The Best Wireless Earbuds Under $100 for 2025

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Apple's AirPods are arguably the most popular wireless earphones on the market, but it's not because they're cheap—the AirPods Pro (2nd gen) sell for $249, and the AirPods 4 With Active Noise Cancellation go for $179. The good news is you don't have to spend that much to get similar or (sometimes) even better performance. PCMag's audio experts have reviewed every pair of Apple earbuds (and hundreds from other brands), so you can trust we know what they deliver. We've collected our favorite sub-$100 alternatives here based on our in-depth and independent review process. Our current Editors' Choice winners are the EarFun Air Pro 4 with unbeatable noise cancellation and the Tribit FlyBuds 3 for intense workouts. All the entries here earned their spots, so be sure to read the full reviews of each. Beyond our recommendations, we also provide tips on finding the right budget-friendly set for you.

Economical Earbuds for Exercise

Are you going to be sweating a lot or moving around vigorously while you use your earphones? The good news is that nearly all wireless models deliver a secure fit. The bad news is that not all of them offer the same level of protection against the elements.

A high IP (ingress protection) rating is critical if you plan to wear them in the rain or need to wash them off under a faucet with reasonable water pressure. For either of those activities, look for something with a rating of at least IPX6. Note that the rating can have a number in place of the X, and the above still holds—a product with an IP56 rating has the same protection against liquids as one with an IPX6 rating; it simply also has protection against dust ingress.

The in-ear fit is another factor to consider. If you find yourself needing to swap out eartips and earfins often to find the perfect fit, focus on a pair that include a generous array of fit options. More often than not, exercise-focused models ship with eartips that have fins for additional stability or with separate fins and tips in a variety of sizes that you can mix and match.

For models specifically for exercise, see our list of the best wireless earbuds for running.

Affordable Earbuds for Audiophiles and the Easily Distracted

For the best audio performance, choose a pair of earphones that supports at least the AptX or AAC Bluetooth codecs—we list these specs in each of our reviews. And for more details on wireless audio quality, check out our guide to Bluetooth codecs.

If noise cancellation is important to you, be happy that we're finally starting to see some solid wireless models for under $150. The best noise-cancelling models still cost north of $250, but there are still some pairs we consider good enough to make the cut for this list. For more, see our picks for the best noise-cancelling wireless earphones.

If all of this is totally above your head, your best bet is to either try out the earphones yourself (if possible) or go by the sonic evaluation in our reviews. Every review tells you specifically how the earphones sound on various tracks, ranging from sub-bass-heavy electronic music to transparent classical recordings.

Are Companion Apps Worth the Download?

Most wireless earbuds work with a companion app that helps connect the earphones to your phone. Plenty of apps beef up their appearance by duplicating the controls you already get on the physical earpieces. This can add some convenience, but it doesn't add much value. Other apps offer the ability to make tweaks to certain settings. For instance, you might be able to assign your phone's voice assistant to a shortcut button and adjust the automatic playback behavior for when you insert or remove the earphones.

Aside from potentially crucial firmware updates, one of the best things an app can do is enhance the listening experience with an adjustable EQ. Not all apps have an EQ, but allowing you to tweak the bass or treble to your taste is a huge plus—and apps that have customizable presets are increasingly common.

A few manufacturers, including Apple, don't use a companion app at all. Though you can argue that this makes the overall experience easier and more streamlined, we like the additional control an app provides. We include a rundown of companion apps and how they work in each of our reviews.

Finally, if you're still looking for the perfect pair of earphones and are willing to increase your budget, check out our picks for the best wireless earbuds overall.