Best Earbuds Under 300 – If you’re about to spend $300 on earbuds, chances are you know what you’re looking for and you know how to find it. You don’t need us to tell you that there are trade offs in terms of audio quality even at the top end of the in-ear market, but it’s important to keep this in mind nonetheless.
Other than that, take your time before committing to your final choice. Remember that audio is a deeply personal experience, and try to get your hands (or ears) on a pair before buying. One person’s rich bass response is another person’s poorly defined mids.
ROUND UP
1.Bose QuietComfort
Features
- Noise cancelling earbuds – Engineered with the world’s most effective noise cancelling. Bose controllable noise cancellation and full Transparency Mode allow you to eliminate distractions, let your surroundings in, or a little bit of each.
- High-fidelity audio – An exclusive acoustic architecture brings your music, podcasts, and videos to life, while Volume-optimized Active EQ keeps the sound crisp and balanced at any level.
- Comfortable wireless earbuds – Three sizes of StayHear Max eartips are included for a secure fit. Crafted from soft silicone, they provide passive noise blocking with total comfort.
- Simple touch controls – It’s as easy as tap, swipe, or press. Control your noise cancellation settings, pause, play, and volume right from the side of the earbud itself. Enable it all in the Bose Music app.
- Noise-rejecting microphones – Tiny microphones work together to focus on your voice, filtering out surrounding noises for fewer distractions during phone calls.
- Long battery life — Listen for up to 6 hours on a single charge. The charging case provides an additional 12 hours and charges via the included USB-C cable or wirelessly with any Qi-certified charging mat (not included).
- Weather and sweat resistant – These IPX4-rated wireless earbuds can withstand sweat, water, and some inclement weather.
- Bluetooth earbuds with microphone – Bluetooth 5.1 provides a strong, consistent connection to your device within 30 feet.
- Compatible with iOS and Android – Simple setup and custom settings available through the Bose Music app. Refer to the PDF attached below in Technical Specification for the Manual and FAQ
2.Shure SE425-CL
Features
- SOUND ISOLATING TECHNOLOGY - Own your audio space with sound isolating design that eliminates noise and keeps your experience pristine. It’s the right way to listen and the only way to really hear.
- CUSTOMIZED FIT - Includes three sizes (S, M, L) of the flex and black foam sleeves. Experiment with the size and style that creates the best fit for you.
- SECURE, OVER-THE-EAR DESIGN - Wireform fit ensures earphones stay in place and cables remain out of the way.
- STRIKING FULL-RANGE SOUND - Full range sound from a dual high-definition driver to deliver accurate, natural sound in a discrete, durable design.
- DURABLE REINFORCED CABLE - Detachable cable is durable enough to withstand everyday wear, yet allows for easy replacement in case of damage. Gold plated MMCX Connector has a lock-snap mechanism allowing 360-degree rotation for comfortable fit.
- COMPACT CARRYING CASE - Convenient, tangle-free solution to store and travel with your earphones.
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Includes a free two-year warranty, SE425 Detachable Sound Isolating Earphones, 3.5mm cable, fit kit with a variety of sleeves for the perfect fit, 1/4“ adapter, and a carrying case.
- Shure CBL-M-plusK Music Phone Cable with Remote plus Mic for iPone, iPod and iPad works with Shure's SE425 earphones.
- Accurate and Balanced Sound
- Speaker Type: Dual High-Definition MicroDrivers
- Available in clear or metallic silver
- Formable wire ensures secure placement over the ear
3.Grado GT220
Features
- Whats in the Box - GT220 in-ear headphones (L/R) - Charging case - USB cable (USB-C to USB-A) - Multiple silicon tips - Owner's guide
- True wireless Touch sensitive commands - Built in microphone - Twist to lock
- Wireless charging - 6 hour battery life - 30 hours battery life from case (5 x full charge)
4.Beats
Features
- TAKE YOUR WORKOUT ANYWHERE: Beats powerbeats2 bluetooth wireless headphones can connect upto 30 feet range to your bluetooth enabled devices. Its adjustable long wrap around cable lets you to move freely, take hand free calls and adjust music with no-slip grip remote talk controls.
