What Are the Most Durable Wireless Earbuds in 2021 – Our Guide

Wireless earbuds are relatively the newest entrant in the durable headphones market. They offer great convenience and easy portability due to their light and compact design.

While Apple AirPods popularized wireless earbuds, many other manufacturers have joined the market. As a result, there is now a wide range of wireless earbuds for you to choose from, and each product varies in specifications.

This article reviews the 6 most durable wireless earbuds and provides a buying guide for choosing the right one for you to power your workout.

6 Most Durable Wireless Earbuds

1. Best Overall: Apple AirPods With Wired Charging Case

Sale
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds, Bluetooth Headphones with Lightning Charging Case Included, Over 24 Hours of Battery Life, Effortless Setup for iPhone
  • HIGH-QUALITY SOUND — Powered by the Apple H1 headphone chip, AirPods (2nd generation) deliver rich, vivid sound.
  • EFFORTLESS SETUP — After a simple one-tap setup, AirPods are automatically on and always connected. They sense when they’re in your ears and pause when you take them out. And sound seamlessly switches between your iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, iPad, and Apple TV.
  • VOICE CONTROL WITH SIRI — Just say “Hey Siri” for assistance without having to reach for your iPhone.
  • 24-HOUR BATTERY LIFE — More than 24 hours total listening time with the Charging Case.
  • AUDIO SHARING — Easily share audio between two sets of AirPods on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple TV.

Features

  • Color: White
  • Noise Cancelling: No
  • Water resistance: IPX4
  • Control feature: Voice Control
  • Battery life: 5 hours
  • Device Compatibility: IOS

The Apple AirPods with a wired charging case is the bestselling wireless earbuds on Amazon. This durable earbud delivers great value and quality regarding ease of use, ergonomic design, sleek look, and functionality.

This Apple device is fitted with the New Apple H1 headphone chip that makes it easy to pair with iOS devices and stay connected without dropping. You can easily set them up using the “Siri” voice command. The earbuds have a universal fit that is not customizable.

They deliver high-quality sound whether you are listening to music, making a call, or playing games. In addition, they have a low-latency wireless connection. The latest model has additional features, such as a speech-detecting accelerometer, dual beamforming microphones, motion-detecting accelerometer, and dual optical sensors.

They offer up to 5 hours of listening time with each complete charge. The casing provides more than 24 hours of battery life.

Pros

  • Beautiful, sleek design
  • Voice control
  • High-quality audio
  • Relatively long battery life
  • Splash and sweatproof

Cons

  • IOS phone compatibility only
  • Can be quite loud at max voice
  • Not noise canceling

2. Best Premium: Apple AirPods Pro

Apple AirPods Pro
  • Active noise cancellation for immersive sound
  • Transparency mode for hearing and connecting with the world around you
  • Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit
  • Sweat and water resistant
  • Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to the shape of your ear

Features

  • Color: White
  • Noise Cancelling: Yes
  • Water resistance: IPX4
  • Control feature: Voice Control and touch force sensor
  • Battery life: 4.5 hours
  • Device Compatibility: IOS

The Apple AirPods Pro have a more sophisticated design than the standard AirPods. They have additional features such as noise cancellation, silicone tips, wireless charging case, adaptive EQ, and microphone.

They have three noise-canceling modes: Active, transparency, and Off. Active noise cancellation keeps off all forms of sound, while transparency mode allows some sound in so that you can hear what is happening around you. Finally, in the off mode, the noise cancellation feature is completely turned off.

You can switch between various background noise cancellation modes of this wireless earphone by pressing on the force sensor. The force sensor is located on the inner side of the elongated side of the AirPods. You can also switch through the control center of the connected IOS device. Once the mode has changed, you will hear a chime noise.

These earbuds come with three soft, tapered silicone tips in different sizes for a customizable fit. They are engineered with a high dynamic range amplifier, an H1 chip, and a custom speaker driver for high-quality audio. The adaptive EQ tunes music to the shape of your ear.

These earbuds offer up to 4.5 hours of listening time with each complete charge. The casing provides more than 24 hours of battery life.

