Wireless earbuds have become incredibly popular in recent years, offering cordless convenience and great sound quality. However, premium models from brands like Apple and Sony can cost upwards of $200. Thankfully, there are many excellent budget options available for under $100.
In this guide, we‘ll review the top affordable wireless earbuds to help you find the best pair for your needs and budget.
How We Chose the Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
We looked at the following criteria when selecting the top budget wireless earbuds:
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Sound Quality: How do the earbuds perform in terms of audio fidelity, bass, treble, soundstage, etc.? Good sound is essential even on budget models.
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Features: What extra features are included, like active noise cancellation, transparency/ambient sound mode, wireless charging case, etc. These can really add value.
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Comfort and Fit: Are the earbuds lightweight and comfortable enough for long listening sessions? Do they come with multiple eartip sizes for a secure fit?
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Battery Life: How long do the earbuds last on a charge? The battery life should be sufficient for typical daily use. Fast charging is a plus.
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Durability: Are the earbuds sweatproof or waterproof rated? Do they feel well-built? Durability is important for portable electronics.
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Value: Most importantly, do these earbuds provide a lot of quality and features for the price? Value for money is key for budget buys.
Keeping these factors in mind, below are the best budget wireless earbuds that provide great sound and performance without breaking the bank.
Top Picks for Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
Best Overall: Anker Soundcore Life P2
- Well-balanced sound with punchy bass
- Great noise isolation
- IPX7 waterproof and sweatproof
- 7 hours battery life (35 with case)
- USB-C and wireless charging
- Voice assistant support
- Only $50
With excellent audio performance, sweatproof design, and USB-C charging, the Anker Soundcore Life P2 are the best budget wireless earbuds overall.
These lightweight earbuds deliver powerful bass and crisp mids/highs thanks to Anker‘s custom-tuned drivers. The sound quality rivals more expensive models. Plus, the oval ear tips provide a tight seal for solid noise isolation.
The IPX7 waterproof rating means you can use these worry-free during workouts. Battery life is also good at 7 hours per charge, with an extra 4 charges from the case. And the case supports both USB-C and wireless charging for convenience.
For just $50, the Soundcore Life P2 pack impressive features and audio into a compact cordless package. They‘re easy to recommend for those seeking great cheap wireless earbuds.
Key Features:
- Impressive well-balanced sound with deep bass
- IPX7 waterproof and sweatproof rating
- 7 hours playtime, 35 hours with charging case
- Charges via USB-C and wireless charging
- Slick matte black design
- Voice assistant support (Siri, Google Assistant)
Best Under $50: SYLLABLE S101
- Amazing value under $50
- Loud bass-forward sound
- Good battery life
- Responsive touch controls
It‘s hard to believe the SYLLABLE S101 cost under $50 given their impressive features. These compact earbuds deliver thunderous bass and great battery life for the ultra-budget price.
Inside each earbud is an 8mm neodymium driver that produces some of the most powerful bass we‘ve heard in budget wireless earbuds. It makes EDM, hip hop, and pop really thump. Mids and highs still sound crisp behind the bass.
Touch controls let you control music, calls, and volume by tapping the earbuds. Battery life is also decent at around 6 hours. Plus the charging case adds 4 extra charges.
For affordable wireless earbuds under $50, the SYLLABLE S101 are a steal. Audiophiles may want more balanced sound, but bass lovers will be very pleased.
Key Features:
- Huge bass-forward sound
- Good 6 hour battery life
- Charging case with 24 extra hours
- Easy tap touch controls
- Lightweight over-ear fit
- Unbelievable value under $50
Best Sound Quality: 1MORE ComfoBuds Pro
- Excellent audio with rich bass and clean highs
- Good active noise cancellation
- Transparency and wind noise reduction modes
- Fast charging: 1 hour playtime in 15 minutes
The 1MORE ComfoBuds Pro deliver impressive sound quality for the price. Their 14.2mm drivers pump out powerful bass while keeping mids/highs crisp. It‘s a fun sound signature that works with any genre.
Audio is further enhanced by good active noise cancellation that blocks ambient sounds. When you need to hear your surroundings, switch to the transparency mode. Call quality is also excellent thanks to the 4-mic system with AI and wind noise reduction.
