Buying earbuds has never been as difficult as it is today. With so many options, how can you know which ones are best suited for your needs? On the flip side, having tons to choose from may be an advantage for buyers who know exactly what they’re looking for.
For example, if you just want a comfortable pair that you can plug into your phone for hours on end or a pair of earbuds for gaming, you don’t really need the top-of-the-line earbuds. But, if you are an audiophile who is very particular about noise cancellation and range of frequencies, then you will likely need something on the higher end of earbuds.
It is because of these struggles that we have compiled a list of different earbuds that have quite a decent range of differences (or complexities). With any luck, this article will help you find the best cheap earbuds that you may be looking for, be it for yourself, or as a gift to a loved one.
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The Most Affordable Earbuds You Can Grab Today!
1. Sennheiser CX 100 In-Ear Headphone
Specifications:
Connection: Wired
Connector Type: 3.5mm Stereo
Model Name: CX 100
Item Weight: 0.35 ounces
Date Made Available: February 1, 2019
Sennheiser has been leading the way in audio technology for 70 years now and continues paving the way for the future of audio engineering and pleasure. The Sennheiser CX 100 In Ear Headphone is further proof that the company will continue heading the pack through the sonic phere.
This German made precision earbud gives listeners brilliant audio clarity while its in-ear design is capable of drowning out the ambient noises from the world around. Being that the CX 100 comes in 4 different sizes (extra small, small, medium, and large), listeners are guaranteed a personalized fit to help achieve the best comfort for even long durations of wear.
The Sennheiser CX 100 is your perfect companion for extended periods of listening to music or watching movies on your mobile devices.
2. JBL Endurance RUN Wired Sport In-Ear Headphone
Specifications:
Connection: Wired
Connector Type: 3.5mm Stereo
Item Weight: 1.92 ounces
Date Made Available: February 15, 2019
We would agree that the biggest advantage of owning the JBL Endurance RUN Wired Sport In-Ear Headphone would be its flexible double design that allows users to enjoy exercising with these either in your ear or around your ear.
JBL calls it their FlipHook design and is their answer to earbuds falling out of your ears while jogging or doing other activities that cause you to bounce up and down. The best thing about it is it was also created to ensure maximum comfort that relieves users from experiencing ear fatigue from wearing earbuds over an extended period of time.
Beyond that, JBL has also applied the IPX5 technology that allows these headphones to get wet with your sweat or even under the rain. All that being said, users can enjoy these headphones whether in a high-intensity workout and even in uncomfortable weather conditions.
JBL has also included 4 different silicone ear inserts. This is to provide users with choices for what would fit their ear the best to allow optimum comfort. Plus, having the right size also participates in eliminating ambient noises that may come from the outside.
So, whether you are on a call, or enjoying an audiobook, or perhaps delighting yourself in some great music over a fun run, you won’t have the awful distraction of hearing what’s going on the outside, further allowing you to simply enjoy your headphones.
3. SONY MDREX15AP In-Ear Earbud Headphones With Mic
Specifications:
Connection: Wired
Connector Type: 3.5mm Stereo
Item Weight: 0.106 ounces
Date Made Available: May 1, 2014
Battery: 1 Lithium Ion Battery (Included)
The SONY MDREX15AP In-Ear Earbud Headphones With Mic prides itself with excellent audio clarity. It has a frequency range of 8Hz to 22kHz that allows you to hear groovy bass lines behind the track while enjoying the brilliant highs and the entire mid range.
They are lightweight and will ensure that users will be able to wear them for long durations without suffering any ear fatigue. The silicone earbuds ensure to keep the ambient noises out of your ears. Plus, it will secure them in your ears without the pestering feeling of having to always adjust them from falling out.
4. Skullcandy Strum In-Ear Earbud
Specifications:
Connection: Wired
Connection Type: 3.5mm
Item Weight: 0.42 ounces
Date Made Available: July 1, 2015
The best part about the Skullcandy Strum In-Ear Earbud is that you can wear them all day. Skullcandy went through great lengths to ensure that the inner and outer parts of a person’s ears were considered when designing this product.
