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The best earbuds under $100 for most people are the EarFun Air Pro 4: 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). iPhone owners who don’t need noise cancelling should look at the Beats Solo Buds, 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
| Earbuds | Best for | Noise cancelling | Battery | List price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarFun Air Pro 4 | Best overall | Adaptive hybrid ANC | 7.5 hr with ANC (11 off), 52 hr with case | $89.99 list | Check price |
| CMF Buds 2 Plus | Best noise cancelling | 83% average reduction (SoundGuys) | About 9 hr per charge | $79 | Check price |
| Soundcore Space A40 | Long battery, wireless charging | Adaptive ANC | 10 hr per charge, 50 hr with case | $99.99 list | Check price |
| Beats Solo Buds | Best for iPhone | No | Up to 18 hr (the case doesn’t charge them) | $79.99 list | Check price |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 FE | Best for Samsung | Yes | 6 hr with ANC (8.5 off), 24 hr with case (30 off) | $149.99 list (often discounted) | Check price |
| JLab Go Sport+ | Workouts | No (Be Aware mode) | 9+ hr, 35+ hr with case | $25–$45 | Check price |
| Soundcore P30i | Cheapest noise cancelling | Adaptive ANC | 6 hr with ANC (10 off), 45 hr with case | $27–$50 | Check price |
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, and they’re often discounted. 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. 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 is being phased out. 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 when discounted, which is often. 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 and Space A40 are discounted often, so a “deal” that only matches their usual sale price 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.
Specs from the makers, side by side
Every figure below comes from the manufacturer’s own spec page, taken from our earbuds and headphones spec database. “Not stated” means the maker doesn’t publish it, not that the feature is missing.
| Model | Battery | Weight | Water rating | Connection | Maker doesn’t state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarFun Air Pro 4 | ANC on: 7.5 h ANC off: 11 h with case: 35 (ANC on) / 52 (ANC off) | 56 (page does not say what it covers) | IPX5 | Bluetooth 5.4 | earbud weight |
| CMF by Nothing Buds 2 Plus | ANC on: 7.5 (AAC) ANC off: 14 (AAC) with case: 33 (ANC on) / 61.5 (ANC off), AAC | Not stated | IP55 (earbuds; case not waterproof) | Bluetooth | Bluetooth version, weight, latency |
| Beats Solo Buds | 18 (no battery in case) | 5.7 g | Not stated | Bluetooth (Class 1); Bluetooth 5.3 | codecs, latency, multipoint, water rating |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE | ANC on: 6 h ANC off: 8.5 h with case: 24 (ANC on) / 30 (ANC off) | 5 g | IP54 (earbuds) | Bluetooth 5.4 | latency, multipoint |
| Soundcore Space A40 | ANC off: 10 (LDAC: 6 ANC off / 5 ANC on) with case: 50 h | 4.9 g | IPX4 | Bluetooth | Bluetooth version, latency |
| JLab GO Sport+ | 9 h with case: 35 h | Not stated | IP55 | Bluetooth | Bluetooth version, weight, multipoint, latency |
| Soundcore P30i | ANC off: 10 h with case: 45 h | Not stated | IP54 | Bluetooth | Bluetooth version, codecs, weight, latency |
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
What are the best earbuds under $100?
The EarFun Air Pro 4 ($89.99) for most people: adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC and aptX Lossless, multipoint and up to 52 hours of battery with the case. The CMF Buds 2 Plus ($79) have the strongest noise cancelling under $100.
Are there good noise-cancelling earbuds under $100?
Yes. The CMF Buds 2 Plus cut outside noise by 83 percent on average in SoundGuys’ testing, which it calls comparable to earbuds that cost twice as much. The EarFun Air Pro 4, Soundcore Space A40 and Soundcore P30i also have adaptive noise cancelling.
What are the best earbuds under $100 for iPhone?
The Beats Solo Buds ($79.99) if you want simple earbuds from Apple-owned Beats with one-touch pairing and Find My. They don’t have noise cancelling. For noise cancelling on an iPhone, the CMF Buds 2 Plus or EarFun Air Pro 4 work well over AAC.
Are AirPods available for under $100?
Not new at list price: the cheapest AirPods start at $129. They’re sometimes discounted around Black Friday, but the Beats Solo Buds ($79.99), from Apple-owned Beats, are under $100 all year.
Is it worth spending more than $100 on earbuds?
Only if you want the strongest noise cancelling, the deepest integration with your phone (AirPods, Pixel Buds, Galaxy Buds Pro) or premium sound. For commuting, the gym and everyday listening, the earbuds on this list cover most needs.
