Many people prefer the compact, portable design of earbuds, but there are few things more frustrating than pulling a tangled mess out of your pockets when you're running out the door. Wireless Bluetooth earbuds solve this issue but can be expensive. Fortunately, you don't have to break the bank to get something decent. There are plenty of solid options under $50, even for those who care about sound quality or like having lots of customization options.
We’ve tested over 170 earbuds and in-ear headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds under $50 to purchase. Also, check out our recommendations for the best wireless earbuds, the best earbuds under $50, and the best sounding wireless earbuds.
The best wireless earbuds under $50 we've tested are the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019. These inexpensive Bluetooth in-ears provide an excellent price-to-performance ratio and are quite impressive given their low price point. They don't enter the ear canal as deeply as most in-ears, making them quite comfortable for extended periods, and their 18.4-hour battery life is the longest we've ever tested from Bluetooth earbuds.
They provide a good amount of extra thump and rumble but are still well-balanced enough for most genres and content. They're a good option to take with you to the gym thanks to their ear-hook design and IPX7 rating for sweat and water resistance, though this isn't something we test for.
Unfortunately, while the earbuds themselves feel quite well-built and durable, the cable connecting the left and right buds is quite thin. They also don't have a dedicated companion app for any customization options or EQ changes, though this is to be expected considering their low price. Overall, these are surprisingly decent for their price and are among the best headphones we've tested.
If you prefer the cable-free design that comes with a pair of truly wireless headphones, consider the FIIL T1X. They have a shorter continuous battery life than the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019 and inferior overall microphone performance, but they're even easier to carry around and feel better-built. Unlike the Anker, they also have a companion app that allows you to cycle through 15 different EQ presets, though their out-of-the-box sound profile is quite well-balanced, making them a good fit for a variety of genres. They also block out a decent amount of background noise and leak very little audio. While their continuous battery life is just under seven hours, their carrying case supplies enough charge for a total of 27 hours of continuous playback time, which should easily get you through a couple of days.
Get the Anker if you want longer continuous battery life and better mic performance, but consider the FIIL if you want more portable headphones with some customization features.
The best wireless earbuds under $50 for neutral sound we've tested are the JBL Endurance Sprint. These wireless in-ears deliver a hint of extra bass that emphasizes the thump and rumble in your favorite EDM and hip hop tracks, but without adding any boominess or muddying vocals or lead instruments. In other words, they're a good match for a wide mix of musical genres and audio content.
Thanks to their stable ear-hook design and decently sturdy construction, they're well-suited for taking out on a run or out to the gym. Despite their somewhat bulky earbuds, it's still quite easy to store them in a bag or your pants pocket. While their nine-hour battery life is only fair, it should still be more than enough to last you throughout a day at work. They leak very little audio and do a great job of filtering out background noise, so you can stay focused on what you're listening to.
Unfortunately, their unusual twist-to-lock wear procedure can take some time to get used to, and may not be comfortable for all listeners. Also, their touch-sensitive control scheme can be frustratingly inconsistent when it comes to registering commands. Still, due to their well-balanced, versatile sound profile, these earbuds are among the best-sounding wireless earbuds we've tested.
If you're looking for wireless earbuds with a simpler design that don't skimp on sound quality, then get the Sony WI-C310. They can sound a touch cluttered compared to the JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless, but they have an in-line remote with physical buttons that are much easier-to-use when you're on-the-go. While they don't have any power-saving features, they have a 17-hour battery life, so even if you forget to turn them off at the end of the day, they should still have a bit of battery power left in the morning. They feel rather cheaply made, though, and Sony states they're not waterproof.
Get the JBL if you're very sensitive to a cluttered or boomy sound, or prefer something more durable for working out. However, if you prefer a simpler design and better battery life, go for the Sony.
The best wireless earbuds under $50 with customization features that we've tested are the Jaybird Tarah. These breathable in-ears have a very stable fit, making them ideal to use while working out or playing sports. Overall, they offer a lot of features and a satisfactory sound reproduction for their price point.
They have a decently neutral sound reproduction, and the overemphasis in the high-bass adds a slight muddiness to the sound that may appeal to fans of bass-heavy genres. Thanks to the MySound app, you can easily adjust the sound profile to your liking using the parametric EQ and presets. You can even connect with other Jaybird listeners to share and access other custom sound profiles.
Unfortunately, like most in-ears, their fit may not be comfortable for everyone. Also, their in-line controls aren't the easiest to use. That said, with their companion app and customization options, these in-ears stand out compared to other budget options.
If you're looking for a customizable listening experience in a truly wireless package, consider the Creative Outlier Air V2. These truly wireless in-ears aren't as stable in the ear as the Jaybird Tarah Wireless, but they have a longer continuous battery life of over 10 hours and offer a similarly wide range of customization features. Their companion app features audio presets, a graphic EQ, and functionality related to their proprietary Super X-FI virtual soundstage feature, which uses head mapping to personally adjust their audio reproduction, though we don't currently test this feature. They also offer low latency on mobile iOS and Android devices, which is good if you want to watch movies or stream videos while wearing them, but unfortunately, unlike the Jaybird, they don't support multi-device pairing.
Get the Jaybird if you want in-ears with a more stable fit for workouts, but consider the Creative if you want longer continuous battery life and a more portable design.
1/15/2020: Replaced FIIL T1X True Wireless with Creative Outlier Air V2 True Wireless as 'Truly Wireless Alternative' to Jaybird Tarah Wireless due to category suitability. Replaced Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless with FIIL T1X True Wireless as 'Truly Wireless Alternative' to the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019. Added Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless, Boltune BT-BH024 Truly Wireless, and ENACFIRE E60 Truly Wireless to Notable Mentions. Removed SoundPeats TrueFree/True Wireless from Notable Mentions since they're discontinued.
10/13/2020: Removed Sony WI-SP600N Wireless from recommendations due to current pricing and availability. Added FIIL T1X Truly Wireless to recommendations. Slight changes to text for accuracy and clarity.
08/13/2020: Replaced the Jaybird Freedom F5 and the Samsung U Flex with the Jaybird Tarah Wireless and the Sony WI-SP600N respectively to reflect pricing changes. Replaced the Anker SoundCore Life P2 with the Anker SoundCore Life Dot 2 and added the AUKEY Latitude Wireless as a Notable Mention.
06/18/2020: Replaced the Skullcandy Sesh with the Anker SoundCore Life P2 due to current pricing.
02/17/2020: Changed Anker SoundBuds Curve for Upgraded 2019 model.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Bluetooth 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 is the list of all our reviews for wireless earbuds under $50. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.