The growth of smartphones and other handheld devices has seen an equal increase in the popularity of earbuds. Considered to be a lightweight and compact alternative to consumer headphones, earbuds don’t mess up your hairstyle or make it uncomfortable for you to wear glasses or earrings.
But despite offering a number of advantages, earbuds come with plenty of issues, too. Cable failure is a top reason for damaged buds, which happens when you put stress on their wire’s plastic, rubber, and metal components. Plug or jack damage due to constant wire twisting is possible as well.
If you’ve experienced any problems with your old earbuds, replacing them with newer, sturdier ones will do you good. We’ve listed down some of the most durable earbuds on the market today, as well as the factors you should look for in an indestructible pair.
Tough Tested Earbuds: What to Look For in Earbuds
Investing in durable wired earbuds can feel like a gamble. While plenty of products are designed with durability and hardcore use in mind, not all earbuds can stand up to prolonged real-world abuse.
When you’re buying earbuds for hard workouts at the gym, long commutes in all seasons, or any other high-intensity activity, you’ll need to look for a few key features, stylistic components, and design considerations.
While it’s always a good idea to review materials, cables, strain reliefs, waterproofing, and warranty specifications before you invest in a pair of long-lasting earbuds, reading user reviews always provides helpful insights and information. Actual users know the difference between a clever design and a functional one. When you’re buying earbuds, you should absolutely definitely take ratings and user experience into account.
If you’re wondering what to look for in earbuds that will help them stand up to your most athletic and repetitive uses, here are a few key things to consider.
Material
Don’t expect your earbuds to last if they’re made out of low-quality material like flimsy plastic. Metal casings, such as aluminum, offer excellent protection. You can also opt for reinforced ceramic or plastic as these shield your earbuds well from damage. Also, make sure to consider the thickness of the rubber since these protect the wires.
Cables
No matter how durable earbuds are, the first thing that wears out is the cable. So check if it’s coated with strong Kevlar or layers of rubber. For the cable itself, consider if it’s detachable or replaceable. If cables are a common issue for you, then durable wireless earbuds will be an improvement over even the most durable wired earbuds.
Strain Reliefs
Many earbuds have weak spots on their connector or the overall design, which can be discovered after a few weeks of use. This is why the jack, housing connectors, and Y splitter require strong strain reliefs. Your earbuds are going to get tugged and pulled over time, which means you need these three points to be as strong as possible.
Waterproofing
Athletes and fitness enthusiasts love going about their routines while listening to music. If you’re the type to use earbuds while doing physical activities, opt for a pair that has moisture-resistant features. This prevents sweat from damaging the earbuds. A waterproof feature also helps protect them in case it rains while you’re out in the field.
Warranty
Customer service is important for every product. If you break your earbuds, you’d want access to the manufacturer’s support center immediately and have them replaced, if possible. The standard is one year but it’s a plus if you could find a pair that has an extended warranty. This means that the company is sure that its earbuds can stand the test of time.
The 8 Best Durable Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
Likely the most impressive function of these headphones is its CustomTune technology. This sound calibration system fine-tunes its noise cancellation and sound quality to your ears. This provides a lifelike and balanced sound catered specifically to you, regardless of your surroundings.
Bose also wants to make sure you are comfortable in your earbuds all day long. These come with three different silicone ear tips and three different stability bands to mix and match for your optimal fit. You can get six straight hours of listening off of one charge. The charging case holds another 18 hours when fully charged, bringing the total time up to 24 hours.
Key Specifications:
- Bose CustomTune technology
- Up to 24 hours of listening off of one charge
- Quiet mode for noise cancellation
- Aware mode for full transparency
Shure SE215
The robust plastic casing on the Shure SE215 is designed to endure constant use on stage since they’re made specifically for performing musicians. It’s also equipped with moisture protection so that sweating under those bright lights won’t be a problem. With its detachable memory wires and the durable L-shaped plug-in, replacing them if they get broken would be a cinch.
The Shure SE215 provides detailed sound and enhanced bass. It also has comfortable sleeves that can block ambient noise for up to 37 dB, along with its sound isolation technology. For professional musicians, the SE215 is a sure choice for monitoring.
