The 5 Most Durable Earbuds in 2020 – Buyer’s Guide

most durable earbuds

Spending your money on a pair of earbuds only to see them dead after a few months is something we’ve all experienced at least once.

If you rarely use your earbuds, buying cheap ones might not be a serious issue for you. Yet, if you are a commuter, a frequent traveler, a runner, or anyone who uses their earbuds a lot, you must get durable ones that last for years.

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the most durable earbuds on the market and some of the vital information you should know before making a purchase.

Comparison Table 

Product  Material  Frequency range Noise isolation 
Shure SE215-CL Premium plastic  22 Hz – 17 kHz Yes 
Powerbeats Pro Hard plastic  10Hz No 
AUKEY T10 Plastic  20Hz – 20kHz Yes 
Bose SoundSport Plastic 12.78Hz  No 
Sennheiser IE80 Plastic   10Hz – 20KHz. Yes 

The 5 Most Durable Earbuds in 2020

1. Shure SE215-CL – Best Overall 

Shure SE215-CL earbuds are the best most durable ones, thanks to their premium plastic housing and thick Kevlar braided cables. The package comes with three pairs of Comply foam made by Shure itself to increase their durability.  

What’s more, you can detach the tangle-free cable from the earbuds, which means that if the cable suffers any damage, you can easily replace it instead of having to throw the whole set away. Plus, Shure SE215-CL earbuds come with a compact carrying case, offering a tangle-free solution whenever you want to go outside with them.

Besides the included three pairs of Comply foam, you’ll also get three pairs of rubber ear tips with different sizes, so you’ll definitely find the one that most fits you. When inserted into your ears, these ear tips expand, blocking the ambient noises with up to 37dB. 

With a frequency range of 22 Hz – 17 kHz, Shure SE215-CL earbuds perform exceptionally well across the entire frequency band.  

Like some of the coming products, Shure SE215-CL pair features an inline mic that you can connect to your smartphone via a universal 3.5mm remote or Bluetooth 5.0, allowing you to make and receive phone calls without touching your smartphone.

Pros:

  • Tangle-free braided cables
  • Detachable cables
  • Comfortable 
  • Nice sound isolation 
  • Sport an inline mic 

Cons:

  • Might lose sound in one of the earbuds 

Our take 

With the premium plastic housing and detachable thick Kevlar braided cables, Shure SE215-CL are the most durable earbuds on the market. Besides, their noise isolation capability and inline mic are a huge plus. 

2. Beats-Powerbeats Pro – Best For Sports 

Beats-PowerBeats-Pro

Powerbeats Pro is the best pair of earbuds for sports enthusiasts for many reasons. First off, they have an IPX4 rating, which means that they won’t suffer any damage if they get soaked in your sweat. However, they won’t last if you walk under the rain. 

Secondly, they are true wireless, which means that you won’t have to deal with tangled cables. Plus, if you’re at the gym, you needn’t worry about the cables getting hooked to anything around you. 

Further, they have an average noise isolation capability, allowing you to block most of the ambient noise around you. This is pretty relaxing for gym members, given how noisy gyms tend to be.

What’s more, they come with an excellent battery that can last for 9 hours on a single charge. It can even last for 24 hours with the charging case. Besides, if you charge these babies for five minutes, they will grant you an hour and a half of playback when the battery is low. All these excellent battery properties come in handy for travelers, for example.

Comfort-wise, Powerbeats Pro are pretty lightweight, coming at 0.6 ounces. Plus, they feature secure-fit ear hooks for stability, which is another reason they are excellent for runners. As for the construction, they have an impressive hard plastic housing, ensuring their durability.

Being true wireless earbuds, you can connect them to your cell phone or music player via Bluetooth. And they are pretty versatile, given that they are compatible with iOS and Android. 

One of the features that make these babies stand out is the inline mic, which allows their users to make and receive phone calls mid-workout! You’ll also have the ability to play and pause the music via the tracks controls on both earbuds. 

