Once priced out of reach for many consumers, true wireless earbuds have come a long way since the original AirPods. Since 2017, products from major audio brands like Bose, Jabra, and Sony took the product category into the mainstream. Today, there are tons of great options to choose from that, most importantly, are actually affordable.
Until recently, consumers had to make major compromises in terms of quality, performance, and battery life to find a pair of true wireless earbuds on the cheap. Luckily, that's not the case anymore, so we've spent weeks researching, evaluating, and testing true wireless earbuds to determine which are the best under $100.
While testing each set of wireless earbuds from leading brands like JBL, Sony, and Soundcore, we kept sound quality, performance during calls, design, and fit in mind.
Before picking your next pair of affordable earbuds, there are a few different designs (or form factors) to consider. Products with AirPods-like stem design might cause less fatigue because their weight is more evenly distributed. On the other hand, traditional earbuds have a more compact fit and, on some occasions, a tougher build.
You can expect a solid audio performance and call quality from every pick of ours, though you should keep in mind that the closer you get to maxing out your $100 budget, the better they will be. Believe it or not, the product category’s finest earbuds also rock noise-cancellation and other cool features via a companion app.
Depending on how you plan to use them, the battery life of your next wireless earbuds is also important. When it comes to charging options, a battery case with futureproof USB-C connector is a must. You can even find options with cases that are compatible with wireless chargers, which is rather impressive given the price point. You should also look for buds with up-to-date Bluetooth 5.0 (or higher) connectivity to ensure reliable pairing with the latest smartphones, tablets, and laptops for all of your needs.
Upgrade your on-the-go sound with these thoroughly tested cheap wireless earbuds — all are considered true wireless options for less than $100.
• 11-millimeter audio drivers, multi-mode noise cancellation • IPX5 rating for water resistance • Best-in-class companion app • Up to 7 hours of battery life (35 hours with charging case)
Anker’s Soundcore Life P3 true wireless earbuds are our favorite pair of cheap wireless earbuds. For less than just $80, the buds offer a comfy fit with neat touch controls, enjoyable sound with robust noise cancellation, solid battery life, top-tier performance during calls, and a case that’s compatible with wireless charging (which we love). There are several colors to pick from: black, white, coral red, and a couple of shades of blue.
The P3’s sound and noise cancellation are fully customizable via a best-in-class companion app. The latter can even help you relax by playing a selection of soothing sounds. If you are looking for feature-packed buds under $100, but prefer a more compact form factor, consider the stemless Soundcore Life A2 NC instead.
• 6-millimeter dual drivers • IPX5 rating for water resistance • Tactile button controls • Up to 12 hours of battery life (50 hours with charging case)
The Flybuds C1 by Tribit have a longer battery life than any other option on this list. To top things off, their charging case holds more than three additional full charges, allowing you to enjoy the buds for up to 50 hours before having to look for a USB-C cable.
Combined with support for Qualcomm aptX audio tech, the buds’ dual drivers deliver a well-balanced sound most users will enjoy. Their performance during calls is also on point, courtesy of two microphones per earbud. Convenient button controls and futureproof Bluetooth 5.2 wireless connectivity round up the product’s noteworthy highlights.
• 13.4-millimeter audio drivers • IPX5 rating for water resistance • Lightweight build • Up to 4 hours of battery life (18 hours with charging case)
The 1MORE ComfoBuds true wireless earbuds are insanely lightweight and comfortable. Weighing only 3.8 grams each, they are lighter than any rival. Thanks to audio drivers that have been tuned by a Grammy Award-winning engineer, the earphones’ sonic capabilities are just as impressive. You can order the ComfoBuds in black or white.
While far from the best in their price range, the Comfobuds’ battery life is a fair tradeoff for their lightweight build and seamless comfort. If you're willing to spend an entire Benjamin, consider the feature-packed Comfobuds Pro with longer battery life and onboard noise cancellation.
• 12-millimeter audio drivers • Button controls • Google Fast Pair compatibility • Up to 5 hours of battery life (25 hours with charging case)
The JBL Tune 225TWS wireless earbuds are a solid alternative to the ubiquitous AirPods (not the Pro model). Just like Apple’s iconic product, these earbuds have a stem design and an ergonomic fit sans ear tips. In case you prefer to use the latter, consider the similarly priced JBL Tune 125TWS earbuds instead.
JBL has fitted the Tune 225TWS with large audio drivers, which pump out a bass-heavy sound. We like that the earbuds support Google Fast Pair tech, allowing them to seamlessly connect to Android phones. We do, however, wish that they had longer battery life and a rating for water resistance.
• 12-millimeter audio drivers • IPX4 rating for water resistance • Tri-hold fit with button controls • Up to 9 hours of battery life (18 hours with charging case)
Sony’s WF-XB700 EXTRA BASS wireless earbuds are the best option for bass heads with a budget of $100 or less. As their name suggests, the buds deliver a sonic experience that’s headlined by a thunderous, incredibly entertaining low range.
The buds have a durable build with an IPX4 rating for water resistance, a comfy fit, and convenient controls. With up to 9 hours of wireless playback, they have a stellar battery life, too. Their compact carrying case holds one additional full charge.
Durable build with high rating for water resistance
Comfy and secure fit
Powerful sound with custom modes
No companion app
Key Features
• 8-millimeter audio drivers • IPX7 rating for water resistance • Touch-sensitive controls • Up to 9 hours of battery life (35 hours with charging case)
The Soundcore Life A1 true wireless earbuds by Anker are deservedly our favorite for budget-conscious workout warriors. Priced around $50, they have a tough build with a robust rating for water resistance, a comfy and secure fit, neat touch controls, and surprisingly great sound with a trio of easy-to-access custom modes (signature, bass booster, and podcast).
Like many otherSoundcore products, the buds perform reliably during calls, too. With stellar battery life and a carrying case that’s compatible with wireless chargers, the Life A1 earbuds belie their affordable price tag.
• 6-millimeter audio drivers • IPX4 rating for water resistance • Sustainable craftsmanship • Up to 8 hours of battery life (28 hours with charging case)
The House of Marley Champion wireless earbuds, like all of the brand’s products, stand out with cool design and eco-friendly craftsmanship. The buds and their charging case are made using bamboo, natural wood-fiber composite material, as well as recycled silicone and plastic. They are water-resistant with an IPX4 rating.
Sound-wise, the Champion earbuds deliver a bass-forward sonic experience that’s incredibly entertaining. Convenient controls and dependable battery life between charges round up the product’s noteworthy highlights. The buds are available in a duo of colors (black and cream) with a matching case.
Durable build with high rating for water resistance
Powerful sound with enhanced bass
No companion app
Key Features
• 10-millimeter audio drivers • IPX7 rating for water resistance • Around-ear hooks and touch controls • Up to 6 hours of battery life (24 hours with charging case)
The JBL Endurance Peak II true wireless earbuds are an affordable alternative to the Powerbeats Pro, which cost $200. The buds have soft ear hooks, which help them stay in place even during the most strenuous workouts.
When it comes to the sonic experience, the Endurance Peak II earbuds deliver the legendary audio brand’s signature sound with enhanced bass that’s the perfect fuel for workouts. Other key features include touch-sensitive controls that work well, a tough build, and adequate battery life. JBL offers the product in black, white, and blue.
Stefan VazharovSenior Technology EditorStefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
