Not too long ago, if you wanted a pair of wireless Bluetooth earbuds, you'd have to spend a lot of money. Now that headphone jacks are becoming 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. Unsurprisingly, wireless headphones don't require wires to work, making them more portable and easier to toss into a pocket or bag.
We've tested over 290 pairs of Bluetooth earbuds and in-ear headphones, and below, you'll find our top picks for the best budget and cheap options. If you have a little more to spend, you'll also want to check out the best wireless earbuds, best wireless Bluetooth earbuds under $100, and the best wireless earbuds under $50. For over-ear options, try the best wireless Bluetooth headphones for under $100.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Budget Wireless Earbuds
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessSound SignatureWarmPeaks/DipsComfortBuild QualityStabilitySee all our test resultsContinuous Battery LifehrsThe Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless are the best budget earbuds we've tested. Their price tends to fluctuate either side of $50, and if they're a little pricier when you're shopping, waiting a week or two should see their price drop. Regardless of the price, they're well worth the outlay because they punch way above their weight in overall performance. These earbuds feature an excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) system that outperforms more expensive picks at blocking noise. They do an amazing job tackling everything from rumbly bus engines to squeaky office chairs. And with ANC on, they last just over eight hours, with four additional charges in the case.
These buds have a warm, relaxed sound that's balanced in the bass and mids, with a gentle roll-off in the treble. If that doesn't suit your taste, their sound is customizable through their app's graphic EQ or presets. They can also use Sony's LDAC codec for Hi-Res audio and support multi-device pairing. Unfortunately, they sacrifice microphone performance to offer premium features at this price point; their recording quality is poor, making your voice sound sibilant on calls, with an emphasis on S and T sounds. If you'd prefer a better mic or just need an ANC-enabled option under $50 right away, check out the TOZO NC9 Truly Wireless. Keep in mind you'll sacrifice some comfort, and the TOZO's 4.2-hour continuous battery life is just over half that of the Anker's.
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Best Cheap Wireless Earbuds
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessSound SignatureWarmPeaks/DipsComfortBuild QualityStabilitySee all our test resultsContinuous Battery LifehrsIf you don't need ANC and would prefer to keep costs down, the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are a great cheap option. These affordable buds have a warm but well-balanced default sound, and also come with a graphic EQ and presets in their companion app, so you can adjust their tuning. They also support Google Quick Pair for easy connection to your Android devices, and you can switch their connection between Audio Mode to improve audio quality and Video Mode to decrease latency. You'll still encounter some audio-video desync, even with Video Mode enabled. Unlike the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, they don't have an ANC system, so you'll hear lower-frequency noise like bus engines through the earbuds' passive attenuation.
They have a decently comfortable fit and are well-built. They're also certified IP54 for resistance against dust and direct water exposure. However, their carrying case lacks a lid. While the buds are kept in place by magnets when stowed in the case, some people may still find this design choice a little unusual. If you prefer more secure storage, check out the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless. They offer similar performance but have a stem design, and their carrying case has a lid. However, the Vibe Beam's fit isn't as comfortable or stable, and you get one fewer charge from the case.
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Even Cheaper Wireless Earbuds
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessSound SignatureBoosted BassPeaks/DipsComfortBuild QualityStabilitySee all our test resultsContinuous Battery LifehrsIf you're looking for the cheapest buds we're happy to recommend, check out the Anker Soundcore P25i. At this price point, you might expect to sacrifice build quality or performance, but these stem-design earbuds are just as well-built as the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless and more comfortable to boot. With roughly nine hours of continuous battery life, they'll easily get you through the day. They also come with a case that holds two extra charges.
These earbuds have a bass-rich sound with extra thump, punch, and warmth to please EDM and hip-hop fans. Plus, their companion app offers 22 presets to fine-tune the mix to your liking. However, you get less control over their sound than with the JBL, since they only feature EQ presets rather than a full graphic interface. The Anker also have a Game Mode feature, similar to the JBL's Video Mode, which reduces latency quite a bit. If you're not a fan of stems and want earbuds with a button-shaped design, check out the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless. They're a bit less comfortable, but their case carries an extra charge compared to the Anker.
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Best Budget Wireless Sports Earbuds
Commute/TravelOfficeSports/FitnessPeaks/DipsComfortBuild QualityStabilitySee all our test resultsContinuous Battery LifehrsIf you're looking for cheap buds to use while playing sports, consider the JLab Audio JBuds Air Truly Wireless. They have good build quality and an IP55 rating for protection against dust and water splashes, making them a great choice for outdoor runs. Their unique stability sleeve and lightweight build provide great stability for intense workouts like CrossFit or aerobics. However, that bulky sleeve can also make them feel a little uncomfortable at times. Their sound profile is extremely bass-heavy, giving hip-hop and EDM tracks lots of intense thump and rumble. That's fine for listening to workout techno playlists, but there's no app support, so you can't adjust the sound profile to match your preferences.
Unlike the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, these earbuds don't have active noise cancelling, but they still do a decent job of passively isolating you from the background noise of chatty joggers and squeaky treadmills; though they don't do much to keep out the rumble of heavy traffic or a passing bus. They only last three hours continuously, so you must charge them between each workout. Thankfully, their case has 10 additional charges, so you won't run out of extra power too quickly. If you want to stay aware of your surroundings while street cycling or jogging, consider the Anker Soundcore C30i. They're clip-on open earbuds, allowing you to easily stay aware of oncoming traffic. That said, you'll be sacrificing any semblance of isolation and much of their bass, which is to be expected from their design.
Notable Mentions
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CMF Buds Pro 2:
The CMF Buds Pro 2 are budget earbuds that offer ANC. While their isolation isn't quite as strong as that of the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, and their battery life is shorter, they do have a better-performing microphone than our pick.
See our review -
Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless:
Unlike the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless, the
Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless offer multi-device pairing, so you can keep them connected to your phone and laptop at the same time. However, the JBL are more comfortable and have a longer battery life.
See our review -
Skullcandy Sesh Evo True Wireless:
The Skullcandy Sesh Evo True Wireless are well-built and are rated IP55 for dust and water resistance, just like the JLab Audio JBuds Air Truly Wireless. The Skullcandy even have a slightly longer continuous battery life and an app with EQ presets. That said, they have a less stable fit.
See our review
Recent Updates
Mar 18, 2026:
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless are our new top pick for their strong all-around performance and amazing ANC. The JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are now our cheap pick, with the Anker Soundcore P25i an even cheaper option. We also removed our Best Sounding pick, so the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless are now a Notable Mention.
Nov 06, 2025:
We've made text changes to the article to reflect newer methodology results on the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless, and JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. That said, we haven't changed our picks.
May 02, 2025:
We've replaced the TOZO NC7 Truly Wireless in the Notable Mentions with a more widely available pick, the CMF Buds Pro 2.
Feb 03, 2025:
We've overhauled our picks to reflect price and stock changes and updated text throughout for clarity.
Nov 08, 2024:
We've checked our picks for accuracy and product availability, but our recommendations haven't changed.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best budget Bluetooth earbuds. We factor in the price (cheaper buds win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no earbuds that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
That said, there are no perfect earbuds. If you'd like to make the choice yourself, below is the full list of wireless in-ear and earbud headphones we've tested. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.