It was also further designed to include the ever essential volume control button. In this way, you will no longer have to pull out your phone every time you need the volume adjusted. If this isn’t enough, there is also a built-in microphone as well as the ability to switch between tracks by using the same multipurpose button.
However, though they are comfortable, audiophiles may have an issue with the quality of the audio. The range of the frequencies are fine, but the bass does tend to drop out now and then while the treble could use a little more clarity. Unlike other brands, these Skullcandy’s also only come in 2 sizes. So if your ear size is not exactly the perfect fit for these, you may have a hard time keeping them on for too long.
The Skullcandy Strum In-Ear Earbud comes in 3 beautiful colors, namely black, white, and blue. They are relatively simple in design and feature the Skullcandy logo on a rather metallic surface. The cable is flat as opposed to the common round cable and the remote is found just below the chin level of the cable.
The volume control uses the slider design and the multi purpose single button controls the ability to answer calls, play and pause, skip tracks, and voice controls. These are all dependent on the number of times you press the button.
5. Skullcandy Method Active Wireless In-Ear Earbud S2NCW-M448
Specifications:
Connection: Wireless
Item Weight: 2.46 ounces
Battery: 1 Lithium Polymer Battery (included)
Date Made Available: October 22, 2019
The Skullcandy Method Active Wireless In-Ear Earbud S2NCW-M448 is known for being one of the more comfortable headphones in the market today. The silicone comes in 3 sizes, small, medium, and large, and is designed with a secure FitFin ear gel.
Though comfortable, they lack the noise cancellation feature, which may be considered an essential for some users. On the flip side, if you prefer earphones that do not have the noise cancellation feature to be aware of what’s happening around you, then these might be perfect for you.
The Skullcandy Method is also waterproof, a perfect necessity for almost any active user. Fitness buffs will no longer have to worry about sweat dripping down them or rain pouring on you as the earbuds were created with this in mind.
But, consumers may fall short when looking for the best in audio quality. The bass and treble do not reach the further limits of those seeking to hear every single frequency which, to some, may be a deal breaker. In short, this beauty is likely better used by people on the go who simply need a reliable headphone to keep them occupied during their fitness hours.
Its design is definitely an easy-to-use piece. The in-wire button handles multiple functions and will not trouble users. The button can answer and hang up calls, can skip audio tracks backwards and forwards, can play and pause your music, and can help you control volume levels.
It has 5.0 Bluetooth technology with a radio frequency range of 2.402 to 2.480GHz and a battery life of 10 hours. If that isn’t enough, it also has the capability to charge quite fast. Should users have any issues with this item, there is also a 2-year warranty which may give you the peace of mind you need.
6. Sony MDRXB50AP Extra Bass Earbud Headphones / Headset
Specifications:
Connection: Wired
Connection Type: 3.5mm
Item Weight: 0.282 ounces
Date Made Available: March 8, 2014
The highlight feature of the Sony MDRXB50AP Extra Bass Earbud Headphone / Headset is obviously its ability to provide listeners with its “extra bass.” It has a brilliant response to the low end frequencies and due to its tightly sealed silicone wrap, the acoustics allow for better audio isolation and reproduction. These enable thes headphones to deliver a powerful sound that will complement music of all genres.
Considering that the MDRXB50AP has a multifunction control button with a built in microphone, users will no longer have to worry about having to fiddle with their phones in order to operate these headphones. Android users can even have added control functions if they use the Smart Key application.
They were designed to be comfortable and to be able to be worn for extended durations. They also come in 4 different sizes (extra small, small, medium, and large) in order to create the perfect fit for almost any user. The cord is durable and built to be tangle free. Its length is a whopping 3.94 feet while the entire set comes with a soft case pouch for easy and convenient transport.
7. Panasonic ErgoFit Earbud Headphones RP-TCM125-K
Specifications:
Connection: Wired
Connection Type: 3.5mm Stereo
Comes with a built in microphone
Remote control for playback, volume, and more
Item Weight: 0.056 ounces
Date Made Available: August 15, 2013
The Panasonic ErgoFit Earbud Headphones RP-TCM125-K boasts of a lot of features with numerous advantages. Panasonic has gone out of their way to create a set of headphones that are going to be a tough one to beat!
