The Budget Earbud Revolution
Competition in the sub-$100 earbud market has intensified dramatically. You can now get active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and multipoint connectivity at prices that would have been unthinkable two years ago.
1. Nothing Ear (a) 2 - $79
Nothing's transparent design stands out, but the sound quality is what keeps you. The 12mm drivers deliver punchy bass and clear mids. ANC blocks about 70% of ambient noise. The companion app offers a customizable EQ that's genuinely useful.
2. Samsung Galaxy Buds FE 2 - $89
Best for Samsung phone users thanks to seamless ecosystem integration. The 2-way speakers produce balanced sound, and the ANC is effective for the price. The ambient mode sounds natural, not processed.
3. Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro - $79
LDAC support at this price is rare. Sound quality rivals earbuds costing twice as much. The case supports wireless charging. ANC is decent but not class-leading.
4. Sony WF-C710N - $89
Sony's budget ANC earbuds carry the brand's audio expertise. The DSEE upscaling improves compressed audio. Multipoint Bluetooth lets you connect to two devices simultaneously. Comfortable for long listening sessions.
5. OnePlus Buds 4 - $69
The value pick. 12.4mm drivers, 43dB ANC, and LHDC 5.0 codec support at just $69. Battery lasts 9 hours with ANC on. Best for Android users since iOS codec support is limited.
What to Expect
At this price, expect good (not great) ANC, solid sound quality, and 6-8 hours of battery per charge. Premium features like head tracking spatial audio and hearing health monitoring remain exclusive to $200+ models.
