Adam Levell

The best earbuds under $100 for most people are the EarFun Air Pro 4 ($62.99 on Amazon on October 15): adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC and aptX Lossless, multipoint and up to 52 hours of battery with the case. For the strongest noise cancelling at this price, get the CMF Buds 2 Plus ($79, often $59). iPhone owners who don’t need noise cancelling should look at the Beats Solo Buds ($69.95 on Amazon on October 15), and Galaxy owners at the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE.

Check the EarFun Air Pro 4 on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on manufacturers’ specifications, published measurements and reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list prices at the time of writing and change often. See how we choose products.

Best earbuds under $100 compared

Battery figures are the makers’ ratings unless noted. Price ranges reflect typical street prices.

What you get for under $100

• Noise cancelling is now normal at this price. It won’t match $250 earbuds on a plane, but the CMF Buds 2 Plus come surprisingly close in SoundGuys’ measurements.
• Hi-res codecs help on Android only. LDAC (EarFun, CMF, Space A40) works on most Android phones. iPhones stream over AAC whatever earbuds you buy, so iPhone owners shouldn’t pay extra for LDAC.
• Multipoint (connecting to a phone and a laptop at once) is common on cheap earbuds now. The EarFun, Space A40, JLab and P30i all have it.
• What you give up: the deep phone integration of AirPods, Pixel Buds or Galaxy Buds Pro, the strongest noise cancelling and premium build. If those matter, see our best earbuds under $150.

The best earbuds under $100

1. EarFun Air Pro 4: best earbuds under $100

The EarFun Air Pro 4 pack features you usually pay much more for: adaptive hybrid noise cancelling, LDAC and aptX Lossless, multipoint, a low-latency game mode and six microphones for calls. Battery life is up to 11 hours per charge (7.5 with ANC) and 52 hours with the case, and they’re rated IPX5. SoundGuys liked the sound, noise cancelling, comfort and feature-packed app at $89.99.

Good to know: SoundGuys notes that turning noise cancelling on changes the sound. EarFun has since released the Air Pro 4+ ($99.99), so the Air Pro 4 is often discounted.

Check the EarFun Air Pro 4 on Amazon →

2. CMF Buds 2 Plus: best noise cancelling under $100

The CMF Buds 2 Plus, from Nothing’s budget brand, cut outside noise by 83 percent on average in SoundGuys’ testing, “comparable to earbuds that cost twice as much”, and score 8.3/10 for noise cancelling. They add LDAC on Android, a custom EQ in the Nothing X app, about 9 hours per charge and an IP55 rating.

Good to know: the list price is $79, but they often sell for about $59. On an iPhone you manage them through the Nothing X app rather than iOS settings. They’re also the budget pick in our best noise-cancelling earbuds guide.

Check the CMF Buds 2 Plus on Amazon →

3. Soundcore Space A40: best battery and wireless charging

The Space A40 combine adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC and multipoint with up to 10 hours per charge and 50 hours with the case, and the case charges wirelessly, which is rare under $100. A 10-minute charge adds about 4 hours. They’re rated IPX4.

Good to know: the list price is $99.99, but they’re often much cheaper: Gizmodo reported them at a record low, and Amazon has sold them for $49. The noise cancelling handles everyday noise well but can’t match premium earbuds on flights.

Check the Space A40 on Amazon →

4. Beats Solo Buds: best for iPhone under $100

AirPods start at $129, so the Beats Solo Buds, from Apple-owned Beats, are the affordable alternative. They pair with one touch on both iPhone and Android, work with Find My (or Find My Device on Android), and come with four ear tip sizes from XS to L, which helps if you have small ears. Each bud weighs 5.7 g, and Beats rates them at up to 18 hours of playback, with about an hour from a 5-minute USB-C charge (Beats).

Good to know: there’s no noise cancelling, and the small case has no battery: it doesn’t recharge the buds, so you charge them over USB-C. TechRadar’s review praises the battery but finds the bass lighter than you’d expect from Beats. If you want noise cancelling on an iPhone, the CMF Buds 2 Plus or EarFun Air Pro 4 work fine over AAC.

Check the Beats Solo Buds on Amazon →

5. Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE: best for Samsung under $100

The Galaxy Buds 3 FE (September 2025) replaced the original Buds FE (2023), which Amazon no longer sells new. They borrow the stem design of Samsung’s Pro earbuds and seal with silicone tips, and SoundGuys measured about 86 percent noise reduction, slightly better than Samsung’s pricier Pro model of the same generation. Samsung rates them at up to 6 hours per charge with noise cancelling (8.5 off) and up to 24 hours with the case (30 off), with Bluetooth 5.4, 11 mm drivers and an IP54 rating.

Good to know: Samsung lists them at $149.99, so they fit this guide only at their usual discount: they were $94.99 on Amazon, sold by Amazon, on October 6, 2026. The Seamless Codec, Auto Switch and Quick Panel controls need a Galaxy phone; on other phones they stream over AAC like most earbuds here. For more Samsung earbuds, see our best earbuds for Samsung Galaxy guide.

