If you have small ears, chances are you have small ear canals. This means you’ll have a harder time finding wireless earbuds that fit comfortably and securely. Why? Most audio brands tend to provide large, medium, and small-sized ear tips. These three choices may be fine for most folks, but those of us with smaller ears need an extra-small option.
Some wireless earbuds also have very bulky designs. This may be to reflect a brand’s signature style or to provide a bigger chassis for larger drivers. So small-eared music and podcast fans must also give construction some attention before taking part in the pulse-pounding frenzy. Fortunately, there are a handful of earbuds that make all these issues go away, like the entries on this list.
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Sony Linkbuds S
Best overall$150 $200 Save $50The Sony LinkBuds S are the top pick for those with smaller ear canals. Boasting four ear tip sizes and a lightweight design, the LinkBuds S offer the overall best comfort in this roundup for sedentary and workout applications. Their sound is even and warm, though bass lovers may long for more thump. Excellent active noise cancellation rounds out the package.
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Back Bay Tempo 30
Best valueThe Tempo 30 represents an exceptional value in earbuds. It pushes a lot of air for a big, lively sound, includes an impressive six sets of different size ear tips, has longer battery life (8 hours without case, 24 more with case) than some models costing 4x as much, and is even waterproof. Call quality is so-so, but that’s not a huge knock considering the low price point.
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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Premium pickBose earns our premium pick with the QuietComfort Earbuds II, a refined set of earbuds boasting best-in-class active noise reduction. Bose’s Custom Tune feature does a great job of adapting to different noise environments and letting in only what you want to allow, though background noise sometimes dirties calls. Featuring tips and stability bands in three sizes, the QuietComfort Earbuds II are smaller and better fitting than the previous generation. Multipoint pairing is not supported, an obvious omission for premium buds.
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Shokz OpenFit
Open air option$150 $180 Save $30The Shokz OpenFit earbuds’ innovative design stands out; they feature stable ear clips that sit outside the ear canals. This unique style helps users stay aware of their surroundings, enhancing safety during outdoor activities. And with their sweat resistance, they are a fantastic option for fitness enthusiasts. However, the OpenFit earbuds’ open design falls short in terms of sound isolation. The bass performance is also somewhat weak, and the included case is relatively bulky.
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Monolith M-TWE
The Monolith M-TWE True Wireless Earbuds offer versatility with five ear tip sets for a customizable fit. They deliver lively, high-volume sound and have an exceptional 10-hour battery life (with an additional 20 hours via the charging case). However, the active noise cancellation (ANC) falls short, and the absence of track controls on the earbuds is a drag. Some users might find them slightly bulky, but the M-TWE earbuds should do the trick for those prioritizing music and long battery life.
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Technics EAH-AZ80
$241 $298 Save $57The Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds offer the most fit options in our roundup, with an impressive seven pairs of ear tips. The immersive and detailed sound quality approaches audiophile territory with detailed mid-range, punchy bass, and shimmery vocals, all in perfect balance. Three-way multipoint pairing isn’t something you see every day, and it adds to the EAH-AZ80s’ overall appeal. Drawbacks include a high price point and lackluster active noise cancellation.
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Anker Soundcore Life P3
$70 $80 Save $10The Anker Soundcore Life P3 buds are so enticing because of their exceptional battery life. They support up to 50 hours (when factoring in the charging case), which is enough for a double-take. On top of some of the best batteries in the business, the Life Pro 3 buds have a couple of great features for small ears, including an ear tip fit test and a Find My Headset function for when one or both buds go missing.
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Raycon Fitness
The Raycon Fitness True Wireless Earbuds are ideal for fitness enthusiasts. With five ear tip sets and three stabilizer fin sets, they’ll ensure a secure, comfortable fit during even the most intense workouts. These earbuds are IPX7 water and sweatproof, providing durability and peace of mind during active pursuits. And their impressive battery life (12 hours of playtime away from the case) keeps the music going for extended sessions. However, buds’ overemphasized bass and treble may not suit audiophiles.
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Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds have an open-ear design, a wonderful thought for small-eared listeners. It allows certain environmental sounds in while harnessing Bose’s Immersive Audio technology to hone in on your tunes. Bose also decided to go with comfortable ear hooks that keep the buds firmly fixed to your ears, but without causing any pain.
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Skullcandy Dime 3 Wireless Earbuds
The Skullcandy Dime 3 earbuds are a force to be reckoned with. An easy and comfortable fit for small ears, the Dime 3 buds sound great, hold a solid charge (8 hours per bud), and support Bluetooth multipoint connectivity. There’s no active noise-cancellation to speak of, but you’ll be shocked at how much noise isolation these $30 buds can muster.
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Beats Flex Wireless
$49 $70 Save $21A fantastic addition to your iOS device, the Beats Flex may look like a pair of wired earbuds, but the cabling only goes from one bud to the other. Powered by Apple’s W1 chip, the Flex pair quickly with iPhones and iPads, and should last for up to 12 hours on a single charge. And if you have small ears, you’ll have the choice of four ear tip sizes; the smallest is extra small.
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JLab JBuds Mini
If you’re shopping on a budget, and also happen to have small ears, let us direct you to the IP55-rated JLab JBuds Mini earbuds. JLab claims the Bud Minis are smaller than any other earbuds on the market. These tiny drivers are terrific for everything from daily commutes to heavy-duty workouts. They’re also available in multiple colors and can be controlled and customized using the JLab app. Audio presets include Signature, Balance, and Bass Boost.
Finding the best-fitting buds
Wireless earbuds are convenient in more ways than one. The greatest benefit is that no wires are dangling in front of your face while you’re vibing out to tunes, taking a call, or getting your daily workout in. But don’t forget the convenient rechargeable batteries and charging cases. They make giving up the cord tangle possible.
This roundup prioritizes earbud options for listeners with small ears, and we think the Sony Linkbuds S are the best buds for the job. The pair of earbuds is comfortable to wear and comes with four ear tip sizes. They’re also great for cancelling out noise, thanks to Sony’s tried and true ANC technology.
If you don’t mind spending a few more bucks, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are a great choice. The QC II are some of the smallest earbuds Bose has ever made, but they still sound incredible. Features like top-shelf ANC, rich sound quality, and solid battery life are also important, and the buds check all these boxes (and more).
But if you don’t want to spend more than $80, we recommend the Back Bay Tempo 30 earbuds. On top of good battery life and immersive sound, the Tempo 30 comes with six different ear tip sizes to choose from.
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