Rolling Stone Picks 6 Best Wired Earbuds for 2026 as USB-C Models Gain Ground
Updated
Updated · Rolling Stone · May 18
Rolling Stone Picks 6 Best Wired Earbuds for 2026 as USB-C Models Gain Ground
3 articles · Updated · Rolling Stone · May 18
Six wired earbuds made Rolling Stone’s 2026 best-of list, led by Fiio’s FH3 in-ear monitors for overall sound quality and build, with Skullcandy, Shure, Campfire Audio, Sennheiser and Sony also recommended.
Testing used an iPhone and MacBook Pro with Apple Music high-resolution streaming and 256kbps AAC files, with fit, passive noise isolation, connector type and long-session comfort shaping the rankings.
USB-C emerged as a key buying factor because most phones and tablets no longer include headphone jacks, making lower-cost picks like Skullcandy’s Set, Sennheiser’s CX 80U and Sony’s $30 IER-EX15C easier to use without adapters.
Higher-end in-ear monitors such as Shure’s SE425 Pro and Campfire Audio’s Iris were positioned for audiophiles and studio use, while traditional wired buds were framed as cheaper everyday options, often under $100.
The roundup lands as wired headphones regain cultural visibility, with celebrities including Ariana Grande, Paul Mescal and Adam Driver embracing cabled listening gear despite the dominance of Bluetooth earbuds.
As wired audio surges, will phone makers be forced to bring back the headphone jack they famously removed?
Is the wired earbud revival a rejection of modern tech's promise of effortless convenience?
Can advanced wireless codecs finally close the sound quality gap with resurgent wired audio?