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The best wired earbuds of 2026

Femke8 JANUARY 2026
Young man with glasses relaxes in a café, wired earphones in, checking his phone while holding a warm mug in his hand.

Looking for the best wired earbuds? Although wireless models are popular, wired earbuds still offer advantages such as a stable connection and good sound quality. Below you’ll find an overview of the best wired earbuds currently available.

What are the best wired earbuds?

Here you’ll find the 5 best wired earbuds available right now:

  • Apple EarPods (USB-C).
  • Samsung earbuds by AKG (USB-C).
  • Sony MDR-E9LP (3.5 mm mini-jack).
  • JBL Tune 305C (USB-C).
  • Sony IER-EX15C (USB-C).

Blonde woman with glasses and wired earphones smiles at her laptop in a bright, modern office, coffee cup beside her.

Choosing the best wired earbuds depends on personal preferences and how you’ll use them. Important factors to consider are sound quality, how comfortable they feel in your ears and the durability of the cable. The type of connection also plays an important role. There are earbuds with a traditional audio connection (3.5 mm mini-jack), as well as models with a USB‑C connector, making them compatible with your smartphone, tablet and laptop.

View all wired earbuds

Apple EarPods (USB-C)

White wired earphones with smooth, ergonomic shape and USB‑C plug, twin rounded earpieces shown against a clean white backdrop.

The sweat-resistant Apple EarPods with USB‑C connection deliver clear, well-balanced sound. Their ergonomic design, based on the geometry of the ear, ensures a comfortable fit, even during long listening sessions. These earbuds are designed specifically for devices with a USB‑C port, providing a direct and stable connection to your iPhone, iPad or MacBook. The built-in remote makes it easy to control music and answer incoming calls. The EarPods are also available in versions with a Lightning and 3.5 mm mini‑jack connection.

Pros and cons:
+ Ergonomic design for extra comfort.
+ Clear and balanced sound.
- Only compatible with iPhone 15 and newer, iPads and MacBooks with a USB‑C port.

View the Apple EarPods

Samsung earbuds by AKG (USB-C)

Black in-ear earphones with braided cable, USB‑C connector and inline remote, slim modern design arranged neatly on a light background.

The Samsung earbuds by AKG stand out thanks to their rich, detailed sound. AKG technology ensures your music sounds crystal clear. The same goes for calls you take on your phone or laptop. These wired earbuds have a USB‑C connection, making them compatible with your Samsung smartphone too. The hybrid design combines an in-ear and earbud style for comfort and a secure fit, so you can listen to your favourite music for longer. These wired Samsung earbuds are also easy to use thanks to the built-in microphone and remote for volume control.

Pros and cons:
+ High sound quality thanks to Samsung AKG.
+ In-ear design for a comfortable fit.
- Can only be connected to devices with a USB‑C port.

View the Samsung earbuds by AKG

Sony MDR-E9LP (3.5 mm mini-jack)

Black Sony earbuds with classic flat design, simple plastic housing and slim cable, shown upright against a bright white background.

The Sony MDR-E9LP are lightweight and deliver powerful bass. They feature 13.5 mm drivers for strong low tones – ideal if you love dance music or heavy metal. With a 3.5 mm mini‑jack connection, they’re compatible with a wide range of devices such as your laptop or record player. The Sony earbuds come with a 1.2-metre cable, giving you plenty of freedom of movement. The silicone ear tips also provide comfort while listening. These earbuds are ideal for everyday use and easy to take with you to work or school. They are available in 2 other colour options: white and blue.

Pros and cons:
+Powerful bass response thanks to 13.5 mm drivers.
+ At 6 grams, the earbuds are very lightweight.
– No built-in microphone for phone calls.

View the Sony MDR-E9LP

JBL Tune 305C (USB-C)

Slim black JBL earphones with USB‑C cable and inline remote, one earpiece raised, one lowered, set neatly against white background.

The JBL Tune 305C are wired earbuds that deliver JBL’s signature Pure Bass sound – so you can fully immerse yourself in your favourite beats. In addition, you get 2 other EQ presets: Default and Vocal. Default offers balanced sound across all frequencies, while Vocal is useful for taking calls on your phone or in meetings. You can control all these settings using the remote on the cable, which is designed not to tangle easily. The ergonomic design and the different ear tip sizes ensure a comfortable fit. These JBL earbuds are also future-proof thanks to the USB‑C connection, making them compatible with all devices that use this port.

Pros and cons:
+ JBL Pure Bass sound for extra depth in music.
+ Versatile remote on a sturdy cable.
– Only compatible with USB‑C devices.

View the JBL Tune 305C

Sony IER-EX15C (USB-C)

Black Sony in-ear earphones with USB‑C connector and slim remote, laid out straight on a clean, bright white background.

The Sony IER-EX15C are compact in-ear earbuds with strong performance. They deliver clear, accurate sound for both music and calls. Thanks to the ergonomic, lightweight design, they remain comfortable even during extended use. The cable adjuster also helps, allowing you to choose the right balance of freedom of movement with the 1.2-metre cable. The integrated microphone and intuitive remote add extra convenience for hands-free calling and controlling your music. They’re compatible with a wide range of devices with a USB‑C port, making them versatile to use.

Pros and cons:
+ Rich bass sound and clear vocals.
+ Adjustable cable slider for extra freedom of movement.
– 5 mm drivers are slightly less powerful.

View the Sony IER-EX15C

The best wired earbuds at MediaMarkt

Woman relaxes by a sunlit window, eyes closed, wired earphones in and phone in hand, peacefully absorbed in her favourite audio.

At MediaMarkt you’ll find a selection of the best wired earbuds of the moment, so you can decide which model best matches your listening needs. With current developments, all devices will be moving towards USB‑C ports, so you’ll get the most benefit from earbuds with this type of connection. Do you still have an older record player, speaker or laptop with a classic audio port? Then earbuds with a 3.5 mm mini‑jack connection are still a great option. If you want to avoid choosing a connection type entirely, you can also take a look at our advice page with the best wireless earbuds.

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