The top 5 best compact earbuds
BUYING GUIDE - Do most wireless earbuds fall out of your ears, or don't they fit all? No worries, there are plenty of good tiny earphones. After more than 455 models tested, these are the best budget wireless earbuds for small and smaller ears - updated for June 2025.
The Top 5 budget earbuds for small ears - June 2025:
Soundcore Life A3i - best overall
Sony WF-C510 - best for music
Redmi Buds 6 Play - best ultra-budget
1more Q10 Mini - best without rubber ear tips
Soundcore K20i - runner-up
Who wrote this Buying Guide?
This comparison test is written by Scarbir. I've tested and reviewed 455+ wireless earbuds ranging from $15 to $100, testing them all extensively on sound quality, comfort, active noise cancelling, call quality, video playback, battery life, and more.
This is a specific Buying Guide on the best wireless earbuds for smaller and kids ears. You can also check out general Buying Guides on the best wireless earbuds under $100, under $50, under $25 or other comparisons.
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These are the best earbuds for smaller and kids ears, updated for June 2025:
1. Best budget wireless earbuds for smaller ears: Soundcore Life A3i
With Active noise cancelling and actual buttons
The Soundcore Life A3i wireless earbuds are an excellent choice when you have smaller ears. These little rockers combine an engaging sound with clear calls and even decent Active Noise Cancelling.
The Soundcore Life A3i has been out since 2022, but it still has a place in the market for its tiny size. These compact earbuds have a fairly odd shape, consisting of a small round part that goes inside your ears, and a little wing on top.
If you put them in your ears and then adjust the ‘wing’ to the back of your ears a bit, you get a secure fit that's comfortable to wear for its 5 hours playtime on a single charge.
During that time, you'll get usable Active Noise Cancelling that reduces the volume of darker sounds nearby and in the background. Lighter sounds are also reduced in volume, although chatter and traffic still come through when you're not playing music.
You can also turn the ANC off - that will extend the battery life to 7 hours in a row.
The Life A3i also comes with convenient actual buttons instead of touch panels, meaning you can change tracks, volume, and switch between ANC modes easily with cold or sweaty fingers. The IPX5 rain and sweat-proof rating further helps for sports and runs.
That's not all: this Soundcore also handles phone calls well. The microphones put your voice through full and clear in both phone and video calls - although the combination of wind and noise can drag your voice away. The A3i can only connect to one device at once, but the brilliant free Soundcore app is a great addition with its 21 sound equalizers.
That is, if you even want to change the default sound. The Life A3i knows how to entertain.
On soft to moderate volume, it brings a relaxed, warm background sound with reduced higher tones. Turn the volume up to active listening levels, and the treble unlocks. The sound then becomes surprisingly engaging, with powerful vocals and an enticing airiness. The bass strikes quickly, strongly, and deep enough - it almost demands you to nod your head.
The Soundcore Life A3i combines usable Active Noise Cancelling, clear calls and a solid battery life in a surprisingly tiny package.
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2. Best sounding smaller wireless earbuds: Sony WF-C510
The Best choice for music lovers
If you're willing to miss out on Active Noise Cancelling, the tiny but mighty Sony WF-C510 treats you with fantastic musical capabilities.
The Sony WF-C510 is Sony's entry-level model of wireless earbuds, and also its smallest model from its lineup. The charging case is compact enough to carry comfortably in any jeans pocket, and the earbuds are just as pocketable.
The earbuds have a bit of a pebble-shape, of which the broadest part will point to the back of your ear. Sony cleverly put a little dot on top of the left earbud, so you can easily recognise the top side and separate the left from the right bud. The WF-C510 also comes with very grippy ear tips, to ensure the buds stay in your ears.
Like the Soundcore Life A3i, the Sony boasts actual buttons instead of touch panels. You change tracks on the right bud, and decrease or increase the volume by pressing the button on the left or right earbud four times. The button responds so well, that it actually works.
What's more impressive, is the Sony's massive 11 hours playtime on a single charge! The case can recharge the earbuds fully twice before needing new power via USB-C itself.
The WF-C510 also comes with multipoint connection, so you can connect it up to two devices at the same time. It switches to the other device as soon as you start a song or video on it, or when you get a phone call.
It's not advised to bring the C510 outside or in the wind when calling, but a phone call or video meeting in a quieter office room shouldn't be a problem. And if you're into it, the Sony also boasts a great gaming mode, that synchronizes the sounds with the action on your screen greatly. There's no Active Noise Cancelling on these earbuds, however.
Ultimately, it's the sound quality that sets the Sony apart. Especially if you're willing to tweak the natural yet bone-dry default sound a bit. By taking a test and choosing which of the given fragments sounds best to you, the WF-C510 prepares a custom equalizer for you. That's a great starting point and can be tweaked further; giving you all the tools at hand to create an engaging sound with a tightly kicking bass, powerful vocals and airy treble, and a wonderful natural presentation of mid-tones like guitars and piano play.
With multipoint connection, a massive battery life and an adjustable and fantastic sound, the Sony WF-C510 comes recommended to everyone with smaller ears.
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3. Best small earbuds under $25: Redmi Buds 6 Play
Tiny, super comfortable and with great battery life
The big benefit of smaller earbuds is that they tend to cost not too much. The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Play is an ultimate example of this. You get so much for your 20 dollars!
