Best half-in-ear TWS earphones under Rs 15000 in India in 2026: Apple, Samsung, Sennheiser and more
I know some folks who prefer half-in-ear TWS earphones over conventional in-ear earbuds. They find the silicone in-ear tips uncomfortable. The half-in-ear ones sit at the entrance of the ear canal rather than sealing it. It also gives you a more open listening experience that lets you remain aware of your surroundings. This also means half-in-ear earbuds generally offer less passive noise isolation and weaker bass response than sealed in-ear models. Well, not always, but generally. Interestingly, some newer models, such as the Apple AirPods 5 and Samsung Galaxy Buds4, even offer Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), although they may not be as effective in isolating external sounds as the in-ear earbuds.
Here are five of the best half-in-ear TWS earphones you can consider buying in India in 2026, across different price segments ranked in descending order of their prices.
Apple AirPods 5
Price: Rs 14,900
The Apple AirPods 5 is a premium open-fit earphone range featuring the H2 headphone chip, an updated acoustic architecture and Active Noise Cancellation.
Apple has also included Adaptive Audio, Transparency Mode and Conversation Awareness. The latter automatically lowers playback volume when you start speaking to someone nearby. You also ge Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking here, which works impressively.
The AirPods 5 also support Live Translation and Siri AI features when paired with compatible Apple devices. Their dual beamforming microphones are designed to improve voice pickup during calls.
Apple claims up to four hours of playback on a single charge with ANC enabled and up to six hours with noise control switched off. The charging case extends total listening time to up to 20 hours with ANC enabled. The earbuds also have an IP57 rating for dust, sweat and water resistance.
Should you buy them? The AirPods 5 make the most sense if you use an iPhone and want premium features without silicone ear tips. However, their relatively short battery life and premium price make them less appealing to Android users.
Samsung Galaxy Buds4
Price: Rs 11,999
Samsung introduced its half-in-ear earbuds in February 2026 alongside the Galaxy S26 series. The earbuds feature an 11mm dynamic driver and is said to be designed to improve comfort and stability. They support Bluetooth 6.1, AAC, SBC and Samsung Seamless Codec, including the high-quality SSC-UHQ codec on compatible Galaxy devices.
Samsung has also included Adaptive ANC and Adaptive EQ, which adjust noise cancellation and sound based on the listening environment and fit. Other features include 360 Audio with head tracking, Galaxy AI integration and Super Clear Call for improved voice pickup.
The company claims up to six hours on a single charge with ANC disabled and five hours with ANC enabled. The charging case extends total playback to 30 hours and 24 hours, respectively. They also carry an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
Note that some advanced audio and Galaxy AI features require compatible Samsung devices.
Should you buy them? At Rs 11,999, the Galaxy Buds4 are worth considering if you use a Samsung smartphone and want an open-fit design with ANC, spatial audio and ecosystem features. However, their fit may not suit everyone, so try them before buying.
Sennheiser Accentum Open
Price: Rs 5,897
The Sennheiser Accentum Open focus on comfortable listening and sound quality rather than advanced noise cancellation. Their open design is for those who do not want to feel completely disconnected from their surroundings.
Sennheiser has equipped these earbuds with 11mm dynamic drivers. They support SBC and AAC audio codecs and use Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity.
One of their useful features is multipoint connectivity, which allows you to connect two devices simultaneously. This is particularly handy when switching between a smartphone and a laptop. The earbuds also support automatic playback pausing when removed, touch controls and beamforming microphones with noise reduction for calls.
Each earbud weighs around 4.35g and has an IPX4 rating for splash resistance. Its battery life is rated at up to six hours per charge and up to 24-28 hours of total playback with the charging case.
Should you buy them? The Accentum Open makes sense for people who prioritise comfort, an airy sound presentation and multipoint connectivity. At the given price, they are worth considering for everyday music listening, podcasts and calls. However, look elsewhere if you need ANC or powerful bass.
Huawei FreeBuds SE 2
Price: Rs 2,999
Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 are an affordable option for people who want lightweight earbuds with long battery life. They feature a stem-based, open-fit design and weigh just 3.8g each.
The company has equipped them with 10mm dynamic drivers and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. They support SBC and AAC codecs, along with touch controls for music playback and calls.
The rated battery life is up to nine hours of music playback on a single charge, with the charging case extending this to 40 hours. The earbuds also have an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
The FreeBuds SE 2 also support call noise cancellation and multiple EQ profiles. However, it is important to distinguish between microphone noise cancellation and ANC. The former helps reduce background noise picked up by the microphones during calls, while the latter reduces surrounding sounds that reach your ears. These earbuds do not offer true ANC.
Should you buy them? The Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 are worth considering if you want comfortable everyday earbuds with long battery life without spending much. They are suitable for music, podcasts and calls, but are not the right choice if you regularly listen to music in noisy surroundings.
Noise Buds Mini X
Price: Rs 999
The Noise Buds Mini X are the most affordable option on this list. They offer a combination of lightweight construction, long battery life and basic connectivity features.
The earbuds feature 12mm titanium-coated drivers and quad-microphone Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) for calls. Noise also provides two EQ modes, Bass and Balanced, allowing users to switch between different sound profiles.
For connectivity, you get Bluetooth 6.0, with support for dual-device pairing. This means you can keep the earbuds connected to two devices, such as a smartphone and laptop, simultaneously.
The given battery life is up to seven hours of playback on the earbuds and up to 50 hours with the charging case. The Instacharge feature provides up to two hours of playback with a 10-minute charge. They also have an IPX4 rating for splash resistance.
There is ENC, but the earbuds do not offer ANC.
Should you buy them? The Noise Buds Mini X are worth considering if you have a strict budget of Rs 1,000 and want basic wireless earbuds with long claimed battery life.
Which half-in-ear TWS earphones should you buy?
The Apple AirPods 5 are the most feature-rich option here, particularly for iPhone users. Samsung Galaxy Buds4 are worth considering if you already use a Galaxy smartphone and want ANC with an open-fit design.
The Sennheiser Accentum Open focuses on sound presentation, comfort and multipoint connectivity. Meanwhile, the Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 offer excellent claimed battery life at a more accessible price.
Finally, the Noise Buds Mini X are an entry-level option for people who do not want to spend much on TWS earphones.
We suggest you try them out at any offline store near you to ensure you buy a comfortable pair.
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