The best budget earbuds are some of the best-selling tech on the planet, and our reviewers have decades of experience testing them. From wired buds to early wireless neckband models to the rise of true wireless earbuds – as the tech has evolved, we’ve reviewed countless pairs and know exactly which ones are worth your money, and which ones to skip.
Each pair of the best budget earbuds I've included in this guide has been rigorously reviewed using our earbuds testing process. From smaller brands, like JLab and Nothing, to industry-leading giants including Sony, our recommendations are based on real hands-on experience and years of expertise (more than some of us would like to admit).
The best budget earbuds often require some sacrifices, whether that’s slightly less effective active noise cancellation, limited support for higher-res features, or a less polished sound compared to premium models in our best earbuds and best wireless earbuds guides. But with plenty of excellent options under $100 / £100 / AU$130, great sound doesn’t have to come at a high price.
The quick list
Keen to cut straight to the best bit – ie. which budget earbuds are the best? We get you. Below, you’ll find a roundup of our choices. You can also jump to a more detailed review of every top pick, plus our price comparison tool to help you find the best deals.
The best budget wireless earbuds overall
The value of these Nothing buds can't be beaten. They're comfortable, stylish, sound great, and active noise cancellation is impressive. A no-brainer if you're looking for affordable buds that truly tick all of the boxes.
The best super cheap wireless earbuds
An incredibly cheap pair of buds with lots of features, energetic sound and a comfortable fit. It's rare you'd find buds this budget with active noise cancellation, but it works really well here.
The best mid-range cheap wireless earbuds
They may look a tad commonplace, but these EarFun buds are packed with high-end features, including ANC and multipoint pairing. Battery life is excellent, and the sound is very good.
The best budget open earbuds
Among the most affordable open buds we've tested and among the best-sounding too. This design means you can stay aware of your surroundings without sacrificing quality audio and comfort.
The best USB-C earbuds
If your priorities are wired buds with a USB-C connection, you can't go wrong here. They're reliable, comfortable, look stylish and deliver decent sound all for a very affordable price.
The best 3.5mm wired earbuds
A solid pair of cheap buds if you need a classic 3.5mm connection. Expect a snug fit, good passive noise isolation, a design that looks premium, and very respectable sound.
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The best budget earbuds for battery life
The Creative Zen Air SXFI's unusual IPX5 water resistance and impressive 35-40 hour battery life through the charging case make them a great shout for inexpensive gym buds that'll last and last.
The best neckband cheap earbuds
If you don't want to go truly wireless, SoundMAGIC's E11BT is our top budget semi-wired pick thanks to a comfortable design that fits around your neck and very good audio quality.
The best cheap wireless buds without ANC
There's no ANC here, but everything else about these low-cost buds shines, including energetic sound, 360 Reality Audio support and solid in-bud battery life.
I've reviewed over 150 audio products since becoming a tech journalist, ranging from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hi-Res Audio music players. Before joining TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing everything the world of audio had to offer; before that, I was a professional dancer. My love of music ties it all together.
June 9, 2025
The Nothing Ear (a) are now our #1 pick, following regular price drops. Added the Huawei FreeArc as our 'Best budget open earbuds' pick, the Skullcandy Set USB-C as the 'Best USB-C earbuds' choice and the SoundMagic E11C as the recommendation for 'Best 3.5mm wired earbuds'. Also added several products to our section of other recent reviews.
The best budget earbuds you can buy
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The best budget wireless earbuds overall
✅ You want affordable ANC: These buds deliver some of the best inexpensive noise cancellation we've tested, as well as great sound quality.
✅ You care about style: We got so many compliments when we were trialling these – it's easy to see why.
❌ You want spatial audio: You won't find it here. Look at the Sony WF-C700N or Sony WF-C510 for some support for this.
❌ You have very small ears: The design worked well during testing and there are small tips to choose from, but they won't suit the smallest of ears.
The Nothing Ear (a) are our favorite affordable earbuds, the pick we think best balance price and performance. Now, officially they cost $99 / £99 / around AU$192, which means they only just squeak into our definition of budget – but you will find them discounted by up to 25% most of the time, which makes them even better value.
