2026 Audio Awards
Rolling Stone Audio Awards: The Best Earbuds of 2026
From options for swimming to budget-friendly picks and worthy investment pieces, these are the best earbuds to buy in 2026
By
Rudie Obias, Oscar Hartzog, Jonathan Zavaleta
February 19, 2026
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For years, earbud brands attempted to prove their worth by showing off how well they could cancel noise. But lately, earbud releases are paradoxically all about showing off how well they let noise in.
Open earbuds were undoubtedly the big story in the last couple of years, with exciting new lifestyle earbuds from Shokz and Sony. Of course, if you prefer to block out the outside world, there were plenty of great ANC earbuds, too, including the latest earbuds from Bose and Apple. As for sound quality, Technics EAH-AZ100 yet again proved to be the earbuds to beat. Below, you’ll find the best earbuds of 2026.
How We Chose Products for Rolling Stone Audio Awards 2026
Audio gear is our bread and butter here at RS Recommends. Over the last year, we’ve tested hundreds of new products from earbuds and speakers to record players and instruments. We scrutinize each product for design, durability, features, and, above all, sound quality. Some are not worth buying, and many are fine, but a select handful earn our ultimate seal of approval: a spot in the Rolling Stone Audio Awards.
best earbuds
Technics EAH-AZ100
$299.99
Technics EAH-AZ100 are once again one of our favorite earbuds of the year. Announced at CES in 2025, they proved that the storied turntable brand also excelled at making personal, portable audio. Not only are the earbuds compact and easy to wear, but they deliver excellent audio quality, powered by a unique Magnetic Fluid Driver.
In addition to crisp audio performance, the earbuds feature dependable noise-canceling performance, and the charging case is compact for on-the-go use. — Jonathan Zavaleta
best high-end earbuds
Bang & Olufsen Beo Grace
$1,500.00
With Beo Grace, Bang & Olufsen set out to create wireless earbuds that maintained the brand’s audio and design excellence. They achieved that, delivering the best-sounding earbuds we’ve ever tested. Much of the audio quality can be credited to 12mm titanium drivers, which provide an expansive, crystal-clear listening experience that’s hard to believe from earbuds.
The Beo Grace also features a stellar ANC system (to make sure you hear that great sound anywhere) and a high-quality battery that B&O says will work for more than 2,000 charge cycles, which is about four times more than most earbud batteries. — Oscar Hartzog
best noise-canceling
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds 2
$299.00
The latest QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds were admittedly a light refresh from Bose, but they were enough to ensure the brand kept its noise-canceling crown. Simply put, no earbuds reduce noise as well as these, and the ability to customize ANC modes makes them more useful in everyday settings.
Bose added some quality-of-life features, too, such as easier-to-clean eartips and wireless charging. The biggest improvement came in the form of call quality, with crisp-sounding vocals, including in noisy settings. — J.Z.
Best workout earbuds
Shokz OpenDots One
$199.95
Shokz OpenDots One wireless earbuds feature a clip-on design that’s more portable than their typical bone conduction headphones, while also maintaining the same open-ear awareness. What makes them stand out in the growing open-ear earbud category is wear detection — they automatically pause your music when you remove them, a rarity in earbuds of this style.
Plus, the earbuds are reversible; there’s no left or right. It’s the kind of design feature that comes in handy during sweaty gym workouts or outdoor bike rides. — J.Z.
best earbuds for travel
Earfun Air Pro 4+
$99.99
Earfun’s Air Pro 4+ earbuds tick a lot of boxes for premium earbuds, including wireless charging, adaptive active noise-canceling, and high-res audio with both LDAC and aptX codecs. But the kicker is that these aren’t premium earbuds — at roughly $90, they’re an affordable, budget-friendly pair.
They’re well-suited for travel, too, thanks to the adjustable noise-canceling, solid battery life, and reliable call quality. If you’re looking for budget earbuds that are packed with features, Earfun’s Air Pro 4+ earbuds deliver. — J.Z.
innovation award
Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 Pro
$149.99 $179.99 17% off
Most people buying open-ear earbuds already have an in-ear pair, but what if you were looking for earbuds that could do both? Anker’s AeroFit 2 features an over-ear design, with the ability to function as an open-ear or noise-canceling in-ear earbud.
Plus, with a wireless charging case, four mics for clear phone calls, and a workout-friendly form factor, Anker’s AeroFit 2 goes beyond the everyday earbud. — J.Z.
best budget earbuds
Google Pixel Buds 2a
$129.00
Google’s latest A-Series Pixel Buds are a major step up from the last generation. They boast a similar comfortable fit and design, but with the addition of surprisingly robust noise-canceling. The earbuds come in cheery colors, and the lightweight design makes them well-suited to smaller ears. If you’re looking for an affordable pair of earbuds for workouts and everyday wear, the Pixel Buds 2a are an excellent option. — J.Z.
best earbuds for sleep
Soundcore Sleep A30
$199.99
The world is a noisy place, but if you’re inclined to sleep with your regular earbuds, there’s a better way. Anker got into the growing sleep earbuds category with the Sleep A30, featuring active and passive noise canceling for a better night’s rest.
The in-ear wings ensure a snug fit, while the low-profile design keeps them comfortable, even for side sleepers. Plus, with Bluetooth connectivity, you can find soothing sounds to drift off to. — J.Z.
best open earbuds
Sony LinkBuds Clip
$229.99
Sony’s latest LinkBuds feature a clip-on design, with a lightweight, comfortable fit for all-day wear. They’re a great option for outdoor runs and bike rides thanks to the open-ear design. But they’re not just limited to sweaty gym sessions and workouts.
The surprisingly crisp audio makes them suited for office use, commutes, or any setting where awareness is important. Plus, you can customize the controls and EQ to your liking. — J.Z.
best earbuds for swimming
H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro
$199.99
Most swim headphones are designed for the water and nowhere else, but H20 Audio’s Tri 2 Pro makes a compelling case for use on terra firma. They use bone conduction technology and feature surprisingly engaging sound, making them enjoyable on runs and bike rides (which is where the “Tri” in the name comes in).
Plus, the built-in MP3 player means you can stream music without using Bluetooth, letting you keep your phone away from the pool. — J.Z.
best gaming earbuds
Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed
$149.99
The Razer Hammerhead HyperSpeed is a worthy pair of wireless gaming earbuds that features crystal clear and full audio on-the-go. The wireless gaming earbuds have up to 30 hours of juice per charge for longer mobile gaming sessions, while their Razer Chroma RGB lighting brings the PC gaming experience wherever you go with your handheld console.
The earbuds can even be used as wireless earbuds for your smartphone, so they perform double duty for gaming and enjoying your favorite music and podcasts during your daily commute to school, work, or the office. — Rudie Obias
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