Apple released its first AirPods in the fall of 2016 — which, remarkably, is seven years ago as of this story's latest update. Since then, the market for true wireless earbuds has exploded. Today, seemingly every audio and headphone manufacturer has its own pair of wireless in-ear headphones; and while the vast majority of true wireless earbuds are still expensive, you can get a good pair from a reputable brand for pretty cheap! Just avoid the explicit knockoffs on Amazon.
(Note: Apple has officially dropped the price of its entry-level AirPods from $159 to $129. So you don't have to spend that much more than a $100 to get a solid set of AirPods. And it might be worth it if you have an iPhone. Just a thought.)
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Jabra Elite 4 Read More -
Nothing Ear (Stick) Read More
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Amazon Echo Buds (2023) Read More
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Soundcore Life P3 Read More
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JLab JBuds Mini Read More
How We Tested
We've tested a lot of different wireless earbuds of the last few years — because there are a lot of them. When testing, try to experience the wireless earbuds in a number of different situations and environments. We test them for fit and sound quality. And we them for how they work with the various smartphones — both iPhone and Android models.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
The Best Wireless Earbuds Under $100
Jabra Elite 4
- Battery life: 5.5 hours per ear bud (with ANC on); up to 28 total hours with case
- Water-resistance: IP55
- Charging: USB-C
- Release date: March 2023
The Jabra Elite 4 are our pick for the best wireless earbuds you can buy for less than $100. They look and fit very similarly to Jabra's higher-end wireless earbuds, and they have a bunch of premium features that most alternatives in this price range lack.
They have active noise-cancellation (which is admittedly just okay) and support Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity, so switching audio between your smartphone and computer is largely seamless. And if you have an Android smartphone, they support Fast Pair. They also have an IP55 rating, making them more sweat-resistant than more fitness-focused wireless earbuds.
Nothing Ear (Stick)
- Battery life: 7 hours per earbud; 29 total hours with case
- Water-resistance: IP54
- Charging: USB-C
- Release date: October 2022
Nothing's Ear (Stick) are without a doubt the most interesting budget-friendly wireless earbuds you can buy. They have a unique transparent design, and each earbud looks and fits like one of Apple's AirPods 3.
Most significantly, they come in one of the coolest charging cases in all of wireless earbuds; the case is transparent (again) and lipstick-shaped, and you have to twist it open and shut. It's all really well designed; the earbuds magnetically click into place and there's a super-satisfying click whenever you twist the case. As for the sound, though, it can sound tinny when compared to higher-end wireless earbuds.
Read our review of the Nothing Ear (Stick).
Amazon Echo Buds (2023)
- Battery life: 5 hours per earbud; 20 total hours with charging case
- Water-resistance: IPX2
- Charging: USB-C
- Release date: June 2023
Amazon's most recent Echo Buds are an excellent value. They cost just $50 (but they're frequently on sale for just $35) and they fit very similar to Apple's original AirPods. They also work and sound better than you might expect.
The only qualm we really have with these Echo Buds is that you need to use the Alexa app to set them up, so it feels a little like Amazon is forcing you into its smart home ecosystem. They also come integrated with Alexa, so you can use similar voice commands as you'd use with an Echo smart speaker while wearing the earbuds; you can disable Alexa if you have no need for it, of course.
Read our review of the Amazon Echo Buds (2023).
Soundcore Life P3
- Battery life: 7 hours per earbud; 35 total hours with charging case
- Water-resistance: IPX5
- Charging: USB-C
- Release date: April 2021
The Soundcore Life P3 have been one of our favorite budget-friendly wireless earbuds for a few years. They have a similar design as Apple's original AirPods, but actually fit better thanks to their silicone eartips (which also helps them have a superior IP rating than AirPods). They have excellent battery life and pack more premium features than you'd expect, including surprisingly good noise-cancellation and customizable EQ settings via the companion app. And they're available in a couple different colors.
JLab JBuds Mini
- Battery life: 5.5 hours per earbud; 20 total hours with charging case
- Water-resistance: IP55
- Charging: USB-C
- Release date: September 2023
JLab's JBuds Mini are wireless earbuds that live up to their "mini" name; each earbud is roughly half the size of most other "bulb-shaped" earbuds, and the charging case is smaller than any we've tested. And even aside from their size and sub-$50 price, the JBuds Mini have quite a few other things going for them.
They pack a number of higher-end features, including Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity, a "Be Aware" transparency mode, and adjustable EQ via a companion app. They also have a built-in lanyard and come with a keyring so you can use the charging case as a keychain. The only real downside of the JBuds Mini is that because each earbud is so small and bulb-shaped, it can be difficult to get them to fit securely in your ears.
What to Look for in Wireless Earbuds
Shape and fit
If wireless earbuds don't fit in your ears, you're not going to use them. So when deciding on a pair, whether they're super expensive or very affordable, you need to know what size and shape of earbuds fit best in your ears. These days, wireless earbuds tend to fall into two categories: earbuds with stems (like AirPods) or earbuds with a traditional bud design like the Jabra Elite 4.
Battery life
The importance of battery life of wireless earbuds is pretty self explanatory — the longer, the better. The average battery life of wireless earbuds is roughly five hours per earbud; after that, you'll have to put them back in their charging case so that they can recharge. Most charging cases can recharge their pair of wireless earbuds between two and three times over before you'll have to recharge the charging case.
IP rating
The IP rating — or "Ingress Protection" rating — indicates how resistant your wireless earbuds are to various solids (like dust) and liquids (like water). And it's important because if you intend to workout or run with your wireless earbuds, you need them to be resistant to water and sweat. In our opinion, an IPX4 rating is the minimum for wireless earbuds to exercise with; it means they are splash resistant. If the second number (which is the rating against liquids) is higher than 4, then the wireless earbuds are safe to take running.
Premium features
At under $100, it's difficult to find wireless earbuds with premium features such as wireless charging, active noise-cancellation and Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity — but they are out there. The caveat to this is that despite having these "premium" features, you can bet that these budget-friendly won't be able to compete with the sound quality or noise-canceling ability of flagship-quality wireless earbuds.
