Have small ears, want big music? I hear you
(Image credit: Sony)
Anyone looking for the best earbuds for small ears knows that it isn’t as simple as switching to the smaller ear tips supplied in the box. We, the small-eared music lovers, know that the narrowness of our ear canals is just one issue at play here. Actually, the size of our concha (that recess in the middle of our outer ear) and tragus (the pointy bit above it, at the opening of the ear canal) and what they can accommodate are far more pressing issues when it comes to finding non-painful earbuds for smaller ears.
Pocketable ‘buds that won’t stay in without excessive force are no fun. I know this because I’ve been testing thebest earbudsacross all prices – including thebest budget wireless earbuds– for years now, often having to wedge, twist and adjust earpieces to try to get bigger units just to stay put. It’s no good stuffing extra mics into each headshell to support ANC and juicier batteries if the wearer cannot tru;y glean the benefit.
The good news is, it can be done. What follows is is my pick of the best earbuds for smaller ears, for every budget and whatever your priority, based on that experience. I can sport these earbuds without issue for long listening sessions, so I’m confident you can too.
The best earbuds for small ears overall
(Image credit: Sony)
1. Sony LinkBuds S
Big features and specs even in smaller Sony earbuds
Specifications
Weight:4.8g per bud
Frequency response:20Hz-20kHz
Drivers:5mm
Battery life :6hrs ANC on, 9hrs ANC off, 2x charges in the case
Reasons to buy
+Compact, light and comfortable
+Enjoyable and unthreatening sound
+Great control app
Reasons to avoid
-Could sound more assertive
-Don’t look or feel anything special
I know, I know: Sony’s earbuds didn’t start out small – some of us struggled to achieve a secure fit and seal with early WF-1000XM iterations, didn’t we? But Sony listened to our feedback, and things have changed. The LinkBuds S are small and beautifully designed, to the point that they sit practically flush with my tragus when worn, so no gust of wind can dislodge them.
Leaving their tiny size to one side for a moment, the May 2022-issue LinkBuds S use the same V1 processor to combine noise cancellation and audio processing as the one in the (more expensive, and bigger) former flagshipSony WF-1000XM4, but here it’s working with a new 5mm full-range dynamic driver – which is also smaller than the XM4.
What makes them my top choice for most people with small ears? While the LinkBuds S may be small, their spec-sheet is pretty big. With the exception of multipoint pairing, it’s basically a full house as far as perks go. Noise cancellation can be turned on or off using the capacitive touch surface on each earpiece (which works well, despite their diminutive size) and an Ambient sound option offers 20 different increments, handled by Sony’s Headphone Connect app – again, the same one as used by Sony’s flagship earbuds.
Why the less-than perfect review score? Sonically, they could benefit from an extra ounce of zeal, verve and punch. That said, they’re perfectly musical and enjoyable thanks to the relatively detailed sound, openness across the frequencies, and reassuringly chunky performance through the low-end – I’d just like more dynamic potency through the leading edges of notes). Yes, it’s splitting hairs, but that’s my job…
Oh, and the keen-eyed will note thenew LinkBuds Fitare now in town, having launched in early October 2024 – and with cute squishy ‘supporters’ (read: fins) to slip into more bijou ears and supersede the original LinkBuds S. Will they take this spot in the guide? We’re working on that…
>>>Z52H Battery for Sony LinkBuds S WFLS900N/B WFL900/H
>>>Z52H Battery for Sony LinkBuds S WFLS900N/B WFL900/H
The best budget earbuds for people with small ears
2. JLab JBuds Mini
Inexpensive, tiny, light and still quite capable
Specifications
Weight:3.3g per bud
Frequency response:Not stated
Drivers:6mm
Battery life :5.5hrs per bud, up to 20hrs via the charging case
Reasons to buy
+Incredibly small
+Useful features such as multipoint
+Customizable sound
Reasons to avoid
-Basic codec support
-Quick charge isn’t great
Just quickly glance at the stat above, the one that says 3.3g. Isn’t that incredible for the weight of a driver-housing, battery toting true wireless earbud? It’s not only 1.5g lighter than the Sony LinkBuds S’ weight per bud (listed above as our top choice for smaller ears), but the lightest we’ve ever heard of.
