Nowadays, more and more people are using practical headphones to enable maximum acoustic enjoyment while listening to music. The range of high-quality headphones is immense, but most of the headphones on the market are designed for medium-sized or large ears, so important wearing properties such as accuracy of fit and comfort are often not or only inadequately met with small ears.
Table of Contents
Best Headphones for Small Ears: what should you watch out for with small ears?
Whether at work, while studying, doing sports or just relaxing: for many people, listening to music while performing everyday activities has become second nature. The characteristics that good headphones must meet often depend on individual requirements. Numerous technical and design criteria determine the sound quality and the ergonomic wearing comfort of headphones for small ears. But what about the accuracy of fit of the earphones?
Time and again, customers with small ears and narrow ear canals complain about a poor fit in their ears. The poorly fitting headphone plugs feel rather uncomfortable in the ear and fall out of their position with every movement. Many current headphone models are equipped with earpieces that are too large, which are unsuitable for too-narrow ear canals, trigger the feeling of clogged ear canals and can even cause pain.
In-ear headphones, on the other hand, which are equipped with small, precisely fitting ear pieces or earbuds, sit snugly in the auditory canal of a small ear without causing unpleasant side effects. Really good in-ear headphones for small ears contain both small and medium-sized ear pieces in the scope of delivery so that customers can decide for themselves which earpiece size best fits the anatomy of their ear and thus ensures optimal wearing comfort.
But not only the size of the earphones determines the suitability of an in-ear headphone for small ears. An essential criterion is the material, which can influence the sound quality and comfortable carrying capacity. Super light foam or plastic earbuds are a good option to solve the problem of a lack of stability in the ear and ensure a perfect fit. Earphones with foam tips can be used stress-free, automatically adapt to the size of the auricle and the ear canal and promote optimal hold in the ear canals.
Memory foam inserts are particularly relevant for ears with different ear canal widths and also ensure complete shielding from outside noise. The musical experience can be perceived undisturbed by external influences.
The Best Headphones for Small Ears
The following headphone models for small ears are high-quality HiFi versions that have good wearing properties and excellent sound insulation modes and shine with first-class sound quality.
Sennheiser M2 IEBT Momentum in-ear wireless headphones
- Ergonomic around the neck design features soft stitched sheepskin nappa leather neckband offering all day listening comfort.Connectivity Technology: Wireless
- Bluetooth 4.1 with AAC codec support and Apt X compatibility provides exepctional sound quality via crystal clear wireless transmission
- Up to 10 hour battery life with USB charging. Charging time:Approx. 1.5 hrs .Battery time 10 hrs (A2DP/HFP)
- Supports convenient multi connection of up to 2 devices at once, with 3 way calling capability;Pick up pattern : Omni directional
- 2 year global warranty. The HD1 In-Ear Wireless Black has now been replaced by the Momentum In-Ear Wireless Black.
Those who choose the Sennheiser Momentum in-ear headphones have actually made a great choice. The headphone set made of stainless steel is available in versions iOS and Android, is characterized by a high level of wearing comfort and has an efficient system for blocking outside noise. A highly precise sound tunnel with high-end nanotechnology, an elliptical cable, a jack plug and a 3-button remote control module with a built-in hands-free microphone are distinctive components of the Sennheiser Momentum headphone set.
The premium quality stainless steel elements in the earpiece contribute substantially to a high-quality sound. The highest ergonomics is achieved by the 15 ° inclination angle of the earpiece for optimal ear adjustment. The supplied ear adapter set includes ear pieces in four different sizes, Extra Small, Small, Medium and Large, as well as a hard case for safe storage.
Jaybird Freedom In-Ear Headphones
- MICRO-SIZED METAL BUDS – The Freedom Headphones by Jaybird have sandblasted, injection-molded metal parts for premium comfort and fashion. The smaller housing doesn’t affect signal performance and can remove distortion, giving you crystal-clear audio wherever you go
- UNIVERSAL SECURE FIT – The patented silicone ear fins securely attach to the top and back/lower surface areas of the ear for a snug fit, locking the earbuds in during workouts and intense physical activities
- SWEAT-PROOF – Built to last with a sleek yet rugged design, the Freedom Wireless Headphones are great for sports, workouts, and all weather conditions. Their hydrophobic nano-coating will keep moisture away, whether it's sweat, rain, or snow;Freedom is compatible with any Bluetooth device including iPhone (3, 3S, 4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus), Apple Watch, iPod Touch, iPad, iPad mini, the new iPod nano, Android, Windows, Blackberry, Android Wear Smartwatches, PC, Mac and gaming devices
- PERSONALIZED SOUNDS – The MySound App allows you to tweak and customize the sound of your Freedom headphones for a personalized experience, and save them for later as a profile
- HASSLE-FREE CHARGING – With just 20 minutes of charging, you get an extra hour of playtime. With up to 8 hours of total battery life, you’ll never miss a beat!
