# Comfortable earbuds

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/tech/earbuds/comfortable/
Category: Tech > Wireless earbuds. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 250 counted first-hand reports from Target shopper reviews, Feb 2021 to Oct 2026.

**Question:** Which earbuds are comfortable for hours?

**Short answer:** Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) has the best record for comfort: 29 of 33 shoppers said they're comfortable to wear for a long time. The best pick on Amazon is Bose Ultra Open Earbuds at 31 of 36, since that first generation is no longer sold new there. Apple AirPods 4 has the weakest record here at 20 of 36.

**What stands out:** A higher price didn't buy more comfort. JLab Go Air Pop, called good value in 38% of its reviews, beats Apple AirPods 4 (20 of 36) and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (10 of 17) on comfort at 25 of 33.

## Ranking (shoppers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | Comfortable | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) | 29 of 33 | 88% | no |
| 2 | Bose Ultra Open Earbuds | 31 of 36 | 86% | yes |
| 3 | JLab Go Air Pop | 25 of 33 | 76% | yes |
| 4 | JLab Go Air Sport | 27 of 39 | 69% | yes |
| 5 | JLab Go Air | 17 of 28 | 61% | yes |
| 6 | Apple AirPods 4 | 20 of 36 | 56% | no |
| 7 | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds | 10 of 17 | 59% | no |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)

70% of reviews praise the comfort, and many also mention the noise cancelling (40%). These reviews are all for the first generation, and newer generations have come out since.

- Praised for: Good noise cancelling (40%), Good sound (33%), Stay in (13%)
- Complaints: Fall out (8%)
- Reports counted: 40

### 2. Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

These clip onto the edge of your ear instead of going inside it, and 78% of reviews call them comfortable. Reviews on Bose's site come in at 9 of 10, which we show but don't count. Price is the sticking point for 12%.

- Praised for: Good sound (68%), Stay in (20%), Good battery (15%)
- Complaints: Too expensive (13%), Battery problems (8%), Weak sound (8%)
- Reports counted: 40

### 3. JLab Go Air Pop

Shoppers like the feel and the price: 64% say they're comfortable and 38% mention good value. 21% found them uncomfortable.

- Praised for: Good sound (38%), Good battery (38%), Good value (38%)
- Complaints: Fall out (13%), Weak sound (13%), Connection issues (10%)
- Reports counted: 39

### 4. JLab Go Air Sport

No other pair here had as many shoppers weigh in on comfort (39), and 27 of 39 found them comfortable. That leaves a sizable group who didn't, with 30% of reviews calling them uncomfortable.

- Praised for: Good value (28%), Good sound (28%), Good battery (20%)
- Complaints: Connection issues (23%), Weak sound (13%)
- Reports counted: 40

### 5. JLab Go Air

Opinions are split on the original Go Air: 17 of 28 found them comfortable, while 36% of reviews say they aren't. 21% also find the sound weak.

- Praised for: Good sound (36%), Good value (30%), Good battery (21%)
- Complaints: Weak sound (21%), Stopped working (12%), Connection issues (9%)
- Reports counted: 33

### 6. Apple AirPods 4

Comfort is close to a toss-up for these, and fit trouble shows up here too, with 31% of reviews saying they fall out.

- Praised for: Good sound (36%), Good battery (13%), Good noise cancelling (8%)
- Complaints: Fall out (31%), Battery problems (15%), Too expensive (10%)
- Reports counted: 39

### 7. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

The sound (63%) and noise cancelling (42%) get the praise, but comfort is mixed at 10 of 17. Reviews on Bose's site are kinder at 5 of 7, which we show but don't count.

- Praised for: Good sound (63%), Good noise cancelling (42%), Good value (11%)
- Complaints: Connection issues (47%), Too expensive (16%)
- Reports counted: 19

## Questions

**Which earbuds can you wear for a long time?**

Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) has the best record at 29 of 33. Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (31 of 36) and JLab Go Air Pop (25 of 33) come next.

**Are open-ear earbuds more comfortable?**

For these shoppers, the open-ear pick did well: 31 of 36 found Bose Ultra Open Earbuds comfortable for a long stretch. If in-ear tips bother you, a pair that rests outside the ear canal is worth a look.

**Are AirPods 4 comfortable?**

Just over half the shoppers who mentioned comfort said yes (20 of 36), and 41% of reviews call them uncomfortable. If comfort comes first, Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation) and Bose Ultra Open Earbuds did better.

**Are JLab earbuds comfortable?**

Mostly, yes. JLab Go Air Pop does better (25 of 33) than JLab Go Air Sport (27 of 39) or the original JLab Go Air (17 of 28).

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/