13 Perfectly Good Wireless Earbuds Way Cheaper Than AirPods

wireless earbuds

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wireless earbuds
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Search for "wireless earbuds" on Amazon and you'll get 10,000-plus results, more than enough to make your brain melt. To avoid such a catastrophe, we've done the hard work for you in finding some of the best cheap Bluetooth earbuds out there. Each of the wireless earbuds on our list has earned an average score of no fewer than 4 stars from owners, and none costs more than $100 — far cheaper than Apple's ubiquitous AirPods.

Note: Prices and availability subject to change.

Related: 100 Tech Products That Will Make Your Life Easier

Bluedio T-Elf 2 Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

Bluedio T-Elf 2 Wireless Earbuds

Price: $17 from Amazon
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T-Elf 2 wireless earbuds are a worthy low-priced option for decent (but not great) audio quality. These Bluetooth earbuds have a range of about 33 feet, according to users, and come with three different sizes of silicone tips for comfort. Many reviewers say that they stay snug in the ears while working out. All is not perfect for this low price; some buyers report problems with a lack of bass and overly sensitive touch controls. The latter frustrated many, but one buyer says it was an issue that just took time to master: "I got used to the location that makes it react. Since then, I've made these my daily carry headphones..."

Lasuney IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth 5.0 True Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

Lasuney IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth 5.0 True Wireless Earbuds

Price: $37 from Amazon
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If you just have to have wireless earbuds that look like Apple AirPods — but absolutely don't have that kind of cash, these knockoffs are for you. Owners say they can switch easily from using both earbuds for music to just one for podcasts, a process that can be arduous with other brands. A single charge lasts about four hours — what most users consider the minimum for a quality pair of buds — and most say that the audio quality is good given the low price. "Listening to tracks from 'Elton John Live in Australia' you can easily make out the various orchestra instruments," one buyer wrote, "and John's raspy voice in this recording is surprisingly clear with these." Note: Despite being labeled "waterproof," these earbuds are not designed for swimming.

Purity True Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

Purity True Wireless Earbuds

Price: $31 from Amazon
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Reviewers at Headphone Dungeon say "these earbuds sound good — better than many more expensive competitors out there" and describe the audio quality as "a warm, bassy sound that'll be immediately appealing for many." They're also sweat-proof and can go up to 14 hours if you're using the included charging case. Of the nearly 8,000 Amazon reviews, more than 90% give the Purity earbuds 4 or 5 stars, for an average rating of 4.6. Many buyers seem surprised at the price-to-audio-quality ratio, with one noting: "I gotta say, I've had $180 true wireless earbuds and I've also had lower priced ones ... I'm not saying I was blown away, but it was better than some earbuds that are twice or three times more expensive."

XClear Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

XClear Wireless Earbuds

Price: $32 from Amazon
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These XClear Bluetooth earbuds are water-resistant, can switch between stereo or single-ear mode, and have an LED battery indicator that lets you know when to charge. Amazon buyers give these a solid 4.7-star average rating, noting the relatively good audio quality and decent battery life. Says one buyer who had used them for listening to music and movies as well as taking conference calls: "For the price you will not find better, trustier wireless earbuds."

Tozo T10 Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

Tozo T10 Wireless Earbuds

Price: $40 from Amazon
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As of this writing, the Tozo T10's have been holding steady at No. 3 in Amazon's list of bestselling earbuds (Nos. 1 and 2 are, predictably, Apple AirPods). Speaking of AirPods, the Tozos are one of Rolling Stone's five best AirPod alternatives. Users have positive things to say about the audio, with one representative comment noting that "the clarity of the highs and the richness of the bass are of the quality level of the highest-end earbuds." Amazon buyers give them an average rating of 4.4 stars. One caveat: Many buyers note that the microphone is somewhat sub-par.

Edyell Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

Edyell Wireless Earbuds

Price: $45 
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Edyell's earbuds might not top many professional "best" lists, but they're one of Cheapism's "The Top 20 Items Our Readers Have Bought on Amazon So Far This Year," and buyers give them a solid 4-star average score. In terms of controls, users say it's pretty simple to change songs and volume, answer calls, and access the Siri support. According to the manufacturer, the charging case can provide more than 25 charges and 120 hours of playtime. Many buyers note the heavy bass provided by these earbuds, which was a bonus for some and a little too much for others.

