The 5 Best Cheap Earbuds - Winter 2022 Reviews

The best cheap earphones 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 ideal for wearing during your commute. Also, their build quality is fair overall, but the cables seem 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 JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are the best cheap, truly wireless earbuds that we've tested. These earbuds have three onboard EQ presets that you can use to customize their sound profile, which is unusual at this price point. They also have a good build quality and an IPX4 rating for resistance against being splashed with water.

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, though, so they're still suitable for a variety of genres and types of content. Their continuous battery life of roughly nine hours can last you through a 9-5 workday, and their case holds about three additional charges. They also have a comfortable, breathable, and stable fit, so they're a solid choice for workouts.

Unfortunately, their charging cable is built into the case, which can help you keep track of it but means you need to replace the headphones if it gets damaged. Like most headphones without ANC, they also don't do a good job isolating you from bass-range noise like rumbling engines. That said, they're effective at reducing mid-range noise like chatting co-workers, which is nice if you want to reduce distractions at work.

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, meaning 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 ideal for wearing 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.