Key Specifications
- Driver: Single Dynamic MicroDriver
- Cable & Material: Kevlar-reinforced Detachable Cable
- Sensitivity Level: 107 dB
- Connector: Gold-Plated 3.5 mm Stereo Mini Plug
- Weight: 1.05 oz / 30 g
Apple AirPods Pro with Wireless Charging Case
As usual, Apple has created an incredibly useful product, leaving its competitors to play catch-up. Apple AirPods Pro are the top of the line for wireless listening.
Active noise cancellation provides completely immersive sound, free from distractions and annoyances. And when you’re riding your bike or walking on busy streets, you can turn on Transparency Mode to let the sound of your surroundings come through for improved safety and situational awareness.
The fit of these wireless earbuds is customizable, so comfort is guaranteed for all users. Choose from three different silicone tips for the most ideal fit and an exceptional seal. Charging is straightforward thanks to the integrated charging case. A single charge guarantees up to five hours of listening time.
Apple’s AirPods Pro are a significant upgrade from the original version both in terms of comfort and sound quality.
Key Specifications:
- Charges via wireless charging case
- Connector: Bluetooth 5.0
- Weight: 1.61 ounces (45.6 grams)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
The QuietComfort Earbuds by Bose are a terrific option for music lovers.
Active and passive noise-cancelling settings provide plenty of flexibility for listening modes. You can choose to engage with your surroundings while enjoying fantastic music playback, or you can immerse yourself fully in your favorite tunes.
Security and comfort were major considerations during Bose’s design process. With patented eartip technology and StayHear Max tip design upgrades, every surface that touches the ear is made of soft, comfortable silicone. If all-day listening is your style, you’ll love how comfortable these earbuds are even after hours of use.
Sweat, rain, sleet, and snow are no match for these IPX4-rated earbuds. Whether you’re hitting the gym or the slopes, you can rock out to your preferred playlist.
Key Specifications:
- Charges via wireless charging case
- Connector: Bluetooth 5.1 (range up to 30’)
- Weight: 0.304 oz (8.6g)
Westone Adventure Series ALPHA
The Westone ALPHA earbuds will suit audiophiles and music lovers alike, as it has a 6.5 mm micro-driver that features precision surface tuning. This driver gives you precise, sonic sound and expanded bass alongside increased fidelity. The ALPHA also offers superb noise isolation and an excellent fit through their silicone and comfort-foam ear tips, giving you improved in-ear performance.
Apart from delivering outstanding sound quality, these earbuds have a splash-proof and weather-resistant design with an IPX-3 rating. They even feature a reflective cable that’s equipped with Westone’s Adventure Warning and Control System (AWACS). This cable will help you see your surroundings better in low light and poor weather. It also makes the ALPHA suitable for on-the-go listening, thanks to a three-button control system and a microphone.
Key Specifications:
- Driver: 6.5mm Dynamic Driver
- Cable & Material: AWACS Reflective Cable
- Sensitivity Level: 97dB
- Connector: 3.5 mm Mini Phone
- Weight: 0.445 oz / 12.7 g
Sennheiser CX True Wireless In-Ear Earbuds
Sennheiser knows quality audio better than most, so it’s not surprising that their CX True Wireless In-Ear Earbuds are impressive.
A custom TrueResponse Transducer provides crystal-clear sound, while a Bass Boost and Built-in Equalizer make it easy to set custom levels for all your favorite music. Passive Noise Cancellation allows you to focus on the music you’re playing while effectively drowning out the chip-crunching sound coming from the next cubicle over.
With multiple size adapters and an integrated smartphone app, these earbuds are fully customizable, both in fit and audio quality. Plus, they feature IPX4 splash resistance, so they can handle rain, snow, and sweat.
If you’re looking for a reliable yet remarkably affordable pair of wireless earbuds, you need to check out the CX True Wireless by Sennheiser.
