Not everyone can afford expensive wireless earphones like the Bose QuietComfort 2 or the Sony WF-1000XM4 or Apple’s AirPods Pro 2. However, there are several unexpectedly good, reasonably priced, and even really inexpensive wireless earbuds that offer good audio quality and respectable all-around performance, together with reliable Bluetooth connectivity and long-lasting batteries for both Apple and Android smartphones. Many of these inexpensive wireless earbuds can be used to make phone conversations, and in some cases they even perform effectively. In case you’re interested in using these for running or the gym, information on battery life and water resistance is also supplied. This list will be updated when more cost-effective solutions become available, allowing you to locate cheap earbuds that fit your budget.
1. Earfun Air S
The Earfun Air S, which is brand-new for 2022, might be the best of the three thanks to multipoint Bluetooth pairing and the newest Qualcomm QCC3046 chip with the aptX audio codec for Android and other compatible devices. They boast surprisingly great sound for their affordable pricing and share the same 10mm wool drivers as the AirPro SV. Additionally, they function admirably as a headset for phone calls with respectable background noise suppression. The earbuds are splashproof and can endure a sustained stream of water because they have an IPX5 water resistance rating.
2. Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe HS
These Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe HS earphones stand out because, for open earbuds, they sound remarkably nice; their audio quality is comparable to that of Apple’s AirPods 3. Additionally, for devices that support it, they support Sony’s LDAC audio codec. There aren’t many inexpensive open earbuds with good sound, but these Soundpeats provide good clarity and bass response. They offer a low-latency gaming mode and are also useful for making calls.
3. Earfun Air Pro SV
Although the buds’ squared-off stems can be seen through the case’s small glass, Earfun emphasises that the buds’ other features, such as their form and design, are similar to those of the AirPods Pro. While the case supports wireless charging, the earbuds lack a sensor that stops playback when you remove them from your ears and resumes it when you put them back in. If you want, you can use only one bud. They have passably responsive touch controls.
4. Ugreen’s HiTune X6
There are certain restrictions. The first thing people heard was that these sound better without the noise cancellation (they lose some clarity with it on). The provided tips should suit the ears of the majority of users, but was able to get an even tighter seal by substituting a pair of my preferred tips, which enhanced the sound quality.
5. Tranya T20
The Tranya T20 earphones have an affordable, noise-canceling alternative to Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2. They lack features like ear-detection sensors that automatically halt your music when you remove a bud out of your ears and are basic in design. Nevertheless, considering their low cost, they sound really good.
6. Earfun Air Pro 2
The Earfun Air Pro 2 earbuds have effective active noise cancellation, and they also have outstanding sound quality considering their affordable pricing, with a well-balanced overall sound, acceptable clarity, and strong bass performance. Although some of Earfun’s buds have a little too much treble push, or “presence boost,” these generally manage to avoid it. They do have a greater sound quality than the first Air Pro earbuds.
7. Sony WF-C500
Since they lack ear-detection sensors and transparency mode, Sony’s entry-level C500 earbuds are rather basic and lack active noise cancellation. However, for an entry-level model, the earbuds are small and light, comfortable to use, and have acceptable audio quality. While making voice calls, these earphones reduce background noise, but there is just one microphone per earpiece. To help filter background noise and record your voice, many earbuds now come equipped with two or more microphones.
8. Jabra Elite 3
The Jabra Elite 3 headphones have a fairly minimal feature set but provide good sound and call quality for the money. They are Jabra’s most affordable true-wireless earbuds to date. They have Jabra’s HearThrough transparency mode, six millimetre drivers, and four call microphones. Devices with aptX capability can use Qualcomm aptX HD audio.
9. Sennheiser CX True Wireless Earbuds
In comparison to the previous model’s 7 hours of battery life, the new Bluetooth 5.2 earbuds have a battery life of up to 9 hours at moderate volume levels (the rather bulky charging case holds three more charges). A second microphone has been added to each bud of the CX, which does enhance voice calling compared to the CX400 and making it simpler for callers to hear you speak, even in noisy settings.
10. Fiil CC2
Their open casing, which makes it simple to retrieve the buds and replace them in their case, is one of their defining characteristics. They are securely held in the case by some built-in magnets; you can even turn it upside down and the buds won’t fall out. These don’t have rounded stems like the AirPods do, which at first seems a little odd, and as a result, they do fit in your ears a little differently.
