The most common earbuds problems, from 5,500 verified buyers

1. The most common earbuds problem owners report: “Hard to get a secure, comfortable fit”, raised in 24% of the 1 to 3 star reviews, followed by “Bluetooth drops, one bud disconnecting, or poor calls” (15%).
2. What happy owners praise most: “Great sound”, in 40% of the 4 and 5 star reviews we read.
3. 86% of verified buyers rated their earbuds 4 or 5 stars, against 93% across every product type in our study; earbuds rank 32 of 37 for happy buyers.
4. 9% gave 1 or 2 stars, about 1 buyer in 11.
5. Across the 14 earbuds with 30 or more ratings, the share of happy buyers ran from 67% to 92%.
6. The cheaper half of these earbuds (up to £159) had a median of 85% happy buyers, against 81% for the pricier half, so paying more did not buy happier owners.
7. Owners agree with experts here: models whose expert reviews earned our “great choice” verdict had a median of 85% happy buyers, against 81% for “good with caveats”.
8. Buyers in Asia, Africa and Oceania were the happiest (94% at 4 or 5 stars), and buyers in the US and Canada the least (77%).

Share of the 787 reviews of 1 to 3 stars that raise each problem, grouped across models. What to check before you buy.

1. 1. Hard to get a secure, comfortable fit24%
   Came up on 11 models
2. 2. Bluetooth drops, one bud disconnecting, or poor calls15%
   Came up on 9 models
3. 3. Noise cancelling weaker than expected13%
   Came up on 9 models
4. 4. Broke down or developed a fault10%
   Came up on 8 models
5. 5. Sound not as good as hoped, or hiss and static7%
   Came up on 8 models

The problems above, most common first, and how to avoid each one. Our advice; the order comes from the reviews.

1. 1. Hard to get a secure, comfortable fit (24% of complaints)

   Fit decides both comfort and sound: try every ear tip size in the box, and buy where returns are easy if your ears are small.

2. 2. Bluetooth drops, one bud disconnecting, or poor calls (15% of complaints)

   If you take calls, check independent mic tests, and that the case and app work with your phone.

3. 3. Noise cancelling weaker than expected (13% of complaints)

   Noise cancelling only works with a good seal: try the ear tips first. It cuts engine hum far more than voices.

4. 4. Broke down or developed a fault (10% of complaints)

   Faults usually show in the first weeks, so buy from a shop with an easy returns policy, register the guarantee and keep the receipt. A longer maker's guarantee is worth paying a little for.

5. 5. Sound not as good as hoped, or hiss and static (7% of complaints)

   Check there is an EQ in the app, and that you have the right ear tip size: a poor seal loses the bass.

Share of the 998 newest 4 and 5 star reviews we read that praise each point.

1. 1. Great sound40%
   Came up on 15 models
2. 2. Strong noise cancelling22%
   Came up on 13 models
3. 3. Comfortable, secure fit19%
   Came up on 13 models
4. 4. Good value for the money9%
   Came up on 4 models
5. 5. Easy to set up and use6%
   Came up on 5 models

Regions with 30 or more ratings, by where the shop is. Shops in each region sell different models, so a gap can come from the models as much as from the buyers.