The latest wireless earbuds from Apple, Sony, Bose, and other major brands often dominate headlines. However, consumers don’t need to spend a significant amount to acquire high-quality earbuds. It is now feasible to find affordable, feature-rich earbuds for under $100, although finding the best products within this price range can still pose some challenges.
To assist those looking to upgrade without overspending, here’s a guide to some of the best budget wireless earbuds tested. These evaluations cover various needs, such as active noise cancellation, sound quality, gym-friendly designs, and affordability. This market is constantly evolving, so the guide will be updated as new models are tested.
Best Budget Wireless Earbuds for 2024
Anker Soundcore Space A40
- Bluetooth: v5.2
- ANC: Yes
- Transparency Mode: Yes
- Custom EQ: Yes
- Charging Port: USB-C
- Wireless Charging: Yes
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Multipoint Connectivity: Yes (2 devices)
- Wear Detection: No
- Battery Life: 10 hrs, 50 hrs with case
- Fast Charging: 10 mins = 4 hrs
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Warranty: 18 months
The Anker Soundcore Space A40, available for $60, offers performance and features often found in higher-priced earbuds. Its lightweight and balanced design ensures comfort during extended use. The default sound is warm with enhanced upper-bass and subdued treble, but users can adjust the sound using the Soundcore app’s EQ tools. The active noise cancellation (ANC) is effective, especially for low-frequency noises, and the adaptive ANC system can automatically adjust the intensity based on the environment. Transparency mode and multi-device connectivity are also supported. However, there is no automatic wear detection, and call quality is mediocre.
Pros:
- Effective ANC at a low price
- Pleasant and warm sound
- Supports multi-device connectivity and wireless charging
- Comfortable fit
- Good battery life
Cons:
- No automatic wear detection
- Mediocre call quality
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
- Bluetooth: v5.3
- ANC: Yes
- Transparency Mode: Yes
- Custom EQ: Yes
- Charging Port: USB-C
- Wireless Charging: Yes
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- Multipoint Connectivity: Yes (2 devices)
- Wear Detection: Yes
- Battery Life: 10 hrs, 50 hrs with case
- Fast Charging: 10 mins = 4 hrs
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Warranty: 18 months
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, priced at $100, features a design similar to Apple’s AirPods. It offers adaptive ANC, wireless charging, and good battery life. Its default sound profile emphasizes bass and treble, making it suitable for genres like EDM and pop, though it may be intense for some listeners. The ANC strength can be manually adjusted, and touch controls include a triple-tap option. Wear detection and call quality improvements are also present, but the overall sound may be fatiguing for some users.
Pros:
- Strong ANC
- Multi-device connectivity and wireless charging support
- Comfortable fit
- Good battery life
Cons:
- Bass-heavy sound may be tiring
- Bulky design
- Mediocre call quality
Earfun Free 2S
- Bluetooth: v5.2
- ANC: No
- Transparency Mode: No
- Custom EQ: Yes
- Charging Port: USB-C
- Wireless Charging: Yes
- Water Resistance: IPX7
- Multipoint Connectivity: No
- Wear Detection: No
- Battery Life: 7 hrs, 30 hrs with case
- Fast Charging: 10 mins = 2 hrs
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX
- Warranty: 18 months
Ideal for those unwilling to spend too much, the Earfun Free 2S costs $40 and has a lively, customizable sound signature. Its IPX7 rating ensures full waterproof capability, suitable for heavy workouts and wet conditions. However, it lacks ANC, multi-device connectivity, auto-pausing, and transparency modes. Although the mic quality is decent, it is susceptible to wind noise.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Comfortable fit
- Fully waterproof
- Lively sound
Cons:
- No ANC or ambient sound modes
- Lacks advanced features like wear detection and multi-device connectivity
- Less balanced sound compared to other picks
JLab Go Air Sport
- Bluetooth: v5.1
- ANC: No
- Transparency Mode: No
- Custom EQ: Yes (presets only)
- Charging Port: USB-A (integrated)
- Wireless Charging: No
- Water Resistance: IP55
- Multipoint Connectivity: No
- Wear Detection: No
- Battery Life: 8 hrs, 32+ hrs with case
- Fast Charging: 10 mins = 1 hr
- Codecs: SBC
- Warranty: 2 years
Priced at $30, the JLab Go Air Sport is recommended for gym use. It has an around-the-ear hook design for a secure fit during workouts and an IP55 rating for water resistance. The eight-hour battery life and solid touch controls make it functional, though it lacks advanced features and uses a non-USB-C charging cable.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Secure design for workouts
- IP55 water resistance
Cons:
- Bass-heavy sound
- Lacks advanced features
- Bulky case
Amazon Echo Buds (2023)
- Bluetooth: v5.2
- ANC: No
- Transparency Mode: No
- Custom EQ: Yes
- Charging Port: USB-C
- Wireless Charging: No
- Water Resistance: IPX2
- Multipoint Connectivity: Yes (2 devices)
- Wear Detection: Yes
- Battery Life: 5 hrs; 20 hrs with case
- Fast Charging: 15 mins = 2 hrs
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX
- Warranty: 1 year
At $50, the Amazon Echo Buds provide an affordable alternative to AirPods with a comfortable fit and customizable EQ. Features like auto-pausing and multi-device connectivity make them practical, while the optional Alexa integration caters to hands-free control. However, they have poor water resistance and require some EQ adjustments for optimal sound.
Pros:
- Affordable open earbuds
- Lightweight design
- Multi-device connectivity
- Hands-free Alexa option
Cons:
- Open design leaks noise
- Poor water resistance
- Middling battery life
- Needs sound tweaking
Honorable Mentions
EarFun Air Pro 3
Offering a similar feature set to the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC but often available at a lower price, the EarFun Air Pro 3 is a solid budget option. It provides IPX5 water resistance and decent call quality.
Pros:
- Affordable with many features
Cons:
- Excited sound profile might not be for everyone
Conclusion
With a variety of models tested and reviewed, this guide helps users find budget-friendly wireless earbuds that meet their specific needs, whether they prioritize ANC, sound quality, comfort, or affordability. Continual updates will ensure the guide reflects the latest options available.