12 Best Cheap Earbuds in 2023 (That are Worth 2X the Price)

Here are the latest best cheap earbuds that far outrank their price.

Find surprisingly good earphones under $50, under $30, and even under $20.

We’ve included cheap true wireless earbuds, wired earbuds, sports earbuds, and more (check below).

Do you like paying too much for things?

It’s true; most cheap earbuds are a piece of junk. But not all, if you know the right models.

You can get earbuds that:

• Sound good
• Have a more comfortable fit
• Are built well
• And come with the latest technology

Sounds too good to be true?

Well, it is, if you haven’t tested dozens of self-proclaimed “best cheap earbuds” on the market.

But we have, and here is our selection you should check out.

With the list here, we’re sure you won’t overpay. In fact, we are confident to claim these are the best budget earbuds money can buy right now.

Best Budget Earbuds Under $50

The best earbuds (in-ear headphones) at the affordable price range of $30 – $50.

1. SoundPEATS Sonic

Hear the SoundPEATS Sonic A/B Sound Test:

Our pick for the best true wireless earbuds has a relatively well-balanced sound, with some sparkle up on top.

However, there’s a bass boost in sub-regions. While you don’t hear it all the time, it can start rattling your head with some music genres.

Otherwise, they hold up to 14 hours per single charge, with the case carrying another 20 hours of juice. Earbuds come with an IPX5 rating for complete sweat protection.

With a lightweight design, they’re quite comfortable to wear, even for more extended listening sessions. Fit is equally as stable, and you can easily take them on your daily running routine.

Despite their modest price tag, they also support the latest aptX Adaptive, the next generation of Bluetooth codecs, on compatible devices.

And at this price range, they’re the best cheap wireless earbuds for making calls too. Their mic is clear and does a decent job in noisy places as well.

2. Anker Soundcore Life A1

Hear the Anker Soundcore Life A1 A/B Sound Test:

Sound quality is excellent for the price, with boosted lows and highs but relatively neutral midrange. There’s no customizable sound, but you can lower or raise the bass by switching between 3 EQ profiles (the default sound profile is the best).

Earbuds are tiny and don’t look very flashy. However, they’re one of the most comfortable ones we’ve tested.

Furthermore, you can easily work out with them thanks to the secure fit and ear fins that hold them in place.

The battery life is excellent, too, with more than 8 hours on a single charge and another 4 extra charges in the charging case. The latter supports Qi wireless charging as well.

Related guides:

• Best cheap headphones (over-ear & on-ear)
• Best classic earbuds that don’t go in ear
• Best earbuds under $100
• Bluetooth earbuds under $100

3. Aukey EP-T32

For budget buds like EP-T32, the sound quality is excellent. 12mm drivers, while not the cleanest out there, produce a good balance between bass and midrange even at higher volume levels.

Punchy lows provide a warm sound, while a treble stays sparkly enough to bring out some details.

These affordable buds boast superb comfort. Mostly due to shallow insertion and gentle rubber hooks that aren’t in a way, even if you wear glasses.

Good things continue with a built-in proximity sensor for auto play/pause feature, seven hours of battery, and Qi wireless charging support for the case. There’s even an aptX Bluetooth codec for Android and AAC for iOS devices.

Also, earbuds appear very durable, and with their IPX8 rating, you can even clean them in water after a workout.

Check similar:

The best workout headphones.
The best Bluetooth earbuds.
The most comfortable earbuds

4. Beats Flex

Hear the Beats Flex A/B Sound Test:

Having a surprisingly balanced sound, you can use Beats Flex for all kinds of music genres (from hip hop to rock). There’s still some bass boost, but it doesn’t overwhelm the experience. On the other hand, the Flex aren’t very detailed.

As a whole, the earbuds are decently built but sadly lack an IPX rating. They have a neckband design that rests on your neck.

You control them via 3 physical buttons; a multifunction one, for pairing, and a volume rocker.

Thankfully, Flex have an Android companion app that enables you most of the features that are otherwise reserved for iOS.

Unfortunately, earbuds aren’t very stable for sports.

5. Treblab WX8

For cheap earbuds, the Treblab WX8 play very well. While their bass is quite strong, it’s also controlled and suitable for faster music genres.

