Great sound doesn't need to be expensive, and the best cheap earbuds offer premium features like Active Noise Cancelation (ANC), virtual assistant compatibility, and multipoint connectivity without costing much. There's no compromise on build quality either, and even the most affordable options include some level of water resistance to protect them against rain and sweat, making them perfect for long runs or rides.
Best waterproof earbuds: Don't fear the rain
Rain, sweat, and cables shouldn't get in the way of listening on the go.We review speakers, headphones, and other devices at Pocket-lint and have hands-on experience with most of the wireless earbuds listed here. Our team used them for work and play in their daily lives and found the best options at the lowest prices for every user type.
Best cheap earbuds: Our top picks
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
Amazing for Android
The Google Buds A-Series offer the best Android integration and great sound and voice quality. They also have an IPX4 rating to protect them from sweat and moisture.
- Adaptive sound
- Excellent Android integration
- IPX4 water resistance
- No ANC
- No wireless charging
The Google Buds A-Series feature a similar design to the company's flagship Buds Pro line while coming in at around half the price. They give their siblings a run for their money when it comes to audio quality, but do away with amenities like ANC and wireless charging to make them more economical. Instead of ANC, the Buds A-Series includes an adaptive sound feature, which automatically detects the outside noise levels and adjusts the volume to block it out.
Google Pixel Buds A-Series: Sounds familiar
The Pixel Buds A-Series undercut the earlier Pixel Buds 2 on price, but what about the performance?You can expect the best software integration if you're on an Android device because the Pixel Buds app installs automatically when you pair your earbuds and allows you to select EQ presets, find your device, and access Google Assistant. Battery life is decent, with around five hours of music playback or 2.5 hours of talk time, which goes up to 24 hours when you factor in the case. They also have an IPX4 water resistance, making them ideal for working out or hiking.
Google's Buds A-Series epitomize excellent value and are the best earbuds for the price. Yes, they lack certain comforts, like ANC and wireless charging, but they make up for it in the areas that count, like great speaker and microphone quality and the best Android integration.
Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones
Worth the extra cash
Sony's LinkBuds S are compact and lightweight and include fantastic sound quality for the price. They include ANC and offer up to nine hours of playback.
- ANC
- Amazing sound
- Long battery life
- Could be louder
- Bland color options
Sony's LinkBuds S stretch the definition of cheap, and we had to include them because of their high performance and outstanding value. What's a few more dollars when you get Sony's legendary sound and build quality with features you'd expect at a much higher price point? The 5mm drivers provide an excellent listening experience with DSEE Extreme to enhance compressed tracks, 360 Reality Audio for better sound with certain apps, and ANC to filter unwanted sounds when chatting with friends and family.
Sony Linkbuds S: Super sounding
Sony's LinkBuds S adopt many of the skills of the flagship 1000X, but offer those skills at a more affordable price. A winning formula?These earbuds feature a modern, open-back design and come in Black, White, and Earth Blue. They are compact and lightweight enough to offer the perfect fit for most buyers, with nine hours of playback with the ANC off and six when it's on. Like most earbuds in this price range, there's IPX4 water resistance for peace of mind that they won't get damaged when you're working out.
Bringing high-end features to the LinkBuds S was a genius move by Sony because it made the brand more accessible, and buyers win with better products at lower prices. Of course, they aren't perfect, but it's easy to overlook the bland color options and average volume, considering their overall performance and value.
Fiio FW3
Performance for less
The FIIO FW3 earbuds are budget-friendly with a stylish silver design and tactile buttons to access commonly used features easily. They also have a stable connection to most devices and decent battery life to last the whole day.
- Low Price
- Hi-Res sound
- Unique design
- No ANC
- Plastic construction
FIIO's FW3s are the company's first foray into budget earbuds after building a reputation for making music players and amplifiers. They've done a great job giving the earbuds a unique, somewhat polarizing, ridged design in Interstellar Gray or Moonlight White that stands out from the countless vanilla rivals in the segment. Another feature setting them apart is the dual physical buttons on the edge, which will be welcomed by buyers who prefer a tactile feel to touch sensitivity for controlling their audio.
