With a transparent section on each earpiece that allows you to see their inner workings, Shure's Aonic 5 are certainly an eye-catching pair of buds – but it's how they sound that earns them their place on this list.

My biggest complaint about the AONIC 215 adapters is the multifunction button: it’s too squishy for my liking. Wireless is a convenience feature for use on the go, I'm looking for quality for stationary home use.With weight, detail and a good dose of dynamic subtlety, they really are accomplished in-ears – not as good as the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QC Ultra further up this list, but not miles away, either. Depending on whether you’re using an Apple or Android phone with the Shures, you can flick a switch to enable the playback and volume controls to work. I wasn't expecting this, however thanks very much for graphing etc, definitely would have been helpful. The interchangeable design is clever, but the Shure AONIC 215 isn’t quite as convenient as other, more affordable earbuds.

Listeners who want a more versatile pair of true wireless earbuds may want to consider options from Sony, Apple, or Jabra. When it comes to physical build and ergonomic comfort, Sennheiser’s formidable reputation has been maintained here. Shure knows how to make premium in-ear monitors (IEMs) and these true wireless earbuds have the best sound quality of any pair I’ve tried to date. They’re lightweight, and the fact the headphone cable can be secured over the top of your ears instead of just hanging down means the Aonics feel secure at all times.

If your heart is set on true wireless in-ears, check out our list of the best noise canceling true wireless earbuds.

Editor’s note: this Shure AONIC 215 review was updated on October 20, 2021, to address the Shure AONIC 215 Gen 2 which replaces the first-gen headset, to replace the frequency response and isolation charts, and update the scores according to our new test system. Playing the first track of Black Country, New Roads’ debut album, Instrumental, they offer the more compelling listen; cymbals are convincingly cutting as opposed to softened, there’s greater texture to the oboe and trombone melodies, and the drum rhythm is tighter and faster, propelling the track’s rightful frenetic energy. They may not match the IE 300’s bass depth or the midrange solidity – these Sennheisers sound wonderfully full and smooth with voices – but they offer greater clarity, crispness, agility and, in turn, a snappier presentation. That's no bad thing, as we hardly had many issues with the fit or look of the Award-winning QuietComfort Ultra II. It nails the former, and there’s plenty to like in the latter: they’re bolder and more authoritative-sounding than most, with majestic bass depth and wonderfully rich vocals among the highlights.Shure has plenty of experience with wired in-ear headphones, and it shines through in the multiple Award-winning Aonic 3.