The pair comes with three single-flanged and one double-flanged pair of regular silicone ear tips, the charging case and the lighting charger. 

Pros:

  • Durable housing 
  • Sweatproof 
  • Excellent noise isolation 
  • Wireless
  • Impressive battery 
  • Nice sound quality

Cons:

  • Can’t withstand heavy rain 
  • The charging case is a bit large
  • Expensive 

Our take 

Powerbeats Pro is the perfect pair of earbuds to get if you’re a gym member, a runner, or a generally active person because they are stable, flexible and have long battery life. 

Find Powerbeats Pro featured in:

Headphones for Cycling 2020 – Buyer’s Guide

3. AUKEY T10 – Best Value 

AUKEY T10

If you want to buy wireless earbuds, but don’t have enough money to pay for Powerbeats Pro, AUKEY T10 are the solution. 

At such a low price, these true wireless earbuds come with an impressive plastic build quality. Plus, they have an IPX5 rating, which means that you can safely walk under the rain, and they won’t suffer any damages. 

If you think being cheap means that they aren’t comfortable, I’m glad to inform you that they are the most comfortable ones, thanks to their silicone ear tips. Besides, you get three pairs of different sizes, so you can choose the pair that best fits you. 

Moreover, you can rest assured that they won’t fall off your ear thanks to the in-ear hooks. Also, they can isolate ambient noise, so you won’t hear any disturbing noise when you’re at the gym or on a plane, for example.

Being wireless, AUKEY T10 are connected to your phone or music player via Bluetooth 5. What’s more, the battery they come with is great, as it lasts for 7 hours. 

You can extend the battery’s life up to 24 hours using the charging case, which you can charge via USB-C or a Qi wireless charger. Moreover, you needn’t worry about the earbuds falling out of the case while charging because there are strong magnets to hold them. 

The presence of dynamic drivers and graphene diaphragms allows for superior sound quality, as they help produce crisp and deep sounds. 

AUKEY T10 sports touch-sensitive controls on both earbuds, which you can use to play, pause, or change the song you’re listening to. This means that you won’t have to press on any buttons, which also means that you won’t apply any pressure on your ears. 

One of the most distinguishing features of this pair of earbuds is that you can use their touch controls to access your phone’s assistant, such as Siri and Alexa. 

Pros:

  • Voice assistant support 
  • Durable plastic construction
  • IPX5 rating 
  • Superior sound quality 
  • Excellent battery 
  • Comfortable silicone ear tips

Cons:

  • One earbud is more durable than the other

Our take

AUKEY T10 are the perfect choice for anyone looking for true wireless earbuds that don’t necessarily break the bank. Also, they are pretty comfortable and have impressive qualities for their price.  

4. Bose SoundSport – Budget Pick 

Bose SoundSport

The affordability of Bose SoundSport, combined with its high-quality sounds, is such a bargain. If you’re not new to the earbuds market, then you know that Bose is one of the manufacturers whose earbuds offer excellent sound quality. This pair employs exclusive TriPort technology, which means that the drivers produce crisp and clear sounds. 

Also, you needn’t worry about getting uncomfortable while wearing them because they come with Stay Hear tips to conform to your ear shape. Plus, they come in three different sizes, so you can play around until you find the size that fits you the most.

What’s more, you can wear them during your workouts as they are water-resistant and sweatproof. In other words, no matter how heavy you sweat, they won’t suffer any damage. They’re also durable enough to withstand uncareful handling. 

Losing a pair of great earbuds is saddening. With Bose, you needn’t worry about losing them because Bose has teamed up with the world’s largest lost-and-found community: Tile. Download  Tile app, use Bose Connect app and connect your earbuds to Tile. This way, if they ever go missing, you’ll surely find them. 

Sadly, there is no inline mic, so you won’t be able to make phone calls on the go. But you can adjust the volume of the song you’re listening to via the controls on the earbuds. What’s more, the controls are  quite low on the cable for ease of use. 

