Buy Cheap Earbuds [REPACK]
The best budget wireless earbuds are fantastic value for money. Many of these earbuds boast great features, good sound and nice-looking designs that can even rival some of the highest-performing earbuds you can buy today.
buy cheap earbuds
There are fantastic options to choose from made by big audio tech names, like Audio-Technica, Cambridge Audio, and Sony. But there are also earbuds from new tech brands that are breaking into the space. We've tested to make sure all of them really sound fantastic for the price.
These cubist, cool, refreshingly different Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW earbuds are clear proof that Audio-Technica is doing well right now. 60 years of hi-fi heritage is not to be sniffed at (yes, predominantly in analog audio rather than these little things, but what of it?) and Audio-Technica has earned the right to go its own way.
Let's cut to the chase. What's thrilling about the JLab Go Air Pop is that since February 2022 it has been possible to buy this new set of known-brand true wireless earbuds for $20 / 20, a fee that even three years ago was unimaginable. And they're actually good.
Regular readers will know that TechRadar penned initial thoughts about the remarkably affordable new JLab Go Air Pop soon after their release, but even then, we weren't sure earbuds this budget-conscious could actually do a job. Well, we're sure now.
Its first offering, the Melomania 1, are among the best wireless earbuds you can buy, thanks to their stellar sound quality. But now the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus are a worthy upgrade and we think that they put many other earbuds in the shade when you consider the top factors of audio performance, battery life, and ease-of-use.
We also think they look great too, writing this about their compact design in our review: "These earbuds are very sleek indeed, and their small frame and lightweight build sets them apart from models such as the Apple AirPods."
Yet, at this price, and nothing to detract from the quality standard the originals set out, with a few notable improvements, they remain must-have earbuds. In our review, we concluded: "Despite the low asking price, the PurePlay Z3 2.0 offer solid build quality and top-notch audio performance of a product that normally costs double the amount."
With a lively, bass-heavy presentation, and a comfortable fit, the Sennheiser CX Sport Bluetooth earbuds can really bolster your workout through sound quality alone. In our review, we wrote: "The CX Sports provide impressive audio quality across the board, and we were equally impressed by the clarity they provide to treble frequencies, even if we occasionally craved some more richness in the mid frequencies."
In our review, we concluded: "These buds are great value for money. Sound is well-defined, these earbuds describe a soundstage really convincingly, and we also liked that they're incredibly comfortable, offering a snug fit and water-resistance."
The sound quality is very good for the price, this is what we thought about the audio performance in our review: "For budget earbuds, the EarFun Air sound pretty good. They offer reasonably strong bass and a wide enough soundstage to not feel like tracks are being squeezed right into your ear. While they may not rival more expensive options for detail, rhythm and overall range, at this price they're perfectly satisfying.
Motorola's budget buds are not the best earbuds you can buy. They don't have any exciting extras; they don't look particularly fantastic; they aren't the best-sounding buds around; and they're a little on the pricey side for their specification. However they are among the most comfortable earbuds we've ever tested, and that means they're definitely worth considering if you're a long-term wearer.
They also offer a mic in each earbud, so you can use just one if you prefer to hear your surroundings. Each earbud also has touch controls for playback, so you can skip, pause, or take a call, although there's no way of adjusting the volume through the earbuds themselves.
For a named brand, the Moto Buds 150 are reasonably priced; as earbuds, they're reasonably good. If you're searching for very comfortable earbuds that won't break the bank, they could be just what you're looking for.
There are better and newer earbuds available from Anker these days, but the Soundcore Life P2 are a solid pair that you can usually pick up for less than 50/$50, making them a really good option if you're on a budget and why they deserve a place in our best budget buds list.
Before you buy, have an idea of what kind of earbuds you need.There are two kinds of wireless earbuds: neckbuds that have a cable connecting each earbud but connect via Bluetooth to your phone, and true wireless earbuds that have no cables at all.
If you're all about the sound quality, look for earbuds that support hi-res audio files and low latency codecs like aptX Adaptive. Or, if you want cheap earbuds that will get your through a week's worth of commuting, you'll want to look out for long battery lives - think 25 hours and above.