With 6 hours battery life (28 hours with case), fast charging support, and an app to customize controls, these sub-$100 noise-canceling earbuds are an amazing value for audiophiles.
Key Features:
- Rich, balanced sound with deep bass
- Effective noise cancellation
- Transparency and wind noise reduction
- 6 hour battery life with fast charging
- Support 1MORE mobile app
- High-quality calls with 4 mics & AI
Best Battery Life: TOZO T10
- Huge 9 hour battery life
- Bass-heavy sound with crisp treble
- IPX8 waterproof and sweatproof
- Wireless and wired charging options
Need marathon-level battery life? The TOZO T10 deliver an incredible 9 hours of playtime on a single charge. The charging case provides over 40 extra hours too.
These IPX8 waterproof earbuds also sound great. Dual drivers in each bud pump out strong bass while keeping mids and highs clean. You get punchy, energetic sound to motivate workouts.
The TOZO T10 supports both wireless and wired USB-C charging. Just 5 minutes of charging gives you 1.5 hours of playtime when you‘re in a rush.
Overall, with their near 10-hour battery and waterproof rating, these wireless earbuds are perfect for travel, long days at the office, or outdoor adventures.
Key Features:
- Huge 9 hour playtime per charge
- IPX8 waterproof and sweatproof
- Wireless & wired charging options
- Powerful bass with crisp mids/highs
- Good noise isolation fit
Best Under $25: Mpow X3
- Unbelievable value at under $25
- Punchy v-shaped sound
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- CVC 8.0 noise-canceling mics for calls
- Charging case with up to 24 hours battery
It‘s incredible just how good the Mpow X3 are for less than $25. These tiny earbuds deliver great audio quality and features at a tiny price.
The X3 have a v-shaped sound profile that boosts bass and treble for lively audio. You can rock out worry-free thanks to the IPX7 sweatproof rating too. Battery life is about 5 hours with an extra 4 charges from the compact case.
Noise-canceling mics block ambient sounds during calls for clear voice pickup. Buttons provide easy control of music and volume. For the ultra-budget price, you‘d be hard pressed to find better sounding wireless earbuds than the Mpow X3.
Key Features:
- Amazing value at under $25
- V-shaped sound with punchy bass
- IPX7 waterproof rating
- Good battery life w/ charging case
- Noise-canceling mics for clear calls
Most Comfortable: Aukey EP-N5
- Lightweight comfortable half in-ear design
- Generous 10 hour battery life
- USB-C quick charging
- IPX5 sweat resistance
- External antenna for stable connection
For all-day wearing comfort, the Aukey EP-N5 are our top pick. Their unique half in-ear design is lightweight and doesn‘t cause fatigue.
Built-in antennas ensure a strong Bluetooth 5.0 connection free of dropouts. Battery life is an impressive 10 hours per charge. And USB-C quick charging gives you 3 hours of playtime in just 10 minutes.
With an IPX5 rating, these earbuds can withstand sweaty workouts and even light rain. Press controls let you manage music and calls easily. Aukey also offers a 24-month warranty for peace of mind.
If you want comfortable wireless earbuds suitable for long listening sessions, the Aukey EP-N5 are highly recommended.
Key Features:
- Super lightweight half in-ear design
- Lasts 10+ hours between charges
- Quick charging: 3 hrs in 10 mins
- IPX5 sweat and rain resistant
- External antenna for stable signal
Best Noise Isolating: Anker Soundcore Life Note 3
- Excellent passive noise isolation
- Rich warm sound with thumpy bass
- 60+ hour total battery life
- Qi wireless charging supported
- Voice calls enhanced with triple mics
Need to block out noise? The Anker Soundcore Life Note 3 seal out ambient sound extremely well while delivering great audio.
These chunky earbuds come with multiple sizes of eartips to let you achieve the perfect noise isolating seal. Once in place, the 10mm graphene drivers pump out warm, bassy audio that‘s great for hip hop and EDM.
For power users, battery life is insane at 13 hours per charge and 60+ hours total with the case. You also get both USB-C and Qi wireless charging support.
If you want wireless earbuds that passively mute the world around you, the Soundcore Life Note 3 are your best bet.
