Wire-free earbuds have been a game-changer when it comes to personal audio. Freed from the shackles of a smartphone, users can hit the gym, go running or simply go about their daily lives without fear of snagging an arm on a dangling cable. And because they fit right in your ear, they're much less bulky than other types of headphone.
They come in all different shapes and sizes, including premium models like the Sony WF-1000XM4 and Apple AirPods Pro 2, to more affordable options. The latter is what we're concerned with here. And with all the pairs mentioned below coming in at under £100 – though prices do fluctuate – there are some serious bargains to be had.
How to choose the best wireless earbuds under £100
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So what should you look for in the best cheap wireless earbuds? Sound quality is obviously paramount, just don't expect them to rival the more premium pairs. A secure and comfortable fit is also vital, especially if you'll be wearing them for prolonged periods – there's no reason you can't find this on pairs at this price level.
Noise cancelling was once rare at this price, though it's becoming increasingly common, and a charger-cum-carry case usually comes as standard.
Below, we've rounded up various cheap pairs that have passed through our testing rooms and left a lasting impression. While all quite different, they have two things in common: they've scored very highly in our reviews (some are Award winners, in fact), and they cost less than £100 (for some, prices do fluctuate, but we regularly spot them for under £100).
Intrigued? Read on, and we'll find you a pair of the best cheap wireless earbuds.
When it comes to wireless earbuds, Sony has sewn up the high end with the WF-1000XM4. But can it do the same at the budget end of the market with the WF-C500?
These won a 2022 What Hi-Fi? Award, so we would have to say the answer is yes. The C500 handle the basics very well, with Bluetooth 5.0, and compatibility with SBC and AAC codecs. Battery life is a healthy 10 hours from the earbuds themselves, and another 10 from the charging case, making a total of 20.
They pair with Sony's consummate Headphones Connect app for sublime controls, and numerous extra features (like the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine, which upscales audio files to something approaching ‘hi-res’ quality). Voice controls come via Google Assistant and Siri, and the IPX4 rating means they're resistant to water splashes.
Sonically, they're even-handed and nicely balanced, with well-shaped bass notes. In short, they offer a lot of what makes Sony's high-end buds so compelling, without cutting too many corners. Definitely one for the shortlist.
Read the full Sony WF-C500 review
Panasonic isn't a brand that immediately springs to mind when you think of cheap wireless earbuds. But perhaps it should be. The RZ-S500W are the company's first foray into cheap wireless earbuds, and they're sensational performers for less than £100.
In fact, they're What Hi-Fi? 2021 Award winners.
Specs are thorough, with noise-cancelling tech, an Ambient Mode, twin mics for voice calls, and battery life that totals 19.5 hours (6.5hrs from the buds and 13hrs from the charging case). A 15-minute USB-C quick-charge can deliver 70 minutes of playback. The touch controls on each bud are responsive and intuitive, allowing you to control your music and switch between noise-cancelling modes with zero fuss.
You also get five sizes of ear tips to help with fit. We found this a little hit and miss, so we would definitely experiment and consider mixing the sizes if it means getting a more secure fit.
Both noise cancelling and sound quality are excellent. There's plenty of agility through the low end and loads of texture across frequencies. Music sounds clear and there's a great deal of refinement on show, which is to be welcomed at this price level. To sum up, these Panasonic earbuds are superb for the money. A great buy, even if you're not trying to keep the cost below £100.
Read the full Panasonic RZ-S500W review
The Melomania 1 Plus have some big shoes to fill given the popularity of the originals. But we're glad to say that these wireless earbuds hit the spot. And now priced under £100, they do so on a budget.
They boast app support, customisable EQ settings and the British audio firm's innovative High-Performance Audio Mode. Your colour options are white and black.
Like the originals, the real selling point is battery life. The 1 Plus provide a whopping nine hours from one charge, and you get an additional four charges from the carry case. That makes 45 hours of total run time. The fact there's no noise-cancelling onboard helps to explain the marathon battery life, as the tech can be a real drain.
The Melomanias deliver an impactful and expansive musical performance. They sound clear and more dynamic than their predecessors and there's a smidgen more detail too. If you want an affordable and accomplished pair of wireless earbuds the Cambridges definitely warrant a closer look.
Read the full Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus review
iPhone users have got multiple models of AirPods to consider, but what about Android smartphone owners? We'd point them in the direction of the Pixel Buds A-Series – they're Google's best effort to date.
