Best earbuds for small ears in 2024

No matter how good the best wireless earbuds are, it’s all for naught if they don’t fit in your ears. It’s a problem all people with small ears face, even if top brands like Sony or Bose offer small-sized ear tip options. Those of us with small ear canals require an even tinier alternative that can fit securely and comfortably, but these earbuds aren’t easy to find.

They are out there, though, and a handful even latch onto your ears differently — so you can finally listen to your favorite podcasts or thumping beats properly. If you’re after something more travel-friendly than over-ear wireless headphones but struggle to use the majority of earbuds because they’re simply too big, this list of the best earbuds for small ears will point you in the right direction.

Top picks for small-sized earbuds

The Sony LinkBuds S aren’t just comfy wireless earbuds for those with small ear canals; they’re an all-around fantastic set of cans. Sporting a lightweight design that sits cozily in the ears and a firm grip, they cater to all ear sizes. Speaking of, they come with four ear tip sizes, including a smaller option to ensure everyone can enjoy their tunes.

While they’re a less capable version of the brand’s flagship buds, they don’t sacrifice Sony’s famed sound quality. Expect fine audio that’s clear and detailed, along with clean call quality when getting a buzz from work, friends, or family. Handily, they have well-sized touch sensors on the outer surface, making it simple to pause songs or pick up phone calls.

They even have active noise cancellation (ANC), which Sony is a master of. It’s not quite on the same level as its Sony WF-1000XM4 counterpart, but good enough to block out most environmental noise. It falls short in a few areas, including a lack of wireless charging and long-lasting battery life, but the latter will still get you through six hours with an extra 14 hours thanks to the case. That said, while they fall just before the line of “pricey,” you’ll get a lot of value from what they offer. If a compact size is what you’re after, the Sony LinkBuds S should be on your radar.

Sometimes, in-ear wireless earbuds aren’t right. Enter the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. If you’re willing to try a unique design and prefer to hear your surroundings, these buds will do the job splendidly. As evidence, one of our writers called it their favorite gadget of the year. And for good reason, as they have an incredibly comfortable form factor and strong audio.

Unlike many earbuds out there, these buds clip onto your outer ear rather than resting inside your ear — almost like wearing a bulky earring. Since the speaker end sits in the ear’s concha, it fits all ear sizes, including small ones. That doesn’t mean you lose out on sound, as the Ultra Open Earbuds have well-defined audio and an ample amount of bass. They even latch on securely enough for a run.

One of the buds’ highlights is balancing environmental sounds with the music, calls, or podcasts being played. However, this perk may not be for all, as there is no way to drown out the outside world with the usual features like ANC. These wireless earbuds aren’t suited for blocking out sounds in a noisy environment, so they’re better for quieter settings. They’ll also put a dent in your wallet, so ensure you’re the type that can use them to their full potential. If you are, you’ll be delighted with the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.

There are perks to having smaller ears, and one of them is the JLab JBuds Mini. How so? True to their name, these tiny earbuds are small in price and are a great shape for those with small ear canals. Better yet, they boast a fine audio quality with clear highs and mids, and adequate bass that will get your head bopping to your favorite jams.

It won’t be the grandiose sound stage that flagship earbuds present, but props must be given considering their size and affordable cost. Battery life is another impressive feat; they offer up to 5.5 hours of continuous listening and 20 hours overall when you count their equally small charging case. The buds even provide Bluetooth 5.3 for multipoint pairing.

Touch controls are a breeze and the JLab companion app offers a few customizations. However, we found that the bass-heavy preset setting brings the most out of the earbuds, leaving other options in the dust. One glaring sacrifice is the lack of ANC, but there is a transparency slider that will help keep outside sounds to a minimum. If you enjoy using earbuds while traveling or doing daily activities and don’t require finer audio details, the JLab JBuds Mini will make for a trusty audio companion.

The Shokz OpenFit are another open-ear option that no in-ear earbuds can compete with in terms of comfort. All ear sizes are welcome, thanks to the stable ear clips outside the ear canals and lightweight design that make them virtually unnoticeable while worn. That means you can wear them for hours without any soreness. When we say hours, we mean seven hours out of the case and up to a whopping 28 hours with the case.

These buds pack an audio punch, too. With well-rendered highs, mids, and bass, music from many sound stages is shown off stunningly. Since they’re an open-ear design, you’ll be able to hear your surroundings clearly while blaring tunes or your preferred podcast. Not to worry, though; there is little-to-no sound leakage, and you can still hear what you’re grooving to relatively clearly.

That said, while the companion app allows for EQ setting creation to fine-tune your sound, there is no way to block outside noise. They won’t perform well in loud environments, as they are intentionally designed to let sound in. Unfortunately, their touch controls can be all over the place, as a slight touch can trigger them to pause or skip a song. However, if you can master their finicky nature and prefer hearing the world around you, it’s hard to go wrong with the Shokz OpenFit earbuds.

While the Technics EAH-AZ80 may look like your average flagship wireless earbuds, they have a secret feature that makes them ideal for small ears: seven sets of ear tips. That alone will help anyone find a precise fit, but the buds go a step further in their unassuming design. Despite their chunky look, the EAH-AZ80s narrow toward the tip to sit in ears securely and are light enough to wear for hours on end.

Since they’re a premium pair of earbuds, you can expect near-flawless sound that audiophiles will approve. Vocals shine through without overpowering instruments, and you can pick our individual sounds thanks to its wide soundstage. Clear highs, detailed mids, and a punchy bass come in their stride, and that clarity transfers over to phone calls, too. To top it off, their noise-cancelling tech is top-notch.