They're packed with features, including in-ear detection, multipoint to two devices, an ear tip fit test, and a Find My Earbuds feature. You can also toggle on low lag for gaming, and there's Bluetooth v5.3 here, as well as LDAC support for hi-res audio.
Both call quality and active noise cancellation have been massively improved over Nothing buds that came before them. During our testing, we were blown away by the noise-cancelling power on offer here, although did comment that we can see why battery life takes such a hit when it's on – it's really that good.
How do they sound? Great, especially for the price. In our review, we said the sound is fun and energetic. We wrote: "There's so much here to celebrate sonically that I cannot pick fault."
Design-wise, expect the cool, transparent and minimal aesthetic Nothing has become known for. And not only do they look fantastic, but the case has been upgraded and is now small and more pocketable and the fit is extremely comfort for all-day listening.
We know it's tempting to go for the cheapest buds you can find. But if you want a reliable pair that represent excellent value in terms of design, comfort, sound and features, the Nothing Ear (a) are a very impressive set of buds and a choice that won't disappoint.
Read our full Nothing Ear (a) review
The best super cheap budget wireless earbuds
✅ You want small buds: They're tiny and as light as a feather, which makes these buds compact and comfortable.
✅ You want ANC on a budget: It's rare you'd get such cheap buds with ANC built-in, which works well here.
❌ You want excellent sound quality: The audio is great for the price, but it won't impress audiophiles who want best-in-class quality, take a look at the Nothing Ear (a) at #1 instead.
❌ You care about style: It's not that these buds look bad, but they're not as stylish as other options in this guide.
If you're after budget-friendly earbuds that aren't just cheap but are incredibly cheap yet still deliver solid performance across the board, the JLab Go Pop ANC are our top pick. In our review, we noted that these buds "have all the hallmarks of an instant budget favorite," offering good sound, a comfortable design, essential features, and ANC – all for an impressive $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$69.99.
These earbuds are packed with features you wouldn't typically expect at this price point, the standout being ANC. While the ANC here won't give you the near-silent experience of premium buds, it’s surprisingly effective, reducing a significant amount of external noise. You can even adjust the ANC strength through the JLab app. The app also offers customizable touch controls and multiple EQ options, including presets like Bass Boost, Music, and Movie modes. Battery life is solid, too, with 7 hours of playback on the buds (with ANC on) and about 24 hours in total when including the charging case.
Sound quality is another area where the Go Pop ANC shine. While the soundstage is a bit narrow and there are no 'lossless' codecs for audiophiles, the audio quality still impresses. As we mentioned in our review, "bass was surprisingly impactful and treble was sharp enough to add some flair to the overall listening experience."
If there's one downside, it's the design. The JLab Go Pop ANC earbuds have a somewhat plasticky, cheap look. However, considering the price, it's a minor complaint. Despite their modest appearance, they are lightweight, comfortable for extended wear, and boast an IP55 waterproof rating. The compact charging case is also a plus, featuring a foldable USB-C cable built into the base for easy charging on the go.
These earbuds won’t compete with top-tier models, but for the price, they offer exceptional value. If you're looking for a budget option that delivers solid sound, useful features, and even ANC for less than the cost of a night out, the JLab Go Pop ANC buds are hard to beat.
Read our full JLab Go Pop ANC review
The best mid-range budget wireless earbuds
✅ You need solid all-rounder buds for less: Few buds tick all the boxes in terms of comfort, good ANC, solid sound and top battery life for under $100/£100.
✅ You won’t want to have to charge them all the time:
There are several great features here, but practically speaking, battery life is arguably the best.
❌ You need ANC that puts you in a cocoon of silence: ANC is good here, but it doesn’t deliver that almost eerie bubble of silence you get from higher end buds.
❌ You want class-leading sound: We enjoyed listening to music, but they're not at the top of the pile for neutrality, expanse or dynamic clarity.
The EarFun Air Pro 3 buds don't look particularly special, but they're a really great pair of all-rounder earbuds. As well as bringing you an excellent nine hours of battery life (with an additional 36 from the case), there's also multipoint pairing and some next-gen features that make these buds even more special, including support for Bluetooth LE Audio – and Auracast.
