Can You Really Find a Good Pair of Wireless Earbuds for Under $100? We Think Yes
Can You Really Find a Good Pair of Wireless Earbuds for Under $100? We Think Yes
Once priced out of reach for many consumers, true wireless earbuds have come a long way since the original AirPods. Since 2017, major audio brands like Bose, Jabra, and Sony have taken the product category into the mainstream. Today, there are tons of great options to choose from that, most importantly, are actually affordable.
Until recently, consumers had to make major compromises in terms of quality, performance, and battery life to find a cheap pair of true wireless earbuds. Luckily, that's not the case anymore, and I'm constantly researching, evaluating, and testing true wireless earbuds to determine which are the best under $100.
While testing each set of wireless earbuds from leading brands like Jabra, Sony, and Soundcore, among other brands, I paid close attention to their audio performance, call quality, design, and fit.
Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds
What to Consider
Form Factor
Before picking your next pair of affordable earbuds, there are a few different form factors to consider. Products with AirPods-like stem design might cause less fatigue because their weight is more evenly distributed. On the other hand, traditional earbuds have a more tight fit and, on some occasions, a tougher build.
Sound Quality
You can expect solid audio performance and call quality from every pick of ours, though you should keep in mind that the closer you get to maxing out your $100 budget, the better they will be. Believe it or not, the product category's finest earbuds also rock noise-cancellation and other cool features via a companion app.
Battery Life
Depending on how you plan to use them, the battery life of your next wireless earbuds is also important. When it comes to charging options, a battery case with futureproof USB-C connector is a must. You can even find options with cases that are compatible with wireless chargers, which is rather impressive given the price point. You should also look for buds with up-to-date Bluetooth 5.0 (or higher) connectivity to ensure reliable pairing with the latest smartphones, tablets, and laptops for all of your needs.
Upgrade your on-the-go sound with these thoroughly tested cheap wireless earbuds — all of which are considered true wireless options for less than $100.
1) Life P3 Wireless Earbuds
Soundcore
amazon.com
$79.99
Key Features
? 11-millimeter audio drivers, multi-mode noise cancellation
? IPX5 rating for water resistance
? Up to 7 hours of battery life (35 hours with charging case)
Anker’s Soundcore Life P3 true wireless earbuds are our favorite pair of cheap wireless earbuds. For less than just $80, the buds offer a comfy fit, enjoyable sound with robust noise cancellation, solid battery life, top-tier performance during calls, and a case with onboard wireless charging (which we love). There are several colors to pick from: black, white, coral red, and a couple of shades of blue.
The P3’s sound and noise cancellation are adjustable via a companion app. In addition to offering a ton of customization controls, the app impressed me by offering a selection of soothing sounds that I could combine into a unique soundscape. The latter helped me focus on work and unwind after long writing sessions equally well.
If you're looking for feature-packed buds under $100, but prefer a more compact form factor, consider the Soundcore Life A2 NC.
2) ColorBuds 2 Wireless Earbuds
1MORE
amazon.com
$69.99
Key Features
- 7-millimeter audio drivers
- IPX5 rating for water resistance
- Up to 8 hours of battery life (24 hours with charging case)
If you don’t like to deal with stems, the 1More ColorBuds 2 is the best under-$100 true wireless set for you. The buds have a sleek and compact design, making their AirPods-resembling rivals look bulky. You can snag the earbuds in black, white, or gold with a matching wireless charging case.
The ColorBuds 2 will get you adequate noise cancellation and a sonic experience personalized to your exact hearing. Courtesy of SoundID tech, the last-mentioned bit is remarkable for such an affordable product and why you should press the buy button.
3) WF-C500 Wireless Earbuds
Sony
amazon.com
$98.00
Key Features
- 6-millimeter audio drivers
- IPX4 rating for water resistance
- Companion app
- Up to 10 hours of battery life (20 hours with charging case)
If you are a discerning audiophile with a sub-$100 upgrade budget, consider the Sony WF-C500. The compact buds trade the lack of noise cancellation for a higher-fidelity, infinitely customizable sound whose overall quality is the best on this list. In a price category full of bass-forward offerings, the WF-C500 always entertained me with a balanced and detail-rich sonic experience.