The extended cord is an unusual 3.6 feet long which makes it perfectly comfortable to use whether you have your mobile device in your pocket, purse, or even backpack. The ergonomic design of the headphone itself offers a perfect fit that not only supports the technology built into the quality of the audio but also contributes to creating excellent noise cancellation.
To make the ergofit earbud design fit various shapes and sizes of ears, they even threw in silicone buds that are small, medium, and large in size. These help to create the ideal seal. Because they are really soft and elliptical in shape, users will be happy to experience hours of use without experiencing discomfort or fatigue.
The cable also comes with a built-in microphone and remote control so as to enjoy the convenience of not having to pull out your phone in order to successfully achieve a command. However, you should be informed that the remote button cannot adjust volume levels, although it can play and pause audio tracks you are listening to. The Panasonic ErgoFit Earbud Headphones are also compatible with all smartphone devices, be it iOS or Android.
The high quality sound the RP-TCM125-K is proud of is a result of Panasonic’s use of the 9mm neodymium magnet drivers that cause it to deliver beautifully crisp high frequencies as well as deep bass tones. Match that with the 10Hz – 24kHz frequency range and you are assured of a wide mid range of frequencies. This will allow you to enjoy all genres of music.
These headphones are also available in eleven colors allowing users to enjoy personalized headgear to suit the value of being able to express yourself without saying a word. Naturally, if you are more of a plain Jane or simple Tom, a black or white set will do the job. But if you are an eccentric person who enjoys expressing him or herself with more color, then you may want to choose a set that is blue, pink, purple, red, or any of the other available options.
We suppose that one of the best functions of these Panasonic earbuds is they are durable. You can crumple them in your hands and they will survive the beating. The cord is quite long as well. They may snag on a door handle and get tugged, but that should be of little to no concern for they were built to last. Panasonic is well aware of all the weak points of the earbuds, making sure that these would not cause users any issues.
8. Clarium True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.0 Headphone
Specifications:
Connection Type: Bluetooth 5.0
Item Weight: 3.84 ounces
Battery: 1 Lithium Ion Battery (included)
Date Made Available: November 20, 2019
Clarium’s hot new ear buds are designed to offer users the best in audio excitement and technology. For starters, the Clarium True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.0 Headphone is a wireless system that allows all types of devices to connect to it with effortless ease. With flashing lights and automated voice controls, users will know exactly once they have been synced.
These Clarium’s have sound quality that is superior regardless of whether you are listening to music, a podcast, or an audiobook. Clarity is great even during phone calls. The battery on the True Wireless Earbuds will last a decent 4 hours but its design allows you to utilize them while charging for an unlimited experience that will fulfill your heart’s desires.
They are also waterproof thanks to its IPX5 sweat-resistant design. Thus, you no longer have to worry about jogging in the rain or having sweat pour down your ears due to an intense workout.
Also known for having bass notes that pack a punch, the Clarion True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.0 Headphone delivers a finely-tuned mid set of frequencies as well as clear high frequencies. This enables it to cover the entire spectrum of music you would definitely want to hear.
For ease of charging while on-the-go, these Clarion’s come with a compact charging case and a micro USB cable. A neat four LED light indicator is there to assist you in knowing the percentage of your battery charge. Multiple silicone ear caps can also be found inside the box once you purchase this item.
9. Aukey EP-T21 True Wireless Earbuds
Specifications:
Connection: Wireless
Item Weight: 3.53 ounces
Battery: 1 Lithium Polymer Battery (included)
Date Made Available: October 9, 2019
Chinese manufacturers AUKEY are a team of technological wizards who have spent over a decade becoming hardware experts. They have since designed, created, and manufactured tech accessories for mobile use as well as other electronics for everyday people. AUKEY strives to achieve the needs of consumers with an attention to the finer details of design, and are always on the hunt to succeed in the next generation of tech superiority.