The ANC from the EarFun Air Pro 3 aren't on a par with the best noise-cancelling earbuds you can buy, but they cost less than half the price of many of those rivals and the level of noise-nixing is good enough for focusing at work and diminishing most extraneous low-level sounds while travelling.
Audio-wise, the EarFun Air Pro 3 buds are powerful and punchy from the get-go. During our testing, we listened to Stevie Nicks' Edge of Seventeen and the signature sound was bang on, with big, booming vocals and oodles of energy. Through the lower registers, things can get a little muddied and cluttered, particularly through heavier tracks, but it's a relatively minor issue at this level.
At 52g they're lovely and light and although the units do feel a bit plasticky, they're incredibly comfortable.
The EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds deliver a generous dollop of everything most people will need from a pair of true wireless earbuds today, and they do it all for well under $100/£100.
Read our full Earfun Air Pro 3 review
The best budget open earbuds
✅ Sound is your top priority: Most rivals sacrifice sound for an open design, but audio fidelity is top-notch here for the price.
✅ You want a solid fit: The around-ear design means they won't move, no matter whether you're running or just moving around at home.
❌ You want the Android app and you're not tech-savvy: You have to sideload the app on Android phones, though you don't need it for basic use – this isn't a problem on iPhone or a Huawei phone.
❌ You want to listen in noisy environments: Open earbuds are designed to let in outside sounds – great if that's what you want, but they'll be overwhelmed in really loud places.
Open earbuds are booming in popularity and the Huawei FreeArc are our top pick if you're looking for a solid, affordable option. Priced at £99.99 (around $130 / AU$200), they’re right at the top end of what we’d consider budget. But they’re still excellent value, especially as they’ll likely be discounted over time.
Most importantly, they sound fantastic. In fact, we’d even say they’re the best-sounding open earbuds we've tested so far. In our review, we praised their wide soundstage and noted that they don’t sound like open earbuds at all, which is a big compliment. That’s a huge plus considering open designs have typically meant compromising on audio quality.
Design-wise, they’re lightweight, comfortable and hook over the top of the ear rather than clipping to the side like some rivals do. The buds support gesture controls and have an IP57 rating, making them a great choice for workouts, too.
They’re not perfect. Battery life is decent at seven hours from the buds but the 23 hour total with the case is below average compared to rival buds.
Android users may also find the app setup frustrating, because it requires side-loading the app – this isn't the case for iPhone or Huawei users. You can use them without the app, though, and if you do, you'll still get clear, open sound without blowing your budget.
Read our full Huawei FreeArc review
The best USB-C earbuds
✅ You value comfort: They fit well with no messing around and were comfortable enough for all-day listening sessions during our testing.
✅ You'd like a fun look: We love the sleek design of these earbuds, as well as the choice of cool colors.
❌ You want them for walking: A lack of volume buttons on the controller and some cable noise don't make them the best option for extensive walking around.
❌ Audio is a priority for you: Considering their price, sound here is clear and decent. Although it does lack bass and detail.
The Skullcandy Set USB-C earbuds are a cheap and stylish choice for anyone after wired buds with a USB-C connection. They’re simple, but sleeker than most rivals, with a curved design and a choice of four colors. The in-line remote is handy, though basic – there’s no volume control here. You do get an IPX4 rating, meaning they’ll hold up well in light rain or a bit of sweat.
We were especially impressed with the fit of these wired earbuds when we tested them. Thanks to the included small and large ear gels, you get a more personalized feel, and they’re comfy enough to wear for hours. They stay put too, no need to constantly adjust them like other buds we’ve tried.
That snug fit helps with noise isolation as well. Don’t expect active noise cancellation levels of silence here, but they do a good job of keeping distractions out so you can focus on your music. One minor downside is you will hear some cable rustling if you’re moving around or brushing the wires.
Sound-wise, they’re good for the price. You won’t get the richness or dynamism of more expensive earbuds, but audio quality holds up well – even at higher volumes, there’s no tinny distortion. For budget buds, that’s a win. If you’re a fan of wired earbuds and want something reliable without spending much, these are a great choice. They’re also perfect as a back-up pair when your wireless buds are out of juice.
Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review
The best 3.5mm wired earbuds
✅ You like nice things: Sleek, small and made from shiny aluminum, these buds look and feel more premium than they are.
✅ You need a 3.5mm connection: Other wired buds cater to USB-C, like the Skullcandy Set USB-C at #5, but these are our top choice is you need a 3.5mm connection instead.
❌ You want really high-end sound: The audio here is solid, reliable and enjoyable, but they're cheap for a reason.
❌ You want a bass-heavy listen: Within the soundscape, it's the bass that feels like it's particularly lacking and means they don't hit higher sonic heights.
The SoundMagic E11C earbuds might be an older pick, but they’re still our top recommendation if you want wired buds with a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Like the Skullcandy Set USB-C at #5, they look more premium than their price suggests. With an aluminum build, dark silver finish and silver-plated copper cable designed to enhance audio, the design feels sleek and refined. T
he buds themselves are small and come with three sizes of eartips, so most users should get a snug, comfortable fit. We found them comfortable enough for all-day wear with no need to readjust. The inline remote is simple but effective with volume and play/pause buttons that are responsive and easy to use.
These buds are ideal for anyone still using devices with a 3.5mm jack – think older iPhones or certain Android phones, laptops and audio gear. Just make sure your device is compatible before buying.
Sound quality is solid for the price. While you won’t get crystal-clear separation or audiophile-grade detail here, volume levels are strong and the overall sound is punchy enough for casual listening. Some frequencies can feel a little muddied but the decent passive noise isolation helps enhance the experience.
The E11Cs remain a great budget option for wired earbud fans. They’re not aiming for perfection but they deliver reliable performance, comfort and surprisingly good sound for the price.
Read our full SoundMagic E11C review
The best budget wireless earbuds for battery life
✅ You need budget buds with stamina: A 39 hour max is pretty good for $80 earbuds – and you won’t be using the battery-draining ANC that much, given how we rate the efficacy.
✅ You want something for workouts/outdoors: The IPX5 rating is better than the vast majority of earbuds, and means they'll stand up to sweat or rain.
❌ You need 'bubble of silence' noise nixing: Zen Air SXFI do feature active noise cancellation, but the effect is relatively minor.
❌ You take a lot of calls with your earbuds in: The mics on these earbuds could be better, making ambient mode a little painful, and they aren’t the best for recording voice notes.
The Creative Zen Air SXFI's tempting price tag looks even better when you check out the premium-feel design with plenty of advanced features, including active noise cancellation and Creative’s proprietary ‘spatial holography’ mode, Super X-Fi. Honestly, the 'extra' perks aren't the best thing about these earbuds – we didn't rate Creative's proprietary spatial audio tech (called either SXFI or 'Super X-Fi spatial audio' in Creative's marketing), the ANC was resoundingly average and we think you should leave the Ambient mode alone.
What you will get, alongside a supplementary high-end cloth bag to put the case into (unusual!) is an IPX5 rating, meaning they can actually withstand jets of water – or the sweatiest of spin classes and a rainy 10k run before breakfast.
We liked the sound quality a lot, as long as you leave the novel extra sound profiles out of the picture – and for their $80 / £70 price tag the Creative Zen Air SXFI's 39-hour battery life makes them some of the best stamina-per-pound value earbuds we've tested.
Elsewhere, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity is a great thing to see on the spec sheet. Basically, these earbuds get the key metrics – comfort, durability, stamina and sound quality – just right, so provided you're willing to overlook the more experimental (and not totally successful) implementation of their premium features, they've still got an awful lot going for them.
Read our full Creative Zen Air SXFI review
The best budget wireless neckbuds
✅ You want a neckband: If you don't want to go fully wireless, these are a top alternative, keeping each bud anchored without the annoying wire to your source device.
✅ You want cheap gym earbuds: These are some of our top picks for budget workout buds; the neckband keeps them in place, plus there's a splash-proof IPX4 rating.
❌ You want truly wireless earbuds: If you want a little case where your two earpieces go to roost, you'll feel short-changed here.
