Best earbuds for bass

For the folks who are all about that bass, we’ve got some earbuds picked out that ought to satisfy. Just like bass-heavy headphones, these earbuds will reproduce your music with a good amount of low-end volume for all you lovers of EDM, hip-hop, doom metal, or any other bass-dominant genre. Let’s crank it up.

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Best earbuds for bass overall: Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 delivers impressive low-end performance for bass enthusiasts. The default tuning already packs a serious punch, with kicks and toms hitting harder than expected from earbuds this size—something particularly noticeable with 70s-80s funk and psych rock. If the standard bass response isn’t enough, the Bass Boost EQ preset adds a few extra dB with a 300Hz corner frequency that will have you feeling the music in your skull.

These $299.95 earbuds offer both substance and style, with impressive ANC that blocks an average of 83% of external noise and approximately 8 hours of battery life. While they’re relatively bulky and might not comfortably fit smaller ears, their IP54 rating provides workout protection, and the comprehensive codec support (including aptX Lossless) delivers the audio quality that bass heads demand. Just be prepared for the steep price tag and somewhat disappointing microphone performance.

Best noise canceling bass earbuds: Bose QuietComfort Ultra

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds deliver some of the best active noise cancelation we’ve measured in any earbuds. These chunky Star Trek-looking buds can reduce low-frequency noise under 400Hz by up to 34dB (about 90% perceived loudness reduction) and silence sounds above 1kHz by up to 39dB. Combined with excellent passive isolation from their unique ovoid nozzles, they’re perfect for shutting out the chaos of flights and noisy commutes.

Sound-wise, these earbuds pack a serious bass punch that bassheads will appreciate, though perhaps too much for purists. The default tuning significantly emphasizes low and high frequencies, with bass peaking at more than 14dB around 30Hz, about 10dB higher than our preference curve. While this can make electronic music and rap tracks rattle your skull, the included 3-band EQ lets you tame the low end if needed. The $299 price tag is steep, but with Snapdragon Sound supporting aptX Lossless, multipoint connectivity, and IPX4 water resistance, they’re a premium choice for those who want silence with their bass.

Best value earbuds for bass: Skullcandy METHOD 360 ANC

The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC might be the most intriguing bass earbuds on our list, thanks to an unexpected partnership with Bose. These earbuds essentially combine Bose’s acoustic engineering with Skullcandy’s bold styling and price point. The result? A bass response that’s even more extreme than Bose’s own QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, with significantly elevated sub-bass that delivers physical, skull-rattling low-end perfect for EDM, hip-hop, and other bass-heavy genres.

Despite the overwhelming low-end emphasis, these earbuds scored surprisingly well in audio quality tests, with high marks for both timbre and immersiveness. When the bass becomes too much (which it likely will for many listeners), the customizable 5-band EQ in the Skull-iQ app lets you tame those lows. Beyond the impressive bass performance, you get solid ANC that reduces low-frequency sounds by up to 28dB, comfortable Bose-licensed ear tips and fins, and useful features like multipoint connectivity and low-latency gaming mode. The quirky case design with a carabiner clip won’t be for everyone, but bass lovers on a budget will find serious value here.

Best bass earbuds for working out: Powerbeats Pro 2

The Powerbeats Pro 2 delivers the bass-forward sound profile athletes need to stay motivated during intense workouts. With a frequency response that significantly emphasizes sub-bass while boosting treble for clarity, these earbuds give tracks like Tiesto’s “10:35” the energetic low-end thump that can help push you through that final set or mile. While audiophiles might notice the under-emphasized mids and lack of upper treble, this tuning is intentionally designed to highlight the kick drum and bassline during exercise sessions.

Beyond their punchy sound, the Powerbeats Pro 2 offer features that serious athletes will appreciate. The secure ear hook design keeps them firmly in place during even the most vigorous movements, while IPX4 water resistance handles sweat without issue. With Apple’s H2 chip, you get excellent noise cancelation that blocks about 83% of environmental sound and up to 10 hours of battery life (45 hours with the case). The integrated heart rate monitoring may be overkill for casual users, but serious athletes will appreciate the ability to share this data with fitness apps and equipment. At $249.99 they’re a premium option, but for those seeking substantial bass and workout-ready durability, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are tough to beat.