- SWEAT RESISTANT & COMPACT DESIGN: Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless Earphone is IPX4 sweat and water-resistant from the earbud to the tangle-free cable wrap around cable. It's designed with a flexible ear hook, providing a comfortable and secure fit.
- DESIGNED TO PERFORM: With powerful Bass response, these noise cancelling headphones delivers unrivalled clarity, depth and balance. It does not distort even at top volumes. Perfect for rigorous indoor and outdoor workout conditions.
- FULL OF ENERGY: Sturdy in-built rechargeable battery provides upto 6 hours of playback. A 15-minute quick charge delivers an extra hour of non-stop playback. Wireless headphones for iphone, compatibile to all Bluetooth Devices (IOS,Mac,Ipad & Andriod)
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Beats Powerbeats 2 Wireless | Micro USB Cable | Three pair of ear tip fittings | Cable Management Clip (NOTE: The device comes packaged in a brown box from the manufacturer)
5.Jabra Elite
Features
- SECURE ACTIVE FIT – We scanned thousands of ears to create the best-fitting earbuds for a sport that we’ve ever created, with a special grip coating to make sure they stay in while you move; Plus, they’re sweat proof and waterproof with IP57-rated protection
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION: With these noise cancelling earbuds, you can filter out the world and focus on your music; Use the Jabra Sound plus App to activate ANC the first time you use it and enable toggling between ANC and Hear Through via your Earbud button
- CRYSTAL-CLEAR CALLS – 4 microphones, the latest digital signal processing and pioneering beam form technology mean these Jabra earbuds offer great call quality wherever you are; Plus, they’re compatible with Siri, Google, and Alexa
- LONG BATTERY LIFE – With Jabra Elite Active 75t wireless Bluetooth earbuds, you get up to 24 hours of battery time (ANC on) with the pocket-friendly charging case, the Elite 75t earphones let you take calls and play music while staying connected
- MY SOUND IS YOUR SOUND – Our latest pioneering technology tests your hearing in the Jabra Sound plus app, and tailors your music to suit your individual hearing profile; My Sound makes the music you love even better
6.Samsung Galaxy
Features
- SOUND THAT ROCKS: The AKG-tuned 12mm speaker and enhanced bass tone play everything in studio-quality sound
- NEW STYLE, NEW SOUND: Equal parts earbuds and ear bling, Galaxy Buds Live come in 5 colors you’ll want to rock all day.
- TURN DOWN DISTRACTIONS: Turn on Active noise cancellation to block out background noise on an airplane, train or bus
- LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Long-lasting battery life with a case that doubles as a wireless charger. Up to 8 hours of non-stop listening
7.EarFun Air
Features
- ⭐[CNN BEST BUDGET WIRELESS EARBUDS 2022]⭐ CNN praised "EarFun Air is just as good as the high-end earbuds in controlled, quiet, indoor settings. The sound is expansive, deep, and about as good as any high-end options." The EarFun Air wireless earbuds equipped with 6mm dual dynamic drivers achieve balanced, high-quality sound. PEEK + PU high fidelity dynamic drivers deliver deep, resonant bass with an authentic treble to match.
- [ CRYSTAL-CLEAR CALLING, IMMERSIVE FEELING] EarFun Air is the only wireless earbuds that received the ⭐"iF Design Award" and "CES Innovation Award" together⭐. The true wireless earbuds feature 4-microphone noise-canceling calls, effectively reducing 90% background noise, creating a stable and clearer calling environment. Besides, only touching the control button can answer/reject phone, volume adjusts, enjoying hand-freely calling anytime and anywhere.
- [35H LISTENING, ON-THE-GO CHARGING ] The wireless earbuds last for total 35 hours with a built-in 500mAh charging case and 7 hours from a single charge. Get rid of the trouble of repeatedly charging, providing listening for a whole day. The Bluetooth Earbuds support both wireless charging and USB-C quick charging, simply charge 10 minutes and get up to 2 hours of playtime. Enjoy fast and convenient charging way from now on.