The Redmi Buds 6 Play has a shape of earbuds that's comparable to the Soundcore Life A3i. As they're so compact, they're extremely comfortable for average and smaller ears. And as they barely stick out of your ears, you can even sleep on your side with these without the need of a support arm.
That's not all: with around 7 hours of battery life on a single charge, these may actually last your entire night too.
You may not expect it from the price, but it's safe to take a phone call or enter a video conference with the Buds 6 Play. The microphones keep focusing on your voice when there's noise around you (although they're not great when you walk in some wind).
And just like the more expensive earphones, you can setup the controls precisely the way you want to, thanks to the Xiaomi Earbuds app. Check the availability on your App Store or Play Store beforehand.
The app support is the most exotic part of these earbuds, as you will miss out on features like ANC and multipoint connection for this price.
When it comes to sound, the Redmi Buds 6 Play impresses with a tight bass, clean lower mid-tones, and clear yet controlled treble. Critical listeners may notice a bit of metallic edge on the highest volumes, however.
Want more bass? Select the More Bass EQ preset and you get it straightaway - firing quick and uplifting thumps, only toning the treble down a bit.
The Redmi Buds 6 Play offers fantastic value for money, with comfortable and compact earbuds, long battery life, clear calls, and great sound for as little as 20 dollars.
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4. Best semi-in-ear earbuds for small ears: 1more Q10 Mini
Compact, No-nonsense earbuds
Prefer wireless earbuds without rubber ear tips? The 1more Q10 Mini is both incredibly compact and insanely cheap, costing no more than 20 dollars.
The 1more Q10 Mini, also sold as just 1more Q10, has a simplicity that just works for its small price that ranges from $25 to sometimes only $15 (!) on Amazon and AliExpress. The charging case is lovely compact, and the same goes for the earpieces and the stems on the earbuds.
Moreover, these earbuds have a secure, grippy fit - and they're light and comfortable to wear for hours.
Don't think these earbuds have nothing to offer, because of its low price.
Despite their size, these last around 7 hours on a single charge. During that time, it's safe to take a phone phone call in easy circumstances. Your voice loses clarity when there's much noise going on, and more when there's also a bit of wind involved, but you'll still be audible. The earbuds are also IPX4 splashproof protected.
You will not find app support, a multipoint connection or volume controls on the 1more Q10, but you can activate a gaming mode by holding the left earbud. It synchronizes the sound effects in games greatly. Gaming is quite intense too, as the 1more has a solid bass.
No, really. The 1more Q10 Mini has a full, punchy mid-bass. Lower-mid tones are boosted as well, awarding darker electronic tones and lower male vocals and lower instruments a prominent role.
Meanwhile, treble is smooth. Vocals are forward enough, but brighter instruments are toned down a bit as highs roll off early. It makes for a pleasant, friendly sound character, from the lowest to the highest volumes.
The 1more Q10 Mini not only has a lovely compact charging case and earbuds, but it's capable too - offering a pleasant sound and long battery life.
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5. Runner-up for half-in-ears for small ears: Soundcore K20i
The tiniest AirPods-like earbuds in a chunky case
The earpieces of the Soundcore K20i are even smaller than those of the 1More Q10 Mini, which could make the K20i the last resort if all other earbuds fail. You may need to tweak the sound a bit first.
The Soundcore K20i costs a bit more than 1more's offering, but still won't set you back more than 30 dollars. For that price, you get a bit of a bulky square charging case, but also the tiniest earpieces from all the earbuds I tested upon writing this.
Yet, thanks to a good hook between the earpiece and the stem and a grippy material, they actually have a reliable fit. These aren’t likely to fall out during rapid head movements. They also give you 6 hours playtime on a single charge, while an IPX5 waterproof rating protects them against rain and sweat.
The latter is higher than the 1more, and the Soundcore has another advantage: it has volume controls right on the earbuds. You have to set them up first via the free Soundcore app for iPhone or Android, but that's little to no effort.
The app also lets you choose between different equalizer presets or create your own equalizer, and to be fair, you actually need it to be able to enjoy the K20i.
By default, this Soundcore puts a lots of effort into the treble, but highs can be a bit too heavy here. Vocals are pushed so much, they sound a bit metallic and artificial, while the bass is a little light at the same time. By creating your own equalizer, you can both make the bass thump and tone down the treble.
After tweaking the sound, the Soundcore K20i can sound more open and clearer than the competitor above - but just for the ease of use, the 1more Q10 Mini may be a safer choice for many.
Soundcore K20i review (coming soon)
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Disclaimer
On Scarbir.com, I'm devoted to find the best affordable wireless earphones. I buy 70% of the earphones myself; sometimes, a manufacturer sends them to me. I review all audio products 100% honest, always stating their strengths and their downsides. Visit the leaderboard of true wireless earphones for all my reviews and ratings.
Consider buying a pair of earphones in this list? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. It won't cost you extra, yet it will financially support me a bit in my independent quest to test great affordable audio.
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Also check out my other articles:
Guide: the best TWS under $100
Guide: the best TWS under $50
Guide: the best TWS under $25
Leaderboard: all earphones from 10-300 dollar tested
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- Scarbir
