9 Best Earbuds under $50 in 2024

We’ve tested over 100 popular earbuds (out of 193 tested headphones).

Below are our recommendations for the best earbuds under $50 you can get today.

P.S. Check the A/B sound tests to know exactly how they sound.

All earbuds on our list are evaluated based on 9 key factors (Sonic9Score).  As the main criteria, we looked at their overall performance for the price. See our testing and ranking methodology.

Let’s be honest. Most earbuds for $50 aren’t good.

But if you look hard enough, there are a couple of gems that actually sound good, stay comfortable, and come with the latest features.

We looked at the options on the market, and here is what we think are the best earbuds under $50 today. For more options, see the best wireless earbuds under $50 or the top cheap earbuds at different prices.

Best Earbuds under $50

1. TOZO NC7

If you want good overall performance and effective noise cancellation, the TOZO NC7 are the best earbuds under $50 we’ve tested – TOZO NC7 review.

These $50 earbuds sound great, have impressive battery, and are comfortable for everyday use. They’re the go-to buds for people looking for the latest premium features on a budget because they perform better than other earbuds under $50 in most categories.

Check the TOZO NC7 A/B Sound Test:

After applying custom EQ settings (found in our full review), TOZO NC7 sound impressively good (for the price). They’re very natural with good details, suitable for all music genres. And you can always adjust the sound profile to your liking inside the companion app with equalization.

Good things don’t end there. These are the best active noise cancelling earbuds under $50. They reduce a good chunk of low frequencies with ANC modes, making them an excellent pick for commuters on a budget. ANC can be compared to more expensive models, which is rare at this price point.

They’re comfortable for daily use thanks to their ergonomic design. But they’re not the most stable for sports. Even though are waterproof with an IPX6 rating.

Their battery plays music for more than 9 hours on a single charge (18 hours if you turn the ANC off), among the longest out of ANC earbuds. You can also customize controls and play relaxing audio clips to help you fall asleep.

For the overall best earbuds with noise cancellation, check ou the TOZO NC7.

Best Cheap Earbuds under $50

2. SoundPEATS Clear

If you prefer a cheaper model, the SoundPEATS Clear True Wireless are the best cheap earbuds under $50 we’ve tested. Great for those seeking reliable performance – SoundPEATS Clear.

If you’re looking for inexpensive earbuds under $50, these offer the best overall performance. With reliable wireless connectivity, good sound, and fit, they’re the optimal choice for the price.

Hear the SoundPEATS Clear A/B Sound Test:

The 12mm drivers inside produce a surprisingly balanced sound signature that’s enjoyable for all music genres. And with the EQ in companion app, you can adjust it to fit whatever genre you listen to.

Comfort and fit are equally great. In our head-shaking test, the earbuds stuck in the ears well. And that stayed true during exercise testing. You can easily use them for sports and working out because the eartips latch to the inside of the ear canal and don’t slip.

They’re made out of clear plastic and are sweatproof, so you can use them in the rain. We tested the battery at 5 hours and 45 minutes, while not the longest, it’s a solid performance for the price.

You also get Adaptive EQ, 9 sound presets, and a clear microphone quality for phone calls. They have good noise isolation but suffer from some wind noise in bad weather.

For the price, they offer good performance across the board and are perfect for a casual user.

Best Bass Earbuds under $50

3. CCA Trio

If you prefer natural sound with a pinch of bass, the CCA Trio have the most natural tuning of earbuds under $50 we’ve tested – CCA Trio review.

CCA Trio are in-ear monitors with a warm yet natural tuning and smooth audio performance across the frequency response.

Hear the CCA Trio A/B Sound Test:

Trio IEMs are rocking a triple dynamic driver setup, with each driver playing a different frequency range (bass, midrange, and treble). That makes them sound more effortless and airy.

Surprisingly, they have a really wide soundstage for an in-ear headphone, with sounds playing further out of your head. Accompanied with accurate imaging, they’re a joy to listen to.

Despite their semi-open design, these IEMs don’t suffer from excessive sound leakage. They’re also effective at passive noise isolation, so you don’t hear much of your surroundings, and handle cable noise pretty well.

All in all, if you want great-sounding in-ear monitors under $50, these are a top choice.

Best Earbuds under $50 for Workouts

4. Edifier TWS1 Pro 2

If you want earbuds for working out and sports, the Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 are the best earbuds for sports and bass under $50 we’ve tested – Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 review.

