5 Best Wired Earbuds Under $100 (That Sound Amazing) in 2025

Here are the best wired earphones under $100 that sound amazing, have a comfy fit, and connect to any 3.5mm AUX-enabled device.

Why pay top dollar when you can get high-quality wired earbuds with Hi-Fi sound quality for less than $100?

Here, we discuss the pros & cons of headphones under $100.

Check our list of the best in-ear monitors below to find the right ones for you.

Best Wired Earbuds Under $100

1. TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red

If you want impeccable audio quality, the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red are the best wired earbuds under $100 we’ve tested – TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red review.

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.

Hear the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red A/B Sound Test:

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.

Runner-Up

2. Shure SE215

Excellent pair of earbuds for great audio performance.

Shure SE215 are designed as professional-grade in-ear monitors for stage musicians.

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.

Best Build Quality Wired Earbuds under $100

3. 1MORE Triple Driver

If you’re looking for durable, metal earbuds, the 1MORE Triple Driver are the toughest wired earbuds under $100 we’ve tested – 1MORE Triple Driver review.

Despite getting slightly old, 1MORE Triple Driver are still one of the best wire earbuds under $100.

Hear the 1MORE Triple Driver A/B Sound Test:

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 an inline remote control and microphone for answering phone calls.

For the toughest wired earbuds, check the 1MORE Triple Driver.

Related:

• The best Bluetooth earbuds under $100
• Top cheap earbuds (under $50 and less)
• Top noise-canceling earbuds

Best Sennheiser Wired Earbuds under $100

4. Sennheiser IE 40 PRO

For Sennheiser fans, the IE 40 PRO are the best wired in-ear headphones under $100.

A new addition to the Sennheiser IE series offers a less general-public and more honest, audiophile sound signature.

The sound quality 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 of.

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.

If you’re a Sennheiser fan looking for another wired in-ear monitor, check out the Sennheiser IE 40 PRO.

Best Bass Wired Earbuds under $100

5. CCA Trio

CCA Trio pack three 8mm drivers and adjustable tuning filters to price clear, spacious sound with good bass oomph – CCA Trio review.

Hear the CCA Trio A/B Sound Test:

CCA Trio’s name is based on the fact that these IEMs have three 8mm dynamic drivers inside each earbud. Each driver covers a specific frequency range, so you can expect great sound performance for less than $50.

Soundstage is also surprisingly wide thanks to the semi-open design, which allows the sound to breathe. Furthermore, you can play with 4 tuning filters, which slightly change the sound by adding bass or midrange/treble.

Trio come with a detachable over-the-ear cable, which ensures good stability and prevents the IEM’s weight from causing discomfort. They’re partially made of metal, so they feel quite heavy in the hand.

Moreover, they’re super efficient to drive, so you can use them with any device and get optimal results.

For more options, see the best noise-isolating headphones.

Honorable Mentions to Consider

FiiO FH1s

What to Expect from Wired Earbuds Under $100

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 earphones that excel at value for money and a focus on audio quality.

Strong sound quality

Wired earbuds in this price range generally have above-average sound quality. The models recommended on our list strongly outperform their price range and compete with more expensive models at $200 and up.

Most of them have a balanced sound tonality, but there’s still a noticeable loss in detail compared to the very high-end.

Generally, wired earbuds sound better than true wireless earbuds for $100. 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.

Comfort and stability

Earbuds with a cable are often easier to secure in the ears because you can wear them with the cable behind the ears.

Earbuds under $100 are no less comfortable than more expensive ones. The only thing you have to do is find the correct eartips and way of wearing them that fits your ears.

Solid build quality

A lot of cheap earbuds below $50 suffer from poor design and cheap materials that feel flimsy. That’s not the case at the $100 mark. Many are built from metal parts and also come with premium memory-foam ear tips and detachable cables.

Superb noise isolation

In-ear monitors are known for noise isolation, and $100 models are no different. With a proper seal, these block more background noise than competitors. Thus dramatically improving the listening experience and lowering sound leakage.

When ambient noise overwhelms your music and makes it hard to listen, it’s called auditory masking. It dramatically worsens the listening experience. Bass suffers the most, losing power if the seal is poor.

Thankfully, you can get aftermarket memory foam eartips for almost all earbuds. You just need to figure out what size fits them.

Many don’t have a microphone

Most wireless earbuds have a built-in microphone but not wired earbuds. Some have an in-line microphone, but many don’t have it at all.

The focus is on sound quality above other features, which is fine for listening at home, but sometimes you want to have a hands-free phone call. If you want that, check our guide for the best earbuds with a microphone.

No water protection

Wired in-ear headphones usually don’t have water resistance (IPX rating) due to design constraints. If you’re looking for sweatproof or waterproof earbuds, check out wireless workout earbuds.

Do I Need an Amplifier or DAC?

You might be wondering if you need an amp to properly power your earbuds?

For wired earbuds under $100 you don’t need an amp or digital-to-analog converted (DAC), in most cases.

Most wired earbuds at this price are made to be efficient at high sensitivity and low impedance (low Ohm requirements). This means they are loud and clear with most smartphones, tablets, and music players.

Also, most built-in DACs in modern smartphones are good quality for these earbuds. They convert digital music into analog without noticeable distortion.

But it can improve sound quality (a bit).

If you’re an audiophile, you might notice a marginal sound quality difference if you attach them to an amplifier. Generally, an amp increases the details and loudness to get the last bit of fidelity out of them.

But this is only suitable for listening at home. It’s not worth carrying the amp in your pocket for a minuscule improvement. The cost-to-benefit ratio is just too low, in my opinion.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Let us know if you pick any earbuds from this list. We’d love to know about it.