Check the Galaxy Buds 3 FE on Amazon →

6. JLab Go Sport+: best for workouts

The JLab Go Sport+ stay put thanks to over-ear hooks, and IP55 sweat and dust resistance makes them a reliable pick for runners and gym-goers. Multipoint keeps switching simple, a Be Aware mode lets in outside sound on the road, and battery life is 9+ hours per charge and 35+ hours with the case. The JLab app adds a custom EQ.

Good to know: there’s no noise cancelling, and the hooks make them bulkier to carry than regular earbuds.

Check the JLab Go Sport+ on Amazon →

7. Soundcore P30i: cheapest noise cancelling worth buying

The P30i bring real noise cancelling to a very low price, with up to 10 hours per charge (6 with ANC on) and up to 45 hours with the case. Multipoint lets you switch between a phone and a laptop, the Soundcore app adds a custom EQ, and the case doubles as a phone stand. IP54 makes them fine for commutes and the gym.

Good to know: the noise cancelling is well behind the CMF Buds 2 Plus, and there’s no wireless charging. For more under $50, see our best earbuds under $50 for Android.

Check the Soundcore P30i on Amazon →

Earbuds under $100 on Black Friday

Black Friday (November 27, 2026) is the best time of year to buy earbuds in this range. Two tips:

• Know the usual sale price. The CMF Buds 2 Plus often sell for about $59 and the Space A40 have been $49 at Amazon, so a “deal” above those prices isn’t special.
• Check pricier earbuds too. Big sales can push earbuds from our under-$150 list, such as the EarFun Air Pro 4+ or Pixel Buds 2a, close to $100. Compare them before you settle.

Our verdict

For most people the EarFun Air Pro 4 are the best earbuds under $100, with noise cancelling, hi-res codecs, multipoint and long battery life for $89.99. Choose the CMF Buds 2 Plus if noise cancelling matters most, the Space A40 for wireless charging, the Beats Solo Buds for a simple iPhone pick, the Galaxy Buds 3 FE for a Samsung phone, the JLab Go Sport+ for workouts and the Soundcore P30i if you want noise cancelling for as little as possible.

Frequently asked questions

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The best open-ear earbuds for most people are the Sony LinkBuds Clip ($229.99 list, $158 on Amazon on October 15): light clip-on buds with about 9 hours per charge and plenty of features on both iPhone and Android. For the best sound and features, Bose’s new Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen) ($299) arrived on October 1, 2026, and runners should consider the new Bose Sport Open ($199). On a budget, the EarFun Clip 2 ($79.99, often $59.99) last up to 11 hours. SoundGuys’ overall favorite, the Huawei FreeClip 2, is hard to buy in the US (see below).

Check the Sony LinkBuds Clip on Amazon →

How we put this together: this guide is based on manufacturers’ official specifications plus published reviews and measurements, mainly from SoundGuys’ clip-on earbuds tests (linked in each pick). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. Prices are list prices at the time of writing and change often. See how we choose products.

Best open-ear earbuds compared

Battery figures are SoundGuys’ measurements where available, otherwise the maker’s rating. Prices and “often” sale prices are from SoundGuys’ and retailers’ listings at the time of writing.

What are open-ear earbuds?

Open-ear earbuds sit on or around your ear instead of sealing inside the ear canal, so you can still hear traffic, colleagues and announcements. Most new models are clip-on (a small cuff that hugs the edge of the ear, like an earring). Others use an ear hook that wraps over the top of the ear, and bone-conduction headphones such as Shokz’s OpenRun send sound through your cheekbones instead.

• Good for: running and cycling near traffic, the office, long wear (nothing presses into the ear canal), and people who find in-ear earbuds uncomfortable.
• Not good for: flights, trains or noisy streets, because they don’t block noise; deep bass, which needs a seal; and quiet rooms, where people next to you may hear your music at high volume.

The best open-ear earbuds in 2026

1. Sony LinkBuds Clip: best overall

SoundGuys’ pick for iPhone users is the Sony LinkBuds Clip, which it describes as having abundant features for both iOS and Android. They’re clip-on, last about 9 hours per charge in its testing, and list at $229.99 ($158 on Amazon on October 15). That makes them our pick for most people: SoundGuys’ overall favorite, the Huawei FreeClip 2, is hard to buy in the US (see #7), and on sale the LinkBuds Clip cost less than the other main picks.

Good to know: at their $229.99 list price they’re the most expensive pick after the Bose Ultra Open, so buy them on sale; like every open-ear design they can’t block noise.

Check the Sony LinkBuds Clip on Amazon →

2. Bose Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen): best sound and features

Bose announced the second-generation Ultra Open on September 17, 2026, and they went on sale on October 1 for $299. They keep the cuff design and add up to 9 hours per charge, lower lag and a redesigned case that charges wirelessly (Bloomberg), plus aptX Adaptive, Bose’s Immersive Audio with head tracking and Cinema Mode, Bluetooth 5.4 multipoint, and Google Fast Pair and Find Hub (Android Authority).

