Best Budget Wireless Earbuds for 2025: Top Picks Under $100
Not every good pair of wireless earbuds has to cost Apple or Sony money. After testing dozens of models and cross-checking recent reviews, our 2025 roundup highlights several sub-$100 earbuds that deliver clean sound, useful features and—even in some cases—active noise cancellation (ANC).
We focused on value: sound quality, ANC performance, battery life, build and reliability. New options arrive frequently, but a few standout budget-friendly choices keep appearing on our test bench.
- Anker Soundcore Space A40 — A top value pick for balanced sound and strong ANC at under $100.
- JLab Go Pop ANC ($30) — One of the cheapest to include ANC and transparency; decent sound for the price and IP55-rated.
- Skullcandy Method 360 ANC — Loud, V-shaped signature with strong bass; often available near $100 but lists higher.
Other notable mentions include several EarFun models (Air Pro 4, Free Pro 3), Beats Solo Buds and a range of ultra-budget options like the Skullcandy Dime 3. Some models impressed on features and battery life, while others failed reliability checks during testing.
Key takeaways:
- Price alone doesn’t guarantee quality. Component choice, tuning and software can deliver surprising value.
- Higher-end features to watch for: multipoint connectivity, reliable ANC, wear detection and wireless charging—these are less common on the cheapest models.
- Fit matters. Poor seal equals weak bass and worse isolation—try different tips before giving up on a set.
Testing notes: we observed durability issues with a few units (notably some reports of one-sided failures on the EarFun Air Pro 4). The JLab Go Pop ANC stands out for price-to-feature ratio, while the Soundcore Space A40 often beats more expensive rivals on value.
For a deeper dive and the full comparison table, see the original roundup on Engadget: Engadget — Best budget wireless earbuds (2025).
Discussion: Which budget earbuds have you tried recently, and which model would you recommend to someone on a $100 cap?