Here are the best earbuds under $100 that sound good, have a comfy fit, and have the latest features. (Honestly, these should cost more). 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. Previous Next Rating Price Sound signature Connection Mic & Controls More info TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red 4.5 Under $60 Balanced Wired – 3.5mm (L-shaped plug) cross Review Shure SE215 4.5 Under $100 Balanced Wired – 3.5mm (L-shaped plug) Only SE215m+ Review Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus 4.1 Under $100 Balanced Bluetooth 5.0 checkmark Review Edifier W240TN 4.5 Under $80 Balanced Bluetooth 5.3 checkmark Review 1MORE Triple Driver 4.0 Under $70 Balanced Wired – 3.5mm (I-shaped plug) checkmark Review Sennheiser IE 40 PRO 4.5 Under $100 Balanced Wired – 3.5mm (L-shaped plug) cross Review Etymotic Research ER2XR 4.5 Under $100 Balanced Wired – 3.5mm (L-shaped plug) cross Review EarFun Air Pro 3 4.3 Under $80 V-shaped Bluetooth 5.3 checkmark Review CONTENTS (show more) Why pay top dollar when you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get high-quality earbuds? You can find better-value earbuds under $100 price tags that sound good, have a great build, and make for a perfect portable companion. Here we discuss the pros & cons of headphones under $100. And, check the in-ear monitors below to find the right ones for you. What are the Best Earbuds under $100 for You? To get the best value for money, go with wired earbuds. You get better sound quality for the price, but your phone needs to have a 3.5mm headphone jack. In case you have one of the newer phones you’ll have to use an adapter or switch to wireless. Wireless Bluetooth earbuds are a solid alternative. While frequency response hasn’t yet reached the oldschool wires, it’s close enough. Plus, you get to move around freely which adds to the user experience (and you look cooler). True wireless earbuds have gotten cheaper. See the best true wireless earbuds under $50. If you’re an active user, you need at least an IPX4 rating or more. Water-resistance is crucial for sports and other activities. Liquids are the arch-enemy of electronics and can quickly end your earbuds. IPX4 protection makes them sweatproof, while IPX6 and 7 are waterproof. Best Earbuds Under $100 1. TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red Fantastic budget IEM with impeccable sound tuning under $100. Fanmusic TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero Earphone Dual Dynamic Drivers in-Ear Earphone with 0.78 2Pin… Fanmusic TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero Earphone Dual Dynamic Drivers in-Ear Earphone with 0.78 2Pin… $49.99 in stock 2 new from $49.99 2 used from $42.07 as of November 30, 2023 4:24 pm Buy now Amazon.com Tuned by the king of IEM, Crinacle, the Zero:Red offer everything a budget audiophile might want. They truly deserve their top spot on this list. TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red review Connection: Wired 3.5mm Driver size: 10mm & 7.8mm dynamic Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: In-ear monitors | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 17.5 ohms | Weight: 0.9 ounces (26 grams) with cable | Cable lenght: 4.1 feet (1.25 meters) | Features: Bass+ adapter Smooth & neutral tuning that goes with all music genres Comfortable & stable fit for long listening sessions Detachable cable & replaceable nozzle mesh extends durability Good overall passive noise isolation No option for cable with mic/controls support Hear the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red A/B Sound Test: TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict If you’re looking for the best overall wired IEMs under $100, you can’t get anything better than ZERO:RED. They have an almost neutral sound signature and work fantastically with all music genres. They may have a slight bass boost, a thin midrange, and more energy could be in the treble. But we’re nitpicking. If you want a bit more oomph, you can use a Bass+ adapter to add a few dB to the low end. ZERO:RED design is simply gorgeous. They’re made of resin and have a red plate with a feather-like pattern underneath. Housing is ergonomically shaped, so you don’t need to worry about comfort. Even stability is impeccable thanks to the over-the-ear cable, which you can detach and replace if damaged. TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red review Check price 2. Shure SE215 Excellent pair of earbuds for great audio performance. Shure SE215SPE Pro Green Sound Isolating Earphones " BLACK FRIDAY SALE " Shure SE215SPE Pro Green Sound Isolating Earphones " BLACK FRIDAY SALE " $65.00 in stock Buy now eBay Shure SE215-CL Professional Sound Isolating Earphones with Single Dynamic MicroDriver, Secure… Shure SE215-CL Professional Sound Isolating Earphones with Single Dynamic MicroDriver, Secure… $89.00 $99.00 in stock 20 new from $89.00 as of November 30, 2023 4:06 pm Buy now Amazon.com shure se215-cl sound isolating earphones with single dynamic microdriver shure se215-cl sound isolating earphones with single dynamic microdriver $89.99 $99.00 in stock Buy now Walmart.com Shure SE215 are designed as professional-grade in-ear monitors for stage musicians. