If you take your headphones everywhere, you may find over-ears too large and bulky. In-ears and earbuds are great alternatives that are often very portable, and you can easily toss them into a pocket or bag. While some of the most popular in-ears can be extremely expensive, you don't have to spend a ton to get a good pair for everyday use. While the term 'in-ears' often refers to headphones that go deeper in the ear canal and 'earbuds' those that simply sit in your ear, these terms are also used interchangeably, so we'll include both in this article.
We've tested over 350 pairs of earbuds and in-ear headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best options for under $50. Check out our picks for the best in-ear headphones, the best cheap earbuds, the best headphones under $50, and the best wireless earbuds under $50.
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Best Earbuds Under $50
Travel7.8Office Work7.2Sports And Fitness7.6Noise Isolation - Full Range8.9Recording Quality4.3Noise Handling7.0See all our test resultsSound SignatureWarmThe Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless are the best earbuds under $50. It's true that sometimes they're a little more than $50, but if you wait a short while, the price should dip again. And don't let their price fool you: these are among the best value noise cancelling earbuds available today. Their adaptive ANC system does a great job blocking out everything from the rumble of plane engines to the hum of A/C units and office chatter, to a degree that belies their low price point. With ANC enabled, they can last up to eight hours, which is enough to get you through a workday without distractions.
They feature a warm sound profile that boosts bass frequencies, like kick drums and basslines, but you can always tailor this with the in-app EQ and presets. Plus, they're well-built and comfortable enough to stay in your ears throughout long travel days. They're let down by the built-in mic's recording quality, which can cause your voice to sound a little distant during calls. If you're looking for ANC earbuds with a better mic, consider the CMF Buds Pro 2. While they normally sit above $50, the CMF can dip below the threshold when on sale. If you manage to snag them at a discount, your vigilance will be rewarded with on-par noise isolation, an app that supports virtual surround and comes with a graphic EQ, and multi-point pairing with two devices. Even though their case comes with three extra charges, the CMF's continuous battery life is a bit anemic at 6.5 hours compared to the Anker's eight hours.
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Best Cheap Earbuds Under $50
Travel6.8Office Work6.5Sports And Fitness7.6Noise Isolation - Full Range5.3Recording Quality7.4Noise Handling5.6See all our test resultsSound SignatureWarmIf you don't need ANC or just want to keep expenditure as low as possible while still getting earbuds that perform well, check out the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. These budget-friendly earbuds offer solid performance with a more balanced default sound profile than competitors like the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless. Their sound makes them a great pick if you listen to a wide variety of genres, with instruments and vocals rendered clear and detailed without ever being honky or boxy. You can also tweak their sound to your liking through the JBL headphones app, with both a graphic EQ and presets at your disposal. They're well-built, and their eight-hour battery life is enough to get you through long voyages without needing a top-up from their charging case.
Unlike the Anker, they don't have active noise cancelling (ANC), but they still manage to do a decent job passively isolating you from ambient sound like background chit-chat. Their IP54 rating for dust and water resistance also comes in handy if you get caught in the rain while jogging around the park. However, they aren't the most comfortable option for everyone, and taking them out of your ears can cause a plunger-like effect due to the suction created by their deep in-ear fit.
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Best Earbuds For Workouts Under $50
Commute/Travel7.7Office7.0Sports/Fitness8.1Noise Isolation7.1Recording Quality6.1See all our test resultsNoise Handling5.0The best earbuds for workouts under $50 are the Beats Flex Wireless. These comfortable, well-built earbuds have a much more stable fit than our top pick and won't slip out of your ears during workouts. They're wireless but have a flexible cable connecting the buds, so you can wear them around your neck when you're not using them. Their bass-heavy sound profile delivers extra thump and rumble, which is great if you like to listen to genres like EDM and hip-hop to keep yourself pumped up. However, these straightforward buds don't offer sound customization features like an EQ, unlike the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless.
They last for around 11 hours of continuous use, which can get you through a few long workouts before recharging. Their in-line controls allow you to intuitively change the track or turn up the volume mid-workout, and you can enable an auto-pause feature that stops your audio when you remove the earbuds. Additionally, their W1 chip makes pairing with iOS devices easier.
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Best Wired Earbuds Under $50
Travel6.8Office Work4.9Sports And Fitness6.8Noise Isolation - Full Range6.4Recording Quality0.0Noise Handling0.0See all our test resultsSound SignatureV-ShapedIf you prefer a wired design, check out the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO. Unlike other picks on this list, these buds are in-ear monitors (IEMs), so they have a simple design that prioritizes sound and lacks all other features. You can easily replace their sturdy and detachable braided audio cable if it gets damaged. The bodies of each earbud also feel well-built, and they come with both foam and silicone ear tips, but the included foam ear tips can tear easily. These IEMs don't come with a mic in their cable, unlike more expensive options such as the MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK. But you can find third-party 2-pin cables with integrated microphones online.
Their slightly V-shaped sound profile delivers extra boom to mixes, which is great for fans of genres like techno and hip-hop. And there's still plenty of clarity and sizzle in the treble, so voices and instruments sound detailed and present. However, as standard wired IEMs, they don't have an EQ or presets to adjust their sound. They also lack ANC, and they passively isolate you from even less noise than the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless, so they may not be the best choice if you want to listen to audio in uncontrolled environments like on a bus.
Notable Mentions
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JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless:
The JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are even cheaper than the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless, making them a great pick for bargain hunters. But unlike the JBL, they don't come with a companion app that lets you tweak their sound.
See our review -
Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless:
Unlike the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless, the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to your phone and laptop at the same time. That said, the JBL have a better mic and come with a companion app that lets you dial in your preferred sound.
See our review
Recent Updates
Feb 20, 2026:
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless are our new top pick because they can often be found for under $50 and offer amazing ANC at an affordable price. The JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are now our cheap pick, while the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO replace the KZ ZSN, which are hard to find online. To help streamline purchasing decisions for our readers, we also moved the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless and Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless to our Notable Mentions, replacing the Skullcandy Smokin' Buds/Buds XT True Wireless and Samsung AKG Type-C.
Oct 21, 2025:
We've updated this article, adding the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless as the ANC pick due to a sustained price drop. We've also made minor changes throughout the article.
Apr 14, 2025:
We've removed the Logitech G333 from our Notable Mentions due to their limited availability at most online retailers and added the CMF Buds Pro 2 as a comparison in the 'Best ANC Under $50' category for their versatile features.
Jan 14, 2025:
We've checked this article and have made no changes, as our picks remain up-to-date, and we haven't tested any products that are a good fit.
Sep 30, 2024: This article has been checked for accuracy, and the Anker Soundcore P25i/P20i True Wireless and Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless have been mentioned as alternatives in the text.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best wired and wireless earbuds under $50 for most people to buy. 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).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews for in-ears and earbuds under $50. Be careful not to get caught up in the details; there are no perfect headphones, and everyone perceives the comfort and sound of their headphones differently.