FiiO FW3: Plastic, not quite fantastic
These earbuds pack a lightweight design and sound solid, but their competition is fierce.It's the internals where things get exciting, and FIIO uses top-notch components like the QCC5141 chipset that supports Hi-Res sound and most codecs and ensures a stable Bluetooth connection. The 10mm drivers won't set the world alight with their performance, but the clarity is above average, and you get a balanced listening experience to enjoy most music genres. Battery life is decent at seven hours with two more charges from the case for a 21-hour total.
There may be tough competition established at this price point, but the FIIO FW3s do enough to stand with a superior audio experience and quirky design. Its plastic construction and lack of ANC are minor drawbacks, considering its impressive price-to-performance ratio.
Sony WF-C700N
Lightweight comfort
The Sony WF-C700Ns include premium features like multipoint connectivity and ANC and are extremely comfortable thanks to their lightweight design.
- Comfortable, lightweight design
- ANC
- IPX4 rating
- Flimsy case
- Feel plasticky
Sony's WF-C700N are one of the best options if you're looking for comfort and premium features like multipoint connectivity and ANC in a budget-friendly package. They also include a transparency mode, which can be controlled along with the other settings in the Sony Headphones Connect app. The main feature buyers look at when picking earbuds is the sound quality, and the WF-C700Ns punch above their weight with distortion-free sound at high volume and great microphone quality.
Sony WF-C700N: A great budget noise-cancelling option
Are Sony's WF-C700N noise-cancelling in-ears as good value as they seem?Sony needed to cut some corners to keep the price down, and the plasticky feel of the earbuds and case is acceptable, considering it doesn't affect functionality. In fact, the plastic construction contributes to the earbuds' comfortable and lightweight design, making them inconspicuous after hours of use. They're also great for outdoor use with an IPX4 rating and deliver up to 7.5 hours of battery life.
The Sony WF-C700N have almost everything you can ask for in a set of low-cost earbuds, like excellent sound and voice quality with ANC and multipoint connectivity in a lightweight and comfortable design. Their plastic construction and flimsy case are acceptable trade-offs considering their functionality and are in line with their price point. The WF-C700Ns surprised us with their quality in testing and even surpassed our old favorites, the Sony WF-C500, as the new budget king in Sony's lineup.
Baseus Bowie MA10 TWS
Doing the impossible
The Baseus Bowie MA10s feel like a premium set of earbuds despite their low price because they include features like multipoint connectivity and ANC and have excellent battery life.
- Fantastic price
- ANC
- Great sound quality
- Bulky case
- Generic looks
The Baseus Bowie MA10s come at a brilliant price and still cram in premium features like ANC and multipoint connectivity. Earbuds at this end of the market usually compromise on sound quality, but not in this case, and you can expect a wide sound stage with adequate bass to compete with rivals at twice their price. Switching through presets or manually adjusting the ANC is easy with the accompanying app, which includes an earbud finder and customizable EQ settings.
These IPX6 water-resistant earbuds are about function rather than form, with subtle all-black styling and three sets of ear tips and wingtips for the perfect fit. The matching case is bigger than most but justifies its size by offering an amazing 132 hours of playtime in addition to the eight on the earbuds to last the longest journeys and expeditions.
Best AirPods alternatives: Earbuds from Sony, Bose, and more
AirPods aren't the only wireless earbuds with easy UI, Apple compatibility, and a sleek form factor. Here are some of our favorites.Multipoint connectivity and ANC were considered premium features until recently, and earbuds like the Baseus Bowie MA10 prove they can be implemented well in budget-friendly options. For once, there isn't much compromise, and these earbuds deliver superb sound quality and fantastic battery life despite their generic looks and bulky case.
Belkin Soundform Nano
Kid-friendly colors
The Belkin Soundform Nanos are the ideal first earbuds for younger users because they're available in pink, blue, and white and have an 85dB volume limiter to protect children's hearing.
- Come in three colors
- Include an 85dB limiter
- Five sets of eartips
- Average battery life
- Not for smaller kids
Belkin's Soundform Nanos are the best cheap earbuds for younger users because of their kid-friendly features. They're designed for children over seven with small 6mm drivers and an 85dB volume limiter to protect their developing hearing. Silicone ear tips in five sizes are included in the box, so young and older kids can find the perfect fit.
Available in blue, pink, and white, the Soundform Nanos will appeal to most kids and includes five hours of playtime and another 19 from the matching oval case. Kids can be tough on devices, and the IPX5 rating will give you peace of mind that these earbuds won't get damaged by spills or sweat.
