Is it really necessary to spend over £200 to get a great pair of earbuds? We don’t think so! While it would be nice to have deep pockets to spend on fancy gadgets, the reality is we don’t all have that luxury. We much prefer the sound of sweet bargains anyway, especially when they still offer up good sound quality, long battery life, and compatibility with both Apple iPhone and Android smartphones.
Our top 10 ranking focuses on earbuds that come in under £100, with pairs under £50 and even a couple of cheap picks under £20. As well as connectivity to any Bluetooth device, we've made sure to include comfortable, easy-to-use options suitable for commuting, running, playing sport, or the gym, from reliable brands like Sony, JBL, and Xiaomi. And they can all be yours for a snip from Amazon – happy listening!
Quick List - Top Budget Wireless Earbuds
Alex is a passionate and experienced engineer in the music industry with six years of experience working in the field of Studio and Live production and engineering. Specialising in Live Engineering, he always aims to ensure the highest quality of audio is provided for his clients' performances and advises all newcomers to the field on what equipment and production methods are best required in order for the optimum end result.
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Table of Contents
Alex is a passionate and experienced engineer in the music industry with six years of experience working in the field of Studio and Live production and engineering.
Specialising in Live Engineering, he always aims to ensure the highest quality of audio is provided for his clients' performances and advises all newcomers to the field on what equipment and production methods are best required in order for the optimum end result.
For more information on the services that Alex offers, take a look at his LinkedIn profile here.
Before getting into the techy details, you'll want to make sure that the earbuds you choose fit your ears well enough that they don't fall out and sit comfortably for however long you intend to use them. Therefore, you'll want to avoid earbuds that are 'one-size-fits-all’ and look out for ones that come in multiple different sizes.
While noise cancellation (NC) is usually reserved for more expensive products, there are a couple of higher-end budget options that offer this function. If you're someone who spends a lot of time in the big city, on bustling trains, or you just want to drown out the general public, then opting for NC could help provide some relief.
However, buyers should set their expectations accordingly in that the noise cancellation function on these budget options won't be as good as you'd get from the higher-end options. It should also be noted that this function only really works with low-end frequencies, such as the rumbling of an engine and won't help much with screaming children or wailing sirens.
Being wireless is cool, and we don’t want to burst that bubble every time we need to use our phones. This is primarily why earbud manufacturers have started to create controls within the earpieces themselves.
In our spec table, we have mentioned whether a certain set has these capabilities, but we do recommend double-checking what other reviewers have said before purchase as some have been known to be a little on the sensitive side and could skip or pause out of nowhere.
Whether you’re always in the gym, commuting, or you just enjoy listening to music or podcasts frequently, battery life is important. A longer life will spare you having to put your earbuds and case on charge every night.
Premium earbuds tend to last between 5-8 hours, whereas in the budget field we tend to get a little less – more like 3-7 hours. Don't worry though, this is still enough to only require a charge every couple of days!
It’s also worth contemplating the charge of the case that the buds come in. These can often give the earbuds 2 or, even 5 times, the battery life before you have to plug them in properly and charge up again. Perfect for those that can get a little distracted by life!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Xiaomi Redmi Airdots | ![]() | A Minimal-Sleek Look With Good Performance for Under £30 | |
2 | GIIKNEW Wireless Earphones | ![]() | Another Airpod Imitator, Only Even Cheaper | |
3 | TOZO T10 | ![]() | Luxury Looks at a Low Price | |
4 | JBL Reflect Flow | ![]() | The Duracell Bunny of Wireless Earbuds | |
5 | Anker Soundcore Life P2 | ![]() | A Wholesome, Neutral Sound and an Astonishing Battery Life | |
6 | Lypertek Pureplay Z3 (Tevi) | ![]() | High Quality, High Price | |
7 | SoundPEATS TrueFree | ![]() | Booming Bass at a Bargain Price | |
8 | Sony Truly Wireless In-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones|WF-1000X | ![]() | A Blast From the (Recent) Past |
We love the look of the Redmi Airdots; they're sleek and sophisticated, with no big-name branding on the case or buds themselves. While they're by no means a premium-rated sound, they do offer the best in this price region – it's honest, with full-bodied bass and a well-rounded clear vocal range.
