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Whether you are new to audiobooks or a dedicated listener, the earbuds can make or break your audiobook experience.
The right pair of earbuds is not just about sound quality, the comfortable fit and long battery life are just as crucial for extended use.
As an audiobook enthusiast, I have tested earbuds from all major brands in search of the best option. Here are my top picks for the best earbuds for audiobooks.
Quick Pick
I have reviewed each earbud in detail below, but if you are looking for quick recommendations, here are my top picks.
- TOZO T6 – Best Budget Option
- JBL Vibe Beam – Best Overall Option
- Beats Studio Buds – Most Features Option
- JBL Endurance Run 2 – Best Wired Earbuds
- TOZO A1 – Best Earbuds for Small Ears
- Samsung Galaxy Buds FE – Best Pick for Android Fans
- AirPods Pro 2 – Best Pick for Apple Fans
All of the above options make a cool gift for audiobook lovers.
7 Best Earbuds for Audiobooks – The Detailed Reviews
1. TOZO T6 – Best Budget Option
I have used higher end earbuds that sound great but TOZO T6 offers- a great overall package for its price range.
These earbuds give you all the reasons to not overspend on your earbuds.
- Sound Quality: I am impressed with the sound quality. A well-balanced and immersive audio experience. You can feel a powerful bass when appropriate but overall, it is clean and not ‘over the top’ to my ears.
- Connectivity: Pick them up from charging case and they will automatically pair with each other. Connectivity has strong range, even through walls in the next room.
- Comfortable for Long Use: They come with several ear tip sizes so you will find the ones that hug your ears perfectly
- Smart Touch Control: Tap once to play/ pause audio and answer a call, double tap to skip forward/ backward, and hold to adjust the volume.
- Impressive Playtime: I use them for 2-3 hours daily and do not charge them for weeks at a time. TOZO claims 10 hours of playtime with a single charge and a total of 45 hours with the charging case. Fast charging is another of my favorite features.
- IPX8 Waterproof: One reviewer dropped them in toilet for a few seconds and no water made inside the case. Another user left them in pants and washed accidently but they still work.
These earbuds are lightweight and comfortable enough for long audiobook sessions without any discomfort.
They punch well above their price tag and are highly recommended.
Pros
- A balanced and clear audio experience
- Excellent connectivity range
- Smart touch control for play/ pause/ forward/ backward
- Impressive battery life
- IPX8 Waterproof that you can trust
Cons
- No noise cancelation
- Not for audiophiles who care about bass and other settings
2. JBL Vibe Beam – Best Overall Option
JBL is known for excellent quality when it comes to sound and these earbuds are proof of that.
They are the overall best earbuds for listening to audiobooks, offering impressive sound quality and comfort for extended listening sessions.
- Connectivity & App: As soon as you open your mobile, JBL earbuds automatically prompt you to connect. Tapping ‘Connect’ directs you to the Play Store or App Store to install the JBL app, which unlocks additional features
- Impressive Sound Quality: I’m not an audiophile, but the sound quality truly impressed me. The audio has great depth, with punchy bass and clear mids
- Battery Life: I have used them for over six hours straight on a single charge, and the case provides an extra 24 hours of battery life. Just drop them in the case for a quick recharge
- Comfortable Fit: Multiple earbud covers are included, which are easy to pop on and off. Select the ones that are perfect for your ears and you are all set for long listening sessions.
- Talk Through Mode: This feature lets you hear more of your surroundings. So when you’re out walking and don’t want to get run over by a car or doing house chores but want to be aware of your surroundings, use this mode.
- Call Quality: You can hear the other person clearly, but they may also pick up background noise around you. Since the microphone lacks sound dampening, they are not the best for hands-free calls in noisy environments.
- Touch Control: The right earbud’s touch controls let you skip forward or back between audiobook chapters, while the left earbud adjusts the volume up or down with a simple tap
You can adjust the audio with an equalizer through an easy-to-use app and customize sound according to your needs.
