Best Earbuds Under $500

The last few years have been marked by many innovations in the field of earbuds. With remarkable jumps in terms of Best Earbuds Under $500 for lightweight but sturdy materials, multiple drivers filling a small headset, better cable systems, and more accessories, we’re excited to make the list of best earbuds under $500. Although some of our old favorites have predominated, we have a number of exciting new entries, given their progressive design. This year’s best earbuds are spread across the price spectrum, with a variety of sound signatures and features that set them apart from previous years. It’s time to take advantage of some of the best audio equipment technologies to enter the market.

Best Earbuds Under $500

500 dollars is a big amount to buy earbuds at this price range. So, you would like to get the best for your hard-earned money. Our list of the Best Earbuds Under $500 includes the best earbuds you can buy now. And we assure you that you will not be disappointed by the choice of those who are not on our list.

Shure SE535

best earbuds under $500

The Shure SE535 in-ear earbuds have become one of the best successors of the SE530. And they kept the Shure SE535-VJ sound-isolating earbuds in position without seeing any price drop since 2010. This performance is all the more surprising as their formidable predecessors, the Se530s, have seen a significant price increase and were available at unbeatable prices. The universal-fit SE535s use a number of delicate ranges to deliver the best physical and audio performance in our list of top earbuds under $500.

The design of the Shure SE535 earbuds demonstrates a refined design and exceptional strength. The triple driver earphones are noticeably flatter than those of the SE530. They are very low in the ear and you can even sleep by your side with this one. They are always bigger than ordinary auricles. The preformed design is universally suitable for almost any ear, although you’ve talked a bit about it at the beginning to place it correctly. Earbuds have a transparent driver compartments. Seeing the circuits for our technical experts has something new. These are auricles on the ear, where the wire should be guided around the ear. This offers safer equipment. The part of the thread that is attached to the ear cups is a memory wire. It’s difficult, but it can match the curve of your ears.

The Shure SE535 earbuds have a design with three drivers. Each earphone has two woofers and a tweeter for a full sound. Together, they managed to reach a specific point of sound balance where the sound is in balance but does not sound properly. Another outstanding quality of their sound is end-to-end clarity. The bass is present without going to the sea. It is spicy, fleshy, and extended to the bass. It’s beautifully defined and detailed. And it stays the same throughout the entire volume range. The four woofers work together to achieve this precise effect. The semitones are decadent in their details. They have a good sense of space for the earpieces, although you can expect the open-back headphones franchise.

Pros:

  • Universal-fit triple-driver earpieces
  • Detachable cable
  • Exceptionally balanced sound
  • Powerful and tight bass
  • Plays all genres beautifully
  • A good haul of accessories

Cons:

  • Could have come with a spare cable at the price

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Audeze iSINE10

Audeze iSine10 earbuds came on the market at the end of 2016 and much remains to be done. These are the Audeze iSINE10 semi-open earbud earphones for the first time use of the famous planar magnetic technology. Planar magnetic earpieces are known for their exceptionally consistent sound with very low harmonic distortion. The aesthetics, the magic among the moths, the cable Cipher Lightning all turn to the future of audio technology. It’s a slot for the best earbuds under $500.

The Audeze iSine10 earpiece looks like a Hulk-y version of your standard earpiece. To accommodate the planar magnetic drivers, the driver housings are large and look like those of Star Wars. But the whole thing weighs only 0.7 grams, so do not let size confuse you. The actual earbuds protrude from the player’s slot in the ear. Because of their negligible weight, they are safe for the ear. However, Audeze offers a choice of ear hooks and fins that can keep them on your ears and give you an added sense of conviction. There are two pairs of transparent and black ear hooks and two pairs of ear fins for the inner ear. They are deepened, otherwise.

Audeze iSine10 is an open listener. They let in the ambient sound and audio, so they are perfect for private listening. The audio performance is more in line with good size earbuds than with headphones. It eliminates the main disadvantage of annoying headsets: the opening of the audio. The sound response is much lighter and more spacious than that of the ear cups. The absence of distortion reflects temporary treatment and resolution. These in-ear atria have deep, well-defined bass. They flow smoothly in very detailed semitones. The treble has the same resolution, but with a hint of hardness in the treble.

