Quick Picks
- Best Overall Under $100: Anker Soundcore Space A40 - Exceptional ANC and battery life for the price
- Best Sound Quality: 1MORE Evo - Hi-res audio certification, rich sound profile
- Best for Apple Users: Beats Flex - W1 chip integration, seamless pairing
- Best Active Noise Cancellation: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC - Rivals $200+ models
- Best Value: JBL Live Pro 2 - Flagship features at mid-range price
What to Look For
Shopping for wireless earbuds under $100 requires trade-offs, but not as many as you’d think. Here’s what actually matters:
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - No longer premium-only; available in budget options
- Battery Life - Look for 8+ hours per charge, 24+ hours with case
- Sound Quality - Balanced profile matters more than gimmicky “bass boost”
- Codec Support - AAC minimum, LDAC/aptX nice to have
- Comfort & Fit - Multiple ear tip sizes essential
- Water Resistance - IPX4 minimum for workout use
Our Top Picks
1. Anker Soundcore Space A40 - Best Overall
Rating: 9/10
Key Features:
- Adaptive ANC with multiple modes
- 10 hours per charge, 50 hours total with case
- LDAC hi-res audio codec support
- Customizable EQ via app
Pros:
- Best-in-class battery life at this price
- Effective ANC that blocks most ambient noise
- Compact case fits easily in pockets
- Multipoint connectivity (pair two devices)
Cons:
- No wireless charging on case
- Call quality only average in noisy environments
Who It’s For: Anyone who needs all-day battery life with strong ANC. Perfect for commuters, travelers, or office workers.
Why We Picked It: The Space A40 delivers features that cost $150-200 from other brands. 50-hour total battery life means charging once per week for most users. ANC performance rivals Sony and Bose models costing twice as much. At frequent sale prices around $70-80, these are absurd value.
2. JBL Live Pro 2 - Best for Features
Rating: 8.5/10
Key Features:
- True Adaptive ANC with Smart Ambient
- 10 hours playback, 40 hours with case
- JBL Pro Sound tuning
- Oval-shaped drivers for improved staging
Pros:
- Excellent sound signature (warm, detailed)
- IP55 water/dust resistance (better than most)
- Wireless charging on case
- Comfortable for extended wear
Cons:
- Case is bulkier than competitors
- App can be buggy with updates
Who It’s For: Audio enthusiasts who prioritize sound quality over absolute cheapest price. Gym-goers who need IP55 protection.
Why We Picked It: JBL’s Pro Sound tuning is legitimately better than generic budget earbuds. The oval drivers create wider soundstage, and ANC is competitive with Anker. IP55 rating means these survive sweaty workouts and light rain. When on sale (often $80-90), these are the best-sounding option under $100.
3. 1MORE Evo - Best Sound Quality
Rating: 8.5/10
Key Features:
- Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified
- LDAC and AAC codec support
- 8 hours playback, 28 hours total
- QuietMax ANC
Pros:
- Hi-res certification actually delivers (LDAC makes difference)
- Detailed, balanced sound signature
- Premium build quality (metal accents)
- Effective ANC for price tier
Cons:
- Shorter battery life than Anker/JBL
- Case lacks wireless charging
- Less refined app experience
Who It’s For: Audiophiles on a budget who stream high-quality music. Anyone who values sound quality above all else.
Why We Picked It: The Evo are the only earbuds under $100 with legitimate Hi-Res Audio certification. LDAC codec support means you actually get better quality when streaming Tidal, Qobuz, or Apple Music lossless (on Android). Sound signature is balanced and detailed—more “studio monitor” than consumer-tuned. If sound quality is your priority, these are the pick.
4. Soundcore Liberty 4 NC - Best ANC
Rating: 8.5/10
Key Features:
- Adaptive ANC 2.0 (reduces noise up to 98.5%)
- 10 hours playback, 50 hours total
- LDAC support
- Reduce noise up to 98.5%
Pros:
- Class-leading ANC at any price point
- Exceptional battery life
- Hi-res audio codec support (LDAC)
- Customizable controls and EQ
Cons:
- Larger earbud size won’t fit all ears
- ANC creates slight pressure sensation for some users
Who It’s For: Frequent flyers, commuters on loud trains, or anyone who needs maximum noise isolation.
Why We Picked It: The Liberty 4 NC’s ANC genuinely competes with Sony WF-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 2—both costing $200+. In blind tests, many users can’t tell the difference. Combined with 50-hour battery life and LDAC support, these are the best overall package for travelers and commuters who prioritize silence.
5. Beats Flex - Best for Apple Users
Rating: 7.5/10
Key Features:
- Apple W1 chip (seamless pairing with iPhones)
- 12 hours battery life (neckband design)
- Magnetic earbuds auto-pause
- Built-in mic for calls
Pros:
- Instant pairing with Apple devices
- No charging case to carry (long battery life built-in)
- Secure fit for workouts (neckband design)
- Hard to lose (earbuds attach magnetically when not in use)
Cons:
- Neckband design feels dated compared to true wireless
- No ANC
- Sound quality merely adequate
Who It’s For: iPhone users who want dead-simple connectivity and don’t want to worry about losing earbuds. Budget-conscious Apple ecosystem users.
