We test and review headphones based on an independent 9-point methodology. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Dirt-cheap earbuds under $10 that are actually worth buying. Get the best you can without emptying your wallet. In this guide, you’ll find the best earbuds under $10 for: Casual listening Sports activities And even some critical listening See the models below. Previous Next Rating Price Mic & Controls 3.5mm shape More info Panasonic ErgoFit HJE120K Best overall 4.3 Under $10 cross L-shaped Review Monoprice Hi-Fi Earphones (109927) Best balanced 4.0 Under $10 cross I-shaped Review JLab Audio JBuds Pro Signature Earbuds 4.4 Under $10 checkmark L-shaped Review TCL SOCL300 4.2 Under $10 checkmark I-shaped Review JVC HA-FX5 Gumy Plus Most colorful 4.4 Under $10 cross I-shaped Review 1MORE Piston Fit Best build 4.3 Under $10 checkmark I-shaped Review JVC HA-EC10-B Best ear hooks 4.3 Under $10 cross I-shaped Review Koss Plug 4.2 Under $10 cross I-shaped Review Do you want to get decent earbuds for almost no money? You’ve found the right guide. Here you’ll find the best earphones under 10 dollars you can buy today. Sure, cheap is very often connected to bad quality, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get a quality product for very little money. This is one of those cases. All of the recommendations made here are proven and tested over a long time. There’s only one problem… Disclaimer: Because $10 is so little money, some earbuds can sometimes go over the 10 dollar mark (but not by much). Technically, a more accurate title would be, “The best earbuds around $10”. Nonetheless, if earbuds in this guide go over the price range of $10 for more than just a couple dollars, we’ll remove them from the guide. CONTENTS (show more) Want to spend a bit more money? The best cheap earbuds from $10 – $50Best earbuds under $50Best earbuds under $30Best earbuds under $20 The Best Earbuds under 10 Dollars 1. Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120 Best overall Panasonic RP-HJE120 K are one of the most popular budget earbuds of all time (top pick on Amazon) from a well-known brand. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: 9mm Frequency range: 10-24.000Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No (mic optional) | Impedance: 16 Ohm | Weight: 12g | Cable length: 3.6 feet (1.1 m) | Water resistance: No Enjoyable sound with slight bass emphasis Very comfortable due to ergonomic design Low price Surprisingly durable Cable noise Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones RP-HJE120-KA (Matte Black) Dynamic Crystal-Clear… Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones RP-HJE120-KA (Matte Black) Dynamic Crystal-Clear… $9.87 in stock 5 new from $8.59 as of November 30, 2023 4:24 pm Buy now Amazon.com Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones RP-HJE120 – Green Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones RP-HJE120 – Green $9.95 in stock Buy now eBay Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones RP-HJE120-S (Silver) Dynamic Crystal Clear Sound,… Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones RP-HJE120-S (Silver) Dynamic Crystal Clear Sound,… $10.90 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Their performance is better than most under $10 earbuds. They produce impressive sound quality with a V-shaped sound signature. The bass response is slightly more emphasized. Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120 k have an ideal frequency response for listening to modern pop, hip-hop, and house music. These in-ear headphones are for everyone that wants comfort, good sound quality, and overall best value for under $10. Due to their lightweight design and ultra-soft ear tips you’ll forget you’re wearing them. Because of the snug fit, you can listen to your music for a long time, without ear pain. They’re quite durable, too, although we recommend you to put them in a carrying pouch (carry case not included in the box). Also, they provide pretty good noise isolation. You can even use the Panasonics for running or gym because they tend to stay in their place. Be aware that there’s some minor cable noise. Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120 review 2. Monoprice Hi-Fi Earphones Best balanced Monoprice Hi-Fi is one of those audio products that isn’t the most durable earbuds but has amazing sound quality (price-wise). Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: 14.2mm Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 32 Ohm | Weight: n/a | Cable lenght: 48 inch (1.22m) | Features: Braided cable Smooth, warm sound Great clarity in the midrange Bulky Slight cable noise Monoprice Enhanced Bass Hi-Fi Noise Isolating Earbuds Headphones – Black, Gold-Plated 3.5mm… Monoprice Enhanced Bass Hi-Fi Noise Isolating Earbuds Headphones – Black, Gold-Plated 3.5mm… out of stock as of November 30, 2023 4:24 pm Buy now Amazon.com Monoprice Earbuds Black Monoprice Earbuds Black out of stock Buy now Walmart.com The best thing about these is their great balanced sound quality. The bass tones are tidy, and so are mids and highs. Bass can get punchy if you turn the volume up so you can listen to more hard-core music genres. If you care for audio quality more than comfort and looks, you should check these out. They come with a reinforced braided cable, which might produce some microphonics. If you change the earplugs, you will be more than happy with their ambient noise isolation and their fit in general. You can easily pair Monoprice Hi-Fi earphones with many portable devices, even iPods. What makes these in-ear monitors worth buying is having a beautiful sound that’s the best among all cheap earbuds. 3. JLab Audio JBuds Pro Signature Earbuds Sportsy wired earbuds with ear wings and remote for easy playback controls. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: 10mm dynamic Frequency range: n/a Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: Yes | Impedance: n/a | Weight: n/a | Cable lenght: n/a | Features: Inline remote, ear wings Included ear wings Inline controls with mic A tad too bassy sound JLab Audio JBuds Pro Signature Earbuds | Titanium 10mm Drivers | Music Controls, Universal Mic |… JLab Audio JBuds Pro Signature Earbuds | Titanium 10mm Drivers | Music Controls, Universal Mic |… $9.98 in stock 10 new from $2.99 1 used from $7.99 as of November 30, 2023 4:24 pm Buy now Amazon.com JLab Audio JBuds Pro Wireless Signature Earbuds Black Brand New Sealed Box !! JLab Audio JBuds Pro Wireless Signature Earbuds Black Brand New Sealed Box !! $12.99 in stock Buy now eBay JLab Audio JBuds Pro Wireless Signature Earbuds Black JLab Audio JBuds Pro Wireless Signature Earbuds Black $17.09 $19.99 in stock Buy now Walmart.com The sound quality is nothing mind-blowing. It’s suitable for casual listening, with a generous amount of bass boost coming from a 10mm dynamic driver. Earbuds are made with sports activities in mind. They have a very lightweight construction and detachable ear wings to help them latch into your ear lobes. The cable sports an inline remote for basic playback commands and even calling smart assistants. There’s even an integrated microphone for hands-free phone calls. Despite their dirt-cheap price tag, JLab offers a 2-year warranty, which is very generous. If you want to go wireless, you can get a Bluetooth version for around $6 more. 4. TCL SOCL300 Best balanced TCL SOCL300 represent a great value with natural audio performance. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: 8.6mm Frequency range: 10-23.000Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: Yes | Impedance: 28 Ohm | Weight: 0.5 oz (14.2g) | Cable length: 47 inch (1.2m) | Features: Inline remote Good sound quality Balanced tuning Great call quality Thin cable with no strain relief TCL Socl300 in-Ear Earbuds Wired Noise Isolating Headphones with Built-in Mic and Echo… TCL Socl300 in-Ear Earbuds Wired Noise Isolating Headphones with Built-in Mic and Echo… out of stock as of November 30, 2023 4:24 pm Buy now Amazon.com TCL SOCL Series Wired In-Ear Headphones with Mic & Call Functions TCL SOCL Series Wired In-Ear Headphones with Mic & Call Functions out of stock Buy now eBay TCL Phantom Black In-ear Headphones with Mic – SOCL300BK TCL Phantom Black In-ear Headphones with Mic – SOCL300BK out of stock Buy now Walmart.com These earbuds are a wonderful surprise in terms of sound quality. Great sound that’s relatively faithful to the original recording, elevates the listening experience, with a hint of added sub-bass response. You can pick these buds in multiple colors and even as a wireless version, although the latter exceeds the budget of $10. They’re small and provide a good fit for all ear shapes. Due to the price point, you can’t expect ultimate build quality. The cable is a bit thin, and there’s no strain relief on the buds. At least you get a pause/play button. Thankfully, you get an excellent microphone inside the inline remote control, especially for the price. It should be more than suitable for video calls. 5. JVC HA-FX5 Gumy Plus Most colorful JVC HA-FX5 Gumy Plus offer many extra features, like comfort and decent sound quality, all for a budget price. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: 11mm Frequency range: 10-20.000Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 16 Ohm | Weight: 0.14oz (4g) | Cable lenght: 3.3ft (1m) | Features: Many different color options Dirt cheap, under $10 Many colors to choose from Comfortable, lightweight design It’s a budget model with its shortcomings JVC HAFX5B Headphones JVC HAFX5B Headphones $6.99 $9.99 in stock 12 new from $6.99 as of November 30, 2023 4:24 pm Buy now Amazon.com JVC Gumy Plus HA-FX5-B Earphone – Stereo – Black – Mini-phone – Wired – 16 Ohm – 10 Hz 20 kHz -… JVC Gumy Plus HA-FX5-B Earphone – Stereo – Black – Mini-phone – Wired – 16 Ohm – 10 Hz 20 kHz -… $14.26 $16.39 in stock Buy now Walmart.com JVC HA-FX5-A Gumy Plus In-ear Headphones PEPPERMINT BLUE Noise Isolation JVC HA-FX5-A Gumy Plus In-ear Headphones PEPPERMINT BLUE Noise Isolation out of stock Buy now eBay Enhanced lows and crisp highs will make you even more motivated. The V-shaped sound signature makes music lively and alive. It’s suitable for all modern music. These in-ear headphones are made for people that like to be on the move while listening to their favorite music in pleasing sound quality. JVC HAFX5 Gumy Plus are ergonomically shaped and will fit most people well. Because they’re light, they stay in your ears, even while doing the most intensive workouts or running. They are extremely comfortable. The wire is protected in thicker plastic so they can last you a long time (but aren’t sweatproof). 6. 1MORE Piston Fit Best build Best earbuds under $10 for their robust build quality at a budget price point. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: n/a Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: Yes | Impedance: 32 Ohm | Weight: 0.5 oz (14g) | Cable lenght: 48 inch (1.25m) | Features: / Pleasant sound with good clarity Durable aluminium housing Inline microphone and controls Bass doesn't extend very deep 1MORE Piston Fit in-Ear Earphones Fashion Durable Headphones with 4 Color Options, Noise… 1MORE Piston Fit in-Ear Earphones Fashion Durable Headphones with 4 Color Options, Noise… $11.99 $19.99 in stock 2 new from $11.99 as of November 30, 2023 4:34 pm Buy now Amazon.com 1MORE E1009-SV Piston Fit in-Ear Earphones Fashion Durable Headphones with 4 Color Options, Noise… 1MORE E1009-SV Piston Fit in-Ear Earphones Fashion Durable Headphones with 4 Color Options, Noise… out of stock as of November 30, 2023 4:34 pm Buy now Amazon.com 1MORE E1009-SV Piston Fit in-Ear Earphones Fashion Durable Headphones with 4 Mic 1MORE E1009-SV Piston Fit in-Ear Earphones Fashion Durable Headphones with 4 Mic out of stock Buy now eBay 1MORE E1009 Piston Fit In-ear Headphones With Microphone 1MORE E1009 Piston Fit In-ear Headphones With Microphone out of stock Buy now Walmart.com Earbuds sound good. The low-end is punchy, but it won’t please bassheads due to the lack of sub-bass extension. The midrange is slightly warm, with good clarity. You can say the same thing about the treble. Their housing is made entirely from aluminum, which is textured to give it a more pleasing look. The nozzle is slightly angled to project the sound more directly into an ear canal. The audio jack has a robust relief to prevent it from breaking. At this price, you’re also getting an inline microphone and a single-button remote for controlling music playback and answering phone calls. You get three sets of ear tips inside the box to ensure the optimal fit. The latter is an important thing if you want to achieve the best sound reproduction. 7. JVC HA-EC10-B Best ear hooks If you need something to do sports activities with, but don’t want to spend more than $10, then this pair of earbuds might be the best overall. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: 9mm Frequency range: 10-20.000Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 16 Ohm | Weight: 0.29oz (8.0g) | Cable lenght: 3.3ft (1.0m) | Features: Ear hook Great stability IPX1 sweat-resistance rating Average sound quality No inline controls JVC Earclip Earbud Sport Earbud Earclip Black (HAEC10B) (HA-EC10B) JVC Earclip Earbud Sport Earbud Earclip Black (HAEC10B) (HA-EC10B) $8.15 $9.95 in stock 12 new from $8.15 as of November 30, 2023 4:34 pm Buy now Amazon.com JVC Earclip Earbud Sport Earbud Earclip Black (HAEC10B) (HA-EC10B) JVC Earclip Earbud Sport Earbud Earclip Black (HAEC10B) (HA-EC10B) $9.33 $19.99 in stock Buy now Walmart.com JVC Earclip HA-EC10-B Secure-Fit Sport Stereo Earbud Black HAEC10B JVC Earclip HA-EC10-B Secure-Fit Sport Stereo Earbud Black HAEC10B out of stock Buy now eBay Their overall sound performance is average at best. However, they do have a punchy bass, which makes your workout session a little bit more bearable. While JVC HA-EC10 don’t offer the most impressive specs out there, they are still sweat-resistant to a certain degree due to their IPX1 rating. They come with rubber ear hooks that should create a more secure fit with all ear sizes. The hook is soft and offers decent comfort. Since you also have to plug them in your ears, they’re not bouncing around too much. They do a great job at passive isolation if that matters to you. They can successfully dampen people’s chat, but you can still hear passing cars. 8. Koss Plug Best cheap earbuds with unique design and decent audio performance. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: n/a Frequency range: 10-20.000Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 16 Ohm | Weight: n/a | Cable length: 47 inch (1.2m) | Features: Foam ear tips Good isolation Decent sound quality Might get uncomfortable after long listening sessions Koss 'The Plug' In-Ear Headphones (Black) Koss 'The Plug' In-Ear Headphones (Black) $11.99 $14.99 in stock 2 new from $11.99 as of November 30, 2023 4:34 pm Buy now Amazon.com KOSS 185323 Plug In-Ear Earbuds (Green) KOSS 185323 Plug In-Ear Earbuds (Green) $20.61 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Koss 'The Plug' In-Ear Headphones (Black) Black Koss 'The Plug' In-Ear Headphones (Black) Black out of stock Buy now eBay Of course, you can’t expect angelic sound quality out of cheap earbuds. However, you can still enjoy music with the iconic Koss The Plug. They have a non-sibilant, smooth sound profile with decent punch and clarity. A set of 4 extra ear tips that are a mixture of foam and rubber creates a tight seal in your ears, providing good overall passive ambient noise isolation. Earbuds are lightweight and have a relatively comfortable fit, although they can start to poke your ears after a while. The headphone cable is of standard length (47 inches) and long enough not to bother you in planning to take The Plugs on your workouts. They do suffer from a memory wire, though. Honorable Mentions Monoprice 110153: What makes them stand out in this category is mostly, their ability to give you solid bass. They are worth checking out if you’re a bass lover. (Check 110153 price) JVC HA-F160: The JVC HAF160 are durable and comfortable classic earphones with average but satisfying sound quality. And the dirt-cheap price tag makes it enough reason to try them over other earbuds. (Check HA-F160 price) KZ ATE: The sound is typical bass-emphasized, but you can still clearly hear the mids and highs across the frequency response. KZ ATE are one of the best bass earbuds in this price range. KZ ATE review How we do reviews? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Here are the often asked questions about earbuds and their functionality. You can always ask us in the comments below. What to expect from $10 earbuds? You can find excellent budget earbuds in this price bracket. Especially in audio quality, which can sometimes outperform earbuds that are triple the price. Granted, $10 is not a lot of money even for small in-ear headphones. A built-in mic and remote control module are more of an exception, and you can’t expect a noise-cancelling feature. The same goes for wireless Bluetooth connection. Why no wireless earbuds under $10? Wireless technology requires a battery and a chip which increases the cost of production. You won’t find decent wireless earbuds under 10 dollars because that’s just too little money. Many times even more expensive wireless earbuds have problems with unreliable battery life and stable Bluetooth connection. It requires a higher price range to get a quality wireless product with cool features. How to ensure longer durability of your sub-$10 earbuds? Buds under 10 dollars are made from plastics to cut costs. It often results in lousy build quality. And even though we picked the best and highest quality models in this guide, they, are of mediocre durability overall. To keep them safe you should: – Store them in a dry place– Never expose them to water– Carry them around in a carrying case– Never pull or tug on the wires Generally, treat them like they’re cheap. The best cheap headphones can last a long time if you take good care of them. Earbuds with noise cancellation, touch controls, and Bluetooth cost more money. See the best budget noise cancelling headphones for affordable options. Or check the best noise-cancelling earbuds for high-end earbuds. For decent Bluetooth headphones or earbuds, look at the best true wireless earbuds under $50. Related guides about earbuds: The most durable earbuds Best waterproof Bluetooth headphones Thank you for checking out our independent guide. Hopefully, it’s been helpful, if not you’re invited to let us know what’s missing in the comments below. Matija FerjanMatija Ferjan is a seasoned audio enthusiast reviewing headphones since 2015. He has personally tested hundreds of headphones and earbuds. He’s an active member of the Headphone Audio community and a true nitpicker, always looking for the “best-value-for-money” headphones.
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