Pros
- Great sound quality with excellent sound reproduction
- Talk Through Mode to hear more ambient sound when using the earbuds
- Customize the sound the way you like, or select one from the presets
- Comfortable to wear for long listening sessions
- The case/ charger is durable. It stayed shut pretty well after a drop test on carpeted floor
- Touch controls for volume control, calls and more
- Water and dust resistant
Cons
- No Adaptive noise cancelation like other JBL models
- Not great for hands-free calls in noisy environments
3. Beats Studio Buds – Most Features Option
This is an all-in-one earbud that you can use for audiobooks, podcasts, and music and enjoy the best listening experience and excellent sound quality.
- Sound Quality: The sound quality is excellent, with deeper and punchy bass and crisp highs that make music, podcasts, and audiobooks sound incredible.
- Active Noise Cancelation: The noise cancellation is the best I have experienced in any earbuds. It automatically activates as soon as you take them out of the case
- Transparency Mode: Transparency Mode allows you to hear your surroundings. A very useful feature when I go out for a walk or do house chores but want to know what is going on in my surroundings.
- Connectivity: It connects effortlessly to both iPhones (just like AirPods) and Android devices. Beats claims a 100-meter Bluetooth range—I tested it up to 30 feet, and the connection remained perfect
- Intuitive Touch Controls: I preferred the touch controls over AirPods—they’re more responsive and easier to use
- Comfortable for Extended Use: Choose between 3 sizes of ear tips to find the perfect fit. The ear tips are secure and comfortable whether I am in gym or on a long commute.
- Battery Life: Battery life is solid and even better with noise cancellation turned off. The company claims up to 8 hours on a single charge and 24 hours with the charging case
I love the Fast Fuel Charging. A 5-minute charge gives you 1 hour of playback time.
Pro
- Active Noise Cancelation and Transparency Mode to control your surroundings
- Comfortable wear with three size eartip options (S, M, L)
- One-touch pairing for Apple and Android devices
- Excellent Bluetooth connectivity range
- Sweat and water resistant
Cons
- The only missing feature is ‘In-Ear Detection’ which is available in Beats Fit Pro
4. JBL Endurance Run 2 – Best Wired Earbuds
If you are looking for the best earbuds for audiobooks that do not need charging, go for the wired option.
I have tried many wired earphones from top brands over the years, and I think JBL Endurance Run 2 is the best, far exceeding expectations for its price range.
- Sound Quality: Impressive sound quality JBL is known for with decent bass. Passive noise canceling works reasonably well.
- Secure Fit and Comfortable to wear: Two designs mean you can wear in-ear or behind-the-ear. TwistLock makes them secure and stable
- Hands-Free Calls: In-line button with microphone enables hands-free calling.
- Magnetic Buds: Great for easy cable management when not in use
The JBL Endurance Run 2 has remarkable sound quality for its price range.
Pros
- Impressive sound quality
- More comfortable wear than other wired options
- Secure fit. They do not pop out even during running
- Great value for money
Cons
- Cord is a bit noisy when listening to audiobooks. Not noticeable when listening to music
- One size eartip may not be suitable for all. It is comfortable and fits well for me.
5. TOZO A1 – Best Earbuds for Small Ears
TOZO A1 is the best Bluetooth earbuds for audiobooks if you have small ears. The shape of A1 mini is specifically shaped to fit snugly and comfortably in smaller ears.
- Ultra-Lightweight and Compact Design: One earbud weighs only 3.7g. The compact design has barely-there feel. The case is surprisingly light.
- Battery Life: The battery holds really well and it charges super-fast. The case battery can recharge the earbuds (from 0%) 3 to 4 times before needing a recharge.
- Sound Quality: Impressive sound quality. TOZO app allows personal sound customization. Mids and highs are clear. The bass is not really good. The noise-canceling is pretty good.
These earbuds make a perfect gift item for women and seniors. Great for non-tech savvy users because of ease of use.
Pros
- Light weight and compact design
- TOZO app offers extra features to customize the audio
- Great battery life. Case battery can recharge ¾ times
- Designed to perfectly fit the curve of small ears.
Cons
- Only suitable for small ears. The largest eartip (which comes pre-installed) is a little smaller than what I prefer
- Not for audiophiles. I found bass to be lacking
6. Samsung Galaxy Buds FE – Best Pick for Android Fans
I am pleasantly surprised and impressed by the Samsung Galaxy FE. These earbuds have all the features of the main earbuds line for much less price.
