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I've tested the best cheap earbuds of 2026, and these are the ones under $100 worth buying
Oct 15, 2026 — 3:00 PM ET
You don’t need to spend more than $100 to get wireless earbuds with good sound, a useful app, and noise canceling that actually quiets a commute, and some of the best picks here cost less than $50. Our team runs every pair through the same lab tests for sound, noise canceling, and battery life, then wears them in daily life. We’ve tested more than 1,000 audio products in our lab. These are the earbuds under $100 that came out on top.
The best wireless earbuds under $100 overall: EarFun Air Pro 4+:
- Lots of features
- Bluetooth 6.0
- aptX Lossless
- Good app
- Mediocre noise canceling performance
The EarFun Air Pro 4+ pack in more current tech than any other earbuds on this list, at about half the price of big-name competitors. They run on Bluetooth 6.0, the newest version of the wireless standard, and support LDAC and aptX Lossless, higher-quality Bluetooth formats that compatible Android phones can use to stream music with more detail. Each earbud pairs a standard 10mm driver with a tiny second driver that handles high frequencies, which makes details like cymbals and guitar plucks easier to pick out. Out of the box, the sound closely follows our house curve, the target most listeners prefer, and the EarFun Audio app adds a 10-band EQ plus a short listening test that builds a sound profile for you.
The noise canceling has more modes than most earbuds at any price: one adjusts to how the earbuds sit in your ears, another to the noise around you, and a wind mode cuts the whooshing on a run or bike ride. They lasted 6 hours and 17 minutes per charge with noise canceling on in our testing, the case charges wirelessly, and an IP55 rating means sweat and rain won’t hurt them.
Every feature you'd expect from flagship earbuds, for half the price.
At about 5g each, they’re comfortable for hours, and the app adds a low-latency mode for games, a volume limiter, and a find-my-earbuds alarm. Multipoint keeps them connected to your phone and laptop at once, and EarFun says a 10-minute charge gets you about 3 hours of playback. The six microphones handle office and street noise well on calls, though wind gets through. Noise canceling is the one area where they’re only average: it cut outside noise by 80% in our testing, which is fine for a commute but behind our best noise canceling pick below.
Best noise canceling earbuds under $100: Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
- Price
- ANC
- Battery life
- LDAC, AAC, SBC codecs
- IPX4
- Fast pair
- Wireless charging
- Chunky case
- Many EQ presets are too bassy
If quieting your commute matters most, start with the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. In our testing, they reduce the loudness of outside noise by an average of 84% with ANC on, which is tied for the highest we’ve measured from earbuds under $100, and they handled traffic and the hum of public transit well. Adaptive mode automatically adjusts the strength to your surroundings, or you can choose from five manual levels, a transportation mode, and wind reduction for breezy days. Battery life is a strength, too: 9 hours and 53 minutes with noise canceling on.
Big-name noise canceling without the big-name price.
You also get LDAC for compatible Android phones, multipoint, a wireless charging case, and an IPX4 rating against sweat and splashes. The Soundcore app adds a fit test to help you pick the right ear tips and an 8-band custom EQ. The default sound puts a lot of extra emphasis on bass, enough that a busy bassline can drown out vocals, so try the Spoken Word preset, which our measurements show lines up closely with our house curve.
Best earbuds under $100 for features: Nothing Ear (3a)
- Customizability
- Advanced EQ
- Price
- Battery life
- Stock tuning
- Requires effort to dial in
The Nothing Ear (3a) has features you usually only find on flagship earbuds, or nowhere else. For instance, Audio Snapshot saves a short clip of whatever you’re listening to when you pinch both earbuds at once, and the earbuds can also record phone calls (recording requires a Nothing account). They connect over Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC, and the Nothing X app includes an 8-band parametric EQ, which lets you pick exactly which frequencies to raise or lower, and by how much.
Flagship tricks for $99. Just don't skip the EQ.
Noise canceling cut outside noise by 80.9% in our testing, plenty for a normal commute, and the microphones handled wind better than most $99 earbuds. The battery lasted about 10 hours per charge with noise canceling off in our testing, and Nothing estimates around 6 hours with it on. Pinch controls on the stems are easy to get right, and the IP54 rating covers sweat and rain. The catch is the stock sound, which heavily over-emphasizes bass, so expect to spend a few minutes in that EQ before they sound their best.
Best-sounding earbuds under $100: SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+
- xMEMS drivers that deliver great sound
- Lightweight and comfortable
- 10-band EQ
- No ear detection sensor
- No wireless charging
- Battery life
The SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+ scored 4.9 out of 5 in our MDAQS sound quality test, which predicts how a large panel of listeners would rate the sound, so most people will enjoy them without touching the EQ. They use xMEMS drivers: tiny speakers built on a silicon chip that flex when an electric current runs through them, rather than the coil-and-magnet design most earbuds use. Compared with our house curve, they add a little extra bass emphasis below 150Hz and slightly less around 500Hz, which can make some vocals a touch quieter, but the 10-band EQ makes that easy to adjust.