Pros:

  • Open-back planar magnetic drivers
  • Very spacious and detailed
  • Futuristic design with appropriate accessories
  • Cipher Lightning cable with inline DAC and audio cable
  • Clean and distortion-free audio

Cons:

  • The design is not very universal
  • Needs DAC cable for Android phone

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AKG N40

best earbuds under $500

The AKG N40 earbuds bring their game A to the door of Shures and Westones with their unique sound. Their AKG N40 customizable in-ear headphones with high-resolution sound are almost hard to describe, except we love its beauty. They also bring the build quality to a different level and even beat the Shure SE535 according to some users. Detachable cable choices and replaceable filters provide a pleasant touch. AKG N40 appears with the highest brownie points in some columns, which is why they appear in the list of best earbuds under $500.

The AKG N40 earphones are distinguished by their design. These are on-ear style earbuds. The ears are quite light. They are mainly made of rugged plastic with metal reinforcements for long service life. The chrome finish of the metal piece gives the design its high-end appearance. The ears are about the size of the Shure SE535 and are close to the ears. The part of the cable that is connected to the earbuds is stiffened in a bend. These pieces act like ear hooks and balance the atria. They also dampen the vibrations of your movement and protect the audio. The cable of this earphone is detachable. They come with two cables, a straight audio cable, and another 3-button cable.

It is difficult to characterize the sound of AKG N40 earphones. We tested them with a reference audio air filters because the equalizer on our phones makes the other filter useless. We recommend using it with a DAC for excellent sound. The sound is detailed, precise, and slightly warm, so that it remains accurate, but not clinically correct. The bass has a great depth and details and a little more punch than the reference IEMs like Klipsch X20i. It does not change the balance of frequencies. Mediums provide revealing clarity even if you’re a little entangled in the rays of bass and treble.

Pros:

  • Stunning audio
  • Enjoyable, accurate, detail
  • Good cable design
  • 2 detachable cables
  • Comfortable design with built-in ear hooks
  • Useful accessories

Cons:

  • Tuning doesn’t make much difference

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Etymotic Research ER4SR Studio

Etymotic Research’s ER4SR Earbuds are the direct descendants of the earliest commercial earbuds for the balanced use of Etymotic Research ER4SR’s in-ear studio balanced technology. The SR version is the reference model of the studio, while the XR version offers a complete answer. These are audiophile equipment with the best mid-tones available for this price. The excellent sound insulation is only one of the advantages. The new and sophisticated design makes the top of the list of top earbuds under 500 dollars.

Etymotic Research ER4SR earbuds have an unconventional design that may impress some and annoy others. For us, it was the first because the design met our need for total silence in the background while listening to music. The ears of the ER4SR are longer and thinner than the usual earphones. Their cylindrical structure is thin enough that the earpieces and part of the earbuds can sit comfortably in the ear canal. This deep dive design provides the sound insulation benefit. The ear cups are covered with a metal tube that can be removed to reveal the MMCX connector. These earbuds come with pairs of triple-flanged earbuds and black foam earbuds.

The Etymotic ER4SR earbuds are famous and famous for their medium tones. These small divers have set up the perfect scene for mediums with tight and elaborate bass and twinkling highs. With the really high-end details, ER4SR gives you a taste of ultra-expensive audio sounds such as. Unlike some of the more clinically-sounding earbuds, the ER4SR has a relaxed and pleasant sound. They are not as intense on the bass as the XR earbuds that penetrate deeper into the sub-bass. But the low frequencies are tight and fast. The fast transient response ensures a clear sound. If you prefer a more relaxed audio character, we advise you to watch the ER4XR.

Pros:

  • Extremely clear and detailed
  • Balanced and neutral audio
  • Detachable cable
  • Kevlar-reinforced cord
  • Replacement ear filters
  • Metal-reinforced earpieces

Cons:

  • Slightly bass-light

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Westone W40

best earbuds under $500

The Westone W40 three-speaker earbuds are a very underrated unit in a market that is crushed by other well-known three-driver True Waves earbuds. These refined earbuds deliver superior audio quality with triple drivers. They come with an excellent range of accessories. Westone paid great attention to the physical and sound design of these earbuds. The result is an almost perfect sound for the price and a chance to use only nitpick. They get a well-deserved place in the list of best earbuds under $500. The Westone W40 triple-wire earbuds make a good impression when we open the packaging. They come in a rubber casket, sliding presentation that speaks the premium talk about the price.

Best Earbuds Under $200

This is an awesome mini safe with foam to carry the earcups in-ear. It is waterproof with shock absorbers on the sides. They are auricles on the ear. The ear cups have a size somewhere between the Shure SE535 and the SE846. So, they are slightly off the ears. Apart from the three drivers, this cause is due to the replaceable front of the ear cups. W40 comes with replacement faceplates in red and blue. It appeals to the vanity of audiophiles and adds the smallest volume to the ears. They were comfortable with us, so we do not deal with them. This headset comes with a generous collection of earbuds. Including the Westone Star patented earbuds, short and long versions, there are 10 pairs.

