How to Choose the Best Invisible Earbuds
Audio devices these days come in various shapes and sizes to cater to different preferences. While some may want headphones that stand out, some people prefer discreet and invisible earbuds for their own reasons. Invisible earbuds are mainly for those who don’t want to be seen listening or taking a call. But, these are also great for those who simply want earbuds that are extra light, simple, and portable for day-to-day use. Choosing the best invisible earbuds can be tricky because you need to find not just the smallest earpiece but something that can be functional as well. Here’s a quick guide on what you should look for:
NENRENT S570
Key features
Type: Mono Size (LxWxH): 0.79″ x 0.57″ x 0.69″ Battery: 6 hours Multipoint: Yes – Up to 2 connections Bluetooth version: 4.1 Colors: Beige, Black, & Rose Gold Other Features: Hands-free function, Can be used with or without eartips
The NENRENT S570 gets a lot of things right and at an affordable price. It is a simple, discrete, mono earbud that gets the job done with a balanced set of features and is even great for people with small ears. Many invisible earbuds are made small so that they could be tucked and hidden inside the flap of your ears when worn. In addition to that, these earbuds do not have stems that protrude outside the — which is something that earbuds such as the AirPods have. On average, invisible earbuds are around 0.7″ x 0.53″ x 0.72″ but some can even reach 0.19″ x 0.28″ x 0.39″. However, the ideal size for invisible earbuds is largely dependent on your ear size. This is why one-size-fits-all earbuds are practically ineffective. With that, going out to the store and testing the earbuds yourself is the surefire way to get the right size. However, if you’re buying online, you can check out reviews from people who claim to have small or large ears. Stylish colors such as rose gold, white, and black are some common options you would see in earbuds in the market today. However, color options in the shades of beige offer the most help when it comes to making the earbuds invisible. However, different manufacturers may use different shades of beige as well, with some getting closer to white and some to brown. This gives you a freedom to choose a brand/model with a color option that is closest to your skin color. Apart from the product shots you see online, checking out photos from actual users can help you see the real-life color of the earbuds better. Alternatively, choosing an option that matches your hair color can also help the earbuds blend with their surroundings and hide from the naked eye. Furthermore, uncomfortable earbuds can cause you to rummage around your ears. This is something you have to avoid if you don’t want anyone to find out that you have something in your ears. A good way to achieve comfort is through adjustability. Invisible earbuds with replaceable tips are your best friends because they will allow you to customize your way to comfort by changing sizes. If you’re using the right tip size, the earbuds won’t move around as much or won’t be too tight to cause pain. Touch controls or in-line buttons are options you can look for when it comes to this. Touch controls allow you to swiftly operate the functions since you won’t need to apply a lot of pressure to press any buttons. On the other hand, in-line buttons are separate from the earbuds themselves, thus allowing you to control the audio subtly without touching your ears. Fortunately, a lot of invisible earbuds were made with these functionality and control concerns in mind. In fact, some earbuds such as the COOMAX Mini can pass off as spyware because of their extremely discreet design and unique mechanism. In the case of these, the microphone is separated from the earbuds and wired to the audio source so that the audio input directly goes to your phone. As a result, the earbuds are a lot smaller and would really be indistinguishable. Furthermore, if you’re thinking of using these invisible earbuds at work, you might as well get a brand/model with multipoint connection. Multipoint helps users multitask by allowing them to easily switch between sound devices and effectively organize calls. Small earbuds do not have enough room to add in multiple varying drivers to produce more accurate sound. Furthermore, invisible earbuds often come in a monaural/single-earbud design. This leaves the other ear open for distractions and other interferences that can lower the immersive listening experience. These are why you can’t really expect invisible earbuds to sound as good as your standard earbuds. Yet again, it’s understandable because you’re buying them for the invisibility, not the sound quality. At 0.79″ x 0.57″ x 0.69″ and 0.18 ounces, the earbud is comfortably light and can fit most ear sizes snugly. Despite the small size, it packs a 6-hour battery that charges fully in 1-2 hours. It could last for a majority of your day at the office and its petite size will allow for portability and easier storage. The S570 is powered by Bluetooth 4.1 that features multipoint connection. It allows users to connect to up to 2 devices — certainly a feature you could use during a busy day at work. Its hands-free function is one of its steadiest and most helpful features, though, which is also a great addition to its ability to help you multitask. You can get the S570 in three colors: Beige, Black, and Rose Gold. Its shade of beige is called nude which is a lighter shade of the color — great for those who have a light skin tone with a hint of peach. The earbud comes with only one ear tip but it can be used with or without it depending on where your comfort is. However, sound alerts such as app notifications, calls, low battery notifications, and message prompts can be too loud and distracting. Unfortunately, there seems to be no way of adjusting that. It’s also not the best for calls since the microphone volume tends to fluctuate. You may need to warn whoever’s on the other side of the call for occasional bursts of sound. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
GoNovate G11
Key features
Type: Mono Size (LxWxH): 0.78″ x 0.57″ x 0.71″ Battery: 6 hours Multipoint: Yes – Up to 2 connections Bluetooth version: 4.1 Colors: Beige and Black Other Features: Magnetic charging