The AUKEY-EP-T21 True Wireless Earbuds are a testament to the goals of the company.
The transport case is its own charging station. The battery life lasts nearly five hours while playing at near full capacity. Once discharged, the charging station which is its own transport case can fully charge these earbuds three different times, giving consumers over 20 hours of total running time without having to plug these to a wall socket or portable charger. Should you need to charge the carrying case and earbuds from an absolute discharge, expect to require roughly 80 minutes to go from zero to one hundred percent on the earbuds and two hours for the charging station.
Its IPX4 rating makes these wireless earbuds sweatproof as well. This means that users no longer need to worry about getting caught in the rain or sweating on them during an intense workout. Considering that these AUKEY’s are quite light as well, you no longer have to worry about wearing them over an extended period of time as they are not likely to cause ear fatigue.
The remote control system also answers all the needs you may have when handling the device. It can answer calls and hang them up. You can also play and pause audio tracks you’re listening to. Skipping songs and rewinding them back to the beginning is also possible while voice control can be activated through the remote as well.
The AUKEY EP-T21 True Wireless Earbuds do not have a volume control. But, your voice command should be able to sort this out for you even if the remote of the earbuds are unable to.
As for the quality of the audio on this device, you are not bound to be disappointed. The bass thumps, the treble is clear, and all the frequencies in between the two spectrums are crisp. These allow users to enjoy their quality regardless of whether they are enjoying a piece of classical music, hard pumping beats, or voices on the other end of your calls.
The AUKEY-EP-T21 was also designed for people who are always on-the-go. That being said, they do not have the best services in noise cancellation but this was done on purpose in order to ensure that users can still hear the environment around them. This, of course, can save you from a nasty accident since you will be able to hear the ambient noises coming from around you.
10. 1MORE Piston Fit Wireless Headphones E1028BT
Specifications:
Connection Type: Bluetooth 5
Model Name: E1028BT
Color: Grey
Item Weight: 4.2 ounces
Battery: 1 Lithium Ion Battery (included)
Date Made Available: July 25, 2019
1MORE has worked very hard in order to produce the 1MORE Piston Fit Wireless Headphones E1028BT. They made sure that you listen to music as the artist who created them meant for them to be heard.
It was designed for all music lovers regardless of age and taste and was tuned by Grammy award-winning sound engineer Luca Bignardi in order to produce a perfectly balanced headphone offering the best in audio quality.
You can be assured that you won’t have a hard time connecting these headphones to your device. Plus, the technology will keep you connected for up to 10 meters and in a stable fashion for hours and hours on end.
The battery life lasts an incredible 8 hours to offer you uninterrupted listening experiences. If that’s not enough, the earbuds were designed for you to be delighted as it only takes a single hour in order to get these fully charged again.
Getting wet will not even get in the way of your earbud use as they are not only sweat proof but water resistant as well. You can now get splashed on regardless of the direction the water comes from.
The existing wire that keeps both earbuds connected was designed to be tangle-free. This enables you to pick them up and go without the trouble of having to untangle what could otherwise be described as spaghetti noodles.
The earbuds are well-designed at a 45-degree oblique angle for the best comfortable fit. Plus, it comes in 3 different sizes (extra small, small, and large) while still ensuring proper noise cancellation. Plus, it’s secured in place making sure they will not fall out of your ears too easily.
If you’re looking for a reliable pair of Bluetooth earbuds that you can wear during workouts or you can use to enjoy a movie on Netflix, then these may be the perfect ones for you. They deliver deep powerful bass lines, clear high frequencies, and a mid range of sound quality that would satisfy even world renowned audio engineers.
11. Sephia SP3060 Earbuds
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Betron
Item Model Number: SP3060
Item Weight: 18 grams
Cable Length: 1.2 meters
Connectivity Cable: 3.5mm Gold-plated plug
Date Made Available: October 11, 2017
This relatively unknown newcomer in the world of earbuds has surprisingly made a quick name for themselves thanks to the Sephia SP3060 Earbuds. Sephia is based out of the United Kingdom and may be a refreshing breather in audio devices when compared to other rather obscure brands.
