Many people prefer the compact, portable design of earbuds, but there are a few things more frustrating than pulling a tangled mess out of your pockets when you're running out the door. Wireless Bluetooth earbuds solve this issue but can be expensive. Fortunately, you don't have to break the bank to get something decent. Plenty of solid options are sold for under $50, even for those who care about sound quality or enjoy having many customization options.
We've tested over 275 wireless earbuds and in-ear headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best Bluetooth wireless earbuds for under $50. Also, check out our picks for the best wireless earbuds, the best earbuds under $50, and the best sounding wireless earbuds.
The best wireless earbuds under $50 we've tested are the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. These budget-friendly earbuds have a solid build quality and an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, so they can withstand a run in the rain or down a dusty path. They have a somewhat bass-heavy sound out of the box, but unlike many earbuds at this price point, they work with a companion app that has an EQ and presets for sound customization. Their eight-hour continuous battery life can also last through long days at work.
They don't have ANC and only do an okay job of passively isolating against ambient sound, so they're not a great fit for those who want to work without any distractions in the office. However, they're a good choice for soundtracking runs and workouts as they're decently comfortable, and once you achieve a stable fit, they'll stay in your ears for all but the most intense workouts.
If you're after budget buds that don't skimp on sound quality, the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless are the best choice for under $50. These wireless in-ears have a sleek, lightweight design and decent build quality. While their deep in-ear fit won't be for everyone, these buds can provide a reasonable amount of passive noise isolation once you achieve a stable fit. Their default sound profile is well-balanced, with accurate bass response, detailed mids, and bright highs, but you can also choose between three EQ presets if this isn't to your liking.
Their eight hours of continuous battery life is enough to get you through lengthy commutes and long days at the office without needing to recharge via the case. These buds also have Bluetooth multi-device connectivity, a premium feature that helps set them apart from other budget in-ears. Unfortunately, they don't have any kind of companion app compatibility, so there are no sound customization options beyond built-in EQ presets.
The JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are a solid choice if you're looking for buds to take to the gym. These buds are certified IPX4 for resistance against water splashes, and they have a stable, decently comfortable fit that will stay in place during runs and most workouts. Their bassy sound adds thump, rumble, and boom to mixes to help keep you pumped up during difficult reps. That said, if the default sound profile isn't to your liking, there's a total of three EQ presets that you can cycle between.
Although they lack active noise cancelling (ANC) features, they can still block out a decent amount of ambient chatter around you. But be aware that they won't block out bass-range noises, like engine rumble, quite as well as ANC-equipped in-ears like our next pick, the TOZO NC7 Truly Wireless. Fortunately, they have minimal audio leakage, so if you like to blast your music, others around you are unlikely to hear it. Their battery lasts a little over nine hours on one charge, so you can get a few gym sessions in before needing to recharge.
You'll have a tough time finding buds equipped with noise cancelling technology below $50, but the TOZO NC7 Truly Wireless deliver impressive results. Their ANC system reduces bus engine rumbles effectively, although it's less powerful at filtering mid-range noise like car traffic. With a choice of six sets of ear tips to find your fit, the buds block high-pitched sounds like fans well. However, they limit you to having ANC on or in ambient mode at all times, with no standard listening mode.
Their sound profile is an excited V-shape that exaggerates the bassy thump of kick drums in hip-hop music but also keeps lead instruments and vocals a bit recessed in the mix. Unlike the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless, they don't have a companion app to customize their sound, which is fine if you want noise isolation over a balanced sound. They have a shorter battery life than the JBL, without auto-timers to shut them off, and they lack dustproofing, but their superior water resistance means they'd survive rain exposure. They also have a charging case with a lid.
Are you an Apple fan and looking for a deal? The Beats Flex Wireless are a solid pick for iPhone users, thanks to their W1 chip, which allows you to seamlessly pair them with your phone and other devices in your Apple ecosystem. They offer low latency on iOS devices, making them a solid choice for streaming video. Since they're Beats headphones, you can expect them to come in various colors and special collab schemes to match your style.
Unlike the previous picks, they have a neck cable design, so you can hang the earbuds around your neck when you're not using them. They're well-built and have a comfortable and stable in-ear fit. Their bass-rich sound profile delivers extra thump, punch, and boom to music, although they don't have any sound customization features to help you adjust their sound. They also lack noise cancelling, though they still do a decent job blocking background noise like ambient chatter. They also last 11 hours continuously. All in all, they're well-suited for those already invested in Apple and are one of the best Beats headphones we've tested.
Sep 25, 2024: We removed a reference to the Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC Truly Wireless from the 'Best Noise Cancelling' category as they're getting hard to find. We also checked that the rest of our recommendations are in stock and accurate, but haven't changed them.
Jul 03, 2024: We've checked that all our picks are still relevant and in stock, but we haven't changed them.
May 02, 2024: The list's picks have remained the same, but the Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC Truly Wireless have been added as an alternative to the TOZO NC7 Truly Wireless.
Mar 04, 2024: The TOZO NC7 Truly Wireless have been added as our 'Best Noise Cancelling' pick, replacing the Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC True Wireless, which no longer cost under $50.
Jan 09, 2024: We've replaced the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless with The JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless as our top pick, with the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless replacing the Sony WI-C310 Wireless as the best-sounding pick. We've added the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless instead of the SoundPeats TrueFree 2 Wireless as our 'Best Wireless Earbuds For Sports'.
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Bluetooth wireless earbuds under $50 for most people to buy. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for wireless earbuds under $50. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.