True wireless earbuds
Choosing the best true wireless headphones may seem tough on a budget. However, fortunately, this day and age offers a lot in the way of cheap true wireless earbuds. It wasn’t long ago that wired headphones were the norm, but now many tech and audio brands offer their own completely wireless, Bluetooth headphones, and often at a price that most can afford.
If you aren’t married to the name brands, it’s easy to find Bluetooth earbuds that only cost as much as your average wired pair of headphones — so unless your device doesn’t offer Bluetooth connectivity, there isn’t much of a reason to purchase wired earbuds when you can get higher-tech, far less tangly true wireless earbuds.
What are true wireless earbuds?
For earbuds to count as “true wireless,” they simply need to feature Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to fully control your device with just your earbuds. This both means that true wireless earbuds have no cable connecting the two earbuds, nor do they have a cable connecting the earbuds to the device in use. Instead, most true wireless earbuds feature a fairly robust Bluetooth range, as well as physical or force touch buttons on the side of the headphones for controlling volume, playback, and other smart controls.
In addition, true wireless earbuds usually come with a charging case, in which the user can set the earbuds while not in use. These charging cases, as their name suggests, can be plugged into the wall using a USB cable and are used to charge your earbuds on the go, no matter wherever you are. While some earbuds with a charging case can offer on-the-go, cyclical playtime of up to 30 or 40 hours, most true wireless earbuds offer between 2 and 5 hours of playtime per single charge.
Best cheap true wireless earbuds
Best of the best cheap true wireless earbuds
HWCONA Fake Leather True Wireless Earbuds: available at Amazon
Our take: Not only are they aesthetically pleasing with their fake leather charging case and two different colors, but they also boast impressive sound quality, an IPX8 waterproof rating, and a very affordable price tag.
What we like: Inexpensive. True wireless earbuds offering Bluetooth connection and smart touch controls. Earbuds themselves and the charging case are glossy white and are available with leather strips in either vintage yellow or dark camel brown. 40-60 hours of cyclical playtime.
What we dislike: Some report that the Bluetooth range is lacking compared to other models.
Best bang for your buck cheap true wireless earbuds
GPED Mini True Wireless Earbuds with Charging Case: available at Amazon
Our take: These true wireless earbuds are super cheap, and they sport an IPX7 waterproof rating, touch control, and silicone tips which many users find super comfortable.
What we like: Very affordable. Touch control allows the user hands-free control over their devices, both playback and volume. IPX7 waterproof rating. Includes a built-in mic for phone calls and voice control. The headphones boast 35 hours of playtime total. Mono and stereo modes.
What we dislike: The controls are not as easy to access as they are on other models.
Best cheap true wireless earbuds with silicone tips
TOZO T10 Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds: available at Amazon
Our take: With an IPX8 waterproof rating and comfortably fitting silicone earbud tips, TOZO’s flagship earbuds are excellent true wireless headphones, especially for those looking to work out with their earbuds.
What we like: IPX8 waterproof rating. Wide range of touch controls. Available in five different colors including black, white, blue, gray, and gold. Charges in just 1.5 hours to 6 hours playtime, with 30 hours playtime using the charging case intermittently. Case includes charge indicator.
What we dislike: Can only be used in stereo mode, unlike many other true wireless earbuds.
Best cheap true wireless earbuds without silicone tip
Slitinto Bluetooth True Wireless Earbuds: available at Amazon
Our take: Some of the best-looking black earbuds out there, these true wireless headphones are sleek and super portable, with an IPX7 waterproof rating, and a very affordable price tag.
What we like: Inexpensive. Good sound quality. 30 hours of cyclical playtime when using the charging case in tandem. Features a built-in microphone. Touch controls for both volume and playback. Offers both mono and stereo/binaural functionality. Simple, attractive aesthetic.
What we dislike: Some needed to disconnect surround Bluetooth devices for these to work.
Best cheap true wireless earbuds in black
Lasuney Waterproof True Wireless Earbuds: available at Amazon
Our take: Another pair of true wireless earbuds featuring a sleek, black design, Lasuney’s variety also has a great price point and one-touch control functioning.
What we like: Affordable. Beautiful matte black design. Impressive audio quality for the price. IPX7 waterproof rating. Gives the user 35 hours of cyclical playtime. Can be used in both mono and binaural/stereo modes. Includes microphone for use with phone calls and voice controls.
What we dislike: Some users had to delete the earbuds from their phones to get them to work a second or third time.
Best cheap true wireless earbuds under $20
HolyHigh True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds: available at Amazon
Our take: Excellent for exercise, these true wireless earbuds feature an IPX5 waterproof rating and comfortable silicone tips, with a price tag that’s pretty hard to beat.
What we like: Super affordable. IPX5 waterproof rating. 6.5 hours of playtime per charge, with over 30 hours when using in tandem with the charging case. Robust Bluetooth functionality. Mono and stereo/binaural modes. Includes a microphone for voice control and phone calls.
What we dislike: Some users issues with the Bluetooth connection when on the phone.
Best upgrade pick cheap earbuds
Apple Airpods Pro with Charging Case: available at Amazon
Our take: While they certainly aren’t the cheapest true wireless earbuds, these are Apple’s best earbuds both in sound quality, ease of use, design, adaptive EQ, and active noise cancellation.
What we like: Superb sound quality with authentic active noise cancellation. Sweat-resistant. Works excellent with Siri and other Apple device features. Includes three separate sizes of silicone earbud tips. Adaptive EQ automatically equalizes audio based on the shape of your ear.
What we dislike: More expensive than other models.
Zachary Visconti is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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