They have a good overall battery of life of 12 hours (including the case charge) which is more than enough for most users, and a multi-functional button that's highly convenient. Overall, if you're looking for a pair of truly budget earbuds, these are the best there are, and that's why they take our number 1 spot!
Featuring some of the most up-to-date technology around, such as the latest Bluetooth, connectivity definitely won't be an issue here. As well as reliable earpiece controls that allow you to play, pause, accept and reject calls, they remain connected to whichever intelligent assistants you use like Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant.
While they're not advertised as noise cancelling, many reviewers have stated that they have this function and that it works remarkably well. They're also some of the snuggest earbuds you can find, so you can keep up that all-nighter studying with the help of a musical crutch.
If you want to go a little bourgeois with a splash of gold (which we all do sometimes) then these T10's from TOZO will provide you with that 'swag'. But they didn't get here on looks alone, they also offer hi-fi stereo sound that's loud and clear even at the highest volume.
Moreover, they have a rather impressive battery life of 6 hours, plus an extra 30 hours with the charging case. Plus, they have the latest Bluetooth technology which should see them pair together instantly and remain connected with stable transmission and no interruptions.
The first thing to point out about these offering from JBL is that they last for ages compared to most others on the market, which is brilliant if you have a forgetful streak in you.
They're also of a steady and sturdy build and are known for staying put, so they're perfect for use when working out or running. In addition, there's also an opaque and blue colourway available if you'd prefer.
If you have an eclectic music taste, then you're going to need earbuds that can go the full range with you, which is where the Soundcore Life P2's come in. They have a neutral, well-balanced and generally accurate sound, with great frequency, so you know you're going to get the same tones every time you listen.
They also offer an enormous battery life, with 7 hours per charge and then an additional 33 from the charging case, which is better than even some of the most premium earbuds out there! They're also extremely portable, and the case feels surprisingly sturdy for a 'budget' model.
We're not always firm believers in 'You get what you pay for', but sometimes we like to be proven wrong, and Lypertek offer a product so good they could get away with charging much more for them. These guys have it all, but most importantly, they provide a rich sound that allows for basslines and vocals with satisfyingly vibrant detail.
As you've probably noticed though, they are right at the top end of 'budget' coming in around £100, so if you were on the lookout for a bit more of a bargain then another set on our ranking will probably be better suited. However, if you have the money, then we have to say these are well worth their price.
If you're a big lover of bass-heavy music, then SoundPEATS have created the perfect pair for you with these thumpy and booming buds. The TrueFree are also ideal for long commutes, with the in-ear tips regularly being commented on as very comfortable and with a very decent battery life.
The problem with this set is actually the same as their selling point – if you're not looking for bass-heavy tones (say you wanted something for more critical listening) then the sonics can be a little muddy and, unfortunately, there isn't an app or function to change the EQ.
The WF-1000X's have been an honest competitor in the wireless earbuds market since 2017, which we believe is a testament to their outstanding quality. You'll get punchy drums, billowing basslines and tremendous trebles from these little beauties, as well as multiple ear tip options that enable everyone to find their fit.
The only issue is the connectivity – they're known to drop out now and then due to the use of an earlier Bluetooth chip that just isn't as advanced as the technology available today. If, however, you're looking for a brand you can trust and a product that lasts, then there are few bigger names than Sony in the electronics world.
No. 1: Xiaomi|Redmi Airdots
No. 2: GIIKNEW|Wireless Earphones
No. 3: TOZO|T10
No. 4: JBL|Reflect Flow
No. 5: Anker|Soundcore Life P2
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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