The best cheap wireless earbuds in 2024 | Tom's Guide

Get more for less with the best cheap wireless earbuds you can buy right now

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The days of wireless earbuds being the territory of the wealthy are long gone — there are loads of the best cheap wireless earbuds that get you some incredible features while costing a whole lot less than their more expensive counterparts. If you don't want to spend loads of money on a pair of true wireless earbuds, then we've got just the trick for you.

My pick of the bunch are the four-and-a-half-star earning OnePlus Buds 3, which blend excellent sound quality, a stellar feature set, and great active noise cancelation at a great price. The perfect earbuds if you want to block out the world and don't want to spend more than $100. Sony's WF-C500 are another great option for noise-canceling lovers, and the JLab JBuds mini are an excellent super-cheap pickup.

We've spent hundreds of hours testing dozens of budget-oriented buds here at Tom's Guide, so we know what you should be looking for when choosing your new pocket audio companions. There's loads more detail in our stand-alone reviews of each of the earbuds on this list, so that you can get the best idea possible of sound quality, noise-canceling performance, battery life, and more.

Read on to find the pick of the best cheap wireless earbuds available to buy right now.

Best overall

Price ★★★★★Sound ★★★★★Battery ★★★★☆

The latest flagship buds from OnePlus supersede many rivals with stronger ANC, call quality, and connectivity. Sound quality and performance are the best we've tested from a pair of sub-$100 buds, and rank as the best cheap wireless earbuds to beat.

Read more below

Best value

Price ★★★★★Sound ★★★☆☆Battery ★★★★☆

The JLab JBuds Mini wireless earbuds do a whole lot more than their miniature size might suggest. They blend powerful sound and special features into one of the smallest true wireless designs ever created.

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Best sound

Price ★★★★☆Sound ★★★★☆Battery ★★★★☆

These budget Sonys have a lot in common with the WF-1000XM5 — the best wireless earbuds overall — yet are a fraction of the price. There's no ANC, but strong playback times and high-level sound make them a top buy and a great alternative to the top-ranking OnePlus Buds 3.

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Best battery

Price ★★★★☆Sound ★★★★☆Battery ★★★★☆

These are fantastic-sounding buds with strong features and battery life for $99. Excellent audio quality via Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC support with compatible devices make these a top choice, but ANC performance is weak.

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Best small design

Price ★★★★☆Sound ★★★★★Battery ★★★★☆

If you want outstanding ANC and sound in a stylish, affordable package then look no further. These have strong performance for a third of the price of the AirPods Pro.

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Best for style

Price ★★★★★Sound ★★★★☆Battery ★★★★☆

These earbuds have an AirPods-like drop stem design and are one of the most attractive noise-canceling earbuds at the price. They rival several mid-market models with effective ANC, superb sound, and better-than-AirPods battery life.

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I oversee the audio content that goes up on Tom’s Guide, and maintain the site's buying guides for headphones, wireless earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, soundbars, and more. I have spent more than 20 years testing audio equipment for my own enjoyment, and was previously the audio editor for iMore. There's nothing more I love than jamming out to my favorite tunes on audio equipment of different prices and sizes.

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Our expert review:

✅ Excellent sound. The OnePlus Buds 3 sound great, with a wide, detailed sound signature.✅ Solid noise canceling. For under $100, there's some brilliant noise canceling on offer that outperforms the competition.✅ Great looks. They look like they're worth a whole lot more money than they actually cost.

❌ Battery life could be improved. Some of the competition has better battery life overall.❌ Spatial Audio isn't great. The Spatial Audio feature isn't as good as other options, and worth leaving turned off.

There aren’t many options at a sub-$100 price point that pack in as many great features as the OnePlus Buds 3. They’re not perfect, of course, with some concessions being made to keep the price as low as possible, but they’re a great-looking, great-feeling pair of buds. We particularly like the way that they look, with their aluminum construction going a long way to making them feel more expensive than they look. The blue shade we tested them in is a lovely color as well, although others might like the Metallic Grey version instead.

Our tester also really liked the way that they sound. There’s an energetic experience waiting for you with the OnePlus Buds 3, and while some might want a little more bass, there’s a lot to like. There are plenty of options with the sound as well, including EQ control in the OnePlus app and support for different hi-res codecs. In testing, David Bowie’s Rebel Rebel was a particular joy, with great vocals and brilliant mid-range representation with solid, impactful guitar riffs.

