8 Best Earbuds under $50 in 2023 (in-ear headphones)

If you want quality buds for less money, check out the best earbuds under $50 you can get today.

Browse between the best wired and wireless options that not only surprise you with sound but also build quality and versatility.

Here is a quick rundown of our picks:

Can cheap earbuds under $50 have the latest technology and sound good?

Unfortunately, most of them don’t, as 50 bucks isn’t enough money.

But if you look hard enough, you can find a couple of gems that sound good, offer a comfortable and stable fit, and come with modern tech and features.

Check the list to find neutral or bass-heavy earbuds, wireless and wired options, and everything in between.

Not what you’re looking for?

• Best wireless earbuds under $50
• Best cheap earbuds
• Best earbuds under $100

The Best Earbuds under $50

Here you can find the best earbuds in the $30 – $50 range that offer the best value regarding sound, build quality, and comfort. Not the cheapest earbuds, but still on the lower end.

1. TOZO NC7

Hear the TOZO NC7 A/B Sound Test:

After applying custom EQ settings (found in our full review), TOZO NC7 start to sound impressively good (for the price). They’re still a bit thin in vocals but very natural, nonetheless.

Good things don’t end there. Earbuds are also masterful at active noise cancelling, reducing a good chunk of low frequencies, making them an excellent pick for commuters on a budget.

Furthermore, their battery life can play music for more than 9 hours on a single charge (18 hours if you turn the ANC off), the longest among all ANC earbuds.

Earbuds also offer an app for EQ, different ANC modes, control customization, and relaxing audio clips to help you fall asleep.

Searching for the best of the best? Check our recommendations and reviews of true wireless earbuds.

2. TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red

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

Tuned by Crinacle, Zero:Red have one of the most enjoyable sounds out there. With a pleasant balance of higher tones, mids, and bass, you will enjoy listening to all music genres.

IEM’s housing is made of resin and sports a beautiful red and black color scheme. The feather pattern on the plate gives them a unique look that will attract many looks.

Of course, it isn’t just about looks. Zero:Red have a universally comfortable shape and offer a very stable fit thanks to the ear hook cable going over the ear. The wire is detachable and uses 2-pin connectors.

While, as of the time of writing, they cost $55, paying $5 more gives you a sound quality that’s a no-brainer at this price.

3. Anker Soundcore Life A1

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

For the price, the sound quality is definitely a highlight. The Life A1 have a V-shaped sound signature with decent detail retrieval.

Earbuds have built-in EQ modes (Signature, Bass Boost, and Podcast mode. The latter reduces the bass and helps to bring out the vocals.

In terms of build, they’re very ergonomic and fit comfortably into your ears. They’re also exceptionally stable, thanks to ear wings, even during intense workouts.

Another highlight is the battery life. It lasted for 8 hours and 19 minutes in our test, with the charging case holding another 26 hours of juice. The latter supports fast and Qi wireless charging.

For similar earbuds with high IPX, see the best waterproof Bluetooth headphones.

4. Linsoul Tin Audio T2

These cheap earbuds show excellent performance. Bass is on the slightly punchier side of neutral, but the midrange remains nicely balanced, with high frequencies being presented with good sparkle.

All-metal housing gives a very industrial look to these budget earphones. Despite having some sharp edges, comfort is actually quite good.

Since they isolate well and don’t leak that much, you can use them to commute and even sports activities, especially if you wear them with a wire going behind the ear and with foam ear tips for extra fit.

They’re our top pick in overall durability. If the wire ever gets damaged, you can easily replace it with a new one. You only need to make sure you get the MMCX-compatible cable.

5. RHA S500

The bass notes dig very deep, and sometimes it does overpower the mix. With the recessed midrange and quite strong higher frequencies, these have a distinctive V-shaped sound.

S500’s come packed with 7 pairs of silicone ear tips so that you can choose from different sizes and shapes. There are even double-flanged ones for deeper seal and better sound isolation.

Earbuds themselves are made of aluminum and extremely light, almost feather-like. A 3.5mm connector is also made out of metal, while the cable is dressed in fabric.

RHA provides a 3-year warranty on all their audio products. Built-in remote control and microphone should work on both Android and iOS devices.

We have a separate guide for the best bass headphones here.

6. MEE Audio M6 PRO 2. Gen

The sound profile is very clear and detailed, so you can hear all the nuances, which is something you don’t often see in this price category.

The natural sound signature lacks a strong bass boost, even though you can change this with equalizing.

The construction and design are superb. Worn over-the-ears, have sweatproof chassis and detachable cables (2 types: stereo and mic version) to survive the longest gigs.

The sturdy casing is also friendly to the ears with ergonomics that offer a comfortable fit.

Noise from the crowd won’t bother you either because the M6 PRO are very effective at blocking the background noise, especially when you combine them with Comply foam ear tips.

If you’d rather pick something with ANC, check our guide for best noise cancelling earbuds.

7. Zero Audio Carbo Tenore

These earbuds can offer really good audio performance. They have an almost perfect balance of audio ranges without sibilance, even at higher volume levels.

There’s nearly no cable noise either, and all the ranges come out clear and detailed. The bass is punchy and controlled, which makes them enjoyable for all music genres.

Zero Audio is a Japanese company that is well-known in the audiophile world for offering one of the best cheap headphones.

These budget earbuds are lightweight and comfortable though they might stick out of the ears a bit, so you can’t sleep with them.

Ambient noise is reasonably well blocked and provides enough isolation to enjoy the high-end sound.

8. Treblab WX8

Hear the Treblab WX8 A/B Sound Test:

Despite a considerable bass boost, the sound stays quite natural throughout, only revealing that low-end punch when needed. The WX8 are one of the most pleasant TWS earbuds to listen to for under $40.

Moreover, earbuds are also very comfortable, thanks to their simple design without sharp edges. However, they aren’t suitable for sports activities due to their somewhat loose fit.

Nevertheless, you can easily wear Treblab WX8 on your commute or in the library since they don’t emit any sound leakage. Also, buds last up to 7 hours on a single charge.

Furthermore, earbuds are completely waterproof (IPX8), so you don’t have to worry if they fall underwater.

Honorable Mentions

RHA MA390

HiFiMan RE-400

Beats Flex

SoundPEATS Sonic

Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2

1MORE PistonBuds

TaoTronics Soundliberty 97

Aukey EP-T32

For slightly more money, look at the best Bluetooth headphones under $100.

Why Do My Earbuds Have No Bass?

The biggest and most common reason you’re not getting any bass is a bad fit.

You need to get an airtight fit. Otherwise, your earbuds won’t sound as good. To get the right fit, you have to pick the right ear tips for your ear size.

• Most earbuds come with at least 3 sizes, many with plenty more, and there are many other types to choose from among the aftermarket tips.

• The absolute best ones are the memory foam ones that offer superior comfort and passive isolation. However, you can usually only get them as an accessory, and they cost more money.

Try all sizes of ear tips and see which ones fit you best. One type will surely provide you with a solid fit and thus strong bass.

Of course, you have to be sure your earbuds actually have strong bass and aren’t bass-poor by design.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Earbuds

Find related earbuds:

Best bass earbuds
Best noise isolating headphones
Most durable earbuds