For reference, the Sony WF-1000XM4 weigh 7.3g each, more than twice as heavy. At the other end of the scale, the January 2022-issue1More ComfoBuds Minipreviously got the nod for the lightest earbuds we’ve ever tested, at just 3.7g per earpiece, but each JLab JBuds Mini earpiece comes in at almost half a gram lighter – and when it comes to something that sits inside the delicate creases and wells of your smallish ear for many hours, it actually counts.
These September 2023-launch earbuds are enough to bring on an attack of cute aggression they’re so tiny; put the case on your keyring (JLab has thoughtfully supplied one, in the box) and you’ll barely notice your listening gear is there.
And if they’re going to live next to your keys, it helps to know you’re getting an IP55 rating for rain and dust ingress. You also get multipoint (something much pricier flagship earbuds still lack – Bose, we’re looking at you) and a very good companion app. What don’t you get? Active noise cancellation, which will be a deal-breaker for many – although the passive isolation is better than you’d expect. And for such a low price, we wouldn’t really expect it anyway.
Sonically speaking, they’re good – and that is nothing short of incredible for this money, aided by the option to tweak the EQ in the app. They suffer justfractionallythrough the low end for clout and impact, but it’s a minor shortfall at this ultra-budget level.
While you’re here, we also love the October 2024-launchJLab Go Pop ANCand they’re just as great for smaller ears, but at the time of writing, they aren’t widely available in a few regions… if you do see them, they’re well worth a look too.
The best high-end earbuds for small ears
3. Montblanc MTB 03
Designer earbuds for the pickiest of petite ears
Specifications
Weight:6g per earbud
Frequency response:20Hz – 20kHz
Drivers:7mm Beryllium
Battery life :6hrs (earbuds) 18hrs (case)
Reasons to buy
+Beautifully compact design; classy finish
+Lossless audio codec support
Reasons to avoid
-No multipoint connectivity
-Noise cancellation is average
If you like nice things (and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with liking nice things), you’ll like Montblanc’s bijou and beautifully crafted earbuds. There’s hi-res codec support – aptX Adaptive, to be precise – and the sound has been tuned by designer (of legendary headphones, including theSennheiser HD 600) Axel Grell. Yes, it’s high-end stuff.
You also get IPX4 water resistance and an app that offers a five band EQ tab, unusual noise cancellation and ambient features and auto-off wearer detection plus a lovely representation of the remaining battery life in each bud.
If you’re happy to pay a premium for the quality build, finish and iconic snowcap emblem within earbuds that sound good, I support you – yes, sonically they tick all the boxes for depth and neutrality when listening to higher-resolution music files.
The only fly in the ointment is the MTB 03’s noise cancellation, which is good rather than excellent. In lesser-priced earbuds it wouldn’t be a huge issue, but for this money one might hope for the near ‘bubble of silence’ performance you get from the (much bigger)Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra– because the Montblanc buds are priced to compete with the best. And in the battle for quietness, the clear winner is Bose… but as I mentioned above, those earbuds are pretty huge. Montblanc’s will work nicely for small ears without sacrificing audio fidelity.
The best small earbuds for budget noise cancellation
4. Sony WF-C700N
Easily the best budget-friendly smaller Sony earbuds with ANC
Specifications
Weight:4.6g per earbud
Frequency response:20Hz-20kHz
Drivers:5mm
Battery life :7.5hr (buds) 15hr total (with case, ANC on)
Reasons to buy
+Detailed and immersive sound
+Solid noise cancellation
Reasons to avoid
-No LDAC hi-res codec support
-Only one charge from case
Remember, I have small ears. So believe me when I say that if it’s affordable Sony noise-cancelling earbuds you’re afterandyour ears are on the small side, you won’t be disappointed with the Sony WF-C700N.
They’re not the last word in audiophile-grade sound (you only get standard-quality SBC and AAC codec support rather than anything hi-res, although Sony has included in its entry-level DSEE upscaler to make Spotify tracks sound better) and if you want higher-resolution support in a design that celebrates a smaller ear, you will need to invest more. That said, you do get Sony 360 Reality support here, which is even better if you pay for Tidal – because that music streaming platform has a wealth of content presented inSony’s object-based immersive format.
What you need to know is that they’re lovely and small and they simply shouldn’t be this good for the money – specifically for sound and active noise cancellation. One key omission on the spec-sheet is auto-off feature when you remove them, but for this money it’s a compromise I’m more than happy to make. It’s also a shame that you only get one extra charge of them from the case, compared to two or three with most models here, but that’s balanced out by them offering excellent longevity in the buds from each charge.