- [IPX7 DEEP WATERPROOF, NO FEAR OF SWEAT ] EarFun Air true wireless earbuds are certificated with IPX7 waterproof, secured by its innovative SweatShield Technology is immune to corrosive sweat and water, compared with ordinary nano-coating methods to resist water, it is more effective against water. Enjoy a sweaty workout and immerse music.
- [COMFORTABLE FIT DESIGN & STABLE BLUETOOTH CONNECTION] The wireless earbuds offer more wearing stability and comfort by round soft silicone ear tips. And the ergonomic design ensures the Bluetooth earbuds stay comfortably whether you're jumping or running. Besides, Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds provide instant pairing and stable transmission without interruptions. Enjoy a cozy experience all day.
8.SENNHEISER
Features
- Enjoy unrivaled high-end stereo sound created by Sennheiser's unique 7 millimeter dynamic Earbud audio drivers. Frequency response (Microphone)-100 Hz to 10 kHz. Frequency response-5 - 21,000 Hz
- Switch off your surroundings and focus on the deep bass, the natural mids and the clear treble thanks to Active Noise Cancellation providing you with high-fidelity sound even in noisy environments
- Experience uninterrupted play time with the new 7-hour battery life that can be extended up to 28 hours with the charging case for your wireless headphones
- In the mood for a movie marathon. With its ergonomic and lightweight design, you can experience unbeatable sound in unbelievable comfort when lounging in front of the TV or while strolling through the city
- Control your exceptional sound with customizable touchpad technology built into both earbuds hands free via voice control or with your smart devices
9.Sony WF-1000XM3
Features
- Digital noise canceling: Industry leading anc lends a personalized, virtually soundproof experience. Phone call: A built-in mic enables you to take hands-free calls
- 24bit Audio signal processing delivers dramatically improved sound quality
- Battery life up to 24 hours with carrying case (with 10min quick charge for 90min of play time)
- Easy and clear hands free calling; Leave your phone where it is, just speak with a double tap to the earbud
- Truly wireless design with uninterrupted L/R simultaneous Bluetooth transmission
- Alexa enabled for voice access to music, information, and more. Activate with a simple touch
- Smart listening by adaptive sound control automatically switches to ambient sound mode based on your activity
- Quick attention mode and wearing detection make conversations effortless
- Sony, headphones connect app for Android/iOS to use smart listening technology to control your ambient sound settings
10.Klipsch XR8i
Features
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- KG-2365 AcuPass(R) Two-Way Hybrid Driver
- KG-065 Dynamic Woofer
- KG-723 Balanced Armature Tweeter
- Die-Cast Zinc and Co-Molded Elastomer Housing
- Patented Oval Ear Tips (4 Different Pairs). Three-Button Remote + Mic
Best Earbuds Under 300 – BUYER’S GUIDE
Advanced Features
One thing worth mentioning is that most of these come with a some pretty advanced features. For the most part we are talking about high end driver designs, the majority of which are proprietary. Because of that, even two seemingly comparable models aren’t really comparable at all. Each brand has their own set of hardware which performs differently. Aside from drivers, one of the most interesting features you will run into is noise cancellation. Specifically, these earbuds will either have active or passive noise cancellation. Lets discuss each in detail.
Active Noise Cancellation
Active noise cancellation is easily the more efficient of the two. The levels of noise reduction some of these earbuds offer can easily silence a room full of people talking among each other. Naturally, even the best active noise canceling system has its limits. However, chances are that you won’t find those limits anytime soon. The main drawback of active noise cancellation are the batteries. Having to constantly rely on batteries can be a nuisance if you want full independence. On the other hand, being able to enjoy your favorite music with additional detail is definitely worth the extra hassle.
