The Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds of 2024
You are here because you are on a budget and want to know the best cheap wireless earphones and earbuds you can buy now. Below, we have many options and discuss why we like them, along with a summary of each earbud’s best features.
Buying cheap wireless earphones (also referred to as TWS earbuds) once meant severely compromising quality, sound, and materials. Those days are gone; now, if you have anywhere between $10-$100, you can get a great experience and avoid spending a lot of money.
The only real issue you have is sifting through the bad earphones (of which there are many) to find the good ones. We can tell you from experience that many earbuds at this price offer the world but don’t deliver on performance.
Luckily, I have done all of that testing for you, and with over 300 earphones reviewed over the past two years and as one of the most trusted websites for headphones and earphones online, we are in a pretty good position to say what qualifies as good.
If you want more personalized recommendations, please get in touch with us on our Facebook or email channels. We are always happy to help.
Editors Choices: Cheap Wireless Earbuds 2024
We pick a few of the most popular categories for cheap earbuds based on how our readers use them.
Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds List
So without further ado, here is the Audiophile on the best budget earphone list for 2024.
This list is only ordered in my personal preference due to each person's needs and sound preferences. What may be the best for you might not be the best for someone else.
Rest assured that all the earphones on this list perform incredibly well for their price points.
1. Soundcore by Anker Life P3
Specifications:
Battery: 10 hours earbuds (50 hours case)
Quickcharge: Yes, 10 minutes = 4 hours playback
Noise Canceling: Yes (3 ANC Modes)
Pros:
Excellent ergonomics and comfort
Great Battery Life
ANC that actually works
Punchy & Fun Sounding
Cons:
None worth mentioning at this price they are the best wireless earbuds on the market
Why We Recommend these:
The Soundcore Life P3 by Anker is the cheap earbud we recommend most at Audiophile On, and since its release, there have been thousands upon thousands of happy users that have picked up a set and heard what we heard.
This earphone made us question what cheap even means because it’s packed with features found on more expensive earbuds, and the quality is there too.
Some highlights of this earphone are the 10-hour playback time (with 50 hours total in the charging case) and a quick-charge feature giving 4 hours of playtime from a 10-minute charge.
I found the ANC (Noise Canceling) performance great and on par with Jabra Earphones, which cost up to $100 more. I also really liked the fit, and they work well with small ears because the battery and Bluetooth module is stored in the dongle area of the earbuds.
The sound is entertaining and clear, with strong punch bass that got us going on energetic tracks. Anker has done a great job with this and many other earphones, so they are certainly the ones to watch if you are on a budget.
2. Tozo NC2
Specifications:
Battery: 10 hours earbuds (42 hours case)
Quickcharge: No
Noise Canceling: Yes - Full or Transparency mode
Pros:
Amazing value
Optical ear sensors
Small size makes them very portable
Cons:
Most people don’t recognize the brand name
Why We Recommend These:
If you can grab the Tozo NC2 for under 50 dollars, snap them up because it doesn’t get much better. There’s a reason why they are one of the best-selling cheap earbuds on Amazon this year.
You might not have heard of this company, but they have been putting out some quality products for some time and have gained a solid reputation in the audio community.
The NC2 is the best model we tested, and its price to performance is out of this world. I liked the small carry case size, similar to what you get on Apple airpods. That makes them very pocket-friendly, but if we dive a little deeper, you get a lot for your money.
ANC noise cancelation, Bluetooth 5.2, IPX6 Waterproofing, 10 hours of playtime, and optical ear sensing technology. That is a bonkers spec list.
Throw in that the sound is clear and spacious with warm tones and deep bass, and you have a winner if you listen to a lot of pop, electronic, or rap music.
3. Skullcandy Sesh Evo
Specifications:
Battery: 5 hours earbuds (19 hours case)
Quickcharge: Yes, 10 minutes = 2 hours playback
Noise Canceling: No - Seperate model called Sesh ANC
Pros:
Ultra cheap but good quality
Lots of Color Options
Sweat Resistant
Tile app integrated
Cons:
Sound is lacking clarity
Not for small ears
Why We Recommend These:
Ultra cheap and ultra fun. The Skullcandy Sesh Evo is a funky, cool, and fresh design that, despite being a budget IEM, still feels much more expensive.
They come in many color options, but my favorite was the blue, which is nicely accented by and orange pairing button. The case is nice and small and has four LED lights to indicate the current charge level.
The earphones are the first on the list in the integrated body style, yet despite that, they have great ergonomics that allow them to sit comfortably in my medium-sized ears.