❌ You want ANC: Passive noise isolation is good here, but you won't have total immersion.
The SoundMagic E11BT buds aren't packed with features (there's no ANC whatsoever), but they remain our top pick for budget buds if you prefer a neckband-style design. They boast good connectivity, control via an inline remote and continuous playback for up to 20 hours, provided you don't max out the volume during your workout.
Largely speaking, the audio quality provided by the E11BTs is very good indeed, with an impressive amount of oomph and drive for such small earbuds. Vocals are clear and smooth thanks to their custom-tuned drivers and there's good bass depth and clout too.
Overall, the E11BTs are comfortable to wear thanks to ergonomically-designed eartips and a flat neckband that shouldn’t irritate you while running or working out. With an IPX4 rating, they'll also withstand even super-sweaty training sessions.
The SoundMagic E11BTs are an extremely capable pair of wireless in-ear earphones and given their low price they're fantastic value. Aside from an occasionally overstated treble (but we're really nitpicking here) we found it difficult to fault them. This particular model is seeing limited stock in the UK at the moment, so we recommend checking out the 1More Penta Driver P50 wired earbuds as an optional alternative.
Read our full SoundMAGIC E11BT review
The best cheap wireless earbuds without ANC
✅ You like clear and forward sound: Bass here is lacking a little, but for detailed vocals and treble-first sound, these buds sound excellent.
✅ You want affordable Sony buds: There are other Sony buds that are budget, but these are the cheapest yet still packed with everything that makes the brand great.
❌ You need ANC: If you're used to ANC, choosing buds without it might be hard to get used to – especially if you spend time commuting or in a busy office.
❌ You want them for long trips: So, the battery in the buds is great. The charge in the case isn't. They'll last for long trips, but not for days without power.
Many people look for ANC to block out noise during commutes, busy offices, or flights, but not everyone needs it. Sometimes, it's useful to stay aware of your surroundings, and some find ANC’s silence unsettling. If you don't need noise-cancelling, there are still plenty of earbuds that offer great sound, a comfortable fit, and solid features – often at a lower price. Our top pick for budget earbuds without ANC is the Sony WF-C510, showing that Sony can excel at budget options just as well as high-end ones. They’re similar to the WF-C700Ns but nearly half the price.
Let's start with the sound. While you won’t get audiophile-level quality or deep bass, these buds still offer a highly enjoyable listening experience. This is partly due to Sony’s DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine), which restores the range of compressed audio from streaming services. It gives the WF-C510 an edge over other budget options, as long as you remember to activate it in the app.
We praised the design in our review, calling it "stellar," noting: "the buds stuck in my ears like the Abba songs they played stayed stuck in my head." This secure fit is thanks to the "grippy" material on the tips and the lightweight build – just 5g per bud. They stayed put during workouts and cycling, so no worries about them falling out. The case is also compact and lightweight, though it only offers one extra charge, which is disappointing compared to rivals that offer two or three. Still, with 11 hours of battery life on a single charge, the buds are great for long journeys – just don’t count on the case for extended trips without a power source.
Feature-wise, you get the basics. There’s no ANC, wear detection, low-latency mode, or 'find my' locators – features you'd find in pricier models. But overall, the WF-C510 buds offer excellent value, packing many of the things we love about Sony into a budget-friendly package.
Read our full Sony WF-C510 review
Meet the team
TechRadar's audio tech team has had years and years of experience testing the best headphones, hi-fi systems and Bluetooth speakers. We have all of the audio knowledge, the context of the broader market and the know-how about how all of the tech under-the-hood works to say with confidence which of the best Bluetooth speakers are well worth your time.
Becky Scarrott is TechRadar's Audio Editor and she leads the platform's coverage of all things audio and hi-fi. She joined the team first as a Senior Staff Writer back in 2022. Before TechRadar, she spent more than three years at What Hi-Fi?, where she was in charge of testing the latest audio technology,. Becky also has an MA in journalism.
Matt Bolton is the Managing Editor for Entertainment at TechRadar, which means he's in charge of the site's content about movies, TV shows, televisions, soundbars, headphones, and speakers. With more than ten years of experience in tech journalism, Matt joined TechRadar after holding the position of editor at T3 magazine. His work has been featured in various publications, such as MacLife, PC Gamer, Digital Camera World, Edge, PC Plus and more.