Next on the list is the GoNovate G11. At 0.78″ x 0.57″ x 0.71″, the earbud is just a little bit bigger compared to the S570 but is a good challenger to the said invisible earbud. It is, however, lighter than the S570 at 0.16 ounces. Mainly, the G11 shines because of its reliable all-in-one button. This invisible earbud is powered by Bluetooth 4.1 and supports multipoint with up to two connections. It comes in two colors only: beige and black. Its shade of beige is almost identical to what the S570 offers but the G11 has a matte finish which allows it to approximate the texture and look of the skin better. The G11 can run up to 6 hours but does not have fast-charging. The product comes with a convenient and portable magnetic charging dock that you can plug directly onto any USB port. Unfortunately, one of the main concerns with the G11 is the spotty connection even within a 5-feet radius. Also, contrary to the fine print, the G11 does not last 6 hours and often runs out of juice under 4 hours. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
AIYIBEN M2
Key features
Type: Mono Size (LxWxH): 0.71″ x 0.51″ x 0.51″ Battery: 6 hours Multipoint: Yes – Up to 2 connections Bluetooth version: 4.1 Colors: Beige, Black, Pink, and White Other Features: Noise reduction microphone
The AIYIBEN M2 may be the most affordable option on this list. Despite its price, the earbud has everything that you should look for in invisible earbuds and more. At 0.71″ x 0.51″ x 0.51″, this is smaller than the two previous products mentioned above. It is, however, a bit heavier at 0.634 ounces. While the change in weight isn’t much, it can be noticeable after wearing them for the whole day. The earbud also has four glossy color options namely black, white, pink, and a very light shade of beige. Unlike others, their beige is paler and is closer to light brown already with a hint of yellow. However, its glossy finish can reflect light and catch the attention of the people around you. Inside, the earbud runs Bluetooth 4.1 and even has multipoint — something that’s hard to find in its price range. It can play music for up to 6 hours but does not have fast charging. One unique feature it has is the built-in noise-cancelling microphone. You’ll get clearer sound input and the sound quality seems to be good for its price as well. Inside the box are three ear tip options to help you find the best fit. Despite that, the ability of the earbud to fit small ears is concerning and they can still fall off despite using the smallest ear tips already. It also needs improvement when it comes to build quality and durability. In addition to that, the product also does not come with a warranty so be extra careful when you’re storing them. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
COOMAX Mini
Key features
Type: Mono Size (LxWxH): 0.19″ x 0.28″ x 0.39″ Battery: 3-5 hours depending on the battery used Multipoint: No Bluetooth version: N/A Colors: Beige Other Features: In-line microphone
The COOMAX Mini is the smallest, lightest, and most discreet option on this list. If you’re looking for a communication device that would surely be invisible, this is the one you should go for. The earbud is 0.19″ x 0.28″ x 0.39″ and just about 0.04 ounces light. It’s so small and light that it could fit at the tip of your finger making it great to be used as spyware. It also comes in beige although it does not matter that much because it’s small enough to be completely tucked inside the ear flap. Unlike the previous options, this earbud does not use Bluetooth and opts for a GHz connection. It comes with a wired transmitter/receiver and an inductive coil that connects to your phone via a 3.5mm jack and the microphone built in the wire as well. The earbud was made specifically for communications so you can’t expect much from it when listening to music. Also, its life depends on what battery you have since it only relies on non-rechargeable watch batteries, particularly one 337 SR416W. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
AUDIIOO X11
Key features
Type: Mono Size (LxWxH): 0.55″ x 0.51″ x 0.98″ Battery: 6 hours Multipoint: No Bluetooth version: 4.1 Colors: Black Other Features: Sweatproof
If you’re looking for invisible earbuds that you can wear at the gym or during your morning run, the AUDIIOO X11 is what you should be checking out. This mono earbud has what you would typically need from invisible earbuds plus it’s advertised as sweatproof. They are affordable, simple, and reliable. The X11 is 0.55″ x 0.51″ x 0.98″ and weighs 0.529 ounces which means you won’t feel them that much during your workout. It can last for 6 hours which is more than enough for your average session at the gym. It also charges fully within 2 hours. It only comes in black so it’s only able to blend with those who have dark skin or dark hair. Also, although it has Bluetooth 4.1, it does not have multipoint unlike some of the options mentioned on this list. The earbud also only comes with one ear tip option so comfort may be an issue for some. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
ZDHHD Mini Bluetooth Earbuds
Key features
Type: Stereo Size (LxWxH): 0.67″ x 0.51″ x not specified Battery: 8 hours Multipoint: No Bluetooth version: 5.0 Colors: Beige, Black, Rose Gold, & White Other Features: Charging case, IPX5 rating, One-Step Pairing
Invisible earbuds do not have to be mono and the ZDHHD Mini Bluetooth Earbuds are great examples of that. These mini earbuds come with features you would find in regular earbuds but are small enough and shaped right to pass as invisible earbuds. Each earbud weighs around 0.14 ounces and is only 0.67″ x 0.51″. They also come in four colors namely black, rose gold, white, and beige. The shade of beige it comes with is light, pale, and is close to the color cream. The ZDHHD Mini Bluetooth Earbuds also feature one of the latest Bluetooth versions which is 5.0. Because of this, the earbuds have one-step pairing that allows users to quickly connect their device to the earbuds and maintain a stable connection for up to 45 feet away. Their battery can last up to 8 hours plus the charging case provides an additional 30 hours more. They also have fast-charging that can fill the battery in just an hour. What’s also interesting is that the earbuds are rated IPX5 making them sweatproof and resistant to low-pressure water jet spray. Unfortunately, the earbuds do not have multipoint in them. Noise pickup is also a concern for these earbuds so if you’re on a call outdoors, the other person on the line might not hear you that well. CHECK LATEST PRICE ON AMAZON
