3 Best Earbuds I Always Recommend

After two decades of reviewing audio gear and testing hundreds of pairs of earbuds for outlets like Wirecutter, Digital Trends, and The Verge, most models blur together. But the ones that stand out earn a permanent spot in my rotation. Right now, three specific sets have earned that distinction, each excelling in different scenarios.

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro have been my daily drivers for the past month, unseating even the Apple AirPods Pro series. At $170, they deliver exceptional call quality that I haven’t heard from any other earbud. Ambient noise from a squawking parrot to bustling Los Angeles traffic simply vanishes, leaving my voice crystal clear. The active noise cancellation (ANC) rivals far more expensive competitors, handling low-end drone effortlessly. Sound quality is excellent after a quick tweak in the app (the default bass is too heavy, muddying vocals and snare hits). They fit securely, boast an IP55 rating for light workouts, and support the LDAC high-res codec. The case features a handy 0.96-inch touchscreen. However, battery life is below average at just 6.5 hours with ANC on, and switching between multiple devices (it connects to only two at a time) requires manual disconnection.

When I’m deep in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 3 are my effortless choice. They switch seamlessly between my MacBook, iPhone, and iPad without any thought. Sound quality and ANC are marginally better than the Soundcore, and the feature set is deep: live translation, a hearing test, a heart rate sensor for Fitness app integration, and an IP57 rating for better water resistance. The fit has improved over the Pro 2, but for me, it’s still not workout-proof. A light jog causes them to work loose, and the stem design is frustrating when I’m trying to adjust volume or change tracks mid-run. If you’re all-in on Apple and don’t plan to run, these are a top-tier choice.

That’s where the Beats Powerbeats Fit come in. Their wingtip design locks them securely in my ears, making them the only earbuds I trust for running. They never budge, are comfortable for the duration of a workout, and stay out of the way of sunglasses (unlike the bulkier ear hooks on the Powerbeats Pro 2). Sound quality is solid, and ANC and transparency modes work well. A key advantage: they work just as well with Android phones via the Beats app as they do with Apple devices. The main drawback is their IPX4 rating, which means I’d avoid heavy rain, but it’s fine for dry climates and normal sweat. I also prefer these over the recent wave of open earbuds, which sacrifice bass and overall balance for awareness. The Powerbeats Fit’s transparency mode handles that need perfectly.

If I had to pick just one for most people, it would be the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro. They are the most affordable of the three at $170, versatile enough for calls, commuting, and even light workouts, and their call quality is unmatched. The AirPods Pro 3 are the best choice for Apple loyalists, and the Powerbeats Fit are the undisputed champions for active use. All three are excellent. But the Soundcore stands out as the best all-around value.