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: n/a Frequency range: 22-17.500Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise Cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: Microphone only | Impedance: n/a | Weight: n/a | Cable length: n/a | Features: Detachable cable, optional wireless adapter Good sound quality Price-to-performance ratio Detachable cable Narrow soundstage The overall signature on Shure SE 215 can be characterized as balanced, rich, and full. High frequencies are articulate, but not too sharp or piercing. Mids are precise and clear, without being tubby or muddy. And the bass response sounds warm, natural, and even. Here are some of the best audiophile headphones on the market. Shure makes high-quality audio products designed for use and abuse on and off the stage, so these earbuds are perfect for those in need of a robust headphone solution and good passive noise reduction capabilities. The body and tip assembly of the earbuds are resistant to moisture and sweat, making them a great option for use when exercising. You can get an adapter for Bluetooth connectivity from Shure to run SE215 wirelessly. Check price 3. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ are the best true wireless earbuds under $100 for most people. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ Earbuds, True Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, Hi-Fi Sound, in-Ear Stereo… Cambridge Audio Melomania 1+ Earbuds, True Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, Hi-Fi Sound, in-Ear Stereo… out of stock as of November 30, 2023 4:24 pm Buy now Amazon.com cambridge audio melomania 1+ earbuds, true wireless bluetooth 5.0, hi-fi sound, in-ear stereo… cambridge audio melomania 1+ earbuds, true wireless bluetooth 5.0, hi-fi sound, in-ear stereo… out of stock Buy now Walmart.com When a British audio company with a long tradition shows their true wireless pair of earbuds, you know they must be good. Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 Driver size: 5.8mm dynamic Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: True wireless | Battery life: 9h + 36h in case | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: 2h + quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX | Water resistance: IPX5 | Features: Companion app Even better sound that the predecessor Excellent battery life (9h per charge) Comfortable fit Good build quality Unique design Foam tips required for optimal fit No ANC or Ambient sound mode Small, 5.8mm graphene drivers do a fantastic job at reproducing your favorite tracks as faithfully as possible. They offer a balanced sound signature, that is very clean across the board, with good imaging capabilities. The Plus version now comes with an app with greater control over the sound and EQ. Melomania bullet-like housing not only makes them unique looking but also very comfortable to wear. For better comfort and best fit, there are foam tips already included in the box. In terms of features, they’re IPX5 sweat-resistant, have Bluetooth 5.0, and aptX and AAC audio codecs, covering both iOS and Android devices. The battery life is excellent, with up to 9 hours on a single charge and another 36 hours inside the charging case. Since they’re very similar, you can check the review of the older version Cambridge Audio Melomania 1. Check price Want more alternatives? Check the best Bluetooth headphones under $100. 4. Edifier W240TN Best earbuds under $100 that hit all the marks. Edifier W240TN Active Noise Cancellation TWS Earbuds Bluetooth V5.3 Wireless Edifier W240TN Active Noise Cancellation TWS Earbuds Bluetooth V5.3 Wireless $34.99 in stock Buy now eBay Edifier W240TN Edifier W240TN $69.99 in stock 1 used from $56.02 as of November 30, 2023 4:33 pm Buy now Amazon.com One of the top picks for true wireless earbuds with excellent audio quality and active noise cancellation. Edifier W240TN review Connection: Bluetooth 5.3 Driver size: 10mm woofer + 6mm tweeter Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz Type: True wireless | Battery life: 7h + 14h in case | Wireless range: 40 feet (12.1m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC | Water resistance: IP55 | Features: ANC, app, Game mode, EQ Great sound quality (after EQing) Comfortable & stable fit for long listening sessions ANC and Transparency mode performance rivals the best Solid build quality with an IP55 