Best Earbuds under $100: Tired of listening to the same old muddy, annoying sound coming out of your phone’s stock earbuds? Having problems listening to the sound of your favourite music and have a good time?
Guess, it’s time for a change- An affordable and great change.
Here are some of the best earbuds under $100 that won’t bust your bank and sound royally good!
Overall Best Earbuds under $100: 1MORE Triple Driver Earbuds
1 More is our overall best earbuds. They deliver a smooth sync of sounds rendering a clean and power-packed performance for users.
Best Earbuds Under $100
Our #1 Recommendation: Best Earbud of 2026
1MORE Triple Driver Earbuds: Best overall sound experience
Packed with a powerful and innovative design, 1More has launched Triple Driver Earbuds keeping in mind the needs of common music lovers.
These are the best earbuds for bass-heavy genres songs such as hip-hop, EDM, and yeah dubstep. We figured the rich and groovy bass sounds will surely be a plus for an ambient musical experience.
But, that doesn’t mean they are not good for playing other genres. If you carefully listen, the treble frequencies also get a sonic boost by these earbuds. So, yeah you can derive the maximum pleasure from all those guitar riffs at full blast.
All in all, with a couple of equalisation tweaks on your music player, you can play various genres ranging from rock, metal to hip-hop and jazz!
Now, coming onto the comfort part, we were a little disappointed with the fitting ability of the earbuds.
Don’t get us wrong, they fit in quite easily and feel comfy when you are still, but the moment you start moving around they have to be constantly adjusted to keep a tight seal. Overall, we get the impression they are not the best deal for a person who commutes or does a workout while listening to music.
No matter if you’re listening to The Killers’ groovy basslines or Alex Turner’s deep dreamy voice, the Triple Driver is the best bass earbuds that will definitely make you lose yourself in the music !!!
Our #2 Recommendation: Great Sound under $100
Marshall is traditionally known for its classic amplifiers and speakers, but with the introduction of Marshall Mode earbuds, it’s going to give its counterparts especially 1More and Bose a jolly good run for the money.
The Marshall Mode earbuds can play any genre with ease and grace from rock, extreme metal to hip hop and reggae.
We didn’t find any blurriness with the bass; it sounds slightly boosted in a good way and provides more depth and richness to the low frequencies.
Think about listening to some nice, iconic bass lines off Blur.
Coming onto the highs or treble, they sound clear and fine without any piercing sound that so many other earphones in this price range are guilty of.
At times though, the treble may get a bit too bright and distorted when listening to soaring guitar melodies/solos with a lot of gain on.
But, that’s something that only audiophiles with sensitive hearing can discern and it can certainly be overlooked thanks to the mods that are mellow, weighty and give a fuller and rich sound.
There are some flaws related to the design though. First off, there is no volume slider/control button which would have been great. The Marshall Mode has only one button that handles everything from track skipping, play/pause to voice commands.
You may also like to read Best Genres Of Music To Listen While Eating Food
That sadly doesn’t work efficiently enough and leaves the device confused with a slow response rate (especially Android devices) when the user pushes the button. Keep in mind, the flaw in the design doesn’t affect the fit; the Marshall Mode ear buds are comfy and sit just as fine in the ear canal and can be worn for hours on end without any pain or hassle.
More Great Buys
Bose Soundsport earbuds aim to provide complete audio clarity to users. As the name implies, Bose’s Sound sport earphones have been built keeping in mind people who like to workout or commute while listening to music.
Doing a sound test on the Soundsport earbuds reveals a lot of interesting things. Firstly, you will hear a crisp and clean audio that doesn’t sound muddy at high frequencies.
The Soundsport integrates treble, mid and bass sounds seamlessly into the mix.
The high frequencies i;e treble won’t leave your ears ringing even if you go on a listening spree of your favourite jams while the midrange is pretty decent.
Further, the bass has a bit of depth in it, making these earbuds ideal for playing multiple genres. But, all being said, the detailing on the treble range could have been more.
It tends to compress the range between louder and softer sounds and can’t bring out the subtleties in the music.
So yeah, there is not much in the store for audiophiles who would want the earbuds to capture every nuance of music clearly. Not to mention these earbuds lack a noise isolating feature which can play spoilsport in external locations.
Rest assured, most people outside the purview of audiophiles will certainly dig the sound and find it smooth and endearing.
The Soundsport earbuds sit perfectly in the ear canal and can be used for long hours without any problems. The construction is durable enough to endure rough usage.
That implies users can put them on when they are working out or taking an early morning stroll. Some features such as a decent inbuilt microphone to help users answer calls on the go is a plus for workaholics.
Moreover, these earbuds have an auto turn-off feature that is another nice addition for those who doze off while listening to music.
