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Looking for Cheap Earbuds? These Are the 11 Best Under $50
These affordable buds are worth a listen.
By 
Looking for a pair of quality earbuds on a tight budget? Believe it or not, you can find plenty of pairs under $50 that have a remarkable sound for their price point.
In order to determine the best wireless earbuds for those on a budget, we reviewed the product category's latest offerings from leading brands like Beats by Dre, Sony, and Soundcore, to name a few. The cheap earbuds we recommend all deliver respectable sound, any many have additional features that make them convenient for many lifestyles.
Best Cheap Earbuds
- Best True Wireless Earbuds: Soundcore Life A1 Wireless Earbuds by Anker
- Best Wireless Neckband Earbuds: Beats Flex Wireless Earphones
- Best Under $10: Panasonic RP-HJE120 ErgoFit Earbuds
- Comfiest Fit: 1More Comfobuds Wireless Earphones
- Best for Style-Conscious Audiophiles: 1MORE Stylish Dual Driver Earbuds
- Compatible With Any Phone: Belkin RockStar Wired Earbuds
- Best for Gaming: Turtle Beach Battle Buds Gaming Earbuds
- Most Epic Bass: Sony MDR-XB50AP Extra Bass Earbuds
- The Pick With a Detachable Cable: MEE audio M6 PRO In-Ear Monitors
- The Most Eco-Friendly: House of Marley Smile Jamaica Earbuds
- Best Neckband Under $30: Sony WI-C200 Wireless Earbuds
What to Consider
Affordable earbuds come in a few forms, so it’s important to know the pros and cons of each one. You can choose between true wireless earbuds, wireless neckband ones, and wired earphones.
True wireless earbuds are unquestionably the most up-to-date and convenient option to consider. Such earbuds are also water-resistant and best suited for exercising. However, you should be mindful that the sound quality and the battery life of sub-$50 products, while plenty reliable, are not the best you can get for the money.
On the other hand, wireless neckband earbuds have vastly longer battery life than their true wireless siblings. If you're looking for a wireless headset you can depend on for, say, an entire workday, this is the type of earbuds to go for.
And while wired earbuds might seem like an old-school thing of the past, don't be so quick to write them off. Compared to their wireless relatives, some wired earbuds deliver a higher-quality sound. If you're a discerning audiophile with $50 to spend, you should seriously consider them, as long as you have a media player or a phone with a standard audio jack. If not, don’t worry — there are solid options with a Lightning or a USB-C connector worth buying.
Our guide spans from $50 true wireless earbuds all the way to super affordable wired earphones for less than $10. Find better sound on the cheap among these tried and tested offerings.
Soundcore Life A1 True Wireless Earbuds
Soundcore Life A1 True Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Good sound with a trio of custom modes
- Water-resistant build
- Solid battery life and wireless charging case
Cons
- Some might find the design a tad too dull
Key Features
• IPX7 rating for water resistance
• Up to 9 hours of battery life (35 hours with bundled case)
• Storage case with USB-C and wireless charging
The Soundcore Life A1 by Anker are the best true wireless earbuds under $50, offering a sleek and durable design, a comfy fit with reliable controls, and good sound. Their call quality is solid, too.
You can expect up to 9 hours of playback from the earbuds — a remarkable feat for such an affordable product. Their USB-C carrying case packs a trio of additional charges. Rather impressively, they're compatible with wireless charging, too.
Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds
Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Great sound for the price
- Exceptional wireless connectivity
- Good battery life and USB-C connector
Cons
- No official rating for water resistance
Key Features
• Apple W1 wireless chip
• Up to 12 hours of battery life
• USB-C charging connector
The Beats Flex wireless earbuds are the best neckband offering $50 can buy. They offer a mixture of cool, instantly recognizable design, the brand’s signature sound, stellar battery life, a convenient USB-C connector, and superb connectivity with Apple and Android devices.
Thanks to the W1 chip, the Beats Flex can seamlessly connect with Apple hardware. Like AirTags, the buds are even compatible with Apple’s Find My network. There are several colors to pick from.
Panasonic RP-HJE120 ErgoFit Earbuds
Panasonic RP-HJE120 ErgoFit Earbuds
Pros
- Colorful design
- Comfy fit
- Incredibly affordable price
Cons
- Below-average audio quality
Key Features
• Ergonomic design
• 3.6-foot cable
• 15 color options
Sound aficionados might scoff at any cheap earbuds that come in at less than $10, but they’ve probably never tried the Panasonic ErgoFit buds, which just happen to be a longtime favorite of ours. They offer a playful look, a comfortable fit, and adequate sound quality for their low price tag.
Panasonic offers the headset in a wide variety of colors — 15 to be precise. You can pick between ErgoFit earbuds with a glossy or a matte finish.
1More Comfobuds True Wireless Earbuds
1More Comfobuds True Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Comfiest earbuds out there
- Powerful sound
- Water-resistant build
Cons
- Underwhelming battery life
Key Features
• IPX5 rating for water resistance
• Up to 4 hours of battery life (18 hours with bundled case)
• Storage case with USB-C connector
The true wireless 1More Comfobuds are the comfiest earphones you can buy at any price point. Each bud weighs only 3.8 grams — less than any true wireless offering out there. Such comfort is a worthy tradeoff for the product’s underwhelming, 4-hour battery life.