Some of the best small-ear wireless headphones we’ve tried so far include the Jaybird Freedom. These wireless in-ear have very slim, tapered earbuds that go pretty deep into your ear canal. The headphones come with a choice of six different-sized silicone or foam ear tips, so you won’t have much difficulty finding a comfortable attachment. Their lightweight and optional wingtips make them sit securely in your ears, making them a great choice if you want to take them to the gym or for a run.
They offer a reasonably balanced listening experience with well-reproduced mids and highs, along with punchy bass. If you want to adjust the sound profile, the Jaybird MySound app offers you the function. The headphones do a good job of passively reducing ambient noise, and the sound doesn’t leak out either, which is very convenient for daily commuting.
Unfortunately, the 4.1-hour battery life is disappointing, although the fast charge time slightly offsets this. Nonetheless, it is a versatile, highly customizable pair of headphones that offer a balanced listening experience.
Jabra Elite Sport In-Ear Fitness
- True wireless earbuds for an active lifestyle – Wherever your day takes you, whatever your activity, it won’t get in the way of enjoying sports, music and calls. The Elite Active 65t are secure fitting earbuds that provide dependable in-ear stability.Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears, you may not obtain the correct sound qualities or call performance. Change the earbud tips to ones that fit more snugly in your ear.Specific uses for product : Sports and Exercise
- Personalize your sound – Whether you’re using these as Apple earbuds, Samsung earbuds or more, you can listen to your music the way you want to hear it, by personalizing your sound on the Jabra Sound plus app. Earbuds are Apple and Android compatible.
- No audio dropouts – With Jabra’s 3rd generation true wireless stability, you can take calls and listen to music without worry about audio dropouts. And there are no pesky wires getting in the way of your workout
- Up to 15 hours of use – With up to 5 hours of battery on a single charge, and up to 15 hours in total with the included pocket-friendly charging case, your listening needs are met from the start of the day, to its end with these earbuds.
- Take work calls from home – Incredible 4-microphone technology offers best-in-class call performance, with up to 15 hours of battery for maximum productivity— even when you’re working or learning from home on your smartphone.
With the Jabra Elite Sport in-ear fitness headphones, sports enthusiasts with small ears are perfectly served. The high-tech wireless headphones made of silicone and polyacrylamide are supplied in three sizes: small, medium and large. The scope of delivery also includes three different-sized ear gel and foam earplugs to ensure optimal seating accuracy for almost every ear canal.
One of the numerous highlights of this headphone model is its overwhelming sound quality. As real fitness headphones with full Bluetooth connectivity, the device takes on important sports measurement functions such as heart rate measurement, performance and movement records, as well as accurate calorie measurements. The weather- and sweat-resistant headphone set can also come up with a great battery life of 13.5 hours. With its super fitness functions, the Jabra Elite Sport is completely uncomplicated to use and is also the ideal companion for demanding training.
Shure SE215-CL Professional Sound Isolating Earphones
- ROAD-TESTED BY PRO MUSICIANS - The SE215 provides detailed sound with enhanced bass for personal listening or professional monitoring..Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears, you may not obtain the correct sound qualities or call performance. Change the earbud tips to ones that fit more snugly in your ears
- STRIKING FULL-RANGE SOUND from a single, vented balanced armature driver. Hear music the way it was meant to be heard.
- CUSTOMIZED FIT - Includes three sizes (S, M, L) of the flex and black foam sleeves. Experiment with the size and style that creates the best fit for you.
- SOUND ISOLATING TECHNOLOGY - Blocks up to 37 dB of noise to eliminate distractions. Enjoy the most immersive listening experience with a design that keeps earphones in and noise out during exercise or travel.
- SECURE, OVER-THE-EAR DESIGN - Wireform fit ensures earphones stay in place and cables remain out of the way.
