The Best Earbuds Under $100 of 2025: Earfun, Anker, JBL

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Some of our favorite earbuds and headphones come from brands like Bose, Sony, and Apple, which are all locked in an arms race for the best audio and most cutting-edge features. But the drive to innovate comes at a cost. Specifically, $250 – $300, which is roughly the range of many of our favorite flagship earbuds. Given how easy it is for an earbud to go rogue under the couch cushions, there’s a case to be made for cheap earbuds.

With even budget brands offering features like active noise canceling (ANC) and customized EQ, it’s easier than ever to find a pair of high-quality earbuds for less. There are inevitable trade-offs, typically with the audio quality. But if you’re looking for a pair of earbuds for working out or you’re simply looking to avoid dipping into the grocery budget for new buds, we’ve rounded up the best earbuds under $100, including options that start at under $30.

We tested all of the options below, evaluating factors like comfort and sound quality. We also dove into the spec sheet to find earbuds that pack the most useful features for the price, comparing factors like the earbuds’ apps, battery life, and water resistance.

The Best Earbuds Under $100

Our picks for the best earbuds under $100 range from workout-focused pairs to everyday options with robust active noise-canceling. And while some of our options are close to the Benjamin limit, we sought out earbuds in the $30 to $50 range, too.

Nothing seemingly came out of nowhere. The UK-based tech company was founded in 2020 by Carl Pei, the co-founder of smartphone manufacturer OnePlus, and Nothing makes smartphones and earbuds with a distinctive, bold design ethos. The company may be called Nothing, but they’re anything but anonymous.

At the top of the $100 limit, the Nothing Ear (A) earbuds sound great and are feature-rich, at a price point below the most affordable AirPods. Speaking of AirPods, the buds themselves have a familiar design, with pinch controls that will be recognizable to AirPod users. Pinching the stem controls playback and phone calls, and you can also customize the controls in the app. The controls respond with a satisfying, tactile click.

The app also includes features like customizable ANC, which performs well at cutting out external noise outside. The earbuds also have in-ear detection, so popping one earbud out will automatically pause the music. In terms of design, the earbuds have transparent plastic throughout, with see-through stems and a clear plastic lid. I was a fan of the bold yellow colorway on the pair I tested, but these earbuds also come in a more muted white or black colorway.

The streamlined app also includes customizable EQ for those who prefer more bass or treble. I found the standard “balanced” setting lived up to its name, and the earbuds sounded crisp across a variety of genres.

Earfun’s earbuds are aesthetically unremarkable, bearing a striking resemblance to earbuds from brands like Anker and others. But what Earfun lacks in splashiness, it more than makes up for in value. The audio performance is surprisingly crisp, and I found them to be on par with much more expensive earbuds. They boast Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound for high-quality, lossless audio.

They also feature dependable, customizable ANC to reduce background noise. As with many noise-canceling earbuds, I found that the sound quality is at its best with ANC on. You also get an aware mode, plus wind reduction and adaptive ANC. The feature-rich app includes customizable controls, including the ability to set separate functions for the left and right earbuds. You can also play with EQ in the app, or choose from different sound signatures like “Natural” and “Vocal Enhancement.”

The earbuds also feature in-ear detection that dependably pauses and plays audio when you take an earbud out. The touch controls are reliable, although the small sensor area can make it difficult to accurately use them when on the go. The earbuds are comfortable with a secure in-ear fit, with various eartip sizes if needed.

The case isn’t as sleek or slim as AirPods, for example, but they’re not overly bulky, and they feature three lights that indicate the charging level.

If you’re looking for an affordable pair of workout earbuds, Anker Soundcore Sport X20 were one of our favorite earbuds with ear hooks, thanks to the soft silicone hooks that secure the buds in place without exerting excess pressure. The ear hooks are adjustable too, so you can adjust them as needed to fit your ear.

The app gets you everything you need out of a pair of earbuds, including adjustable ANC and customizable EQ, and while the noise-canceling isn’t as zen-like as flagship earbuds from Apple or Bose, they’re more than capable for noisy commutes. Soundcore lists the listening time as 12 hours with the earbuds, or 48 hours in the case, which isn’t surprising from a brand best known for making portable chargers. The IP68 rating means these earbuds are durable enough for even the toughest workouts.

The sound quality isn’t as impressive as our top pick, but the excellent ANC and well-designed shape make these a great pair of earbuds for workouts or everyday use.

For a pair of earbuds that cost a mere $30, JLab got a lot of things right. The controls are intuitive and responsive, but not overly sensitive. Double-tapping controls playback, while a single tap on the left or right lowers and raises the volume, respectively. Long-pressing switches the ANC on and off.

The ANC and audio quality won’t wow, but the noise-cancelling is suitable for everyday use. Standing on a busy street, I could still hear background noise, but I didn’t have to raise the volume to compensate. The app’s EQ settings are surprisingly comprehensive, with three modes: “JLab Signature”, “Balanced,” and “Bass Boost.”

The buds themselves are small and discreet, but they fit securely in the ear. They’re rated IP55 for water and dust resistance, so they should be able to handle most workouts. Like the buds, the case is compact and will fit neatly in most pockets.

The case does have one quirk, and it’s that the USB-C charging cable is built in. That means you need to find a USB-C port to plug it into. Some may appreciate not having to carry around an extra cable, but I’d prefer a standard USB-C port. Ultimately, the Go Pop earbuds are shockingly affordable, with solid battery life (24 hours total), a feature-rich app, and ANC that’s sufficient for everyday use.