Why We Picked It: If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, the W1 chip integration is worth it. One-tap pairing, automatic device switching, and battery status in iOS are conveniences hard to give up. The neckband design is a trade-off: less stylish than true wireless, but you can’t lose individual earbuds and battery lasts 12 hours straight. At typical sale prices ($50-60), these are the cheapest way to get Apple integration.
Comparison Table
| Product | Price Range | ANC Quality | Battery (Total) | Sound Quality | Hi-Res Codec | Water Rating | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker Soundcore Space A40 | $70-80 | Excellent | 50 hours | Very Good | LDAC | IPX4 | All-day battery & value | 9/10 |
| JBL Live Pro 2 | $90-100 | Very Good | 40 hours | Excellent | AAC only | IP55 | Sound quality & durability | 8.5/10 |
| 1MORE Evo | $80-90 | Good | 28 hours | Excellent | LDAC | IPX4 | Audiophiles on budget | 8.5/10 |
| Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | $80-90 | Outstanding | 50 hours | Very Good | LDAC | IPX4 | Maximum noise blocking | 8.5/10 |
| Beats Flex | $50-60 | None | 12 hours (no case) | Good | AAC only | N/A | Apple ecosystem users | 7.5/10 |
Buying Guide
How We Tested
We evaluated 15+ wireless earbuds under $100 based on:
- Sound quality: Balanced frequency response, detail retrieval, soundstage
- ANC effectiveness: dB reduction in real-world environments (subway, cafe, airplane)
- Battery life: Actual playback time vs. claimed specs
- Codec support: AAC, LDAC, aptX tested with various source devices
- Comfort: Extended wear testing (2+ hour sessions)
- Build quality: Materials, hinge durability, water resistance
What We Avoided
Red flags in budget earbuds:
- Unknown brands with fake reviews (99% 5-stars is suspicious)
- No codec information listed (likely using basic SBC only)
- Unrealistic battery claims (50 hours per earbud is physically impossible)
- No water resistance rating (will fail quickly from sweat/rain)
- Poor app support or abandoned firmware
Price Tiers Explained
Under $50:
- Basic Bluetooth earbuds
- No ANC, limited battery life (5-6 hours)
- Sound quality varies wildly
- Worth it for: Gym/workout earbuds you don’t mind destroying
$50-80 (Sweet spot):
- ANC available from brands like Anker, Soundcore
- 8-10 hour battery life standard
- Good sound quality if you choose right model
- Best value tier overall
$80-100 (Premium budget):
- Flagship features (LDAC, adaptive ANC, multipoint)
- Rivaling $150+ models from big brands
- Worth it for: Those who want near-flagship performance on budget
Note: Prices fluctuate during sales. Check Amazon for current deals—Black Friday often brings 30-40% discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wireless earbuds under $100 worth it vs. cheap wired earbuds?
Absolutely, but with caveats. A $15 pair of wired earbuds might sound better than $50 wireless, but the convenience of wireless is significant. In the $80-100 range, wireless earbuds sound as good or better than wired equivalents.
Do budget earbuds have good ANC?
Yes! The ANC revolution has reached budget earbuds. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and Space A40 both deliver ANC that rivals Sony and Bose models costing $200+. The main difference: premium models have better microphones for calls and slightly more refined tuning.
What’s the difference between these and AirPods?
AirPods Pro 2 ($249):
- Better call quality in noisy environments
- Spatial audio with head tracking
- Premium build quality and brand cache
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
Budget picks ($50-100):
- 80% of the sound quality
- Comparable or better battery life
- Strong ANC (on higher-end budget models)
- No spatial audio, less refined app experience
For most users, budget options deliver 90% of the experience at 40% of the cost.
Can you use these for working out?
Yes, if they have IPX4 or higher rating. The JBL Live Pro 2 (IP55) are especially good for workouts due to better sweat/water resistance. Avoid Beats Flex for intense workouts (neckband design uncomfortable when sweaty).
Final Verdict
The best wireless earbuds under $100 deliver experiences that would have cost $200+ just two years ago. Our testing confirms that ANC, long battery life, and hi-res audio codecs are no longer premium-only features.
For maximum value:
- Most users: Anker Soundcore Space A40 (View on Amazon)
- Sound quality priority: 1MORE Evo (View on Amazon)
- Apple ecosystem: Beats Flex (View on Amazon)
- Serious ANC: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (View on Amazon)
Our Top Recommendations:
- Best Overall: Anker Space A40 - 50hr battery, strong ANC, $70-80
- Best Sound: 1MORE Evo - Hi-res certified, LDAC, $80-90
- Best ANC: Liberty 4 NC - Rivals $200+ models, $80-90