The Best Headphones That Look Like Earplugs [2021 Guide]

  • If you’re looking for the best headphones that look like earplugs, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to look at some of the best earplugs that we’ve found and tried out on the Internet.
  • Confused about all the various options there are for wireless headphones? Don’t worry as we’ve also included a buying guide to help you make the right purchase. Read on to know more about what you should look out for when buying headphones that look like earplugs. Our goal is to let you listen to and enjoy high-quality music.

Earplug Style Headphones Buying Guide

Before we dive in our top 5 headphones that look like earplugs, we’re going to go over what you should look out for when shopping. These points will help you save time and money by not purchasing low-quality earplugs that produce low-quality sound.

What Features Should I Look Out for?

Each pair of earplugs are pretty different when it comes to features. The size, sound-quality, build-quality, etc. However, there are some features that you should always look out for when shopping for one. These features are;

  • Good battery life
  • Noise Cancellation
  • Water Resistance
  • Control Module / Built-in Microphone
  • Collapsible Ear Cups

How Do I Know the Headphone’s Battery Life?

You should always check the battery life of the headphones first; especially if it has features such as Bluetooth and noise cancellation. Most of the time, manufacturers include the battery life on the package of the headphone.

You don’t want your headphones to die on you while being stuck in a commute or the middle of an intense workout.

What Exactly is Noise Cancellation and Why Should I Bother?

Noise cancellation is a neat little technology that blocks out most noises from outside sources, leaving you to only hear what’s coming out of the headphones. You can truly immerse yourself in whatever you’re listening to.

If this sounds like the thing for you, don’t worry as there are plenty of options out there. Some of these great options are listed in our top headphones further below. 

However, don’t expect that every single outside sound will disappear entirely. There are still some loud noises that may creep in; even so, you’d be amazed at how much better the sound quality is with noise cancellation headphones.

Why Do I Need Water Resistance for My Headphones?

Water-resistance is mainly for workout headphones or earbuds. Having water-resistant features will make sure that your earbuds won’t get damaged by sweat during workout sessions. Most if not all, headphones that are for fitness are designed to protect against sweat. However, it is still a good practice to check before buying.

If you’re a gym rat or just like listening to music while working out, water-resistance should be up there on your list of wanted features in a pair of earbuds/headphones.

Do I have to Spend A lot of Money on Decent Earbuds?

No, you don’t have to spend obscene amounts of money just to enjoy the sound-quality and convenience of headphones that look like earplugs. However, we strongly recommend against buying the super cheap ones. These models both have very poor sound and build quality.

These cheap earbuds won’t last one month or sometimes even a week, with constant use. There are plenty of affordable yet still decent quality headphones out there. Make sure to check out our list of the best ones down below.

Are the Quality of Ear-Tips Important?

Yes, earplugs with high-quality ear-tips will produce a vastly better sound compared to those that don’t have one. If the ear-tips are too shallow or too small for your ear, it won’t form a good seal in your ear canal. Thus, producing a lesser-quality sound. Make sure that the earbuds fit snugly in your ear. Fit and comfort are very important when it comes to earbuds.

External noises will also distort the sound from the earplugs. If possible, try to find earplugs that have memory foam ear-tips instead of silicone ones. This is because memory foam expands through the warmth in your ears and creates a very tight seal. This ensures that the sound you hear isn’t tainted by external noises.

Should I Buy Earphones with Built-in Controls?

Built-in controls are generally optional when it comes to buying headphones that look like earplugs. However, having one can make answering calls, changing tracks, or adjusting volumes very convenient. With built-in controls comes with it a price increase. So if you have the extra cash, we suggest getting one.

Now you know what you should watch out for when shopping for new headphones. We hope this buying guide will help you find the right earphones for you. We want you to enjoy listening to music while you go about your day.

If you still need assistance in picking out the best earphones for you or just want to look at some examples for reference, read on for our top list of headphones that look like earplugs.

What is the Difference Between Earbuds and Canalphones?

When researching and shopping for new in-ear headphones, you might hear the terms earbuds and canalphones. These are the two types of in-ear headphones. These two may look similar at first glance, but they are very distinct from one another. 

