The best headphones for small ears

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At a glance: The best headphones for small ears

No other gadget can compete with a pair headphones if you want to stream a good album or playlist on the go. However, unlike wireless headphones, which can cover or sit over your ears, even the best Bluetooth headphones often struggle to sit perfectly in your ears. It's a common problem, especially for people with smaller ear canals, who are constantly adjusting their buds to stay in place — and stay comfortable.

If you're looking for the best headphones for small ears, a number of audio brands now offer everything from custom molds and extra tip sizes, to smaller buds with premium comfort. We've tried a lot of buds over the years, with some of us having smaller ears than most, and here's what we recommend.

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What are the best headphones for small ears?

Buying guide: How to choose the best headphones for small ears

How we tested the best headphones for small headphones

What are the best headphones for small ears?

Below, we've curated a guide to some of our favorite small-ear headphones you can buy online right now, proving that big sound can come in small packages. All of our picks have been tested by members of our editorial team and include big names in audio (like the latest Bose QuietComfort Ultras and the tested Apple Airpods Pro 2nd Gen) and smaller independent brands that you should consider, depending on your priorities.

1. Sony LinkBuds S

If you're looking for some of the lightest earbuds around that don't sacrifice sound, you'll want to check out Sony's tiny and amazing LinkBuds S.

They weigh just 4.8 grams per bud, but you'd never know it judging by the massive sound coming out of the 5mm speakers. They nestle comfortably in my ear and sit flush with our canal, you won't be cycling through different tip sizes just to find a small enough tip for your ears. We also like that they've used the same V1 processor here for noise cancellation and audio processing as their bigger sibling (formerly Sony's WF-1000XM4), so the ANC is shockingly good.

An included case can recharge the buds for 20 total hours of use (or six hours for the buds alone, between charges). While they may not have the same sonic punch as Sony's flagship buds, their slim, sleek design scores points in our little-ears book.

2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Bose's latest entry-level headphone is a fantastic choice for anyone who loves listening to music wirelessly (and in peace and quiet). But if you're specifically shopping for the best headphones for small ears, the Bose QuietComfort Ultras come with a whopping six different tips, so you'll be sure to find the right size for you.

In addition to the variety of tips that come with the QuietComfort Ultras, the buds also feature stability bands to help secure the buds to your ears, which cover the entire bud and not just the stem. The QuietComfort Ultra headphones also have the benefit of a wide variety of noise cancellation settings, producing big and balanced sound that you might struggle to find in typically smaller headphones.

They also work well for sports and workouts — they're IPX4 rated, so they're still fully functional even when it's raining outside or you're drenched in sweat. They'll also last up to six hours (four with immersive sound), and you can also turn them on wirelessly if you're at home or in the office.

3. 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini

You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of comfortable noise canceling headphones. The 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini come in four eartip sizes and feature a sleek, lightweight design (only 3.7 grams each) that can be worn for hours without discomfort — I wore mine throughout a work day to test it out .

Sound quality is quite satisfactory for a pair of mid-range buds — the brand uses SoundID technology for more personalized sound. On bass they really shine with EDM tracks like Alok's new single Side effect sounds clear without distortion, even at maximum volumes. There are also touch controls on the headphones, which can be tweaked via the 1MORE Music app — I kept mine as the default play/pause settings.

Noise cancellation modes (there are three) can also be toggled via touch control. I found the soft setting to be perfect for drowning out voices and conversations around me, although the loud setting produced an audible hissing sound while not playing music, which may or may not bother you depending on how sensitive you are. your ears.

Other than that, I've thoroughly enjoyed my weeks with the Comfobuds Mini. Battery life was about five hours on a single charge — the wireless charging case holds another 20.

4. JLab JBuds mini headphones

Pint-sized buds mean nothing if they're packed inside a bulky case that sticks out of your pockets or purses — but JLab's new JBuds Mini Earbuds are actually small-ear-friendly and portable, with a sizeable design of coin and a case no larger than a key ring.

In fact, the JBuds Mini might be the lightest buds we've ever tested, and at 30% smaller than JLab's GO Air POP, they still get over 20 hours of playtime with the case, making them clutch for on-the-go or travel. These are easy-to-take-on-the-go headphones packed with easy-to-love features, including multi-point connectivity (something some more expensive top-of-the-line headphones — even Bose — still lack).

Even though they don't have ANC, I didn't miss it too much — from the JLab app I could control the “Be Aware” setting to let outside noise in just enough to distract me during my commute.

5. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

Apple users who want a high-quality pair of headphones that produce noise-cancelling audio can find just that in the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). While it's easy to pop them in your ears for a Zoom meeting or when you're working out, now it's also easier to make sure they don't fall out of your ears, too.

The latest Apple AirPods Pro come in four sizes of eartips, including an XS size, especially suited for smaller ears. If you found the first generation of AirPods Pro a little loose in your ears, choose the new smaller ear tip size for a better fit.

The sound quality continues to remain balanced and clear at all volumes, with a decent amount of bass on all tracks. You'll also get six hours of battery life per charge, and the charging case holds an extra 24 if you need it.

6. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

Samsung has been quietly moving up the audio ranks with its Galaxy Buds line of wireless headphones for the past few years, and the improved fit and lightweight feel of the Buds Pro 2 shows why they deserve to be in the big leagues.

These buds are 15% smaller than the original Buds Pro and have ditched the shiny, slippery bean shape for something that's decidedly more comfortable and streamlined. What you get: studio-like sound with rich highs and pulsating bass that reverberates across a wide, full soundscape. The two-way speakers are powered by AKG (a premium, professional audio standard), with a 10mm woofer and a 5.3mm tweeter built into each earpiece. Additionally, the addition of head-tracking surround sound and high-resolution 24-bit end-to-end audio is quite rare for headphones of this size.

Get up to 18 hours of battery life with the included charging case, which is only average, but Samsung beats big names like Apple when it comes to water resistance. While the AirPods Pro are merely sweat-resistant, the Galaxy Buds Pro 2 are IPX7 rated, to protect them even when (accidentally) submerged in up to three feet of water for 30 minutes.

How to choose the best headphones for small ears:

There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the best headphones for small ears. Here's what you need to know.

Ear tip fit and sizes: The fit is undoubtedly the most important thing when it comes to choosing the right size headphones for you. The best headphones for small ears should fit your ears without falling out or feeling uncomfortable during or after use. But how are you supposed to know if a pair will work before you stick them in your ears? If you find yourself constantly adjusting the buds as you move, they are likely too big for you. Try sizing down to a smaller ear tip.

Battery life: Once you've found the right size of headphones you're looking for, you'll also want to make sure the buds have decent battery life, especially for their size. All of our guide headphones have at least 5.5 hours of power when fully charged, and some even come with a protective charging case that can give them an extra boost while they're stored safely inside.

Bluetooth: Bluetooth headphones are more common than ever, with stronger connectivity and easier pairing. Our favorite headphones for small ears all have strong connectivity (some even have multi-point connection!) so you can conveniently pair them with your smartphone and other Bluetooth-enabled gadgets and devices for music, work and listening your videos when you travel.

How we tested the best headphones for small headphones

When researching this guide, we looked for headphones that were naturally compact and lightweight (under 5.5g), as well as headphones that featured a range of tip sizes that allowed us to find the best fit.

Keep in mind that the headphones should fit normally in your ear canal — we didn't have to press any of these options to get them to fit. We found that a good pair of headphones for small ears formed a tight seal immediately after placing them in our ears with minimal adjustment.