With large audio drivers, the Comfobuds delivers a powerful and entertaining sound. Their call quality is solid, too. The water-resistant earphones have AirPod-like stems and touch controls.
1MORE Stylish Dual Driver Wired Earbuds
1MORE Stylish Dual Driver Wired Earbuds
Pros
- Great sound for the money
- Sleek and durable design
- Convenient remote control
Cons
- Only available with a standard audio jack
Key Features
• Dual audio driver setup
• Metal housings
• Three-button remote inline remote
These cheap earbuds by 1MORE have a sleek design and a metal finish, which isn't typical for a product at this price point. You can order them in black, green, pink, or gold.
Thanks to a dual-driver audio setup and expertly tuned audio signature, they sound better than other cheap earbuds in the under-$30 price range. Other key features of the headset include a three-button remote control and tangle-free cable.
Belkin RockStar Wired Earbuds
Belkin RockStar Wired Earbuds
Pros
- Available with USB-C or Lightning connector
- Comfortable fit with convenient remote
- Splash- and sweat-resistant
Cons
- Plasticky build could be better
Key Features
• Available with USB-C or Lightning connector
• Sweat- and splash-resistant build
• Three-button inline remote
Most new smartphones don't have a headphone jack, so consider a set of cheap earbuds that are compatible with their onboard wired port. Available with an Apple Lightning and a USB-C connector, the Belkin RockStar earbuds are lightweight, comfy, and, with a water-resistant build, good for exercising.
These cheap earbuds have excellent noise isolation, as well as a built-in remote for taking calls and controlling the audio playback. You can order the earbuds in black or white.
Turtle Beach Battle Buds In-Ear Gaming Headset
Turtle Beach Battle Buds In-Ear Gaming Headset
Pros
- Powerful sound
- Versatile remote control
- Detachable boom microphone
Cons
- Bulkier than most rivals
Key Features
• 10-millimeter audio drivers
• Multifunctional inline remote
• Detachable boom microphone
Gamers looking for cheap earbuds should consider the Turtle Beach Battle Buds. They deliver a powerful sound with enhanced bass and treble. Thanks to a detachable microphone, the Battle Buds will ensure that your in-game voice chats (or Zoom calls) are loud and clear.
Best of all, these earbuds are super comfortable. They come with several sets of ear tips and ear stabilizers for finding the perfect fit. You can order them in black or white with light blue accents.
Sony MDR-XB50AP Extra Bass Earbuds
Sony MDR-XB50AP Extra Bass Earbuds
Pros
- Powerful sound with thunderous bass
- Cool design and comfy fit
- Tangle-free cable
Cons
- Some might find the bass too overwhelming
Key Features
• 12-millimeter audio drivers
• Tangle-free cable
• Inline remote control
These Sony earphones deliver big bass for a small price tag, thanks to their large 12-millimeter audio drivers. The headset's powerful bass is fun to experience, as long as you're not obsessed with hearing a consistently accurate sound.
These cheap earbuds have a smartphone-friendly, single-button remote control and comfy silicone earbuds. There are three colors available: red, blue, and black.
MEE audio M6 PRO In-Ear Monitors
Pros
- Excellent audio quality
- Versatile design with detachable cables
- Rich retail package
Cons
- Optional Bluetooth adapter is pricey
Key Features
• Interchangeable audio cables
• Sweat-resistant build
• Optional Bluetooth adapter
The MEE audio M6 PRO earbuds have an in-ear design with detachable cables, making them a unique option that offers both wired and wireless options. The headset's audio drivers also deliver one of the best sound signatures in this price range.
The earbuds come with two detachable cables (one with a smartphone remote), six pairs of ear tips, a quarter-inch adapter, and a carrying case. You can order them with a semi-transparent case in black, blue, red, or a clear finish.
House of Marley Smile Jamaica Wired Earbuds
Pros
- Characterful and eco-friendly
- Entertaining sound
- Available in many colors
Cons
- Only two additional sets of ear tips
Key Features
• 9-millimeter audio drivers
• Inline remote control
• Tangle-resistant cable
The Smile Jamaica wired earphones by House of Marley feature eco-friendly materials that include responsibly sourced wood and recycled aluminum. The use of wood in their construction results in an entertaining sound with enhanced bass delivery.
A one-button remote control and microphone allow users to snap out of the good vibes and make phone calls. These cheap earbuds are also available in a wide variety of color options.
Sony WI-C200 Wireless Earbuds
Sony WI-C200 Wireless Earbuds
Pros
- Great sound for the money
- Comfy fit and convenient remote
- Long battery life
Cons
- No official rating for water resistance
Key Features
• 9-millimeter audio drivers
• Up to 15 hours of battery life
• USB-C charging connector
Sony’s WI-C200 are our favorite wireless neckband earbuds for less than $30. They're lightweight, extremely comfortable, and have a solid sound quality for their price range. You can order the buds in black or white.
Other product highlights include convenient playback and volume controls, up to 15 hours of battery life, and a futureproof and fast USB-C charging connector. The buds snap magnetically together when not in use.
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
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