Affordable Wireless Headphones: Top Picks for 2025

Explore the best budget wireless headphones of 2025 offering great sound and features without breaking the bank.

Introduction to Budget Wireless Headphones

The latest wireless headphones from big names like Apple, Sony, and Bose grab the spotlight, but you don’t need to drop thousands to get great sound. If you're looking to upgrade your headphones without spending more than $100, we've spent hours researching and testing top affordable options over recent years. Here are the best budget wireless headphones we've tried that stand out in 2025.

Best Budget Wireless Headphones of 2025

Anker Soundcore Space A40

• Price: $49
• Bluetooth: v5.2
• ANC: Yes
• Transparency Mode: Yes
• Custom Equalizer: Yes
• Charging Port: USB-C
• Wireless Charging: Yes
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Multipoint Connectivity: Yes (2 devices)
• In-Ear Detection: No
• Battery Life: 10 hours, 50 hours with case
• Quick Charge: 10 min = 4 hours
• Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Warranty: 18 months

More than two years after its release, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 remains unbeatable in value. Usually priced between $45 to $60, these earbuds deliver features and performance that you'd expect from models twice their price.

Their lightweight, circular design offers comfortable wear for extended periods. The default sound is warm, with boosted upper bass and slight roll-off in highs, which smooths out details but offers a pleasant listening experience without over-emphasizing bass like many cheaper buds.

Customization is possible using the Soundcore app’s equalizer, allowing you to add deeper bass or sharpen highs. While this won’t rival premium models’ sound quality, it’s a nice touch that enhances your listening preferences. The app is user-friendly and saves settings directly to the earbuds.

The standout feature is the active noise cancellation (ANC) which is impressive for this price. It doesn't shut out all high-frequency sounds but effectively neutralizes background hums like trains or airplanes. The ANC adapts automatically to your environment, or you can set it manually from strong to weak, perfect for sensitive ears. Transparency mode is basic but sufficient for quick environmental awareness.

Other modern conveniences include multipoint Bluetooth (connect two devices), single earbud use, wireless charging, and decent IPX4 water resistance against light rain or sweat. The touch controls support up to six different commands but can feel a bit complex, though they work well overall. We experienced no connectivity issues.

The downsides are the microphone quality and the lack of auto-pause when removing earbuds. Calls in noisy environments can be challenging as the mic struggles with sibilance and background noise.

Pros:

• Excellent ANC for the price
• Warm, enjoyable sound profile
• Multipoint and wireless charging support
• Comfortable fit
• Solid battery life

Cons:

• No in-ear detection
• Mediocre call quality
• Sound not as refined as pricier models (expected)

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

• Price: $70
• Bluetooth: v5.3
• ANC: Yes
• Transparency Mode: Yes
• Custom Equalizer: Yes
• Charging Port: USB-C
• Wireless Charging: Yes
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Multipoint Connectivity: Yes (2 devices)
• In-Ear Detection: Yes
• Battery Life: 10 hours, 50 hours with case
• Quick Charge: 10 min = 4 hours
• Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Warranty: 18 months

If you prefer a larger, stem-style earbud like Apple AirPods, the Liberty 4 NC is for you. Essentially Space A40 in a different shell, it shares many features, including adaptive ANC, wireless charging, and multipoint connectivity.

Its sound is more exciting with booming bass and prominent highs, great for EDM and pop music, though it may tire some listeners. The five-level ANC adjustment gives more control than the three-level system on the Space A40. Touch controls include triple-tap volume adjustments, and ear detection works, though auto-pause is slow.

Call quality is still average, and transparency mode is passable. At $100, this model is near our budget ceiling but delivers strong ANC and solid battery life.

