightning
- Sound Quality: Hi-Fi
- Comfort: Excellent
- Durability: Strong Build
- Compatibility: Lightning/MFi certified
If you're looking for Hi-Fi sound, the Guguearth Lighting earbuds are a top pick. These deliver exceptional audio quality, with rich bass, clear mids, and detailed highs. In our opinion, they offer a superior listening experience, making them perfect for audiophiles.
Comfort is another highlight of this option that we really enjoyed. They come with multiple ear tips to match various ear sizes. This ensures a snug and comfortable fit. Noise isolation is enhanced by an in-ear design that we found reduced internal noise quite a bit.
With a strong build that can withstand regular use, these earbuds are also impressively durable. They have strong connectors that don't wear down easily and a tangle-resistant cable that helps add longevity and increase overall lifespan.
The main drawback here is that these earbuds aren't compatible with iPhone 15 and only have a lighting connector. With new iPhone models likely sticking with USB-C, you'll need to get new earbuds or a dongle to get the proper connection.
The Competition
All of the earbud models mentioned above are our top and most highly recommended picks, but there are others worth considering:
If you have a newer iPhone 15 and want earbuds that will work well, check out the Skull Candy Set USB-C. These are a modestly priced option that still delivers quality audio and gets good marks for comfort and durability. They are also good for working out.
The Belkin SoundForm earbuds deliver a balanced sound with decent bass and clear mids. They are a good mid-budget option with MFi certification to work with iPhones. These aren't an extremely durable option, but can still get the job done.
Another good option for high-intensity workouts is the Thore iPhone Earbuds. These aren't as well known but get high marks for the sweat and water resistance while still delivering quality sound and overall good performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help you decide on what pair of wired earbuds work best for your iPhone, we've compiled some FAQs to provide clarity on common questions.
Are wired earbuds better than wireless for iPhones?
The answer really comes down to your personal preferences. Wired earbuds offer several advantages over wired options, including consistent audio quality without the need for charging. They are also generally more affordable and don't suffer from connectivity issues.
How do I clean my wired earbuds?
To clean your wired earbuds, gently wipe the exterior with a soft, damp cloth. For the ear tips, you can remove them and wash them with mild soap and water. Always ensure they are completely dry before reattaching them and avoid getting moisture into the earbuds themselves.
Can I use wired earbuds with the latest iPhone models?
Yes, you can use wired earbuds with the latest iPhone models, provided you have the right connector or an adapter. iPhone 15 (and most likely all future models) will use a USB-C connector. iPhone 14 and earlier use a Lightning connector.
How do I prevent my wired earbuds from tangling?
To prevent your wired earbuds from tangling, always store them in a case when not in use. You can also wrap them around a cord organizer or use a cable clip. When wrapping them manually, use the "over-under" method to reduce tangling and knotting.
Final Thoughts
Proper care and maintenance can significantly extend the lifespan of your wired earbuds. Regularly clean the ear tips and exterior with a soft, damp cloth, and ensure they are completely dry before use. Storing your earbuds in a case when not in use is another good idea.
We also recommend avoiding exposure to harsh conditions, such as extreme temperatures or moisture. This will help maintain the performance and durability of your earbuds. They may be affordable, but you always want your buds to last as long as possible!
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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