Apple EarPods (MWTY3AM/A/MMTN2AM/A)

The Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector are a $15-20 no-brainer for iPhone users who want simple, reliable wired earbuds. Sound quality is below average at the 29th percentile, but the comfort, build, and sheer convenience make up for it. With a 4.7/5 rating from over 31,000 reviews, these are proven crowd-pleasers. Just don't expect noise cancellation or audiophile sound.

Let's be real about the sound here. The EarPods sit at the 29th percentile for sound quality in our database. That's not great. But context matters. These are $15-20 wired earbuds, not $200 audiophile gear. The single dynamic driver pushes out clear mids and vocals, which makes them perfectly fine for podcasts, phone calls, and casual music listening. Apple tuned them for a bit more bass than the old circular earbuds, but don't expect thumping low end. You're getting competent, clear audio that won't wow anyone but won't offend either.

The mic situation is similar. It lands at the 40th percentile, which is about average for wired earbuds in this price range. The built-in remote on the cord lets you control volume, skip tracks, and answer calls with a pinch. Call quality is decent enough for quick conversations, though you won't want to record a podcast with these. The real performance story here isn't about benchmarks. It's about reliability. No battery to degrade, no Bluetooth to drop, no latency issues when watching video. That's worth something.

The Soundcore P31i is probably the most direct competitor in terms of price-to-performance. It's wireless, has better sound, and includes a charging case. But you're paying more, and you're dealing with battery life and Bluetooth pairing. The Anker Space A40 is a different beast entirely. It has active noise cancellation and much better sound, but it costs significantly more and targets a completely different buyer.

The Sony WI-C100 is worth mentioning because it's also wired-ish, with a neckband design that keeps the buds tethered. It offers better sound than the EarPods but costs more and has a bulkier form factor. The Baseus Bass BP1 Pro and TOZO Crystal Pods are both budget wireless options that beat the EarPods on sound and features, but again, you're paying more and dealing with batteries. The EarPods win on price, simplicity, and the fact that they'll never run out of juice mid-call.

At $15 to $20 USD, these are basically an impulse buy. The price spread across vendors is only about $5, so you're not going to save much by shopping around. Amazon has them listed with free delivery on eligible purchases, which is probably your best bet if you're already a Prime member. For what you're paying, you get Apple's build quality, a decent mic, and a design that's been refined over more than a decade.

Compared to the competition, the value proposition is interesting. The Soundcore P31i and TOZO Crystal Pods are wireless options that cost more but offer better sound and features. The Sony WI-C100 is a neckband style that splits the difference. But none of them match the EarPods on pure simplicity and price. If you just need something that works with your iPhone and don't care about wireless, this is the cheapest reliable option out there.

The Apple EarPods with Lightning Connector are a bit of a throwback in the best way. While everyone else is chasing wireless earbuds with charging cases and noise cancellation, these are just a simple pair of wired buds that plug straight into your iPhone. No pairing, no battery anxiety, no firmware updates. Just plug them in and go. That simplicity is exactly why they still exist in 2024, and why they're still selling like crazy.

These are for people who want something that just works. You've got an iPhone with a Lightning port, you need earbuds, and you don't want to spend a hundred bucks on something you might lose at the gym. The EarPods nail that use case. They're also a solid backup pair for when your fancy wireless buds are dead, or for anyone who hates the idea of charging yet another device.

The design is genuinely interesting too. Apple didn't just make circular earbuds like everyone else. They shaped these things around the geometry of the human ear, which sounds like marketing speak but actually translates to a fit that works for a lot of people. Not everyone, mind you, but more than your average one-size-fits-all bud.

Skip these if you have an iPhone 15 or newer. The Lightning connector is dead on new hardware, and buying an adapter defeats the purpose of cheap and simple. Also skip them if you commute by train or bus. The 28.4/100 commute score means you'll be cranking the volume to hear anything over ambient noise, which isn't great for your ears or your listening experience.

If you care about sound quality at all, these aren't for you. The 29th percentile sound score puts them below most wireless earbuds in the $30-50 range. Spend a bit more on the Soundcore P31i or Anker Space A40 if you want better audio and noise isolation. And if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem with a newer iPhone, just get the USB-C EarPods or step up to AirPods.

If you have an iPhone with a Lightning port and you want the cheapest reliable earbuds that just work, buy these. They're perfect for keeping in your bag as a backup, using at your desk for calls, or tossing in your gym bag without worrying about losing something expensive. The comfort is genuinely good for most people, and the inline remote is handy.

If you care about sound quality or want noise cancellation, look elsewhere. The 29th percentile sound score and complete lack of ANC mean these aren't for music lovers or commuters. The commute score of 28.4/100 tells the story. On a noisy train or bus, you'll hear everything around you and struggle to hear your audio without cranking the volume. For that use case, spend more on the Anker Space A40 or even the Soundcore P31i.