Best Wired Bluetooth Earbuds

By Tinh Lee, November 24, 2022
Wired Bluetooth earbuds

Before the era of true wireless, the wired Bluetooth earbuds (a.k.a Bluetooth earbuds with cord) were once very popular. They come with a cable attached with two earpieces. The cable features mic/inline controls for calls, volume control and other functions. 

Many companies discontinued this kind of earbuds, like Apple did with PowerBeats lineup but other persist - since a wire may be more convenient - it's not easy to lose like TWS earbuds, and no charging case required for charging, you can wear them as a necklace, if you have to take a bud out of your ears to talk with your friends it's much easier to let it hang around your neck.

A note that our favorite pair, the SoundBuds Slim+ have been discontinued. Wired Bluetooth earbuds will always be superior? let's find out.

How we picked?
Battery life
Wired Bluetooth earbuds' battery life is rated from 5 to 20 hours, it depends on how often use them during the day to pick the appropriate set. Quick charging is a plus, just a few minnutes charge you get 1 hours or more of listening time.
Sound quality
While cheap earbuds have generic sound (flat sound) more expensive models have better sound in terms of bass reponses, mid-range and treble.
Sports feature
Earhooks or ear-fins offer the best fit for working out.
Bluetooth codecs
Wired Bluetooth earbuds with AptX LL support have lower latency for watching movies or playing games.
Sealed or open design
You like the sound sealed completely in the ear with eartips or just loosen fit that let you hear the world around you.

Bose SoundSport Wireless

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Editor's Rating
Bottom Line
Bose SoundSport have "open" design (that let the ambient sound come in a bit) and good sound, they are excellent sports wired Bluetooth earbuds with wing tips.
Bluetooth version
Codec
Battery life
Rated up to 6.5 hours
Water-Resistant
IPX4
Noise-Cancelling (ANC)
No
Multipoint
No

Sony WI-XB400 Bluetooth Earbuds with Multipoint

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Editor's Rating
Bottom Line
Perhaps the Sony WI-XB400 is the cheapest Bluetooth earbuds that sound good and support multipoint.
The Sony WI-XB400 lean to be bass earbuds – but I was surperised that they sound pretty balanced.
Switching back and forth between devices is flawless, while watching movies (well the latency is high, it is not a perfect pair for gaming or watching movies) on my tablet I get a call on my phone and it works – I got notified and pick the call.
The WI-XB400 have good battery life which is up to 19 hours and it’s charged via USB-C cable.
Bluetooth version
Codec
Battery life
Rated up to 15.0 hours
If you're looking for something basic with a kick in bass, multipoint, fairly good call quality, the Sony WI-XB400 are a serious contender.
Pros
Comfortable fit
Cons
Average build quality

Jaybird X4

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Editor's Rating
Bottom Line
Well-suited for daily use, the Jaybird X4 are good for sports with IPX7 rating and ear-fin for more secure fit and it come with sound customization feature that users can play around with. It's a rare pair of earbuds come with charging clip (charging cradle).
Bluetooth version
Codec
Battery life
Rated up to 8.0 hours
Water-Resistant
IPX7
Noise-Cancelling (ANC)
No
Multipoint
Yes

Bang Olufsen Beoplay E6 motion

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Editor's Rating
Bottom Line
BEOPLAY E6 MOTION
Power the motion
Lightweight, in-ear wireless earphones designed for a dynamic and active lifestyle. With a range of ear tips and fins to choose from, E6 Motion are fully customizable.
Bluetooth version
Codec
Battery life
Rated up to 5.0 hours

AUKEY Key Series B60

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Editor's Rating
Bluetooth version
Codec
Battery life
Rated up to 8.0 hours
Water-Resistant
IPX6
Noise-Cancelling (ANC)
No
Multipoint
No

Skullcandy Jib Plus Active Wireless In-Ear Earbud

Editor's Rating
Bottom Line
The Skullcandy Jib Plus Active is an affordable option for sports. They fit securely in the ear with wing tips and if you don't mind much about the bass the Jib Plus Active is a good to go for their balanced sound.
Bluetooth version
Codec
Battery life
Rated up to 8.0 hours
Water-Resistant
IPX4
Noise-Cancelling (ANC)
No
Multipoint
No
Sound signature
balanced
Pros
Comfortable fit
Sports wingtip that fits securely and comfortably in your ear
Well-balanced sound
Cons
No wireless charging
Average build quality
Mic performance would be improved
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