The best cheap earbuds in 2021

Good in-ear headphones don’t come more affordable than the best cheap earbuds. Granted, there’s an awful lot of half-baked, breakage-prone buds when you’re looking around the sub-$35 bracket, but just because you want to spend less doesn’t mean you need to put up with bad sound quality or shoddy craftsmanship.

Simply scroll down and you’ll find a selection of agreeable low-cost earbuds, even including some of the true wireless persuasion. And we’re not saying that on an educated guess, as we’ve tested all of them ourselves. So, if you don’t have a few hundred to spare on the AirPods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM4, you can be sure these really are the best cheap earbuds you can buy, and not just more disposable dross.

What are the best cheap earbuds?

Based on our testing, we rate the Sol Republic Jax as the best cheap earbuds available right now. Its mixture of powerful audio and practicality via tangle-free cable with inline remote makes them an undeniably smart purchase. The numerous color options and modest price tag are also extra incentives to buy in bulk.

In second place is the Skullcandy Dime, something of a trend-setter: it’s a pair of true wireless earbuds at a truly rock-bottom price. Some corners have been cut to get it this cheap, but with good sound quality and even water resistance, the Dime is a fine bargain indeed.

We’ve also added one of the Dime’s competitors, the Rienok True Wireless Earbuds, in 3rd place. This might not come from the most well-known brand, but it impressed us with its capable sound quality and unfalteringly reliable touch controls.

The best cheap earbuds you can buy today

Budget earbuds with prominent bass are a rare find, and Sol Republic has you covered with what we consider the best cheap earbuds in general: the Jax. These minimalist buds are powered by the company’s i2 Sound Engine, which feeds your ear drums with lots of boom and doesn’t distort sound, though the low end can become a bit overzealous on boomy hip-hop tracks.  You’ll also get some great noise isolation out of these buds as the tips create a tight seal to block out external sounds.

Sol Republic’s plastic design may feel flimsy, and the cable has a tendency of getting in the way when walking, but those are minor complaints in the grander scheme of things. The Jax’s sound, style, and serviceability are enough to win you over. Trust us, you’ll want to add two pairs to your shopping cart ASAP.

True wireless earbuds for less than $30? And good ones at that? Yes, the Skullcandy Dime is one of the most pleasant surprises around for earbud shoppers on tight budgets. Coming tucked into a charging case that’s small enough to pass for a car key fob, the Dime quickly earned a place on this list with its impressive sound quality and robust build.

Thanks to IPX4-rated water resistance and a secure fit, it’s even a respectable pick for running and workouts. Beware the low battery life, however: you’ll struggle to get even four hours of playback per charge, though you can extend this on the go with that compact charging case.

Read our full Skullcandy Dime review.

A set of true wireless earbuds that’s even cheaper than the Skullcandy Dime might, among more skeptical shoppers, set off alarm bells — what corners could they have cut? You don’t need to worry with the these Rienok buds, though, because against the odds they’re got quite the feature set.

The earbuds are waterproof to the enviable IPX7 standard, can be used singularly when you want to keep an ear open, and include replaceable eartips so you can secure yourself a snug fit. Battery life could be longer, at about 5 hours per charge, but that’s still in Apple AirPods territory. They don’t sound half bad for the money, either.

Read more about the cheapest headphones on Amazon that we tested.

They might look like something that you would find behind the glass countertop at your local grocery store, but Panasonic’s tiny in-ears have been considered the best bang-for-the-buck deal for the past several years. The ErgoFit earbuds deliver crisp highs, warm mids, and deep lows despite their low price. Compared to other earbuds in their price range, the ErgoFit produces cleaner audio; the soundstage lends itself well to modern music genres like alternative rock, EDM, and hip hop.

Even better, they conform to the shape of your ear canal, creating a snug, but comfortable fit for those long jam sessions. Those who love to accessorize their headphones with their outfits will find a variety of colors, which should appeal to the fashion-conscious. You’re looking at 15 bold shades in total. Panasonic also sells the ErgoFit with or without a built-in mic, though the latter is preferable since it grants you the ability to answer calls.

The Piston Fit is the perfect example of how to create premium-looking earbuds for dirt cheap. 1More kitted these in-ear monitors with an aluminum alloy body and “Kevlar core cable” that’s designed to withstand the daily abuse you’ll put it through for months to come. As attractive as they look, the buds’ greatest attribute is its sound quality, which is remarkable for the price. You’ll enjoy clear, spacious audio that lets lows, mids, and highs breathe over orchestral recordings. Stereo separation is also impressive, making these buds ideal for mobile gaming and YouTube binging. 

The earphones come with three sets of extra tips to establish a customized fit. 1More sells the Piston Fit in four striking colors, too: Pink, Space Gray, Steel, and Teal. We do wish the buds came with volume controls and had more modern features, but even with these shortcomings, they stand out as one of the best cheap earbuds that chump change can buy.

We reviewed the Brainwavz Delta back in 2015 and found it to be one of the best $20 deals at the time. Five years later, we’re still singing its praises, especially now it’s only $15. Inside the package comes five pairs of ear inserts to accommodate different ear canal shapes. We also love the comfort and fit these buds provide when on the move. Brainwavz’s simple, yet sleek design is fine for what it is (you shouldn’t expect premium quality at $15), and the inline remote grants you the basics for playback management: a pause/play button and a volume rocker. The cord doesn’t tangle so easily either.