Harry is one of the Reviews Staff Writers at TechRadar. Over the years, he has reviewed all sorts of devices but focuses on audio and gaming. Before joining TechRadar, Harry was a journalist covering stories from the telecoms industry about innovation and sustainability.
Tom Bedford used to be the Deputy Phones Editor at TechRadar until late 2022. Now he works for the entertainment site What To Watch. Over the years he's focused on phones and tablets, but has also reviewed audio tech extensively, including headphones and MP3 players.
Becca Caddy is a freelance tech journalist. She's been writing about consumer tech, with a particular focus on fitness and audio devices, for more than ten years. As well as TechRadar, her work has featured in MIT Tech Review, Wired UK, The Guardian, New Scientist, Inverse and more.
More budget wireless earbuds we've tested
If none of the best budget wireless earbuds in the guide above are right for you, here are some others that might be worth considering. These earbuds all performed well in some respects when we tested them, but just didn't quite make our main guide – we explain why below.
How to choose the best budget wireless earbuds
Buying a pair of the best budget earbuds can be a challenge. You might uncover a real gem or land yourself with a pair or buds that barely work, let alone sound good. All of the the affordable earbuds in this list come with our recommendation.
Active noise cancellation: But often you do get what you pay for in terms of connectivity, build and noise cancellation. In fact, ANC is the first thing to be omitted from the spec sheet in the budget realm. For example, you need to be looking at models such as the EarFun Air Pro 3 and Nothing Ear (a) if you want active noise cancellation in your budget buy. If that's not an essential feature for you, then it's even worth looking at cheaper models in a brand's lineup. For example, the Earfun Air 2 is a more stripped back version of the Air Pro 3 that offers great money for value.
Audio quality: If you're all about the sound quality, look for earbuds that support Hi-Res Audio such as aptX Adaptive or LDAC, as long as your phone supports them. This doesn't guarantee good sound quality, though – but if audio is a priority, and it looks like the audio quality is good anyway, this is how to get the best from the earbuds.
Battery life: Battery life in budget wireless earbuds is getting better all the time, but it still pays to dig into the details. Don’t just glance at the 'total' battery life figure, as this includes the extra charge you get from the case. That’s fine for understanding how often you'll need to charge the case, but the most important thing is to check the battery life of the earbuds themselves, since that's the figure that might leave you sad and tune-less. Pay close attention to the figures with ANC turned on and off; the difference can be dramatic. If you love using ANC, you might be disappointed to find your buds running out of juice much sooner than expected.
Design: Before you add the earbuds to your online shopping cart, it's also worth having 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. The former is a dying breed but still, certain active users and athletes prefer it.
Stability: If you intend to workout with your earbuds, then you'll need buds that will stay put, so look out for interchangeable eartips and fins to hold them in place. Check out our guides for the best running headphones and best workout headphones, or even the best bone conduction headphones for more inspiration.
Usability: As we mentioned earlier, budget buds usually come with some compromises. If the sound is solid and the fit feels good, you might wonder where the trade-offs are – and often, it’s in the day-to-day usability. That includes all the little things you might not think about at first, like is there a companion app, and if so, is it actually nice to use? (Some budget buds skip the app entirely.) Do they have on-ear volume control, and do they auto-pause when you take them out? These finer details can make a big difference, so it’s worth checking.
How we test the best budget wireless earbuds
☑️ More than 3,000 headphones reviewed
☑️ 16 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech
We're constantly testing the best cheap wireless earbuds to determine which can be included in this list. But to make the cut, we need them to tick a number of boxes. We have a more detailed breakdown of how we test earbuds at TechRadar but we've outlined a brief summary of the methodology below.
The biggest consideration we make when determining if a pair of earbuds makes our list is pricing. Being available for under £100/$100/AU$150 is what we determine to be relatively cheap. This is closely followed by how solid the sound quality is, which features a pair of earbuds offers (such as decent battery life or mic quality) and the level of comfort they deliver .
