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 typically, the term 'in-ears' refers to headphones that go deeper in the ear canal and 'earbuds' simply sit in your ear, these terms are often used interchangeably, so we'll include both in this article.
We've tested over 340 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.
Quick Look
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
TypeIn-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessTruly WirelessTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingNoSee all our test resultsMicYesThe best earbuds under $50 we've tested are the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. These budget-friendly earbuds offer solid performance with a balanced default sound profile, especially compared to 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.
They don't have active noise cancelling (ANC) but 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 from your ears can cause a plunger-like effect due to the suction created by their deep in-ear fit.
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Best Cheap Earbuds Under $50
TypeIn-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessTruly WirelessTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingNoSee all our test resultsMicYesIf you're looking for a cheaper option, check out the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless, which are among the best cheap earbuds we've tested. They have a simpler design than the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless, with no companion app or EQ for sound customization. However, they have a versatile sound profile, with clear and present instruments and vocals and some extra rumble and punch in the bass range. Fortunately, unlike most cheap earbuds, they have a few sound presets you can cycle through using the onboard controls.
The JLab have decent passive noise isolation performance, so they can help reduce noise from background conversations. They also offer a decently comfortable fit, a solid build, and a fairly long continuous battery life of roughly nine hours. Their case holds about three extra charges and has a built-in charging cable, which means you won't forget the cable at home, but you'll have to replace the earbuds if it breaks. For more control in sculpting the sound of your buds, check out the Anker Soundcore P25i for an app with EQ. However, the Anker don't block out noise as effectively as the JLab.
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Best Earbuds For Workouts Under $50
TypeIn-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessYesTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingNoSee all our test resultsMicYesThe 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 ANC Earbuds Under $50
TypeIn-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessTruly WirelessTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingYesSee all our test resultsMicYesThe Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless are the best ANC earbuds under $50. There aren't many noise cancelling earbuds out there for less than $50, but don't let their price fool you: these offer seriously impressive noise isolation. 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.
Looking beyond ANC, 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 surprising gamut of premium features and 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 8 hours.
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Best-Sounding Earbuds Under $50
TypeIn-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessTruly WirelessTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingNoSee all our test resultsMicYesMany of the picks here have a bass-rich sound profile, but you might prefer a more balanced sound for vocal-centric content or if you listen to a wide variety of genres. The Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless are the best earbuds under $50 for a neutral sound that we've tested. Although the manufacturer has developed a reputation for releasing bass-centric earbuds, these buds have a more balanced sound profile than the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless, and you might prefer them if you listen to podcasts or genres like classical. There are even built-in EQ presets to help you get the best out of your buds, including 'Podcast,' 'Music,' and 'Bass Boost,' the latter of which injects some serious thump and punch into your audio.
These earbuds even support Bluetooth multi-device pairing, a more premium feature that's nice to have in budget buds. This can be a blessing if you want to stay connected to both your phone and your computer while working at the office. Meanwhile, their eight-hour battery life can get you through a workday, though you might need to top them up in their case if you have a longer commute. Like most earbuds recommended here, they don't have an ANC system, and their ear tips don't do much to passively isolate you from ambient noise.
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Best Wired Earbuds Under $50
TypeIn-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessNoTransducerBalanced ArmatureNoise CancellingNoSee all our test resultsMicNoIf you prefer a wired design, look at the KZ ZSN. 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 braided audio cable if it gets damaged. The earbuds also have a metallic-finish backplate, making them feel durable and dense. Additionally, the KZ now have a readily available variant that swaps in an in-line mic cable.
Their warm sound profile delivers extra boom to mixes, which is good for genres like rock and jazz that can benefit from extra bass. However, they don't have an EQ or presets to adjust their sound. They don't have 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. While they come with four different pairs of ear tips, the overall bud shape is a bit bulky and may not fit well if you have small ears.
Notable Mentions
- Skullcandy Smokin' Buds/Buds XT True Wireless: The Skullcandy Smokin' Buds/Buds XT True Wireless are cheap Bluetooth earbuds. They have a stable fit and a bass-rich sound profile with a few onboard EQ presets for sound customization. However, they aren't as well-built as the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless and have a shorter continuous battery life. See our review
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Samsung AKG Type-C:
If you like wired earbuds, the Samsung AKG Type-C are a good alternative to the KZ ZSN if your phone only has a USΒ-C port. They're more comfortable but not as well constructed as the KZ.
See our review -
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO:
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are wired audiophile IEMs. They feature an exciting sound profile that closely resembles the Harman 2019 IEM target curve. While they're more comfortable than the KZ ZSN and have a more consistent audio delivery, they're not as well-built and will cost you over double the price.
See our review
Recent Updates
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.
Sep 24, 2024: We brought some of the text into line with our Test Bench 1.8 update but made no changes to our picks.
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.