The entry-level Sony earbuds also impressed me with stellar battery life, though I wish their case had a larger capacity since it only holds only one extra charge, and wireless charging isn’t available. You can grab a pair in black or white.
4) Elite 3 Wireless Earbuds
Jabra
amazon.com
$74.99
Key Features
- 6-millimeter audio drivers
- IP55 rating for water and dust resistance
- Tactile button controls
- Up to 7 hours of battery life (28 hours with charging case)
Jabra's Elite 3 wireless earbuds offer the best bass experience in their price range. By combining a snug fit with a perfect in-ear seal and powerful audio drivers, the earphones produce a rich and booming bass that's insanely entertaining. Their sound is adjustable via a mobile app.
While testing the Elite 3, I marveled at the earbuds' high-quality noise isolation, whose effectiveness rivals the active noise cancellation of similarly priced rivals. I could tune out pesky ambient noises just by placing the buds in my ears, effectively replacing a pair of high-quality earplugs. There's even an ambient mode for maintaining a connection with your surroundings.
5) ComfoBuds Mini Wireless Earbuds
1MORE
amazon.com
$99.99
Key Features
- 7-millimeter audio drivers
- IPX5 rating for water resistance
- Up to 6 hours of battery life (24 hours with charging case)
If comfort is your biggest priority, the 1More ComfoBuds Mini are the true wireless earbuds you’ve been looking for. The earbuds are impossibly tiny and, weighing just 3.7 grams each, just as lightweight — and are well worth dropping an entire Benjamin on. While putting them through their paces, their compact and understated design made me feel like I was wearing tiny earplugs, not a feature-rich audio device.
The Comfobuds Mini earbuds have similarly-sized audio drivers and SoundID tech as the ColorBuds 2 I already mentioned. However, their compact size will require more frequent trips to their wireless charging-compatible case.
6) FlyBuds C2 Wireless Earbuds
Tribit
amazon.com
$50.99
Key Features
- Qualcomm audio chip and processing
- Touch controls
- Up to 8 hours of battery life (32 hours with charging case)
The Tribit FlyBuds C2 wireless earbuds are a solid alternative to the original AirPods (not the third-generation and the Pro). Like Apple’s iconic product, these earbuds have a stem design and an ergonomic fit sans ear tips. The earphones are powered by large audio drivers and top-tier audio codecs, which deliver great sound for the money. They also offer rock-solid connectivity and stellar call quality.
You’ll get longer battery life from these earbuds than from any comparable set of AirPods. However, you should be mindful that, just like the second-generation AirPods they resemble, the Tribit FlyBuds C2 lacks an official rating for water resistance.
7) MoveBuds H1 Wireless Earbuds
Tribit
amazon.com
$76.49
Key Features
- 13-millimeter audio drivers
- IPX7 rating for water resistance
- Textured controls
- Up to 15 hours of battery life (65 hours with charging case)
The Tribit MoveBuds H1 true wireless earbuds are hands down the best cheap wireless earbuds for exercising. For less than $100, they have a rugged build, a comfy and secure fit with around-the-ear hooks, convenient controls, and rock-solid connectivity. The earbuds also deliver high-quality sound and the best battery life I’ve encountered in a pair of truly wireless earbuds, regardless of their price.
Ambient sound mode to keep you aware of your surroundings is another standout feature of the Tribit H1. So are the earbuds’ textured control panels and antimicrobial ear tips.
8) Champion Wireless Earbuds
House of Marley
amazon.com
$79.99
Key Features
? 6-millimeter audio drivers
? IPX4 rating for water resistance
? Sustainable craftsmanship
? Up to 8 hours of battery life (28 hours with charging case)
The House of Marley Champion wireless earbuds, like all of the brand’s products, stand out with cool design and eco-friendly craftsmanship. The buds and their charging case are made using bamboo, natural wood-fiber composite, as well as recycled silicone and plastic. The sustainable materials brought a sense of occasion to every interaction I had with the product.
Sound-wise, the Champion earbuds deliver a bass-forward sonic experience that’s incredibly entertaining. Convenient controls and dependable battery life between charges round up the product’s noteworthy highlights. The buds are available in a duo of colors (black and cream) with a matching case.
We've spent a few weeks researching, evaluating, and testing the best cheap wireless earbuds to determine which are the best under $100.