At GravaStar, we know that not everyone can afford the top-of-the-line earbuds that often cost hundreds of dollars. Thankfully, there are several budget-friendly earbuds that not only save you money, but still offer a great listening experience that's comparable to their more expensive counterparts.
To help you choose the right option, we've created this guide to go over the best budget wireless earbuds under $50.
Choosing the right budget pair of earbuds provides you with great comfort and a fantastic audio experience, whereas going with a subpar option can leave you with an uncomfortable pair of earbuds that sound terrible.
In our search to find the best choice, we consulted several detailed product tests and numerous user reviews and combined them with our industry experience. After all of this research, our top choice for the best budget wireless earbuds is the JBL Vibe Buds.
How We Picked
There are several important things to consider when searching for budget wireless earbuds under $50, Let's take a closer look at a couple of them.
Sound quality
While finding a good deal is important, don't sacrifice sound quality. You want to choose a pair of wireless earbuds that still deliver a high-quality listening experience. You may not find top-of-the-line features or audio, but should at least look for a clear and balanced sound, with solid bass.
Because you likely won't be able to try them before you buy, make sure to check out reviews and pay attention to what they say about the audio quality to ensure you find the right option.
Battery life
Look for earbuds with a longer battery life or quick charging features, as they are more convenient for uninterrupted listening, whether you're working, exercising, or traveling.
While everyone is different, it's generally a good idea to ensure your earbuds can last at least a few hours per charge, if not more.
Useful features
Even budget earbuds should come with certain basic features that boost usability. This includes things like a built-in microphone for calls, volume control, and a stable connection. Some may also offer additional features like water resistance or noise isolation.
Build quality
How long a pair of earbuds lasts often depends on their build quality. Choose a pair that is well-made with durable materials, as they'll likely last much longer before needing to be replaced. They should also come with a high-quality carrying case to protect them, as well.
Top Choice: JBL Vibe Buds
- Battery life: 8 hours
- Durability: IP54 dust and water-resistant
- Features: Multiple included ear tips, ambient features, and speed charge
Our top pick for the best wireless earbuds under $50 is the JBL Vibe Buds. Despite their low price, these earbuds offer quality audio thanks to 8mm drivers and have an impressive and deep bass sound.
They're dust and water-resistant and come with numerous ear tips so you can find the right fit.
The buds themselves have an 8-hour battery life, but the charger has 24 hours of battery life on its own, so you can have these on the go for a long time and not need to worry about plugging them in.
We like how if the buds run out of juice at an inopportune time, it only takes 10 minutes to get an extra 2 hours of battery life with speed charging.
Another strong part of these earbuds in our opinion is the ambient features to keep you in tune with your surroundings while wearing them.
You can use TalkThru to stop for a quick chat without having to remove your earbuds, and the Ambient Aware feature lets you listen to music while still being aware of what's going on around you.
YouTuber Gamesky reviewed these earbuds and was impressed with the audio, saying that they have "plenty of punch in the low end", as well as solid mids and treble.
A downside of going with these is that the tips that come with the buds have a tendency to detach from the buds at times, so make sure to be careful with them and check the earbuds often to ensure the tip isn't missing.
Next Best: JLab Go Air Pop
- Battery life: 8 hours
- Durability: IPX4 sweat-resistant
- Features: Multiple colors, touch controls, and adjustable sound
Another solid choice for those on a budget is the JLab Go Air Pop earbuds. They come in multiple different colors, have a solid battery life, and let you adjust volume, change songs, or even pause/play the music with touch controls.
We like how they also have the option of choosing between several sound modes, including balanced and bass boost. You can use the earbuds together of course, but even if you only want to have one in at a time, they'll work flawlessly.
Each also has a mic so that you can easily take clear calls even if you only have one bud in. YouTuber TechVisibility reviewed these earbuds and loved the call quality in particular, saying that "they sounded great".
The size of the carrying case is another benefit in our opinion, as it's incredibly small and thin, making it very easy to slip in a pocket without it being uncomfortable or noticeable.
A drawback of these earbuds is that they're not quite as good around the water as many others, as they only have an IPX4 rating. This rating protects against splashes of water, but being submerged, even for a short period, could damage them.
