16 Nov 2021 4:23 PM +00:00 UTC

Best Budget Earbuds 2021: Our Top Picks For November

If you're after the best budget earbuds money can buy, we've got you covered.

High-quality earbuds are becoming increasingly affordable, with some of the best earbuds not costing as much as you'd think. We're here to demonstrate that you don't need to spend a fortune to find quality, amazing design, and brilliant battery life with your next set.

As usual, we've done some of the legwork for you, and selected our top picks based on specs, reviews and any other additional features that we think makes them stand out from the crowd.

So, whether you're looking for a rather portable choice with the Skullcandy Dime or you're on the hunt for some brilliant battery life with the Tribit FlyBuds 3, you'll find some options to start your search with right here, plus our guide to picking the best ones for you.

Let's dive in!

Best Budget Earbuds

Best Budget Earbuds All-rounder - JLab Go Air

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If you're after some of the best budget wireless earbuds the JLab Go Air are a solid choice that we think gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

In terms of battery life, you're getting 5 hours playback with an additional 20 hours from the charging case which is more than enough to last you over a day of listening.

When it comes to sound performance, these earbuds are equipped with 8mm drivers which boast crystal clear, balanced audio output.

These earbuds also use Bluetooth 5.0 which should provide and strong, stable connection and they can be used as a pair or one at a time which can be a useful feature.

Overall, the JLab Go Air offer some really strong specs for the price and our a solid choice for us.

Best Budget Earbuds For Portability - Skullcandy Dime

Best wireless earbuds, product image of grey Skullcandy earbuds — Image Credit: Skullcandy

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Skullcandy is well-known for producing high-quality affordable audio and we the Skullcandy Dime earbuds live up to that name.

These earbuds provide some great portability features, with the charging case being able to attach to a keyring, up to 12 hours battery life and IPX4 water resistance.

If you need a top pair of earbuds with a mic but don't want to break the bank, Skullcandy Dime also includes a built-in microphone which is an incredibly useful feature when conducting phone or video calls.

If you're often on the go the Skullcandy Dime earbuds could be the choice for you.

Best Budget Earbuds Fast Charging - Beats Flex

Best budget earbuds, product image of yellow Beats earbuds — Image Credit: Beats

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If you don't want to wait around for your earbuds to charge, the Beats Flex may be the best option for you.

These earbuds not only provide up to 12 hours of playback they also include a USB-C fast charger and are able to achieve 1.5 hours worth of battery from just 10 minutes of charging.

Each earbud also has a magnet on the back that automatically pauses playback, which is a handy feature when they're attached round your neck.

The Beats Flex earbuds can also be paired with other Beats headphones allowing you to share audio with your friends.

Best Budget Earbuds For Battery Life - Tribit FlyBuds 3

Best budget earbuds, product image of Tribit earbuds and charging case — Image Credit: Tribit

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When battery life is your priority, the Tribit FlyBuds 3 are hard to compete with.

5 hours of playback in a single charge is decent, but where these earbuds really shine is with the charging case that provides a whopping 95 hours of additional charging.

Not only is the battery life impressive, but these earbuds should also provide some decent audio output too, with 6mm drivers that boast generous volume and boosted bass.

The Tribit FlyBuds offer some nice features with the battery life that knocks it out of the park.

Best Budget Earbuds Waterproof- EarFun Free

Best budget earbuds, product image of black EarFun earbuds with charging case — Image Credit: EarFun

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The EarFun Free are another excellent all-around choice that offers IPX7 waterproofing and lots more.

The IPX7 rating means these earbuds are as close to 100% waterproof as you'll find on a pair of earbuds, which means you can wear them in the rain, or working up a sweat while exercising.

6mm drivers boast impeccable sound quality, with deep powerful bass, combined with the ultra-stable connection providing by Bluetooth 5.0 you're certainly getting a lot for your money here.

The EarFun Free should also be comfortable and secure to wear, with 3 different ear tip sizes included.

How To Pick The Best Budget Earbuds

When looking for the best budget earbuds, there are a number of questions work looking into before finding the right ones for you.

Do cheaper wireless earbuds have poor battery life?

As wireless earbuds are very small, they include minimal batteries, however, they still manage to last a long time, even when looking at affordable options.

On average, earbuds range from 3-12 hours of battery life from a single charge with charging cases providing from 1 to as many as 20 additional charges.

When purchasing it is worth considering both the amount of playback you'll get from a single charge and how many extra charges cases can apply if applicable.

Should I buy earbuds or headphones?

While the best wireless headphones have greater speakers, longer battery life and more effective noise cancellation, they come with a much heftier price tag.

Earbuds, on the other hand, are much more compact than headphones and as a general rule, much cheaper, which makes them a good option for sticking to a budget and taking on the move.

However, if you decide to buy headphones, check out our best budget wireless headphones.

How long do cheap earbuds last?

Generally, there are several factors that can affect the lifespan of earbuds, regardless of price.

As technology advances, affordable earbuds regularly provide features that increase their durabilities such as waterproofing and dust resistance.

If durability is essential for you, looking for earbuds that carry an IPX4 rating or above is a good indication of toughness against weather or sweat.

However, if looked after properly, there should be no reason why good quality earbuds of all prices shouldn't last you a long time.

How much money should I spend on earbuds?

How much you want to spend on earbuds ultimately comes down to your budget and what you're looking for from them.

If you're looking for everyday use with decent sound quality, you should be able to find a fantastic pair for under 50 pounds or dollars, as mentioned in the list above.

If you're looking for the best earbuds with noise cancellationyou may find you'll have to spend quite a bit more.