When choosing in-ear headphones it can be hard to differentiate between the products. We’ve put a range of buds to the test on the move from budget buys to top-of-the-range tech. All of these come in under £200.
{1} Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds 2: £19.99, currys.co.uk
These black and clear buds are moisture resistant, so they’re durable enough to use in the gym. They’re a great budget option for anyone who wants a stylish pair of earphones without compromising on quality. These are specially designed for comfort, with an off-axis to fit your ear canal better.
{2} Marley Chant: £29.99, argos.co.uk
Bob Marley’s message lives on with these headphones made from recycled plastic and aluminium. Not only do they produce a kicking sound, the wood housing reflects the brand’s ethical, laid-back vibe. The do come in black but these ones are harder to lose.
{3} Shoelace earphones: £9.99, zingcases.com
They might not pack the same sound quality as the premium brands but these shoelace earphones are a cheap but rugged alternative for the kids who always yank and tug at the wire.
{4} Bower & Wilkins C5 Series 2: £149.95, bower-wilkins.co.uk
The latest model from Bower & Wilkins feature redesigned drive units for extra punch. They’re a great fit, though definitely carrying a price point to match. Tungsten weights counter-balance the buds, so they stay in your ears easier.
{5} Ted Baker Dover: £44.95, johnlewis.com
These are a great option for the commute. The closed-back in-ear design means they produce a nice warm sound with a rich bass. They come with a travel case, three sizes of ear buds and iOS users will like the smartphone remote which lets you switch between music and calls. Choose from four metallic shades.
{6} Shure SE215: £84.99, amazon.co.uk
Fed up of your earphones breaking? These buds from Shure have a detachable reinforced cable allowing for an easy replacement in the unlikely event that they break. They give a great all-round rich sound and in our book, are worth spending on.
{7} Musical Fidelity EB-33: £79, amazon.co.uk
You can easily tell which earpiece is which with these colour-coded buds, which come with a black and blue wire and a red and black. Despite lacking noise-cancellation technology they block out most everyday sounds and produce a clear warm sound.
{8} Monster iSport Strive: £49.99, currys.co.uk
Whether you’re an urban runner pounding the pavements or a mountain-biker braving the chilly winds, these earphones are ideal for you. They deliver great sound but allow for outside noise to still filter through – meaning you’ll still be aware of your surroundings. They have an original “sports clip” design to stay in your ear better and have a mic and remote, too.
{9} Jabra Sports Pulse: £199.99, selfridges.com
The Jabra Sport Pulse might cost a lot, but they’re intelligent beasts. The in-ear heart-rate monitor delivers clinical-grade accuracy so you know exactly how hard you’re pushing yourself. The companion app can function as a voice coach, motivating you to reach your goals and works on both iOS and Android.
{10} Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear: £89.99, amazon.co.uk
Sennheiser’s eye-catching buds provide a clear sound with a full, rich bass. A great pair for any audiophile. They come with an in-line remote and mic that’s optimised for either the iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, though they will work on any phone or MP3 player.
{11}Bang & Olufsen H3: £169.99, Selfridges.com
Designed by Jason Wagner, these in-ear headphones are made from premium materials and have a luxury finish, with each housing milled from a single block of aluminium.
{12}Atomic Floyd Superdarts: £187.45, amazon.co.uk
Two speakers in each ear means these little buds produce a whopping sound with a deep, pumping bass. They’re discreet and the 2-way noise isolation means the latest Mumford & Sons song stays in your ears, rather than the tube.
{13} RHA T10i: £149.95, rha-audio.com
The T10i are made from stainless steel and feature handmade, high fidelity, dynamic drivers. They also come with changeable tuning filters to alter the sound, and include a 3 year warranty.
Buy now
Verdict: If you’ve got the cash and you’re into technology, the Jabra Sports Pulse are an interesting piece of kit that should help you kick-start your gym routine. But for the general user who doesn’t want to spend a complete fortune the Shure SE215's rigid cable make for a particularly safe investment as well as producing great sound.
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