The Westone W30 earbuds are remarkably isolated from the clinically uniform response that prevails at this price at IEM. This is an animated earbud with a warm, slightly V-shaped signature. It retains stellar details across the frequency spectrum, but with a rich plush that everyone loves, except the purist audiophiles. The bass has a strong impact with a certain boost calculated in the range of mediums. For its price, it plays without effort and with a tight impact.

This can be a little slow compared to the Sennheiser IE800s, but they are also half as cheap and less exciting. The highs offered by these earbuds offer the right amount of spark without being excessive or harsh. The mediums seem a little deep between the enthusiasm of bass and treble. Overall, this is one of the best earbuds under $500.

Pros:

  • Warm, enjoyable audio
  • Excellent audio detail
  • Fun and accurate
  • 2 detachable cables
  • Westone Star tips selection
  • Play loud even at low volumes
  • Great haul of accessories

Cons:

  • Driver housings could look better

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Klipsch X20i

The Klipsch X20i in-ear earbuds are the dream of a purist audiophile. These have the flat signature that can satisfy all Klipsch X20i earpieces in the ear of analytical listening. Sound and build quality are premiums and they are quite expensive to match. Some design elements can form the basis of each user’s performance. The modularity of the cable, the metal case, the comfortable fit, and the reference sound make it one of the best earbuds under 500 dollars.

The Klipsch X20i in-ear earbuds have a thinner and more tubular design in the lines of the Etymotic ER4SR. The ears are thin and long. They rank well in the ages with their double conductors per tip. They have a metal case with rubber parts to relieve stress. You can not sleep with her because they are beyond ears. But who is probably wearing a room so expensive in bed unless you can afford it? These earbuds have an uncomfortable modular cable. About 4 inches of cable is permanently attached to the ear cups. At the end of these mini-cable segments, you have connectors connected to the rest of the cable. One side connects to a 3-button online operation.

The Klipsch X20i earbuds include a balanced lighting woofer and a super tweeter per headset for quality sound. These are EMIs of reference quality. You prefer a totally neutral response in which no frequency range attracts the attention of others. But the three: bass, midrange, and treble are clear in themselves. The powerful bass is very detailed and tight. It’s fast, with the rhythm of the songs. The low frequencies sound natural as if an audio device did not use them. The semitones are beautifully detailed here. The clear nuances of song and orchestral music are revealed. We recommend using a good audio source and source material to take full advantage of these earbuds.

Pros:

  • Slim profile
  • Accurate and neutral audio
  • Intricate details in the sound
  • Modular cable with remote
  • Metal Housings

Cons:

  • Expensive

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Sennheiser IE80

best earbuds under $500

The Sennheiser IE80 earphones were touted 6 years ago as the best earbuds of their time. They always offer an excellent price-quality ratio for Sennheiser IE80 headsets, especially at a reduced price. These in-ear headphones know how to charge a bass tuner on the earbuds, a commendable feat. They were delighted by Sennheiser’s classic fans with their warm and detailed audio. It is part of the IEM category which produces a pleasant and high-quality sound, hence the ideal match for our best earbuds under $500. The Sennheiser IE80 earbuds have a strong attraction. The brushed metal plate on the back of the ear cups is a bold and grungy statement.

The auricles themselves are pentagonal. The design has proven to be quite comfortable as a universal fit. The back of the earbuds has a small button with white markings to indicate the bass level. A mini-bass adapter tool is included with the package to rotate the small knob. The cable of this earphone is detachable. It has to be wrapped around the ears for proper fitting. Sennheiser sends a pair of ear hooks with IE80 for additional help to route the cable properly. These are removable accessories. The cable is simple and rounded. There is no visible outer layer, but it remains untangled and resistant to daily abuse.

The Sennheiser Ie80 earbuds offer a number of high-quality basses. There is a slight mid-low hump at the moderate bass setting, so purist audiophiles drop the bass button all the way down. It is difficult to dispute here the details and the depth of the bass. For us, average audiophiles, this low end brings to the audio a powerful force that a flat frequency response can not. The warmth that the bass offers almost never interferes with the mid-tones. Although the mid-tones of the Sennheiser IE80 are not as sharp as those of the Shure SE535, they have dynamic detail. The highs are fluid and indulgent without much dazzle or hardness. The sound is smooth and detailed for the casual listener. The most demanding audiophiles may prefer the SE535 to these.

