The 5 Best Cheap Earbuds - Winter 2023 Reviews

The JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are the best cheap earbuds we've tested. These wallet-friendly buds have a continuous battery life of about 9 hours to last you through a 9-5 workday, and their case holds about three additional charges. Their fit is comfortable, breathable, and stable, so they're a solid choice for workouts. They also have a good build quality and an IPX4 rating for resistance against being splashed with water. Like most headphones without ANC, they struggle to block out bass-range noise like rumbling engines but can reduce sounds like background chatter or a humming A/C unit.

Unlike other picks on this list, they have three EQ presets built-in, which let you adjust their sound to better suit your tastes. With the 'JLab Signature' EQ preset, their most neutral setting, they have a bass-rich sound profile that delivers extra thump, rumble, and punch to your audio. It's not too overwhelming, so they're still suitable for a variety of genres and types of content. Still, if you want a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, you might prefer the Skullcandy Dime 2 True Wireless. Their roughly 3.5-hour continuous battery life is much shorter, and they don't have sound customization features.

The KZ ZSN are the best cheap earphones with a durable design that we've tested. While the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are well-made, these wired buds offer a sturdier build quality, thanks to their solid buds and braided audio cable. The cable is also detachable, making it easy to replace if it gets damaged. You can purchase these buds with or without an in-line mic and even pick up a Bluetooth adapter separately if you want to use them wirelessly, although this can add to your expenses. However, you may still prefer a wired design if you're looking for a latency-free audio experience when you're streaming video or if you value high audio quality.

They have an excited, v-shaped sound profile that delivers a touch of extra punch and warmth to audio while vocals and lead instruments are bright. If you like to listen to audio at high volumes, others around you won't hear it. Unfortunately, they have a sub-par noise isolation performance and have a hard time blocking out the low rumble of bus and plane engines. Their fit is a bit bulky too, and you may find them uncomfortable if you have small ears.

The best-sounding cheap earbuds we've tested are the Sony WI-C310 Wireless. Although they have a little extra punch and warmth in their sound, these neck cable headphones are still neutral, making them a versatile choice for most kinds of audio. Unlike the KZ ZSN, their mid-range is very flat and even, so vocals and lead instruments sound accurate and clear. Their treble range is smooth, ensuring adequate brightness in your mixes. They have a decently comfortable fit, and you can even wear them around your neck when you're not using them. The long cables feel a little thin and can get snagged on something if you're not careful.

Although they're not designed to block out commuter noise, like the rumble of bus and plane engines, they can help cut down ambient chatter and the high-pitched hum of an AC unit, which is nice if you work in a noisy office. They also last roughly 17 hours continuously but lack any power-saving features to help conserve battery life when you're not using them.

If you want to customize your earbuds' sound profile, the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless are the best cheap option we've tested. These earbuds have a less neutral default sound profile than the Sony WI-C310 Wireless, but if you're someone who likes to customize your headphones' sound, you might prefer them. They work with a companion app that includes a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. It's also possible to remap the onboard controls in the app. The earbuds have a good build quality and a decently comfortable fit.

Like most of the earbuds listed here, they don't have an ANC system, so they don't do a good job reducing bass-range noise like rumbling engines. However, they passively block out a good amount of ambient sound, like conversations at the office or the hum of an A/C unit. They have a continuous battery life of around 6.5 hours, which is shorter than other options in this price range, like the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless. However, you can always top up the battery in the case, which holds about three extra charges.

The Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless are the best earbuds under $50 we've tested. These earbuds stand out for their long total battery life, making them a good option for longer trips. They last for more than seven hours off of a single charge but come with a case that holds about 12.5 additional charges, so you can top them up for nearly 100 hours of use before recharging the case. Unlike the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless, they don't have an app, which you might find disappointing if you like to customize your headphones' sound profile. Their sound profile adds some extra rumble, punch, and boom to your audio, but it's well-balanced enough for a variety of content and genres.

They do a good job of passively isolating you from ambient sound, but like most earbuds without ANC, they struggle to block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines. If you need earbuds for your commute, you might prefer the TOZO NC7 Truly Wireless, which are around the same price and equipped with an ANC system. They do a great job of blocking out bass-range noise like engines but lack the Anker's long total battery life since their case only holds a couple of extra charges.

If you're still looking for the right earbuds, try our list of the best earbuds under $50.