The best cheap true wireless earbuds might not be guaranteed to deliver the finest audio ever, but they’re the best for the price. After all, many of the the best wireless earbuds don't come cheap, often going for $200 or more. However, there are plenty of options out there that truly deliver where it counts and do so for $100 or less. Some of them even come with features you would only expect on premium models like active noise cancellation (ANC).
That said, there are loads of cheap true wireless earbuds and many of them are not worth even their low entry price. To help you skip those and find ones that will make you feel like your money is well spent, we’ve collected what we think are the best budget earbuds available right now.
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Source: Jabra
Jabra Elite 3
Best overallYou can use the Jabra Elite 3 for everything, whether on a commute, on an exercise bike, or at a desk. They’re incredibly versatile thanks to an IP55 water-resistance rating, solid audio quality, and extended battery life. Plus, they come filled with features like Spotify Tap Playback, Alexa Assistant support, and, especially for Android users, Google Fast Pair. Like all Jabra models, these strike a fantastic balance between performance, price, and features.
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Source: Cambridge Audio
Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+
Premium pickCambridge Audio’s unique “bullet” shaped Melomania 1+ might not be the most secure earbuds out there — they don’t come with wings or fins — but they’re compact, come with an IPX5 rating, and are lightweight at just 4.6g per earbud. More importantly, they offer the kind of sound quality you would expect from an established audio brand and an impressive nine hours of battery life.
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Source:JLab
JLab JBuds Air ANC
Best valueThe JLab Jbuds Air ANC prove you can get solid active noise cancellation without the exorbitant price tag. And while there are some compromises for that ANC, such as mediocre call quality, limited comfort, and no app, they sound better than they have any right to and come with a stellar 10-hour battery life. They also have an IP55 rating, making them ideal for workouts where you don’t want to run around with $200 earbuds.
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Source: JBL
JBL Endurance Peak 3 Wireless Headphones
Best for workoutsThough the JBL Endurance Peak 3 are among the pricier options on this list, they’re quite affordable. These earbuds with wrap-around ear hooks and an IP68 rating can handle just about any workout you throw at them, whether rock climbing, skiing, or even jogging. They also come with a transparency mode so you can hear your surroundings. And, while those ear hooks can get a bit uncomfortable after long periods, these are as good as any earbuds for an active lifestyle.
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Source: Google
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
You’re not going to find flagship features on the Google Pixel Buds A-Series. There’s no ANC or wireless charging, and the battery life is a bit shorter than other options. However, they have a comfortable fit, good audio quality, and some great first-party features for anyone using a Pixel phone, including Fast Pair and hands-free Google voice assistant support.
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Source: Edifier
Edifier W240TN
The Edifier W240TN earbuds offer impressive audio quality and long battery life at a low price. The buds only support the SBC codec (no AAC), but their dual-driver setup still delivers surprisingly strong sound, given the price of admission. They're also IP55 certified, so they can survive all the rain and sweat you might throw at them. ANC is middling at best on the W240TN, but considering the earbuds' impulse-buy price tag, that might be an acceptable compromise.
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OnePlus Nord Buds
The OnePlus Nord Buds cost just $40, but they still manage to be decent true wireless earbuds. The sound out of the Nord Buds is crisp, clear, and a lot closer to what you'll get out of high-end earbuds than you might think. They also last seven hours on a charge, but that figure is without ANC — the Nord Buds don't have it. The bass could be a little stronger, too. Still, at this price, these are very minor complaints.
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Source: Audio-Technica
Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TWBK
The Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW look great thanks to their unique square shape and interesting colorways, and they have audio quality to match. While there’s no ANC on hand, HearThrough mode as well as a low latency mode for gaming make up for that. Plus, they’re less than $100.
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Source:Anker
Soundcore Anker Life P2
Though the Soundcore Anker Life P2 are light on features and are somewhat uninspiring visually, they do what cheap earbuds are supposed to do and deliver the basics. They have a fun, bass-heavy sound, comfortable fit, and come with a very solid battery life. On top of that, they come in at just under $50.
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Source: Sony
Sony WF-C700N
Even if you’re on a budget, you can get great ANC and sound quality. If you need proof, look to the Sony WF-C700N. The ANC is probably best-in-class for anything $120 or less. And, the audio quality has a clarity that makes these sound more expensive than they are. The battery life in the case is surprisingly weak and they don’t have all the features of their pricier brothers, but they still have multipoint connectivity, fast charging, and Google Fast Pair.
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Source: Anker
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds
While the ridiculous 10-hour battery life on a single charge might be the most unique feature here, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC have a lot going for them, especially considering their $99 price tag. They sound great, support LDAC for the audiophiles among us, and have adaptive ANC, though its implementation is a bit underwhelming.
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Source: EarFun
EarFun Air Pro 3
For less than $100, you’re getting many of the same features that come on earbuds costing twice or three times as much. The EarFun Air Pro 3 are effective for calls and exciting for music and movies. Their ANC also does a great job of making sure you’re not distracted by outside sound. Tack on a long battery life and wireless charging, and what more could you really want?
Finding the best earbuds for the right price
If you're looking for great all-around buds at a low price, check out the Jabra Elite 3. They don't have ANC, but the buds offer good audio quality and battery life, and you can often pick them up on sale for about 60 bucks. But if you don't mind paying a midrange price, you should consider the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+. They cost around $100 and feature great audio quality and acceptable water resistance, making them versatile options to enjoy your tunes whenever you want, even at the gym.
If you're more mindful of the price tag but aren't ready to sacrifice audio quality, your go-to options should be the Sennheiser CX 400BT, Sony WF-C500, or Edifier W240TN. All three sound great and are reasonably priced. Of the three, only the Edifier buds offer ANC — and it's not great.