Best gaming earbuds for bass: Turtle Beach Battle Buds

At just $29.99, the Turtle Beach Battle Buds offer surprisingly powerful bass that punches well above their price class. These wired gaming earbuds feature a substantial low-end boost throughout the bass range, creating a sound signature emphasizing rumble and impact. The bass frequencies dominate the mix with impressive power, though sometimes at the expense of clarity in other frequencies.

These earbuds are good for gamers because the bass-heavy tuning enhances gaming experiences. Explosions and environmental effects deliver impressive weight and impact, creating an immersive experience. Despite their budget price, these earbuds create a surprisingly wide soundstage that helps with directional awareness in games, letting you track enemies and audio cues effectively.

The detachable boom microphone is another standout feature, providing clear voice communication essential for team gaming. While comfort isn’t their strong suit and the bulky design might not appeal to everyone, gamers seeking powerful bass and positional audio at a bargain price will find incredible value in these plug-and-play earbuds.

Keep the change with the Tozo T12

The TOZO T12 earbuds are great for budget-conscious consumers seeking quality bass performance. Priced at just $36.99, these earbuds offer impressive value, providing decent sound quality and wireless charging. Although they lack a companion app and active noise canceling (ANC), the TOZO T12 compensates with strong passive noise isolation, making them suitable for listeners who prefer to immerse themselves in their music without external distractions.

They come equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a stable connection across devices, and support both SBC and AAC codecs for optimized performance with Android and Apple devices, respectively. Despite their affordability, these earbuds boast a durable build with an IPX8 water resistance rating, making them resilient enough for workouts and outdoor activities.

Sound-wise, the TOZO T12 impresses with a pronounced bass boost below 100Hz. While the earbuds naturally emphasize lower frequencies, they still manage to deliver a decent balance across mids and highs, especially when the sub-bass is toned down via an equalizer within the music player. The earbuds last nearly 6 hours on a single charge, and the charging case extends total usage time significantly.

Should you get the Raycon Everyday Pro earbuds?

The Raycon Everyday Earbuds Pro has an absurd bass response, which may attract users seeking earbuds with intense low-end emphasis, suitable for genres like hip hop and EDM. They come equipped with a few useful features, such as a multipoint connection, wireless charging, and various ear tips to improve fit and comfort. Additionally, the active noise canceling is effective, particularly for low-frequency noises.

However, the earbuds are hampered by several drawbacks. The absence of a companion app and graphic EQ significantly restricts audio customization, which could be a dealbreaker for those looking to tweak their sound profiles. The limited codec support (SBC and AAC only) might also detract from the overall audio quality. Users with smaller ears might find the fit uncomfortable, affecting sound isolation and the consistency of the audio experience across different music genres. Despite these issues, their price point and bass-heavy sound may still make them a viable option for bass enthusiasts, though they may not appeal to everyone.

The Anker Soundcore Life P3 have enough bass to satisfy the most hardcore bass-heads

For those who crave earth-shaking bass, the Anker Soundcore Life P3 delivers in spades. These earbuds offer an extreme emphasis on low frequencies that will satisfy even the most hardcore bass heads. With ANC enabled, they produce more bass than any other earbuds tested, making them perfect for fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM, hip-hop, and dubstep.

While this intense bass response may be too much for casual listeners, it’s exactly what many bass enthusiasts are seeking. The Life P3 doesn’t just stop at powerful lows, though. It backs up its bass performance with an impressive 13-hour battery life, effective noise cancelation, and a feature-rich companion app. At an affordable price point, these earbuds offer bass lovers a compelling package that doesn’t skimp on extra features.

The best bass earbuds: Notable mentions

• Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC ($99.99 at Amazon): These are definitely a contender for some of the best affordable noise canceling earbuds based on performance and value. With an IPX4 rating, long battery life, and plenty of bass emphasis.
• Campfire Audio Honeydew: Maybe you want wired buds with added bass response. These premium-priced buds ($349 at Amazon) have an extra amount of bass, yet still sound pretty good. They’re also built with replaceable parts.
• Google Pixel Buds A-Series: If you want to achieve some added low-end and easy Google integration, these lightweight buds do a good job for only $94 at Amazon when you use the Bass Boost preset.
• Master & Dynamic MW09: These buds are a tad expensive ($349 at Amazon), even with the glitz of the shiny case and ceramic composition, but they do offer up some additional low-end volume.
• Skullcandy Mod XT: Anyone looking for budget, true wireless earbuds will appreciate the simplicity and durability of the Skullcandy Mod XT and the bass emphasis.
• Sony WF-1000XM4: The chunkier predecessor to the WF-1000XM5, these have a similar default tuning as the newer model. For the added comfort and improved noise canceling, we prefer the new ones, but these are still very good (for $278 at Amazon).
• Sony WF-XB700: For folks who want earbuds that fit well, try these. They were a bit steep when they came out, but they’re cheaper now ($106 at Amazon) and a bit simple in function, but they might be right for you.

