The 5 Best Cheap Earphones - Summer 2021 Reviews

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 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 extra 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 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 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 mostly made of high-grade plastic and feel quite sturdy. Their near-seven-hour continuous battery life, combined with their standby mode feature and charging case with roughly three additional charges, should 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 how they sound out-of-the-box, their companion app allows you to select one of 15 different EQ presets. They're also quite effective at filtering out background chatter or high-pitched ambient noise, like the hum of an AC unit, though they struggle somewhat with low-end noise like bus or plane engines.

Unfortunately, their integrated mic makes your voice sound thin, unnatural, and distorted. The headphones 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.