Not too long ago, if you wanted a pair of wireless Bluetooth earbuds, you'd have to spend a good amount of money. Now that headphone jacks are getting less common on phones, and Bluetooth headphones are becoming the norm, you don't have to spend a lot to get a decent pair of wireless in-ears. Wireless headphones give you the freedom of not requiring wires, making them more portable and easier to toss into a pocket or bag.
We’ve tested over 160 pairs of wireless earbuds and in-ear headphones, and below, you’ll find our top picks for the best cheap wireless earbuds divided by price range. Check also our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds overall, the best wireless earbuds under $50, the best wireless earbuds under $100, and the best sounding wireless earbuds.
The Sony WI-C310 Wireless are the best cheap wireless earbuds that we've tested. These lightweight wireless in-ears are very portable, and they're stable enough to wear during a light run or workout. Their amazing 17-hour continuous battery life should be more than enough to last you through long days on-the-go, too.
They have a fairly neutral sound profile that's suitable for lots of different types of audio content, and the extra emphasis in the bass range makes audio sound more full-bodied. They don't leak a lot of noise, and escaping audio is quiet and thin-sounding, so it shouldn't really bother anyone around you if you listen to your music at loud volumes.
Unfortunately, like many earbuds in this price range, they don't have the best build quality, and the cables feel very thin. Also, they don't have a noise isolation feature, so they can't really block out bass-heavy background noises like plane or bus engines. Fortunately, they can passively isolate against higher-frequency noises, like the sound of coworkers chatting nearby.
If you're looking for cheap wireless earbuds that pack extra thump and punch in the bass range, consider the Skullcandy Jib instead. While their continuous battery life isn't as long as the Sony WI-C310 Wireless, these headphones still offer a fairly versatile overall performance at a low price. They're decently comfortable, and they're very easy to bring with you on-the-go. Their bass-heavy sound profile is suitable for fans of bass-heavy music like hip-hop and EDM, though it may be overwhelming for listeners who prefer a more neutral sound. Like the Sony, they don't leak a lot of noise, either. However, they don't have the best build quality, and their 5.8-hour continuous battery life is disappointing.
If you want cheap wireless earbuds with longer battery life and a more neutral sound, check out the Sony. However, if you prefer a bass-heavy sound, consider the Skullcandy instead.
The best budget wireless earbuds under $50 that we've tested are the FIIL T1X. These truly wireless in-ears are small, comfortable to wear, and quite well built considering their relatively affordable price, with a sturdy plastic enclosure and an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, though we don't currently test for that. Despite their lack of stability fins, they should stay firmly in place, even during intense workouts, and their near-seven-hour continuous battery life is probably enough to last you throughout most of your day.
Out-of-the-box, they have a fairly well-balanced sound profile, though with an added touch of bass that emphasizes the thump and rumble of genres like EDM or hip-hop without overwhelming more delicate vocals or lead instruments. Still, if that's not to your liking, they have a companion app with 15 different EQ presets. They block out a decent amount of ambient noise, though they struggle slightly with low-end background noise like the rumble of a bus engine.
Unfortunately, these in-ears have somewhat high Bluetooth latency on PCs and some mobile Android devices, which could be annoying if you were planning on streaming videos while wearing them. Their integrated mic also makes your voice sound unnatural and distorted. Otherwise, if you're looking for comfortable, relatively affordable in-ears with a customizable sound profile, these are a good option.
If you're looking for truly wireless headphones that do a better job of blocking out ambient noise, consider the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94. Unlike the FIIL T1X True Wireless, these in-ears don't have any sound customization options and have a less stable, comfortable fit, but they're equipped with an ANC feature that enables them to block out ambient noise to an amazing degree. They also have noticeably lower latency on mobile Android and iOS devices, which is great for streaming videos, and their mic delivers superior recording quality, making your voice sound relatively natural and mostly distortion-free. These headphones have a somewhat bass-heavy, boomy sound profile that might please fans of EDM or hip-hop but can also muddy and clutter vocals and lead instruments. Their sub-four-hour continuous battery life also isn't particularly impressive, though they do have an auto-off timer to help conserve charge when not in use, and their case supplies roughly three additional charges.