However, there are also headphones that are a mixed hybrid of the two. The difference between the two is fairly significant. Earbuds are placed slightly outside your ear canals while Canalphones must be inserted into the ear canal to secure itself.   

Top 5 Headphones That Look Like Earplugs

Sephia SP3060 In-Earbuds

These cool compact earbuds from Sephia are the first on our list. The first thing that struck out to us about these pair of earbuds is their modern yet simple stylistic design. It is very lightweight while having the sound quality and build quality of some full-size headphones.

It has a pretty impressive battery life, letting you enjoy around 3 hours of listening to music at full volume. The sound quality on these pairs is superb and pleasant to the ears. It has pretty good noise cancellation, which helps lock out the background noise while you listen to your music.

The SP3060 is also a great workout buddy as it has full sweat resistance technology. On top of that, it sits comfortably and securely in your ear to ensure it won’t full off due to constant movement. You don’t have to pick up your phone to answer calls because it has a built-in microphone. We definitely recommend checking these earbuds out.

PRO 2.0 Bluetooth Earplug Style Headphones by ISOtunes

This pair of earplugs are among the top-rated earplugs by the OSHA. Its noise cancellation is superb and to top it off, its earbud tips are made of memory foam which expands upon contact with warmth. This will significantly enhance the sound quality due to less background noise polluting it.

These earplugs have one of the best battery life we’ve come across; with a whopping 16 hours of talk and music time between charges. You can easily get through multiple days without having to charge these bad boys. It features an ear hook wrap design which provides a secure and comfortable fit for every type of ear.

Additionally, with its impressive noise cancellation and memory foam tips, you can receive very clear calls in loud work environments. We believe that these earplugs are one of the best ones you can get for under $100. It is an absolute steal.

You can listen to music and receive calls 30 feet away from your phone with 5.0 Bluetooth. The sound quality is also top-notch for its price range. Finally, it is built to be as waterproof as possible; whether it be water, dust, or sweat. 

Bluetooth WORKINBUDS

For those with tight budgets yet still want reliable and high-quality earplugs, these Bluetooth WORKINBUDS may be the right choice for you. Despite its cheap price, the sound quality is surprisingly good compared to other cheap earbuds. They are pretty lightweight and form a very comfortable seal that helps prevent background noises from polluting the sounds.

On top of this, it has Bluetooth functionality which makes it very convenient to bring around. Its design is very peculiar, but we still like it. The only thing that we could consider a con is that the cables are too long for our liking. These Bluetooth earbuds have all the features you need, long battery hours, decent sound quality, and a fast Bluetooth connection. If you work in a noisy environment, these budget earbuds may be the one for you.  

Xtra Bluetooth by ISOtunes

These headphones that look like earplugs by ISOtunes are built to last very long. It’s designed to withstand sweat, dust, and other outside forces. As the name states, it features Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology. This makes it very convenient to use, and you’ll be able to listen to music and receive calls while away from your phone.

Its long battery life will allow you to enjoy listening to music for up to 10 hours. You only need to charge the earbuds for only 30 minutes. You won’t be interrupted by external noises as the noise cancellation technology on these earbuds is OSHA certified.

These earbuds also feature their own built-in controls for extra convenience. The only thing we didn’t like about these earbuds is the cords can be quite tedious. If you’re a sporty person, the ISOtunes Xtra Bluetooth is perfect for your workout sessions.

Basic Pro Wireless Earplug Style Headphones by Plugfones

These Bluetooth enabled earplug headphones are the last one on our list. The Plugfones basic pro is a lightweight earplug-style headphone that is pretty affordable. It features SoundSeal noise cancellation technology which helps keep external noises from polluting the sound produced by the earbuds.

Furthermore, these earbuds are very durable. It is waterproof and moisture resistant, making it perfect for those sweaty workout sessions. Our favorite thing about these earbuds is the adjustable cords. This makes it very convenient to carry around without long cords getting in the way. The only thing we weren’t fond of was the sound quality.

Conclusion

There you have it, our deep dive guide on the best headphones that look like earplugs in 2021. There are plenty of options out there, so it is understandable to become confused on which to pick. We hope that this guide has helped you narrow down the right type of earplug for you.

Make sure to keep in mind the features you should look out for when buying a new pair of earplugs. 

Category: Guides

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