Vislla Earbuds
Amazon

Vislla Earbuds

Price: $40 from Amazon
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These sweatproof wireless earbuds have an over-ear hook that helps them stay in place, making them a good choice for those who plan to use their buds for working out. The manufacturer says these last up to eight hours on a single full charge, a claim that seems to hold up in buyer reviews, particularly if you're not using them at full volume. One buyer wrote: "Having tried several different types of headphones, I am pretty picky on the pair that I use (and) ... to my surprise Vislla headphones not only were lightweight, they're comfortable to wear." Another notes that the "sound quality over delivers on the price you pay."

Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo True Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo True Wireless Earbuds

Price: $45 from Amazon
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If you're a fan of bass but don't want to spend an arm and a leg on earbuds, these should be on your shortlist. BassUp technology boosts the low end to avoid the dreaded tin-can sound of most cheap earbuds, and they come with a number of different bud and "wing" options so you can find your best possible fit, something many buyers appreciate. The way they fit is also a bit different, as they're designed to be inserted and then twisted in the ear for a better seal against ambient noise. "If you're like me, a great set of ear buds or headphones should present a well-balanced, nearly neutral sound. The Liberty Neo most definitely fits that sound character," wrote one buyer, who also praised the buds' comfort level.

JLab Audio JBuds Air True Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

JLab Audio JBuds Air True Wireless Earbuds

Price: $49 from Amazon
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These earned the distinction of being named Wired's best earbuds under $50, with editors noting that they "especially like how comfortable they are, and the USB charging cable is built into the carrying case, so you have one less thing to lose." The JLabs have some of the usual features like Bluetooth 5.0, sweat-resistance, and the like, but where it really matters — the audio — Wired noted that the sound quality is "beefier than average; bass-heads should love them." The JBuds come with three sizes of silicone gel tips, as well as three equalizer settings — Signature, Balanced, and Bass — so users can find the fit and sound that appeals most to them.

Enacfire F1 Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

Enacfire F1 Wireless Earbuds

Price: $50 from Amazon
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Like others on this list, the Enacfire wireless earbuds are Bluetooth-enabled and water-resistant. What sets these apart, owners say, is their superior audio quality (thanks in part to active noise cancelling), touch controls, and long battery life. You'll get up to 8 hours on a full charge. Wrote one buyer: "Battery lasts forever, great sound and a quality product. You can't go wrong with these... especially at half the price of other brand name headphones."

Soul Electronics ST-XX Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

Soul Electronics ST-XX Wireless Earbuds

Price: $55 from Amazon
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These Soul Electronics earbuds stand out from the crowd, and not just because they'd beat out Big Bird in a "who's yellower" contest. They made Rolling Stone's 2020 list of best wireless earbuds, with reviewers noting that they're lightweight, portable, and have "well-balanced audio, with none of the tinniness you might expect." Amazon buyers give them a solid 4 stars. "I figured there was no way anything under the $75 price range would fit my taste or criteria," wrote one user, "Boy, were these worth the gamble." If yellow isn't your color jam, these come in five other hues.

Mpow Wireless Earbuds ANC
Amazon

Mpow Wireless Earbuds ANC

Price: $70 from Amazon
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What do Mpow's have that other models don't? Active noise cancelation (ANC), which is a feature that most cheaper models lack. If this is an important feature for you, these wireless earbuds aren't a bad choice, according to buyers, who give them an average score of 4.7 stars on Amazon. "When you put them on and close your eyes and turn on the tunes," wrote one owner, "the world disappears. The noise-canceling feature works wonders on buses, planes, basically any commute."

1More Stylish True Wireless Earbuds
Amazon

1More Stylish True Wireless Earbuds

Price: $90 from Amazon
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These 1More Bluetooth earbuds come with a high price tag — and the positive reviews to justify it. Editors at Wired name them Best Overall in their review of wireless earbuds, with comments like, "They're extremely comfortable, sweat-resistant, and sound as good as buds two or three times their $100 price." Get 24 hours of playtime with the charging case or 3 hours with a 15-minute quick charge. Rolling Stone also recommends the 1More earbuds. And, say buyers, unlike some buds, these have actual buttons that make controlling the various features seem less like guesswork. "True, it's not all futuristic with touch control," writes one buyer, "but I never thought I would appreciate an old school button so much."