The 5 Best Wireless Earbuds Under $50 - Spring 2024 Reviews

The best wireless earbuds under $50 we've tested are the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. These budget-friendly earbuds have a solid build quality and an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, so they can withstand a run in the rain or down a dusty path. They have a somewhat bass-heavy sound out of the box, but unlike many earbuds at this price point, they work with a companion app that has an EQ and presets for sound customization. Their eight-hour continuous battery life can also last through long days at work.

They don't have ANC and only do an okay job of passively isolating against ambient sound, so they're not a great fit for those who want to work without any distractions in the office. However, they're a good choice for soundtracking runs and workouts as they're decently comfortable, and once you achieve a stable fit, they'll stay in your ears for all but the most intense workouts.

If you're after budget buds that don't skimp on sound quality, the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless are the best choice for under $50. These wireless in-ears have a sleek, lightweight design and decent build quality. While their deep in-ear fit won't be for everyone, these buds can provide a reasonable amount of passive noise isolation once you achieve a stable fit. Their default sound profile is well-balanced, with an accurate bass response, detailed mids, and bright highs, but you can choose between three EQ presets if this isn't to your liking.

Their eight hours of continuous battery life is enough to get you through lengthy commutes and long days at the office without needing to recharge via the case. These buds also have Bluetooth multi-device connectivity, a premium feature that helps set them apart from other budget in-ears. Unfortunately, they don't have any kind of companion app compatibility, so there are no sound customization options beyond built-in EQ presets.

The JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are a solid choice if you're looking for buds to take to the gym. These buds are certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes, and they have a stable, decently comfortable fit that will stay in place during runs and most workouts. Their bassy sound adds thump, rumble, and boom to mixes to help keep you pumped up during difficult reps. That said, if the default sound profile isn't to your liking, there's a total of three EQ presets that you can cycle between.

Although they lack active noise cancelling (ANC) features, they can still block out a decent amount of ambient chatter around you. But be aware that they won't block out bass-range noises, like engine rumble, quite as well as ANC-equipped in-ears like our next pick, the TOZO NC7 Truly Wireless. Fortunately, they have minimal audio leakage, so if you like to listen to your music on blast, others around you are unlikely to hear it. Their battery lasts a little over nine hours on one charge, so you can get a few gym sessions in before needing to recharge.

You'll have a tough time finding noise cancelling equipped buds below $50, but the TOZO NC7 Truly Wireless deliver impressive ANC—something you won't find on the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. However, these buds limit you to having ANC on or in ambient mode at all times, with no standard listening mode. Compared with our top pick, to get the noise cancelling with these earbuds, you miss out on an app to customize their sound and a longer overall battery life (including the case) with auto-timers to shut them off. Unlike the top pick, they also have no dustproofing, but they have greater water resistance and a charging case with a lid.

Their ANC system reduces bus engine rumbles effectively, although it's less powerful at filtering mid-range noise like car traffic. With a choice of six sets of ear tips to find your fit, the buds block high-pitched sounds like fans well, but the silicone quality is a weak point. Their sound profile is an excited V-shape that exaggerates bassy thumps of kick drums in hip-hop music with a very bright treble response, which makes cymbals piercing. Vocals and lead instruments get pushed to the back of the mix due to their recessed upper mids. Unlike some of the other picks, you'll have to contend with a single frequency response, which is fine if you want to block out noise more than you want the balanced sound of the passive isolating Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless, for instance.

Are you an Apple fan and looking for a deal? The Beats Flex Wireless are a solid pick for iPhone users, thanks to their W1 chip, which allows you to seamlessly pair them with your phone and other devices in your Apple ecosystem. They offer low latency on iOS devices, making them a solid choice for streaming video. Since they're Beats headphones, you can expect them to come in various colors and special collab schemes to match your style.

Unlike the previous picks, they have a neck cable design, so you can hang the earbuds around your neck when you're not using them. They're well-built and have a comfortable and stable in-ear fit. Their bass-rich sound profile delivers extra thump, punch, and boom to music, although they don't have any sound customization features to help you adjust their sound. They also lack noise cancelling, though they still do a decent job blocking background noise like ambient chatter. They also last 11 hours continuously.