Saving money and getting great sound quality needn’t be mutually exclusive. These headphones and earbuds prove it.
Not every pair of headphones or earbuds has to cost over $200.
Yes, the fancy, expensive flagship models from brands like Bose, Sony, and Apple get a lot of attention, but the truth is that you can absolutely get great sound, comfort, and convenient features without spending more than $100 if you shop carefully. That’s where we come in.
We’ve compiled a list of the best cheap earbuds and headphones that will cost you less than a nice dinner for two, yet they deliver the most sought-after qualities of much more expensive models.
Earfun Air Pro 4Best overall budget earbuds
The features and performance of wireless earbuds under $100 gets better every year, and in 2024, the proof is Earfun’s Air Pro 4.
These noise-canceling earbuds have an exceptional list of capabilities, some of which far exceed what you’ll see on models that cost more than twice as much. The highlight — for Android users — is the presence of both the LDAC and aptX family of Bluetooth codecs, including aptX Lossless. This is an unprecedented amount of choice when it comes to hi-res audio codecs, and we’re still scratching our heads trying to figure out how Earfun managed it at this price.
Then there are all of the other super features like an up-to-52-hour battery life, wireless charging, wear sensors, Bluetooth Multipoint, adaptive ANC, transparency, 30 EQ presets, 10-band equalizer, IPX5 water resistance, and Google Fast Pair.
Oh, and just in case all of that isn’t enough, the Air Pro 4 are also Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast-compatible, for future-proofing that should last years.
They sound great, and their noise-canceling is much better than on previous generations. Transparency is very clear, though your own voice will remain a bit muffled. About our only gripe is that their call quality is only average. But that’s a minor note on an otherwise outstanding set of buds.
Our previous pick, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC remains a great alternative, but unless you can find them at a lower price than the Air Pro 4, we’d say go with Earfun’s model.
SoundCore Space A40Another excellent budget all-rounder
Budget true wireless earbuds typically have to sacrifice something to get the price under $100, often sound quality, noise cancellation, or battery life. The SpaceA40 is impressive because of just how little it gives up, making it the perfect choice for those who love true wireless but would like to save some money when they buy. And unlike some true wireless buds, this pair is particularly comfortable and likely to fit well in all kinds of ears.
You won’t be sacrificing much sound, either: Soundcore’s earbuds have a full-frequency response with a HearID tuning process that helps tweak the EQ (which comes with an impressive number of presets on its own). The result isn’t perfect, but it’s deeply impressive at this price range, and Android users will appreciate the LDAC support, too.
Plus, the Space A40 offers more effective ANC than our previous pick, the JLaB Epic Air (one of our only complaints about those buds), with easy mode-switching using the touch controls and a surprisingly good transparency mode. Unfortunately, there’s no wear sensor here, that handy feature that automatically pauses music when you pop off one of the earbuds.
While we praised the remarkable battery life of the Epic Air, the Space A40 once again goes above and beyond, sporting up to 10 hours of playtime for a single charge, making a total of 50 hours with the charging case (with ANC off). Even when powering ANC and other features, they still grind out around five hours per charge, which is what the AirPods Pro top out at.
1More SonoFlowBest overall cheap wireless headphones
Getting decent sound from a set of $100 wireless headphones is easier than ever, and we’ve featured several models in this category over time. But it’s incredible just how much 1More manages to pack into these headphones while still keeping the price so low. That includes features that were relegated to high-end models just a few years ago, such as a solid ANC and transparency mode, plus a wide range of app capabilities from presets and EQ customization to features like connecting two devices wirelessly at the same time.
Of course, sound quality also impresses here, thanks to some 40mm drivers that are competitive with significantly more expensive headphones like the Soundcore Space Q45. There’s also support for Sony’s hi-res LDAC, although access to it may be limited for some (such as iPhone users).
Then there’s the battery life, which clocks in at an amazing 50 hours with ANC on, and up to 70 hours with it turned off. That’s very impressive for wireless headphones, well-suited for multiple days of playback without needing to worry about finding time to recharge.
QCY H3 ANCA crazy value for just $50
The QCY H3 ANC isn’t from a major brand. They’re pretty basic to look at. They don’t come with a carry case, and they can feel a bit cheap when you hold them. But make no mistake, these wireless headphones are an incredible deal.
At just $50 (sometimes even less on Amazon) these headphones should sound just average, but they’re surprisingly fun to listen to. They should only support basic codecs like SBC or AAC, but they also let you use LDAC with Android phones. They should only offer a single analog input, but they also have lossless audio via USB-C. And their ANC should be barely noticeable, but it’s surprisingly effective.
In other words, they may not look and feel like fancy cans, but under their simple, slightly cheap-feeling exterior, they pack all of the performance you’d expect from headphones in the $175-$200 range.
About the only thing that’s missing is a USB-C cable that supports USB audio — for some reason QCY only includes a charge-capable cable.
1More Triple DriverBest wired earbuds under $100
1More’s Triple Driver earbuds manage to deliver all the features of a high-end set of in-ear headphones at an affordable price and in a package that looks and feels premium. Frankly, they make other headphones seem outrageously overpriced.
The Triple Drivers deliver clear, quality high frequencies, with 1More claiming a 40kHz maximum range on these puppies, as well as balanced-yet-weighty bass that is comfortably present and never overwhelms the rest of the mix. That also lets you enjoy the sweet performance of the midrange and treble drivers above for a one-two-three punch of excellent sound.
The build quality is another noteworthy aspect of these headphones. The Triple Drivers have durable aluminum alloy casings that gleam with a coppery, sandblasted finish, while the cable is wrapped in triple-braided Kevlar — seriously high-class materials for headphones in this price range. You’ll also get a snazzy carrying case with your purchase, too. These headphones also feature an in-line mic and triple button controls, letting you take phone calls and control playback without needing to take your phone out of your pocket. There’s really no excuse for these to not be your mainstay earbuds.