Pros:

  • Comfortable Stay Hear tips
  • High sound quality 
  • Durable construction 
  • Sweat-resistant 
  • Protective carrying case included 

Cons:

  • No inline mic 

Our take 

Being on a budget doesn’t mean that you have to buy low-quality earbuds. Bose SoundSport is a pair of durable earbuds with the excellent build quality and comfortable Stay Hear tips. 

5. Sennheiser IE80 – Premium Look 

Sennheiser IE80

Like Shure SE215-CL, Sennheiser IE80 features an interchangeable cable that you can replace if it gets damaged for any reason. Plus, they are made of high-quality plastic and have a premium look because of the metal plate on the earbuds. 

When you combine this with the two-year warranty, you can see that Shure manufacturers are pretty sure about their product’s durability. 

Further, the 3.5mm jack of the earbuds sits at a right angle, reducing the stress on the cable if you pull it by holding the wire. What’s more, I am happy to tell you that they feature stress relievers, too. 

The sound quality is pretty good, thanks to the 10Hz – 20KHz frequency range and powerful neodymium magnets that help produce crisp, clear and accurate sounds. 

In addition, their 0.6-ounce lightness and ergonomic design offer maximum comfort and allows them to fit perfectly into your ears. Consequently, they block the ambient noises of up to 26dB. 

They are a bit overpriced, given that they don’t feature an inline mic nor control tracks. 

Pros:

  • Durable 
  • Premium look 
  • Nice sound quality 
  • Noise isolation capacity 
  • Feature stress relievers 
  • Detachable cables

Cons:

  • No inline mic 
  • Most expensive ones
  • Lacking control tracks 

Our take 

Sennheiser IE80 are one of the most durable earbuds for their interchangeable cables, high-quality plastic housing, and two-year warranty. 

Factors to Consider When Searching for Durable Earbuds 

Having a pair of excellent earbuds has always felt like winning the lottery, given that it merely depended on luck. However, after reading the following section, you’ll know that this is not true, as there are factors that determine whether they are durable or not. Read and take notes of the points that should be on your checklist. 

Build Quality 

The build material of the driver housings determines whether the earbuds will last or not. Mainly, those made of aluminum or steel are very durable. However, most of the earbuds on the market nowadays are made of plastic and are quite durable, too. Just make sure that the housing is made of high-quality plastic.  

Tangle-free 

The second most important feature to check after the earbuds’ material is the shape of their cables. Braided and flat cables are the most tangle-free ones. This way, you can throw the earphones in your bag or pocket without worrying about them getting all tangled up. 

It is important to note that buying tangle-free cables doesn’t only mean that you won’t have to go through the irritating process of untangling them. It also means that they will last for longer because with each time you untangle them, they lose their durability. 

Stress Relievers 

How many times have you broken your earbuds as a result of pulling the cables roughly? Quite a lot, I believe. To prevent this from happening, you can go for ones featuring a stress reliever at the point where cables enter the drivers and above the 3.5mm jack. In some of the premium earbuds, you’ll find the inline mic between two stress relievers, as well. 

Detachable Cables 

Even if the set you buy has tangle-free cables with stress relievers, it won’t hurt if they are also replaceable. If you find these three factors present in a pair of headphones, grab them, and you’re golden. 

Battery

Batteries power wireless earbuds. So, the type of battery plays a considerable role in their durability. We recommend going for rechargeable batteries, as they are cost-effective. 

Waterproof 

If you wear earphones while running or at the gym, they will surely get soaked in sweat. If this is the case, you must choose sweat-resistant or waterproof ones. 

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Earbuds

Just like any device, earbuds have their pros and cons. And because we want you to make an informed decision, we’ve decided to bring you most of this information. 

Advantages 

1. Compact  

The best thing about earbuds is their compact size. This helps you wear them under a helmet while you’re on your motorcycle without any hassle. 

2. Noise Isolation Capacity 

Another lovely and impressive quality is their noise isolation capability that works wonders during workouts because you can finally listen to your music instead of the gym’s. Also, it mutes the noisy ambient sounds, which serves frequent travelers a lot. 