Pros:

  • Smooth, detailed, fun audio
  • Exceptionally defined bass
  • Bass tuner
  • Detachable cable
  • Low-profile earpieces
  • Wide soundstage

Cons:

  • Treble could do with a bit of sparkle

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Bose SoundSport Pulse

Earbuds with heart rate monitors may not be so new, but Bose SoundSport Pulse earbuds are the first that SoundSport Pulse wireless earbuds are the first to work. These wireless sports earbuds have a heart rate monitor mounted on the ear cups. The seamless Bluetooth integrations, the limited but well-executed HRM, and the soft, Bose-quality sound, are among the best earbuds under $500.

Bose SoundSport Pulse earbuds are wireless buttons. They have earpieces connected by a thick wire. Unlike this specific agreement, they are virtually wireless. The atria are big but flat. They do not exceed the ears. They are loaded with new StayHear earbuds. These have fins attached to the ears. In this way, the earpieces do not penetrate the ears and remain at the entrances to the ground. The disadvantage is that ambient noise can infiltrate. StayHear tips with these earbuds are not compatible with the back. These are designed for these HRM earbuds. The surveillance unit rests in the atria. The contact of their usual adjustment is sufficient to collect heart rate data.

Bose SoundSport Pulse earbuds are adapted to the active lifestyle. Add to that a moderate sound insulation, you need a rich sound. The sound is fluid with a calculated hump of mid-bass. It’s tight and spicy. The mid-tones are clean but moderately detailed. The highs are energetic. The sound signature is such that you can hear a significant amount of sound, even in very noisy areas. They are not as premium as other normal earbuds for this price. Part of the investment goes to Bluetooth and HRM.

Pros:

  • In-built Heart Rate Monitor
  • Bluetooth sports earphones
  • Smooth full-bodied sound
  • Secure StayHear tips
  • Hassle-free performance

Cons:

  • Battery life could be better

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Sony MDR-EX800ST

best earbuds under $500

The Sony MDR EX1000 earphones have been widely favored by audiophiles over time. The MDR EX800ST in-ear earbuds in Sony Mdr-ex800st are affordable and always great. These studio monitors offer a precise but musical audio response that purists and music lovers will appreciate. These are earbuds with an open sound, thanks to their ventilated design. This also limits their use to quieter places.

The Sony MDR EX1000 earphones are designed for use in the studio and the design is a reflection of it. These are earbuds and the ears are huge. They are loosely on the ears and the auricles provide you with a secure fixation. They do not hold completely in the ear. But they are flat and look neat. The pilot housing has holes for extending the sound image. The part of the cable that is connected to the ear cups has memory foam. This keeps the earbuds in the ears when the wire is guided around the ears. These earbuds have a detachable cable. They attach to the earbuds via a private connector.

Know immediately that the air vents of the Sony MDR EX1000 earphones limit sound insulation. These range from musicality to pure audio. And they stay firmly in the balance. The bass is tight and spicy. It is meticulously detailed with good extensions. The amount of bass is just neutral, so the usual music listeners may find some light in the bass. The semitones are lighter than the Sennheiser HD600 open-back headphones. This should give you an idea of the excellent detail and lightness of the mid-tones. The highs are detailed but smooth. It does not create sibilance or go too far.

Pros:

  • Musical and accurate
  • Highly detailed reference audio
  • Comfortable fit
  • Detachable cable
  • Tight but laidback audio

Cons:

  • Large earpieces
  • Little noise isolation

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Shure SE425-CL

Shure SE425 is another example of audio excellence. Energetic and fun audio is the partner of the Shure SE425-CL Sound Insulation Earphones, which guarantees a comfortable manufacturing quality. They are designed in the style of Shure SE535 and are an interesting alternative for them. With their expensive alter ego, they are among the best earbuds under $500. The Shure SE425 In-Ear Earphones have exactly the same construction as the SE535.

These are in-ear earphones whose cable is wrapped around the ears. The ears are thinner than the SE530 and have a much lower profile in the ears. They are closer to the size of the SE535 and the ears. The scale of the drivers is clear and shows the circuit that is cool inside. These earbuds have a detachable cable. It connects to headsets via MMCX connectors. The ear part is done with memory wire. This ensures their stability in the ears and reduces vibration during movement. These are comfortable even when they are routed around the ears.

The Shure SE425 earphones contain two drivers per earpiece, namely a woofer and a tweeter. The sound is accurate with a mid-toned beauty that stands out immediately. They have a lot of details that reveal new sounds that allow you to review your audio collection. The bass is tight and spicy. It is so strict that nonchalant listeners can find bass. The high-pitched tones are detailed with a bit of shine, but not enough to create a stunning sense of clarity, as high-end earbuds often do. They are relaxed and tolerant compared to Shure SE 5353, which are a bit superior in almost all sound aspects. This does not mean that the SE425 are excellent. An occasional listener may not find much difference between the two.

