Move over, AirPods, a classic is back in town and a little more convenient than we initially thought. While wireless buds are certainly easy to wear, AirPods constantly need charging, can be finicky when connecting to devices for calls and are surprisingly easy (and more expensive) to lose. Usually, over $100, people are questioning spending that kind of money for unreliable flexibility. It’s driven many toward a hidden gem Apple find you’ll want to know about, too: The classic wired EarPods, which are currently on sale for 34% off, or less than $11!
The biggest draw for the great return to wired headphones is obvious.
They don’t need to be charged. Unless the buds are physically broken, they’ll work 24-7. They don’t use a battery, so they’ll never die when you’re in the middle of a phone call or podcast. That makes these a great buy if you hate carrying around a bunch of extra wires and chargers, generally forget to charge things or if you want a backup option to ensure you always have earbuds, even when your wireless ones die.
Whether you grab them with the new USB-C plug-in, Apple’s Lightning or the classic 3.5 millimeter Aux (or use one of the various “jack adapters”), these headphones plug right into your phone, forgoing the need for any sort of Bluetooth wireless connection or pairing to your device. Deemed a no-frills and no-nonsense piece of tech, reviewers say the wired headphones “remind us of the simple joys of a reliable, wired connection” and even feel like a technological breakthrough in how seamlessly they connect, compared to wireless Bluetooth devices.
Beyond freeing yourself of a battery, people also say the user experience overall is pretty incredible.
Users say the buds fit nicely in their ears and even stay in place better than other styles, because of their ergonomic design with no removable rubber tip. Moreover, these buds are reported to be comfortable for long-term wear and are even stress-relieving, as you never need to worry about buds falling out to be lost forever. “I just follow the magic string to find it,” one wrote.
Additionally, the sound quality on the wired buds is described as “clear and balanced, especially for calls and music.”
“The built-in microphone works great for FaceTime and phone calls, and I appreciate the in-line controls to adjust volume or skip tracks,” one wrote.
If you’re tired of laggy wireless buds that are never charged when you need them or just want to have a spare set that’s already ready to go, say hello to 2010, and grab a set of wired buds for less than $11.
Check out more 5-star reviews of Apple’s classic corded headphones, and grab a pair for yourself to never worry about dead earbuds again.
“Great value, works well and I’m loving them!!! I just didn’t buy one pair, I got two and a case!! I like these better than the buds for two reasons: 1: you do not have to be charging them all the time, 2: you don’t have to worry about losing/dropping them and not noticing right away.
My daughters make fun of me becuz I refuse to keep out with technology but they been thru severals of apple buds and spending hundreds of dollars replacing their loss and I lay back and smile with mines still around lol” —Luz“Works great!
Was affordable and quality was very good!
Happy to be able to use the controls to flip through my songs and adjust volume.
Still working all this time later!
I like the old fashioned wired headphones.
Only catch is that you can’t charge phone and listen to media at the same time.
This is not a deal breaker for me.
Will be buying again in the future.” — AvidBookBelle“I honestly still love my Apple wired earbuds, even with all the wireless options out there. The sound quality is amazing—crisp, clear, and just right for music. Whether I’m walking, commuting, or just relaxing, they never let me down. What really surprises me is how good the mic is. I’ve had clearer phone calls with these than with my AirPods, no joke. People actually hear me better, and I don’t have to worry about them dying mid-conversation. Plus, no need to charge them—just plug in and go. Sometimes, the classic way really is the best.” — Vaughn Francis
Looking for some tech gifts this holiday season? Check out these recommendations by HuffPost Shopping editor Kevin Cortez.
A smart floor lamp for illuminating the corners with your smart phone (42% off)
Why buy a smart bulb when you can buy a smart lamp instead? This floor lamp is a tall, 55-inch vertical light bar that illuminates corners and brightens rooms, all with its built-in Wi-Fi connection and smartphone app. It works like a smart bulb does, so you can still set it on a schedule and its own routine, but it also has AI tech that syncs up with music or room sounds, if you'd like your color to coordinate a mood or vibe. It also works with Google and Alexa voice assistants, so you'll never need to flip a switch again. Get it for 42% off now!
A 7-in-1 charging station for less of a cord mess (22% off)
This compact but super durable charging station by Anker will help you streamline those tech devices in no time. It has two built-in USB-C cables for modern charging on each side, along with three electric outlets in its back and one USB-A and USB-C port for practically any device you own.
Some wireless over-ear headphones with a truly unique design (20% off)
Nothing’s Headphones (1) are the rare pair of headphones that actually feel intentional: clean, modern, refreshing. Not only do they look good, but they sound good too. They deliver rich, balanced audio with punchy bass, plus they've got active noise cancellation, a transparency mode and multipoint Bluetooth keeps them seamlessly paired to whatever device you’re juggling. And if you care about design even a little, trust me, these are the headphones you want to be seen wearing. They're 20% off right now.
An extremely compotent smartwatch without a big brand name attached (20% off)
Apple Watch? Pixel Watch? Why choose one or the other when you can always reach for a third thing? For anyone who doesn't like flashy tech brands, the Watch Pro 3 is exactly what you want from a smartwatch: heart, sleep and health tracking with some Bluetooth tasking capabilities.
Made by CMF, an in-label brand from design-forward tech company Nothing, the Watch Pro 3 has advanced heart rate, menstrual cycles and stress tracking, details SpO₂ levels and still uses GPS for ultra-accurate navigation. It's pre-loaded with over 130 exercise modes and even uses AI to give you personal performance analysis and health guidance. In addition to health tracking, it can also check emails, take calls, send texts, stream music and more. It's waterproof, dustproof and sports a beautiful 1.43-inch display. It also has a battery that can last up to 2 weeks on a single charge!
Some smart plugs that can change an outlet into a remote-powered one
This outlet adapter changes your electric sockets into remote-powered ones, letting you switch thems on and off with the simple press of a button. Perfect for Christmas lights, coffee makers, lights and more, this tiny upgrade is probably the easiest way to smarten up a home without having to deal with a single smartphone or app.
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