Best Budget Wireless Earbuds Under $100 (2026): ANC, Sound Quality & Battery Tested

Here's a truth most tech sites won't tell you: budget wireless earbuds have caught up to flagships. The technology that made AirPods Pro special in 2022—adaptive ANC, transparency mode, wireless charging—is now standard on $50 earbuds.

I spent 6 weeks testing 12 budget earbuds from CMF (Nothing's sub-brand), SoundPEATS, EarFun, JLab, and others. My criteria was simple: under $100, genuine ANC (not marketing fluff), and sound quality that doesn't make audiophiles cringe.

The Reality Check: What $100 Gets You in 2026

Let me be direct. If you're paying over $200 for earbuds purely for features, you're overpaying. Here's what budget earbuds now include that used to be premium-only:

• Hybrid ANC with 40-50dB reduction (AirPods Pro: 45dB)
• Hi-Res audio codecs (LDAC, aptX Lossless)
• 8-10 hour battery per charge (case adds 30-50 hours)
• Wireless charging cases
• Multipoint connection (2 devices simultaneously)

What you're paying extra for with AirPods Pro? The Apple ecosystem integration, Find My network, and brand prestige. Worth it for some. Unnecessary for most.

Comparison Table: Budget Earbuds Face-Off

Individual Reviews: What Each Earbud Does Best

1. EarFun Air Pro 4+ — Best Overall Under $100

Price: $79.99 | Rating: 4.6/5 | Check price on Amazon →

EarFun has quietly become the best value brand in audio. The Air Pro 4+ is their flagship, and honestly? It embarrasses earbuds twice its price.

What impressed me: The dual-driver setup (10mm dynamic + 6mm planar) delivers genuinely layered sound. Bass hits without muddying mids. The aptX Lossless codec means Android users get CD-quality audio—something even AirPods can't claim.

The honest downside: Build quality is good, not premium. The case feels plastic-y compared to SoundPEATS. But the sound? Punches way above its weight.

Buy if: You want the best overall package under $100. Period.

2. SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro — Best for Audiophiles

Price: $79.99 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Check price on Amazon →

LDAC support at this price is insane. SoundPEATS has been quietly winning Hi-Res certifications while bigger brands charge triple for the same codec support.

What impressed me: The 43dB hybrid ANC is genuinely effective on flights and commutes. But it's the sound signature that sells these—warm, detailed, with a soundstage that feels wider than the price suggests. LDAC streaming from Tidal or Amazon Music HD is a revelation.

The honest downside: No wireless charging. Case is bulky. App is functional but not pretty.

Buy if: Sound quality is your #1 priority and you stream Hi-Res audio.

3. CMF Buds 2 Plus — Best Design & Innovation

Price: $69.00 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Check price on Amazon →

CMF is Nothing's budget brand, and they've inherited the design DNA. The rotating dial on the case isn't a gimmick—it genuinely makes volume and track control easier than touch gestures.

What impressed me: 50dB ANC at $69 is the deepest noise cancellation in this roundup. The case design is genuinely clever, and swappable case backs let you customize the look. LDAC support means audiophiles aren't left out.

The honest downside: Sound is good but not reference-grade. If pure audio quality matters most, EarFun or SoundPEATS edge ahead.

Buy if: You want premium design and the best ANC under $75.

4. JLab Go Pods ANC — Best Ultra-Budget

Price: $36.99 | Rating: 4.3/5 | Check price on Amazon →

Under $40 for earbuds with actual, working ANC. JLab has made something remarkable here.

What impressed me: The ANC genuinely works. It's not 50dB-deep silence, but it takes the edge off office noise, subway rumble, and airplane drone. At this price, that's exceptional. The IP55 rating handles sweaty workouts fine.

The honest downside: No Hi-Res codecs (AAC only). Battery life is shorter at 6 hours. Sound is acceptable but not audiophile-grade.

Buy if: You're on a strict budget but refuse to sacrifice ANC.

What About AirPods Pro?

I deliberately included Apple AirPods Pro ($249) in my testing for context. Here's my honest take: if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, AirPods Pro remain worth it for seamless device switching, Spatial Audio with head tracking, and Find My integration.

But if you primarily use one device, or you're on Android, you're paying $170+ extra for features you won't use. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ matches or exceeds AirPods Pro in ANC depth, sound quality, and battery life—at $80.

My Personal Pick After 6 Weeks

For most people: EarFun Air Pro 4+. The aptX Lossless support, 50-hour total battery, wireless charging, and balanced sound make it the complete package.

For the budget-conscious: JLab Go Pods ANC at $37 is genuinely impressive ANC that I'd recommend to anyone who thinks they can't afford noise cancellation.

For audiophiles: SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro with LDAC delivers Hi-Res streaming that rivals earbuds twice its price.

Final Thoughts

The budget earbud market in 2026 is absurdly competitive, and consumers win. Every product in this guide would have been flagship-tier three years ago. Pick any of them based on your priorities—you won't be disappointed.