Expensive earbuds: When and why it's worth paying more

But while music became more accessible than ever, the same cannot be said for sound quality. Each iPod came with a pair of plastic white earbuds, so ubiquitous that the stark lengths of cord swung wildly from dancing silhouettes in one of Apple's most memorable ad campaigns. The only problem? Those earbuds were absolute garbage. Audio enthusiasts would ditch Apple's free earbuds without even wearing them, but most people didn't understand what a poor listening experience Steve Jobs had subjected them to.

Today, even as wired earbuds come back into vogue , things are much different. For one, new devices don't have a headphone jack to begin with, let alone earbuds in the box (or a charger, for that matter). But the average pair of cheap earbuds in the 2020s delivers a much better experience than those old, tangly iPod earbuds.

The word 'earbud' technically refers to a bud that rests on the outer ear. Old iPod earbuds or today's basic AirPods are the quintessential examples. On the other hand, buds that protrude into the ears with silicone or foam tips are known as in-ear monitors, or IEMs. But since most people use the word 'earbud' to refer interchangeably to both fits, and since high-end buds are almost invariably in-ears, that's the style on which this article is focused.

Whether wired or wireless, it's hard to find a pair of modern earbuds that don't sound at least somewhat decent, and if you're not an audiophile, you don't need to shell out too much cash for a pair that'll have you shaking your hips while you do the dishes. While the high-end market continues to flourish, offering premium sound and smart features, here's what you need to know before you shop.

Max Miller for Engadget The most expensive earbuds nowadays tend to be in one of two categories. The first are the in-ear variety. These are usually wired earbuds meant for audiophiles, musicians and audio engineers, and they are designed to deliver unparalleled sound quality with no other frills. By contrast, other expensive earbuds are high-end, true wireless stereo (TWS). These are your AirPods Pro 3, your Sony WF-1000XM6, and so on. These buds market themselves as high-tech lifestyle accessories, and they are often packed with smart features like active noise cancellation (ANC), ambient audio passthrough and spatial audio. While premium true wireless buds are often designed with more emphasis on their sound quality than you'll find on cheaper earbuds, sound quality is not their primary selling point. Technically, any buds that seal inside the ear with silicone or foam tips are a subset of IEMs, including TWS buds, but most people do not use the term IEM to refer to them.

For most listeners looking to drop a Benjamin or two on a pair of buds, the adaptive functionality of premium wireless models makes them an attractive choice. Even the best wireless earbuds won't be turning many audiophile heads, but they still sound great for blocking out the ruckus of a train, airplane or coffee shop.