Dont break the bank: The best budget earbuds, tested by our audio experts

Our experts vetted the best budget wireless earbuds of 2025. Here are the best cheap models from Bose, Apple, and Skullcandy.

May 21, 2025 - 14:50

Dont break the bank: The best budget earbuds, tested by our audio experts

We spend a lot of time fawning over the latest tech here at Mashable, and as much as we love nerding out over the latest Sony headphones drop, we know that's not always relatable. New tech is often expensive tech, and a nearly $500 pair of headphones is certainly not always in the budget. That's why we're here to talk about the best budget earbuds.

A pair of cheap earbuds is a compact alternative to over-the-ear headphones, but let's be clear, just because these earbuds are affordable, doesn't mean they skimp on features. Two of the best earbuds we've tested are nearly $300 — Apple AirPods Pro costs $249.95, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds come in at $299 — but we've found models for even less. You don't need to spend $300 on a pair of great earbuds; in fact, you don't even need to spend $100.

Among all the earbuds we've tested, which is an extensive list, these are the best budget earbuds.

What's considered budget?

Budget is a relative term, so for this list, we're looking at earbuds under $200 but mostly under $100. Our top pick here is the Bose QuietComfort which technically have an MSRP of $179, but they're frequently on sale for $149, and we've even seen them go as low as $129. While those top our list, most of the cheap earbuds in this guide cost under $100. Going the budget route might mean making compromises but not sacrifices. For under $100, you can still get active noise cancellation and self-charging cases.

Other models we've tested

The models on this list are pulled from our extensive testing here at Mashable. Our previous top pick on this list was the Apple AirPods 3; however, the AirPods 4 have replaced them, making them more expensive, plus they don't have great Android compatibility.

Another pair of headphones we considered for this list were the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds with sound by Bose. My colleague Bethany Allard tested these buds, and while they're pretty good for $100, they have a bad case design and just aren't that comfortable compared to other models on this list — plus, the $100 introductory price is expected to go up to $129.99.