Spatial Audio is also present, and while it’s nice to have, our testing didn’t find it all that impressive. It does widen the soundstage slightly, although it also thins out the sound slightly for a less satisfying sound. Battery life is good though, with OnePlus’s 6.5 hours ringing true when we tested their longevity.

All in all, thanks to their great feature set, solid sound, and great looks, the OnePlus Buds 3 are our pick for the best cheap earbuds over all.

Our expert review:

✅ Incredibly small. If you want something super portable, then these are the buds for you.✅ Very cheap. These can be had for under $40 on occasion.✅ Good sound for the price. Despite being really cheap, they still sound really good.

❌ No ANC. If you want to block noise, then you should go with something else.❌ Call quality isn't great. There's lots of interference in the mic.

Wireless earbuds have a habit of costing loads, with plenty of options costing over $100. If you don’t want to spend much at all, it can often feel like you’re looking at options that aren’t very good — but the JLabs JBuds mini buck the trend. They cost less than $50, have some great features, and are small enough to fit on your keys. They even have a keyring attachment out of the box, making them one of the most portable pairs of earbuds around.

At this price you can’t expect the best sound, great noise canceling, or even loads and loads of battery life. You’d be surprised at what you do get, however. They sound much better than they have any right to, with a lovely, satisfying sound signature. No, they don’t stand up when compared to the likes of the AirPods Pro 2, but they sound like they are worth 3 times the price that you actually pay. In our testing, we particularly enjoyed them for bassier tunes thanks to their warmer sound signature, so the likes of Fania All-Stars’ “Descarga Fania – Live” sounded great on the low-cost buds.

They’re also tiny. They’ll easily go straight into any pocket you might want to keep them in, and despite their small size you get some great battery life. You get around 5 hours out of the buds, which becomes 20 hours with the charging case. The best bit is of course the price though. They’re just $40, making them easily some of the best sub-$50 buds out there.

Our expert review:

✅ Flagship features. There's spatial Audio, and other features that you might expect from more expensive earbuds.✅ Great sound. They have Sony's classically very good sound quality for a more premium feel.✅ Comfortable fit. The Sony buds are a very comfortable little pair of buds.

❌ The case doesn't have much battery. You can only charge twice from the case, so you don't get much extra.❌ The controls aren't great. They're controlled with one clicky button on each earbud, so you have to rely on multiple clicks to control them.

If you know anything about in-ear buds, you know that Sony makes some of the best. The WF-C500 are the cheapest option in the Sony stable, and they make a great case for your money. They might lack some of the more premium features of the expensive models, but they bring the same great sound quality and 360-degree audio to make them feel a whole lot more expensive than they actually are.

They’re a very subtle pair of earbuds, with a clean and understated look that doesn’t shout too loud. On the sides of the buds are the controls, and they’re not quite as good as other options out there. It’s a single clicky button, and when you click them, it pushes the buds into your ear in an uncomfortable way. If you don’t touch them, then they’re a very comfortable pair of buds with loads of fitting options in the box and a lightweight feel.

Sound is good too. Our testing revealed a punchy, engaging sound signature that worked really well for hi-hop and bassier genres. Future’s Mask Off, for example, gave a suitably bassy performance that had plenty of impact and no distortion. It might be nice to have ANC to make them better at noise canceling, but considering the spatial audio on board, it’s a concession we’re willing to make to keep the costs down.

They might not be the strongest option in Sony’s lineup, but they are the cheapest — and that goes a long way in making them a solid option.

Our expert review:

✅ Great sound. Anker has put some great audio in the buds, for a solid listening experience.✅ Good codec support. There's support for LDAC and more for better-sounding music.✅ Good battery life. You get 10 hours of charge out of the buds themselves.

❌ Fit could be better. You might find they fall out if you don't dial them in properly.❌ ANC could be better. They don't block out much noise, even with ANC engaged.

Soundcore makes some great buds that don’t cost the world, and the more premium Liberty 4 NC are some of the best cheap buds that you can buy today. I particularly like the case that they come in, especially in the pink shade that Soundcore sent over. There’s a button on the case to open it as well, revealing the buds in all their glory. It’s little touches like that that make the buds feel like they’re a whole lot more expensive than their $100 price tag might suggest. The buds inside are comfortable as well, although our tester did find that they fell out occasionally.

The ANC isn’t great, but it’s nice to have. The sound, however, is where they come into their own. There’s an energetic and engaging sound profile in the buds, and it makes for a great listening experience. It’s balanced and nuanced, and our testing found them great for Michael Jackson’s Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, with a solid presence in the drums and the bassline.

