Best Budget Earbuds: Quality Sound for Less

The JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are the best budget earbuds we’ve tested. These affordable buds stand out from the crowd thanks to their feature set. Their companion app includes a graphic EQ and presets, so you can fine-tune their excited sound. They support Google Quick Pair for easy connection to your Android devices. You can also switch their connection between Audio Mode to improve audio quality and Video Mode to decrease latency. You’ll still encounter some audio-video desync, even with Video Mode enabled.

They have a decently comfortable fit and are well-built. They’re also certified IP54 for resistance against dust and direct water exposure. However, their carrying case lacks a lid. While the buds are kept in place by magnets when stowed in the case, some people may still find this design choice a little unusual. If you prefer a more sturdy carrying case, check out the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless. They offer similar performance but have a stem design, and their carrying case has a lid. However, their fit isn’t as comfortable or stable, and you get one fewer charge from the case.

If you’re looking for even less expensive buds that still offer solid performance, check out the best cheap earbuds we’ve tested, the Anker Soundcore P25i. At this price point, you might expect to sacrifice build quality or performance, but these stem-design earbuds are just as well-built as the previous pick and more comfortable to boot. With roughly nine hours of continuous battery life, they’ll easily get you through the day. They also come with a case that holds two extra charges.

These comfortable buds have a bass-rich sound with extra thump, punch, and warmth to please EDM and hip-hop fans. Plus, their companion app offers 22 presets to fine-tune the mix to your liking. However, you get less control over their sound than with the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless since they only feature EQ presets rather than a full parametric interface. The Anker also have a Game Mode feature, similar to the JBL’s Video Mode, which reduces latency quite a bit.

If you’re not a fan of stems and want earbuds with a button-shaped design, check out the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless. They’re a bit less comfortable, but their case carries an extra charge compared to the Anker. For those who prefer more personalization, the JLab also come in a variety of colors, including lilac and teal.

If sound quality is at the top of your priorities, the best-sounding cheap wireless earbuds we’ve tested are the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless. Unlike our bassier previous picks like the Anker Soundcore P25i, these buds have a more flat sound profile. They have pleasant warmth, with vocals and instruments that sound balanced and detailed. Sibilants and cymbals can sound a little piercing, but these buds have a couple of onboard EQ presets to help you find the best sound. They’re less comfortable than the Anker and have a deep in-ear fit, which can be a deal-breaker for some.

Like many other picks on the list, these earbuds don’t have active noise cancellation, but they’re adequate for dealing with mid-range and treble sounds like ambient chatter or fridge hum. They’re well-built and have more than eight hours of continuous battery life, with their carrying case supplying two extra charges if you need them. The Skullcandy also support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to your PC and smartphone at the same time.

If you’re looking for cheap buds to use while playing sports, consider the JLab Audio JBuds Air Truly Wireless. They have good build quality and an IP55 rating for protection against dust and water splashes, making them a great choice for outdoor runs. Their unique stability sleeve and lightweight build provide great stability for intense workouts like CrossFit or aerobics. However, the bulky sleeve, combined with the earbuds’ angled fit, can put extra pressure on your inner ear, affecting comfort depending on your ear shape. Their sound profile is extremely bass-heavy, giving hip-hop and EDM tracks lots of intense thump and rumble. The rest of the mix sounds bright, if not piercing, and some overemphasis in the bass range adds muddiness. There’s also no app support, meaning you can’t adjust the sound profile to match your preferences.

While these earbuds don’t have active noise cancelling (ANC), they still do a decent job of passively isolating you from the background noise of chatty joggers and squeaky treadmills—though they don’t do much to keep out the rumble of heavy traffic or a passing bus. They only last three hours continuously, so you must charge them between each workout. Thankfully, their case has 10 additional charges, so you won’t run out of extra power too quickly. If you want to stay aware of your surroundings while street cycling or jogging, consider the Anker Soundcore C30i. They’re clip-on open earbuds, allowing you to easily stay tuned into oncoming traffic. That said, you’ll be sacrificing any semblance of isolation and much of their bass, which is to be expected from their design.

It’s uncommon to find noise cancelling (ANC) at the budget price point. However, some buds, like the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, sit just above our threshold and dip below every month or two. If you can justify the extra spend or snag them when they’re on sale, they’ll bring the full gamut of premium features. The Anker have an excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) system, outperforming other picks for blocking out noise. They punch well above their weight, tackling sounds from rumbly bus engines to squeaky office chairs. With ANC on, they last just over eight hours, with four additional charges in the case.

These buds have a warm, relaxed sound that’s balanced in the bass and mids, rolling off in the treble. If that doesn’t suit your taste, their sound is customizable through their app’s graphic EQ or presets. The buds can also use Sony’s LDAC codec for Hi-Res audio and support multi-device pairing. Unfortunately, they sacrifice microphone performance to offer premium features at this price point—their recording quality is poor, making your voice sound sibilant on calls, with an emphasis on S and T sounds.