There’s no denying that the invention of wireless headphones has revolutionized the way we consume audio content in our day-to-day lives.
Anyone who’s ever dropped their phone and had their headphones ripped from their ears in the process will know how inconvenient wired headsets and earphones can be.
Factor in the collective hours spent untangling the wires, and the ease with which the conductive copper filaments can become damaged, and you’ll soon realize that wired headphones often cause more stress than they prevent.
Often, the terms ‘headphones’ and ‘earphones’ are used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different kinds of audio devices.
While headphones typically consist of two ear cups with small speakers inside them, held over the wearer’s skull by a headband, earphones are small, bud-shaped devices that fit inside the ear.
Wireless earphones are particularly practical for several reasons.
First and foremost, they’re the most comfortable to wear since you don’t have to worry about any wires getting caught or tangled throughout the day or uncomfortable pressure from a headband.
Moreover, wireless earphones look and feel very much like earplugs.
These factors combined make them more effective noise-cancellers than many of the wired headphone models available on the market.
Today, I’ll be introducing you to our top 5 best wireless headphones (or, more correctly, earphones) that look like earplugs, so you can enjoy your music and podcasts in the most comfortable, convenient way possible!
Top 5 Best Wireless Headphones That Look Like Earplugs
OUR TOP PICK
Our top recommendation for wireless earphones that look like earplugs are the TOZO T10 Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds.
If you’re looking for extra-small, lightweight earbuds that don’t compromise on sound quality, these will be perfect for you.
The TOZO T10s feature large, 8 mm divers (1.77 times larger than the average earphone speaker driver), which deliver high-quality audio from all areas of the spectrum.
The bass is rich and powerful, accompanied by a crystal-clear treble and a smooth, accurate midrange.
These earbuds have even more to offer than superior sound quality, however! They also come with a charging case, which can be used to provide up to 30 hours of playtime!
Even without the case, a single charge will allow you to listen to your favorite tunes for up to 6 hours at a time.
The charging itself doesn’t take long at all, with a full charge taking less than 2 hours. With that said, there have been some reports of one earbud charging more consistently than the other.
Moreover, the earphones are waterproof enough to withstand submersion up to a meter in depth for up to 30 minutes.
Not only does this mean that they’ll survive unscathed if you drop them in the bath or the sink, but it also makes them sweat-proof, so you can feel free to hit the gym with your new earphones.
What really cements the TOZO T10 earbuds as the best earplug-resembling earphones on the market, however, is their tiny size.
These earphones are approximately the size of a quarter, so they fit snugly and inconspicuously into the ear, much like high-quality earplugs!
Given the surprisingly affordable price point attached to these earphones, we’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for great sound and convenience at a budget-friendly price.
Pros
- 8 mm drivers - Vivid sound
- 6-30 hours playtime - 6 hours on single charge, 30 with charging case
- Fast-charging - Less than 2 hours for full charge
- Waterproof - Up to 1-meter depth for 30 seconds
- Extra-small - Coin-sized
Cons
- Inconsistent charging between earbuds - One bud may charge more efficiently than the other
EDITORS CHOICE
If the TOZO T10 earphones weren’t quite your perfect fit, you might prefer the Purity True Wireless Earbuds!
These earbuds are available in a choice of small, medium, and large sizes, which helps to ensure the most comfortable, noise-reducing fit.
They are also sweat-resistant, meaning that you can wear them to the gym or during your exercise sessions without fear of damaging them.
Moreover, the Purity True Wireless Earbuds deliver excellent sound quality and fast Bluetooth connectivity for a seamless listening experience.
Better still, you can choose between stereo mode and single-ear mode, unlike some other wireless earphones that don’t allow for single-bud use.
However, it should be noted that there have been reports of the sound cutting out during movement, so these earphones should be used in close proximity to the audio source.
All of the functions available through these earphones are accessible through a single button at the back of each earbud, so navigating audio controls has never been easier!
Depending on whether you use the provided charging case or not, you can enjoy either 4 hours or 10 hours of playtime, so whether you’ve got a quick gym session or a long train journey planned, these earbuds have you covered!
Plus, you’ll never be caught off guard by low batteries again since the Purity True earbuds have LED indicators that display the battery percentage.
