Good sound from 37 euros: These earphones are top rated by Stiftung Warentest

Many of the best earbuds tested by Stiftung Warentest are quite expensive, some costing more than €300. But the top-of-the-line headphones can be had for just over €100, and you can even get good sound for less than €40.

You can wear headphones in the summer, but they're not particularly comfortable in high temperatures. Bluetooth earbuds are much more airy and easier to carry. It's no wonder these earbuds are so popular, and the selection is correspondingly large. Stiftung Warentest currently has 289 available devices in its database, and nine new earbuds were recently added.

The price differences are enormous, but the quality differences are not so much the same. Some of the best in-ears cost more than €300, but the top models can be had for just under €115. The best value for money can even be found for less than €80, and you don't even have to spend €40 for good sound.

Sennheiser is ahead

Comparatively affordable earbuds also took first place with a quality rating of 1.6: the Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless cost an average of just €117 online. Stiftung Warentest rated sound and durability as very good, and active noise cancellation (ANC), endurance, and comfort and handling as good.

Five in-ears still available share second place with an overall score of 1.7.

With very good durability and otherwise consistently good reviews, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Gen. 2 (239 euros) and the Jabra Elite 10 Gen. 2 (354 euros) are on par.

The JBL Tour Pro 3 (€300) boast excellent ANC, high endurance, and very good durability. However, because their sound is just barely good (1.6), the earbuds missed the test win.

Samsung is the clear winner in terms of price-performance

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are also among the runners-up, with an average price of just €77—making them the clear winner in terms of value for money. The sound, ANC, and durability of these affordable buds are very good, and they're comfortable and easy to handle. A slightly lower endurance rating (2.9) ruined their first place.

The Technics EAH-AZ80 shares the same fate, with almost identical ratings. However, with an average online price of €222, they are significantly more expensive.

Where is Apple?

The Apple AirPods Pro Gen. 2 (€277) ranked third with a quality rating of 1.8. The reviewers rated the sound, ANC, and durability very good, while the battery life, comfort, and handling were good.

The AKG N5 Hybrid (279 euros), the Beats Studio Buds+ (168 euros), the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (229 euros), the JBL Live Buds 3 (148 euros), the JBL Wave Beam 2 (64 euros), the Scullcandy Push Play Active (60 euros) and the Sony WF-1000XM5 (236 euros) are tied.

The cheapest good ones

If you don't need active noise cancellation, you can get good earbuds for under €40. The most affordable among them, with an overall rating of 2.3, are the Isy ITW-600 , which averages just €35. However, their sound is only satisfactory. The Fresh 'n Rebel Twins Fuse, with an average online price of €37, offer good sound, but scored only satisfactory in terms of endurance, comfort, and handling.