14 Best Earphone And Earbud Brands In The World

Earphones and earbuds are perhaps the most popular audio devices in the world today. Think of how many people you know have a pair or multiple pairs of these tiny headphones.

With great popularity comes a large market with a lot of different brands and manufacturers. In this article, we'll be discussing the best earphones and earbud brands on the market today to help you decide on your first or next pair of earphones/earbuds.

The Top 14 Best Earphone/Earbud Brands Are:

1. Jabra
2. Sennheiser
3. Shure
4. Sony
5. Bowers & Wilkins
6. RHA
7. FiiO
8. Bose
9. JBL
10. Bang & Olufsen
11. Apple
12. Beats
13. Etymotic Research
14. Skullcandy

Before you buy a pair of earphones/earbuds, be sure to check out these My New Microphone articles:
• Should I Buy Earbuds Or Headphones? (In-Depth Comparison)
• The Ultimate Headphone/Earphone Buyer’s Guide

Additionally, I want to add that customer reviews often skew negative (venting frustration, seeking resolution publicly, unmet expectations, negativity bias, etc.) and often contradict. Conversely, affiliate reviews often skew positive (financial incentives, selective reviewing, brand relationships, audience expectation, etc.). With that, I'd encourage you, once again, to read my ethics statement linked above to better understand my stance.

Jabra

First on this list is Jabra, an American-turned-Danish company that produces some of the best-sounding and affordable earphones on the market.

This global brand maintains a serious passion for sound and has plentiful expertise in consumer, professional and medical audio technology. Jabra products are designed by engineers with unrivalled knowledge of the human ear.

If you're looking for easy-to-use earphones with incredible sound, be sure to check out Jabra!

Notable earphone model: Jabra Elite 75t

The Jabra Elite 75t is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $200
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $200
• Top 5 Best Noise Cancelling Earphones Under $200

Sennheiser

Sennheiser Electronic GmbH & Co. KG has become a tycoon in the professional audio industry. Its high-end headphones are utilized in professional settings worldwide, while its consumer-grade earphones are enjoyed by listeners around the world who expect great audio.

Sennheiser is a massive international company with nearly 3,000 employees but remains a family-run business.

Sennheiser strives to design and manufacture the best possible audio devices, including earphones. With Sennheiser earphones, we benefit from the company's great technology in a smaller listening package.

Notable earphone model: Sennheiser CX Sport

The Sennheiser CX Sport is featured in My New Microphone's Top Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $100 and Hikers' Movements' Top 10 Best Headphones/Earphones For Hiking.

Shure

Shure is best known for its wide range of microphones. However, Shure also produces high-end earphones that deserve a spot on this list.

Though Shure has been around for a long time, the company only began manufacturing headphones in 2009. It wasn't long before their earphones became well-respected in the world of compact listening devices.

Shure earphones range from basic earbuds to audiophile-worthy in-ear monitors. No matter what you're after in searching for the best earphones, Shure should have something for you!

Notable earphone model: Shure SE215

Sony

Third on this list is the Sony Corporation. This massive Fortune Global 500 (top 500 companies in the world based on revenue) company has devoted some of its resources to producing some of the best earphones available on the market today.

Sony produces a wide variety of earphones for both professional and consumer markets, with price points for everyone.

Notable earphone model: Sony WF-1000XM3

The Sony WF-1000XM3 is featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top Best Earphones For Sleeping Under $250
• Top Best Noise Cancelling Earphones Under $200

Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins has been making a name for itself as a quality manufacturer of loudspeakers and loudspeaker systems for home, studio, automobile and even mobile applications. In addition to their superb loudspeakers, B&W also designs and produces excellent earphones.

World-class sound engineering and innovation are ingrained into this company and their earphones, among other products, are proof of that.

Notable earphone model: Bowers & Wilkins PI4

RHA

Unlike the aforementioned brands thus far, RHA's main focus as a manufacturer is on earphones and earphone accessories.

The company is committed to designing products that respect and enhance the listener experience, both in terms of audio quality and ease of use.

RHA designs utilize advanced technologies combined with premium materials and intuitive controls to give users the freedom to listen to whatever they want, whenever they want, with audio quality and style.

Notable earphone model: RHA TrueConnect

FiiO

FiiO is a worldwide audio equipment brand name focusing on quality and an aspiration to raise the reputation of its “made in China” products. As their place on this list would suggest, they produce superb earphones.