360 audio is also on board and widens the soundstage more than we were expecting. I really like the effect, and while it's not as impressive as that found on more expensive earbuds, it’s a great addition to something less than $100. Battery life is also good, with the buds themselves lasting for 10 hours, and then another 50 with the case. That’s staying power to rival even some of the best wireless earbuds and makes them a more compelling option than some of the other options out there.

Our expert review:

✅ Good ANC. These block out loads of noise, making for more comfortable commutes.✅ Solid sound. They've got a bassy, warm sound for a fun, engaging listen.✅ Touch controls. The touch controls are easy to use, and useful for controlling the earbuds features.

❌ There's lots of bass. If you want something more detailed, you're better off with something else.❌ Not much battery life. There are better options if you want your earbuds to last a long time.

The 1More PistonBuds Pro are one of the cheapest pairs of ANC buds that you can buy — and they also happen to be pretty good as well. The ANC is the headline feature, of course, and it’s a decent way of keeping the noise out without spending AirPods Pro 2 money. For just $59, the PistonBuds Pro block out all of the horrible noise of the outside world, and make your adventures in the outside world a whole lot more tolerable. No, it’s not the best, but it is excellent for the price.

The sound is good as well, although some might find it slightly bass-heavy. That emphasis on the low end makes them a warm and pleasant listen, and it covers up some sins in the top end that can get a little muddy. It’s not the most detailed performance, but the bass is clean and clear for a comforting sound. The bass in Hans Zimmers Time from the Inception soundtrack reverberates well, and makes for a great listen. Thanks to the ANC you can listen to it even noisy environments as well, which is a bonus.

While the buds themselves have a slick look, the case is slightly more boring and doesn’t seem to have received much work. Thankfully the buds are the thing that people are going to see, and they look pretty good. They’re pretty comfortable in our testing as well, and the 7.5-hour battery life makes sure that you can listen to them for a longer time than some of the other options.

Our expert review:

✅ Good ANC. They block out loads of noise, so you won't have to worry about loud external noises.✅ Decent battery life. They'll last you longer than even the AirPods equivalent. ✅ Water and sweat-resistant. They'll be great for exercising.

❌ They're not the most comfortable. Some might not like the way that they feel in-ear.❌ The app isn't very good. The buds struggle to stay connected to the phone app.

If you don’t want to spend much, but want features like ANC, we’ve already got a couple of options on the list. But you can’t go wrong with more choice, and that’s exactly what the DoBuds from Donner give you. They’ve got an AirPods visual style, with stems, silicon ear tips, some surprisingly effective ANC, and decent sound. They might not be the most comfortable pair of buds, but they still present a great value proposition.

The ANC was the thing that impressed our tester the most. It was effective in a bunch of different noisy environments, making for a great option if you want to keep the noise of the outside world out. It is focused on low-end noises and struggles with higher-pitched sounds. Think tyre noises of cars driving past, or wooshing wind in city streets. For bus journeys and train rides, however, its going to be a great addition to the formula.

The sound is good too, although it's not quite as good as some of the other options on the list. The base EQ is balanced, not putting much emphasis on any one part of the frequency range. Our testing showed that tracks like Dr Dre’s Kush sounded crisp and clean, with plenty of impact and bass. There where some issues with the comfort though, with our tester finding them more uncomfortable than other options over long periods of time.

In the end though, thanks to their solid noise canceling and good sound at a lower price, we found ourselves really enjoying our time with the DoBuds One.

At Tom's Guide, we test a lot of wireless earbuds, but not every model makes it into one of our buying guides. That's not to say that they're not great products, just that they're beaten by rival models with a stronger set of features or better performance at the price. The picks in this guide are the very best cheap wireless earbuds we've tested and all have been fully reviewed by a Tom's Guide audio expert. But with more models to choose from than ever, we want to make sure that you consider these also tested options that for whatever reason didn't quite make the grade to rank among the best of the best.

EarFun Air Pro 3: These are a close rival to the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC that rank best for battery life. The Air Pro 3 have strong battery life but don't last quite as long as the Soundcore. They also offer effective ANC performance, high comfort levels, aptX Adaptive audio support from compatible playback devices, and personalized sound thanks to the custom equalizer within the robust control app. Our review also mentioned the good call quality and wireless charging.

Read the full EarFun Air 3 Pro review

1More PistonBuds Pro Q30: With an MSRP of just $54 and offering adaptive ANC, AI microphones, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint technology, and customizable sound settings, the 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 are something of a bargain. They also deliver impressive sound and have spatial audio support. But unfortunately not everything performs as it should, with finicky touch controls and below-average battery life compared to rivals. Flaws aside, these buds are an ideal choice for bargain seekers wanting an AirPods Pro alternative at a fraction of the cost.

