Best Earbuds in 2020 for Effective Noise Cancellation and Improved Sound Quality for Audio Transcription

This list of the best earbuds in 2020 looks at features like:

• Noise Cancellation
• Sound Quality
• Comfort
• Price & Performance
• Durability & Longevity

We hope this will help you to make the best buying decision for yourself, whether you’ll be using earbuds to listen to music, audiobooks, watch movies or for audio transcription.

The list contains everything from affordable or cheap beginner earbuds to high quality, audiophile, absolute best earbuds money can buy.

Earbuds (in-ear) vs Headphones (over-the-ear)

Personally we’ve always preferred earbuds or “in-ear” headphones over the big “over-the-ear” cuppy headphones, especially for audio transcription, because they do a much better job of noise cancellation by effectively blocking your ear canal.

They are also more comfortable if you plan on doing the listening for hours on end.

Some people have complained of their earlobes hurting after extended listening using “on-ear” or “over-the-ear” headphones, or an uncomfortable, sweaty feeling during summers.

Earbuds are not only lighter, but can also produce more accurate sounds.

If you prefer headphones, see our list of Best Transcription Headphones 2020

Wired vs Wireless Earbuds

Technology evolves at the speed of light these days; flooding the market with wired and wireless earbuds in a wide range of price, performance and quality.

Therefore, you as the consumer have an unprecedented abundance of choice in 2020.

You can find wireless earbuds at low prices that were unheard of just a few years ago.  Furthermore, battery backup and sound quality has improved by leaps and bounds too!

In addition, with Apple, Samsung and other brands following suit to remove headphone jacks from their phones, wired earbuds are fast losing appeal.

However…

Wireless technology may be a slight hindrance when it comes to audio transcription.

Bluetooth connections have a slight delay, so while the sound quality may not be an issue while you’re transcribing, there could be a delay when you pause and unpause the audio or video file.

And that can get annoying really quickly because you’ll be doing that hundreds of times during audio or video transcription.

Simplifying Tech Talk

Whether you’re looking at earbuds in this article, or on another website, or on the manufacturer’s page, there is some jargon usually associated with earbuds and headphones.

Let us make it easier for you.

What is Frequency Response in Earbuds?

Frequency response is the range of bass, mids and treble.

20 to 20,000 Hz is generally accepted as the standard audible frequency range for most people, and it’s also the standard for most headphones.

The range of human hearing is about 20Hz-20KHz.

What does Impedence mean for Headphones or Earbuds?

Low impedance headphones (less than 25 ohms, approximately) will work well with equipment with weak amplification, for example iPods, MP3 players, smartphones, and other portable devices.

Headphones with higher impedance (25 ohms and above, approximately) demand more power to deliver high audio levels.  As a result, they are protected from damage caused by overloading and used with a wider range of audio equipment.

Therefore, professional DJ headphones range from 25 to 70 ohms.

For most purposes, including audio transcription, basic headphone or earbuds with less than 25 ohms should work just fine.

Earbuds Sensitivity

Shows how effectively your device will convert the electric signal into sound.

However, if the input signal is of poor quality and poor level, the audio output would also be poor quality, regardless of your earbud’s sensitivity.

So, with all of that out of the way, let’s jump into the main topic.

Best Wired Earbuds 2020

Ideally you want to buy the best earbuds you can, that are not only durable, but also give you excellent, amazing sound quality.

We start with this list first because in our opinion wired earbuds are still the best option for audio transcription.

These may be premium, so for budget wired earbuds or cheap earbuds, scroll further down in this article.

For now let’s take a look at some of the best wired earbuds you can buy in 2020:

1. 1MORE Triple Driver Earbuds

Cost: $80.97 (USD) or £62.49 (GBP) on Amazon

Premium quality earbuds, and that shows in the price.

Sometimes a bit extra upfront investment can yield great results over the long term.

Pros:

• Pronounced highs & bass with full sonority.
• Low distortion but high resolution with two balanced armatures.
• Patented “triple-layered” design.
• Inner aerospace metal layer for clear human voice.

Cons:

• Some complaints of being too heavy or uncomfortable
• A few complaints of poor build quality and customer service

2. Sennheiser CX 300S

Cost: $43.63 (USD) or £33.69 (GBP) on Amazon

I’ve used a lot of Sennheiser headphones and earbuds over the years, including the CX100 with great results.

Sennheiser headphones have always been dependable with great sound quality, and the CX300S takes it up another notch.

Pros:

• Detailed sound and enhanced bass
• Tangle free cable
• Great sound for the money

Cons:

• Prone to malfunction if the cable is yanked too hard.
• Some complaints of poor build quality

3. SoundMAGIC E11

Cost: $42.99 (USD) or £39.95 (GBP) on Amazon

I’m currently using these for audio and video transcription and quality analysis, and getting great results!

Pros:

• Balanced, accurate sound with clarity
• Machined aluminium housing with minimalist design
• Silver-plated copper cable provides high-resolution audio
• Comfortable and secure fit with isolating design

Cons:

• Some complaints of too much or ear-piercing treble
• Complaints of bad build quality

Best Wired Budget Earbuds 2020

We’ve kept these under $30.

1. Sony MDRXB50AP

Cost: $29.99 (USD) or £24.95 (GBP) on Amazon

If you need an affordable pair of noise canceling earbuds to get you started in transcription, these will get the job done.

Soft eartips in an earbud also means your ears won’t be painful after extended use.

Pros:

• Good bass.
• Lightweight and comfortable for hours of transcription.
• 0.47 in neodymium drivers for powerful, balanced sound.

Cons:

• Much like other earbuds, they may stop working if you’re too rough with them.

2. Sennheiser CX 100

Cost: $29.39 (USD) or £24.99 (GBP) on Amazon

Affordable pair of wired earbuds from Sennheiser, these will get the job done for a long time to come.

