Budget Earphones

Best value for earphones under $100

Most portable electronics, including MP3 players, come with low-end earbuds; third-party manufacturers have been making advances in sound quality and comfort, though, like new silicone shaping for a better fit. Earbuds don't extend as far into the ear canal as in-canal earphones, and they don't do much to block out ambient noise. While basic earbuds can be found for as little as $10, most experts recommend spending at least $30 for earphones, which will get you better quality without breaking the bank.

Apple's basic white earbuds, shipped with iPods, have become iconic. However, like most earbuds included with MP3 players, reviewers bemoan their audio quality. Apple's In-Ear Headphones (*Est. $80) are designed to accent the company's newer iPods and the 3G iPhone without sacrificing sound. Campbell Simpson at Good Gear Guide says that these are a worthy upgrade, striking a nice balance between isolation, sound quality and comfort. In-line volume controls and a microphone a few inches down the earphone cord add functionality, but won't work with older iPod models or the original iPhone. Stuart Andrews of TrustedReviews.com agrees that the dual-driver Apple earphones are a good value, adding that rock and pop tracks sound quite good. iLounge.com's Jeremy Horwitz, however, finds the Apple earphones' sound to be "clinical." Reviewers say that there's little reason to go for these earphones over others, unless you have a recent-model iPod or iPhone to take advantage of the in-line volume controls.

As moderately priced headphones go, reviews are most impressed with the Etymotic ER-6i (*Est. $80), with the exception of one source. Editors at Which?, a British product-testing magazine akin to Consumer Reports, feel that sound quality is below average, and they are especially critical of the difficulty some of their testers had in getting these to fit properly. User reviews, which give a good overview of long-term satisfaction, regularly point out that it's crucial to read and follow the directions when inserting these earphones to get the best sound quality.

When worn properly, the ER-6i in-ear headphones give a clearer sound than comparable full-size headphones, according to CNET's Steven Guttenberg. Bass is reported by most reviewers to be weak, although owners again emphasize that bass response depends on proper insertion of the Etymotic ER-6i earphones. Still, non-booming bass seems to be standard for in-ear headphones, so if your musical tastes include lots of bass-heavy tracks, this style probably isn't the best choice.

Best earbuds for the gym

Although the Etymotic ER-6i earphones gets the best reviews overall for value, you probably don't want to take $80 headphones to the gym, where they may get sweaty or tossed into the bottom of a bag.

While there are plenty of sport-style earphones on the market, they don't get as much attention from reviewers who are primarily concerned with the best sound. Nevertheless, careful reading of reviews can help determine whether a particular model would be suitable for use while working out. For instance, some reviewers note concerns about cable microphonics (or "cable thump"). This refers to audible noises made when the headphone or earphone cable sways and hits the body -- a phenomenon common when running or doing other physical activities.

A couple of earphones and earbuds we found are specifically designed for use while jogging or running, and the Sennheiser MX 75 Sport (*Est. $30) earbuds get good reviews for this purpose. These earbuds have a twist-to-fit design that consists of a round piece of rubber that sticks out of the bud and presses gently but firmly against the outer ear for a secure fit. They're comfortable for most reviewers, though getting the right fit is tricky or impossible for some users. Once you figure that out, however, reports say the headphones stay nicely in your ears and deliver clear sound across all ranges, though detail doesn't match that of more expensive in-ear earphones from Shure and Etymotic. Be aware, however, that these earphones are neon green, a point many reviewers couldn't help mentioning.

The other sports earbuds that receive fairly good reviews are the Sony MDR-EX81 (*Est. $45). These consist of two earbuds, each attached to a rubber hook that goes around the top of your ears and holds the buds securely in your ears. Although most reviewers find them comfortable, some have trouble getting a tight fit, which affects sound quality and causes the buds to fall out during jogging. Sound quality is rated highly, though, with Jeremy Horwitz of iLounge.com saying the sound is "very close to optimally balanced." These obviously won't give the detail of high-end earbuds such as the Shure SE530 or even the Etymotic ER-6i. But they're designed for sports use and, as Laptop Magazine points out, they do give loud, clear sound with minimum distortion that beats most earbuds that come with portable players. The big problem with these earbuds shows up in user reviews -- many of the more than 250 owners posting to Amazon.com report that the cord frays, exposing the wire.

One interesting -- though somewhat pricey -- alternative to in-ear headphones for exercise is the Audio Bone AB10 headset (*Est. $180). This unique product, which looks very similar to conventional earphones, wraps around the head, but the speakers rest in front of the ear, rather than on or in the ear. Using bone conduction, sound waves are turned into vibrations that are heard directly in the inner ear, bypassing the eardrums. This also makes them ideal for anyone concerned about hearing loss. The Audio Bones stay firmly in place for strenuous activity and are waterproof. Jeffrey L. Wilson at Laptop Magazine tries out these headphones, saying that audio quality and volume isn't particularly good for the price, and it's difficult to hear over particularly loud noises like a subway. He reports better results when earplugs are used at the same time, but wearing earplugs outside is not a good idea, safety-wise.