The 5 Best Cheap Earbuds - Fall 2021 Reviews

The best cheap earphones that we've tested are the Sony WI-C310 Wireless. These in-ears have a flexible neckband design with an in-line remote that makes it easy to adjust their controls while on the go. They're decently stable, so they shouldn't fall out of your ears during your workouts, and they come with a few different sizes of earbud tips to help you get the best possible fit.

These headphones have a pretty neutral sound profile with a touch of extra boom in the bass that adds some punch to bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop. They last for around 17 hours off of a single charge, too, which should be more than enough to get you through your workday. They don't have an ANC feature, but they can still passively isolate against typical office background noise like the sounds of coworkers chatting nearby.

Unfortunately, these headphones struggle to block out bass-range ambient noise like the deep rumble of bus and plane engines, so they aren't really ideal to wear during your commute. Also, their build quality is fair overall, but the cables seem quite thin and the modules' thin plastic build feels a bit fragile. That said, if you're on a budget, they're a solid choice overall.

The best cheap truly wireless earbuds that we've tested are the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless. These lightweight headphones are well-built and are rated IPX4 for water resistance, although this isn't something we test. They also have a stable in-ear fit and should stay in place if you're using them while working out.

They have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile with a touch of extra thump, rumble, and boom. That said, vocals and lead instruments are still clear and accurate, making these headphones suitable for lots of audio content. While they don't have an active noise cancelling (ANC) feature, they do a decent job of passively blocking out noise around you.

Unfortunately, they have a bulky design, and using their controls can push them deeper into your ear. They also have a short continuous battery life of under four hours, which may not be enough to get you through long days at the office. Luckily, their carrying case holds roughly 2.5 additional charges, and you can use one bud while the other one recharges.

The Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless are the best budget earbuds that we've tested. These well-built truly wireless in-ears have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile out-of-the-box that adds some thump and punch to your audio. Vocals and lead instruments are still reproduced clearly, so they're suitable for listening to a wide range of audio content.

These headphones have a stable in-ear fit thanks to their stability fins, so you can wear them during your workouts without having to worry about them falling out of your ears. They last for a little over seven hours off of a single charge, but their portable charging case offers around 12.5 extra charges, so you can power up during long days on the go. They also have good passive noise isolation, and you don't hear ambient noises like people chatting around you.

Unfortunately, these headphones struggle to passively block out bass-heavy background noise like plane and bus engines, so they aren't really ideal to wear during your commute. They also lack any sound customization features, which can be disappointing if you want to adjust their sound. However, they're still a versatile pair of earphones that can please many different listeners at a budget-friendly price.