Pros:

• Powerful ANC
• Wireless charging and multipoint support
• Comfortable fit
• Good battery life

Cons:

• Bass-heavy sound can be fatiguing
• Bulkier design might not suit everyone
• Call quality below average

EarFun Free 2S

• Price: $34
• Bluetooth: v5.2
• ANC: No
• Transparency Mode: No
• Custom Equalizer: Yes
• Charging Port: USB-C
• Wireless Charging: Yes
• Water Resistance: IPX7
• Multipoint Connectivity: No
• In-Ear Detection: No
• Battery Life: 7 hours, 30 hours with case
• Quick Charge: 10 min = 2 hours
• Codecs: SBC, AAC
• Warranty: 18 months

For those unwilling to spend above $50, the EarFun Free 2S is a solid choice. It offers lively bass and elevated highs, though midrange details are less pronounced. The sound might be fatiguing over long sessions but is richer than most in this price range.

Comfort is good thanks to soft silicone tips, and the IPX7 rating means they’re fully waterproof. Battery life is decent, with 7 hours on a charge and 30 with the case, which also supports wireless charging.

Limitations include no ANC, multipoint, or transparency mode, and the mic’s wind noise sensitivity is noticeable.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Comfortable, compact design
• Waterproof IPX7 rating
• Customizable sound

Cons:

• No ANC or ambient sound mode
• No multipoint or in-ear detection
• Sound less balanced than pricier models

JLab Go Sport+

• Price: $30
• Bluetooth: v5.3
• ANC: No
• Transparency Mode: Yes
• Custom Equalizer: Yes
• Charging Port: USB-C (built-in)
• Wireless Charging: No
• Water Resistance: IP55
• Multipoint Connectivity: No
• In-Ear Detection: No
• Battery Life: 9 hours, 35+ hours with case
• Quick Charge: 10 min = 1 hour
• Codecs: SBC
• Warranty: 2 years

Need budget earbuds specifically for workouts? JLab Go Sport+ is a bargain at $30. Its ear-hook design keeps earbuds in place during running, lifting, or HIIT, with flexible hooks for comfort.

Water resistance is IP55, enough for sweaty sessions but not swimming. Battery life is strong, with around 9 hours per charge and 35 with the case. Touch controls are responsive, and the transparency mode lets you stay aware of your surroundings.

The free JLab app customizes controls and EQ, though the sound profile is on the leaner side, missing deep bass punch and energy. Features are basic — no ANC, wireless charging, or multipoint connectivity. The case’s built-in short USB-C cable is handy but fragile.

Pros:

• Secure, comfy workout design
• Super affordable
• IP55 water resistance
• Solid battery and transparency mode

Cons:

• Sound quality is basic
• Short built-in charging cable
• No auto-pause or multipoint
• Bulky case

Amazon Echo Buds (2023)

• Price: $50
• Bluetooth: v5.2
• ANC: No
• Transparency Mode: No
• Custom Equalizer: Yes
• Charging Port: USB-C
• Wireless Charging: No
• Water Resistance: IPX2
• Multipoint Connectivity: Yes (2 devices)
• In-Ear Detection: Yes
• Battery Life: 5 hours, 20 hours with case
• Quick Charge: 15 min = 2 hours
• Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX
• Warranty: 1 year

If in-ear buds aren't your thing, the Amazon Echo Buds (2023) provide a decent open-fit alternative for under $50. They are lightweight with sturdy plastic housing, resting comfortably in the ear without fully sealing the canal.

Open design means you’ll hear more ambient noise, which can be a plus or minus depending on your needs. Mic performance is solid, and touch controls are responsive and customizable via the Alexa app, which includes extras like device tracking but can be a bit overwhelming.

Battery life is average, with about 5 hours of listening plus 3 full charges in the case. Note the low IPX2 rating means they’re not ideal for sweaty workouts. Sound tuning benefits from the equalizer, helping tame the slightly sharp highs.

Alexa voice control is built-in, and you can disable it if preferred. Multipoint works but switching devices sometimes requires manual intervention.