Sony’s Headphones Connect app gives you control of the active noise cancellation, including Adaptive Sound Control optimized according to what you’re doing – yes, the C700N essentially learn how you tend to use them, then try to get with the schedule, so you can have lighter noise blocking in the office than when travelling. And even then, you can tweak it all in the app. When ANC is on, all but the loudest noises are softened, leaving me genuinely immersed in my playlists. Given the size of the earpieces, it’s no mean feat.
>>>772030 Battery for Sony WF-1000XM5
The best smaller earbuds for Samsung owners
5. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
For Galaxy phone owners they’re a no-brainer – and they fit smaller ears
Specifications
Weight:5.5g
Frequency response:20Hz – 20kHz
Drivers:Custom Coaxial 2-way (5.3mm tweeter, 10mm woofer)
Battery life :5 hours (buds) 18 hours (case)
Reasons to buy
+Vastly improved hi-res sound quality
+Solid noise cancellation
Reasons to avoid
-Battery life is only average
-Coolest features are Samsung only
Until Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, the company’s record with earbuds, er, wasn’t great. But forget shiny kidney bean-shaped buds and other quirky design flourishes, the Pro 2 are compact, comfortable and all business. Also, I don’t recommend the newer, July 2024Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Profor smaller ears – I found the Toblerone-esque stem a little too bulky to make the driver housing feel truly secure.
Back to the second-gen set I do recommend for those with smaller ears and the basics are spot on: excellent active noise cancellation, voice detect, wearer detection and customizable on-ear controls – all of which work very well indeed – plus IPX7 water ingress protection.
But if you own a Samsung Galaxy device (and thus, access to the Samsung Wearable companion app and home-screen widget) you also get easy spatial audio with optional head-tracking, plus end-to-end 24-bit high-res audio, which is quite a rarity.
For the smaller-eared wearer, the improved fit and lightness here is also winning – the Buds Pro 2 are 15% smaller than Samsung’s last effort and 0.8g lighter per earpiece (5.5g vs the 6.3g Buds Pro) – but more importantly, the design fits me simply, without having to repeat that overly-aggressive twist-and-hope-to-lock-em-in technique some of us know only too well.
The only downside here at the time of writing is that an updated iteration on these August 2022-issue earbuds is expected in August 2024 – here’s what we know about theSamsung Galaxy Buds 3 Proso far. Then again, that means we’re seeing some huge discounts on this still-excellent older model…
The best wired earbuds for small ears
6. SoundMagic E11C
SoundMagic’s humble inexpensive earbuds are still in the mix
Specifications
Weight:15g
Frequency response:20Hz-20kHz
Drivers:10mm dynamic
Battery life :n/a
Reasons to buy
+Elegant, small design
+Great passive noise isolation
Reasons to avoid
-Bass can be slightly muddy
-Not USB-C (but a version is available)
If you’ve ever nosed through an audiophile publication or Reddit thread, you’ll likely know about these wildly successful, multi-award winning entry-level wired earbuds. Despite their 2018 release date, they’re still serving up magical sound for the level. Note that these are 3.5mm terminated (meaning they use a regular headphone jack) but if you want a USB-C version, that’s called the SoundMagic E11D.
For the smaller-eared among us, wires can be attractive for reasons besides their improved sound quality (ditching a Bluetooth connection still means better-quality audio; even an aptX HD connection incurs a degree of ‘loss’ or compression) because wires tether your precious earbuds to each other – and of course to your source device. Anyone who’s ever had to frantically search under their train carriage seat for a popped-out earbudjustas they pull into their stop knows the value of this.
But to call the SoundMagic E11C a safe bet for portable audio is to do these wired earbuds a disservice. Yes, their aluminum dark-metallic design makes them look and feel much more expensive than they are when slipped into your ears – but better than that, they sound move expensive too. They’re not the final word in sonic brilliance, (bass and treble can both be less-than-totally-refined), but they’re impressive for the price, and it’s easy to actually hear what you’re listening to thanks to good passive noise blocking.
