In the past, obtaining a pair of best budget wireless earbuds meant investing a significant amount of money. But as headphone jacks on smartphones become less common and Bluetooth headphones become more common, it is no longer necessary to spend a lot of money on a good pair of portable in-ear headphones. Now that there are cheaper choices, it’s easier than ever to enjoy the convenience of wireless headphones, which don’t need wires and are easier to carry around because they fit easily into pockets or bags.
When it comes to budget-priced wireless earbuds, sacrifices are often necessary. These sacrifices could include a basic design, the absence of active noise cancellation (ANC), or less impressive sound quality compared to the earbuds featured in our best earbuds and best wireless earbuds guides. However, if you’re on a tight budget, there are affordable wireless earbuds available that offer everything you need without breaking the bank. Below we hvae mentioned the best budget wireless earbuds.
Best Budget Wireless Earbuds Comparison Table
| Wireless Earbuds | Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless | JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless | EarFun Air | EarFun Air Pro 3 | Anker Soundcore Life P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $$$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Battery Life (per charge) | Up to 8 hours | Up to 5 hours | Up to 7 hours | Up to 7 hours | Up to 7 hours |
| Total Battery Life (with case) | Up to 100 hours | Up to 15 hours | Up to 35 hours | Up to 30 hours | Up to 40 hours |
| Water Resistance | IPX5-rated | IPX4-rated | IPX7-rated | IPX7-rated | IPX7-rated |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Noise Cancellation | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Wireless Charging | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Earbud Weight (each) | 5.3 grams | 5 grams | 4.2 grams | 4.7 grams | 6.1 grams |
Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Anker Soundcore |
| Model | Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours |
| Charging Case | Provides additional 100 hours |
| Water Resistance | IPX5-rated |
| Sound Quality | Crystal-clear audio |
| Comfort | Ergonomic design |
| Controls | Touch-sensitive |
If you want even cheaper earbuds that still work well, the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are the best cheap wireless earbuds we’ve tried. At this price, you might have to give up some build quality or speed to get something that’s easier on your wallet. But these colored buds are just as well-made as the last pick, and they have EQ presets that let you change the sound to your liking. Even though they don’t have ANC and don’t passively block out as much noise as the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless, they can still help reduce office noises like talks or a computer fan.
When set to their most balanced EQ setting, these headphones have a bass-heavy sound. They have a little extra thump, punch, and warmth that EDM and hip-hop fans will like. The headphones have a constant battery life of about nine hours, which is more than enough to get you through the day. They also come with a case that can hold three extra charges. If you don’t mind that the Skullcandy Jib Wireless have less battery life, they are even cheaper. Overall, it is one of the best budget wireless earbuds that you can buy.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality with crystal-clear audio.
- Ergonomic design ensures a comfortable fit.
- Easy-to-use touch-sensitive controls.
Cons
- Limited water resistance (IPX5-rated) may not be suitable for extreme outdoor activities.
JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | JLab Audio |
| Model | GO Air POP True Wireless |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 hours |
| Charging Case | Provides additional 15 hours |
| Water Resistance | IPX4-rated |
| Sound Quality | Balanced audio |
| Comfort | Secure fit with customizable tips |
| Controls | Physical button |
Most of the picks have a sound profile that is heavy on bass, but the Sony WI-C310 Wireless has a well-balanced sound profile if you prefer a more moderate sound. The instruments and voices are audible but not overly sharp, and there is a little bit more bass boom. They differ slightly from true wireless earbuds in that they have a neckband, which makes them less portable. Unlike the majority of truly wireless earbuds, they don’t come with a charging case, but the 17-hour battery life helps to make up for that.
They feel like cheap plastic and aren’t very well made. Even though they fit most people well, the wire that connects the buds is long and might be hard to deal with. Since they have a neckband, they are also more likely to get caught on something and fall off. You can wear them anywhere, but they don’t block out a lot of loud background noise, so you won’t hear as much information. Thus, it is one of the best budget wireless earbuds that you can buy.
Pros
- Balanced audio ensures a pleasant listening experience.
- Secure fit with customizable tips for personalized comfort.
- Easy-to-use physical button controls.
Cons
- Relatively shorter battery life compared to other models.
- Limited water resistance (IPX4-rated) may not withstand heavy rain or immersion in water.
