Earphones Summary

I review relatively. It’s useful to know, in any given price bracket, what I expect. And this is also a guide to what I have found. That way, you can make your own decisions.

£0–£10

Giveaway price. Only large manufacturers can do much beyond a badge and stock parts.

Some of the entries are wretched, but do not need to be. The old HiFi ‘secret’, the Panasonic Ergofit, deserve their reputation. I thought well of the Monoprice, and the Xaiomi Basic was an interesting design at any price. If you really need availability for something that works, Primark have never failed me. If you can be bothered with the buying and wearing, the Moondrop Nice Buds are a shock. It can be done.

£11–£20

Looking at the designs, should be able to use a basic driver and custom if disposable build.

I’m not impressed by the eccentricity in this bracket. The big manufacturers don’t try, and the small ones are weird beyond listening. Honourable exception, because it does what it says, is the Sony MDR‐EX155AP.

But note: before I became involved, a company called Yuin showed HiFi types that an earbud could be made to sound good. By 2016 many manufacturers were making earbuds. Back then, the Venture Electronics Monk made waves with proofs of concept, but the one for me was from an older company, the SoundMAGIC EP30. At the time of writing (2026), a limited market has removed most models from the stores.

£20–£30

Should be money enough for a driver, a coherent build and maybe microphones and other useful features.

Doesn’t seem to be a popular bracket. Worse, major manufacturers poke down with gear that didn’t impress me. The wierd and ancient Koss KSC75 is worth a thought, but only the SoundMAGIC E11, much awarded, gets all round recommendation (and it’s not a lovable item).

But note: at the time of writing the short run manufacturers have been pushing models down here. Knowledge Zeneth (‘KZ’) have ploughed their gear here for years. I’ve never tried, but at the time of writing there’s a new wave.

£30–£50

Earphones should be, I think, competent and robust. And there is scope for design choices. First headphones appear here—don’t expect much.

I’ve only tested a little, and no straightforward wired earphones. However, the Moondrop Space Travel 2 convinced me as super‐cheap true wireless. And the JCALLY EP09 bordered on HiiFi—very limited usability but sound that shreds everythng else.

£50–£100

Throwing this in…

When it comes to wired earphones I expect something all round strong, with thought towards sound quality. Cheap wireless earphones, proper ones, make an entrance. First substantial headphones, though basic.

Testing here is out of my financial capability. Some discounted small‐manufacturer items didn’t convince me, despite superior build and/or facilities.

£100–£250

Throwing this in…

At this price point I’d like to see build quality, good facilities, and maybe some distinctive build features. Headphones should now have good all‐round built. Bear in mind, this is still not HiFi like planar or electrostatic drivers

I have posted a review here, the Sony WH‐1000XM4. Yes, they were well built. Yes, they had impressive noise cancelling. Yes, the wireless behaviour and features were outstanding. Yes, I lost them.