Sound quality is impressive for the price point, with many songs offering up crisp vocals and mids, though bass does muddy up on songs with boomy beats. You should also know that Brainwavz sells two different versions (Android and iOS), so make sure you purchase the model that is most compatible with your smartphone before checking out.

Read our full Brainwavz Delta review.

Functional, well-constructed, and capable of producing loud sonics, House of Marley’s budget earphones check off several boxes on our best cheap earbuds must-have list. Staying true to the brand’s mission statement of creating quality audio products from sustainable materials, the Smile Jamaica is made from solid African wood, which comes in different shades and gives the buds a refined look. Adding to its stout feel is a fabric cable that won’t break so easily when caught on other objects. 

HoM does a praiseworthy job with programming multiple commands (e.g. play/pause music, answer/end call, skip/forward track) into the one-button remote control. It’s just unfortunate that there is no option to manage volume. While the Smile Jamaica comes with two sets of ear tips, we would have appreciated a carrying pouch for portable convenience, especially after seeing how attractive the earbuds look in person.

The original wired EarPods have received a bad rap for being the giveaway accessory that Apple bundles with every iPhone, but no one wants. But for $30, it’s one of the cheapest and most effective replacements for your go-to (and damaged) iPhone headphones. Apple makes using the earbuds simple with a three-button module that produces great tactility and responds instantly to commands. Most importantly, they function very well with iOS devices, allowing for seamless playback, volume, and call management, along with instant access to Siri. The built-in mic also does a great job with speech recognition, making your voice sound clear and crisp on calls or when calling on Apple’s virtual assistant to perform its endless list of tricks.

We’re also aware the EarPods have their own set of issues that can’t be hidden behind their convenient use such as their cheap build quality and weak sound performance. Using the Lightning version also limits use to Apple products, though the company still sells its 3.5 connector version to use with all other audio devices.

Great fitness headphones for under $20 may seem far-fetched, but JBL has made it a reality with these sporty wired in-ears. The Endurance Run has a driving low-end signature that feeds your ear drums loud, precise bass and doesn’t distort sound. Highs have presence (a rare trait for earbuds in this price range) with crisp delivery to hear effects and instruments clearer in recordings. Gym rats will appreciate the two-way design that allows the buds to be worn traditionally with the cable dropped down or by looping it over the ear, while enjoying the secure fit JBL’s TwistLock pieces provide. You also get five colors to choose from: Black, Blue, Red, Teal, and Yellow.

While the Endurance Run is sweatproof and won’t break if dropped onto the concreate, a storage pouch would have been appreciated to store them on the go. Also, having one button on the inline remote means JBL had to compromise on certain functions, which in this case is volume adjustment.

You probably know TCL best for dominating the super-cheap HDTV market, but did you know the television manufacturer has expanded its operations into the audio space? TCL’s dirt-cheap earbuds boast the soundstage of a mid-tier pair of headphones. The warm profile does favor bass-heavy content, but also shows love to mids and highs, so the listener can enjoy the subtle nuances in recordings. Music and video content sound high quality too. We also like the oval acoustic tube design that rests on the ear without applying pressure to the concha.

Noise isolation is another standout, with the earbuds forming a gentle seal to keep music from escaping and environmental clatter from seeping in. My only complaints are the lack of carry case and poor mic, which holds the earbuds back from a higher ranking. The SOLC300 is available in four distinctive colors: Ocean Blue, Phantom Black, Sunrise Orange, and Sunrise Purple.

How to choose the best cheap earbuds for you

When shopping for the best cheap earbuds, you’re looking for models that can offer the most performance and usage at the lowest cost possible. Sure, that might be asking a lot from any pair of earbuds or headphones priced under $50, but it’s not unrealistic.

Clearly, you want earbuds that sound good. Some companies have a great track record with audio, so seek out options with reputable namesakes. You’ll also discover some hidden gems from lesser known brands, though you’ll want to do your due diligence and research their credibility (e.g. consumer feedback, expert reviews). In any case, pick a pair that matches your sound preference.

Features are another priority. The limited hardware of cheap earbuds won’t allow them to offer the advanced feature sets of premium true wireless models, but you can still get practical use out of them. You’ll want a pair with a built-in controls for playback, call management, and volume; these controls may also support modern features like Google Assistant or Siri. A microphone is also important to answer calls on the go.

Accessories like extra ear tips are a huge bonus. These factor into comfort and fit, which is essential to enjoy music when commuting or listening at home for long stretches. 

Lastly, you need to decide what media device you’ll be using these earbuds with. Those who still own an MP3 player (e.g. iPod Classic, Zune) or use an older smartphone with a headphone jack are fine. However, others with a modern Apple or Android smartphone will need to use the headphone adapter that comes bundled with their device or purchase one online that is compatible with their device.

How we test the best cheap earbuds

When creating our list of the best cheap earbuds, Tom’s Guide looks not only at price, but also design, sound quality, and ease of use. Our reviewers also test available features such as controls, mics, and digital assistant support (if applicable).

During the testing phase, each pair of headphones are worn for 2 hours at a time throughout the course of a week. We evaluate how securely they fit and noise isolation.

In terms of sound quality, we listen to many tracks across multiple music genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical, and electronic, while evaluating volume, clarity and fullness. Movies, podcasts, and video games are considered, when necessary. We also make phone calls to assess both call quality and microphone performance.

Once we complete our testing, we rate the best cheap earbuds based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Products that hit nearly every mark are awarded an Editors’ Choice badge.