rating Edifier app packed with features and customizations Average battery life of 6+ hours per charge with ANC ANC makes the sound noticeably bright and thin Mediocre indoor Bluetooth range of around 40 feet Hear the Edifier W240TN A/B Sound Test: Edifier W240TN Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict In terms of pure value, Edifier W240TN are amazing. You get great sound quality for the price, with a controlled bass response and natural midrange. Of course, earbuds can sound better if you adjust their EQ inside the Edifier app. On top of custom EQ, the app also offers a control customizer and shutdown timer if you like sleeping with earbuds. Moreover, earbuds have impressive active noise cancellation that works almost as well as the best TWS earbuds, like Sony WF-1000XM4. Furthermore, the transparency mode boosts the ambient noise quite realistically, so you don’t have to take earbuds out of your ears to talk to people around. Edifier W240TN review Check price Related The best Bluetooth earbuds under $100 Best cheap earbuds (under $50 and less) Best noise cancelling earbuds 5. 1MORE Triple Driver Some of the best wired earbuds under $100 for the build. 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Earphones Hi-Res Headphones with High Resolution, Bass Driven Sound,… 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Earphones Hi-Res Headphones with High Resolution, Bass Driven Sound,… $54.99 $67.99 in stock 3 new from $49.49 2 used from $45.31 as of November 30, 2023 4:43 pm Buy now Amazon.com 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones (Earphones/Earbuds) with Apple iOS and Android Compatible… 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones (Earphones/Earbuds) with Apple iOS and Android Compatible… $83.37 $99.99 in stock Buy now Walmart.com 1MORE Triple Driver Wired In-Ear Headphones – Silver 1MORE Triple Driver Wired In-Ear Headphones – Silver out of stock Buy now eBay Despite getting slightly old, 1MORE Triple Driver are still one of the best-wired earbuds under $100. 1MORE Triple Driver review Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: 2 BA + 1 Dynamic Frequency range: 20-40.000Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: Yes | Impedance: 32 Ohm | Weight: 0.6 oz (18g) | Cable lenght: 4 feet (1.2m) | Features: Airplane adapter Decent sound with a forgiving, dark treble Premium-feeling build quality & a braided cable Tons of the accessories, even airplane adaptor Competitors are better in sound quality Background distortion when making phone calls in loud places Non-detachable cable & somewhat thin wires There is a decent sense of balance coming out of the three drivers. 2 balanced armature drivers take care that the mids and highs remain smooth and lush, while the remaining dynamic driver handles the low-end. These earbuds have something that the majority of true wireless ones don’t: aluminum construction. While they’re not water-resistant, at least they can take a little beating. Of course, they can survive longer if you carry them in an included case. It’s excellent to have a significant amount of accessories. You get 9 pairs of ear tips in various sizes and materials, from silicone to foam. That ensures a good fit, which is required to squeeze the most out of any IEM. The cable has inline remote control and microphone for answering phone calls. 1MORE Triple Driver review Check price Check the best earbuds under $50. 6. Sennheiser IE 40 PRO Best wired in-ear headphones under $100 for high-quality sound. Sennheiser IE 40 PRO, molded in ear dynamic monitors (Black) Sennheiser IE 40 PRO, molded in ear dynamic monitors (Black) $99.95 $124.95 in stock 3 new from $99.95 1 used from $180.00 as of November 30, 2023 4:43 pm Buy now Amazon.com Sennheiser IE 40 PRO In-Ear Dynamic Monitoring Headphones Lightweight Black NEW Sennheiser IE 40 PRO In-Ear Dynamic Monitoring Headphones Lightweight Black NEW out of stock Buy now eBay Sennheiser Inner Ear Headphones, Black, IE 40 Pro Sennheiser Inner Ear Headphones, Black, IE 40 Pro out of stock Buy now Walmart.com A new addition to the Sennheiser IE series offers a less general-public and more honest, audiophile sound signature. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: 10mm Frequency range: 20-18.000Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 20 Ohm | Weight: 0.6 oz (18g) | Cable lenght: 4.3 feet (1.3m) | Features: Over-the-ear design, detachable cable Detailed sound Stable fit Detachable cables No case included The sound reproduction on these is very detailed, especially in the treble, which is slightly boosted. The low-end has a good punch thanks to the 10mm dynamic driver, while the midrange remains somewhat recessed. Generally speaking, the IE 40 Pro are more suitable for professionals who like having in-ears during a stage performance. That’s why there aren’t many extra features to speak off. The detachable cable (MMCX connection) forms a hook, indicating that you need to wear these IEMs with the wire behind your ears. That reduces weight and helps with microphonics. Inside the box, there are 4 pairs of ear tips, with only one made of memory foam, and a cleaning tool. Check price 7. Etymotic Research ER2XR Impressive audio quality and passive outside noise reduction. Etymotic Research ER2XR Wired Ear Buds. Used. See Photos For Condition. Etymotic Research ER2XR Wired Ear Buds. Used. See Photos For Condition. $39.99 $51.66 in stock Buy now eBay Etymotic Research ER2XR Extended Response High Performance In-Ear Earphones (Detachable Dynamic… Etymotic Research ER2XR Extended Response High Performance In-Ear Earphones (Detachable Dynamic… $82.60 $99.95 in stock 13 new from $82.00 1 used from $76.65 as of November 30, 2023 4:43 pm Buy now Amazon.com Etymotic Research ER2XR Extended Response High Performance In-Ear Earphones (Detachable Dynamic… Etymotic Research ER2XR Extended Response High Performance In-Ear Earphones (Detachable Dynamic… $99.95 in stock Buy now Walmart.com In-ear monitors with a single balanced armature driver for clean frequency response. Connection: Wired – 3.5mm Driver size: Balanced armature Frequency range: 20-16.000Hz Type: In-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 15 Ohm | Weight: n/a | Cable length: 47 inch (1.2m) | Features: Detachable cable, triple-flanged tips Impressive sound quality (for the price) Excellent passive noise isolation Detachable cable Deeper insertion isn't for everyone Despite rocking only one full-range balanced-armature driver, the bass frequencies are quite present on these. Thankfully, it has good control, much like midrange and treble. The latter has good detail and is smooth, so you don’t have to worry about sibilance. Every Etymotic in-ear headphone has a familiar design. ER2XR (XR stands for “extended range”) are tiny earbuds that can easily fit in your ears. They come with foam and triple-flanged ear tips for deeper insertion. That ensures excellent passive isolation, but it can feel weird when you use them. The cable is detachable and uses an MMCX connection if you ever want to upgrade. Check price See best noise-isolating headphones. 8. EarFun Air Pro 3 Exceptional value earbuds from EarFun with a companion app and active noise cancellation. EarFun Air Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive Sound, 6 Mics CVC… EarFun Air Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive Sound, 6 Mics CVC… $55.99 $82.98 in stock 3 new from $55.99 4 used from $55.43 as of November 30, 2023 4:43 pm Buy now Amazon.com Comfortable EarFun earbuds for multipurpose use, from commuting, mobile gaming, and even serious music listening. EarFun Air Pro 3 review Connection: Bluetooth 5.3 Driver size: 11mm wool composite dynamic Frequency range: n/a Type: True wireless | Battery life: 8h + 36h in case | Wireless range: 40 feet (12.2 meters) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 1h – quick charge – USB-C & Qi charging | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LC3 | Water resistance: IPX5 | Features: App, multipoint Natural sound (after EQ) Comfortable & lightweight design Customization via companion app Bluetooth 5.3, LC3 codec, & multipoint Excellent battery life of over 8 hours per charge Effective active noise cancellation & ambient sound mode Not stable enough for sports activities Background hiss when in ANC mode Hear the EarFun Air Pro 3 A/B Sound Test: EarFun Air Pro 3 Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict By tweaking the sound using custom EQ, you make the Air Pro 3 nicely detailed and well-controlled across the entire frequency spectrum. These buds are perfect for any music lover. Earbuds are comfy (although not the most stable for exercising) and pack a beefy 8-hour battery on a single charge with ambient sound mode or active noise cancellation enabled. Speaking of the latter, it works impressively well for the price, with only a faith hiss in the background that isn’t too bothersome. Opening the EarFun Audio app lets you enable Game Mode and customize touch controls. Furthermore, you can use the new and highly efficient LC3 Bluetooth codec. EarFun Air Pro 3 review Check price For even cheaper options see the best cheap headphones. Honorable Mentions SoundPEATS H1 SoundPEATS has a good track record for making good-sounding products. The H1 budget wireless earbuds are fairly bass-heavy yet controlled-sounding earbuds with relatively balanced midrange and treble. SoundPEATS H1 review FiiO FH1s Wired earbuds with an over-the-ear fit that produce amazing sound and come with detachable cables. But you need a 3.5mm output on your phone. Check FH1 price Beats Flex Wireless You can