Also Great: Soundcore by Anker Life A1
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Durability: IPX7 waterproof
- Features: Several sound modes, on-ear controls, and numerous tips to customize the fit
The Soundcore by Anker Life A1 is also worth considering. They offer a very secure fit with not only multiple ear tips of different sizes but also ear wings to help you fine-tune the sizing. They're IPX7 waterproof, so you don't have to worry if you splash some water on them or even submerge them for a short period of time.
They offer clear and balanced audio in our opinion, with 3 different modes to choose from: Signature, Bass Booster, and Podcast. Signature offers the most balanced sound, Bass Booster kicks up the bass, and Podcast ensures that the mids sound as clear as possible.
We like how you can charge with either the included cable or simply set the case down on a wireless charger.
In his review of these earbuds, YouTuber The Product Lab highlighted the size and comfort of the buds, saying that they are "small and nice and easy to fit in the ears" and "perfect for long daily listening sessions".
In our opinion, a drawback of these earbuds is that some reviews mention problems charging them, such as only one bud charging or the case not charging at all.
Best for Over-the-Ear: FOYCOY Wireless Earbuds
- Battery life: 8 hours
- Durability: IPX7 waterproof
- Features: Flexible design, multiple ear tips, wireless charging, and smart touch controls
If you prefer an over-the-ear fit for more security during runs or workouts, consider the FOYCOY Wireless Earbuds. These offer a comfortable fit in the ear with multiple tips available, as well as a flexible arm that goes around your ear to comfortably hold them in place.
It has a solid battery life, is safe to use in and around the water, and offers wireless charging. We like how the charging case has a dual digital display, so you can easily see how charged up each bud is in an instant, as well.
The smart touch controls offer great convenience, and the buds have a built-in microphone for making calls. Another strong point about these buds in our opinion is the impressive sound, which delivers crisp and clear audio at all levels.
While the earbuds have a lot going for them, there are some durability concerns and some reviews have said they only lasted a few months before they began experiencing issues.
The Competition
While these 4 options are great, here are some other choices to consider, too.
Skullcandy Dime 3: These earbuds are sweat and water-resistant, have a solid 8-hour battery life, and come in a few different colors. However, there are some concerns about the reliability of their connection.
Tranya T10: Along with a great battery life and noise cancelling properties, these earbuds are waterproof and offer a crisp and detailed audio experience. Unfortunately, there are some complaints about the quality and durability.
TOZO A1 Mini: These earbuds are incredibly light, small, and feature dual-ear touch controls. They're also easy to pair with your device and have a comfortable design. However, the battery life is a little less than many other options at this price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few common questions about budget wireless earbuds, along with our answers.
Is it worth it to buy cheap earbuds?
If you choose the correct option, yes. Not all cheap earbuds are created equally, but if you do your homework and choose the right one, you can enjoy solid audio and a comfortable fit without having to spend a fortune.
What are the main differences between cheap and expensive earbuds?
It varies on a case-by-case basis, but generally, the difference is that more expensive earbuds have better build quality, longer battery life, or slightly better audio.
That being said, many budget-friendly earbuds still perform incredibly well and are virtually identical to many casual listeners. Also, as technology continues to advance, this gap is likely to narrow even further.
Which style of wireless earbuds are the best?
Wireless earbuds come in a variety of styles including in-ear, open, over-ear, and even bone conduction. The right choice depends entirely on your preferences and what fits the best with your ear shape.
For example, some people like the noise-canceling effects that some in-ear earbuds offer, while others find that open earbuds fit more comfortably and don't go too deep into their ears. Make sure to try different styles and check out reviews to learn more about which is right for you.
Final Thoughts
In addition to making the considerations we mentioned in this guide, it's also important to care for your wireless earbuds. Make sure to keep them clean, as both the earbuds themselves and their carrying case can get full of dust, earwax, and more. A quick wipe with a cotton swab or cloth is generally all you need to do.
Be sure not to drop the earbuds too much, as well. They're small and relatively fragile, so it doesn't take much to break them. They're also very easy to lose, so always make sure you keep them in a spot you can remember.