- Sound Quality: I agree with plenty of positive reviews from audio enthusiasts that sound quality is second to none. This is one of the best sounding earbuds I have tried.
- Comfort: The first thing you will notice is comfort. FE is more comfortable than the main buds line and I can confidently say you will find them most comfortable ear buds you have ever used. Soft silicon is perfect for users who can’t wear earbuds for long durations.
- Connectivity: Instantly connect to my phone when they are out of box. Zero issues with connectivity. The app makes it super easy to connect to my iPhone/ iPad with single tap on widget. Never lost the connection and range is good
- Decide What to Listen and What to Not: Active Noise Cancellation works pretty well to filter out unwanted noise. Ambient Mode keeps you aware of your surroundings.
- Battery Life: They charge pretty fast and stay charged well. I haven’t tested battery life in detail but users noted battery life as advertised and one user only charged the case one time in one month of daily use.
You don’t need Buds2 Pro or Buds3 Pro for audiobook listening, FE is the perfect choice.
Pros
- Most comfortable earbuds. With Wing-tip design, they always stay in
- Active Noise Cancellation & Ambient Mode
- Built-in Voice Assistant
- Great value for the price
- IPX 2 Sweat/ Water resistant
Cons
- Don’t have 360 Audio feature like Buds2 Pro and Buds3 Pro
7. AirPods Pro 2 – Best Pick for Apple Fans
AirPods Pro 2 has great sound quality that you can expect from Apple. It is more comfortable than other models and has much better Active Noise Cancellation than the first generation.
- Comfort: They fit perfectly thanks to four pairs of silicone tips that fit to wide range or ear sizes and shapes. A snug and comfortable fit compared to AirPods 4
- Sound Quality: The top notch, clear and rich sound that Apple is known for. Active Noise Cancellation is superior to the first generation. The Adaptive Audio tailors noise control to your environment.
- Battery Life: The battery life is decent. If you use them daily, you will need a charge every other week. The AirPods Pro charge fast from the case.
- Transparency Mode: Be aware of your surroundings if you need to
- Hearing Health Experience: Hearing Test, Hearing Protection, and Hearing Aid for mild to moderate hearing loss
AirPods Pro 2 is an impressive upgrade from the first-generation AirPods Pro.
Pros
- Impressive sound quality with best Active Noise Cancellation
- Hearing health features
- More comfortable fit compared to other models
- Touch control and Siri integration
- Up to 30 hours of battery life with case
- IP54 Dust, sweat, and water resistant
Cons
- High Price
I hope you find our collection of the best wireless earbuds for audiobooks and a wired option helpful.
Buyer’s Guide – 7 Tips to buy the best wireless earbuds for audiobooks
Here are some of the features I highly recommend checking when buying your next earbuds.
1. Comfort
You will need to wear earbuds for an extended time to enjoy your favorite audiobooks. Look for models that include multiple ear tip sizes so you can find the perfect fit for long listening sessions.
2. Battery Life
A long-lasting battery ensures uninterrupted listening. All the earbuds recommended in this guide offer solid battery life, plus a charging case for extra power when you’re on the go.
3. Sound Quality
I recommend one pair of earbuds for your audiobooks, podcasts, and music. Sound quality is one of the most important features to consider when buying earbuds.
4. Price
You don’t need to spend a fortune on great audiobook earbuds. Aim for a good balance between price and features.
5. Noise Cancelation
This feature is especially useful for commuting or traveling and listening to audiobooks in noisy places. I recommend going for a pair with active noise cancelation.
6. Transparency Mode
This is another useful feature that you will appreciate in your earbuds. When I go out on a walk, I want to know about incoming traffic. Transparency Mode keeps you aware of your surroundings.
7. Durability
Look for earbuds with sweat and water resistance for added durability, especially if you’ll be using them outdoors or while exercising. Some models also offer dust resistance for extra protection.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can find the perfect wireless earbuds for listening to audiobooks.
Read More: 7 Best devices for listening to audiobooks
Sohail Ahmed
I love Audiobooks and this blog features my first-hand experience with all major audiobook apps and services … Know More