Pros:

• Affordable open-style earbuds
• Lightweight and pocket-friendly case
• Auto-pause and multipoint connectivity
• Alexa voice assistant

Cons:

• Open design lets in noise constantly
• Poor water resistance
• Average battery life
• Alexa app can feel cluttered
• Needs EQ tweaks for best sound

Other Budget Wireless Headphones We Tested

Skullcandy Method 360 ANC

These headphones often retail around $100 and are worth considering as an alternative to our top picks. They feature an extremely V-shaped sound signature with thunderous bass and clearer highs than the Soundcore Space A40, decent ANC, and a bulky but comfortable design reminiscent of Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. However, the official price is $130, exceeding our $100 budget limit. The large case and lack of wireless charging are drawbacks.

Beats Solo Buds

At $80, these earbuds are comfortable and durable with an impressive 18-hour battery life but sound slightly flat and lack features like ANC, wear detection, and an official water resistance rating. The included case cannot charge the earbuds on its own.

JLab Go Pop ANC

At $30, this is the cheapest model we've tested with active noise cancellation and transparency mode, although both features are not very effective. Like Go Sport+, it also relies on a short USB-C cable built into the charging case. The sound is decent for the price: not particularly wide or detailed but not harsh, with decent energy and bass punch. The tiny earbuds fit snugly and passively block much background noise. Rated IP55, the compact case lacks auto-pause but supports multipoint connection. The touch controls work well, and the JLab app allows easy customization. Battery life is 6–7 hours but the mic struggles with wind noise during calls outdoors.

EarFun Air Pro 4

We liked what we heard from the EarFun Air Pro 4 for about a day until one earbud broke, suddenly playing only at very low volume. Other users reported similar issues and crackling sounds. Although praised by many outlets and the predecessor was a favorite, we cannot recommend a pair that failed during testing.

EarFun Free Pro 3

These earbuds are reliable, but the Space A40 offers superior noise cancellation, longer battery life, and a more comfortable fit for less money.

EarFun Air 2

Similarly, the EarFun Air 2 are good alternatives to the Free 2S model for those preferring a stem-style design but cost $10 more without significant improvements.

Baseus Bowie MA10

These suffer from a giant charging case, a clunky app, and bulky earbuds that became uncomfortable over time.

Baseus Eli Sport 1

Featuring a fully open design that wraps around the ear and stays outside the ear canal, these are good if you want to stay aware of your surroundings but sacrifice music detail. Also paired with a huge case.

OnePlus Buds 3

These buds have an energetic sound and stylish design similar to the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, with a slightly cleaner mic for calls. However, they lack the Superior noise cancellation and battery life of Anker’s model.

Skullcandy Dime 3

Offering surprisingly neutral sound at a laughably low price, they’re worth considering over the JLab Go Pop ANC if found near $25. They support multipoint connection but have shorter battery life, poor call quality, and confusing physical controls that push earbuds deeper into the ear canal.

Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds

Another ultra-budget option with a cool name, these sound sharper in the highs than JLab Go Pop ANC and have worse battery life in their case. Touch controls can be finicky, and they're still not the easiest to manage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Budget Wireless Headphones

• What are the biggest differences between budget and premium headphones?
  Premium models often feature more detailed sound, stronger ANC, multipoint connection, faster pairing, wear detection, wireless charging, and better build quality. However, not all expensive earbuds justify their price, and some budget options punch well above their weight.
• Can the sound of cheap wireless headphones be improved?
  Sound quality is partly subjective, but equalizer settings can help tailor the audio to your liking. Also, fit is crucial—improperly seated earbuds sound thin and lack bass. Trying different ear tips can make a big difference.
• Do cheap headphones sound as good as AirPods?
  Some can get close, but AirPods stand out for seamless Apple device integration and proprietary tech. Open designs like AirPods don’t produce deep bass but have balanced sound. Price and marketing don’t always reflect quality.
• Are budget headphones reliable long-term?
  Quality control varies. Some budget earbuds can have durability issues, so check reviews and warranties before buying.
• Is active noise cancellation worth it in budget headphones?
  ANC on budget models can be surprisingly good but won’t match premium earbuds. It’s useful for reducing low-frequency noise but may not block all distractions.

"The best feature of the Space A40 is its active noise cancellation, which is outstanding for its price." – Tech Reviewer

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