They're light and comfortable, and while noise cancelling is off the menu, they do a good job of isolating you. Your colour choices are either white or 'Dark Olive' and they boast IPX4 water resistance so you can use them for general exercise and running.
The five-hour battery life isn't exactly class-leading but should be enough for most people. You also get another 20 or so from the carry case. Pairing Pixel Buds A-Series is extremely simple, especially if you're using an Android smartphone or tablet that boasts the Fast Pair feature.
Come music time, there's a lot to like about the Pixel Buds thanks to their approachable, balanced sound. It doesn't favour any part of the sonic spectrum which can't always be said for even the best cheap wireless earbuds. They're well-rounded performers and available at a great price.
Read the full Google Pixel Buds A-Series review
The CX 400BT are more sonically gifted than most at this price (a price that fluctuates above and below £100, so do keep an eye out).
They're not water- or sweat-resistant but they do boast Bluetooth 5.1 support and a mobile app, neither of which is a given at this level. The former promises high-quality, far-reaching Bluetooth transmission, while the latter opens doors to EQ adjustment and control customisation.
The controls are simple for voice calls, too. Just tap the right earbud once to activate your phone’s voice assistant or accept incoming calls, twice to jump forward a track or rejects calls, or hold it down to increase volume. Battery life is seven hours, which is decent but can be bettered in this company.
Sound quality is where the Sennheisers excel, though. They produce a detailed and lively sound with bags of energy and enthusiasm. For the money, it's hugely appealing, and worth it even if they do creep up over £100.
Read the full Sennheiser CX 400BT review
JBL is a heavy hitter when it comes to sporty earphones and the JBL Reflect Flow is one of the best options out there under £100.
Aimed at active lifestyles and gym-goers, they're IPX7 waterproof and provide 10 hours of playback (or 30 hours with the charging case) – that should outlast multiple workout sessions. Pop them in the case and they go from empty to fully charged in two hours.
Whether pumping iron or beavering away in an office, the 'Ambient Aware' and 'TalkThru' modes could come in useful. By short-pressing the left bud, you’ll scroll through to a slightly quieter sound (Ambient Aware) or very low volume playback (TalkThru) so you can chat to someone without taking the earbuds out.
Sound quality is solid, with a good level of detail and a pleasing amount of precision. Overall, the JBL Reflect Flow are impressive cheap wireless earbuds, perfect for the gym and other forms of exercise on a shoestring.
Read the full JBL Reflect Flow review
This Pro variant takes the standard – and excellent – Earfun Air and adds active noise cancelling (ANC), more mics and larger drivers. That all adds up to a better sonic performance as well as clearer voice calls – very handy if you're out and about in noisy environments.
And considering the spec sheet, the price remains jaw-droppingly low – a staple of Earfun's approach.
The headphones pair easily, and they're comfortable enough for even the longest of conference calls. The controls are a doddle to use, too. Two taps on the right bud pauses or resumes playback; three skips to the next track. Double tapping the left earpiece accesses Siri on your iPhone and also answers or ends a call. The crucial function you’ll want to practise is a triple-tap of that left earpiece, as this scrolls between the Earfun’s noise-cancelling, ‘normal’ and ‘ambient sound’ modes.
They're built to survive a downpour, too. All in all, it’s a lot of tech and durability for not a lot of money.
Read the full Earfun Air Pro review
Your £99 gets you active noise-cancellation and oversized (11mm) full-range dynamic drivers. Impressive. What's also impressive is the six beam-forming mics (covering telephony, voice assistant interaction and noise-cancellation) onboard. And wireless connectivity via Bluetooth 5.0 is sufficient to handle the highest-resolution tier offered by your favourite streaming service.
So on paper, they're all good. Pop them in your ears, and the good news continues.
They fit securely and comfortably, and live up to their 28 hours of total battery life (seven from the buds, plus another three charges from the carry case). Controls are responsive and reliable, and there's plenty of energy to the audio performance. There’s proper immediacy to the way the LivePro+ handle the midrange, and enough space around a vocal for it to sound convincing – and this positivity extends both up and down the frequency range, too. They're £99 well spent.
Read the full JBL Live Pro+ review
These Skullcandys are some of the most affordable wireless earbuds on the market and represent serious value. Sound is full and fun, and while it won't trouble a more premium pair, it's very impressive given the price.
As you might expect, features are thin on the ground. The cable can be removed from the flexible neckband and the battery life is a decent 6-7 hours. You get a basic three-button remote just below the left earpiece and a little plastic fastener that lets you loop the cable together when you're wearing – but not using – them.
