I Have Teeny Little Ears and These Earbuds *Actually* Stay Put

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Take it from me, nobody wants to be doing a downward-facing dog pose and lose access to their lo-fi sounds and high vibrations because their left earbud randomly jumps ship. Sure, earbuds are, by nature, significantly smaller than traditional headphones, but still—there are some that jut out awkwardly when you have smaller ears...or some that don't like to stay in place and do their one job!

But even if you aren't a part of the Dainty Ear Committee, small earbuds can be for you too. For one, they are perfect for hiding the fact that you're listening to your bestie's voice note like it's a podcast during an all-hands meeting when you should be laser-focused on yet another conversation about the value of AI.

These days, companies have come up with new and clever ways to accommodate smaller ears with the use of new materials, software, and expanded size ranges. So it just makes it even easier to select a pair that can stand up to everything from marathon cleaning on a Sunday reset to endless Teams meetings that could have been emails to dodging cat calls during your evening commute.

I personally tested some of these headphones and can attest that not only are they good, but that they also are the perfect fit for lil ol' baby ears. If this is you, keep on scrolling for earbud options that will fit snugly in your small ears so that you don’t have to worry about chasing them down a random sidewalk after they fall out (again).

Galaxy Buds FE True Earbuds

These small buds are subtle and non-descript, but they have two design features dedicated to keeping them in your ear. There is a winged ridge on the top, and there’s also a grippy material intended to cling to your ear canal. Their case is bright white, so it can stand out in a dark-lined purse or belt bag, preventing unnecessary stumbling coming between you and your favorite playlists. The best part? There’s a real-time language interpretation feature that can help you out if you’re woefully behind on your debt to the dreaded Duolingo owl.

• Battery life: 21 hours

THE REVIEW: “The fit in my ear, the simplicity of touch controls, everything made them something I didn't know that I couldn't live without.”

Tune Buds

I tested these by binging the Bowery Boys during a busy day in the city. They have an ambient aware mode, and I can confirm that it works beautifully. I was walking away from a coffee shop and I was able to hear a Girl’s Girl from across the street trying to alert me that I caught my dress on my favorite CISE handbag. I turned off the ambient mode afterwards and used the noise canceling feature to drown out my embarrassment.

• Battery life: 48 hours

THE REVIEW: “The fit in my ear, the simplicity of touch controls, everything made them something I didn't know that I couldn't live without.”

AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

Comfort was clearly a major consideration when developing the second generation of these earbuds. As more brands have begun issuing buds with three sizes, these come with four! The extended size range of extra small to large allows them to include a teeny option. That range is one small step for Apple and one massive step for shallow-canaled podcast junkies the world over. Bonus? They are very easy to clean.

• Battery life: 30 hours

THE REVIEW: “Best noise canceling (both ends of a call), great volume, and they stay in my ears. The trifecta.”

Sleep A20 Noise Masking Earbuds

These buds are perfect for people dealing with nosy roommates or street noise. They are designed to be worn during sleep so that you can catch your Zzz's in peace. They're even optimized for side sleepers. The tips included in the package come in various sizes and, more importantly, two different styles: a breathable option and a sealed option. This allows you to control the way the sound is filtered to your ears.

• Battery life: 14 hours

THE REVIEW: "When I first tested these earbuds out at 5 in the afternoon, the noise blocking and relaxing noises knocked me out for about 10 mins right away, when I didn’t intend to sleep, so yes, it works!"

Best Aesthetic Choice

You don't have to choose between function and beauty with these beautiful black earbuds. They're small and comfortable, but they prioritize sound quality over all else, and it shows (and being an audiophile isn't necessary to appreciate the quality!). The case is a tad large, but it's not cumbersome. These also stick out, so don't try and be slick and hide them. It won't work.

• Battery life: 30 hours

THE REVIEW: "This is a top quality ear bud solution in what is already a crowded marketplace. The ear buds sit comfortably in the ears and the sound is crisp with a well defined, but not boomy, bass."

Invisible Earbuds

Invisible is the perfect name for these teeny earbuds. They're barely noticeable unless you're aware that they're there. They slip into the ear and stay there. As a low-budget option, they're surprisingly sturdy. They have one of the highest levels of waterproof protection available under $50. Pick them up for your next poolside nap.

• Battery life: 20 hours

THE REVIEW: "They are the smallest wireless earbuds I've used and fit comfortably enough that I can lay on my side."

What's most important in a pair of ear buds?

The most important thing about choosing ear buds is the fit. If they don't fit, you won't wear them. Pick the ones that compliment your lifestyle and taste. Jump up and down in them before fully committing. Roll around in bed and check if they go missing.

What's a fair price for earbuds?

Everybody knows you get what you pay for but there are plenty of quality earbuds for under $200. Shop around before buying that trendy pair you saw your favorite content creator sporting on your FYP.

Why trust Cosmo?

Our lifestyle team includes Lifestyle Director Rachel Torgerson, Lifestyle Editors Christen Johnson and Hannah Chubb, and Assistant Editor Annabel Iwegbue—collectively we have decades of experience researching and selecting the best buys for you. We spend all day, every day scouring the internet, testing products, and reading reviews so we can bring you the type of high-quality content we'd want for ourselves. Our shopping roundups also adhere to the 15 Percent Pledge—this one included.

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