Chip-sized speakers, big-league sound.
Noise canceling is strong for the price, blocking up to 30dB of steady noise like fans and engines, though sudden clatters still get through. You also get LDAC, multipoint, and an IPX4 rating, and at 5g each, they’re easy to forget you’re wearing. Battery life is the weak spot: 3 hours and 53 minutes with noise canceling on in our testing, though SoundPEATS says the case holds more than six extra charges.
Best value earbuds under $100: CMF Buds 2 Plus
- Sound quality
- ANC
- Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC
- Price
- No Smart Dial
- No wireless charging
The CMF Buds 2 Plus deliver sound and noise canceling you’d expect from pricier earbuds, for around $50. They scored 4.8 out of 5 in our sound quality test and follow our house curve closely, with 5-7dB of extra bass emphasis that adds some weight without taking over. Noise canceling reduced outside noise by 83% in my testing and is especially good with higher-pitched sounds like office chatter.
These earbuds sound like they cost twice as much.
The Nothing X app’s Personal Sound feature runs a quick hearing test and tailors the sound to you, and LDAC is available for compatible Android phones. The battery lasted 10 hours and 22 minutes with noise canceling off, an IP55 rating covers workouts and rain, and Low Lag mode helps with games. The case doesn’t support wireless charging, and the app’s custom EQ only has three bands.
Best wireless earbuds under $50: ROSESELSA Ceramics Ultra
- Price
- Sound quality
- LDAC and LHDC
- ANC
- Features
- Comfort
- Mics struggle with noise rejection
The ROSESELSA Ceramics Ultra proves that good earbuds don’t have to cost much. They scored 4.9 out of 5 in our sound quality test, and their hybrid noise canceling, which uses microphones both outside and inside each earbud to detect noise, reduced outside noise by 76.6% in my testing. It’s especially effective on low sounds like traffic and air-conditioning hum.
Under $50 no longer means settling.
LDAC and LHDC, two higher-quality Bluetooth formats, give compatible Android phones a sound-quality boost, and you also get Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint, a 10-band EQ, and an IP54 rating. The battery lasted 10 hours and 11 minutes per charge in our standard battery test, and the memory foam tips make it easy to get a good seal. The nozzles sit deep in your ears, which I found uncomfortable after about an hour, and the microphones struggle outdoors.
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Honorable mentions
Sound 4.9 /5ANC 7.8 /10Per charge 12 h
Soundcore P41i ($79.99): A travel pick with a case that doubles as a 3,000mAh power bank, plus a pop-up stand that props your phone up for video. They lasted 10 hours and 37 minutes per charge in our standard battery test, and noise canceling cut outside noise by 78%. The case is bulky, and the default sound heavily over-emphasizes bass.
Sound 1.8 /5Per charge 10 h
CMF Clip Pro ($99): Open earbuds that clip around your ear, leaving your ear canal uncovered so you can hear your surroundings. The case’s Smart Dial works as a remote for volume and playback, and they lasted 9 hours in our testing with LDAC on. There’s no noise canceling and much less bass than in-ear models. For more options, see our list of the best clip-on earbuds.
Sound 4.7 /5ANC 7.6 /10Per charge 12 h
Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 (list price $129.99, often $79.99): The Liberty 5 bring LDAC, wireless charging, and comfortable pinch controls. Noise canceling reduced outside noise by 76% in our testing, and they lasted 7 hours and 8 minutes with it on. Expect extra emphasis on bass and treble out of the box.
Sound 4.5 /5ANC 8.1 /10Per charge 10 h
From owners1 owner review · 0 of 1 would buy again · owners report ~5 h per charge vs 10 h claimed
“Really impressive but battery gave up after 1 year of use. It shows that each one is fully charged but after taking out from case it was around 15%. Return to the seller and get my money back. Best part is the case with button/dial that was game changer for me.”
Fit and comfort over hours betterBattery in real life worseMic on calls worseBuds and case after months better
CMF Buds Pro 2 ($49): If you take a lot of calls, these six-microphone earbuds kept voices clear on busy streets and in wind in our testing. Noise canceling cut outside noise by 81%, and the case has the Smart Dial for volume and playback. The default sound is very bass-heavy.
Sound 3.5 /5ANC 8.3 /10Per charge 7.5 h
SOUNDPEATS Air5 Pro ($79.99): A strong pick for Android owners, with LDAC, aptX Lossless, and noise canceling that cut outside noise by 83% in our testing. Battery is short at 3 hours and 54 minutes with noise canceling on, and the default sound needs EQ.
JLab JBuds Mini ($39.99): Some of the smallest earbuds we’ve tested, with a case that clips to your keychain. They’re IP55 rated, lasted 5 hours and 52 minutes in our testing, and the app has a 10-band EQ and a find-my-earbuds feature. They don’t have noise canceling.
