For audiobooks, the ibrain Air Tube Headphones are my pick among these earbuds for audiobooks: their wired 3.5 mm connection and inline play/pause control keep listening simple.
The MAIJOFO Sleep Earbuds are the runner-up if you want a low-profile wireless fit for listening in bed.
The MAIJOFO Sleep Earbuds are the runner-up if you want a low-profile wireless fit for listening in bed.
earbuds for audiobooks at a Glance
• ibrain Air Tube Headphones — best for straightforward wired listening; pick this if you want a 3.5 mm connection and a one-button control for playback and calls.
• MAIJOFO Sleep Earbuds — best for listening while lying down; pick this if a low-profile wireless design, several ear-tip sizes, and a charging case suit your bedtime routine.
• Questyle NHB15 — best for USB-C devices and flexible wired connections; pick this if you want a USB-C connection, an included 3.5 mm cable, and five pairs of silicone tips.
• Questyle NHB12 — best for Lightning-equipped devices; pick this if you want a wired earbud with a Lightning connector and an included 3.5 mm cable.
The ibrain Air Tube Headphones are wired in-ear headphones with an air-tube design and a 3.5 mm plug. They are my pick for someone who wants uncomplicated audiobook listening rather than a wireless setup or a feature-heavy listening experience. The inline multi-function button handles play and pause, as well as answering and ending calls, so basic controls are close at hand.
The air-tube construction is the distinctive feature. Sound travels through hollow tubes to the earbuds, rather than through wires running directly into them. The cable is described as metal-shielded and made with multiple copper wires. Those design details may appeal to shoppers who specifically want an air-tube style, but they do not make this a wireless or noise-cancelling product.
For everyday listening, the 3.5 mm connector is useful with compatible phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices that have that jack. Some devices may need an adapter, so check your device before choosing it. The extra-long cord can help when the listening device is not right beside you, though a cord also has to be managed while walking or moving around. Its sound isolation is intended to reduce surrounding noise, which can be useful in a shared space but is not the same feature as active noise cancellation.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
The trade-off is the wired connection: there is no Bluetooth flexibility, and a device without a 3.5 mm jack may require an adapter. I would choose it for a simple, direct audiobook setup, especially when a compatible jack and physical inline control matter more than a compact wireless design.
The MAIJOFO Sleep Earbuds are compact Bluetooth earbuds designed with sleep and side sleeping in mind. Their low-profile shape is intended to sit close to the ear, and the package includes silicone tips in several sizes. That combination makes them a more natural option for listening in bed than a conventional earbud with a larger outer body—particularly for someone who listens to a chapter while lying on their side.
They connect wirelessly over Bluetooth 6.1 and are described as compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices such as smartphones and tablets. The stated continuous playback time is six hours per charge, with up to 90 hours total when using the charging case. Those figures are useful for understanding the intended overnight role: they are designed for extended use with the case available, but the buds themselves are not specified to play continuously all night on one charge.
MAIJOFO lists Environmental Noise Cancellation and touch controls. For audiobook listening, the noise-control feature may help in surroundings with distractions, while the low-profile fit and included tips are the more directly relevant bedtime features. The product is also described as tuned for nighttime listening at low volume. That does not tell us exactly how voices will sound to every listener, but it signals a focus on gentle playback rather than a bulky, over-ear sleep setup.
The main trade-off is that they are specialized for wireless bedtime use, not a general-purpose wired option. You will need to keep the case charged and use a Bluetooth source. The product information also gives a 15-meter Bluetooth range, but real usefulness depends on the layout between the earbuds and the connected device. I would consider these if comfort while reclining is the priority; I would not choose them simply to get a wired connection for a computer or phone.
The Questyle NHB15 is a wired in-ear model with a USB-C connector and a detachable cable design. It is the most flexible pick here for someone whose listening devices include USB-C equipment and a traditional 3.5 mm audio jack. The box includes a separate 3.5 mm cable, so the connection options extend beyond the USB-C plug built into the primary cable.
For audiobook use, wired playback means there is no need to pair the earphones over Bluetooth. The product is listed as compatible with a range of USB-C devices, including computers running Windows or macOS, as well as supported phones and tablets. That makes it a plausible choice for a listener who switches between a phone and a computer. If you are searching for bluetooth headphones for computer, note that the NHB15 is not a Bluetooth model; its appeal is a wired USB-C connection and an included 3.5 mm cable.
The set includes five pairs of silicone ear tips, which gives you several sizes to try for a secure, comfortable fit. Its in-ear shape and sound-isolation design can help limit some surrounding sound, though it is not listed as active noise cancellation. The product also includes a leather case. Its DAC and amplifier are part of the audio hardware, but audiobook shoppers do not need to chase high-resolution music specifications to follow spoken narration. I see the USB-C and cable choices as the more practical reasons to consider it.
The trade-off is that it depends on the connector available on the device. It is not wireless, and a USB-C port is not the same as a headphone jack; the included 3.5 mm cable offers another route only when the device has a matching jack. I would pick the NHB15 for a listener who wants wired use across USB-C and 3.5 mm sources, and who values having multiple ear tips to refine the fit.
The Questyle NHB12 is a wired in-ear option built around a Lightning connector. Its most specific use case is listening from a compatible Lightning-equipped Apple device without relying on a Bluetooth connection. The product also includes a 3.5 mm cable, five pairs of silicone ear tips, and a leather case, so there is some flexibility beyond the primary connector.
As with the NHB15, the wired design suits people who prefer a direct connection and do not want to pair earbuds. The listed features include sound isolation and a remote control. For audiobooks, a secure in-ear fit and convenient playback control are more immediately useful than music-focused specifications. The included selection of silicone tips can help a listener find a fit that stays comfortable through a long chapter, though comfort is personal and depends on the individual ear.
The NHB12 is the relevant Questyle choice if your main device uses Lightning. Its 3.5 mm cable may also be useful with a device that has a compatible headphone jack. That does not make the primary Lightning connector universally convenient: the right match depends on the device you actually use. Before buying, check whether your phone or tablet has Lightning, USB-C, or a headphone jack, rather than assuming the included cables will work with every device.
The trade-off is narrower everyday convenience if you do not use a compatible Lightning device. It is also a wired model, so there is a cable to manage. I would choose it over the NHB15 only when Lightning is the connection you specifically need; for a USB-C device, the NHB15 is the more direct fit.
How We Picked
I compared the products’ published connection types, controls, fit-related details, and stated use cases.
No brand paid for placement.
Either can work. Wired models avoid Bluetooth pairing and need a compatible port, while wireless earbuds offer more freedom of movement and require charging. Match the connection to your device and listening habits.
The MAIJOFO Sleep Earbuds are specifically described as low-profile earbuds for side sleepers. Their Bluetooth design and included ear tips are aimed at bedtime use.
No. The NHB15 is wired, with a USB-C connection and an included 3.5 mm cable. It can suit a computer with a compatible port, but it does not connect over Bluetooth.
I would start by checking the recipient’s device ports and how they plan to listen. The ibrain is a simple wired option for a 3.5 mm jack; the MAIJOFO is designed for wireless listening in bed. Neither choice is universal, so compatibility and fit matter.
My final recommendation for earbuds for audiobooks is the ibrain Air Tube Headphones if you have a compatible 3.5 mm connection and want straightforward wired controls. If listening in bed is the priority, I would choose the low-profile MAIJOFO instead.
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