Sennheiser Momentum Earbuds: Most Affordable Deal
Sennheiser returns to action with its new range of earbuds called “Momentum” aiming to provide an immersive experience to users who want a crystal clear sound at pocket-friendly rates. For starters, these earbuds boast of an intense bass range and a lightweight, slim design.
Although they can’t really be categorised as “high-end” earphones that deliver brilliant sonic pleasure, the Momentum earbuds do have an excellent sub-bass response as well as a good treble presence.
The treble, however, at times can sound a bit bright and even lead to static, but that depends on the music you’re listening to.
For instance, if you are a fan of thrash metal or metalcore, then you might hear a screeching sound occasionally as the distorted guitars mess up the high frequencies.
Coming to the mods, this is where a little more work should have been done by Sennheiser.
The midrange sounds a little timid/bleak due to maximum focus laid on enhancing high and low frequencies. So, they are not meant for big devices such as amplifiers or audio processors.
Nevertheless, the overall texture and tone of the sound remain great throughout. The Momentum earbuds will sound amazing whilst listening to EDM, hip hop and trance tracks.
Being very small in size and handy helps these earbuds to easily fit into ear canals and even your pockets.
Shure SE215-K: Budget Sound Isolating Earbuds
If you are looking for an earbud that is easy on the pocket then Shure’s brand new offering, the SE215-K, might be what you’re looking for.
It comes off as an extremely affordable, sound-isolating earbud that claims to prevent outside noise from disturbing users’ complete audio listening experience.
If want the best noise cancelling earbuds then Shure SE215-K is the right choice for you!!!
With a noise prevention range of 37 dB, these earbuds tend to drown out external disturbances.
No matter whether you are in a crowded market street or a metro station, these earbuds cancel out all external sounds giving users an immersive experience.
We reckon they are the most suitable for people who want to concentrate on their work while listening to some music. Speaking of music, the audio quality is quite pleasant. You can hear a well-balanced sound across various frequency spectrums.
The result is a nice “surround sound” experience that won’t leave you disappointed. It’s a thumb up from us in the sound department considering the entry-level price.
The SE215-K earbuds, it seems to do a fairly good job when it comes to keeping the wires uncluttered. Thanks to a sleek over-the-ear design, tangling of wires won’t be a problem even if you’ve kept them in your bag.
However, we feel Shure could have spent more time on the design. The over-the-ear design could be a dampener for users who would rather prefer traditional earbuds. The weird design needlessly enhances the size of these earbuds and can ruin the overall listening experience for users.
AKG Y20U Earbuds: Best Earbuds Under $50
If you’re on a really tight budget and want a dirt-cheap alternative to your phone’s stock earphones- look no further than AKG’s Y20U earbuds.
On the sound front, these earbuds handle high frequencies quite well. We could hear the treble range clearly and if anything it sounded mellow.
The bass notes had a clean boost to them and at no point in time did they overwhelm the treble or mids. But, just like a cheap price range has its benefits, it has some downsides too.
The Y20U earbuds do compromise on the detailing in the highs and low notes, which is frankly discernible. At high volumes, an intense bassline sequence may pave the way for some overpowering moments over guitars and vocals.
Still, pop, rock and trip-hop music can be jammed with these earbuds.
So, however fast you are walking or jogging down the road, these earbuds won’t come off. Additionally, these they come with a single-button remote that performs the twin functions of being a play/pause button and mic.
We were sold on the value for the price that these earbuds offer. Besides being affordable and nicely fitting, they don’t sound bad. Well, don’t expect a great sound given their price range, and you surely won’t be disappointed.
Brainwavz Delta: Best Fitting Earbuds
There are many earbuds that are cheap and sound great, but only a few of them can deliver the punch in the “fit” section. Brainwavz’s Delta earbuds take the cake for being one such pair. It also helps that these earbuds come at a throwaway price.
The Brainwavz Delta earbuds fit perfectly with various ear sizes and shapes. That is, they have the perfect seal and can be worn for a number of purposes- from gym workouts to early morning jogging sessions.
Now, forget about the times when you have had to constantly adjust your earbuds to drown in some aural pleasure.
The bass range is a bit weak and muffled, but it is evenly balanced by a slight treble boost that gives a clear and robust sound to the music without losing clarity in guitar riffs, lyrics, or snare hits.
You also may love the 10 headphones Hacks That Every Audiophile Must Know
Regardless, we strongly feel Brainwavz could have done more with rectifying the frequency bumps in the bass range.
Jaybird Freedom F5: Reader’s Choice
Morgan D. recently suggested us that we should check out Jaybird Freedom F5 in the comments. And so we did. Turns out, this one is a real gem!
The sound signature is decently balanced, and considering the earphones fit snug in your ear thanks to the fins that fit in the curve of your ear, I say this pair will enhance your entertainment by quite a factor. The fact that this is a wireless earphone only makes things better.