The sound is decent, although a bit thicker than I’m used to. It did have strong bass and smooth highs. The earbuds can work well in the gym with this sound and also because they are IPX55 sweat and dust-resistant.
Another thing I thought was cool is that the Sesh Evo has Tile integration to help you find your earbuds when you misplace them.
4. EarFun Air Pro 3
Specifications:
Battery: 9 hours earbuds (36 hours case)
Quickcharge: Yes, 10 minutes = 2 hours playback
Noise Canceling: Yes - 47db noise reduction
Pros:
High-Resolution aptx codecs
Wireless Charging
Hybrid ANC with adaptive sound
Cons:
None
Why We Recommend These:
The Earfun Air Pro 3 proves you can have it all and don’t need the bank. This is a testament to how good sub-$ $100 earphones have become.
The spec list is ridiculous. ANC with adaptive sound control, Ergonomic fit, Aptx support for high-resolution codec support, 9 hours of playtime, multi-point connections, six microphones, and Custom Android and IOS apps. Then throw in wireless charging, and Im questioning why you would need to pay more than this.
The sound is excellent, and you can tell that planning has gone into the tuning and that the driver has the quality to back that up. It’s responsive, controlled even in the low end, and displays zero bleeds in the midrange. It’s not on par with similarly priced wired audiophile headphones, but it’s still darn good.
Finally, the design and styling are very relaxed and allow for comfortable wearing with zero discomfort, even in small ears.
5. Beats Studio Buds
Specifications:
Battery: 8 hours earbuds (16 hours case)
Quickcharge: Yes, 10 minutes = 4 hours playback
Noise Canceling: Yes via apple chipset
Pros:
Fun bassy sound
Small carry case
Sweat-resistant
Cons:
Not suited to non bassy music
Why We Recommend These:
This is more of a deal-based recommendation than an actual RRP-based suggestion, but when you can find the Beats Studio Buds under $100, snap them up, especially if you have an Apple device. The earbuds are actually featured on our list of the best wireless earbuds of 2024, regardless of price.
For those unaware, Apple acquired Beats a few years ago and has been putting its chipsets inside, giving a lot of functionality derived from the Airpods.
You get good quality noise cancelation, which I found to be on par with some last-generation flagship IEMs. It’s perfect for commuting and flying, and the battery life is up to the task at 8 hours plus 24 extra from the charging case.
You would expect sound from a Beats product, big on bass, energetic, and spacious. It worked well in tests with modern genres but lacked intimacy with more tame genres like jazz and orchestral. It delivers on the soundstage, which is wide and deep, and the treble is laid back and non-fatiguing.
The earbuds are larger, so they will best suit medium and large-sized ears.
6. SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds2
Specifications:
Battery: 5 hours
Waterproofing: IPX2
Noise Canceling: Yes
Pros:
Sound Quality
Color Options
Cons:
Shape can cause fit issues
Why We Recommend these:
The Galaxy Buds2 is an excellent option, especially if you are a Samsung device user, but they are missing a few functions that the earbuds higher up this list have.
They are solid contenders as one of the best cheap wireless earbuds but didn’t make the top spot because they keep some features reserved for Samsung phone users. I have put them on the list for the design and comfort, but I think the sound is just incredibly detailed and neutral.
7. Sondcore By Anker Life P2
Specifications:
Battery: 7 hours earbuds (40 hours case)
Quickcharge: Yes, 10 minutes = 1 hour
Waterproof: Yes, IPX7 rated
Pros:
Great value for money
Small size for comfort
Bluetooth 5.2
Cons:
Technically the Tozo NC2 perform better and have more features for the same price
Why We Recommend these:
It’s hard to believe you can buy a good set of wireless earphones on a budget, but it’s true. The Mpow MBits S come in well under $50, and while they may lack the refinements you get on more expensive models from well-known brands, they do their job well.
They come with Bluetooth 5.0, so they can handle modern high-end music codecs with a greater range and fewer dropouts. They also have IPX8 water resistance, which makes them great for working out. Finally, they have built touch controls that let you control playback without accessing your phone.
There is a lot of value for money here, and they are one of the best wireless options we have ever tried.
8. JLab Epic Air Sport - Best Cheap Earbuds for Sports
Specifications:
Battery: 15 hours earbuds (55 hours case)
Fitment: Earhook
Waterproof: Yes IP66
Pros:
Integrated ear hooks for stability when working out
IP66 Water Resistance
Wear detect sensors
Cons:
Better for sport but less comfortable than other models for day-to-day use.