The silver-plated copper cable is coated in TPE and aside from the environmental benefits of this type of coating (it’s a kind of thermoplastic rubber that SoundMagic says has “a reduced environmental impact compared to other commonly used plastics”) it also means the cable feels durable and doesn’t tangle, which anyone who usesApple’s USB-C EarPodswill soon appreciate…
The best Apple earbuds for smaller ears
(Image credit: Apple)
7. Apple AirPods Pro 2
The best wireless earbuds for smaller-eared iPhone owners
Specifications
Weight:5.3g
Frequency response:Not listed
Drivers:Custom Apple design
Battery life :6 hours (buds) 30 hours (case)
Reasons to buy
+Top-tier noise cancellation
+Lots of very smart features for iPhone
Reasons to avoid
-Average battery life
-No lossless support
If you’re leaning towards an Apple product, there’s a reason this particular white stemmed design is so popular these days: it fits most people. And that includes those of us with smaller ears. Now, I don’t think AirPods arethe bestdesign for smaller-eared wearers, but if it has to be Apple, this is the set I’d advise. Why? Because I find Apple’s newer ‘open ear’AirPods 4design (which also comes in anoise-canceling variant) a little too wide for comfort in my smaller ears. Yes, the box is tiny; the driver housing of each bud is less so. Of course, fit is a personal thing and the designisemphatically different, so it’s worth trying them, but for me the Pro-suffixed set gets the nod.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer a powerful audio performance plus high-end noise cancellation in a build that’s smaller and more lightweight than plenty of the regular competition. OK, they weigh 5.3g, which is a little heavy given the competitionspecificallywithin this bijou budded list, but that includes the well-weighted stem, as well as the driver housing. I’ve called said stem a ‘toothbrush head shape’ in previous iterations (up to and including the second-gen.Apple AirPods 2019), but here the tail is a little shorter and tapers around slightly to hug your cheek, which aids with a secure fit.
Noise cancellation? It’s among the best in the business. Battery life? Not so much; six hours from the buds is distinctly average – although the 30 hours from the charging case is more impressive.
As always with Apple propositions, iPhone owners are the best-served customers here, thanks to unique features such as head-tracked spatial audio, Find My support including ultra-wideband precision location tracking (so your phone will literally point you to your lost buds) and seamless auto-switching between your Apple devices, which is basically the equivalent of multipoint connectivity on more devices than most – but remember, you need an Apple device to enjoy all of this (and ideally all Apple devices).
>>>CP1154 Battery for Apple Airpods Pro A2084 A2083
The best USB-C wired earbuds
8. SoundMagic E80D
The best USB-C wired earbuds for small ears
Specifications
Weight:16g
Frequency response:20Hz-16kHz
Drivers:10mm dynamic
Battery life:N/A
Reasons to buy
+Affordable hi-res audio
+Impressive noise isolation
+Comfortable and lightweight
Reasons to avoid
-Volume levels a bit quiet
-Button controls too small
-Cable noise impacts your enjoyment
The SoundMagic E80D are excellent value for money, bringing you great sound in a reliable and wired package ready for USB-C phones and laptops. They come with a built-in digital-to-analogue converter (DAC), delivering hi-res audio that’s much more detailed than any other pair of budget buds.
This makes them ideal for anyone who wants hi-res audio but doesn’t have the high-end budget to match. The SoundMagic E80D might not bring you truly premium sound, but you do get impressive hi-res audio that punch above their price, making them a great option if you want an affordable pair of buds that sound great.
Granted, we found that they don’t get very loud in our testing, and you don’t get active noise cancellation to compensate for that, but there’s solid noise isolation. We found that the E80D keep any surrounding noises low enough in general, so you can stay focused when you’re listening to music and podcasts or watching videos.
The SoundMagic E80D have a simple, wired design. During testing, we found that they were comfortable to wear, and the tiny buds size makes them good for the small-eared. We happily kept them in for hours over many times in an office and walking home. They also come with additional ear tips included in small and large sizes, as well as a double-layered option (the default ear tips are standard, medium-sized gels). Whichever ear gels you use, they’re also lightweight at 16g.
The best small buds without ANC
9. Sony WF-C510
The best cheap, smaller wireless earbuds without ANC
Specifications
Acoustic design:Closed
Weight:31g
Frequency response:20Hz – 20,000Hz
Drivers:6mm
Battery life:11 hours (buds) 11 hours (case)
Reasons to buy
+Punchy, energetic audio
+Sony 360 Reality Audio support
+Great in-bud battery life; bijou case too
Reasons to avoid
-A few features missing
-Custom EQ mode is confusing
-Limited case battery life
Some people want ANC to block the noise of busy offices, flights, or commutes, but not everyone wants it. And why pay for something you won’t ever use? Sometimes, it’s safer to stay fully aware of your surroundings, and some people even find ANC a little nauseating – no two humans are identical, as we’re all aware.