now get Apple’s W1 chip on a budget. Compared to other Beats wireless headphones, Flex Wireless affordable earbuds output a more balanced sound profile. Beats Flex review Anker Soundcore Life P3 This good pair of buds feature an app with an adjustable EQ where you can fine-tune their sound to your liking and active noise cancellation. Thanks to the lightweight design, they’re comfy and fit securely for light exercising. Check Soundcore Life P3 price Sennheiser CX 400BT Truly wireless headphones with audio performance similar to the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2. Check CX 400BT price EarFun Air Pro 2 Great truly wireless earbuds with a sound profile for bass lovers and excellent noise canceling for under $100. EarFun Air Pro 2 provide good call quality, too. EarFun Air Pro 2 review Beyerdynamic Soul BYRD 2. Gen For the current asking price, this affordable pair of earbuds can portray impressively balanced, full-bodied sound. The second generation comes in a wireless neckband design, with Bluetooth 5.2 and an IPX4 sweat resistance for sports. If you are looking for a more low-end rumble, check our best bass earbuds guide. Check BYRD (2. Gen) price EarFun Free Pro 2 One of the best earbuds under $100 for active noise cancellation and ambient sound mode from EarFun with excellent sound performance. They even support Low Latency mode, which greatly reduces audio lag when watching videos and playing mobile games. EarFun Free Pro 2 review Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Great TWS earbuds from Anker, with good battery life, sound performance, and mic quality for taking phone calls. They come with an IPX5 rating, USB-C, and wireless charging, which is quite a lot for earbuds under $100. Check Liberty Air 2 price Creative Outlier Gold Cheap TWS earbuds with Super X-Fi app and 39-hour battery life. Creative Outlier Gold pack aptX and AAC Bluetooth codecs, giving you good wireless audio streaming with a balanced frequency range. Check Outlier Gold price What You Should Know About Earbuds under $100 What tier of earbuds are these? While $100 isn’t little money, you won’t get flagship earbuds either. Although the advancement in the last few years has come a long way. These are mid-tier buds that excel at good value for money, though you can expect more than from best cheap earbuds under $50. Above-average sound quality Earbuds in this wallet-friendly price range have overall decent sound quality with some gems outperforming models even above the $100 mark. You can find tonally very balanced models, but there’s still a noticeable loss in detail compared to the very high-end. On the other hand, if you just seek earbuds for some quality entertainment for music or movie watching, then earbuds under $100 is where you should be looking for. Better build quality A lot of cheap earbuds below $50 suffer from poor design and cheap materials that feel a bit flimsy. Spending a bit more also means that your earbuds are built better and with more durable materials. Good isolation Ambient noise overwhelms your music and makes it harder to listen to it (a fancy way to call it is auditory masking). Lower frequencies are the ones that suffer the most if the seal is too poor. With a proper seal, especially with memory-foam ear tips, you block more background and let in more music. Thus, dramatically improving the overall sound and lowering sound leakage. You can get aftermarket memory foam eartips for almost all earbuds. You just need to figure out what size fits them. Do you need an amplifier or DAC? You might be wondering if you need an amp to properly power your earbuds. You don’t (in most cases). Since earbuds are made to work well at lower Ohm requirements, they are loud and clear with most smartphones. It’s true if you’re an audiophile, you might notice a difference if you attach a high-end source device, but it won’t dramatically improve the loudness or clarity. It’s not worth carrying the amp in your pocket for a minuscule improvement. (FAQ): Frequently Asked Questions About Earbuds under $100 Do sub $100 earbuds have a mic? Most wireless earbuds under $100 come with a decent microphone. It’s less common with wired earbuds, you have to look for the microphone module on the cable. If there’s no module, the earbuds don’t have a microphone. How long do cheap earbuds last? Cheap earbuds can last as long as expensive ones if you take good care of them. Usually earbuds last at least a couple of years. But wireless earbuds with a battery slowly lose their capacity and have to be replaced eventually. Wired earbuds can last forever if you don’t break the cable. If you want the latter, definitely check our guide for the best earbuds with microphone. 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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