The 7 Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds - May 2019
Reviews

Whether you just got a phone that doesn’t have an audio jack or are simply looking to experience the freedom of Bluetooth audio, there are lots of cheap wireless earbuds out there for you to choose from. From super compact truly wireless earbuds to durable sports headphones that are designed to fit securely in place, you’re likely to find something that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

We’ve reviewed 107 pairs of earbuds and in-ears so far 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.

1. Best Budget Wireless Earbuds Under $25: Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless

   

   Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   6.8

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   6.9

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.0

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.9

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.9

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.5

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.3

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : In-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best cheap wireless earbuds under $25 that we’ve tested so far are the Anker SoundBuds Curve. While they sometimes hover slightly above $25, they’re often available for less. They’re more comfortable than most in-ear headphones we’ve tested and come with 6 tip options to help you find a perfect fit. Their flexible ear-hook design keeps them securely in place and they have a simple in-line remote that’s easy-to-use.

   These headphones have a bass-rich sound that brings out the thump and rumble of more bass-heavy genres like EDM while still being balanced enough in the mid and treble ranges to be suitable for more vocal-centric music too, like your favorite pop or rock tracks. They have a 13-hour battery life that’s on par with that of significantly more expensive headphones and even come with a nice hard carrying case.

   Although they have great stability and are good sports headphones overall, they’re not designed with water or sweat resistance. If you’re looking for a more durable design, the Anker SoundCore Spirit X Wireless are a bit more expensive but feel better-built and are advertised as sweatproof; however, we don’t yet have a test to vouch for waterproofing. All-in-all, the Anker SoundBuds Curve provide excellent value for their price and are very easy to recommend.

   See our review

2. Even Cheaper Alternative: Skullcandy Jib Wireless

   

   Skullcandy Jib Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for wireless earbuds that cost even less, take a look at the Skullcandy Jib. They’re not as comfortable as the Anker SoundBuds Curve and they feel a bit more cheaply made, but they’re generally available at a lower price. Like many Skullcandy products, their price varies based on color scheme, but it’s possible to find the Jib for quite a bit less than $25.

   These headphones have very powerful, punchy bass that fans of electronic music are sure to love, but they can also sound boomy and more vocal-centric music can feel a bit muddy or cluttered. While they’ll be decent for dubstep, they might not be ideal for classic rock. That said, if you’re a fan of their sound profile they’re alright for their price overall.

   See our review

3. Best Budget Wireless Earbuds Under $50: JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless

   

   JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   6.9

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.1

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.4

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.7

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.2

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.1

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   4.7

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : In-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for earbuds with a neutral sound profile, the best budget wireless earbuds under $50 are the JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless. They’re not as comfortable as the Anker SoundBuds Curve, but they feel like better-built headphones. They have a matte, rubberized finish that gives them a sporty look and have an IPX7 waterproofing rating.

   They have excellent audio reproduction for wireless in-ears. They have a very balanced, neutral sound that lends itself well to virtually all genres of music. Their in-ear fit also isolates very well. They passively block a fair bit of noise and have very low leakage, so you won’t bother those around you with the sound of your music, even if you like to listen loudly. They have a decent 9-hour battery life and a convenient auto-off feature that activates when the headphones aren’t in use to help save power.

   On the downside, they have very high latency, which means that you’re likely to notice a lag between what you see and what you hear while watching videos on your phone or playing mobile games. Their touch-sensitive control scheme can be a bit finicky too, which can be frustrating when you’re trying to change tracks while jogging. However, they are still very good sports headphones and one of the best cheap Bluetooth earbuds we've tested, especially for those who like the way they sound, and they are worth considering overall.

   See our review

4. Feature-Packed Alternative For Samsung: Samsung U Flex Wireless

   

   Samsung U Flex Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you use a Samsung device and are looking for customizable in-ears, then go for the Samsung U Flex. They may not sound as good as the JBL Endurance Sprint right out-of-the-box, but they’re compatible with the Level app on Samsung devices for you to customize your listening experience your way. They have a flexible neckband design, which is great if you like to keep your earbuds within arms' reach, and have a very good battery. They provide nearly 12 hours on a charge and can even be used while charging, which is quite uncommon for wireless in-ears.

   On the downside, their customization features are only available on Samsung devices. If you use an iPhone or an Android device made by another manufacturer, you won’t have access to the Samsung Level app to EQ the U Flex headphones. Their neckband design also makes them less portable than the more compact yet more universally customizable Jaybird Freedom. The Freedom, however, only have a 4-hour battery life. All-in-all, if you have a Samsung smartphone or tablet, the U Flex are a good choice.

   See our review

5. Truly Wireless Alternative: SoundPeats TrueFree/True Wireless

   

   SoundPeats TrueFree/True Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Truly Wireless

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for truly wireless earbuds, get the SoundPeats TrueFree. The Anker SoundBuds Curve may be more comfortable and have a longer battery life, but the SoundPeats have a more compact design and support Bluetooth 5.0.

   They have deep, powerful bass that’s sure to please fans of dubstep or hip-hop, but they lack a bit of detail in the treble range, so some may find their bass slightly overpowering. In addition, their charging case feels rather thin and doesn’t have a lid, exposing the earbuds to dust while charging. That said, their earbuds themselves feel surprisingly well-built, and although they only provide about 3 hours of continuous playback, their case holds up to 5 additional charges for around 15 total hours of battery life.

   See our review

6. Best Budget Wireless Earbuds Under $100: Anker SoundCore Liberty Air Truly Wireless

   

   Anker SoundCore Liberty Air Truly Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.1

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.3

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.5

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   8.1

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.4

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.6

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   4.6

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : In-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Truly Wireless
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If your budget goes up to $100 and you’re a fan of truly wireless in-ears, the best budget Bluetooth earbuds are the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air. They don’t have the same sporty, rubberized design of the JBL Endurance Sprint, but they have a more portable design and have a more comfortable in-ear fit. They come with a good hard charging case that easily fits in even the smallest pockets and provide great value all around.

   They have outstandingly accurate audio reproduction, especially for truly wireless in-ears, and provide a satisfactory listening experience overall. They’re well-suited for all kinds of music, along with audiobooks or podcasts too. They last for about 4 hours on a charge, which isn’t very much, but their charging case can provide up to 3 extra charges for around 16 hours of battery life in total if you take breaks to charge them in their case every now and then.

   Unfortunately, like most budget headphones, they aren’t compatible with a mobile app or EQ. They also have very bad Bluetooth latency and likely won’t be suitable for watching videos or playing games. However, they’re compatible with Bluetooth 5.0., so depending on your source you may experience different results. All things considered, the SoundCore Liberty Air are versatile truly wireless in-ears that are definitely worth taking a look at.

   See our review

7. Customizable Alternative For Sports: Jaybird Tarah Wireless

   

   Jaybird Tarah Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you like being able to customize the sound of your headphones and even have different sound profiles based on your usage, then get the Jaybird Tarah. They’re less compact than the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air and use a proprietary charger, which some may find a bit restrictive, but they’re compatible with the Jaybird MySound app for added customizability. The app features a great parametric EQ for you to fine-tune their sound however you want and allows you to save various presets for use at different times.

   Although they charge in under 2 hours, their 6-hour battery life isn’t very long, especially compared to the similarly priced yet non-customizable JBL Reflect Mini. Thankfully, they have an auto-off timer to help save power. They can also pair to 2 Bluetooth devices simultaneously, which is a nice feature at this price point. If you can afford them, the Jaybird Tarah Pro have a significantly improved battery, but they’re rather pricey. Overall, these are very good sports headphones, especially for those in search of great customizability.

   See our review