Pros:

  • Pure and laidback audio
  • Detailed audio with fantastic mids
  • A good haul of accessories
  • Detachable cable
  • Durable design

Cons:

  • Takes some fidgeting to fit properly

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Best Earbuds Under $500 Comparison Table

Best Earbuds Under $500
Earbud Name Feature Connectivity
Shure SE535 Triple High-Definition Micro Drivers Wired
Audeze iSINE10 Cipher Lightning cable with inline DAC Wired
AKG N40 3 replaceable sound filters Wireless
Etymotic Research ER4SR Studio 35-42 dB of noise isolation Wired
Westone W30 18kHz frequency response Wired
Klipsch X20i KG-926T Balanced Armature Woofer Wired
Sennheiser IE80 Attenuation of ambient noise Wired
Bose SoundSport Pulse Works with various apps Wireless
Sony MDR-EX800ST Detachable cable Wired
Shure SE425-CL Metallic Build Wireless

Things To Consider Before Buying Best Earbuds Under $500

The earbuds are launched every year by dozens of known audio giants and small businesses. But only a few really match the potential of their price. Good earbuds have a price, but the opposite is not always true. Here we try to explain why these best earbuds under $500 won the crown.

Audio Response

Although the perception of a good sound depends on the tastes of each, certain essential qualities make the sound fantastic:

  • Clarity: The clarity of audio at all levels, from low to high tones, ensures a pleasant listening experience. It takes a lot of work to make every sound that goes into the audio. Good earbuds ensure that the sound does not sound veiled or dull, so some details of the music are not clearly audible.
  • Balance: The tonal balance is very important for the best in-ear headphones. In a balanced sound, none of the frequencies sound too loud or too weak compared to others. In other words, the energy of the audio is evenly distributed over the audio spectrum. Balanced audio gives you a good picture of the original audio, that is, the song as it should be.
  • Detailing: You may be wondering why some earbuds cost $1000. What could they do these earbuds under $500 cannot? The devil is in the details. Special attention to the details of the sound helps you hear all the little sounds that are part of the audio and listen to your favorite songs in more depth. Popular songs in the market are popular because of the combined efforts of these details.
  • Signature Audio: Some people prefer a rich bass sound, some seem completely flat, others a warm scale. We can not say that one is definitely better than the other, so we have selected the best earbuds covering different types of audio conferences. However, a flat audio response most easily adapts to your taste of its warm/bass-heavy/mid-front sound. So we preferred them. Some of the best earbuds come with tuning filters that alter the audio response according to the filters physically set to the neutral/bass/treble levels.

Durability

Earbuds have the annoying habit of shorting you to one side. It’s a joke. You can hear half of the form of you. The best earbuds do, not when you treat them moderately well. Sometimes even when you abuse it completely. Additional protection on the ear cups, the Y-ring, the connection, etc. Indicate the life of the earphones.

Comfort

Most of us think that earbuds are generally more comfortable than these. Only some people do not like the atria that enter the ear canal. And there are audiophiles who believe in the power of leading drivers who have standard earbuds. But the priority is given to the ear for convenience. Audiophile earphones often place their son on the ears and behind the neck instead of being worn normally. Although this assures you a more secure fit, some users do not find it very comfortable. Normal earpieces in the front are generally comfortable unless you have disproportionately large atria.

Cable

A cable can determine the fate of a listener in several ways. One is whether they are removable. With the detachable cables, you should not throw the earbuds at $300 because the wire is shorted. But to be economical, emergency cables must be affordable. There are modular cables in which a portion of the cable is connected to an extension just below the Y connection. The cable must be strong but not heavy enough to charge the earphones.

Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Jack

The connection of earbuds is another area of stress. For most auricles, the jacket is now golden. A direct connection is easier to insert and remove from the audio device. But an L-shaped jack has more stress relief and is likely to last longer without damage. The case of the plug must be thick but not too stupid not to penetrate the hole of the phone case.

Ear tips

The best performance of the best earbuds depends on the seal you receive in your ear. The more your ears are sealed against the ambient noise, the more you can distinguish the bass and the details. With a good seal, you can get the best sound from your earbuds. Usually, silicone tips of different sizes give good results. Comply foam tips ensure a good seal, but can absorb perspiration. Some earphones come with both types of earbuds, as well as double/triple ear tips. The options allow you to find the best deal.

Best Earbuds Under $300