Best wireless earbuds under $100

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Just a few years ago, functional and reliable cheap true wireless earbuds would have been an oxymoron, but now they’re being released in droves. You no longer have to shell out $150-plus for a pair of solid, truly wireless earbuds. Instead, as technology has progressed, you can save money and enjoy the latest and greatest audio engineering. Here are the best wireless earbuds under $100.

Why is the EarFun Air Pro 4 the best pair of wireless earbuds under $100 for most?

The EarFun Air Pro 4 offer an impressive combination of features and performance rarely found in earbuds at this price point. With Bluetooth 5.4 and support for high-quality codecs like LDAC and aptX Lossless, these earbuds deliver excellent sound quality. The default tuning is enjoyable, but you can further customize it using the 10-band equalizer in the companion app.

Noise cancelation is another strong point, with five different ANC modes to choose from. The “Strong ANC” setting reduces external noise by an average of 75%, which is remarkable for earbuds in this price range. You also get two Ambient Sound modes for situational awareness when needed.

The earbuds are comfortable for extended wear and come with five sizes of silicone ear tips to ensure a good fit. With an IPX5 water resistance rating, they’re suitable for workouts and light rain. Battery life is solid, lasting 8 hours and 44 minutes in our testing, with the case providing additional charges for up to 41 hours of total playback time.

Other premium features include wireless charging, Google Fast Pair, and Bluetooth Multipoint for connecting to two devices simultaneously. The EarFun Audio app offers extensive customization options, including control customization, EQ presets, and even a hearing test to create a personalized sound profile.

For most people, the EarFun Air Pro 4 offer an unbeatable combination of sound quality, noise cancelation, comfort, and features at a budget-friendly price point.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE has great ANC for the price

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE hit the sweet spot for sub-$100 earbuds, combining practical design with solid noise cancelation capabilities. With a small, sleek case that fits in any pocket and is charged via USB-C, these earbuds are an excellent pick for the on-the-go listener. A snug fit is ensured with three different ear tip sizes included, although their IPX2 rating only offers minimal moisture resistance, so they’re not quite gym-ready. Despite this, their good ANC makes them ideal for commuters looking to drown out the rumble of daily travel, canceling up to 30dB of outside noise.

Operation is simple, with touch-sensitive controls that can be customized via the Samsung Wearable app. In terms of sound, the Buds FE offers a bass-forward audio profile that may require some EQ tweaking for balanced listening. They may not satisfy every audiophile’s palate, but the enhanced low-end is a feature many will welcome in noisy environments. The sound may lean heavily on bass, but the overall functionality and design make them a smart choice for everyday use.

Best bass: Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

You’d be hard-pressed to find earbuds for a Benjamin Franklin that do most of the tasks the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC promises. With an IPX4 rating, long battery life, and good ANC with additional wind reduction and adaptive noise canceling features, these earbuds have more features than most name-brands at this price.

Typical of most consumer wireless earbuds, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC boosts bass and treble compared to our headphone preference curve. The accompanying app gives you a whopping 22 EQ presets alongside a labeled eight-band equalizer so you can fine-tune your listening experience. Anker kitted out the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC with Bluetooth 5.3 and LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs. Android users will likely get the most out of the LDAC codec. Meanwhile, iPhones will default to the AAC codec. Oh, and they also support Bluetooth multipoint, so you can simultaneously connect to more than one device.

For most people, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are simply good, value-priced earbuds. They tick off most boxes, from the nearly 10 hours of battery life with ANC on to the responsive touch controls.

If you want the best sound quality, get the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+

Out of all the budget earbuds we’ve tried, the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ have the best sound quality, thanks to their xMEMS drivers. If you haven’t listened to xMEMS earbuds yet, you’re missing out, as this sound technology is a step above legacy technology. Our data backs it up as well, with the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ scoring an impressive 4.9 on a scale from 1-5 in MDAQS sound quality testing.

Beyond great sound quality, the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ also offer good active noise canceling, and a companion app that includes features like a 10-band equalizer. The earbuds’ matte black finish with gold accents, lightweight design, and three ear tip sizes ensure comfort and style. They falter slightly with battery life, delivering just 3 hours and 55 minutes of playback with ANC on. Despite this, the charging case offers over six additional charges, compensating for the earbuds’ shorter playback time.

The JLab JBuds Mini are good bang for the buck

The sound quality is commendable for the price, offering a consumer-friendly tuning with an emphasis on bass, which, while not high-fidelity, provides a satisfying listening experience for everyday use. Alongside thoughtful features like touch controls, these are a great choice for budget-conscious consumers.

The Nothing Ear (a) is a good jack-of-all-trades

While the Nothing Ear (a) offers a solid all-around experience for those on a tight budget. At $99, these earbuds deliver decent sound quality, impressive noise cancelation, and respectable battery life. They are comfortable and lightweight, and an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, making it suitable for workouts or outdoor activities.