We all know how important packaging is and Sephia does not disappoint. The SP3060 comes in a nice hard case that when opened reveals a snug black foam piece that has the units of this product embedded into it.
Look closer and you will find 5 sets of silicone earbud replacements to ensure users with the perfect fit regardless of the size of their ears. There are also 2 pairs of foam replacement tips, a short clip to help lock into place, a beautifully crafted satchel made of faux leather, and a jack cap made of plastic. Naturally, you can peel off the top to reveal a nifty quick start manual and pamphlet.
The Sephia 3060 Earbuds also offer users with a fit designed for any customer. Considering that the foam tips already come in 2 different sizes, you also have 5 different silicone tips to choose from. With this, you will find that they will fit snugly into your ears, without giving you any discomfort.
Plus, these earbuds will keep the ambient noises from the world outside where they belong, outside. The wire is a nicely crafted piece of engineering as well and will keep your earbuds from tangling while ensuring that they will not easily break considering that they are thick and made to be durable.
The jack, quite possibly one of the most important pieces of any wired headset, is the usual 3.5mm plug but is sturdy and will not cause you any problems when putting into any of your devices.
The quality of the audio that comes out of the Sephia 3060 Earbud is very impressive too! First, they were designed to give any consumer the perfect fit. The perfect fit means that they also offer the best in noise cancellation capabilities.
The company used the 10mm neodymium magnet drivers which in turn punches you with lots of power and offers you high-end audio quality that fulfills your frequency needs. You will be pleased with listening to different kinds of music such as classical, pop, rock, or even bass-pumping dance tunes. These descriptions are typically reserved for headphones of a very different price point making the Sephia 3060 Earbuds a must have.
The gold-plated jack matched with the metal housing of the earbuds make them as amazing to look at as they are to use and experience. Even its carrying case is a work of beauty and goes very well together with the image that the earbuds convey.
12. 1MORE Piston Fit In-Ear Earphones E1009
Specifications:
Manufacturer: 1MORE
Item Model Number: E-1009-BK
Type: In Ear
Item Weight: 14 grams
Wire: 125cm
Type of Input: 3.5 mm Stereo
Frequency: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Batteries: 2 Lithium Polymer Batteries (included)
Date Made Available: March 6, 2017
The 1MORE Piston Fit In-Ear Earphones E1009 is the company’s genius effort at creating a set of earbuds that allow all types of users a personalized look while achieving the greatness of professional audio quality. They put in the work in order to create a product that covers all the frequencies needed for all types of music while ensuring they not only look great but feel great too. This, in turn, will allow you to use them without suffering any discomfort in your ear, regardless of in-ear duration or volume of music being played.
The Piston Fit is very lightweight. Thus, users don’t have to carry the burden of its weight. Plus, noise cancellation capabilities are perfected through the fitting of the earbuds. 1MORE has also made sure that these earphones are perfectly balanced making the listening experience more pleasurable and enjoyable.
This would mean that music played even at a high volume should be satisfactory due to the quality and balance of the audio emanating from your earphones. Digging deeper, this balance was targeted with the dual-layered dynamic drivers that consist of flexible polymers. 1MORE also made it a point to achieve a perfect ergonomic design with a number of in-ear tip options to allow customers the maximum comfort possible.
Answering the call of personalization, 1MORE has decided to sell the E1009’s in four different but all equally vibrant colors that exude youth and energy. These are blue, gray, silver and pink. Now there’s something for everyone!
The interior of the wire consists of enameled copper with a kevlar fiber wrapping coated by a TPE. Thus, the earbuds are also soft, yet durable. Its microphone is well-placed and will allow you to take calls without the need to remove your phone from your pocket.
Earbuds vs. Headphones: A Buyer’s Guide
Choosing between earbuds and headphones may sound like a daunting challenge but you’ll find that seeking the answer is actually easier than it may seem. In this section, we will discuss a few major points of each device and with any luck, by the end of it, you will clearly know which of the two is better suited for your needs. Who knows? You might even realize that you may actually need one of each, depending on your lifestyle and your auditory requirements.
