In-ear or half in-ear earbuds: what's the difference?
Wireless earbuds come in two types of fit: in-ear and half in-ear. The fit of Bluetooth earbuds makes a big difference to how they sound. So what's the difference? And which earbuds are right for you: in-ear or half in-ear? Find out in this article.
In this article
In-ear & half in-ear earbuds: what they look like
The difference between in-ear and half in-ear earbuds is the part that touches your ear or ear canal.
In-ear earbuds
In-ear earbuds have a silicone ear tip. This part goes into your ear canal. The ear tips are soft and flexible. In-ear earbuds sit deeper in your ears than half in-ear earbuds.
Half in-ear earbuds
Half in-ear earbuds (also called semi-in-ear earbuds) have a housing shaped to fit your ear. They rest in your ear, close to your ear canal. This makes them harder (almost always plastic), without an extra silicone ear tip that sits inside your ear canal.
Don't miss our 8 best wireless earbuds we've tested.
Benefits of in-ear earbuds
Whether in-ear or half in-ear earbuds suit you comes down to personal preference and what you're used to. Each type has its pros and cons. Here are some typical features of in-ear earbuds.
- More bass (low frequencies)
- Less ambient sound
- Sit deeper in your ear canal
- Fit a little more securely
That makes in-ear earbuds a better choice for some people than others:
| Better suited for: | Less suited for: |
| ✔️Audio enthusiasts ✔️Bass lovers ✔️Focusing with passive noise canceling |
❌Being out in traffic ❌Hearing your own voice clearly |
True audio enthusiasts often choose in-ear Bluetooth earbuds because they deliver low frequencies better. That's because they sit deeper in your ears. The ear tip goes further into your ear and creates a better seal. This allows bass to come through much more effectively.
Less sound can escape on its way into your ear. The same applies in reverse: hardly any outside sound gets into your ears when you wear in-ear earbuds. Again, that's because the silicone ear tips create such a good seal.
Blocking out ambient sound while wearing earbuds is called passive noise canceling. It helps you shut out your surroundings. That makes in-ear earbuds useful when you need to focus.
Do you often cycle, walk or run with earbuds? Keep in mind that you won't hear much of what's around you. That can be dangerous. Sound is often the first warning of danger.
Calls can also be harder because you can't hear yourself clearly. That makes talking more difficult, though it's mostly a matter of getting used to it. Higher-priced earbuds (€100 and up) often have built-in technology that amplifies your own voice through the microphone. That solves this problem.
Using foam ear tips for your earbuds can also make a big difference. These are the ear tips that go into your ears, but made from foam. They're very comfortable and let in a little more ambient sound. That makes calls a lot easier.
Benefits of half in-ear earbuds
With half in-ear earbuds, the part that sits in your ear is made of hard plastic. They rest in your outer ear, against the opening of your ear canal rather than inside it.
- Less bass (low frequencies)
- More ambient sound
- A slightly looser fit
Because half in-ear earbuds don't have a silicone ear tip pointing into your ear, sound isn't directed into your ear canal as easily. Low frequencies in particular escape. That's why half in-ear earbuds deliver slightly less bass.
Because the hard housing of half in-ear earbuds rests in your outer ear, there's still room for ambient sound to get in. Sometimes that's useful, such as during calls. At other times, like when you want to focus, it's less helpful. So think about what suits you best before buying earbuds.
Half in-ear earbuds rest in your ears and have a harder housing. They generally don't fit as snugly as in-ear earbuds. If you want earbuds for working out, in-ear earbuds are a better choice than half in-ear models. The same goes for the gym, where upbeat music is often playing. In-ear earbuds block out the gym's music and stay in your ears a little more securely.
| Better suited for: | Less suited for: |
| ✔️Being out in traffic ✔️Calls: you can hear your own voice |
❌Bass lovers ❌Focusing: you hear ambient sound ❌Quiet spaces: others can hear your audio |
Others also viewed:
- Explore all our wireless earbud articles
- These are the 8 best wireless earbuds so far
- These are the best earbuds under €50
- Explore our in-depth article on QCY earbuds
- Also check out our article on AirPods alternatives
- Check out the 3 best earbuds for running
- Also see our hands-on review of the Eardopes B6 pro. They cost a little more, but the quality is worth it.