Sound 4.2 /5ANC 7.1 /10Per charge 4.3 h
Moondrop Space Travel 2 ($29.99): Noise canceling for under $30, cutting outside noise by 71% in our testing, plus a flexible EQ in the Moondrop app. Battery is short at 4 hours and 20 minutes with noise canceling on, the sound is compressed out of the box, and the case has no lid.
What to look for in good wireless earbuds under $100
Cheap earbuds have come a long way. Noise canceling, a companion app with an EQ, and a full day of battery life are now normal under $100. What you still have to give up depends on the pair: one might have great noise canceling and weak microphones, another great sound and short battery life.
At this price, you're choosing which compromise you can live with, not whether you'll make one.
Start with how you’ll use them. Commuters should prioritize noise canceling and battery life, people who take lots of calls should check microphone tests, and runners should look at fit and water resistance. Here’s what matters most:
- Noise canceling: Uses microphones to detect outside noise and play sound that cancels it out. It works best on steady, low sounds like engines and air conditioning, less well on sudden noises like clattering dishes.
- Fit and ear tips: A good seal blocks outside noise and keeps bass from sounding thin. Look for several ear tip sizes, and try each one.
- Sound and EQ: Many cheap earbuds pile on bass. An app with an EQ lets you fix that, and more bands mean finer control.
- Battery life: Look at hours per charge with noise canceling on, not just the total with the case. Six hours or more covers most days.
- Bluetooth formats (codecs): iPhones use AAC. LDAC and aptX can stream more detail, but only to compatible Android phones.
- Multipoint: Lets you stay connected to two devices, like a phone and a laptop, and switch between them without re-pairing.
- Water resistance: Check the IP rating. The second number covers water: 4 handles sweat and splashes, 5 handles light rain.
- Microphones: Nearly every pair sounds fine in a quiet room. Check how they handle street noise and wind if you take calls outdoors.
- In-ear or open: In-ear earbuds seal your ear and block noise. Open earbuds leave your ears uncovered, so you stay aware of your surroundings.
- Wireless charging: Convenient if you already own a charging pad, but rare under $100.
Why you should trust me
I’m the Managing Editor at SoundGuys, and I’ve reviewed many of the earbuds on this list myself, including the ROSESELSA Ceramics Ultra, Soundcore P41i, and nearly all the CMF Buds. I wear every pair I test on commutes, on flights, and at the gym, because that’s where cheap earbuds show their weak spots. For me, a pair under $100 has to pass three tests: the noise canceling has to quiet a bus ride, the battery has to last a full day of listening, and the sound has to be enjoyable out of the box or easy to fix with the EQ.
If it can't quiet my bus ride, it doesn't make this list.
My experience is backed by our lab. At SoundGuys, we measure frequency response, noise canceling, isolation, and battery life using a Brüel & Kjær 5128, a test head with an anatomically realistic ear canal and outer ear, so our numbers reflect how earbuds behave on a real person. MDAQS predicts how a large panel of listeners would rate the sound, and our battery test plays music at a safe, realistic volume until the earbuds die, so results compare fairly across brands. Our team confers on the best products in each category before we publish, and we update this list as new and worthy earbuds come out.
What do you look for in wireless earbuds under $100?
Nobody at SoundGuys sells products or has a personal financial stake in what you buy, and our staff adheres to a strict ethics policy. When we get something wrong, we correct it and own up to it.
Frequently asked questions about wireless earbuds under $100
The less outside noise your music has to compete with, the lower you can keep the volume and still hear it clearly. Keeping the volume at a safe level gives you a much better chance of avoiding noise-induced hearing loss. Some people also use noise canceling earbuds to focus by muting the distractions of a noisy office or coffee shop.
Spotify streams the same way no matter which earbuds you use, but better earbuds will make any streaming service sound better. iPhones use the AAC Bluetooth format, which works well and keeps your music sounding good. Higher-quality formats like LDAC only work with compatible Android phones, so on an iPhone, LDAC picks like the CMF Buds 2 Plus and ROSESELSA Ceramics Ultra fall back to a standard format (AAC, in the Buds 2 Plus’s case). If you have an iPhone, choose based on sound tuning, noise canceling, and battery life instead. Our best-sounding pick, the SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro+, supports AAC.
Yes. Cheap earbuds aren’t necessarily bad, and for most people, spending around $100 or less gets you good sound and even features like noise canceling. You’ll usually give up something, such as wireless charging or strong microphones, so check which tradeoffs each pick makes.
Running out of battery at the wrong moment is annoying, but there’s a bigger reason. Earbud batteries can only go through a limited number of charge cycles before they start to wear out, and they’re very difficult or impossible to replace. The longer your earbuds last per charge, the fewer cycles you use, and the longer the earbuds will last overall.
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