Pros
- 3 size options - Available in small, medium, and large
- Sweat-resistant - Suitable for workout wear
- Dual modes - Stereo and single-ear settings
- LED Indicator lights - Easy battery monitoring
- Single-button control - Optimal ease of use
Cons
- May cut out while moving - Only for close-range use
BEST VALUE
The VANKYO True Wireless Earbuds are strong contenders for the best wireless headphones that look like earplugs.
These compact, lightweight earphones come in a choice of small, medium, or large sizes, so you can be sure you’ll find your ideal fit.
They do, however, feel slightly heavy despite their small size, so they may take a while to get used to.
In terms of sound quality, the VANKYO True Wireless earbuds use advanced Bluetooth technology (V5.0) combined with large, 8 mm drivers, to deliver clear, accurate sound with strong connectivity.
On a single charge, you can enjoy up to 7 hours of playtime, whereas when you use the portable charging case that comes with the earbuds, you can sustain battery power for up to 120 hours.
The silicone tips on the ends of the earbuds are tapered to fit the natural shape of the human ear, ensuring maximum comfort and noise-canceling functionality.
In addition to all of these great features, the VANKYO True Wireless earphones are water-resistant and sweat-proof, so wearing them in the gym or in the rain won’t be an issue.
Pros
- Multiple sizes available - Choose from small, medium, and large
- 8 mm drivers - Crisp and clear audio
- 7 - 120 hours playtime - 7 hours on single charge, 120 through charging case
- Tapered silicone tips - Comfortable and noise-canceling
- Water-resistant - Resistant to sweat and rain
Cons
- On the heavy side - Feel very noticeable at first
RUNNER UP
If you’re looking for some earplug-style earphones that are specifically designed for intense workouts, the ENACFIRE E60 Wireless Earbuds could be exactly what you need!
These wireless earphones have been constructed according to a Sport Fit design.
This design allows the earbuds to fit snugly inside the ear canal without slipping and falling out, unlike most of the wireless earbuds currently available on the market.
The fit is so perfect that you can give your workouts your all without worrying about displacing your earphones.
Moreover, the ENACFIRE E60s feature smart touch sensors that can be used to control the volume, which is something lacking in most wireless earphone models.
A single charge can yield up to 8 hours of uninterrupted playtime. If you use the provided charging case, however, you can keep using your earphones without plugging them in directly for up to 48 hours!
These earphones can also boast extra durability thanks to their water-resistant construction, which stops any water splashes from penetrating the sensitive internal construction.
However, these probably aren’t the ideal earbuds for serious audiophiles since the soundstage separation isn’t necessarily the best.
With that being said, if picking out the different frequencies in a piece of music isn’t your priority, we think you’ll love these earphones!
Pros
- Sport Fit Design - Snug, non-slip fit
- Built-in touch sensors - Effortless volume control
- 8 - 48 hours playtime - 8 hours from single charge, 48 hours using charging case
- Water-resistant - No penetration from water splashes
Cons
- Average soundstage separation - Not the best for frequency detail
RUNNER UP
Finally, we’d like to tell you about the Mpow M30 Bluetooth Earbuds.
These earphones are akin to earplugs in the sense that they’re built to be tiny and lightweight, fitting seamlessly into the ears for background noise minimization and optimal comfort.
One feature we found particularly exciting about these earbuds is that they’re fitted with ear fins that hold the buds firmly in your ears to prevent them from falling out and negate the need for constant readjustment.
These earbuds also feature a Nano coating, which makes them resistant to all forms of moisture, including rain and sweat, so you won’t be losing your new earbuds to water damage anytime soon.
This is a fast-charging pair of wireless earphones that only takes 1.5 hours to charge completely.
Once charged, they can run for 5 hours on their own, or support up to 25 hours of playtime through the included charging case.
Unfortunately, these earbuds only come with medium and large tips, so they’re not the ideal choice for people with smaller ears.
However, this problem can be rectified if you’re prepared to purchase some small tips separately.
Pros
- Dual and single mode - Wear however you want
- Built-in ear fins - No more frequent adjusting
- Water-resistant - Suitable for exercise and all weather conditions
- 5 - 25 hours playtime - Charging case supports 4 charges
- Fast-charging - Just 1.5 hour charging time
Cons
- No small size - Not ideal for people with smaller ears
Best Wireless Headphones That Look Like Earplugs Buying Guide
Now that you know which wireless earbuds we’d recommend if you’re looking for an earplug-adjacent fit, it’s time for us to explain how we came up with our selection.
