Finding the best wireless earbuds under $100 or less can be a bit of a challenge. But in these financially demanding times, getting great performance at a bargain price is an important criteria for many shoppers right now, and as this list demonstrates, there are some great earbud bargains to bag.
We literally test hundreds of earbuds a year, which means we have heaps of knowledge about the market, and huge experience in assessing sound quality and weighing up the most important features for buyers. Just like the best wireless earbuds overall, you can count on the models here to deliver on sound quality despite their budget price tag. They don’t skimp on features either, and one of our sub-$100 choices also includes active noise cancellation (ANC), which makes it one of the best value ANC models we’ve ever seen.
More: If you’re undecided about what style of headphone is right for you, then take a look at our guide to the best cheap headphones overall, which rounds up some over-ear models too. Or if you’ve decided that you definitely want noise cancelling then you need to take a look at the best noise-cancelling headphones to get the complete picture of the top models that deliver the best ANC performance around.
Top 3 best wireless earbuds under $100
The best wireless earbuds under $100 you can buy right now
The PistonBuds Pro are a win for budget-conscious consumers who desire outstanding ANC and sound in a stylish, affordable package. Are they going to replace your AirPods Pro? No, but they are easily one of the best AirPods alternatives that can be had for a third of the price.
Okay, battery life isn’t anything to write home about, nor is call quality. But these shortcomings are forgivable when factoring in the audio and noise cancellation these buds deliver, and are enough to satisfy (especially at the $69 price) and give the Piston Buds Pro mass appeal.
Read our full 1More PistonBuds Pro review.
The Jabra Elite 65t is one of the best earbuds ever created, and continues to be available through several online retailers at a great price.
Superior call quality, dynamic sound that can be customized via the companion app, and a discreet, sleek design are hallmarks that speak for themselves. Battery life won’t wow you, but the fact that it offers as much as the regular AirPods should be sufficient for most users. Having a compact charging case that holds two extra charges is also a boon for travel. The three color options — titanium black, copper black, and gold beige — are all enticing as well.
Read our full Jabra Elite 65t review.
At $39 on the OnePlus website (opens in new tab), the Nord Buds are too good to pass up, especially for OnePlus conformists and commuters who desire quality true wireless performance for less. These buds have a 4-mic array with AI noise reduction, 12.4mm titanium drivers, mobile app compatibility with personalization tools, and proprietary Flash Charge technology. OnePlus mobile users may receive special software perks, but the solid controls, strong audio performance, and sufficient battery life remain consistent across all platforms.
Sound is dynamic and bass heavy at times, but the ability to customize frequencies helps balance things out. The controls work without a hitch, comfort is pleasant, and Fast Charging is clutch for recharging in short time spans. The noise reduction on calls could be better, but the Nord Buds pros outweigh any cons to make it a must-own for budget-conscious earbud users everywhere.
Read our full OnePlus Nord Buds review.
Sony’s WF-C500 earbuds may not wow you with their looks, but arguably these are the best wireless earbuds under $100. Music sounds punchy and although their profile might not be as depth-filled as Sony’s WF-1000XM4, you can expect powerful lows and crisp highs, along with under-emphasized mids. Should you want to tweak the sound, there’s the Equalizer feature in the Sony Headphones Connect app to manually adjust frequencies or select from nine presets that prioritize different sonic elements, depending on the music genre or content.
The WF-C500 isn’t perfect, though, with slightly impractical controls that can inflict some discomfort when attempting to activate, and mediocre capacity from the charging case. However, these are trivial complaints when factoring in the level of sound Sony has managed to engineer into these tiny buds, and they’re a bargain-priced model that really shouldn’t be overlooked.
Read our full Sony WF-C500 review.
Another pair of wireless earbuds that have received a notable price drop, the EarFun Air might look like some of the better fake AirPods out there, but they offer much more performance. Music sounds top-notch with the sound signature having powerful bass that lays a strong foundation for clear vocals and instruments to shine. Bluetooth 5.0 ensures that your connection with devices remains stable within a 50-foot radius. IPX7 certification and Sweatshield technology also protect the buds from sweat and can handle submersion in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Wireless charging comes part of the package as well.
The controls can act up at times and the fit can be a bit fussy with some ear shapes, but don’t let these shortcomings put you off as the EarFun Air earbuds really are worth a closer look.
Read our full EarFun Air review.
How we select the best wireless earbuds for $100 or less
In selecting the best models around a particular price we take into consideration several key factors, including build quality, features, and sound quality. We also look closely at rated battery life and carry out tests to see how that translates to real-world use. We also consider sound quality while listening to music as well as fielding phone calls. And lastly, how well the earbuds fit and the comfort level they are likely to offer.
How we test and rate the best wireless earbuds
When rating any wireless earbuds, we look not only at price but also design, sound quality and battery life. We also consider how easy it is to pair earbuds with a smartphone and what kind of controls are accessible through the device.
In terms of of sound quality assessments, we listen to many sample tracks that span a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical, R&B, and electronic, while assessing volume levels and how easy the earbuds are to drive. Movies, podcasts and video games are also used where necessary. We also make phone calls to assess both call quality and microphone performance.
During the testing phase, our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for several hours at a time throughout the course of a week to assess performance and comfort. Reviewers will make note of battery life and how well it matches the rated battery life provided by earbud makers.
As with the best wireless headphones, we evaluate earbuds based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). If a product hits nearly every mark, it’s awarded an Editor’s Choice badge.
Next: Find out how to get the best headphone sound for you. Also, if you’re seeking AirPods styling for your earbuds without the price, don’t forget to check out our full Oppo Enco Free2 review — ANC and AirPods styling for £89 / AU$199.
