Contrary to common belief, you don’t need to break the bank to obtain a high-quality pair of earbuds. At Mashable, we frequently appreciate the latest technology, and while we take pleasure in discovering the newest Sony headphones, we recognize that it’s not always within reach. Cutting-edge technology often comes with a hefty price tag, and a $500 pair of headphones isn’t something everyone can afford. That’s why we’re concentrating on the finest budget earbuds.
Cost-effective earbuds provide a portable alternative to over-the-ear headphones, and just because they’re budget-friendly doesn’t imply they lack features. Two of the leading earbuds we’ve evaluated are close to $300 — Apple AirPods Pro are priced at $249.95, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds retail for $299 — but we’ve uncovered options for less. You don’t have to spend $300 on outstanding earbuds; you don’t even need to exceed $100.
From the vast array of earbuds we’ve tested, these stand out as the best budget-friendly choices.
What qualifies as budget?
Budget is a matter of perspective, so for this compilation, we’re defining budget earbuds as those priced under $200, primarily those under $100. Our top recommendation is the EarFun Air Pro 4, available for $79.99, providing noise cancellation comparable to more expensive models. Opting for budget alternatives may involve some trade-offs, but not sacrifices. For under $100, you can still acquire active noise cancellation and self-charging cases.
We’ve included some models nearer to $200, which may not align with everyone’s definition of budget-friendly. For these, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds and the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC are considered budget options in relative terms. Compared to high-end models, the Bose QC earbuds deliver a similar experience at a significantly lower cost. For Apple, AirPods usually command higher prices than most consumer audio devices. Hence, we recommend the AirPods 4, both with and without ANC, for those wishing to remain in the Apple ecosystem, appreciate quality sound, but aren’t quite ready to upgrade to the Pros.
Currently evaluating
At present, we are assessing the CMF Buds 2 for this list and will refresh the guide once our testing concludes.
Other models we’ve assessed
The models mentioned here are from our comprehensive testing at Mashable. Our former top selection was the Apple AirPods 3; however, the AirPods 4 have taken their place, being pricier and lacking optimal Android compatibility.
We also reviewed the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds featuring sound by Bose. We tested these buds, and while they’re acceptable for $100, they possess a subpar case design and aren’t as comfortable as other models on this list — additionally, the introductory price of $100 has risen to $129.99.