Passive Noise Cancellation
Passive noise cancellation is simpler and less effective, but effective enough in most cases. With this approach you are using the chassis of the earbud to drown out most of the noise. As such it tends to have limited success depending on where you are and how noisy your environment is at the moment. Some of the earbuds that feature passive noise cancellation work extremely well while others not so much. The benefit of going with this setup is the fact that you don’t have to carry batteries around with you. On top of that, the earbuds themselves are going to be a fair bit lighter compared to an active set. Additionally, passive noise canceling tech tends to reduce the price of a given set of earbuds making them more affordable.
The Good
Look, if you’re paying for the best, you’re probably going to get the best. It’s as simple as that. Mostly. Obviously, not everything that’s priced this highly is worthy of the price tag, but you should be sure to read as many reviews as possible to ensure that your eventual choice doesn’t disappoint.
At this price range, you’re going to be able to do one of two things. Each has its use, and there’s no strictly better choice. It’s a personal thing. Either you can find a truly jack of all trades affair which delivers a solid amount of features, a good design, and decent audio quality, or you can choose which of those three aspects matters the most to you and specialize.
There are, for example, a whole host of sports eardbuds, wireless offerings, or just your standard ‘general use’ earphones to choose from at the $300 price point. The world is your audio oyster, whatever that means.
The Bad
There are only two potential negatives worth discussing here and the main one is this: there is, no matter what brands would like you to believe, an absolute cap on the quality of an in-ear listening experience relative to other form factors.
Now, this needn’t be a bad thing. Earbuds have a lot going for them: they’re highly portable, they usually come with a ton of useful features, and they tend towards a kind of plug and play, ‘it just works’ user experience that a lot of equipment designed for audio purists does not. But it’s absolutely worth considering before you drop $300 on in-ear headphones if you specifically want an in-ear rather than over-ear experience.
The second negative, then, is aimed at audiophiles who, for whatever reason, have their hearts set on earbuds. At this price point, you’re going to be paying a lot of money for a form factor which can’t deliver the optimal listening experience. If audio is, above all else, your primary concern, you may want to look elsewhere.
What to Look For
Decide which of the two archetypes you wish to pursue and run with it. Are you someone who appreciates a robust feature set, an attractive design, and a good listening experience? Then pick a pair of earphones which cover all those bases. But if you’re looking to prioritize one of the three, there’s plenty on offer for you to choose from as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand has the best earbuds? That totally depends on what you’re looking for – but we’re careful with our lists. That means all of the earbud and in-ear headphones below come from brands we trust. Still, if you’re not sure where to start looking, respected brands like Sony, Apple, Cambridge Audio, JBL, and Optoma are good places to start.
What are the best cheap earbuds? At least half of the buds in this list are below the $80 / $80 mark, which makes them ideal for those who need a new set of headphones but can’t justify a splurge. We recommend the 1More Triple Drive In-Ear Headphones – but if they’re still too pricey for your current budget, then check out our guides to the best cheap headphones of 2021 and the best budget wireless earbuds.
Which is better, earbuds or headphones? It’s up to you. Some people love the feel and immersive sound experience of over-ear headphones, others prefer the freedom and compact size of in-ear headphones and earbuds. It all depends on what your priorities are.
How do I keep my earbuds from falling out? Although most of the high-end in-ear buds and headphones are designed to stay put, everyone’s ears are different. Which means there’s still a chance they’ll fall out – especially if you’re running or moving. If this keeps happening, we recommend opting for a pair built with sports in mind, these tend to have better support and even a different design that anchors them into your ear better.
WRAP UP
As far as earbuds go, it looks like you are probably trying to hit the uppermost end of what’s on offer if you’re planning to buy at this price point.The premium in-ear headphones market began as something of a contradiction in terms with many brands opting to compete instead with the stock, pre-packaged models that consumers find alongside purchases of new devices.
But in the last few years, a real need has emerged for high quality, versatile devices which deliver an ‘as good as it gets’ audio experience while maintaining the portability, ease of use, and all round practicality of the earbud form factor. And companies, across the board, have delivered.
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