Earbuds
Let’s talk about earbuds first.. Earbuds are small portable pieces that fit into your ear and play audio. They do not get in the way (if you are fond of wearing hats or caps), but may cause some discomfort if worn over extended periods of time.
Some earbuds are wireless and connect to mobile devices via Bluetooth technology. This design eliminates the possibilities of tangling wires but are instead battery operated and need to be charged.
Luckily, these batteries last anywhere between 2 to 8 hours long which is for the most part, long enough for a single use. Some earbud companies even create carrying cases that can charge your earbuds in order to add convenience if you’re on a long journey and have no wall socket to plug into.
The noise cancellation capabilities of earbuds are generally well-designed and keep most of the ambient noises outside of your ears. But, they will not do as good of a job as a set of headphones that wrap your entire ear inside of it. Earbuds also tend to fall out of your ear if the fit is not perfect for you or if you are doing strenuous exercises. Some even fall out of your ear while jogging.
Being that they need to be small in order to fit into a person’s ear. There are also a number of shortcomings when it comes to audio quality. However, that being said, it doesn’t mean that the quality of the audio in earbuds is poor. Some of them have great technological advancements and deliver great frequency ranges and tonality.
Headphones
Headphones are larger and contain bigger drivers that are used for sound quality. To put this into perspective, an earbud driver averages 7mm to 15mm in size whereas a headphone driver size averages 40mm to 50mm. This allows headphones to win over the earbuds in terms of sound production across all ranges of frequencies. In layman’s terms, headphones offer bigger and deeper bass notes as well as crisper highs while producing a wider mid range of frequencies.
Headphones are also typically more comfortable to wear. If you find the right size for you, you’ll find that you can wear them over a longer period of time compared to earbuds since they do not go inside of your ears. Just make sure that it is adjusted in order to keep from squeezing your head.
As for noise cancellation, the headphones definitely have the upper hand here. The fact that they wrap around your ears creates a vacuum and that eliminates most, if not all of the ambient noise coming from the outside world. But, headphones are bulky and for some people, that is an automatic deal breaker.
Recap: Best Cheap Earbuds That You Can Buy in 2021
1. Sennheiser CX 100 In Ear Headphone
2. JBL Endurance RUN Wired Sport In-Ear Headphone
3. SONY MDREX15AP In-Ear Earbud Headphones With Mic
4. Skullcandy Strum In-Ear Earbud
5. Skullcandy Method Active Wireless In-Ear Earbud S2NCW-M448
6. Sony MDRXB50AP Extra Bass Earbud Headphones / Headset
7. Panasonic ErgoFit Earbud Headphones RP-TCM125-K
8. Clarium True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.0 Headphones
9. Aukey EP-T21 True Wireless Earbuds
10. 1MORE Piston Fit Wireless Headphones E1028BT
11. Sephia SP3060 Earbuds
12. 1MORE Piston Fit In-Ear Earphones E1009
With so many options in the market, it really is a tough decision to figure out which are the perfect ones for you. After having read this article, I am sure that you have even more concerns, especially in terms of finding the right size for you, which will for sure get you wanting to try them on prior to choosing which one you should buy.
But buyers need not worry too much. The size differences are quite small and they all come in silicone pieces of various sizes to fit any individual ear canal.
The concerns that we think are more questionable would be in terms of the longevity or lifespan of these earbuds. Granted, you may be accepting of a set lasting you a mere 3 months, other consumers may demand that their earbuds last at least a full year before anything goes wrong with them.
I also choose my earbuds based on the remote button since I hate having to grab onto my pocket and demand to be able to control my phone without the need to pull it out. If you’re athletic, for instance, you can also opt for earbuds that don’t cause problems with any wireless connections. Thus, you should choose a wired connection over earbuds that connect via Bluetooth.
So all in all, it really is up to you. But it certainly does come in handy in knowing what you want out of your earbuds before you purchase a pair.