Pros

  • Beautiful, sleek design
  • Voice control
  • Superior quality audio
  • Additional features
  • Relatively long battery life
  • Splash and sweatproof
  • Customizable fit
  • Come with silicone tips
  • Noise cancellation

Cons

  • IOS phone compatibility only
  • Pricey

3. Best Budget: Tozo T6 True Wireless Earbuds

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TOZO T6 True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones Touch Control with Wireless Charging Case IPX8 Waterproof Stereo Earphones in-Ear Built-in Mic Headset Premium Deep Bass Black
  • [Smart Touch Control] Specific touch control function makes it more convenient, tap once to play/pause music and answer calls, double tap to skip forward/backward, hold to adjust the volume. You can easily control it without operating the phone.
  • [Bluetooth 5.3] Adopt the advanced Bluetooth 5.3 technology. TOZO T6 support HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP, which greatly improve the transmission speed and providing you with a low-latency listening experience.
  • [ORIGX Acoustic Stereo Sound] TOZO T6 New Upgraded Version provides powerful and premium stereo sound quality. TOZO have created a enhanced bass profile thanks to OrigX, yet punchy and deep as low as 16Hz responds that blends perfectly with the mids and trebles, keeping sound close to the reality.
  • [IPX8 Waterproof] Earbuds and charging case inner Nano-coating makes it possible to waterproof for 1 meters deep for 30 minutes. It is suitable for sports to prevent water. Ideal for sweating it out at the gym . Earbuds and case even can be washed by water and soap.
  • [45Hrs Playtime Endurance] Playtime lasts for over 10 hours from single charge and total 45 hours with charging case. Enjoy fast charging, to fully charge the rechargerable case only 55 minutes via cable or less than 2 hours via wireless charger. Providing convenient charging way with no strings attached.

Features

  • Color: Black, blue, green, white, rose gold, and champagne
  • Noise Cancelling: No
  • Water resistance: IPX8
  • Control feature: Touch control
  • Battery life: 6 hours
  • Device Compatibility: IOS and Android

These Bluetooth earbuds provide great value at an affordable price. They are easy to operate through smart touch control and adopt advanced Bluetooth 5.0 technology.

The TOZO T6 supports various transmissions, including HSP, HFP, A2DP, and AVRCP. They have high transmission speed and low latency, which improves your listening experience.

The Smart Touch Control enables you to play or pause music, answer calls, skip and forward on the playlist, and adjust the volume.

The advanced 5.0 Bluetooth technology enables one-step pairing. Once you remove the earbuds from the casing, they connect to each other automatically. They are then ready to pair on your phone.

They are IPX8 rated with both the durable Bluetooth earbuds and charging case Nano-coated. They are waterproof up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. Therefore, they are suitable for use when exercising. According to the manufacturer, the earbuds and casing can be washed with soap and water.

They have a playtime of 6 hours per single charge and a total of 30 hours in the charging case. The rechargeable case charges fully within 55 minutes via a cable and 2 hours using the wireless charger.

Pros

  • High waterproof rating
  • Strong Bluetooth connection
  • Convenient smart touch control
  • Affordable
  • Wide range of colors to choose from
  • Can be charged using a wireless charger
  • Small, lightweight, and compact design
  • Ergonomic fit on the ears
  • High stereo sound