EarFun Air
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | EarFun |
| Model | Air |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours |
| Charging Case | Provides additional 35 hours |
| Water Resistance | IPX7-rated |
| Sound Quality | Enhanced bass and clear treble |
| Comfort | Lightweight and ergonomic design |
| Controls | Touch-sensitive |
Let’s start with the sound, which is just as good as that of the Apple AirPods Pro in controlled, quiet, indoor settings. The sound is big, deep, and about as good as any high-end choice. Keep in mind, though, that the EarFun Air headphones don’t have any active noise-canceling features. Instead, they rely on the soft plastic ear tips to block out sound when they are put into your ear canal. So it didn’t surprise us that these headphones didn’t sound as clear and good as other top noise-canceling headphones did in loud places. Still, the room was quiet enough that we could listen to our favorite songs. Currently, it is one of the best budget wireless earbuds that you can buy.
We tried these earbuds with classical, rock, pop, and dance music, among many others. In every way, the EarFun Air was the best. Bass lines and computer rhythm sections drove songs like “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish and “Get Lucky” by ignorant Punk. Other famous songs, like Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man,” were well-balanced, with clear times on both the high and low ends. We had a hard time finding a song that didn’t sound great on these earbuds. In controlled, quiet settings, we couldn’t tell the difference between these and Apple’s AirPods Pro.
Pros
- Extended battery life of up to 7 hours for prolonged use.
- The charging case offers an additional 35 hours of playtime.
Cons
- The sound quality may not be as refined or detailed as high-end models.
EarFun Air Pro 3
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours (earbuds), Up to 25 hours (with charging case) |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 |
| Charging Type | USB-C |
When you find out what the EarFun Air Pro 3 can do, you might think that the $80 price tag is a mistake. These earbuds have great sound quality, a powerful app with a lot of ways to customize them, and active noise cancellation (ANC) that can compete with sets that cost three times as much. They are another winner from the same company that made our favorite cheap earbuds. I don’t know how EarFun keeps getting away with giving us so much for so little. Overall, it is one of the best budget wireless earbuds that you can buy.
Still, the Pro 3 aren’t the most stylish buds out there, and their low price means that the build quality and controls aren’t as good as they could be. But those were all small problems in a few weeks where I mostly enjoyed listening to music, getting up on podcasts, and talking on the phone for hours while turning off all the noise around me. Here are the reasons why I think the EarFun Air Pro 3 are the best earbuds you can get for $80.
Pros
- IPX5 water resistance, making them sweat and splash-proof.
- Convenient USB-C charging for quick and easy charging.
Cons
- Some users may find the earbuds to be slightly bulky.
- Limited color options available.
Anker Soundcore Life P2
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours (earbuds), Up to 40 hours (with charging case) |
| Noise Reduction | CVC 8.0 |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 |
| Charging Type | USB-C |
We love Anker products in general, and we really wanted to suggest this cheap pair of earbuds, but after hours of testing, we just couldn’t. All of the most important things about the Soundcore Life 2 earbuds were just a little bit off. But the sound quality isn’t terrible. In general, it was well balanced and had a good range. When compared to other headphones in the same group, though, they weren’t as good as some of the best, like the EarFun Air. With only two noise-canceling microphones and a six-hour battery life, we didn’t think they were quite good enough to give a strong suggestion. For now, it is one of the best budget wireless earbuds that you can buy.
Pros
- Bluetooth 5.0 for a stable and efficient wireless connection.
- Long battery life, with up to 7 hours of continuous playback on a single charge.
Cons
- Limited water resistance (IPX4-rated) may not withstand heavy rain or immersion in water.
FAQs
Dependent on the brand and type, the quality of cheap wireless earbuds can vary in how long they last. Even though some cheap choices may not be as well made, many still have good durability. It’s important to read reviews from other customers and think about the manufacturer’s guarantee. Taking care of your earbuds by putting them back in their case when you’re not using them can also help them last longer.
Yes, many inexpensive wireless earbuds can be used with more than one device. Most of the time, they use Bluetooth technology, which lets you connect them to your phone, computer, laptop, or any other device that can connect to Bluetooth. But, based on the model of earbuds, the number of devices that can be connected at the same time may vary.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is more popular in high-end earbuds, but some cheap wireless earbuds can also block out noise passively. Passive noise isolation relies on the shape and fit of the earbuds to block out some outside noise. But if ANC is important to you, it may be harder to find options that fit your price that have it.