What you should know about the best bass earbuds

We get it; sometimes, your music needs more low-end emphasis. The headphones and earbuds manufacturers get it, too, as demonstrated by Sony’s longstanding XB (for extra bass) line. Besides the usual concerns you should have when purchasing Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, there are special considerations for bassy earphones.

What’s your bass frequency?

Choosing the best bass earbuds is a tad tricky in that we typically evaluate sound quality by objectively comparing a product’s frequency response with our headphone preference curve. Given that our preference curve already supplies you with a good amount of bass, that’s what we would pretty much recommend you aim for. So, for the best sound, bass earbuds ought to generally follow our curve, but that’s probably not what you’re hoping we recommend if you’re a basshead. (If it is, check out our best wireless earbuds.)

Otherwise, let’s consider frequency responses as a primary concern when seeking the best bass earbuds. Technically, bass frequencies span 60Hz to 250Hz, but for the purposes of describing bassy earbuds, we’ll include the sub-bass frequencies below 60Hz as well. If you’re a fan of bassy earbuds, check the charts in the image galleries above and in our reviews to see which earbuds appear to supply an elevated volume in that region. Conversely, you should also key into how much treble you’re seeing in a chart because you can achieve a more bassy sound by listening to earbuds that simply have quieter treble as well.

Regardless, we still recommend you choose something that loosely apes our preference curve and possibly has a few more decibels in the low frequencies. Maybe don’t go too wild unless the earbuds come with an equalizer that sufficiently targets bass so you can reign it in for the times you want to listen to content for which you don’t need a ton of bass.

Fit influences your bass response and isolation

How earbuds fit in your ears contributes greatly to their sound and how well they block environmental noise. If your earbuds don’t sound bassy enough, try different ear tips to adjust the fit, and avoid earbuds that don’t seal the ear canal. For instance, Apple AirPods (2nd generation) have an open-seal design that doesn’t seal the ear canal adequately, and these don’t sound very bassy to many listeners.

Apple revised the design with the AirPods (3rd generation) so that you can hear bass a bit better, but it’s not as good as the sealed fit of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). The bass volume of the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) more closely mirrors our preferred curve compared to the unsealed AirPods, and part of that is because of an improved fit. You gain a more predictable and consistent listening experience when you have earbuds with ear tips you can swap to fit your ears.

Secondly, good old-fashioned isolation is the other important reason to pay attention to fit. Isolation applies mainly to high-pitched noise; having a good fit will help you keep your volume at a safe level.

Watch out for signs like increasing volume as your listening session goes on. This can indicate poor isolation, particularly if your environment is noisy. Alternately, it’s a sign that your earbuds’ frequency response doesn’t adequately reproduce your audio, so you might need to tweak the EQ. The latter possibility brings us back to frequency responses, as discussed above.

How we test the best bass earbuds

We subject all our best bass earbud picks to the same series of tests to compare them directly. This includes objective tests such as battery testing and consistent microphone demonstrations. To measure isolation and noise canceling, frequency responses, and a plethora of other measurements, we apply the same tests using our Bruel & Kjaer 5128 setup.

Combined with our subjective experiences, we consider all the specs to see how they hold up in real-world circumstances. At SoundGuys, our testing and review process aims to provide readers with reasonable and comparable assessments between products.

How we choose the best bass earbuds

Our picks come from pouring through our existing reviews by our experienced team of contributors. It is important to settle on the criteria of what to look for in bassy earbuds (and similarly any good earbuds) and consider the various priorities of users. Essentially, our picks all provide bassy tunings to differing degrees and with different consumers in mind. Finally, these earbuds range from affordable to sporty to flagships.

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