Cons

  • Not noise canceling

4. Occiam Wireless Earbuds

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occiam Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones 48H Play Back Earphones in Ear Waterproof with Microphone LED Display for Sports Running Workout Black
  • LED Power Display for Charging Case: the wireless Bluetooth headphones' charging case features an LED power display that shows the remaining power in percentage. The charging case displays its battery level from 1% to 100%. While charging the right or left wireless ear buds earbuds Bluetooth, the LED bars for the earbud on the case will flash. Once the earbuds wireless Bluetooth are fully charged, the LED bars will no longer flash.Convenient to know the charging status of your wireless earbuds.
  • 48 Hours Battery Life with Charging Case: The built-in 600mAh charging case provides a total of 48 hours of battery life. Each sport Bluetooth wireles earphone can last for 8 hours of music time on a single 1.5-hour charge.The charging case can recharge the twin Bluetooth wireless sports earbuds up to 6 times, resulting in a total playtime of 48 hours when using the portable charging case.You can enjoy uninterrupted music with wireless Bluetooth headphones during your workouts.
  • Stereo Music & Clear Call: With audio technology, Bluetooth wireless earbuds produce rich, immersive sound with deep bass and clear treble.The true wireless earbuds feature noise-canceling calls, effectively reducing partial background noise, guaranteeing a stable signal and minimal power usage during phone calls.Experience immersive stereo sound and enjoy hands-free calls while working out, wirelessly and effortlessly.
  • One-Step Auto Pairing: Simply pick up Bluetooth earbuds wireless from the charging case, and they will power on and automatically pair with each other.Then activate Bluetooth function on your mobile phone and search for "T17" to connect. After the initial successful connection,the earbuds wireless Bluetooth will automatically connect to the last paired device upon reboot.When using a single earbud wireless, just remove the second one to seamlessly transition between single mode and twin mode.
  • Engineered Design for Sports: The wireless Bluetooth earbuds are designed with adjustable and secure-fit silicone ear hooks and an ergonomic design, ensuring a comfortable and firm fit during running, and other outdoor sports activities.They come equipped with 3 pairs of different-sized spare ear caps for options. Even during strenuous exercise,the earbuds wireless Bluetooth will not fall off. And IPX5 waterproof rating protects headphones wirelsess Bluetooth from water drops or sweat damage.

Features

  • Color: Black
  • Noise Cancelling: No
  • Water resistance: IPX5
  • Control feature: Buttons
  • Battery life: 8 hours
  • Device Compatibility: IOS and Android

These durable earphones are designed as sports Bluetooth earbuds. They are engineered with an adjustable and secure fit silicone ear hook for an ergonomic fit that stays in place whether you are running or doing strenuous exercises. In addition, they are IPX5 splash-proof to protect them from damage due to sweat or water drops.

They have an excellent sound quality and Bluetooth connectivity. The two pieces pair automatically upon being removed from the casing. They then activate mobile phone Bluetooth search and connect. After the initial connection, they automatically pair with the last used device.

They are easy to control using buttons on each earbud. Control features include volume adjustment, answer or reject a call, switch music, and voice assistant. They offer hands-free calling and stereo sound.

They are housed in a LED power display 600mAhcharging case that shows the remaining power percentage. When the earbuds are charging, the LED bars flash, and when fully charged, the light stops flashing.

The charging case can charge up to 6 times for a total of 48 hours of playtime. Each 15-minute charge cycle on the casing provides 1 hour of playtime. The charging case takes 2 hours to fully charge.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • LED charging case
  • Long battery life
  • Splash and sweatproof
  • Ergonomic, snug fit
  • Easy to pair
  • Multifunctional press-button control
  • Comes with two pairs of spare ear caps
  • Each earbud can be used independently

Cons

  • Some people find the charging case hard to open
  • Bluetooth connect disconnect randomly
  • The earbuds fit on the opposite case of the ear they fit on

5. Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds

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Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds - Apple H1 Headphone Chip, Class 1 Bluetooth Headphones, 9 Hours of Listening Time, Sweat Resistant, Built-in Microphone - Navy
  • Adjustable, secure-fit earhooks for lightweight comfort and stability
  • Reinforced design for sweat & water resistance during tough workouts
  • Volume & track controls on each earbud, voice capability, and Auto Play/Pause
  • Powerful, balanced sound with dynamic range and noise isolation
  • Earbuds connect independently via Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range and fewer dropouts

Features

  • Color: Black
  • Noise Canceling: No
  • Water resistance: IPX5
  • Control feature: Buttons
  • Battery life: 9 hours
  • Device Compatibility: IOS and Android

The Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds are compatible with both Android and iOS devices. They have adjustable ear hooks that provide a lightweight, stable, and comfortable fit. The earbuds are reinforced for sweat and water resistance; therefore, they are suitable for use when working out. They have various control buttons, e.g., volume adjustment, autoplay or pause, voice control,

They are engineered with the Apple H1 headphone chip and Class 1 Bluetooth. Both offer excellent Bluetooth connectivity with limited drop even over a wide range. They offer 9 hours of listening time and 24 hours in the charging case. The 5 minutes charge in the charging case provides 1.5 hours of playtime. The charging case has an LED light that flashes when charging.

