When you’re searching for good earbuds for iPhone, you should consider a range of factors beyond what Apple offers. Yes, AirPods are nice devices that work very well with an iPhone, but that doesn’t mean they’re meant for you.
Using these tips, you can increase your productivity and comfort with earbuds that are perfect for your ear, your routine, and your device. Remember, there’s more out there than you realize, and you don’t want to make yourself uncomfortable while following the crowd.
Why Look Beyond iPhone Earbuds?
AirPods are, for one thing, quite expensive. Yes, they’re designed by Apple for their devices, but that only takes you so far. If these earbuds aren’t right for you, you’ve wasted quite a lot of money on an item that doesn’t do anything you need. Moreover, AirPods can be easy to misplace because of their tiny stature, the charging pack can be just as easy to lose track of, and you may not enjoy the fit, call quality, or battery life. You may also be quite annoyed at the idea of holding onto yet another set of charging cables and plugs just for a simple pair of earbuds.
Another consideration with any earbud is how often you plan to use it. As mentioned previously, AirPods are rather expensive, and many users cannot justify the expense related to something that they use a few times a week. Taking this idea one step further, many parents do not wish to purchase AirPods for their children, knowing the cost and the relative ease with which the AirPods could be lost.
Finally, you may not want to be tied to Apple and the notion of planned obsolescence regarding such a pricy item. If you invest in earbuds, they should last for many years to come. Yes, they will need replacing at some point in the future, but the social conversation concerning how quickly Apple moves on to new devices and discontinues support is one worth remembering.
What Makes a Good Pair of Earbuds for iPhone?
What makes a good pair of earbuds for iPhone? Use these steps to get an idea of what you should value most when making such a consequential purchase.
Seamless Apple Integration
When you choose any pair of earbuds for your iPhone, you need to prioritize:
- Quick pairing
- Automatic switching
- Spatial audio support
- Siri integration
- Quality with different apps
- Audio from video and voice calls
Remember, you cannot know for sure if your earbuds will connect well with an Apple device until you connect them yourself. However, you should do your best to understand if the headphones you have chosen connect well with Apple and apps on Apple devices. If the earbuds are not known for connecting with Apple devices very well, you should look elsewhere because that problem is not likely to get better.
Design, Comfort and Fit
Fitting earbuds in your earis often the most difficult thing to do when you make a purchase. Yes, you might get a few silicone covers that fit smaller or larger ears, but you should also consider looking at earbuds with:
- Over-the-ear hooks
- A wire or band connecting the two
- A special material that fits your ear
- Covers that come in different shapes
- Earbuds that you can twist until they fit properly
You should also ask yourself, “Do the earbuds suit the size of your ear, or how active do you plan to be?

Call Quality
A simple review of ratings will tell if the call quality is good. Some people don’t much care because they don’t spend all day on the phone, but many professionals need their phones to survive. With poor call quality, your career could be thrown off course.
Battery Life
Do more than check reviews of battery life. Make sure it is easy to charge the device if they need to be charged alone, or if they sit in their case to charge. Also, do you need a new cable to charge them, or can you use the cable that charges your phone, thus simplifying your life?
Durability
Finally, durability comes down to how long the general public believes earbuds last. At the same time, you can purchase athletic or outdoor earbuds if you need greater durability. Heavier construction can help quite a bit, especially if you tend to be rough on your electronics.
How to Choose the Best iPhone Earbuds
Not certain how to choose the best earbuds for your situation? You may have already convinced yourself that there are better options out there, but how do you distill this massive list of products into something digestible and simple to understand?
When selecting your new earbuds, look at these key factors:
Consider Your Budget
You should set a budget for your earbuds and stick to it. There’s no shame in only spending so much. Plus, there’s no shame in forgoing certain devices that, while appealing, will not provide you with the value you require.
For example, if you listen to music or podcasts here and there, you should likely spend less on a new pair of earbuds. If you answer calls all day, and make appearances on TV or radio and podcasts remotely, you might need much nicer earbuds that offer better sound and call quality (and look better if you’re on video).
Identify Your Primary Use Case
As mentioned above, identifying when you use your earbuds is almost more important than how much they cost. When, how, and how much you use earbuds should directly impact how much you spend. If you’re buying a gift, you might only have so much to spend. If the earbuds are for a child or perhaps an elderly family member who tends to misplace things like this, you might spend less.
When buying for yourself, you may choose to spend a little bit more without overspending so that you get higher quality without regretting the purchase.
Finally, you should consider precisely what you are listening to. If you use earbuds to listen to audio recordings, you must transcribe or review for quality, you need better earbuds. In fact, you need earbuds that are designed for sound quality. Those who use earbuds for phone calls almost exclusively should purchase something designed for taking calls.
If you exercise with your earbuds, you may need to focus on the fit even more than you would otherwise. Hence, the use case ties into all the other factors you’re looking at.
Prioritize Key Features
When you look at the key features of any electronic device, consider:
- How easy it is to power on and off
- Are the buttons easy to press and hold?
- Is the device too large or too small?
- Does the device connect to your electronics easily?
These key features alone can help you make a wise decision. Plus, they often help narrow a long list of devices because you may not realize how non-functional some earbuds would be for you. Yet, someone with larger or smaller hands, differently-shaped ears, or varying degrees of activity may find your least favorite earbuds to be their most preferred.
Read Reviews and Comparisons
Read a few reviews to learn what other people think of the earbuds you’ve chosen. You can often throw out the highest and lowest reviews in favor of two-, three-, or four-star write-ups that better explain exactly why someone loved or hated the device. These reviews are not to be read as gospel, but they can be helpful when you’re not sure what to do.
Recommended for You: TOZO Earbuds Best for iPhone
TOZO Open EarRing
The TOZO Open EarRing offers lightweight construction, hearing protection, and safe use outdoors. The unique wraparound ring provides a much better fit, even though the earbuds are so small. Plus, this fit improves sound quality and they never pull away. Charge these earbuds in the case and slip them on with ease, avoiding the awkward fitting procedure that many earbud users experience.
TOZO OpenReal
The TOZO OpenReal is an excellent choice for those who exercise with music, featuring a connecting band that wraps around your head or neck. The buttons are easier to reach, given how active you will likely be, noise cancellation helps you listen to or even take calls on the move, and you can choose from several equalizer settings to ensure that you can hear in any situation.
TOZO Golden X1
Try the TOZO Golden X1when you need a charging case, small construction, active noise cancellation, and a wide range of frequencies that come through in living color. TOZO’s Armature and Dynamic drivers make these earbuds far more pleasurable to listen to.
The smaller setup helps you forget they’re even there, but the little wing on the end makes them simple to insert and remove on the go.

Buy the Right Earbuds for You Today
You should never be afraid to purchase earbuds that you enjoy, afford, and manage. Many times, this may not be AirPods from Apple, and you owe it to yourself to look at all the options out there before making an investment in a device that brings you in contact with music, news, podcasts, entertainment, friends, family, colleagues, and so much more.