3. Inline Mic and Controls 

Most of them sport an inline mic as well as controls. This means that they enable you to take or make phone calls without touching your cell phone. If you’re a busy businessman, for example, you’ll know how time-saving this is. What’s more, the controls allow you to navigate your music and change the volume via the earbuds.  

Disadvantages 

1. Fair Sound Quality

The sound quality of earphones is comparatively low when compared to that of over-the-ear headphones. That is mainly because the latter type has a bigger design and is generally more equipped. 

2. Prone to Tangle 

Earbuds have a dual cable design, so their chances of getting tangled are higher than headphones’ single cable design. 

3. Discomfort 

Given that earbuds are usually tight on the ears, they get uncomfortable after wearing them for a while. 

Final Thoughts 

If you’re still hesitant even after reading our reviews of the most durable earbuds on the market, we’d love to highlight some of them. 

At a reasonable price, Shure SE215-CL offers some great qualities, including a tangle-free detachable cable, an excellent construction, superior noise isolation and an inline mic. 

In case you need one for sports and money isn’t an issue, go for the true wireless Powerbeats Pro. Aside from their durable build capacity and an IPX4 rating, they feature an incredible battery that can last for up to 9 hours on a single charge. Also, they allow you to make phone calls via their inline mic.

AUKEY T10 earbuds are excellent for they offer marvelous features at a low price. For example, they are waterproof, have an inline mic, touch-sensitive controls and voice assistant support.

25 thoughts on “The 5 Most Durable Earbuds in 2020 – Buyer’s Guide”

  1. Having read this I believed it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time
    and effort to put this short article together.
    I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments.

    But so what, it was still worth it!

    Reply
  2. We’re a group of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.

    Your website provided us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done a formidable process and our whole community will probably be grateful to you.

    Reply
  3. It’s very straightforward to find out any topic on net as compared to books, as I found this piece of writing at this site.

    Reply
  4. Thankfulness to my father who stated to
    me on the topic of this website, this weblog
    is truly amazing.

    Reply
  5. I am genuinely grateful to the holder of this website who has shared this enormous article
    at at this time.

    Reply
  6. Greetings from Florida! I’m bored at work so I decided to
    browse your website on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to
    take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how
    fast your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
    Anyways, fantastic blog!

    Reply
  7. Hi, its good article regarding media print, we all be aware of
    media is a enormous source of data.

    Reply
  8. Everyone loves what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and coverage!
    Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve added you guys to my own blogroll.

    Reply
  9. Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing this info.

    Reply
  10. Excellent post. I used to be checking continuously this blog and I
    am impressed! Extremely useful information specially the remaining phase 🙂 I handle such info much.

    I was seeking this particular info for a very lengthy time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

    Reply
  11. This website truly has all the information I wanted about
    this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

    Reply
  12. Everyone loves it whenever people get together and share views.
    Great blog, continue the good work!

    Reply
  13. I am regular reader, how are you everybody?

    This article posted at this web site is actually pleasant.

    Reply
  14. I just like the helpful info you supply in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and check once more here regularly.

    I am slightly certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right right here!
    Good luck for the next!

    Reply
  15. It’s really a cool and useful piece of info. I am
    glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us.
    Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  16. When I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify
    me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I get 4 emails
    with the exact same comment. Is there an easy method you can remove me
    from that service? Cheers!

    Reply
    • The problem has been resolved. Now we apologize. I think the problem was because you chose to have updates sent to you whenever we add something new

      Reply
  17. Simply want to say your article is as astounding. The clarity
    in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you are an expert
    on this subject. Well with your permission let me
    to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

    Reply
    • Thank you for following us, we are very pleased with that

      Reply
  18. Hi there, every time i used to check webpage posts
    here early in the dawn, for the reason that i love to gain knowledge
    of more and more.

    Reply
  19. Hi there to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from
    this web page, and your views are nice in support of new visitors.

    Reply

Leave a Comment