Anyway, my top pick for budget earbuds without ANC is the Sony WF-C510. The keen-eyed will note that they’re similar to the WF-C700N listed above (Sony is a name that’s featuring a lot in the realm of bijou buds, isn’t it? I don’t make the rules; it’s just how it is), but nearly half the price, so if you’re happy to forego noise-cancellation, there’s a bargain to be had here.
You won’t get audiophile-level sound quality, exactly, but the WF-C510 still offer a highly enjoyable listen. This is thanks in part to Sony’s DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), which aims to open out and upscale compressed audio from streaming services. An edge over other budget options, I think you’ll agree.
In our review, we noted: “the buds stuck in my ears like the Abba songs they played stayed stuck in my head.” This secure fit is thanks to the “grippy” material on the tips and the lightweight build – just 5g per bud. And the case is another thing about them that’s compact and lightweight, though it only offers one extra charge, which is a tad disappointing. Still, with 11 hours of battery life on a single charge, they’re still competitive for stamina.
How to choose the best smaller earbuds for you
Which earbuds shape is best for small ears?
Short answer: something compact and either teardrop-shaped or pill-shaped, since that’s the most ergonomically accurate design for most ears.
That said, I’ve actually been surprised by the security and fit I’ve experienced wearing some largerlookingearbuds – namely theTechnics EAH-AZ80– which work because attention has been paid to the new ‘concha’ design. The weight these earbuds carry (a not insubstantial 7g) is well distributed across the housing, so they almost feel as if they hug the ear to stay put.
It’s worth noting that some users with smaller ears find an open-ear design is best, since this avoids the issue of achieving a seal – there’s no neck of the bud having to fit in your ear canal. Examples of this might be theAirPods 3(which sit in your ear well or tragus, but don’t need to be pushed further into the ear canal) or a completely open-ear design such as theBose Ultra Open Earbuds, which fit almost like an ear cuff.
As always, all ears are different and while we can point you in the right direction, there’s going to be a degree of trial and error here. What we can tell you is, there’s a set of earbuds out there for you even if you have small ears – and it’s well worth experimenting to find them.
Should I consider over-ears instead?
It’s a very good question, although the answer, as with so many things, will come down to personal preference and how (or when) you like to listen to your music.
Even five years ago, I might have suggested that if you want an excellent fit and you have very small ears, you probably need to be looking at over-ear headphones, but thanks to incredible advancements in onboard mics, batteries, Bluetooth chipsets (with anti-phase tech for ANC) and driver manufacture, ever-smaller earbuds – with ever-improving spec sheets – are arriving daily.
That said, some people still find the nature of an in-ear design hard to get used to. I’ve had emails from readers who find almost all earbuds painful, intrusive or even nauseating, regardless of their ear size. Others don’t experience any issues at all. We are wonderfully unique, you see.
Do you carry a small bag to work? Earbuds, which can be stored easily in their diminutive case and eve thrown in a pocket, are tempting aren’t they? Those big ‘don’t talk to me’ over-ears need a bigger tote bag at the very least.
My advice, as always, is not to rush this purchase. You and your earbuds will be spending a lot of time together, after all. Ask yourself which listening style best suits your lifestyleas well asyour physicality, read our reviews and, if you have the time, visit a bricks-and-mortar store to try your shortlisted options on before you buy.
Are there any earbuds I should avoid if I have smaller ears?
OK, real talk. Leading on from the point above, earbuds are only getting smaller now. Since their arrival not yet a decade ago, manufacturers are seemingly in a race to squirrel drivers, batteries, spatial audio processing and mics into ever decreasing true wireless earpieces. Take the 2015 Onkyo W800BT, the first widely available true wireless earbuds proposition. Each earbud came in at 8.5g – impressive at the time, huge by today’s standards (consider the 3.3g earpiece JLab has offered with the 2023 JBuds Mini for reference).
What I’m saying is, it pays to look for newer products since brands typically seek to better previous offerings with each fresh iteration – and size is a great spec to start with.
Some people findBose’s QuietComfort Earbuds 2and newer Earbuds Ultra (a very similar proposition physically, at least) a little on the bulky side. That said, others think Bose’s unique ear tips, which cover the whole housing rather than just the neck of the bud, particularly secure.
Again, you need to find what works for you.
The Master Mode was perfect for making the most of a short and very chilly sunrise on the fjords. f/1.6 @ 1/125 sec, ISO 50