Why We Recommend these:
If you are looking for a cheap set of wireless earbuds for working out or running, these are the best you can buy for under $100 right now.
The spec list is the same as the better models that sit atop this list but with the added benefit of integrated over-the-ear hooks that increase stability and keep them locked in place while at the gym or running.
The sound is clear and fairly balanced but has a nice bump on the low end. They are well made and include IPX66 water resistance.
9. Apple Airpods 2nd Generation
Specifications
Chipset: Apple H1 chip for better detection, lower latency, and faster pairing
Beamforce microphones
24 hour battery life (including case)
Pros:
Very comfortable design
Pairing /Switching devices is easy
Very small carry case
Cons:
Earphones don’t isolate as much as earbuds
Lacks advanced features of more expensive Airpods
With Apple rolling out its 3rd generation Airpods the 2nd gen is now cheaper than ever before. That means users who want to get into the apple ecosytem without breaking the bank are in luck.
This is definelty something I would recommend if you use an iPhone, Macbook or iPad because the integration between the devices is seemless. The are designed to work with them.
They are also iconic in their design and the only cheap wireless earphones on this list that doesnt sit inside the ear. A lot of people find them very comfortable to use and easier to insert as there are no silicone tips to worry about.
Why are cheap Wireless earbuds so good in 2024?
There are two main reasons why cheap earbuds and earphones have improved exponentially over the past few years, which we will list below. Of course, there are many other reasons, such as emerging markets, the lowest production, and manufacturing costs, but I think these 2 stand out as why cheap earphones sound better than ever.
The Earbud Market Exploded
Firstly, we have the true adoption of mobile computing. Mobile computing? Yes, that smartphone in your pocket is way more than a phone. Today, it’s an all-out functional computer that can watch videos, play games, and listen to music and podcasts.
The growth of the mobile phone industry is directly linked to the growth of the affordable earphone market. More demand for a product naturally means more companies will enter the market trying to grab a slice of the pie.
At one point, it was a race to the bottom with price, basically what was acceptable for the lowest cost. However, now that we have reached the bottom, many companies have to differentiate themselves from the competition by being better. Shocking isn't that once companies are not trying to create the cheapest product possible, they will try to improve those products.
Technology has Trickled Down From Expensive Earbuds.
The second reason is trickle-down technology from the audiophile headphone market. Portable audiophiles were always the nerdy bunch sitting in a small internet zone and obsessing about sound quality, comfort, functionality, etc.
Even ten years ago, the community was tiny, but these people cared a lot about headphones and earphones. Soon, many audiophiles began creating their own products, and bigger companies recognized that a seriously profitable market was emerging.
Thus, the headphone market has exploded over the past decade, and the boundaries of what was possible have been pushed. Multi BA (Balanced armature) driver configurations, hybrid earphones, electrostatic earphones, and even planar magnetic earbuds have changed how high-end audio behaves.
Then there is the attention to aesthetics, ergonomics, and building on sometimes multi-thousand dollar earphones. What does this mean if you are on a budget? Many companies have absorbed those tech advancements and tried implementing them in even cheaper earphones.
This trickle-down technology has ultimately led to cheap earbuds with amazing sound. Something was not possible just a little while ago.
How to choose A good Set of Cheap Wireless Earbuds
Many people ask us what the best-sounding budget earphones are, but sound is just one part of the equation. Below are the factors I think you should consider when buying cheap earphones.
Comfort
Build Quality
Sound
Price
Styling
You might be surprised to see sound at number 3 on our list of most important factors. Well, hear me out. You can find many earphones under $50 that sound great, but unfortunately, some of these earphones completely disregard ergonomics.
Think about it briefly; you will wear this inside your ears, usually for hours. There is no point in having the greatest-sounding earbuds if you can't stand having them in your ears for more than 20 minutes.
The next most important factor is to build quality. Even though your initial outlay is not much, and theoretically, you can more easily replace a broken set of $10 earphones than a $500 set, this is important to consider.
Some cheap wireless earphones would have made this list on sound alone, but then we have no confidence in their last. Furthermore, this is one area where companies will try and save a few pennies in the design by using lower-quality construction techniques and materials.
Now, that's not to say all earphones under $50 are junk, the majority, yes, but the ones we list here are pretty darn good for the price.
So the sound comes in third, and I think that is fair. Yes, if you are on a budget, you will not get the same sound quality as someone with unlimited funds. Still, the truth that nobody is telling you is that the differences in real-world performance (sonically) are far smaller than a price tag would suggest.
Some of the earphones below sound better than in-ear headphones over $200. Most of them sound better than their similarly priced competition.