We've tested many of the best cheap wireless earbuds and to be included on this list, we need them to tick a number of boxes. Top of the list is pricing: being available for under 100/$100 is paramount at this level, closely followed by solid sound quality, decent battery life and a good level of comfort.
We tested the earbuds in a number of different sound environments across a vast selection of musical genres. We listened to podcasts and albums in both quiet rooms and busy aeroplanes, to ensure we knew how they'd handle varying levels of noise too. We also wore them while walking and, often, working out, which meant we could speak to their comfort levels, ANC if available, and how secure they are in your ear.
Spending a lot of money on earbuds doesn't necessarily mean that you will get better performance. You don't have to break the bank to find the best product for your needs, as there are many products available at a very affordable price that can give you a good bang for your buck.
We've bought and tested over 285 pairs of earbuds and in-ears, and below are our top picks for the best cheap and affordable earbuds. Also, check out our recommendations for the best cheap wireless earbuds, the best Bluetooth earbuds, and the best earbuds under $50.
The JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are the best cheap earbuds we've tested. These wallet-friendly buds have a continuous battery life of about 9 hours to last you through a 9-5 workday, and their case holds about three additional charges. Their fit is comfortable, breathable, and stable, meaning they're a solid choice for workouts. They also have a good build quality and an IPX4 rating for resistance against water splashes. Like most headphones without ANC, they struggle to block out bass-range noise like rumbling engines but can reduce sounds like background chatter or a humming A/C unit.
The best-sounding cheap earbuds we've tested are the Sony WI-C310 Wireless. Although they have a little extra punch and warmth in their sound, these neck cable headphones are still neutral, making them a versatile choice for most kinds of audio. Unlike the KZ ZSN, their mid-range is very flat and even, so vocals and lead instruments sound accurate and clear. Their treble range is smooth, ensuring adequate brightness in your mixes. They have a decently comfortable fit, and you can even wear them around your neck when you're not using them. The long cables feel a little thin and can get snagged on something if you're not careful.
If you want to customize your earbuds' sound profile, the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless are the best cheap option we've tested. Their sound profile isn't as neutral as the Sony WI-C310's out-of-the-box, but they're a better option if you like to adjust your earbuds' sound to suit your tastes or different types of content. By default, they have a bass-heavy sound profile well-suited for genres like EDM and hip-hop. They work with an app that has a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization, unlike the other earbuds listed here. You can also use the app to remap some of the onboard controls.
They aren't as well-built as the KZ ZSN, but feel sturdy and have a decently comfortable fit for most people. Their battery lasts about 6.5 hours of continuous use, which is on the short side even for cheap earbuds, but they come with a case that holds three additional charges. They also don't have ANC, but they passively block out a good amount of ambient sound, like background conversations or a computer fan.
If you want an option that doesn't sacrifice build quality, the KZ ZSN are the best cheap earphones with a durable design that we've tested. The JLab Audio GO Air POP have a sturdy build, but these are a step up, thanks to the solid metal buds and braided audio cable. The cable is detachable, meaning you can replace it if it gets damaged without buying a new pair of earbuds. While wireless earbuds are more popular these days, wired buds offer better sound quality and eliminate latency. Then again, if you don't like the wired design, you can buy them with a Bluetooth adapter and use them wirelessly, although that adds to the cost of the earbuds.
Their excited, v-shaped sound profile adds a bit of extra punch and boom to your audio, while vocals and lead instruments sound clear and bright. Like a lot of cheap earbuds, they don't have an app or sound customization features. They also lack ANC and don't do a good job of isolating you from ambient sound. You may find them less comfortable if you have small ears, but on the plus side, they hardly leak any audio, so people nearby won't hear your music even if you crank it up.
The Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless are the best earbuds under $50 we've tested. These earbuds stand out for their long total battery life, making them a good option for longer trips. They last for more than seven hours off of a single charge but come with a case that holds about 12.5 additional charges, so you can top them up for nearly 100 hours of use before recharging the case. Unlike the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless, they don't have an app, which you might find disappointing if you like to customize your headphones' sound profile. Their sound profile adds some extra rumble, punch, and boom to your audio, but it's well-balanced enough for a variety of content and genres. 041b061a72