A Wireless earphone must have a decent battery life.
I’ll leave it up to you to decide if 8 hours of play time is good enough for your use. Over long time, however, or while laying on my side, the fins did start to prick at my ear’s insides, which i figure if happens to more people might not make these earphones particularly comfortable.
The design is superior with the main body of the earphones curved to deliver the sound more naturally instead on the usual perpendicularly placed earphones that are easily knocked out. The controls are superior and the call reception is good too. You might need to carry a power bank with your phone, however. No matter what technology a pair of wireless earphones uses, your battery is going to be sapped quicker as compared to normal earphones that come with a wired jack.
The gel is resistant to hot temperatures as well, which means you can leave it in your car on hot days without worrying about it melting. The smell might intensify some, but that’s it. Those who want a very simple and effective air freshener and odor neutralizer they can control will be very happy with the Ozium car freshener scent.
Other Great BUYS!!
The Sony MDR-EX650 B Inner Ear Headphones are designed to provide the top-tier Sony sound quality you’ve come to expect with their headphones over the years, but at a much more accessible price in comparison to many of their highest level models.
These headphones offer one of the more comfortable fits you’ll encounter, and deliver crisp highs and an adequate amount of bass to each ear, enriching the sound of your favorite tracks, or enhancing your current podcast listening choices.
The Sony MDR-EX650 B Inner Ear Headphones are designed to provide the top-tier Sony sound quality you’ve come to expect with their headphones over the years, but at a much more accessible price in comparison to many of their highest level models.
These headphones offer one of the more comfortable fits you’ll encounter, and deliver crisp highs and an adequate amount of bass to each ear, enriching the sound of your favorite tracks, or enhancing your current podcast listening choices.
Pros:
4 Earbud Choices – Each order of these headphones comes with 4 different pairs of earbuds, allowing you to choose the right fit for your ear shape.
Balanced Sound – The MDR-EX650 B’s strike that elusive balance of low, mid, and high-range frequencies, resulting in a rich listening experience, regardless of what you’re listening to.
Textured Cord – The cord on these headphones has just enough texture to help prevent tangling, saving you from the dreaded un-knotting common with headphone cords.
Cons:
The MDR-EX650 B’s come with a soft carrying case, but a small hard case would be preferred.
[su_note note_color=”#e4f784″]
Verdict: These headphones have won awards for a reason. This is simply some of the best sound quality you can get with in-ear headphones for under $100.
[/su_note]
The Focal Sphere High-Res In-Ear Headphones offer a focus on preserving the original tone and mix of recordings, delivering the music the way it was intended to be heard, without overemphasizing high or low tones.
Focal Sphear has utilized a winning combination of drivers and ear fit to create rich, full sound that is sure to please discriminate audiophiles that demand authentic headphone clarity and tones, and all without going over $100 in price.
Pros:
Large Electro-Dynamic Drivers, Rich Bass – These headphones use a large driver system that is especially full in the mid-range area, helping to ensure better clarity. A 10.8mm multi-channel transducer merged with a Bass Reflex system for improved low range frequencies.
Compatible with Any Device – The headphones work with any phone, tablet, MP3 player, or computer that has a standard headphone jack size.
Universal Remote – An included remote lets users easily control volume, answer phone calls, switch tracks, and more, without the need to access their device.
Cons
The case that comes with these headphones is annoyingly small, so it’s quite the chore to fit everything back in at times. A slightly longer burn-in period is needed to get the full range of these headphones as well.
[su_note note_color=”#e4f784″]
Verdict: If you’re someone that values the original sound and tones of your music, and tend to avoid the overemphasized bass and highs increasingly popular with some other models out there, the Focal Sphere High-Res In-Ear Headphones are an ideal product for a great price. Rich, tasteful bass, clear highs, and a full mid-range make these one of the best buys on the market.
[/su_note]
In-ear headphones can often be a tricky purchase, as there seem to mainly be either cheaper models, or more expensive models that hover around $100 or more. The Klipsch R6 In-Ear Headphones offer a break from this pattern, providing an impressive amount of performance and quality, while managing to keep the price range much lower than many similar models.
And not only do the Klipsch R6 In-Ear Headphones sound great, they come with a few convenient bonus features as well, placing them high on the list for the best headphones for the money.
Pros:
Dynamic Moving Coil Micro Speaker – You can expect to experience a very balanced sound quality with some added attention to the low end of the frequency spectrum, but not at the expense of your mids and highs.
Tangle-Resistant Cord – The headphone’s flat cord design helps to prevent the ever-annoying cord tangling issue that plagues so many other headphones.
Soft Ear Tips – The Klipsch R6 In-Ear Headphone’s patented oval ear tips fit comfortably in any ear shape, and provide pressure points in all the right areas for a better overall fit.