We always test earbuds in a number of different sound environments across a vast selection of musical genres with a wide-range of connectivities (mainly wired and Bluetooth). 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.
We also put those battery claims to the test, making sure we got a sense of how quickly the juice drains from the buds and the case itself during both extensive listening sessions and shorter ones.
Of course, these earbuds aren't going to compare with the high-end buds that you'll find our best wireless earbuds guide, which are double – or even triple – the price, but our testing is independent, which means we can assure you that you're getting the best sound-per-pound experience.
Latest updates to the best budget wireless earbuds
June 6, 2025
Moved the Nothing Ear (a) to our 'best overall' top spot. Added the Huawei FreeArc as our 'best budget open earbuds' pick, the Skullcandy Set USB-C as the 'best USB-C earbuds' choice and the SoundMagic E11C as the recommendation for 'best 3.5mm wired earbuds'. Also added several products to our 'more we've tested' section to consider, including the Sony C700N and Sony 710N, as well as the Happy Plugs Clip and Edifier Lolliclip.
April 4, 2025
Checked all products against our latest reviews. Added information about the Sony WF-C710N earbuds, as they could take their place as our top pick once we've finished our full review. Added the JLab JBuds Open Sport to our 'also consider' section and expanded our 'how to choose' section to make it more useful to readers.
March 7, 2025
Refreshed the introduction and added details of the recently-leaked Sony WF-C710N earbuds. Added headings to our 'how to choose' advice section to make it easier for readers to scan.
Read more updates…
February 10, 2025
Checked all products against out latest reviews, and added more products to our list of other options to consider. Updated the introduction.
January 10, 2025
Rewrote the introduction to stress our testing process (we rigorously test everything we put in this guide, folks!) Replaced the older and no longer readily available Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 with the Creative Zen Air SXFI as our 'best for battery' pick. Updated an entry in our 'meet the team' section.
December 13, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Checked all of our entries to make sure everything is up to date. Reformatted our 'also consider' section to make it easier to see the other budget wireless earbuds on the market right now that we've already reviewed but didn't make cut for this guide.
November 15, 2024
Refreshed the introduction. Added a new 'Black Friday' section so we can give readers our buying recommendations throughout sales season and highlight relevant Black Friday deals. Added a new 'meet the team' section to highly our audio team's years of review expertise and knowledge.
October 16, 2024
Added the Sony WF-C510 as 'best wireless earbuds without ANC' to offer a cheap set for people who don't require noise cancellation. Rewrote the intro and itemised our 'also consider' section.
September 16, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Switched the JLab JBuds Mini for the JLab Go Air Pop ANC as our 'best super cheap' pick. Added the Sony WF-C510 as our new 'best cheap wireless earbuds without ANC' choice. Refreshed our 'also consider' section with several new buds we've recently reviewed, including the Apple AirPods 4 and Xiaomi Buds 5.
September 12, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Added the JLab Go Air Pop ANC to our 'also consider' section, along with details of our upcoming Apple AirPods 4 reviews.
August 16, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Added a selection of new wireless earbuds we’ve recently tested into our ‘also consider’ advice, including the Earfun Air Pro 4, LG Tone Free T90S and Beats Solo Buds.
July 18, 2024
Added the JLab JBuds Mini as our 'best super cheap' option, replacing the JLab Go Air Pop.
June 21, 2024
Added the Nothing Ear (a) in as our 'best top-end budget' choice.
May 29, 2024
Added an 'Also consider' section to this buying guide, to reflect the other products we've tested – and explain why they're not here. Updated the copy throughout to refect our current top choices.
March 27, 2024
Expanded the 'how we test' section, added in a link to our Earfun Air 2 review, updated copy with recent stock availability for the Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 and SoundMAGIC E11BT, and added more images to each write-up.
January 23, 2024
Removed Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus because although they're excellent, the product is no longer available. Updated copy throughout.
December 5, 2023
Checked rankings against current models available in the market. Updated the 'how to choose' section with our latest advice.
October 3, 2023
Updated rankings and swapped out products that were no longer available. Completely refreshed the format of the guide to include a new quick menu and extra information in the boxouts of each write-up.