Their earphones and in-ear monitors of FiiO are some of the best in the world and are designed with those who love music and style in mind. The sonic clarity and reliable performance of FiiO earphones show the company's commitment to quality.

If high-quality earphones are what you're after, certainly give FiiO's product line a listen!

Notable earphone model: FiiO FH7

Bose

Established in 1964, Bose Corporation has become a household name for those who care about great quality audio. Bose is best known for its home audio systems and popular noise-cancelling headphones and also has incredible earphones as part of its product line.

Bose remains at the forefront of audio and earphone technology, advancing the field forward while providing affordable, high-quality products to the typical consumer obsessed with great audio quality.

Bose's earphones are among the best in the world and even outperform over-ear headphones of lesser brands in terms of overall sonic and build quality.

Notable earphone model: Bose QuietComfort 20

JBL

JBL is best known for its consumer and professional-grade loudspeakers. The company also produces some of the world's best earphones.

The popularity of JBL comes largely from the company's ability to produce high-end equipment at agreeable prices. The same is true of their earphones, which sound great and won't break the bank.

Notable earphone model: JBL Reflect Flow

The JBL Reflect Flow is featured in My New Microphone's Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $100.

Bang & Olufsen

The Danish luxury consumer electronics company Bang & Olufsen has been making a name for itself since 1925. B&O is recognized for its high-end audio products, televisions and telephones.

B&O earphones are for the consumer looking to spend a bit more money. Of course, the earphones sound incredible and are very comfortable.

The company's innovative and progressive audio products are sold worldwide, and the heritage of the brand continues today with a team pushing the boundaries of audio technology.

Notable earphone model: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0

Apple

Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company. The company designs, develops and sells consumer electronics, computer software, online services and, of course, earphones.

The Apple EarPods and AirPods are among the most commonly used earphones in the world due, in large part, to the success of the iPod and iPhone audio devices.

The sheer popularity of Apple earphones could have gotten them on this list, however controversial that may be. The audio quality may not be the greatest, but it's not terrible either. The sonic quality has improved since the AirPods.

So these earphones are still some of the best and, on top of that, belong to one of the most successful brands of headphones/earphones in the world.

Notable earphone model: Apple AirPods

Beats

Beats Electronics (better known as Beats By Dre.) is a subsidiary of the aforementioned Apple Inc.

Funny enough, Beats was originally founded to offer the consumer market a better alternative to the low-quality Apple earbuds that have saturated the market.

Beats headphones are often criticized for being overly bass-heavy.

However, to the bass lovers out there, earphones can sound rather weak. One listener's criticism could be another's praise.

On top of that, Beats earphones are stylish and surprisingly comfortable.

Bass, style and comfort have obviously been huge selling points for Beats and have put the brand into the mainstream (and on this list)!

Notable earphone model: Beats By Dre. Powerbeats Pro

The Beats By Dre. Powerbeats Pro is featured in My New Microphone's Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $200.

Beats is featured in other top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!

Etymotic Research

Etymotic Research began as a designer and manufacturer of hearing aids. It should come as no surprise, then, that Etymotic's earphones/earbuds are top-notch.

The brand and the experts that work with the company are passionate about delivering the best earphone products possible to their customers.

The result of such passion is apparent when listening to a pair of Etymotic earphones. What we get is clean, clear, uncoloured audio with noticeable comfort.

Notable earphone model: Etymotic Research ER3XR

Skullcandy

Skullcandy is a huge name in consumer headphones and earphones.

The company began to fill a void in the market for headphones geared toward snowboarders. The company has since flourished to include all consumers, active or not, who are passionate about great-sounding and great-fitting earphones at reasonable prices.

The brand is a standout in style and has made significant strives throughout its existence to continuously improve the technology and sonic excellence of its earphones.

Notable earphone model: Skullcandy Push Ultra

Best Headphones/Earphones By Type, Application & Price

Below is a list of My New Microphone articles regarding the best headphones/earphones by type, application, and price:
• Top 5 Best Earphones For Sleeping Under $250
• Top 3 Best Earphones For Swimming Under $200
• Top 5 Best Noise Cancelling Earphones Under $100
• Top 5 Best Noise Cancelling Earphones Under $200
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $100
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones/Earbuds Under $200
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $50
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $100
• Top 5 Best Wireless Earphones For Running Under $200