Best headphones for kids: Big sound for little ears
The best headphones for children have wireless designs and volume limiters for a safe listening experience.Most headphones for kids have an over-ear design, and the Soundform Nanos are the best option if you're looking for wireless earbuds instead. They come in three attractive colors, and your child won't grow out of them anytime soon, thanks to the five sets of ear tips in various sizes.
Beats Flex
Plug and play
The Beats Flex Wireless are affordable wired earbuds available in various colors that keep things simple with a plug-and-play design and no apps or case to worry about.
- Long battery life
- User-friendly
- No case to worry about
- Basic functionality
- Polarizing design
While many people prefer true wireless earbuds these days, models like the Beats Flex Wireless still have a following because of their numerous advantages. First and foremost is the incredibly low price tag, which might be the cheapest way to experience Beats sound without compromising the listening experience. The 32-inch cable connecting the two buds makes them hard to lose and allows space for a bigger battery with an amazing 12-hour lifespan. There's also no case to worry about, and you can charge them up to 1.5 hours of playtime in just 10 minutes with a USB-C cable.
Beats Flex: Brilliant if you're on a budget
Beats' neckband earphones might just be the best value for money that we've ever seen in this category.Considering its price, it's unsurprising that the Flex Wireless uses Apple's older W1 chip for a stable and long-range connection to iPhones. Sound quality is great despite the lack of ANC, and it's easy to adjust the volume and access other functions with the inline controls on the durable flat cable. Finding the right fit is easy with four different-sized ear tips in the box, and you can express your style with colors like Flame Blue, Smoke Grey, and Yuzu Yellow.
The Beats Flex Wireless might not be the obvious choice if you're looking for cheap earbuds because of their wired design and basic functions. They still offer a simple and uncomplicated user experience that's perfect for people who don't need advanced features and prefer a more low-tech option to enjoy their music.
JLab GO Air Pop
Budget brilliance
The JLab GO Air Pops come at an unbeatable price and include IPX4 water resistance, touch controls, and more for outstanding value.
- Amazing price
- Many colors to choose from
- Long battery life
- No app
- Short integrated charging cable
Performance-wise, the GO Air Pops keep things simple with good sound quality for the price and a reliable and stable Bluetooth 5.1 connection that connects instantly without any issues. Their eight hours of battery life and an additional 24 from the case easily beat many pricier rivals and add to their incredible value.
The lack of an app is acceptable at this price point, but the integrated charging cable is too short, making it a chore to connect. You can't expect the JLab GO Air Pops to compete with premium offerings when it comes to sound quality, but they give them a run for their money in practicality and battery life to make them a viable choice.
The bottom line: What are the best budget-friendly earbuds?
The Google Buds A-Series are the best cheap earbuds because they have great sound and built quality and integrate well with most Android phones. If you're looking for something more upmarket, it's worth checking out Sony's LinkBuds, which have a modern design, ANC, and a long nine-hour battery life. The FIIO FW3s offer the most value because they come in at a low price and offer features like Hi-Res sound and a stable Bluetooth connection in an interesting design.
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
How did we pick these earbuds?
Our team tests earbuds from most major brands and spent days with most of the models listed here. For this list, the three main things we looked at were price, functionality, and overall value.
Price was the most important factor because this list contains the cheapest options. Keeping that in mind, we tried to keep the options below $100 to qualify, except for the Sony LinkBuds S, which cost slightly more but are worth it for the sound quality.
Functionality was the second factor we looked at to see what each brought to the table. We looked at features like sound quality, ANC, app functionality, and more to determine how they stack up against each other, then rated them according to what they could do.
Lastly, we matched the price and functionality to see which models offer the best value and are worth considering based on their overall performance.
Which brands are best for budget earbuds?
Reputable brands like Sony and Beats make excellent budget earbuds, while companies like Baseus and JLab solely focus on reasonably-priced models with great features.
What are some good but cheap earbuds?
Models like FIIO's FW3s, the Belkin Soundform Nanos, and Lab GO Air Pops are good but cheap earbuds.
Is it okay to buy cheap earbuds?
Yes, it's okay to buy cheap earbuds because they come from top brands like Sony and Beats and include similar features to high-end offerings, like ANC, multipoint connectivity, and water resistance.