They come with four ear tips in different sizes. The manufacturer also provides a quick start guide, charging cable, and a warranty card. In addition, customers have the option to sign up for the AppleCare+ with their order to enjoy 24/7 tech support and accidental damage protection.

Pros

  • Sweatproof
  • Built-in microphone
  • Long playtime
  • Super-fast charging on the charging case
  • Earbuds can be used separately
  • Wide Bluetooth range
  • Strong Bluetooth connectivity
  • Comes with extra ear tips
  • Foldable
  • Adjustable ear hook

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Do not provide noise cancelation
  • Bluetooth disconnects randomly

6. iLuv TB100 Rose Gold Wireless EarBuds

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iLuv myBuds Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.3, Built-in Microphone, 20 Hour Playtime, IPX6 Waterproof Protection, Compatible with Apple & Android, Includes Charging Case & 4 Ear Tips, TB100 Rose Gold
  • TRUE WIRELESS AND ULTRA-LIGHT: Compact and ultra-lightweight, these cordless TWS bluetooth earbuds are perfect for workouts, runs, sports and gaming. The in-ear earphones are ergonomically designed to fit snug into each ear. The earbuds also include 4 sizes (large, medium, small, x-small) of soft, flexible ear tips to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. Say goodbye to wired earphone tangles and say hello to the freedom of movement!
  • ADVANCED HIGH QUALITY TECHNOLOGY: These true wireless earbuds employ the most advanced Bluetooth 5.3 technology to give you the best listening experience. Features included are simple and instant pairing, auto reconnection, improved connection stability and improved battery performance. The in-ear earphones also sport a sleek high quality simple design of a buttonless surface; simply double tap to control, play, pause, or answer a phone call.
  • HIGH-FIDELITY PREMIUM STEREO SOUND: Enjoy crystal clear music with exceptional accuracy and clarity. These cordless TWS in-ear earbuds are well balanced with bass and clear treble to create a rich high-fidelity sound experience. The in-ear ergonomic earbud structure supports external noise isolation to deliver premium high quality stereo sound.
  • ALL DAY LISTENING AND CHARGE ON THE GO: The powerful battery within these true wireless bluetooth earphones allow for all day listening. One full charge will deliver 8 hours listening time and will provide an additional 12 hours with multiple charges from the portable compact charging case. Quick charging technology enables 2 hours of listening from just 20 minutes of charge. Charging case features LED lighting to indicate battery life as well as magnetic attraction for easy earbud placement.
  • WATERPROOF PROTECTION: These true wireless in-ear earbuds and charging case are sealed with IPX6 rated protection to endure a minimum of three minutes of powerful jets spraying at least 100 liters of water per minute without water penetrating the hardware. Be worry free from sweat, heavy rain or spilled liquid and enjoy high quality music anywhere at anytime.

Features

  • Color: Black, rose gold, space gray, blue, mint, purple, white, crimson red, and gold
  • Noise Cancelling: No
  • Water resistance: IPX6
  • Control feature: Buttonless double-tap control
  • Battery life: 8 hours
  • Device Compatibility: IOS and Android

These wireless earbuds are integrated with the latest Bluetooth 5.1 technology for high-fidelity premium sound. For easy and convenient control, they are engineered with buttonless double-tap controls.

You can control music, answer, and end calls by simply tapping on the side of the earbuds. They are fitted with a cordless microphone for clear sound when calling.