Anker’s Liberty 4 NC earbuds come right up to the $100 mark, but they’re still a great value for the money. They feature impressive ANC, including an Adaptive mode and Wind Noise Reduction.

The feature-rich app lets you play with the EQ, and a 3D surround sound mode is designed to create an immersive audio experience, although I didn’t feel that it enhanced the audio performance. The earbuds also feature customizable controls, with the ability to set separate controls for the left and right earbuds.

The earbuds also feature in-ear detection, automatically pausing the music when you pop an earbud out. It works, but it’s not as fast as AirPods or Samsung earbuds; there’s about a one to two second delay. Where these earbuds shine is call quality, thanks to the six beamforming mics that amplify vocals and reduce background noise.

Anker’s Liberty 4 NC earbuds also offer impressive battery life. Combined with the solid ANC, that makes them a great option for travel earbuds for frequent fliers. If there are gripes, they’re fairly minor; the case is bulky, and the clasp to open it is somewhat inelegant. The design is also fairly bland, although many will prefer the neutral look to the bolder design of brands like Nothing.

CMF, a sub-brand of Nothing, makes earbuds that are even more affordable than Nothing’s flagship line of buds. There are a few trade-offs, including a slightly cheaper-feeling build, but you still get adaptive ANC and customizable EQ. While the Nothing Ear (a) earbuds have pinch controls, the Buds Pro 2 use customizable tap controls.

I set double tap to play and pause, and you can also set controls to skip back and accept or decline calls. Tap and hold toggles the ANC on and off. The ANC is sufficient, and there are three modes, including transparency, on, and off. It’s a good idea to leave it toggled on at all times — I found that audio quality took a hit with the ANC off. However, keeping the ANC on takes a toll on the battery life.

The most fun feature of the earbuds, at least for a fidgeter like me, is the case. It’s bulky, but it has a rotating dial that can be used to control the volume. Pressing the dial gives a satisfying tactile click, and the multifunction button can be used to control playback, open your voice assistant, or switch to low latency mode. All of the features are customizable in the Nothing X app.

These earbuds also have a key feature not always found on budget earbuds, and that’s in-ear detection. The app also features a “Find My Earbuds” function, which, while not as comprehensive as Apple’s Find My, is still a handy utility. It plays a loud, high-pitched noise (the app warns you to make sure you’re not wearing the earbuds when you turn the feature on), making it easier to locate the earbuds.

JBL’s Endurance Peak 3 headphones have a few quirks and missing features. For starters, they don’t have ANC, the touch controls are overly sensitive, and the case is huge. There’s also no in-ear detection. But there’s a lot to appreciate about these earbuds, particularly if you’re looking for a workout-focused pair.

The ear hooks are comfortable, with a secure fit that isn’t overly irritating. They’re also very durable, with a substantial-feeling build and an IP68 waterproof rating. That means that they can withstand the sweatiest, grimiest workouts.

The sound quality is also impressive. Unlike some workout-focused earbuds, it doesn’t overly favor the low end, meaning these are a great option to use outside of the gym, too. The app also lets you customize the EQ, including settings tuned to specific genres.

Like the case, the earbuds are fairly bulky, but not uncomfortably so; I found that the ear hooks helped distribute the weight. The buds also have silicone around the entire head, not just the tips, helping reduce irritation. The all-day comfort is complemented by the all-day battery life, too.

Beats Solo Buds are basic by design, with a tiny, lightweight case that’s easy to take on the go for anyone who likes to pack light. The earbuds themselves are small as well and didn’t excessively protrude from my ears. The lightweight build also makes them comfortable to wear, even if the hard plastic does wear on the inner ear after a while.

Part of the reason for the case’s lightweight build is that there is no battery — while most earbuds have a case with a battery that recharges the buds, the Beats’ Solo Buds don’t. To recharge the earbuds, you have to plug them in using the USB-C port in the case. A charging case isn’t totally necessary, though — the buds have up to 18 hours of battery life. The earbuds have a physical button that controls playback. One push plays and pauses, while a long press can be customized to control volume. The buttons require a decent amount of force, however, meaning the buds pushed into my ear when I used them.

The key appeal of these earbuds is that they’re the cheapest option in Apple’s roster, and while they don’t sound as impressive as AirPods, you still get some Apple-specific features like Find My compatibility and seamless pairing with iPhones. Like all Beats earbuds, these also work well with Android phones thanks to the Beats app.

How We Picked The Best Earbuds Under $100

Our music-obsessed editors have tested a lot of earbuds and headphones, from premium picks from brands like Sonos to sport-focused earbuds. For our roundup on the best earbuds under $100, we focused on value, picking brands that combined useful features and quality performance at an attainable price.

And because prices fluctuate, we made sure all of our picks are under $100 at full price. Some of our picks are close to the $100 limit, but we also attempted to include options that were under $50 and $30 as well to suit every budget.

With price as our starting point, we looked for earbuds that offered value beyond just a low price. We evaluated the earbuds’ companion apps for ease of use and features like customizable EQ and controls. And since audio quality comes first, we evaluated the earbuds in terms of performance, both to our subjective listening standards and based on the Bluetooth codec used.

Additionally, we checked the spec sheet for factors like battery life and waterproof protection.