These are comfortable, dustproof and sweatproof, and don’t fall out when exercising. This and the IPX4 sweatproof design make them a much better choice for sports than TOZO NC7. And they have more features than SoundPEATS Clear with ANC and Ambient sound mode which is useful for working out outside.

They have a V-shaped sound signature with boosted bass that becomes more balanced when you turn on the ANC. This makes them suitable for bass-heavy music, which is what most people prefer during workouts. We have a separate guide for the best bass earbuds here.

We tested the battery at 4 hours 40 minutes with ANC turned on, without ANC, they last over 6 hours. This is solid and more than enough for a workout or two.

The noise isolation and ANC are decent, but nothing to write home about. They reduce ambient noise noticeably. With a microphone, you can have phone calls on a run, as long as it doesn’t get too loud.

These aren’t top-notch in any category, but for $50, you will have a hard time finding better Bluetooth earbuds for working out.

Best Wired Earbuds under $50

5. TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red

The Zero:Red are the best wired earbuds under $50 right now – TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red review.

If you want the best balanced audio quality from wired earbuds under $50, TRUTHEAR x Crinacle Zero:Red are the best choice.

Tuned by Crinacle, Zero:Red have one of the most enjoyable sounds out there, with a pleasant balance of higher tones, mids, and bass. I enjoyed listening to them for all music genres.

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

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 attracts looks.

Of course, it isn’t just about looks. Zero:Red have a universally comfortable shape and offer a stable fit thanks to the ear hook cable going over the ear. Nonetheless, these are not the best for sports because the fit loses grip when moving, and they have no water protection.

The wire is detachable and uses 2-pin connectors to ensure longevity. And overall, they feel decently built in hands.

With above-average noise isolation, they remove background noise in noisy places, so you can enjoy your audio in peace.

At the time of writing, they cost $55, but I still included them in the list because their sound quality is a no-brainer at this price.

Runner-Ups: Other to Consider

6. Anker Soundcore Life A1

7. Treblab WX8

8. TOZO T20

9. EarFun Air 2

For slightly more money, look at the best wireless earbuds under $100 and the best wireless headphones under $100.

How We Test

We test each pair of earbuds on 9 categories. We take objective measurements in categories where this is possible. For example, frequency response for audio quality (see graphs in full reviews).

We also test their water protection, connectivity, usefulness of their features, noise isolation, and ANC and create microphone test recordings for everyone to hear. The measurements and hands-on experience in different situations help us compare and pick the best-performing earbuds that we can confidently recommend. Read more on our testing and scoring methodology.

How did we pick the models?

Here are wired and wireless earbuds that excel in important testing categories. All recommended earbuds perform above the competition in the same price range. We chose from 193 popular headphones we tested. Then, we ranked them for different use cases and types.

What to Expect from Earbuds under $50?

• Average sound quality that’s good for casual users (apart from our recommendations that sound better)
• Cheaper materials and lower build quality, but many still have some water resistance
• A comfortable fit, with some being suitable for sports
• Basic active noise cancellation that removes some ambient noise
• A clear microphone in a quiet environment, but struggling when noisy
• Average battery playtime of around 5 hours

Specific models in our list perform much better than average. See the list for specifics.

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. So the bass doesn’t escape the ear canal. 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 best ones are memory foam tips that offer superior comfort and passive isolation. However, you can usually only get them as an accessory, and they cost more money.
• Make sure your earbuds actually have strong bass and aren’t bass-poor by design.

Try all sizes and types to see which ones fit you best. One type will surely provide you with a solid fit and stronger bass.

Models We Considered That Didn’t Make The List

• Linsoul Tin Audio T2: Removed due to their price increasing over $50.
• TaoTronics Soundliberty 97 were replaced by a newer model.
• Aukey EP-T32 are hard to get today.
• Sony WI-C310 is an older model surpassed by TWS models.
• JLab Audio GO Air POP are a solid choice, but the SoundPEATS Clear are better.
• Skullcandy Dime True Wireless are an older model beaten by competitors on our list.
• Beats Flex have an outdated neckband design and overall average, albeit very balanced, sound quality.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The list above is what we think are the best earbuds for under $50. Tell us which ones you’re the most interested in. And you can always leave a comment.

If you want to check other reviews, see the list. I promise you won’t find better earbuds for $50 there, but you can still check 🙂