If you own an iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, or all of the above, you've likely looked into what Apple offers for audio. They've released a few models under the AirPods lineup and their subsidiary brand, Beats. Most of these products come with a proprietary Apple chip that enables faster pairing and smoother device switching, but there aren't many products in the Apple and Beats lineup. As a result, not all recommendations on this list utilize Apple's proprietary chips. However, they aren't strictly necessary: most Bluetooth headphones without one will still work with Apple devices.
We've tested over 375 in-ears and earbuds; below are our recommendations for the best earphones for iPhone users. See our recommendations for the best earbuds with a mic and the best true wireless earbuds.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Earbuds For iPhone
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Full RangeControlsComfortApp SupportSee all our test resultsContinuous Battery LifehrsThe best earbuds for iPhone are the Apple AirPods Pro 3. If many of their features weren't locked to iOS by default, they'd be in contention for our best wireless Bluetooth earbuds pick, so they're a no-brainer in an iPhone article, as they come with the brand's latest technology. They have exceptional active noise cancelling (ANC) that ranks among the best of products we've tested; they filter out engine rumble, airplane cabin din, and squeaky subway brakes with ease. Plus, you can squeeze out nine hours of continuous playback with ANC on, so you can get through a workday without a recharge. The buds also use Apple's H2 chip to seamlessly switch between Apple devices, and the case has its own chip to help track it if you misplace it.
Features include using the buds as hearing aids (for mild to moderate hearing impairment) or as hearing protection, and Live Translation. When paired with your iPhone, the microphone system captures your voice cleanly and does a solid job of rejecting noise (with 'Voice Isolation' enabled), making it a perfect choice for calls and meetings. That said, Apple changed the design of these compared to the previous-gen Apple AirPods Pro 2. The Pro 3 have a deeper in-ear fit, which some people find uncomfortable. If that's you, the Pro 2 are still a great purchase; their ANC is almost as good as the Pro 3's, but they lack the Pro 3's built-in heart rate sensor and have a shorter battery life.
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Best Mid-Range Earbuds For iPhone
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Full RangeControlsComfortApp SupportSee all our test resultsContinuous Battery LifehrsThe Nothing Ear (3) are the best wireless earbuds for iPhone we've tested at this price point. They don't ship with one of Apple's H1 or H2 chips, but for a bit less, they're fairly similar to the Apple AirPods Pro 3 in design, fit, and comfort. They also support quick pairing with iOS, which is rare for non-Apple earbuds. Like the Pro 3, which have controls on the stems, the Nothing buds use pinch controls to reduce accidental misfires. The Nothing also offer multi-device pairing, so you can still switch between your iPhone and any other Bluetooth device.
These earbuds' companion app works with iOS and offers loads of sound personalization, too. The hearing test can alter the tuning to suit your ears, and you can choose between a simple graphic EQ and a comprehensive eight-band EQ. Their default sound is bass boosted, with a good amount of rumble and boom. Though not as effective as our top pick's, the earbuds' ANC is very good, filtering out boomy construction noise and high-pitched sounds like shrieking subway brakes. Plus, their microphone system handles noise well, so callers can hear you even in chaotic conditions.
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Best Budget Earbuds For iPhone
Commute/TravelOfficeSports/FitnessNoise IsolationControlsComfortApp SupportSee all our test resultsContinuous Battery LifehrsThe Beats Flex Wireless offer fewer features than other picks on this list, but they still give solid performance for the price. They come in a few colors to match your style and have a W1 chip that makes pairing with iOS devices easier. The W1 chip is an older processor than the H1 or H2 chips, so you can't benefit from features like "Hey Siri" assistant voice activation. There's no ANC on offer here, which might be a dealbreaker if you prefer to filter out distractions at the gym.
Still, their neck-cable design allows you to hang them around your neck when not in use. Unfortunately, their low price is reflected in their build, as some users have reported that their units stopped working within a year of purchase. As budget headphones, though, they're easier to replace if broken or lost. Their bass-heavy sound profile is well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop, thanks to their extra thump and boom. However, unlike our mid-range pick, they don't have an EQ to help you adjust their sound.
