While companies like to stretch definitions to suit their marketing needs, the difference between earbuds and earphones essentially comes down to one thing: Earbuds (also called in-ear headphones or in-ears) sit inside the ear canal, while earbuds rest outside the ear canal. We've put together a comparison guide to help you decide which type of headphone is best for you.

Earbuds usually don’t have cushions, but some do. Instead of sitting in your ear canal, earbuds are meant to be held in place by the conchal rim in the middle of your outer ear. These are often one-size-fits-all, which isn’t always comfortable to wear. Depending on the shape of your ear rims, earbuds may not fit properly and can often fall out. This drawback is annoying, especially if you wear earbuds while playing sports and exercising. Some have wings or loops that go under the rims of your ear to keep them in place.

Earbuds, or in-ear headphones, often have different sizes and types of ear cushions to achieve the most comfortable fit. Examples of cushions include memory foam, rubber, and silicone. Some are shaped to lock into the concha and have a protrusion that extends further into the ear canal. You can also get high-end earbuds that are custom-fitted to your ear with an earmold made by an audiologist.

Earbuds let in ambient sound, so you can hear what’s going on around you. That way, you don’t feel disconnected from your surroundings, which provides a small measure of safety for outdoor activities like running or walking with earbuds in.