The 7 Best Cheap Earbuds - Fall 2019
Reviews

The best cheap earbuds that still provide decent performance are the Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120. Their sound reproduction is decent, especially given their price, though their sound can vary between users and some may find them noticeably muddy-sounding. They do a mediocre job at isolating background noise, but they leak very little sound, meaning you should be able to turn them up to help block ambient sound without bothering those around you.

Unfortunately, their low price is reflected in their build quality, and they feel cheaply made. They have a thin audio cable that could easily get damaged over time, but given their price point, this is expected and they can be cheaply replaced if they do get damaged. They're decently comfortable since they're very lightweight and don't enter the ear canal as deeply as other in-ears, though this means they aren't the most stable and may not be great for running. They also don't have a microphone so you can't use them to take phone calls.

Overall, these are an adequate pair of headphones, especially given the price. Their sound profile is decently well-balanced and is better than most at this price range. If you're prone to breaking or losing your earbuds and are looking for something cheap that still sounds decent, these are a good choice.

The best cheap earbuds we've tested so far are the Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless. They're quite comfortable and come with six different tip options to help you get the right fit. Stability fins are included and the headphones have an ear-hook design that gives them a nice stable fit which should be good even for intense workouts. They aren't sweat resistant, however, so those who want to use them for sports may want to consider the Anker Soundcore Spirit X. While their build quality feels decent overall, they do have a fairly thin audio cable, though this is common at this price point.

These headphones have good sound reproduction for the price, though they do tend to be a bit bass-heavy and may be best suited to genres like EDM or hip-hop. While they have a microphone, it can be disappointing and speech recorded on it tends to sound muffled and lacking in detail. On the upside, their battery lasts almost 13 hours on a 1.5-hour charge, which is good, and they leak very little sound. 

Overall, these are a decent pair of wireless Bluetooth earbuds that perform better than other options in this price range. Their comfortable fit, decent build quality, and surprisingly good sound reproduction makes them a solid option if you don't want to spend much money.

The best budget earbuds we've tested so far are the Sony WI-C310. They're very lightweight headphones with a flexible and portable neckband design that's stable enough for running. They're fairly comfortable as they have small earbuds that don't go too far into the ear canal, and they come with three tip sizes to help you get a comfortable fit. While their flexible neckband makes them nice and portable, unfortunately this comes at the expense of build quality, as their thin cable may get damaged over time. If you don't mind having a wire, you may want to consider the Beats urBeats3 Earphones as they feel a bit better-built, though they're more expensive and don't give you the extra convenience of Bluetooth headphones.

These earbuds have good sound reproduction with only slightly overemphasized bass that adds a bit of boominess. Their mid-range and treble performance are both very good, though vocals and leads may get pushed a bit to the back of the mix, meaning they may not be the best headphones for vocal-centric genres. Like most headphones without ANC, they don't do a very good job at blocking out engine rumbles, and won't be ideal to use in very noisy environments. On the upside, their 17-hour battery life is good and should be able to last you a few days without needing to charge, though unfortunately they don't have an auto-off feature.

Overall, these are a decent, well-rounded pair of Bluetooth headphones. Their small earbuds and flexible neckband design make them a good choice for people who want a portable pair of headphones that can easily be taken around with them.