If the previous three iPhone releases have taught us anything, it's that wired headphones are out and wireless headphones are in. Apple's iPhone 12 models, like the iPhone 14 and prior iPhone 13 lineups, do not include earbuds or any headphones in the box, which may surprise you if you're coming from an iPhone 11 or older. You've come to the right place if you're looking for the best headphones for your iPhone 12. Because the iPhone 12 lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, we recommend going with wireless headphones.
Apple provides AirPods, AirPods Pro, and the Beats Powerbeats Pro; we've included these models here, but we're focusing on plenty of other iPhone 12 headphone options, including some good budget models that are extremely affordable. Because these are Bluetooth headphones, they are compatible with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, including Android smartphones. WH-1000XM4 by Sony.
Best Earbuds for iPhone 12 in 2022
The best all-around - DEC 2020
Sony's previous WH-1000XM3 model was excellent. If it had a flaw, it was its voice-calling capabilities, especially in noisy environments. The new WH-1000XM4 improves on that by adding multipoint Bluetooth pairing, which allows you to connect to two devices at the same time, such as your phone and PC. This means that if you answer a phone call while wearing headphones with your computer, the audio will switch to your phone when you answer the call.
Beats Flex - Apple's most affordable headphone
I never expected to see a version 2.0 of Beats' once-popular BeatsX neckband-style wireless earphones, but it's arrived with a new name — the Beats Flex — and a much-lower $50 (£50, AU$80) price tag, which is half of what its predecessor was selling for.
Mpow X3 - Best true wireless for less than $50
The Mpow X3 is one of the best wireless earbuds sound surprisingly good for their low price of $60, with good clarity and powerful bass, and they even have fairly effective active noise cancellation.
Mpow appears to be constantly tweaking its earphones, and the X3 earbuds were briefly removed from Amazon before being replaced with an update. "The new version improved the volume control while also optimizing its active noise-canceling function and call effect," the company said. "It also added supersoft ear caps, which [are] more comfortable to wear for an extended period of time."
AirPods Pro by Apple - True wireless noise cancellation at its best
Even if it doesn't sound as magical as you'd expect from a $249 model, the Apple AirPods Pro are still a great pair of noise-cancelling true wireless earphones. This is due in large part to the earbuds' winning design and fit, improved bass performance, and effective noise cancellation (Apple also recently added a new spatial audio virtual surround sound feature for movie and TV watching on recent iPhones and iPads). These are ideal for making phone calls or listening to music while working out. When listening from compatible Apple devices, the new spatial audio feature is truly impressive.