The midrange is by far the most pleasant to listen to as it’s most natural and free of sibilance. Even treble is surprisingly smooth and textured, which is relatively uncommon in this price range.

Furthermore, you can expect excellent comfort during more extended listening but only average fit, which makes earbuds unsuitable for sports activities.

Nonetheless, they have an IPX8 fully water-resistant rating and support for Qi wireless charging.

Earbuds hold around 7 hours of battery life per charge, with the case holding another 28 hours.

6. Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2

A bass-forward, fuller sound will please most users and gym-goers, who primarily look for something fun-sounding.

Thankfully, the midrange is still fairly clean, whereas the treble takes a backseat and stays relatively recessed.

Earbuds are fully sweatproof, and an IPX5 rating means that they can endure rainy conditions, too. You can easily use them for workouts thanks to ear wings that hold them in place.

Check the best workout headphones.

Their main attraction is the battery life. Buds can hold up to 8 hours per charge, while the case stores up to 92 hours of extra playtime.

Long battery life is paired with a pretty good overall comfort, so you can wear them for hours without feeling fatigued.

7. SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS

Interestingly, these earbuds provide a very natural sound for the price, especially after some EQ. It’s smooth yet nicely detailed, with a good sense of soundstage. The bass is less punchy than in normal Air3 Deluxe but still well-controlled.

The housing of these earbuds is nicely rounded, with no sharp corners that could poke into your ears. That is why they’re comfortable enough during extended listening sessions. Also, their battery lasts 6 hours and 8 minutes per charge, more than advertised.

Earbuds are made from hard, matte plastic, protected with an IPX4 water-resistant rating. The latter means you can use them in a gym without fear of damaging them.

But you’ll have to listen to them at higher volume levels due to the shallower fit.

8. Tin Audio T2

Tin Audio T2 wired buds work with an MP3 player and output a somewhat balanced and dynamic sound.

The double dynamic drivers produce a consistent frequency response throughout bass that goes well with slightly emphasized mids and treble. The bass isn’t overpowering, so this makes them great for critical listening.

For thumping lows, see the best bass headphones.

These are cheap earbuds with high comfort, good durability, and lovely audio performance. The first thing you notice is their interesting cable. It looks like fabric, has minimal cable noise, and it’s detachable.

They are lightweight, comfortable, and will last a long time because they are well-built from metal. Also, you get a decent pair of memory foam ear tips that provide stability (enough even for running) and excellent noise isolation of the ambient sound.

More related:

• Best earbuds under $50
• Best Bluetooth earbuds under $50
• Best wireless earbuds under $30

Best Cheap Earbuds under $30

The top earphones in the price range of $20 – $30.

9. TOZO T10

Hear the TOZO T10 Sound Test:

If you like bass, then you’ll enjoy the TOZO T10 audio performance. Apart from the boost in lower regions, the mids are relatively balanced, with some shimmer in the upper registers.

The design is kept simple, with smooth edges to prevent poking into your ears. The ergonomic shape also contributes to the comfortable fit.

As for stability, they’re suitable for casual use and outdoors walking. In contrast, buds can lose their grip while running.

At least the sweat isn’t a problem. Both the earbuds and the case have a fully waterproof and dustproof construction, which is simply amazing for the price.

10. Skullcandy Dime

Hear the Skullcandy Dime A/B Sound Test:

For the budget-friendly price, their sound is hard to beat. It’s slightly V-shaped, but it never goes overboard. Expect a clean, punchy sound that actually packs some details.

Apart from more than decent sound quality, the build is where Skullcandy cut some corners. Earbuds are made of cheaper plastic, and the charging case feels a bit fragile.

Still, the Dime have an IPX4 rating, so you don’t have to worry about damage due to sweat. They’re also relatively comfortable, as long as you don’t push them too deep into your ears.

The battery is pretty mediocre, with only 3.5 hours of charge inside the earbuds and another 8.5 hours inside the case.

11. Symphonized NRG 3.0

Detail-rich and slightly warmer tones will make you fall in love with your music. These cheap earbuds excel at mid-range tones even at higher volume levels.

The wooden structure adds to the quality of bass and produces a rich and slightly warmer sound profile. You can change songs and volume with an in-line remote control module.

