Earbuds, also known as in-ear headphones or earphones, are a compact alternative to bulky over-the-ear headphones. Although most devices bundle earbuds with them, they tend to be pretty abysmal.
Whether you're on the lookout for comfortable earbuds or earbuds that make a statement with their sound quality, there are plenty of options without having to fork out a small fortune.
Here are the best budget earbuds available.
The Amazon Echo Buds come in a small package but offer a lot compared to other earbuds of similar cost. With hands-free Alexa voice control, these earbuds are versatile and comfortable.
The sound offered by the Amazon Echo Buds is pretty good, with clear and balanced audio and high-performance active noise reduction. However, they don't provide complete noise cancellation, and the highs and lows tend to be on the weaker side.
Many earbuds offer water resistance, ideal for running, sports, and gym-goers. However, the Amazon Echo Buds aren't waterproof, so they are recommended more for at-home use or casual wear.
- 15-minute quick charge
- Hands-free Alexa voice control
- Brand: Amazon
- Battery Life: 5 hours, 20 hours with charging case
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Additional Tips: No
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Comfortable
- Clear sound
- Active noise reduction
- Not waterproof
The Treblab XR700 Pro earbuds offer Bluetooth 5 technology so you can listen to music and receive calls. Ideal for runners, these earbuds will fit comfortably in and around your ears without losing sound quality.
The extended range means you can easily go to the gym or play sports without having your phone or device on your person. Lightweight is an understatement with the Treblab XR700 Pro, as they weigh in at just 0.77 ounces.
The wires can get a little frustrating, but they are versatile enough that you can hide them neatly on your person. The band around the ear can get uncomfortable on longer running sessions, but overall these earbuds are an affordable option that won't fall out of your ears.
- IPX7 sweatproof and water resistant
- Bluetooth 5 technology
- Bass boost and passive noise cancellation
- Brand: Treblab
- Battery Life: 9 hours
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Additional Tips: Three sets
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Long signal range
- Includes different sized eartips
- Ideal for sports and running
- Band can get uncomfortable
The Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120-K earbuds conform to the shape of your ear canal, providing the perfect fit. These earbuds may not look like much, but they are comfortable for long sessions.
Those of you with an interest in rock, EDM, and hip hop music will find high-quality audio reproduction here. The earbuds deliver crisp highs, deep lows, and balanced warm mids despite their cheap price point.
If you're looking for simple earbuds that offer the option to answer calls with a built-in mic, there is an edition of the ErgoFit headphones with this included. For the money, though, you can't go too far wrong with the Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120-K.
- S/M/L eartips for custom fit
- Variety of color options
- 3.6-foot cord for convenience
- Brand: Panasonic
- Battery Life: N/A
- Bluetooth: No
- Additional Tips: Two sets
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Dynamic sound
- Very comfortable and fit well
- Unbeatable price
- Wire is flimsy
The Tribit FlyBuds 3 fit securely in your ears, are waterproof, and include a powerful charging case. It's hard to argue with these budget earbuds, considering the features packed into these lightweight and wireless earphones.
Gym-goers will love these earbuds, combining value with excellent audio performance that is bass-forward. However, there isn't an app for the Tribit FlyBuds 3, so you won't be able to adjust the EQ for your audio.
The Tribit FlyBuds 3 provide crisp highs and pumped lows for the price, with a whopping 100 hours of power in the case. However, out of the charging case, the earbuds offer up to five hours of use.
- IPX8 waterproof
- Includes powerful charging case
- Multiple eartip options
- Brand: Tribit
- Battery Life: 5 hours, 100 hours with charging case
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Additional Tips: Six sets
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Can charge external devices
- Excellent fit
- Powerful audio
- No app so unable to adjust audio EQ
The Back Bay Audio American EQ 40 earbuds are hard to challenge, considering how affordable they are. The sound they produce is clean, crisp, and balanced, though the bass might not be ideal for low-end lovers.
The number of accessories included is quite surprising, with the option of isolation or ambient noise tips and removable stabilizers if these aren't required.
The Back Bay Audio American EQ 40 are perfect earbuds for travel and workouts, with IPX5 sweat resistance. The inclusion of a 3.5mm jack means you have the option to go for a wired or wireless connection.
- IPX5 sweatproof
- Removable stabalizers
- Five EQ sound settings
- Brand: Back Bay
- Battery Life: 6.5 hours
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Additional Tips: Six sets
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Cheap
- Generous accessories
- Balanced sound
- Wired connections sound weaker in comparison to Bluetooth
The Treblab XR800 earbuds are another affordable and lightweight option from Treblab. With an IPX7 water resistance rating and 33-foot range, these are great for sports.
The passive noise isolation is excellent for focusing on the task at hand, blocking out unwanted noise while offering True HD sound.
However, if you are looking for bassy earbuds, the Treblab XR800 may not give you what you're after. The bass lacks depth and can become crackly if boosted with other apps on your smartphone.
If you're looking for lightweight earbuds that can be worn in the wind and rain, the Treblab XR800 represents great value. However, the XR700 Pro earbuds seem to produce better sound quality and aren't dissimilar in price.
- IPX7 waterproof
- Happiness guarantee and one-year warranty
- Lightweight with ear hook
- Brand: Treblab
- Battery Life: 9 hours
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Additional Tips: Three sets
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Handy carry case
- Includes different size silicone eartips
- Built-in mic
- Bass lacks depth
The 1More Piston Fit has been designed for daily use and can take a beating over a long period. The sound quality is impressive for the price, although the noise isolation isn't great in busier environments.
The volume controls are basic but do the job well. However, they don't provide any modern features you'd expect to see in recently-released mid-range sets. That said, they are incredibly cheap, so it's hard to complain.
Mobile gamers will love the stereo separation that these budget earbuds provide, with the choice of four colors in pink, space gray, steel, and teal.
- In-line microphone
- Variety of colors
- Lightweight
- Brand: 1MORE
- Battery Life: N/A
- Bluetooth: No
- Additional Tips: Three sets
- Noise Cancellation: No
- Stylish design
- Good call quality
- Comfortable fit
- Poor noise isolation
FAQ
Q: Are Cheap Wireless Earbuds Safe?
There is no evidence to suggest that cheap wireless earbuds are harmful. Bluetooth earbuds and headphones emit a very low level of nonionizing radiation, which is harmless to humans. In general, wireless earbuds are safe if used as per instructions.
Q: Are Earbuds Worth Buying?
Earbuds are great if you are on the move and don't want obtrusive headphones in the way. They are ideal for playing sports, running, and gym sessions. Most even comfortably in your ear without falling out.
Unless you plan to spend a lot of money on earbuds, you generally won't get as good sound quality as over-ear headphones, but you may be surprised at the decent level of audio you can get with budget earbuds.
Q: Are Earbuds Repairable?
Most cheap earbuds are easily replaced due to their price. However, if you don't want to spend money on a new pair of earbuds, there are ways you can repair them. Sometimes it is possible to isolate a wire that has shorted out by bending it in certain spots.
You can then use a soldering iron and electronics solder to fix the issue. However, many earbuds and headphones come with a warranty or guarantee, so it's worth checking this out beforehand.
