The time has come for the annual MobileSyrup touque test, in which we see what earbuds stay in your ears the best when putting on a touque.
This year’s participants include the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, all kinds of AirPods and some wacky buds from Nothing. That said, many earbuds now have the same stem-based form factor, which generally helps most buds stay in your ear pretty securely.
AirPods Pro 2
Apple’s top-of-the-line earbuds fit nicely in the ears, and due to their silicone tips and comfortable design, I find they work perfectly under a hat. Since the bottom stems point down, it avoids being caught on the edge of a hat.
AirPods Pro 2 review.
AirPods 4
Like the AirPods Pro, Apple’s base-line AirPods also feature a stem, but their mileage varies depending on your ear size. I find they fit well in my ears, but others might not find them as secure. I also find that the microphones are on the outside, so I can hear them rub on the inside of my hat a little more than I did with the Pros. That said, they’re a solid option and work fine overall.
AirPods 4 Review.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3
Like AirPods Pro, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 has a stemmed design with silicone tips, so they stay in your ears quite securely when you pull a hat down over them. They’re also quite smooth, so there aren’t many friction points for a touque to catch.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Review.
Nothing Ear and Ear (a)
While the Nothing Buds also use stems, the top edge sticks out of your ear a little further than the competition, so it does catch a little bit, but compared to chunky earbuds a few years ago, they still work pretty well under a hat.
Nothing Ear and Ear (a) Review.
Nothing Ear Open
While these buds are extremely comfortable to wear during the day, they do need the most care when putting a hat over them. The bottom-weighted design holds them around your ear comfortably, so they might rock a bit when you pull a touque down over them. That all said, they were better than expected
Nothing Ear Open Review.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Pixel Buds Pro (left, blue) and Pro 2 (right, green) in their cases.
Google redesigned its Pixel Buds Pro earbuds this year with a new winged design that helps them lock into ears. Coupled with the Buds Pro 2 being significantly smaller than the original Pixel Buds, they work great under a touque. In my testing, the Buds Pro 2 moved around less and I couldn’t feel the pressure of the touque on the buds like with the original Pixel Buds Pro.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 review.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
While we didn’t have the Galaxy Buds on hand to test alongside the others, I feel confident that since Samsung finally started making stemmed earbuds, they should be fairly secure under a winter hat.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Review.
Beats Fit Pro
Beats Fit Pro are great for working out because of how they lock into your ears, but under a touque, they’re more of a hassle since they stick straight out and can easily get knocked by a hat when you pull it down over your ears.
Beats Fit Pro Review.
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