Best headphones in 2018: 14 of the best over- and in-ear headphones you can buy right now

Best earphones 2018

1. Etymotic ER-4PT: Best in-ear headphones under £250

Price: £249

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The ER-4PTs are truly great in-ear headphones, capable of reproducing an extraordinary amount of detail. They’re aimed at professionals and those who take their music very seriously indeed, so the bass output can lack oomph compared to consumer models. However, they bring music to life in a way many other in-ear headphones we’ve listened to simply can’t match.

Read the full Etymotic ER-4PT review

2. RHA T10i: Best in-ear headphones under £150

Price: £150

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Given their love of the lower half of the frequency spectrum, the RHA T10i may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, they deliver a big, weighty sound from a tiny in-ear package, offering a refined, truly high-end performance for £150. Throw in RHA’s generous three-year warranty, and the T10is are destined to keep on dubbing for many, many years.

Read the full RHA T10i review

3. Brainwavs B200: Best in-ear headphones under £100

Price: £94.50

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The B200 has two balanced armature drivers which work in tandem to produce a wonderful sound. The crossover between the two drivers is tuned to perfection and the bass is nice and tight, extending far into the sub-bass regions. The mid-range has a very accurate reproduction, rivalling many in its price range. The treble, unfortunately, lacks extension but it still has enough energy to be enjoyable. And for just £94.50, these earphones are a big deal and something to shout about.

With an impressively wide, deep soundstage (unusual for earphones), these headphones are incredible for the biggest audiophile. They have brilliant instrument separation, as well as being well-built, featuring a braided cable and a lightweight plastic shell, the BrainWavz B200 are excellent, not to mention they’re very comfortable to boot.

At this price point, we also really like the Shure SE215, which produce a sound that’s crisp and exciting, but perfectly tuned for musicians.

4. Sennheiser Momentum In-ear: Best in-ear under £75

Price: £75

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The Sennheiser Momentum In-Ears are a different kettle of fish to the RHA MA750i, but nonetheless, are a fabulous listen at this price. They’re not up to the level of more expensive, multi-driver models, but if you like your bass full and juicy, you’re won’t be disappointed.

Read the full Sennhesier Momentum In-ear review

5. Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2: Best in-ear headphones under £50

Price: £45

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Ever wanted to tune your earphones to your taste? Well at just under £50, the Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2 provides you with that very option. Coming with three interchangeable filters, you’ll be able to swap between bass, neutral and treble filters.

The earphones come with an in-line mic, a good selection of tips and a soft carrying pouch. The sound quality is impressive, where the lows extend and are pronounced, the mids aren’t too recessed and the highs provide a pleasant sparkle. To top it off, its soundstage isn’t narrow and the instrument separation is clear. If you’re looking for earphones that cost under £50 and punch above their weight, these should be on your list.

Read the full Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2 review on Expert Reviews

6. Creative Outlier One: Best Bluetooth earphones under £50

Price: £35

If you’re looking for an inexpensive pair of Bluetooth earphones, you can’t beat the new Outlier One from Creative. For a mere £35 build quality is great and they’re sweatproof to the IPX4 standard, which makes them perfect for taking out on a run or on a trip to the gym.

They don’t support AptX but sound quality is surprisingly good. There’s good detail across the full range of frequencies and strong bass reproduction, making them perfect for listening to your favourite tunes or watching a movie on Netflix.

Best of all, the Outlier One deliver a quoted 9hrs 30mins of battery life, which is excellent for a pair of around the neck, in-ear headphones like this. There’s only one small problem: finding the right fit with the supplied earbuds can be tricky.

Buy the Creative Outlier One from Creative