The charging case delivers 20 hours of battery life with 8 hours of listening time with each charge cycle. Twenty minutes of charging time in the case provide 2 hours of listening time. The charging case has an LED feature that indicates its battery life and when the earbuds are charging or fully charged. It also has a strong magnetic attraction for easy earbud placement.

The TB100s are IPX6 rated. They are water-resistant against heavy rains or water splashes, making them suitable for outdoor activities. They come with four soft and flexible ear tips in different sizes for a customizable, comfortable, and secure fit. They also offer noise isolation to promote food sound quality.

Pros

  • Quite affordable
  • Available in a wide range of colors
  • Easy control with double tap controls
  • Ultra-light compact design
  • High-quality stereo sound
  • Easy earbud placement

Cons

  • No noise cancelation

Buying Guide: Factors to Consider When Buying Wireless Earbuds

Below are factors to put into consideration when choosing durable wireless earbuds.

Most durable wireless earbuds

Size

The best wireless earbuds have an ergonomic design that fits snugly in your ears. They should not be bulky or too wide. Their weight should be well-distributed and balanced. If they are too big, they will be painful to wear, while they may fall if they are too small.

Apple AirPods have a well-balanced ergonomic design. The battery and receiver are fitted into the hanging pole, ensuring that the earbuds are not too wide or heavy. However, some manufacturers opt for a design where the battery and receiver are fitted into the earbud, making it quite bulky.

Sound Quality

Various factors affect the sound quality of wireless earbuds, including volume, codecs, and bass quality. Beware of wireless earbuds that lack volume or that have weak bass.

An audio codec is a program that converts analog signals to digital signals for transmission in different formats. For example, different wireless earbuds have different codecs, including AAC, SBC, LDAC, and aptX.

The basic or mid-range models have SBC, which does not support high-resolution music. Therefore, the sound quality is flat due to limited transmission speeds. High-end earbuds have both SBC and ACC. Some Android wireless earbuds support aptX and LDAC. Both ACC and aptX offer excellent sound quality.

When it comes to sound quality, also consider the quality of the mic, especially if you will be using the earbuds to make calls or for multiplayer gaming. In this case, go for a device that has multiple mics.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Wireless earbuds are highly dependent on Bluetooth connectivity to transmit sound. Therefore, if the device has pairing issues, you may never be able to use it.

Some earbuds have a lagging issue that compromises your listening experience. Go for wireless earbuds with Bluetooth connectivity of at least 5.0. If you are using the earbuds to watch something on the screen, go for low latency to ensure that sound is in sync whether you are gaming or watching a movie.

Battery Life

Most wireless earbuds have a low battery life of 4-5 hours, and understandably, it is a small device. However, some wireless earbuds offer up to 6-8 hours of listening time. The more battery capacity on a single charge, the better.

The case should also have the capacity to charge the buds at least thrice. Note that the indicated runtime decreases by up to 20% for calls compared to music playback.

Control Features

The following are standard control features on most wireless earbuds – music control, playback, call, and voice assistant. In addition, some of these devices have touch-based control features, while others have buttons.

The challenge with touch-based gestures is that they may fail to respond when triggered or get triggered without your intention. On the other hand, some people find button control too analog. Basic wireless earbuds models do not have control features, and you will need to keep your smartphone close by to adjust volume, playback music, or take or make calls.

Ear-Tip and Ear Lock

Some wireless earbuds are designed with silicone ear tips or locks. Although a convenient feature, if the ear tip is too small or shallow, they do not sit properly on the ear canal, making it hard to hear the sound. The ear lock attaches to your ear lobe, keeping the earbuds in place even if you are running or doing intense exercise.

Noise Cancellation

Some wireless earbuds have a noise cancellation feature that helps to keep external sounds off. However, this feature significantly consumes the battery lowering your earbud’s listening time. Most noise-canceling earbuds have a “Hear-Thru” feature that enables you to adjust the level of noise cancellation.

Conclusion

The best wireless earbuds have a convenient control mechanism, good sound quality, and water resistance. The more sophisticated ones offer noise cancellation and a high IPX rating. Apple AirPods still stand out in the market, but you can find other brands that offer great value.