Consider the FIIL if you want a more personalized listening experience and a comfier, more secure in-ear fit, but take a look at the TaoTronics if you prioritize superior noise isolation capability and lower Bluetooth latency.
The best budget wireless earbuds under $100 that we've tested are the Creative Outlier Air V2. These truly wireless in-ears are comfortable enough to wear for fairly extended periods of time and have a relatively sturdy plastic construction. They offer over 10 hours of continuous playback time, which is quite impressive for a pair of truly wireless headphones. Since they have a charging case that supplies about two additional charges, you shouldn't have to worry about running out of battery too often.
They have a fairly bass-heavy sound profile that emphasizes the thump and rumble of EDM and hip-hop music, though this can also clutter vocals and lead instruments. Thankfully, their companion app features a couple of different audio presets to choose from as well as a graphic EQ to let you customize your listening experience in greater detail. Their proprietary Super X-FI surround feature uses head-mapping technology to tailor their audio reproduction to the shape of your face and ears, though we don't currently test this function.
Unfortunately, these in-ears have fairly high audio latency on PC, even when using the aptX codec. Thankfully, they perform significantly better when connected to mobile iOS and Android devices. Overall, thanks to their wide feature-set and relatively affordable price, these in-ears are among the best budget wireless headphones that we've tested.
If you're looking for wireless earbuds that are better-suited for sports and fitness, you may want to consider the Mpow X3. They don't have any sound customization features like the Creative Outlier Air V2 True Wireless, but they have a more stable fit as well as a fairly impressive IPX8 rating for water resistance, though we don't currently test for that. While they have an ANC feature, it isn't especially effective, and they let in more ambient noise than the passively-isolating Creative. However, this could be a favorable trait if you like to run outside while wearing these headphones and want to stay aware of your surroundings. Their sound profile is quite well-balanced, making them a good fit for whatever kind of content you like to listen to while you're on the move, whether that be EDM music or an audiobook. Unfortunately, their continuous battery life of just under five and a half hours is significantly less than that of the Creative, and their audio latency across all devices is much higher, which can be annoying while streaming videos.
Consider the Creative if you want a wider feature-set and superior noise isolation performance, but take a look at the Mpow if you want in-ear headphones that can better-cope with frequent workout sessions.
Feb 19, 2021: Substantial article rework. Replaced Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019 with FIIL T1X True Wireless due to current availability. Renamed 'Truly Wireless Alternative' category to 'Noise Cancelling Alternative'; replaced corresponding Creative Outlier Air V2 True Wireless pick with TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94 Truly Wireless due to current pricing. Replaced Jabra Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless with Creative Outlier Air V2 True Wireless due to better category suitability. Replaced Jaybird Tarah Wireless with Mpow X3 Truly Wireless due to better category suitability. Added Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019, Jabra Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless, and Jaybird Tarah Wireless to Notable Mentions.
Jan 22, 2021: Replaced the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 with the Jabra Elite Active 65t as 'Best Under $100' since they have a more balanced sound profile, better noise isolation, and better build quality. Replaced the FIIL T1X with the Creative Outlier Air V2 as the Creative have more customization options. Added both the FIIL T1X and the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 to Notable Mentions.
Dec 21, 2020: Removed the AUKEY Latitude Wireless from 'Notable Mentions' due to changing availability. Added the SoundPeats TrueFree 2 Wireless as a Notable Mention.
Nov 27, 2020: Minor updates to the text and verification for accuracy; no changes in product picks.
Oct 30, 2020: Replaced the Skullcandy Jib Wireless with the Sony WI-C310 Wireless as 'Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds'. Named the Skullcandy Jib Wireless as a 'Bass-Heavy Alt'. Removed the SoundPeats TrueFree/True Wireless as it seems they've been discontinued.
Oct 02, 2020: Replaced the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air Truly Wireless with the Mpow X3 Truly Wireless.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best cheap wireless earbuds to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
That said, there are no perfect headphones. If you'd like to make the choice yourself, below is the full list of wireless in-ears and earbuds headphones we've tested. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.