Pros:

• Small design provides ideal comfort
• Choice of four ear adapter sizes ensure ideal fit for effective noise blocking
• Ergonomic in-ear design for ambient noise isolation and undisturbed
• Great value for money

Cons:

• Fragile and prone to malfunction if the wire is yanked too hard.

Ridiculously Cheap Wired Earbuds 2020

We’ve included these because we understand that especially during tough times, starting a new job or a “side hustle” should be as easy on your pockets as possible.

Now please keep in mind, these are unknown brands, but with high rating on Amazon, so try them at your own risk.

Then again, you can’t really go wrong with headphones that cost $5 and may make you hundreds in return.

You can always switch to the well known, dependable brands if these don’t work.  In my experience however, many of these do work, and keep working for a long time.

1. Blukar Earphones

Cost: $7.6 (USD) or £5.94 (GBP) on Amazon

These are available on Amazon UK when I last checked.  Not sure if they’re available in the US.

Pros:

• Ridiculously cheap at £5.94.
• Comfort and good sound quality.
• Different size eartips included
• Strong cable

Cons:

• Unknown brand, there might be durability or quality issues (as with all earbuds really).

2. Vogek Earbuds

Cost: $7.99 (USD) or £6.16 (GBP) on Amazon

Available in both USA and UK.  Again, great value for money for what they offer.

Pros:

• Ergonomic design
• Tangle free cable
• Different size eartips included

Cons:

• Unknown brand, there might be durability or quality issues (as with all earbuds really).

Best Wireless Earbuds for Audio Transcription

While these are great for a more convenient wireless experience, especially with modern smartphones, but as we mentioned earlier in this post, wireless bluetooth connections have a slight delay when you pause and unpause an audio or video file using a transcription software.

Some of these are also extremely expensive, because wireless technology is expensive (for now).

Don’t forget: Smartphones and laptops have bluetooth in-built, but not personal computers, and you may need a PC USB bluetooth adapter to use wireless earbuds on a computer.  They are fairly cheap ($7  to $10).

If you can live with all of the above, then below are some of the best earbuds giving you amazing sound quality without the annoyance or hassle of wires.

1. Samsung Galaxy Buds+

Cost: $152.88 (USD) or £117.99 (GBP) on Amazon

Personal bias, I’ve been using these for the past year and they are amazing.

I don’t use them for audio transcription though.  I still use wired earbuds to transcribe because I don’t want to be hassled with audio delays or worry about battery life.

Pros:

• Crisp high notes, powerful basslines and clear sound.
• Pairing is super simple especially with Samsung smartphones.
• Work with Apple and Android phones and PC/Laptop bluetooth via USB.

Cons:

• A bit of tweaking is required to get the perfect sound.

2. Sony WF-1000XM3

Cost: $218.17 (USD) or £168.50 (GBP) on Amazon

It’s a Sony!  These fall somewhere between the Samsung and the Sennheiser in terms of price, but deliver amazing sound quality.  Built-in Alexa is a nice touch.

Pros:

• Industry-leading noise cancellation
• Ergonomic Tri-hold Structure for secure fitting
• Alexa built-in devices. Talk to Alexa while walking or on a bike ride!

Cons:

• Some complaints of charging issues, sound quality and app not working.

3. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 2

Cost: $312.07 (USD) or £240.94 (GBP) on Amazon

Very expensive, but probably the best sound quality you can get for the money right now.

Pros:

• High end stereo sound
• Unique 7mm dynamic earbud audio drivers.
• Deep bass, natural mids and clear treble
• Active Noise Cancellation.

Cons:

• Very expensive

Best Budget Wireless Earbuds

Some of the budget wireless earbuds featured here, astonishingly, have most of the big brand features, but at a fraction of the cost.

1. Anker Soundcore Life P2

Cost: $49.99 (USD) or £42.99 (GBP) on Amazon

Anker are famous for making excellent, cheap bluetooth speakers.  So, naturally that experience translates well into these wireless earbuds.

Pros:

• Superior vocal enhancement and background-noise suppression.
• Good accuracy and clarity, lossless transmission.
• Battery life and backup comparable to big brands
• IPX7 Waterproof.

Cons:

• Fit may not be as expected.
• At this price, do you really care?

2. Boltune

Cost: $33.99(USD) or £34.99 (GBP) on Amazon

I am still amazed you can buy wireless earbuds with amazing features at such low prices these days.  Oh, the joys of Amazon.

Pros:

• Bluetooth V5.0, up to 50ft range.
• Great sound quality for the price.
• Quick charging

Cons:

• Some complaints of microphone and call quality.
• Complaints of poor build quality.

Are Earbuds Fragile?

Yes, especially the wired ones, because to keep them lightweight, oftentimes the cables are super light and flimsy.  But whether you buy an expensive pair or a cheap one, headphones or earbuds, the durability and longevity largely depends on you, the user as well.

If you’re going to be rough with them, then buy the ones specially made for sport and outdoors.

If you’re buying a pair of good quality earbuds for transcription, please be gentle with them and take care not to pull on the cables especially.

I have lost plenty of expensive and cheap headphones or earbuds in the past because of negligence, but have learned from those mistakes and am extra careful now.

Conclusion

If you want to own a good pair of earbuds for audio transcription, we recommend wired ones.  Because you’ll most likely be sitting and transcribing in front of a computer or a laptop, so the wires make no difference.

If you want one pair that connects to your phone and your computer via bluetooth, then go for a wireless earbud.  Laptops already have bluetooth, but for a PC, don’t forget to buy a USB bluetooth adapter.

That’s about it.  If you liked this article, please share it with your friends and colleagues.

Please leave a comment below if you think we’ve missed something, or if you have a recommendation.

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