Good to know: they’re the most expensive open earbuds here, and full reviews of the second generation were still arriving at the time of writing. The original Ultra Open, SoundGuys’ “best for Android” pick, are often discounted to about $199 and are a cheaper way into the same design.

Check the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds on Amazon →

3. Bose Sport Open: best for running

The Bose Sport Open ($199), announced alongside the new Ultra Open, are built for training: a lightweight cuff fit, IP54 sweat and dust resistance, textured physical buttons that are easier to use mid-run than touch controls, and up to 7 hours per charge (Bloomberg). They also have multipoint and Google Fast Pair, and our Bose Sport Open specs page has the full details.

Good to know: battery life is the shortest of the picks, and there’s no Immersive Audio or aptX. If you don’t need sport-specific buttons, the Soundcore AeroClip cost less.

Check the Bose Sport Open on Amazon →

4. Soundcore AeroClip: best for workouts

SoundGuys names the AeroClip its best clip-on earbuds for workouts, with about 8 hours per charge, and Tom’s Guide calls them essential for fitness lovers who value comfort and audio quality. List price is $169.99, but they often sell for about $130.

Good to know: like all open earbuds, bass is lighter than sealed sport earbuds such as the Powerbeats Pro 2.

Check the Soundcore AeroClip on Amazon →

5. Shokz OpenDots 2: best battery life

Shokz is best known for bone-conduction headphones, and the OpenDots 2 (June 2026) are its newest clip-on earbuds. Shokz rates them at up to 10 hours per charge and 40 hours with the case, and Tom’s Guide found the battery lived up to those claims; five minutes of charging gives about two hours. The buds are rated IP57, and they cost $199.95, the same as the first-generation model at launch. Like all open-ear earbuds they block little outside noise, which Trusted Reviews noted. Good to know: the original OpenDots One is still sold, at about $140 on Amazon on October 10, 2026, and is the better buy if you don’t need the newest model.

Good to know: at full price they cost about the same as the Bose Sport Open, so they make the most sense on sale.

Check the Shokz OpenDots 2 on Amazon →

6. EarFun Clip 2: best budget

SoundGuys’ budget pick, the EarFun Clip 2, are a strong value for anyone who wants to try open-ear earbuds without spending much: up to 11 hours per charge, the longest here, plus LDAC hi-res audio on Android. They list for $79.99 and often sell for about $60.

Good to know: LDAC only helps on Android phones that support it; iPhones use AAC.

Check the EarFun Clip 2 on Amazon →

7. Huawei FreeClip 2: SoundGuys’ favorite, hard to buy in the US

SoundGuys picks the FreeClip 2 as the best clip-on earbuds overall: robust, fashionable and feature-rich, with an IP57 rating against water and dust and about 9 hours per charge in its testing, for $199.99.

Good to know: Amazon US didn’t sell them when we checked on October 15, 2026, and Huawei has little US retail presence. If you find them from another seller, check the return policy and warranty, and which app features work with your phone.

Also worth a look

• Shokz OpenFit Pro ($249.95): ear-hook open earbuds with a first-for-Shokz noise reduction mode. SoundGuys found the sound “really good for open-earbuds” and liked the fit and calls, but measured only about 13 percent noise reduction and found the pressure sensation uncomfortable (6.3/10). Worth it only if you want some dampening without sealing your ears.
• Bone conduction (Shokz OpenRun, OpenRun Pro 2): nothing touches the ear canal at all, which suits runners and people who find every earbud uncomfortable. See our bone conduction picks below.
• Apple AirPods 5: not open-ear, but an open fit with no ear tips, so they seal less than most earbuds while still adding noise cancelling. See our iPhone earbuds guide.

Best bone conduction headphones

Bone-conduction headphones rest on your cheekbones, in front of your ears, and send sound through vibration instead of a speaker aimed at your ear canal. Nothing touches or covers your ears, so you hear traffic and other runners clearly. The trade-off is sound: bass is thinner than from the open-ear earbuds above, and they’re easy to drown out in loud places. These are Tom’s Guide‘s picks (updated July 2026), with Amazon US prices from October 10, 2026:

• Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: Tom’s Guide‘s best bone-conduction headphones for most people, for comfort and sound quality. The 12-hour battery is the longest here. Tom’s Guide’s main complaint is that the fit can’t be adjusted.
• Shokz OpenRun: $50 cheaper, lighter (26 g) and more water-resistant (IP67) than the Pro 2, with shorter battery life. A good first pair for runners.
• Shokz OpenSwim Pro: Bluetooth doesn’t work underwater, so for laps you play music stored on the headphones. Out of the pool they work as regular Bluetooth headphones.
• Creative Outlier Free Pro: the cheapest way to try bone conduction, and also waterproof (IPX8).

Check the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 on Amazon →

Our verdict

For most people the Sony LinkBuds Clip are the best open-ear earbuds you can easily buy in the US, with a light clip-on fit, good battery life and features on both iPhone and Android. The new Bose Ultra Open (2nd Gen) bring the most features if you can pay $299. Runners will like the Bose Sport Open or the cheaper Soundcore AeroClip, and the EarFun Clip 2 are the low-cost way to try open-ear listening.

Frequently asked questions

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