Key Features:
- Superb passive noise isolation
- Big 13 hour battery life
- Qi wireless and USB-C charging
- Warm bassy sound profile
- Triple-mics for voice calls
Most Stylish: Haylou GT1
- Sleek stemless design
- Powerful bass with 12mm drivers
- Physical buttons for control
- 5 hours battery life
- IPX5 water resistant rating
Want wireless earbuds that look as good as they sound? Check out the sleek Haylou GT1.
These stemless earbuds ditch the protruding stem for a compact design that sits flush in your ears. The all-black color scheme looks discreet yet stylish. Physical buttons provide easy control of music and calls.
Inside each earbud is a 12mm dynamic driver that delivers impactful bass and crisp mids/highs. The GT1 also have an IPX5 water resistance rating, making them suitable for workouts.
For those wanting great sound and looks in budget wireless earbuds, the Haylou GT1 hits both marks.
Key Features:
- Sleek low-profile stemless design
- 12mm drivers produce powerful bass
- Physical buttons for control
- IPX5 water resistant
- Up to 5 hours playtime
Best Call Quality: Skullcandy Dime
- Excellent call and voice quality
- Personal Sound via mobile app
- IPX4 sweat and water resistant
- 12-hour total battery life
- Auto on/connect and docking
If you take a lot of calls on your wireless earbuds, the Skullcandy Dime are your best bet under $100. Their mics pick up your voice clearly while minimizing ambient noise.
The Dime boast 12 hours total battery life, and offer sweat resistance and auto on/connect features. Sound can be customized via Skullcandy‘s mobile app with EQ presets and sound modes.
On-board controls give you the ability to manage calls, music, volume, and your phone‘s voice assistant. Altogether, the Dime provide great call and audio performance in a small cordless package.
Key Features:
- Call and voice quality optimized
- App lets you customize sound
- 12 hours total battery life
- IPX4 sweat and water resistant
- Auto power on and connect
What to Look for in Budget Wireless Earbuds
Here are a few key factors to consider when shopping for good budget wireless earbuds:
Sound Quality – Make sure sound quality is a priority even when shopping budget earbuds. Look for good frequency balance rather than earbuds that overdo the bass.
Battery Life – For convenience, battery life of at least 5-6 hours is ideal, with extra charges from the case. Fast charging support is also useful.
Design – Comfort and fit are important for long listening sessions. Look for a lightweight and ergonomic shape. Replaceable tips help get a secure noise isolating seal.
Durability – Check the IP water/sweat resistance rating. IPX7-8 ratings allow submersion and are best for working out.
Extra Features – Budget models won‘t have every feature, but some offer noise cancellation, transparency mode, apps, wireless charging cases, etc. These can provide great value.
Brand Reputation – Stick with brands like Anker, 1More, JBL, etc. that have a track record for making quality budget audio products.
Are Cheap Wireless Earbuds Worth It?
In the past, cheap wireless earbuds used to mean poor sound quality and performance. But modern budget models have proven you can get great Bluetooth earbuds on a budget.
Many budget wireless earbuds today offer:
- Good, balanced sound quality on par with more expensive brands
- Great battery life of 6-9 hours between charges
- IPX waterproof and sweatproof ratings
- Ergonomic designs optimized for comfort and stability
- Extra features like touch controls, voice assistants, companion apps
- Solid connectivity and call quality
So if you don‘t want to spend over $100 dollars on trendy names like Apple or Bose, don‘t worry. Many excellent wireless earbuds are available between $20 and $100. Just look for reputable brands that deliver quality and value.
The Bottom Line
Budget wireless earbuds have come a long way, with many models delivering great sound, battery life, comfort and durability. If you‘re willing to spend around $50, you can get surprisingly premium true wireless earbuds without breaking the bank.
Brands like Anker, 1More, Aukey, and Mpow offer high-performing Bluetooth earbuds at affordable prices. Be sure to check sound quality, comfort, waterproof rating, and extra features when comparing budget options.
We hope our top picks for the best budget wireless earbuds have helped you find an affordable option to suit your needs. Just because earbuds are cheap doesn‘t mean you need to sacrifice on audio performance and quality construction.