The Shure SE 215m + SE headphones are bass-driven in-ear headphones with a sound-neutralizing equalizer. This ensures optimal sound quality, which is also promoted by an efficient 37-decibel shielding against external noise. The Shure SE 215m + SPE is characterized by a high level of comfort, which is guaranteed by the 6 pairs of ear plugs in different sizes and two pairs of foam attachments in the material qualities of memory foam and silicone.
The earpiece lies firmly in the ear canal and is particularly easy to wear in small ears. The compactly designed, 127 cm long connection cable is equipped with an MMCX mechanically lockable plug for effective rotation. This makes the cables particularly resistant to breakage and kinks. Efficient media control with volume control and replay activations via Android and Apple devices can also be conveniently implemented with high-quality Shure headphones.
JBL E25BT Bluetooth in-Ear Headphones Black
- Type Ear coupling: In-ear (earbuds) Primary application: General listening Secondary application: General listening Operating principle: Closed Audio Frequency response (TX): 20Hz - 20kHz SPL: Not specified Driver diameter: 8.6 mm THD: Not specified Noise cancelling: No Comfort Weight: 16.5 g Cable Style: Not applicable Length: Not applicable Connector: Not applicable Built-in mic: Yes
- Delivering signature JBL sound with up to 8 hours of battery life and a convenient neck clip, E25BT in-ear wireless headphones provide a comfortable and secure fit over extended periods of use
- You can also seamlessly switch from music on your portable device to a call from your phone, so that you never miss a call
- You’ll also appreciate the added convenience of a three-button remote and microphone for crystal clear phone conversations
- Available in five colors, you’re sure to find the right pair that suits your unique personality
The best budget-class wireless earphones for small ears are the JBL E25BT. Their tiny earbuds make them a little more comfortable than traditional in-ear headphones, and their built-in remote control is easy to use.
These wireless earbuds have a fairly balanced sound profile that is suitable for a wide variety of styles of music. You can connect to two devices at the same time, which is ideal if you often switch between your smartphone and laptop. The headphones have a good battery life of 9.5 hours, which will help you get through your entire workday.
While it’s not a huge surprise at this price point, the JBL aren’t the best-built wireless earbuds we’ve listed here. But they feel better built than other inexpensive in-ear headphones.
If you have small ears and don’t want to spend a lot of money on headphones, the JBL E25BT are ideal.
Beats urBeats3
- High performance wired earbuds in black
- Fine-tuned acoustic design delivers an exceptional listening experience
- Compatible with iOS and Android products
- Optimal ergonomic design for all-day comfort
- Variety of Ear tip options provide individualized fit for noise isolation
The best-corded earplugs for small ears are the Beats urBeats3. Since they don’t use a wireless connection, they don’t require a battery, which is great for long days of travel or if you’re the type of person who always forgets to charge their devices. They are available either with a 3.5 mm stereo jack plug for most devices or if you have an iPhone without a headphone jack, you can get them with a Lightning connection. The urBeats3 has a rubberized cable and overall feels decently processed.
The earbuds are small and comfortable, and they come with four different sizes of ear tips to ensure a snug fit. The sound profile is quite balanced but with an urge for more bass, which should please fans of EDM or hip-hop. The bass isn’t too overwhelming, though, making the headphones versatile enough for most genres and even for podcasts and audiobooks. Since they don’t require a Bluetooth connection, the microphone is better than most wireless headphones, and your voice sounds natural and clear.
Provided you choose the right earbuds, they do a great job of cancelling out background noise, making them a great choice for helping you focus in the office.
Samsung SM-R140 Gear IconX
- 5 hours of Bluetooth streaming, 7 hours of MP3 listening, 4 hours talk time*
- Speak commands via Bixby or Google Voice and control your music with just a tap or swipe
- Meet your fitness goals with speed, distance, calorie tracking and real time voice guidance
- Find the perfect fit with multiple sizes of ear tips and wing tips right in the box; Earbud Dimension (W x H x D) 21.8 x 18.9 x 22.8 mm
- iOS/Mac users: Samsung Gear IconX can be used to stream music or take calls from your iOS handset or tablet; Fitness Functions that require the use of Samsung S Health app are not available for iOS.Bluetooth v4.2
The Samsung SM-R140 Gear IconX (2018) headphones for small ears actually have a lot more to offer than just high-quality music enjoyment. The in-ear headphones come with numerous additional fitness features that make the earphone set the ideal companion for every sports fan with small ears.