Plenty of Extras – The headphones come with a carrying case, a clothing clip, and 4 extra pairs of earbud covers.
Cons
The only real downside to the Klipsch R6 In-Ear Headphones is their lack of a microphone, so you’ll have to speak into your phone during calls. This is expected given the low price however, and this shouldn’t be an issue for the majority of users.
[su_note note_color=”#e4f784″]
Verdict: Bottom line, the excel in regards to comfort and audio quality, and come at a very budget-friendly price. If you’re looking to improve the audio quality of your in-ear headphones, but don’t have a lot to spend, these are an excellent purchase.
[/su_note]
HOW TO BUY THE BEST EARBUDS in 2026?:
The sound is something we all love and once you have that first pair of headphones, you simply want more and more. However, not everyone knows what to look for when they buy the best earbuds and some might often be unhappy with the purchase. Nevertheless, finding the top earbuds are not all that hard and with a few basic guidelines, you should find the best ones in no time.
We have done some in-depth research and after using a couple of great earphones, it made it much easier to understand the most important features and what to look for. In this guide, you will find a break down of the most important for selecting a great earbud and you will never be left for dead ever again.
Key Features To Consider When Choosing The Best Earbuds:
Now that you have decided on the fact that you would like a new pair of earbuds, you might be ready to go and buy those you have been looking at. But wait, with this guide, you can understand more and ensure they are perfect for you. Here are the most important features that you will need to keep in mind when selecting the best earbuds:
Fit:
The fit of the earbuds is an extremely important part of buying a new pair. Some might even consider it the most important part. If they do not fit comfortably, you will not be using them as much as you like to. Generally, you need to decide on a loose or tight fit and this will vary depending on the tip of the earbud.
- Tight fit:
Most modern earbuds are designed to fit loosely into the ear, but some people might like those with a longer tip. The longer tip can be inserted into the ear canal and this will cancel out most of the noise. It also provides a much better sound quality depending on the quality of the product.
- Loose fit:
If you don’t like something jammed up in your ear, the loose-fitting earbuds will be much better suited for you. They are really easy to find and they are in abundance as well. These are generally the same headphones that come with your mobile phones. However, they might not be as good at canceling out the noise.
Whatever you feel works the best for you, it will be much more beneficial if you can find the earphones and test them before you buy. As we have mentioned, the fit is one of the most important parts of buying new earbuds.
Wired or Wireless:
Bluetooth products have taken the world by storm and more and more people prefer to go the wireless route. Nevertheless, the wired earphones are still effective for some users and they generally come with a dongle that is much easier to control the sound of the headphones. If you are not using them often, something that is wired will be much more affordable.
If you are using them for sports purposes, we would recommend going wireless. Yes, these may be somewhat more expensive, but they will be functional in all situations. It is also worth noting that Bluetooth does drain the battery of your device much faster and this could be some reason for concern. However, if you are an Apple user, the Bluetooth earbuds will be your only option.
Sound Quality:
Why will you buy anything with bad sound quality? This might seem like a straightforward point that we are making, but the sound is fundamentally important to consider. If you cannot find someone to test the sound quality, we recommend doing some in-depth research to understand the sound quality and see some reviews.
If you are using them for business or driving purposes, you will need to have the best possible sound quality. It is also worth keeping in mind that with better sound quality, you will need to pay a steeper price. Nevertheless, this will be completely worth it in the end.
Design:
While many people like to focus on only having them functional, we believe that the design is equally important. If the headphones are not stylish, they might not be the best option and you will need to look for a stylish pair as well. The design is simple to see and you will generally be able to see it easily. The colors also play an important role and we tend to look for unique colors that will make you stand out as well.
Weight:
The weight might not seem important to everyone, but we have found it to make a difference. If you are constantly on the move, you will need something portable and light. We recommend you look at the weight of the earbuds and decide if they might be a little too heavy. The lighter they are, the more comfortable they will be for prolonged use.
Interchangeable tips:
Having interchangeable tips is really beneficial and once you do find new or better tips, you might want to change them for your earbuds. We recommend looking for this type of versatility in your earbuds. One of the easiest ways to spot this is upon purchasing the products. If the tips are interchangeable, they will generally come with more than one pair.
Brands:
With so many great brands out there, it can be easy to get lost and we cannot really recommend one elite brand to be better than the other. However, there are also many knock-offs on the market today and you need to be wary of this. We recommend looking for an established brand when making your decision as this will yield better long-term results.
Final Thoughts:
Now that you have a better understanding of finding the best earbuds, it should be much easier for you to do so. We have done this guide in the hopes of helping you buy your next pair of earbuds. We would like to thank you for reading this article and we would also like you to share your thoughts on these features. We look forward to reading your comments.