Key Specifications:
- Charges via wireless charger
- Connector: Bluetooth 5.2
- Weight: 1.72 oz (49g) (Both Earbuds and Charging Case)
Beats by Dr. Dre Studio Buds True Wireless Noise-Canceling In-Ear Earphones
Beats by Dre’s Studio Buds True Wireless Noise-Canceling In-Ear Earphones are the latest from this line of superior audio products. Featuring Beats by Dre’s signature style, these earbuds are a great option for any serious music lover.
Active noise cancelling blocks all external noise for fully immersive listening while Transparency mode lets some of the ambient noise back in as needed for safety and effective communication.
Pairing is simple with either Apple or Android devices and requires a single-touch process that excels in efficiency and ease. One of the most impressive features of these earbuds is the battery life, because you can listen to your music for a full eight hours between charges.
Choose from black, white, and red editions to find the color that best suits your personal style.
Key Specifications:
- Charges via wireless charger
- Connector: Class 1 Bluetooth
- Weight: Bud: 0.17 oz (5g), Case: 1.7 oz (48g)
Ghostek Rush Sport Bluetooth Earbuds
Made especially for gym buffs and athletes, these Ghostek earbuds have a powerful, water-resistant construction. They also provide comfort for each of your ears with their smart grip ear tips. The Rush Sport delivers improved high-definition sound, so you’ll get crystal clear sound while you’re at the gym or out for a run. They have 9mm drivers and a built-in microphone for hands-free calling as well.
It’s worth noting that these earbuds are purely Bluetooth in-ear headphones since they feature true wireless Bluetooth 4.1 technology. The technology offers easy one-step pairing with your device. You won’t even have to control volume, calls, and music playback on your phone, as the Rush Sport offers wired controls for these functions.
Key Specifications:
- Driver: 9mm Speaker Drivers
- Cable & Material: None
- Sensitivity Level: 93 +/-3dB
- Connector: None
- Weight: 3.04 oz
What is the Lifespan of Earbuds?
The lifespan of earbuds depends entirely on the type of usage involved and how well you maintain them.
Do you manage your cords carefully or do you let them get knotted, crimped, or stretched in your bag? Do you regularly clean your earbuds or swap out silicone covers as needed, or would you be embarrassed for someone to see the state of them? Whether your headphones are marketed as durable earbuds, tough-tested earbuds, long-lasting earbuds, indestructible earbuds, or some other far-reaching promise of immortality, you still have to be responsible for the maintenance and protection of your gear.
If your earbuds didn’t come with a proprietary case, invest in a protective bag or hardshell case to keep them safe between uses. Set a cleaning schedule to make sure you don’t have to hide your earbuds in shame from your friends and family. Try not to blast your music at full volume, too. Not only will it protect your hearing, but you’ll keep your earbuds from blowing out or failing prematurely.
By treating your durable earbuds well, you can protect your investment and hopefully enjoy a few years of use before you need to go through buying earbuds again.
When Should You Replace Earbuds?
In most cases, you’ll be able to tell when it’s time to replace your earbuds. If they stop functioning reliably or have visible damage, it’s time to invest in a new pair. Through proper storage and maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your long-lasting earbuds functional for years.
For reference, here are a few definite signs that it’s time to replace your earbuds.
Exposed Wiring or Frayed Cords
Earbuds should be replaced at the first sign of cord damage. If the cord covering wears thin or it cracks, then the cords are no longer protected from the elements. You may be tempted to cover frays or cracks with tape, but you’re better off replacing them with durable wired earbuds. Another option is to cut the cord entirely and look for the most durable wireless earbuds on the market.
Loss of Function
It’s a huge pain when one of your earbuds suddenly stops transmitting audio. Sadly, earbud repair isn’t a common option for most consumers. When volume adjustment buttons, microphones, or earbud speakers cease to function reliably, it’s time to replace your earbuds.
When They Get Too Gross
Earbuds go into our ears — there’s only so much you can do to mitigate that fact. When earbuds start to get so funky that cleaning seems like a losing battle, it’s time to replace your earbuds. You can also start a regular maintenance routine by reading our guide to cleaning earbuds.