The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 with the LDAC codec for high-quality audio streaming on compatible Android devices. Although the sound quality won’t blow you away, it’s perfectly adequate for casual listening, and the noise cancelation performance is commendable.

With a rated battery life of nearly 9 hours on a single charge and a total of 42.5 hours with the charging case, the Nothing Ear (a) should easily get you through a day’s worth of use. The clear voice microphone performance is also a standout feature, ensuring crisp call quality even in noisy environments.

Should you buy the Beats Solo Buds?

The Beats Solo Buds are a decent choice if portability and brand loyalty are your priorities. Their ultra-compact case and lightweight design make them easy to carry, and they pair effortlessly with iOS and Android devices. Plus, the six-month Apple Music trial is a nice bonus for new subscribers.

However, these earbuds sacrifice too much to hit their low price point. Lacking ANC, a charging case battery, and sound customization options like an equalizer, they fall short of competing options. Unless you’re set on owning Beats at the lowest possible cost, there are better earbuds under $100 that deliver more features and better performance.

Should you buy the EarFun Free Pro 3?

The EarFun Free Pro 3 earbuds should be on budget-conscious consumers’ radar. They offer a compelling combination of features for under $80. They excel in delivering quality sound, a variety of ear tip options, and a user-friendly app, all housed within a compact case that supports wireless charging. Despite their affordable price point, these earbuds include modern conveniences such as Bluetooth 5.3, Multipoint connectivity, aptX Adaptive, and Snapdragon Sound.

However, they are not without their flaws; the EarFun Free Pro 3 suffers from weak Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) capabilities and a transparency mode that doesn’t quite meet expectations. Additionally, their battery life, at just under 5 hours, falls short when compared to other options in the market, which might be a significant drawback for power users or frequent travelers.

The inclusion of five pairs of silicone ear tips, three sizes of ear fins, and memory foam ear tips in the package enhances the user experience by offering better acoustic isolation and fit customization. The EarFun app further enriches this experience by allowing users to tailor the earbuds’ controls, ANC settings, and sound profile to their liking. While not perfect, the EarFun Free Pro 3 earbuds offer a strong value proposition for those seeking quality wireless earbuds under $100, making them a solid choice for everyday use and casual listening.

Should you buy the Anker Soundcore Space A40?

Anyone on a budget looking for noise canceling earbuds will appreciate the Soundcore Space A40. Commuters can block out the world on the bus or train, and athletes can stay aware of their surroundings with this pair of IPX4 water-resistant earbuds.

The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from, plus the ability to customize your sound profile, make it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job. Bluetooth multipoint and LDAC support elevate the earbuds even more.

The best wireless earbuds under $100: Notable mentions

This is a crowded price bracket, so be sure to take a gander through our notable mentions. If you don’t see all your desired features, maybe consider upping your price threshold.

• 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini ($99 at Amazon): Doing more with less, the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini brings high performance in a tiny and affordable package. As long as you don’t plan on using this pair of buds for frequent phone calls, the 1MORE ComfoBuds Mini is worth the money.
• Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW: For just $43 at Amazon, Audio-Technica’s earbuds provide great sound quality and above-average isolation. You don’t get any app support, though; the earbuds only stream audio over the SBC Bluetooth codec.
• Beats Studio Buds ($99 at Amazon): While the ANC won’t beat the likes of the latest Beats Studio Buds Plus, you still get an effortless IPX4-rated pair of buds with 4 hours and 24 minutes of battery life to a single charge.
• Google Pixel Buds A-Series ($94 at Amazon): If you like the Pixel Buds line but think they are too pricey, the Pixel Buds A-Series should be on your radar. They have the core features you need at a price you’ll love.
• Jabra Elite 4 Active: Not to be confused with the Jabra Elite 4, this one has a greater IP57 rating with less impressive noise canceling. However, it’s still a great set for $89.99 at Jabra.
• JBL Tune Buds ($69.95 at Amazon): If you can get a good fit with the JBL Tune Buds, you will enjoy using them. They are packed full of features and have a sound quality that most people like.
• JLab Epic Air Sport ANC: Okay, this set of earphones is an epically good deal and sells for $89 at Amazon. You get some premium features like top-notch ANC, an ear hook design, and a relatively consumer-friendly sound. The touch controls aren’t great, and neither is the mic quality, but you’ll love these buds if you can overlook those things.
• JLab GO Air POP: These extremely budget-friendly earbuds sound great, with over 11 hours of battery life and an IPX4 rating. Its touch controls lack some refinement, and the mic is imperfect, but it’s so cheap ($24 at Amazon).
• Nothing Ear 1: These buds feel premium for $99 at Amazon with good sound, a bit of ANC, and a stylish and lightweight design.
• Nothing Ear (stick): For the person who desires a pair of unsealed earbuds akin to AirPods, the Ear (stick) is a slick-looking option at a low price ($64 at Amazon) compared to AirPods. The app isn’t half bad, either.
• Sennheiser CX ($79.95 at Sennheiser): Since its drop in price, it has become a truly excellent option for its sound quality and feature set. However, you can get the ANC-capable Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless for only a little bit more ($89 at Amazon)
• Skullcandy Mod XT: If you can get past the stiff buttons on the buds, the combination of the price of $48 at Amazon, IP55 rating, Bluetooth multipoint, and consumer-friendly frequency response makes this set stiff competition.
• Skullcandy Push Active: The Push Active earbuds have an IP55 dust and water-resistant rating, making them a great option for athletes. You can access your smart assistant hands-free due to Skull-iQ, making it a smart and strong pick for $69 at Amazon.
• Sony WF-C500 ($98 at Amazon): These earbuds make for a comfortable commuting and workout companion. Noise isolation helps keep the background noise to a minimum, while the lightweight design is easily worn all day long.
• Technics EAH-AZ40: Frequently found on discount ($117 at Amazon) the EAH-AZ40 is a comfortable, straightforward set of buds. Its app works on iOS and Android and includes a helpful equalizer. The mic handles external noise pretty well for the price, too.