There are no frills here, so aptX, fast charging and NFC are all absent from the spec list. But if you're looking for some of the best cheap wireless earbuds, these offer a dynamic and fun sound for the money, with a relatively wide and well-separated soundstage.
They lack a little audio finesse – but they come in well under £100. And for that reason, they come highly recommended.
Read the full Skullcandy Smokin' Buds 2 Wireless review
These cheap wireless buds are packed with features. You don't get noise cancelling (that's reserved for their more expensive siblings mentioned above), but the Earfun Air do provide excellent noise isolation and they feel comfy in situ too. They're also waterproof to IPX7 standards (submersible in one metre of water for up to 30 mins), support virtual assistants and include Qi wireless charging if you've got a suitable charger to hand.
Battery life is seven hours from the buds and a further 28 hours from the charging case. Amazingly it all feels fairly premium too. The Bluetooth 5.0 connection is solid and stable, calls sound clear and for the money, it's an energetic and spacious sound.
If you’re after a pair of affordable and entertaining headphones under £100, the Earfun Air are definitely worth investigating.
Read the full Earfun Air review
Anyone looking for affordable, sport-friendly earbuds might be tempted by the Sony WF-XB700. Battery life is a reasonable 18 hours – nine hours from the buds, nine hours from the case – while their IPX4 water resistance rating provides the buds (but not the case) with protection against 'water splashing’. It takes a few twists to get them securely into place, but once they're in you can almost forget about them, they're that comfy.
The WF-XB700 are part of the company’s Extra Bass range of audio products and are tuned to emphasise low-frequency response, rather than deliver a neutral sonic balance. And although there’s meat behind their low-end, it doesn't overshadow mid and high frequencies.
Their balance is actually complemented by decent punch and pleasing tautness and agility. Some rivals boast greater detail and subtlety, but at this price, you could do a lot worse.
Read the full Sony WF-XB700 review
RHA has got in on the true wireless act with the talented TrueConnect, which sound good and undercut Apple's AirPods in terms of cost. Unfortunately, unlike Apple, RHA has not quite managed to nail the connectivity. As a result, we experienced the odd Bluetooth blip.
Everything else about the TrueConnect is well considered though. The battery lasts around five hours between charges and the supplied charging case can recharge the buds up to four times, prolonging the battery life for an extra 20 hours. Comfort is excellent, with surprisingly effective passive isolation when used with the supplied Comply foam tips (you also get several sets of standard silicone tips in the box).
Sonically, the RHA angle towards a neutral tonal balance, with crisp treble and plenty of satisfying, subtle bass. And, some slight connectivity niggles aside, their ease-of-use and insightful sound make them some of the best cheap wireless earbuds around.
Read the full RHA TrueConnect review
Light, comfortable and well-specified, the Jabra Elite 3 have plenty going for them. Wireless connectivity, for example, is via Bluetooth 5.2 – and there’s support for Qualcomm’s aptX codec too.
The Jabra can keep the music coming for a very competitive 28 hours, all-in – that’s seven hours in the earbuds themselves plus another three full charges in the tidy little case. A 10-minute quick-charge will buy you an hour of playback.
When it comes to sound quality, the Elite 3 are an uncomplicatedly engaging listen. Timing is good, and there’s a good level of insight and detail across the board. Call-quality is perfectly acceptable, as is the amount of passive noise-isolation provided by the snug and comfortable fit.
The Jabra Sound+ control app is good-looking but not a great deal of use. Still, if you are on the hunt for the best cheap wireless earbuds under £100, the Elite 3 are well worth considering.
Read the full Jabra Elite 3 review
How we test wireless earbuds
We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Reading and Bath, where our team of experienced, in-house reviewers test the majority of hi-fi and AV kit that passes through our door.
Of course, testing wireless earbuds often doesn't require such facilities. What is important in our headphones reviewing process is that each pair is compared to the best in its price and style class – whether that's one standout pair or a few we favour the highest among the 100+ pairs we listen to each year for reviews and What Hi-Fi? Awards judging. What Hi-Fi? is all about comparative testing, and we keep class-leading products in our stockrooms so we can always compare new products to ones we know and love.
We are always impartial and do our best to make sure we're hearing every product at their very best, so we'll try plenty of different types of music and give them plenty of listening time (and time to run in). It's not just about sound quality, of course. If a pair has active noise cancellation – increasingly the case these days – we'll ensure part of our testing involves using them in different environments.
All review verdicts are agreed upon by the team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to make sure we're being as thorough as possible, too. There's no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.