The companion app also allows for plenty of customization, and they support LDAC and three-device multipoint pairing — but these can’t be used simultaneously. These features don’t come cheap, though, and we’d expect certain software, such as its Fast Pair tool, to work far better than it does. (It isn’t a smooth experience). All in all, if you can push the budget, the Technics EAH-AZ80 earbuds will satisfy the need for top-tier sound.

The Google Pixel Buds A-Series may get a lot of flak for being the lesser Pixel Buds Pro, but they’re more than capable of becoming your everyday drivers. That’s due to their unique design, comfortable fit, and good overall sound quality — all the key traits to look out for when you have small ears. Their stabilizing fins are a step above the Pro model to help them stay securely in ears. The tip’s shape is also narrowed, so it isn’t bulky. However, be warned that the fin can get a tad irritating after listening for long periods.

Their more affordable price tag reflects what to expect, which includes solid audio that captures a wide soundstage, handy utilities like Fast Pair “Hey Google” support, and reliable touch controls that make switching tunes or answering a phone call a breeze. The buds also have a spatial vent that lets in ambient noise and stops the feeling of plugged-up ears, which is often a complaint for those who tend to shy away from wireless earbuds.

Their battery life could be better, with just about five hours out of the case and 24 hours with it. It also doesn’t help that there isn’t any ANC or wireless charging to rely on. The earbuds launched with a $99 price tag, but they can often be found for around $80. That means you’ll get way more bang for your buck, especially if you own a Pixel phone. The Pixel Buds A-Series are a great match for anyone who wants simple but effective earbuds with a comfortable fit.

The Beats Flex Wireless may look like the dime-a-dozen wired earbuds of yesteryear, but they have a lot more going on under the hood. Don’t be fooled; these are wireless with a durable Nitinol wire connecting one bud to the other, offering a more secure fit and a way to rest them around your neck when not in use. Four ear tip options are handy, but those with small ears will be happy to know they also come with an extra-small ear tip size.

Overall, they’re a pleasure to wear and even come with micro-ventilation openings to prevent irritation during long sessions. Since they cost under $50, you may not expect tremendous sound quality, but the Flex earbuds punch above their weight. They can handle various musical genres, balancing highs and lows clearly while delivering a thumping bass. Their mid-range quality leaves much to be desired, but far from bad enough to be too noticeable.

The earbuds include Apple’s W1 Chip, meaning iPhone, iPad, or Mac owners can make the most of their seamless pairing and ease of use. Even better, they boast a 12-hour battery life on a single charge, allowing users to get through a whole day without needing any juice. They don’t have premium features like ANC or transparency mode, and the lack of an IP rating means getting them wet is out of the question (sweat shouldn’t cause an issue), but they are still a good pair. However, note that the Beat Flex Wireless go the distance for the amount they cost.

Struggling to find earbuds that stay firmly in your ears during a workout? The Baseus Eli Sport 1 Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds will have your back, and won’t cost you an arm or a leg. These buds wrap around your ears using slim silicon friction hooks, and the speakers hover just above the ear canals, so you get all the sound and none of the irritation. They stay put, and sweat isn’t a problem thanks to its IPX4 rating.

Whether you’re heading to the gym after work or going for a long hike, rest assured the Eli Sport 1s will last. Expect a lengthy 7.5 hours of continuous playback, along with up to 30 hours overall with the charging case. And you’ll want to keep them in, as the sound is clear, warm, and balanced. Better yet, for open-ear earbuds, they’re surprisingly loud. Lows aren’t particularly strong, but you can adjust audio with the free Baseus companion app that offers 12 EQ presets.

They are far from bad for a set of earbuds with an affordable price tag, but they aren’t perfect. Gesture controls can be hit or miss, as the buds can find it hard to distinguish a skip or pause at times, and their AI noise cancellation isn’t the best at drowning out your surroundings — they’re an open-ear design, after all. Regardless, the pros far outweigh the cons, making the Baseus Eli Sport 1 Open-Ear earbuds a solid bet for sporty folks who are after a great fit.

Choosing wireless earbuds that fit

Ears come in all shapes and sizes, but many of the most popular wireless earbuds don’t always accommodate them. It’s a shame, as those with small ears then can’t truly experience the joys of listening to their tunes without annoying wires or the benefits of active noise cancelation or smart features. Luckily, some brands have taken note, offering extra-small ear tips and unique, open-ear designs, and this list shows off the best for them.

The Sony Linkbuds S offer the best of both worlds: fantastic audio and a comfy fit for small ears. With four ear tip sizes, including a very small option, these earbuds will stay snug in the ear. Better yet, they bring Sony’s famed ANC technology and high-quality sound. They may not show off these features as well as their flagship counterparts, but they go the distance for those with small ear canals (and a little bit of extra cash).

If you’re not keen on earbuds sticking in your ear, the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are worth a shot. Though expensive, these cans will comfortably and securely latch onto your ears and deliver surprisingly good audio quality. They aren’t ideal if you need to block out the world (no ANC here), but they excel for those who like to hear their environment while jamming out to some tunes.

Who says you need to pay a premium for small earbuds? The JLab JBuds are just about as small as they come, and that includes the price tag. Their low cost still brings good audio, and their over five-hour battery life is impressive for their size. Don’t expect a lot of depth in your tunes or any flagship features like ANC, but do expect a comfortable size for your lugs. They’re a small package with some mighty value.

If small ear canals aren’t an issue, but you still need a snug fit, you can’t go wrong with the most comfortable wireless earbuds.