The 6 Best Cheap Earphones - Spring 2021 Reviews

The cheapest earbuds with a decent performance that we've tested are the Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120. These wired earbuds are quite straightforward, but they still have a pretty versatile performance for their price. They're lightweight, portable, and decently comfortable so that you can wear them for longer listening sessions without a lot of fatigue.

Overall, these earbuds are adequate for neutral sound, so they're suitable for lots of different music genres. Their bass-heavy sound profile adds an extra thump and punch to the mix that fans of bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop can enjoy. They also don't leak a lot of noise, which is nice if you like to crank up the volume on your favorite tunes without bothering the people around you.

Unfortunately, these headphones feel a bit cheaply made, and they don't have a lot of features. They also don't have a very stable fit, so they may not be the best choice to use while you're at the gym. That said, if you're on a budget and looking for a decent pair of basic earbuds, they're a solid choice.

The best cheap earphones under $20 that we've tested are the Skullcandy Jib. These wireless in-ears aren't a bad choice for taking out on a run or to the gym, as they're highly portable and offer a decently comfortable and secure fit thanks to an included selection of differently-sized ear tips.

These in-ears have a very bass-heavy sound profile that should please fans of EDM and hip-hop who prefer an extra helping of thump and rumble in their listening experience. That said, their powerful bass doesn't overwhelm more delicate vocals and instrumentals. Also, they do an impressive job of preventing audio from leaking out, so you can listen to your music pretty loud without having to worry about disrupting people nearby.

Unfortunately, they don't feel especially well-built, which isn't too surprising given their low price. Their in-line microphone lacks volume controls, which could be a bit of an annoyance if you want to adjust while you're on the go. Their battery life is also disappointing, offering just under six hours of playback on a two-hour charge. Still, these are a solid choice if you're looking for a pair of no-frills wireless headphones.

The Skullcandy Jib True are the best cheap earphones with a truly wireless design that we've tested. These well-built in-ears have a decently versatile performance that can please many different listeners. Their 6.1-hour continuous battery life may not last through your workday, but their portable charging case offers around 2.7 additional charges for when you're on-the-go.

Overall, they have a bass-heavy sound profile that adds an extra boom and punch to your audio, which is suitable for fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. They don't leak a lot of noise, either, so you can crank up the volume on your favorite tunes without bothering those around you. While they don't have an ANC feature, they do a very good job passively blocking out background noises, especially higher-frequency sounds typically found in an office like chatter from nearby coworkers.

Unfortunately, like many options in this price range, they don't come with any sound customization features or a companion app. Also, while they're stable enough to stay in your ear during casual listening sessions, they may fall out if you wear them during higher-intensity workouts. However, if you're looking for a straightforward pair of truly wireless earbuds, they're a solid and affordable choice.

The best earbuds under $50 that we've tested are the FIIL T1X. These truly wireless in-ears have a comfortable fit and should stay in place without issue while you're on the move. They're made of mostly high-grade plastic and feel quite sturdy, while their near-seven-hour continuous battery life, combined with their standby mode feature and charging case with roughly three additional charges, should easily get you through a couple of days' use.

These in-ears have a fairly well-balanced default sound profile, though with a slightly overemphasized bass response that adds extra thump and rumble to genres like EDM or hip-hop. If you aren't a fan of the way they sound out-of-the-box, their companion app allows you to select any one of 15 different EQ presets. They're also quite effective when it comes to filtering out background chatter or high-pitched ambient noise, like the hum of an AC unit, though they struggle somewhat with the low-end noise, like bus or plane engines.

Unfortunately, their integrated mic makes your voice sound thin, unnatural, and distorted. They also exhibit high audio latency, especially on Bluetooth-enabled PCs, which can be disruptive while streaming videos. Otherwise, their comfortable fit, long overall battery life, and fairly broad feature set make them a versatile, value-conscious option.