If you take your headphones everywhere, you may find over-ears too large and bulky. Earbuds and in-ears are much easier to toss into a pocket or bag, and you don't have to spend a ton to get a good pair for everyday use. That said, to keep costs under $50, you may need to make some trade-offs. So think about where you'll use them and whether noise isolation, a secure fit, or sound quality are your top priority. While 'in-ears' usually refers to headphones that seal the ear canal, 'earbuds' can include designs that sit in or just outside the ear, and the terms are often used interchangeably.
We've tested over 380 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 budget earbuds, the best budget and cheap headphones, and the best wireless earbuds under $50.
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 Earbuds Under $50
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Full RangeRecording QualityNoise HandlingSee all our test resultsSound SignatureWarmThe Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless are the best earbuds under $50, though their price can occasionally exceed our threshold. Don't let their price fool you, though: 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 it 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 make your voice 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. And even though their case comes with three extra charges, the CMF's continuous battery life is a bit shorter at 6.5 hours compared to the Anker's eight hours.
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Best Cheap Earbuds Under $50
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Full RangeRecording QualityNoise HandlingSee all our test resultsSound SignatureWarmIf you want to spend as little as possible without giving up useful features, check out the Anker Soundcore P31i. These budget-friendly earbuds stand out for their broad feature set, which includes adaptive ANC, multi-device pairing, and LDAC support. Such a strong feature set is uncommon at this price, but Anker are well-known for offering great bang for the buck. The ANC on offer is a step down from the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, but it still does a decent job cutting down noise from passing cars, plane engine rumble, and background chatter. The P31i are also very comfortable, with a lightweight fit that won't put much pressure on your ears over long listening sessions, and their battery lasts a little over seven hours with ANC on.
They have a warm sound profile that adds plenty of boom to bass lines in pop and techno, though the inconsistent mid-range and rolled-off treble can make voices sound simultaneously honky and dull. Fortunately, you can adjust their sound using the companion app's graphic EQ and presets. Their built-in mic also performs well for calls, keeping your voice understandable even in noisy places. That said, the construction of their ear tips feels somewhat cheap, and the buds can shift out of place a bit when you're talking or chewing. If you'd rather have a more balanced default sound out of the box and don't mind giving up ANC, the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are worth considering. However, the Anker are the better all-around choice.
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Best Earbuds For Workouts Under $50
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Full RangeRecording QualityNoise HandlingSee all our test resultsSound SignatureBoosted BassThe best earbuds for workouts under $50 are the JLab Audio GO Sport+. They're great value if you want inexpensive earbuds specifically for exercise, as their over-ear hooks give them a much more stable fit than the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, while still being comfortable enough for long workouts. Their bass-heavy sound profile delivers plenty of thump and rumble, which is great if you like to listen to genres like EDM and hip-hop to keep yourself pumped up while at the gym.
They last for 7.5 hours of continuous use, which can get you through a few long workouts before recharging. That said, their case has an integrated charging cable, which is a potential weak point in their design; if the cable breaks, you've no way to charge the case (and therefore the earbuds). Like most earbuds, they use touch controls, which can be finicky when you're moving around during an intense workout.
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Best Open-Fit Earbuds Under $50
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Full RangeRecording QualityNoise HandlingSee all our test resultsSound SignatureBrightIf you want a secure option for workouts like the JLab Audio GO Sport+ but prefer to hear what's happening around you, the EarFun OpenJump are the best open-fit earbuds under $50 we've tested. It's true they sometimes cost a little more than $50, but their overall performance warrants the slightly higher outlay since you're getting a stable, comfortable open-ear design with more than 10 hours of continuous battery life for close to $50. With open-fit earbuds, the drivers sit outside your ear canal so you can stay aware of traffic and conversations around you. Of course, that also means they don't block out outside noise, making them a poor choice for noisy commutes.
Their flexible ear hooks keep them stable even during intense exercise like burpees, and they're comfortable enough to wear for long periods. That said, their open design means they can't reproduce much bass, so they're better suited to spoken-word content like podcasts. Their accurate mid-range keeps hosts' voices sounding true to life. However, their one-size-fits-all shape won't suit everyone, and the ear hooks can interfere with some glasses.
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Best Wired Earbuds Under $50
TravelOffice WorkSports And FitnessNoise Isolation - Full RangeRecording QualityNoise HandlingSee 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 active features. They're usually a little more than $50, but they're well worth the slight extra, and you can sometimes find them on sale. The housing of each earbud feels well-built, and the buds come with both foam and silicone ear tips, though the included foam ear tips can tear easily. They also use a standard 2-pin connector for their cable, so it's easy to find a replacement. The stock cable doesn't come with a mic, unlike more expensive options such as the MOONDROP x Crinacle DUSK, but you can always purchase a third-party 2-pin cable with an integrated mic 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, unlike earbuds such as the Anker Soundcore P31i, these are passive wired IEMs. That means they don't have an EQ or presets to adjust their sound. They also lack ANC, 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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MOONDROP SPACE TRAVEL 2:
The MOONDROP SPACE TRAVEL 2 are cheap sound-focused earbuds in the same price category as the Anker Soundcore P31i. They sacrifice battery life and ANC performance relative to the Anker for more comprehensive sound customization options, including a parametric EQ and an EQ-to-target function.
See our review -
Anker Soundcore P25i:
The Anker Soundcore P25i are even cheaper Bluetooth earbuds than the Anker Soundcore P31i. That said, they don't isolate you from noise as well, and you're relegated to using EQ presets to customize their default bass-boosted sound.
See our review
Recent Updates
Sep 29, 2026:
We added a new pick to this article: the EarFun OpenJump are our new 'Best Open-Fit Earbuds Under $50.'
Aug 12, 2026:
We've replaced the Beats Flex Wireless with the cheaper JLab Audio GO Sport+ for our workout pick, thanks to their better stability.
Jun 01, 2026:
We've validated that our picks are still relevant and available at major retailers. The Notable Mentions have been overhauled with picks that have clearer trade-offs but still provide value for niche requirements like sound customization.
Apr 14, 2026:
The Anker Soundcore P31i replace the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless as our 'Best Cheap' pick because they support multi-device pairing and have better noise isolation. The JBL are an alternative for anyone who wants a more balanced default sound.
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.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we currently think are the best wired and wireless earbuds under $50 for most people. 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'd rather choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews of in-ears and earbuds under $50. Be careful not to get caught up in the details; there are no perfect headphones, and everyone perceives headphones' comfort and sound differently.