They are made out of real wood, which makes them stand out in their design. Durability is, in fact, quite sturdy and makes for durable earbuds that you can’t break just like that. Plus, you get a carrying case.

You get 6 different pairs of ear tips which should be enough to pick one that suits your needs.

These are very comfortable. Wood is a light material, and combined with quality silicone tips, you get very comfortable earbuds.

Note: Learn about more earbuds under 30 dollars, as well as best earbuds for gaming.

Best Cheap Earbuds under $20

Going even cheaper… The best in-ear monitors you can get in the price range of $10-$20.

12. CCA LYRA

Hear the CCA LYRA Sound Test:

CCA LYRA’s audio performance goes far beyond their price. They have a balanced sound signature, good detail, and clarity in the highs. Any music genre will sound great on these.

Thanks to the over-the-ear cable design, earbuds don’t fall out of your ears, even if you shake your head or run. Of course, they lack an official IP rating, so exercising with them isn’t advisable.

Thankfully, if you damage the cable, you can easily replace it with another 2pin cable.

Comfort will largely depend on the shape of your ears. CCA calls the design ergonomic, but due to having many curves, it might create some pressure points, resulting in pain.

Note: Check inexpensive headphones at best earbuds under $20 guide.

Find other most durable earbuds and best bass earbuds.

Honorable Mentions

KZ ZST

TaoTronics Soundliberty 97

Moondrop Chu

Aukey EP-T21

Strauss & Wagner EM205

KZ ATE

Panasonic RPHJE120K

Turtle Beach Battle Buds

Sony MDR-XB50AP

Jlab Audio Jbuds Air

For more wireless options, check the best Bluetooth headphones under $100.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to Find the Best Cheap Earbuds?

You shouldn’t look just at prices. There are too many choices. And many of those are bad ones.

Look for things that you might prefer, like:

• Better sound quality
• Strong, powerful bass
• A long battery life
• High comfort
• Water protection (IPX4 or more)
• Design
• Convenience

It’s wise to spend $10 or $20 more and get a superb pair of earbuds that will last you longer and have high-quality audio comparable with more expensive models.

Audio Quality

Most of the cheap earbuds don’t produce the kind of bass and audio performance that you are looking for, but some are close.

You can get an ideal pair of earbuds with quality audio for very little money if you pick them right. But you need to know what kind of audio signature you want.

The most common signatures in cheap earbuds:

• Bass emphasized
• Balanced, neutral
• V-shaped (boosted bass and treble)

Battery life

Cheap true wireless earbuds should last at least 5 hours per charge. If you’re looking at a model with a shorter battery, you can always get better.

Regular cheap wireless earbuds, with a wired between buds, should last at least 10 hours. Though they’re out of fashion by 2022.

Comfort

Even cheap earbuds can be comfortable. You need to get the right eartips.

Memory-foam eartips are the best by far. They change the shape to fit your ear canal when they warm up and fit most ear sizes.

Quality eartips are cheap but make a big difference in comfort, tight seal, and background noise isolation. Get them if you’re half serious about earbuds.

Durability – Water Protection

You can get durable earbuds for little money. Many come with an IPX6+ waterproof design and are also dust resistant. See the best waterproof Bluetooth headphones for more options.

Generally, cheap wireless earbuds are not necessarily fragile but don’t expect them to be as durable as an expensive pair of headphones.

And, if you are looking for specific audio products, like headphones for running, you’ll usually have to shelve out more money. Companies have figured people are willing to pay more premium, specialized headphones.

Active Noise Cancellation

Expect to pay more for active noise reduction technology or ambient mode. It’s getting cheaper thanks to modern chips which support it naturally.

But it still adds to the price. Decent noise cancelling earbuds cost more than 50 bucks.

The same is true for the best noise-cancelling headphones which cost from $100 to over $300.

There are some cheaper options, see the best budget noise cancelling headphones.

Value for Money

Many brands compete for your attention in the price range of $10 to $50. With research, you can find a great pair of in-ear headphones that will serve you a very long time.

Usually, lesser-known brands provide the biggest value. Because smaller companies want to get their brand out, they offer their products for less money to gain market share.

For slightly more money see the best headphones under $100.

If you want Bluetooth earbuds at a specific price:

• Best wireless earbuds under $50
• Best wireless earbuds under $30