Related Articles
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
From commuting to the office to wanting a new set of buds for your next workout, it’s easy to find a good excuse to stock up on a new pair of budget-friendly earbuds these days. That’s why we did the shopping for you and found some of the best earbuds under $50 that you can buy right now. Whether you’re listening to music, talking on the phone, or gaming, these budget earbuds won’t break the bank. Their price tags may be low, but there’s a lot to love about the buds below.
What Are the Best Earbuds Under $50?
There are a few things to consider when shopping for the best cheap earbuds under $50. Here’s what to know.
Wired vs. Wireless: Before anything, you may want to decide whether you want a completely wireless pair of earbuds or ones that connect to your device with a cord. We’ve included both styles of buds in our guide as some of the wired options often come with better sound quality. However, wired earbuds aren’t as convenient as wireless buds, which let you connect your earbuds to your phone, tablet, or laptop via Bluetooth.
Related: The Best Earbuds Under $100
Battery Life: While these earbuds boast low price tags, many of them are equipped to play music for hours with long-lasting battery lives. In our research for this buying guide, we found wireless earbuds with a range of battery time, from 12 hours of runtime all the way up to 40 hours of charge when using their charging case.
Sound: Of course, the most important consideration when picking up a pair of earbuds is how they will sound. These budget earbuds all deliver on audio quality, with decent bass, and balanced highs and mids. They won’t be as detailed as audiophile headphones, but work fine if you’re just listening to a playlist on your phone or laptop, or if you’re taking calls. If you want a pair of earbuds for the studio or more professional settings, you’ll want to upgrade.
Here are the best earbuds under $50 for listening to music, gaming, travel, and daily commutes to work or to the gym.
Note: All of the earbuds on this list retailed for $50 and under at the time of publication, but prices may change.
1. Anker Soundcore Life P2 True Wireless Earbuds
BEST BATTERY LIFE
With a 40-hour battery, these Anker earbuds rank among the longest-lasting earbuds on this list that fall under the $46 tag. Because they have an IPX7 waterproof rating, you can stick them in your ears to power your workout playlists without worrying about damaging them in the process. The buds are designed to boost bass in your tunes, and they also feature several mics so you can just as easily use them for working remotely. They’re available in three different colors, including black, green, and white.
Buy Anker Soundcore Life P2 Earbuds
2. JBL Reflect Contour In-Ear Sport Headphones
BEST FOR WORKOUTS
We love workout earbuds for their secure, sweat-friendly designs, but we love wearing them for commuting and work, too. Case in point: these top-rated JBL sport headphones. These buds come with a wireless design, but they’re connected with a band that goes around your neck, so you can simply pop one out of your ear without losing it on a treadmill or when you bump into a friend on the sidewalk. There’s a built-in remote control to change up the volume of your music or calls, along with a mic so you can wear them for meetings, too. Fully charged, you’ll get to listen to up to 10 hours of music at a time.
Buy JBL Reflect Contour Earbuds
3. Skullcandy Sesh Evo True Wireless In-Ear Earbuds
GREAT FOR COMMUTES
Never mind that these Skullcandy buds are super affordable and under 50 bucks — they pack a handful of features that make them equally worthy of a spot on this list.
You’ll have up to 24 hours of playing time when you charge them in their charging case, and you can still play music with just one of the buds in your ear in case you’re working or commuting and need to be able to hear your surroundings.
We like that you can adjust the sound, whether you’re listening to music or a podcast or streaming a movie. Best of all, they’re rugged enough that you can safely use them while working out or running in warmer temperatures, or even in the rain.
Buy Skullcandy Sesh Evo Wireless Earbuds $34.95
4. JBL Vibe 100 TWS Earbuds
BEST FOR MUSIC
With their 20-hour total battery life (using the charging case) and their award-winning design, JBL’s Vibe 100 TWS earbuds are easily the top earbuds you can buy without breaking the bank. JBL knows that buds don’t always fit your ears, so you have the option of three separate silicon ear tips to help you find the right, secure fit. On top of the near-custom fit, these buds’ sound quality rocks, complete with 8mm drivers that can produce deep bass and crisp tunes that could give more expensive models a run for their money. While you’ll love them for listening to music, they’re also ideal for workouts and work calls, as you can use the left or right earbud on their own. The JBL earbuds boast over 10,000 ratings on Amazon so far, and a 4.3 (out of 5) star rating.
Buy JBL Vibe 100 TWS Earbuds
5. JLab Go Air True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
20-HOUR BATTERY
For the price point, you’re getting your money’s worth with these earbuds from JLab, which can last for about 20 hours fully powered up. As far as fit goes, the company says these run slightly smaller, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when choosing one of the included ear tips, whether you’re running or hopping on the subway. They also include three different sound settings, from a Balanced mode to a Bass Boost mode you’ll want for workouts. Have a Zoom meeting to run to? These wireless buds also come with a mic, making switching from music to your meeting super seamless.
Buy JLab Go Air True Wireless Earbuds
6. Apple EarPods
BEST FOR APPLE FANS
With a built-in wire, you never have to sweat running out of juice when you’re on the phone or listening to music on a commute or on a run with these classic Apple EarPods. We think it’s worth springing for the wireless, albeit more expensive, Apple AirPods Pro for sound quality and comfort, but if you’re set on buying earbuds that won’t break the bank that you won’t worry about losing, the original EarPods are a good, wallet-friendly choice for when you need buds in a pinch. Keep in mind that these in-ears only connect to your phone via the Lightning port.
Buy Apple EarPods $36.10
7. Sony Extra Bass Earbuds
BEST FOR BASS
Sony’s earbuds pack powerful 12mm drivers, delivering “extra bass” with your favorite albums, just like their name suggests. Comfortable silicone bud tips make it easy to listen with them all day long at work or on your commute, and there’s even a built-in remote with a mic to quickly control your tunes and take calls on the go.
Buy Sony Extra Bass Earbuds
8. Morph Earbud Faceplates
BEST EARBUDS ACCESSORY
When it comes to finding unique earbuds, chances are you’ll likely only find different color options to choose from. But that’s where Morph comes in, which makes it easier than ever to, well, morph your earbuds’ style whenever you want. Take the brand’s badass Faceplates, a playful earbud accessory under $50 that you can attach to Morph’s collection of earbud drops ($149). We love this Lithium style, a nostalgic fit for any Nirvana or grunge fan who’s looking to upgrade their buds’ look. The bottom line: Morph delivers the coolest earbud accessories in the game — without breaking the bank.
Buy Morph Faceplates $29