Be sure to check out our list of the best wireless earbuds under $50 for more great value options.

What you should know about cheap wireless earbuds

When you buy cheap earbuds, even the best wireless earbuds under $100, you’re sacrificing style, build quality, and extra features like noise canceling. Just because you’re saving money on your affordable wireless buds doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing basic Bluetooth performance though. You can read our in-depth buyer’s guide or skim the important stuff below.

How long do wireless earbuds last?

When true wireless earbuds like these were first released, you were lucky to get four hours of playback from a single charge. Now, we have earbuds exceeding 10 hours, setting a new standard for the technology. While shelling out more than $100 on wireless earbuds is worth it for many, it’s unnecessary if you want a basic, reliable pair of everyday earbuds. Companies like Jabra and Sony are cornering the cheap wireless market with good quality products for significantly less than the competition.

What is a Bluetooth codec?

Typically, we advise listeners to keep an eye out for high-quality Bluetooth codecs. If you’re not too familiar with how codecs work, fear not. They dictate how data is transferred from a source (phone) to a receiver (headphones). Ideally, Bluetooth transfer rates wouldn’t have to make compromises between efficiency and quality, but bandwidth remains limited. Companies are always looking for inventive workarounds: Bluetooth SIG teamed up with Fraunhofer to produce LE Audio and the new LC3 codec, which will greatly improve wireless streaming standards and aid the hard-of-hearing community.

If you’re an iPhone user, make sure to get earbuds with AAC support. On the other hand, Android users should get something with aptX support. While Android devices support AAC streaming, its performance is inconsistent.

What is noise cancelation, and how should earbuds fit?

None of the best wireless earbuds under $100 will supply a wide range of ear tips or outperform something like Sony WF-1000XM4 or Shure AONIC Free, but improving isolation is an easy way to improve sound quality. Take a few minutes to figure out which included ear tips are best for you. Ear tips that fit well will seal to your ear canals and stay in place as you jostle your head around. Effective isolation is the oldest form of noise canceling, and it blocks external noise from reaching your ears.

Some earbuds come with fit tests in the app, but this is uncommon at this price. If you can’t get the provided tips to work, invest in a pair of third-party ear tips. Doing so could also prevent irrevocable hearing loss.

Increasingly, earbuds under $100 have also been released with active noise cancelation, proving you don’t need to break the piggybank to access the feature these days. However, not all ANC is equal, so we test each pair of earbuds. ANC works best on low and midrange-frequency noises, while isolation is most effective with high-pitched noises.

How should wireless earbuds sound?

Wireless earbuds are typically aimed toward your average consumer, so the frequency response will reflect that with amplified bass and treble notes relative to the mids. Generally speaking, this is how we created the SoundGuys house curve, which we use to score how a headset sounds. This curve is not a universal truth for what sounds good, but it is what most people will find pleasant.

Athletes need IP-certified earbuds

IP, or Ingress Protection, ratings denote how dust- or water-resistant a product is. Our deep dive into IP ratings is a great resource, but if you don’t have time, the higher the number, the more resistant a product is to dust or water.

Why you should trust SoundGuys

We at SoundGuys pride ourselves on our ability to provide readers with a focused understanding of the subject of consumer audio using objective measurements. We adhere to a draconian ethics policy and don’t allow sponsored content on our site in an age where that’s more and more commonplace. Our income depends almost exclusively on people being happy with the products they buy after researching them.

Frequently asked questions about wireless earbuds under $100