10 Best Cheap Earbuds 2026 in the United States

The Bose Ultra Open Bluetooth Earbuds offer a unique open-ear design, which means you can stay aware of your surroundings while still enjoying your music. This is great if you often walk or run outside and want to stay safe. Their sound quality is good, featuring immersive spatial audio that makes your music feel more engaging, though they do not have noise cancellation since they aren’t fully sealed in your ear. Comfort is a strong point thanks to their clip-on design that gently hooks behind your ear, making them light and secure for long wear.

These earbuds are wireless with Bluetooth 5.3, and the connection is reliable, even allowing you to switch easily between devices like your phone and laptop. Battery life is solid, offering about 7 hours of playtime, and the charging case can recharge them multiple times to bring the total up to 48 hours, which is excellent for the price range. Controls are simple with physical buttons, making it easy to manage music and calls without confusion. They are water-resistant (IPX4), so they can handle sweat and light rain, but they aren’t fully waterproof for swimming or heavy exposure.

The built-in microphone works well for calls, providing clear voice quality. However, since these are open-ear earbuds, the sound leaks out and outside noise comes in, which can affect listening in very noisy places. While they aren’t the cheapest earbuds on the market, their unique design and long battery life make them a good choice for users who want comfort, awareness, and decent sound without isolating themselves. If you prioritize total noise blocking or deep bass, you might want to consider other models.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds stand out with excellent sound quality, featuring Active Noise Cancelling and Adaptive EQ that fine-tune music to your ears. Their sound is immersive, delivering clear highs, strong mids, and rich bass, making listening enjoyable for workouts or casual use. Comfort is prioritized with secure earhooks designed after extensive athlete testing, plus five sizes of ear tips to ensure a snug fit that stays put during intense activity.

Connectivity uses the latest Class 1 Bluetooth, offering reliable wireless connection and smooth pairing with both Apple and Android devices. Battery life is impressive for wireless earbuds, lasting up to 45 hours with the charging case and about 10 hours on a single charge, with a quick 5-minute charge providing 1.5 hours of playback. Controls are versatile, combining buttons, touch, voice commands, and app customization, allowing you to adjust volume, calls, and activate voice assistants easily without interrupting your workout.

The earbuds are built tough with sweat and water resistance (IPX4), suitable for various weather and exercise conditions. Microphone quality is strong, with updated mics ensuring clear calls and voice commands even in noisy environments. These earbuds are well suited for active users who want long battery life, great sound, and solid durability, though they come at a higher price than typical budget options. Note that the charging cable (USB-C) is not included, and the earhooks, while secure, might feel bulky for those preferring a minimalist design.

The JBL Vibe Beam 2 earbuds are a solid choice if you're looking for affordable true wireless earbuds with some premium features. They deliver strong JBL Pure Bass sound through 8mm drivers, which means the music feels punchy and lively—great if you enjoy bass-heavy tunes. Comfort-wise, they come with three sizes of ear tips to help get a snug fit, and their lightweight design should suit most users for daily use. These earbuds connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3, offering a stable connection with compatible devices like phones and laptops.

Battery life is impressive for this price, with up to 10 hours per charge plus an additional 30 hours from the charging case, letting you listen all day without hassle. Fast charging is handy, giving you 3 extra hours with just 10 minutes of charge. The touch controls are responsive and the JBL app adds customization options like equalizer settings and ambient sound modes to adapt to your environment. One standout feature is the active noise cancelling (ANC) combined with Smart Ambient, which helps reduce background noise but also lets you hear outside sounds when needed—useful for safety or conversations.

Call quality is enhanced by four built-in microphones, ensuring clear voice pickup even in noisy places. Durability is decent thanks to IP54 dust and water resistance, so they can handle sweat or light rain during workouts or outdoor use. On the downside, while these earbuds have many features, the ANC might not be as strong as more expensive models, and the pink color might not appeal to everyone. Also, true wireless earbuds in this price range can sometimes struggle with perfect comfort for all ear shapes. For those wanting good sound, long battery life, and useful noise controls in a budget-friendly package, the JBL Vibe Beam 2 offers a balanced mix of quality and features that suits casual listeners, commuters, and fitness enthusiasts alike.