Earbuds Not Staying Put? Try These 6 Buds Designed for Small Ears
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
At A Glance: The Best Earbuds for Small Ears
Best Overall: Sony Linkbuds S
Best High-End: Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Best Budget: 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini
Best for Travel: JLab JBuds Mini Earbuds
Best for Apple: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
Best for Samsung: Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
No other gadget can compete with a pair of earbuds if you want to stream a good album or playlist when you’re on the move. But unlike wireless headphones, which can cover or sit on top of your ears, even the best Bluetooth earbuds can often have trouble sitting perfectly in your ears. It’s a common problem, especially for people with smaller ear canals, who find themselves constantly adjusting their buds to stay put — and stay comfortable.
More from Rolling Stone
If you’re looking for the best earbuds for small ears, a number of audio brands are now offering everything from custom-fitting molds and extra included tip sizes, to smaller buds with comfort top of mind. We’ve tested plenty of buds over the years, with some of us having smaller ears than most, and here’s what we recommend.
In This Article
What Are the Best Earbuds for Small Ears?
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Earbuds for Small Ears
How We Tested the Best Earbuds for Small Earbuds
What Are the Best Earbuds for Small Ears?
Below, we’ve curated a guide to some of our favorite earbuds for small ears that you can buy online right now that’ll prove that big sound can come in small packages. Our picks have all been tested by members of our editorial team and include big names in audio (like the latest Bose QuietComfort Ultras and tried-and-true Apple Airpods Pro 2nd Gen), and smaller independent brands you should consider, depending on your priorities.
1. Sony LinkBuds S
$128.00 $199.99 36% off
$126.99 $199.99 37% off
If you’re looking for some of the lightest earbuds around that don’t sacrifice on sound, you’ll want to check out Sony’s small and stellar LinkBuds S.
They’re just 4.8g per bud, but you’d never know it judging by the massive sound pumping out of their 5mm speakers. They nestled comfortably into my ear and sit flush against our canal, you won’t be cycling through different tip sizes just to find a small-enough tip for your ears. We also like that they used the same V1 processor here for noise cancellation and audio processing as their older sibling (Sony’s former WF-1000XM4), so the ANC is shockingly good.
An included case can recharge the buds for 20 total hours of use (or six hours for the buds on their own, in between charges). While they may not have the same sonic oomph as Sony’s flagship buds, their slim, sleek design wins points in our small-eared book.
2. Bose QuietComfort Ultra
$299.00
$299.99
Bose’s latest earbud entry are a fantastic choice for anyone who loves listening to music wirelessly (and in peace and quiet). But if you’re specifically shopping for the best earbuds for small ears, the Bose QuietComfort Ultras include a whopping six different tips, so you’ll be sure to find a size that works for you.
In addition to the variety of tips that come with the QuietComfort Ultras, the buds also have stability bands to help you secure the buds in your ears, which cover the whole bud rather than just the stem. The QuietComfort Ultra earbuds also have the benefit of a wide selection of noise-canceling settings, producing big and balanced sound that you might have a hard time finding in typical smaller earbuds.
They also work well for playing sports and for workouts — they have an IPX4 rating, so they’re still fully functional even when it’s raining outside, or when you’re drenched in sweat. They’ll also last up to six hours (four with immersive audio), and you can also wirelessly power them up if you’re at home or at your office.
3. 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini
$59.49 $99.99 41% off
$79.99 $99.99 20% off
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of comfy, noise cancelation earbuds. The 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini come with four ear tip sizes and feature a sleek lightweight design (only 3.7-grams each) that can be worn for hours with no discomfort — I wore mine throughout a workday to test this out.
The sound quality is pretty decent for a pair of mid-range buds — the brand uses SoundID technology for more personalized sound. The bass is where they truly shine with EDM tracks like Alok’s new single Side Effect sounding clear without distortion, even at max volumes. There are touch controls on the earbuds as well, which can be modified through the 1MORE Music app — I kept mine as the default play/pause settings.
Noise cancellation modes (there are three) can also be changed through touch control. I found the mild setting to be great for droning out voices and conversations around me, although the strong mode produced an audible hissing sound while no music was playing, which may or may not bother you, depending on how sensitive your ears are.
Other than that, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the weeks I’ve spent with the Comfobuds Mini. Battery life was true to form running about five hours on a single charge — the wireless charging case holds another 20.
4. JLab JBuds Mini Earbuds
$39.88
$39.99
Pint-sized buds don’t mean anything if they’re packed inside a bulky case that sticks out of your pockets or bags — but JLab’s new JBuds Mini Earbuds are actually small-ear friendly and portable, with a coin-sized design and a case that’s no bigger than a keychain.
In fact the JBuds Mini may be the lightest-feeling buds we’ve ever tested, and at 30% smaller than JLab’s GO Air POP they still get more than 20 hours of playtime with the case, making them clutch for commuting or travel. These are earbuds that are easy to take with you on the go, packed with features that are easy to love, including multipoint connection (something some pricier flagship earbuds still lack — even Bose).
While they don’t have ANC, I didn’t miss it much — from the JLab App I could control the “Be Aware” setting to let outside noise in just enough that I was distracted during my commute.
5. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)
$249.00
$249
Apple users who want a pair of quality earbuds that produce noise-cancelling audio can find just that in the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen). While they’re easy to pop in your ears for a Zoom meeting or when you’re working out, it’s now also easier to make sure they don’t fall out of your ears, too.