The main factors separating good-quality, earplug-style wireless earphones from the rest of the competition are sound quality, comfort, ease of use, durability, and charging functionality.
Therefore, these are the factors you should prioritize on your search for the best wireless headphones that look like earplugs.
Sound Quality
If you’re looking for wireless earphones that look and feel like earplugs, it could be argued that comfort is the most important factor.
However, even the most comfortable earplug-style earphones will feel like a disappointment if the sound quality isn’t up to par.
Luckily, all of the earphones featured in our selection provide high-quality sound to different degrees of precision.
So whether you’re just looking to listen to your favorite podcast while you work out or immerse yourself in detailed musical frequencies, there’s something on our list for you!
If your priority is superior audio quality, the most important thing to look for is large driver size.
We’d recommend aiming for about 8 mm since this size is 1.77 times larger than the average earphone speaker driver, without being so large that it forces a larger, cumbersome external construction.
Another feature that factors into the sound quality delivered by wireless earphones is the fit.
The more well-fitting the earphones are relating to the wearer’s ear canal, the more effective they will be at canceling out disruptive background noise.
Read on to find out how to ensure the best fit and the most comfort from your wireless earphones.
Comfort
Anyone who’s bought earphones before, whether wired or wireless, will know that finding earbud tips in the perfect size can be a struggle.
The best way to find the perfect size for your ears is to opt for earphones like the Purity True Wireless Earbuds, which come in 3 different tip sizes.
In terms of material, we’d recommend silicone tips since these tips mold comfortably to the inside of the ear without being abrasive.
Tapered tips are even better because they tend to be exactly modeled on the anatomy of the human ear for the closest fit.
You’ll know when you’ve found your ideal fit when the noise-canceling functionality of your earphones improves and you stop needing to readjust the positioning every few minutes.
If, after all of this, you still find that your earphones don’t feel stable, the answer may be ear fins.
Ear fins are small, plastic, fin-shaped components that attach to the earbud and line up with the cartilage of your ear for extra stability.
You can purchase these separately as an addition to a pre-purchased pair of earbuds, or you could opt for an earphone model such as the Mpow M30 in-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds, which come with the fins built-in.
Durability
It can be hard, especially over the internet, to determine the quality of earphone construction. This, in turn, makes judging the durability of wireless earphones remotely a difficult task.
However, there is one thing you can verify online before purchase, and that’s the water-resistance of the earbuds.
If you regularly wear your earphones outside or in situations where you sweat considerably (for example, at the gym), we recommend looking specifically for water-resistant or waterproof earbuds.
Now, earbuds come in varying degrees of water-resistance. Some, like our best overall choice, the TOZO T10 Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Earbuds, are so waterproof that they can be submerged up to one meter in water for half an hour without sustaining any damage.
Other earphones are less extensively waterproof but provide enough water-resistance to prevent rain or sweat penetration.
If you know that your earbuds will regularly be exposed to rain, sweat, or other forms of moisture, it’s imperative to choose the appropriate level of water-resistance to extend their longevity.
Charging
The only downside to wireless earphones over wired models is that they need to be charged in order to deliver playtime.
Therefore, one of the most important factors in wireless earphone construction is charging functionality.
First of all, it’s important to check how long a pair of wireless earbuds take to charge, as well as how much playtime you can derive from a single charge.
In general, with the advancements happening in audio technology, we’d recommend choosing earphones that take no longer than 2 hours to charge fully. These days, 2-hour charging times aren’t difficult to come across.
Playback times vary significantly across different earbud models and brands, so this is something to pay close attention to.
There are earphones on the market that support up to 8 hours of playtime on a single charge, whereas others are rated at half that time.
Now, you don’t necessarily need to feel pressured to go out and buy the earphones with the longest possible playtime on the market.
Just because it’s available doesn’t mean it’s essential. If you only ever wear your earphones to work out at the gym, for example, you may not need the full 8 hours of playtime, so you might benefit from saving money and opting for a shorter playtime instead.
Charging cases should also be considered in relation to playtime. Most wireless earbuds will come with a charging case, which is great for portability but also allows you to top up your charge on the go!
For example, earbuds with a single-charge playtime of 8 hours can be extended to 48 hours, in some cases, though the use of the included charging case!