Read the full 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 review

Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW: The Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW earbuds look memorable and sound beautiful. Sadly not everything makes the grade through and they are missing key features like no wear detection, multipoint connectivity, and no companion app support. Despite only offering Bluetooth 5.0 with SBC, they sounded great and were a great pair of buds for call quality during our testing.

Read the full Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW review

Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best cheap wireless earbuds. Many cheap models have listed prices of less than $100, but with sales and discounts at online retailers, you can easily bag a bargain for even less.

Any money you save on your earbuds purchase won't do you much good if you're constantly needing to recharge your audio gear. So pay attention to rated battery life and whether any carrying case comes with the earbuds to provide additional power. You'll also want to see what reviews from both professional testers and people who bought the earbuds have to say about sound quality. That goes for both listening to music via the earbuds as well as fielding phone calls.

How well wireless earbuds fit your ears can vary from person to person. But some models come with additional tips and fins to offer something approaching a customized fit.

IP-ratings refer to the level of Ingress Protection (IP) from liquids and dirt that a device is protected from. This is part of a device's durability.

IP-ratings explained: The first digit refers to the level of protection from solid particles, such as dust and sand. The scale ranges from 0 (no protection) to 6 (dust-tight) for full protection. For example, an IP6X rating ensures that the device is completely dust-tight, making it ideal for harsh outdoor conditions or industrial settings where fine dust particles are common.

The second digit refers to a devices resistance to moisture, and the scale ranges from 0 (no protection) to 8 for the highest level of protection. For example, with an IPX4 rating, earbuds are protected from water splashes from any direction, while an IPX7 rating ensures that the device can be submerged in water up to 1 meter (around 3 feet) for 30 minutes without any damage.

Not all wireless earbuds are created equal — some are true wireless, while some are just wireless. If you spot a pair of earbuds with the wireless moniker attached, like the Beats Flex, you'll spot a wire that joins the two earbuds together, usually with a Bluetooth and battery module at some point along the wire. That makes, often, for a cheaper pair of buds, but also one that is more unwieldy and annoying to use. If you like having just one earbud in, however, you can just leave the other hanging over your shoulder, which is an added bonus.

True wireless earbuds, on the other hand, are the kind that you'll see on this list. They are tiny, all-inclusive buds that click into a charging case when you're not using them so that the battery charges up. These are the most commonly found earbuds around now, and they make up the entirety of our best noise-canceling earbuds list, and this one.

When rating the best cheap wireless earbuds, we look not only at price but also design, sound quality and battery life. We also consider how easy it is to pair earbuds with a smartphone and what kind of controls are accessible through the device.

In terms of audio, we listen to many sample tracks that span a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical, R&B, and electronic, while assessing volume levels and how easy the earbuds are to drive. Movies, podcasts and video games are also used where necessary. We also make phone calls to assess both call quality and microphone performance.

During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for hours at a time throughout the course of a week. Reviewers will make note of battery life and how well it matches the rated battery life provided by earbud makers.

Star ratings explained: As with all our reviews, we evaluate the best cheap earbuds based on a five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded a coveted Recommended badge, while our Best Value award speaks for itself. Only products with truly exceptional performance across the board are awarded an Editor's Choice badge.

For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.

Meet our reviewers:

Alex Bracetti is a freelance journalist who has an affinity for audio products. He's worked with Tom's Guide for a number of years, testing out many of the best headphones, best wireless earbuds, and best Bluetooth speakers.

Nikita is a staff reviewer for Tom's Guide, and has tested numerous headsets, earbuds, and speakers, in addition to other gear such as keyboards and mice. In her downtime, Nikita can usually be found sinking hours into RPGs on her PS5, out on a walk with a camera in hand, at a concert, or watching F1.

Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!

Tammy and her generous collection of headphones have found a new home — Tom's Guide! After a two-and-a-half-year stint as iMore's resident audiophile, Tammy's reviews and buying guide expertise have more focus than ever on Tom's Guide, helping buyers find the audio gear that works best for them. Tammy has worked with some of the most desirable audio brands on the planet in her time writing about headphones, speakers, and more, bringing a consumer focussed approach to critique and buying advice. Away from her desk, you'll probably find her in the countryside writing (extremely bad) poetry, or putting her screenwriting Masters to good use creating screenplays that'll never see the light of day.

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