The latest Apple AirPods Pro feature four ear tip sizes, including an XS size, especially suited for smaller ears. If you found the first generation of the AirPods Pro slightly loose in your ears, choose the new smallest ear tip size for a better fit.
Sound quality continues to remain well-balanced and clear at all volumes, with a decent amount of bass on all tracks. You’ll also get six hours of battery life per charge, and the charging case holds an additional 24 if you need it.
6. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
$104.95 $229.99 54% off
Samsung has been quietly sneaking up the audio ranks with their Galaxy Buds line of wireless earbuds for the last few years, and the improved fit and lightweight feel of their Buds Pro 2 shows that why they deserve to be in the big leagues.
These buds are 15% smaller than the original Buds Pro, and they’ve forgone the shiny, slippery kidney bean shape for something that’s decidedly more comfortable and streamlined. What you get: studio-like sound with rich highs and pulsating bass that resonates across a wide, full soundscape. The two-way speakers are powered by AKG (a premium, professional standard for sound), with an 10-mm woofer and 5.3-mm tweeter built into every earbud. Plus, the addition of spatial audio with head-tracking and end-to-end 24-bit high-res audio is quite rare for earbuds of this size.
Get up to 18 hours of battery life with the included charging case, which is only average, but Samsung beats big names like Apple when it comes to water-resistance. While the AirPods Pro are just sweat-resistant, the Galaxy Buds Pro 2 are rated IPX7, to protect them even while (accidentally) underwater up to three feet deep for 30 minutes.
How to Choose the Best Earbuds for Small Ears:
There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the best earbuds for small ears. Here’s what you need to know.
Fit and Ear Tip Sizes: Fit is undoubtedly the most important thing when it comes to choosing the right-sized earbuds for you. The best earbuds for small ears should rest in your ears without falling out or feeling uncomfortable during or after use. But how are you supposed to know if a pair will work before you stick them in your ears? If you find yourself constantly adjusting the buds as you move, they’re likely too big for you. Try sizing down to a smaller ear tip.
Battery Life: Once you find the right size of earbuds you’re looking for, you’ll also want to make sure the buds have a decent battery life, espcially for their size. All of the earbuds on our guide have at least 5.5 hours of power when they’re fully charged, and some even come with a protective charging case that can give them an extra boost while they’re safely stowed away inside.
Bluetooth: Bluetooth earbuds are more common than ever, with stronger connectivity and easier pairing. Our favorite earbuds for small ears all have strong connectively (some even have multipoint connection!), so you can conveniently pair them with your smartphone and other Bluetooth-enabled gadgets and devices for music, work and to hear your videos when traveling.
How We Tested the Best Earbuds for Small Earbuds
When researching this guide, we looked for earbuds that were naturally compact and lightweight (under 5.5 g), as well as earbuds that come with a range of tip sizes that allowed us to find the best fit.
Keep in mind that the earbuds should rest normally in your ear canal — we didn’t have to push any of these picks in to make them fit. We found that a good pair of earbuds for small ears formed a tight seal immediately after placing them in our ears with minimal adjustment.
Best of Rolling Stone
1. Earin A-3 Earbuds
If you’re looking for some of the smallest earbuds around, you’ll want to check out Sweden-based company Earin’s A-3 earbuds.
According to Earin, the A-3 is the “world’s smallest earbud,” but you’d never know it judging by the massive sound pumping out of their 14.3mm speakers. They feature an open style, so you won’t be cycling through different tip sizes just to find a small-enough tip for your ears. We also like that you can use both of the earbuds in either ear. Earin says the true wireless buds are sweat-resistant in case you want to upgrade your workout buds before summertime.
An included aluminum case can recharge the buds for 30 total hours of use (or five hours for the buds on their own, in between charges). The slim, sleek design wins points for aesthetics too.
Earin A-3 Earbuds
2. Ultimate Ears Fits Earbuds
Ultimate Ears, which makes some of our favorite Bluetooth speakers, has made it possible for you to custom-fit your earbuds faster than it takes to brew coffee in the morning.
Here’s how it works: Once you pair the Bluetooth UE Fits to your phone, you put them in your ears and use the UE app to start the 60-second molding process. Next, the earbud tips change shape and form to your ears as you adjust them on the spot.
Each earphone has a 10mm built-in driver for what UE describes as a “full” sound when listening to your tunes, and you can also use the EQ in UE’s app to change your sound preferences. The company says you can also buy more tips in case another person wants to use them, too.
UE also made the Fits sweat-resistant, which adds another layer of stability. They last for eight hours or 20 total with their case, and are designed for use with assistants including Siri and Google Assistant.
Ultimate Ears Fits Earbuds
3. Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Bose's earbuds are a great option for anyone who loves listening to music wirelessly. But if you're specifically shopping for the best earbuds for small ears, these include three different tips, so you should be able to find a size that works for you.
In addition to the variety of tips that come with the QuietComforts, the headphones also have small hooks that will help you secure the buds in your ears. The QuietComfort earbuds have a wide selection of noise-cancelling settings, producing big and balanced sound that you might have a hard time finding in typical smaller earbuds.
They also work well for playing sports and for workouts — they have an IPX4 rating, so they're still fully functional even when it's raining outside, or when you're drenched in sweat. They'll also last up to 12 hours with their case, and you can also wirelessly power them up if you're at home or at your office.
Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Solve the daily Crossword
