Best Wireless Earbuds Under $100 in 2024: A Comprehensive Review
In 2024, wireless earbuds continue to be a top choice for people who want portable, high-quality audio without the hassle of tangled wires. With technological advancements improving audio quality, battery life, and comfort, the market is flooded with affordable options that don’t compromise on quality. If you’re looking for the best wireless earbuds under $100, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top contenders to help you choose based on sound quality, comfort, battery life, and extra features.
1. Jabra Elite 3
Key Features:
- Sound Quality: Jabra Elite 3 delivers exceptional audio for its price point. The earbuds feature 6mm drivers and have balanced sound with solid bass, clear mids, and crisp highs. You also get a customizable sound profile via the Jabra Sound+ app.
- Battery Life: 7 hours of playback, with the case providing an additional 21 hours.
- Comfort and Fit: Ergonomically designed for a snug fit, the Elite 3 is ideal for daily wear and even during workouts due to its IP55 rating for water and dust resistance.
- Additional Features: It offers reliable passive noise isolation but lacks active noise cancellation (ANC). The “HearThrough” mode is a standout feature, allowing external sounds to filter in, making it safer for outdoor use.
Why It’s a Top Pick:
Jabra Elite 3 punches well above its weight in terms of sound quality and comfort. It lacks ANC, but the natural isolation combined with decent sound makes it one of the best budget options.
2. Anker Soundcore Life P3
Key Features:
- Sound Quality: The Life P3 from Soundcore comes with 11mm drivers, offering deep bass and customizable EQ settings through the Soundcore app. It’s ideal for bass lovers, though the mids and highs remain reasonably balanced.
- Battery Life: 7 hours on a single charge, with the case providing up to 35 hours in total.
- Comfort and Fit: The earbuds are lightweight and come with multiple ear tips for a personalized fit, making them comfortable for long listening sessions.
- Additional Features: Unlike some other models under $100, the Life P3 has active noise cancellation with multiple modes, including “Indoor,” “Outdoor,” and “Transport” settings. Transparency mode is also available when you need to be aware of your surroundings.
Why It’s a Top Pick:
With ANC and customizable sound options, the Anker Soundcore Life P3 is one of the most feature-packed wireless earbuds under $100. It’s a solid choice for those looking for both sound quality and modern features like noise cancellation.
3. Skullcandy Indy Evo
Key Features:
- Sound Quality: The Skullcandy Indy Evo is a bass-heavy pair of earbuds, making it perfect for genres like hip-hop and EDM. The treble is a bit recessed, but overall the sound is punchy and energetic.
- Battery Life: 6 hours of playtime on a single charge, with an additional 24 hours provided by the charging case.
- Comfort and Fit: The Indy Evo comes with ear gels and stability ear gels to ensure a secure fit during workouts or casual listening.
- Additional Features: The earbuds are equipped with Tile technology, allowing you to track them if they go missing. They also have IP55 water and dust resistance, making them durable for outdoor use.
Why It’s a Top Pick:
The Skullcandy Indy Evo is a great budget-friendly option for bass enthusiasts who need a durable and trackable pair of earbuds. It might not have ANC, but its bass-heavy sound and features like Tile tracking make it stand out in the under $100 category.
4. Sony WF-C500
Key Features:
- Sound Quality: Sony is known for its high-quality audio, and the WF-C500 is no exception. Equipped with 5.8mm drivers, these earbuds deliver a balanced sound profile with clear vocals and instrumentals, making them a versatile choice for various music genres.
- Battery Life: 10 hours on a single charge, with the case extending it to 20 hours.
- Comfort and Fit: Lightweight and compact, the WF-C500 fits comfortably in the ear and comes with four sizes of ear tips for a secure fit.
- Additional Features: Though it lacks ANC, the WF-C500 comes with a splash-proof IPX4 rating, making it suitable for light workouts and daily use. It also supports Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, offering an immersive sound experience.
Why It’s a Top Pick:
Offering impressive sound quality, a long battery life, and Sony’s signature audio tuning. It’s a great pick for those who prioritize sound clarity over noise cancellation.
5. OnePlus Nord Buds 2
Key Features:
- Sound Quality: With 12.4mm drivers, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 provides a bass-forward sound, without overwhelming the mids and highs. It offers customizable EQ settings through the HeyMelody app.
- Battery Life: 7 hours of playback, with the charging case providing up to 30 hours.
- Comfort and Fit: The design is minimalistic and comfortable for long periods of use. The earbuds come with multiple ear tip sizes to ensure a good seal for better sound isolation.
- Additional Features: The Nord Buds 2 comes with ANC, which is rare in this price range. It also has a transparency mode for situational awareness.
Why It’s a Top Pick:
OnePlus Nord Buds 2 offers incredible value with features like ANC, great battery life, and powerful bass. It’s perfect for those who want premium features at an affordable price.
6. Tribit Flybuds C1
Key Features:
- Sound Quality: The Tribit Flybuds C1 features Qualcomm’s aptX codec support, ensuring high-quality sound with low latency. Its 6mm drivers deliver a balanced sound profile that works well for a wide range of music genres.
- Battery Life: A massive 12 hours on a single charge, with the case extending it to 50 hours.
- Comfort and Fit: The Flybuds C1 are lightweight and come with multiple ear tips for a snug and secure fit.
- Additional Features: These earbuds are equipped with CVC 8.0 noise reduction for clearer calls. They also have an IPX5 water-resistance rating, making them suitable for workouts.
Why It’s a Top Pick:
The Tribit Flybuds C1 offers outstanding battery life and aptX support, which is a rare feature in this price range. It’s perfect for users who prioritize long battery life and reliable sound quality.
7. TOZO NC9
Key Features:
- Sound Quality: TOZO NC9 features 9.2mm drivers that deliver deep bass and clear sound. It may not be the most balanced, but it’s great for those who enjoy punchy audio.
- Battery Life: 8 hours of playtime with ANC on, with a total of 32 hours using the charging case.
- Comfort and Fit: These earbuds are lightweight and designed for a comfortable, secure fit. They come with multiple ear tips for a personalized fit.
- Additional Features: TOZO NC9 includes hybrid active noise cancellation, which is impressive for its price. It also has a transparency mode, and an IPX6 rating, making it resistant to water and sweat.
Why It’s a Top Pick:
The TOZO NC9 offers great value with its ANC, water resistance, and solid sound quality. It’s an ideal choice for users seeking a budget-friendly pair of noise-canceling earbuds.
Conclusion
There are plenty of excellent wireless earbuds under $100 that deliver solid performance without breaking the bank. Whether you prioritize sound quality, battery life, or features like ANC, there’s a budget-friendly option to meet your needs. The Jabra Elite 3 stands out for its balance of sound quality and comfort, while the Anker Soundcore Life P3 is a feature-packed option for those who need noise cancellation. For bass lovers, the Skullcandy Indy Evo and OnePlus Nord Buds 2 are excellent choices. No matter your preference, these earbuds offer incredible value for their price.