The super-light, wireless hearing aid has a built-in fitness tracker and a headphone storage capacity of 4 GB, of which the integrated MP-3 player offers 3.5 GB of usable memory. Compared to the previous model, the new version scores with a longer battery life. The Samsung Gear Icon X 2018 headphones demonstrate efficient wearability and are particularly suitable for narrow ear canals.
Beats by Dr DRE BeatsX headphones
- Beats X Wireless In-Ear Headphones (MLYE2LL/A) Black - Renewed
The fact that the Beats X wireless headphones with Bluetooth from Dre are so popular for small ears is not only due to the impressive wearing comfort but also to the great sound quality that the headphones reproduce. With the help of the effective Quick-Charge technology, only a 5-minute battery charging time is required for 2 hours of active use. The high wearing comfort is given by the three different sizes of the earphones.
As soon as the earpieces are removed and hang loosely around the neck, they close together like a long collar with the help of an integrated mini magnetic piece. A compatible USB cable for connection to USB ports and other chargers is included. The water-resistant Beats X headphones are also equipped with an efficient noise-cancelling mode.
1MORE E1001 Triple-Driver Hi-Fi Headphones In-Ear Earphones
- Three Drivers- These Headphones Have Two Balanced Armatures And A Separate Dynamic Driver. Together They Deliver An Extremely Accurate Listening Experience With Unsurpassed Dynamic Power And Clarity From Deep Bass To Sizzling Highs
- Product Note : If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears, you may not obtain the correct sound qualities or call performance. Change the earbud tips to ones that fit more snugly in your ears
- Tuned By A Grammy Award Winning Sound Engineer- 1More Collaborated With Internationally Acclaimed Producer, Mixer, And Sound Engineer Luca Bernard To Perfect The Final Tuning To Deliver A Precise Representation Of Your Favorite Artist'S Intended Sound
- Comfortable Ergonomic Design- The Oblique Angled Ear Fittings Naturally Match Your Ear Canals. 9 Sets Of Included Ear Tip Sizes Ensure A Proper Fit For All. They'Re More Comfortable And Less Likely To Fall Out, Freeing You To Enjoy Your Music
- Intelligent Control Technology- In-Line Remote Control Is Conveniently Located Allowing You To Effortlessly Control Volume, Select Songs, And Take Calls. Superior Mems Microphone Has Independently Set Ground Wires To Eliminate Cross-Talk And Background Static
The 1MORE E1001 Triple-Driver Hi-Fi headphones can score with impressive audio quality, which has been voted by renowned Grammy award-winning engineers. Its ergonomic design adapts completely to the natural shape of the auricle and is the perfect choice for headphones for narrow ear canals.
Eight earpieces of different sizes are included in the scope of delivery so that the most suitable earpiece can be chosen for every ear canal width. The iMore Triple Driver 1001 headphones come with an impressive frequency range of 40,000 Hz. The integrated 3-button remote control for music control and telephony makes using the 1More Triple Driver 1001 in-ear headphones child’s play.
Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Canceling Headphones
- Compatible Devices: iPhone, iPad and iPod models
- Included Components: QuietComfort 20 headphones, Apple devices, 3 pairs StayHear tips (S, M, L), clothing clip, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (built-in), USB charging cable, carrying case
Bose QuietComfort 20 headphones with active noise cancellation literally have comfort in their name, and the in-ear earbuds live up to their name. The tone is classic from Bose and flatters all genres. The headphones are also characterized by long battery life (16 hours) and intelligent and compact control on the cable.
Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Canceling headphones are beautifully made and do justice to their price. The headphones are compact and equipped with special StayHear + earplugs. These do not penetrate the ears, which is surprising for ANC headphones. People with small ears can rejoice because it requires very little piercing into the ears. To be on the safe side, Bose packs three different sizes of StayHear + earplugs.
The headphones have a great sound image. The bass and midrange are even, and the highs are balanced.
Conclusion
Although all models presented are in the higher price segment, their excellent quality features convince with optimal wearing comfort, remarkable fit, a stable hold in the auricle turns even during intense physical activity, as well as improved sound quality and absolute noise isolation. A balanced mid-high frequency reproduction and tonal harmony offer music lovers of all ages fascinating sound experiences. The extra accessories and additional features, as well as the solid headphone cases for safe storage, emphasize the good price-performance ratio of these premium headphones.