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Best Open Earbuds For iPhone
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Full RangeControlsComfortApp SupportSee all our test resultsContinuous Battery LifehrsIf you want the Apple ecosystem integration of the Apple AirPods Pro 3, but with an open design, consider the Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. While they're slightly less feature-packed than our top pick, these AirPods have a less intrusive, one-size-fits-all design that some users may prefer. This update to the Apple AirPods (3rd generation) also comes with ANC, which performs quite well considering their lack of a tight seal. Additionally, they're lightweight and sleek, and feature an H2 chip for seamless switching with other devices in your Apple ecosystem.
Like our top pick, they have an Adaptive EQ that adjusts the buds' sound to your unique ear shape, which creates a relatively well-balanced sound profile, albeit with a veiled treble range. They have a 3-band EQ when connected to iOS 27 or newer devices, and you can adjust some basic audio settings on compatible iOS devices via the 'Accessibility' tab. They have an okay 4.5-hour continuous battery life with ANC, and their carrying case holds four additional charges. Unfortunately, the buds don't have volume controls, which is inconvenient. Still, they're worth a look if you're searching for the rare combination of ANC and an open design.
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Best Sports Earbuds For iPhone
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Full RangeControlsComfortApp SupportSee all our test resultsContinuous Battery LifehrsThe Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 have large ear hooks, making them the best iPhone earbuds for sports that we've tested. While they're about as stable as the Apple AirPods Pro 3, the ear hooks help them stay in place during runs or gym workouts. They're also comfortable, well-built, and rated IPX4 for resistance to water splashes, so they can withstand rain if you're exercising outside. They last over seven hours on a single charge, and their carrying case holds three extra charges, which is handy in a pinch.
These earbuds have a fairly balanced sound profile that suits different kinds of audio, though a roll-off in the high-treble can dull sounds like cymbals a little. Compared to their predecessor, the Beats Powerbeats Pro Truly Wireless, they have a smaller and lighter form factor with additional features, but the hooks make them larger than most other true wireless earbuds. Their ANC system performs nearly as well as our top pick's. And they also support Apple's seamless device switching and Apple's Spatial Audio features, including head tracking. You can also monitor your workouts with their integrated heart monitor, though the AirPods Pro 3 use heart-rate monitors as well, so it's not an exclusive feature.
Read more about sport-oriented earbuds in our article on the best headphones and earbuds for running and working out.
Notable Mentions
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Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro:
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro are ANC-equipped buds that come close to the Apple AirPods Pro 3 in noise isolation performance. Their battery lasts shorter, and they don't support seamless device switching with Apple products, but they have a shallower, more stable fit thanks to the included stabilizers.
See our review -
Anker Soundcore P31i:
If you're looking for a pair of buds that offer quality-of-life upgrades over the Beats Flex Wireless without breaking the bank, consider the Anker Soundcore P31i. While they lack the Beats' neckband design and W1 chip, they have a comfortable fit and better stability. Plus, their ANC system does a solid job of isolating you from external distractions.
See our review
Recent Updates
Aug 11, 2026:
We've replaced the Nothing Ear with the Nothing Ear (3) as they support iOS quick pair. We've also added the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro in Notable Mentions for their exceptional ANC and stabilizing features.
Jun 16, 2026:
We've edited the text to provide better product selection guidance, removing extra products from the Notable Mentions and swapping the OnePlus Buds 3 with the Anker Soundcore P31i. The remaining picks were validated for stock availability.
Apr 14, 2026:
We've checked that all our picks are accurate and edited the text for clarity.
Feb 04, 2026:
We removed our upper mid-range pick since the price difference between the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Apple AirPods Pro 2 is now quite small. The AirPods Pro 2 are an alternative for people who don't like the fit of the AirPods Pro 3.
Oct 14, 2025:
This article was updated to include the Apple AirPods Pro 3 as the top pick, with the Technics EAH-AZ100 as an alternative. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 were moved to the upper mid-range pick, and the Nothing Ear were moved to the mid-range pick. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC have been added to the Notable Mentions. Tweaks to the text have been made for accuracy.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we currently think are the best wireless headphones for iPhone for most people. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews for wireless earbuds and in-ear headphones, sorted by Quick Pair (iOS) support. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.