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True wireless earbuds · Under $100

The Best Budget Wireless Earbuds Under $100

You don't need to spend $300 for genuinely good sound and usable noise cancelling. We compared three sub-$100 picks — the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, EarFun Air Pro 4, and Nothing Ear (a) — using their real, sourced specs.

At this price point, the trade-offs are smaller than you'd expect: all three include active noise cancelling, LDAC or aptX codecs, and multipoint. The differences are in battery, fit, and how much of the spec sheet you get for your dollar.

Specs & prices checked October 11, 2026

Our picks at a glance

Best overall
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

50-hour battery, LDAC, and reliable ANC at $79.99.

Best sound & codecs
EarFun Air Pro 4

LDAC + aptX Lossless in a $89.99 package.

Best style & ANC depth
Nothing Ear (a)

45 dB ANC, LDAC, and that Nothing design.

Side-by-side

The comparison table

Official list prices plus the street prices we captured this week. Live prices move — click through for today's number.

Compare
Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
$99.99 list · $79.99 street
EarFun Air Pro 4
$89.99 list
Nothing Ear (a)
$99 list · often $59 on sale
JLab Go Air Pop
$25 list · ~$22.99 street
List price$99.99$89.99$99$25
Street price (Oct 2026)$79.99$89.99~$59~$22.99
Buds (ANC on)8 h8 h5.5 h— (no ANC)
Total with case50 h41 h42.5 h35 h
CodecsLDACLDAC + aptX LosslessLDACSBC, AAC
ANC depthAdaptiveAdaptive45 dBNone
Wireless chargingYesYesNoNo

The products, reviewed

Below are the pros, cons, and key specs for each pick, in ranked order.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
01

Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC

The battery king of the budget class: 50 hours total, LDAC, and Adaptive ANC 2.0.

$99.99 list · $79.99 street
Check price on AmazonSoundcore official site

What we like

  • Up to 50 h total with the case
  • LDAC Hi-Res Audio support
  • Adaptive ANC 2.0 with transparency mode
  • Wireless charging case
  • Custom EQ in the Soundcore app

What could be better

  • ANC is good, not flagship-grade
  • Touch controls need a light touch
  • Bulkier case than rivals

Key specs

Battery (ANC on)
Up to 8 h buds / 50 h with case
Battery (ANC off)
Up to 10 h buds
Bluetooth / codecs
5.3 · LDAC, AAC, SBC
Driver
11 mm dynamic
Water resistance
IPX4
Charging
USB-C + wireless case
EarFun Air Pro 4
02

EarFun Air Pro 4

Flagship codecs at a budget price: LDAC and aptX Lossless for under $90.

$89.99 list
Check price on AmazonEarFun official site

What we like

  • LDAC and aptX Lossless support
  • Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint
  • Up to 41 h total with the case
  • IPX5 water resistance
  • Google Fast Pair

What could be better

  • ANC depth is mid-tier
  • Mics struggle in very noisy rooms
  • Slightly larger case

Key specs

Battery (ANC on)
Up to 8 h buds / 41 h with case
Bluetooth / codecs
5.4 · SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Driver
10 mm dynamic
Water resistance
IPX5
Weight per bud
5 g
Released
Aug 2024
Nothing Ear (a)
03

Nothing Ear (a)

45 dB hybrid ANC, LDAC, and Nothing's unmistakable transparent design.

$99 list · often $59 on sale
Check price on AmazonNothing official site

What we like

  • 45 dB hybrid noise cancelling
  • LDAC Hi-Res Audio
  • Lightweight 4.8 g per bud
  • Dual device connection
  • Distinctive, comfortable design

What could be better

  • Shorter battery with ANC on (5.5 h)
  • Case is only IPX2 rated
  • No wireless charging

Key specs

Battery (ANC off)
Up to 9.5 h buds / 42.5 h with case
Battery (ANC on)
Up to 5.5 h buds
Bluetooth / codecs
5.3 · LDAC, AAC, SBC
Driver
11 mm dynamic
ANC depth
Up to 45 dB
Water resistance
IP54 (buds)
JLab Go Air Pop
04

JLab Go Air Pop

The ultra-budget pick: genuinely usable earbuds for around $25.

$25 list · ~$22.99 street
Check price on AmazonJLab official site

What we like

  • Dirt cheap at a $25 list price
  • 11-hour bud battery
  • Light and compact at 3.7 g per bud
  • IPX4 sweat resistance
  • Google Fast Pair

What could be better

  • No ANC or transparency mode
  • Microphone is weak
  • Occasional connection instability

Key specs

Battery
Up to 11 h buds / 35 h with case
Bluetooth
5.1 · SBC, AAC
Driver
6 mm dynamic
Water resistance
IPX4
Weight per bud
3.7 g
Released
2021

Buying guide

Codecs decide the ceiling of sound quality

All three support LDAC, which matters on Android. The EarFun Air Pro 4 adds aptX Lossless, making it the most future-proof for audio quality at this price. On iPhone everything falls back to AAC, so the gap shrinks.

Battery vs. fit

The Liberty 4 NC wins on total battery (50 h), but its case is chunkier. The Nothing Ear (a) is the lightest in the ear at 4.8 g per bud, which matters if you wear them all day. Decide what you value more: fewer charges or less ear fatigue.

Expect good ANC, not flagship ANC

Budget ANC removes low, constant noise (engines, fans, HVAC) but trails the $250+ flagships on voices and wind. The Nothing Ear (a)'s 45 dB rating is the deepest of the three on paper.

Buy where returns are easy

Earbud fit is personal and these are impulse purchases. Prefer Amazon or a retailer with a no-fuss return window, and check the live price first — Nothing and Soundcore both discount regularly.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Which budget earbud sounds best?

The EarFun Air Pro 4 is the standout for sound per dollar, thanks to its dual-codec support (LDAC + aptX Lossless) and measured audio quality that punches above its $89.99 price.

Which has the best noise cancelling?

On paper, the Nothing Ear (a) with its 45 dB hybrid ANC. In everyday use the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC's adaptive ANC is the most set-and-forget of the three.

Do any have wireless charging?

Yes — the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and EarFun Air Pro 4 both include wireless charging cases. The Nothing Ear (a) is USB-C only.

Which is best for workouts?

The EarFun Air Pro 4 (IPX5) has the best water resistance, followed by the Nothing Ear (a) (IP54). All three handle sweat, but the EarFun is the safest for heavy exercise.

Are budget earbuds a false economy?

No. For commuting, calls, and casual listening, these get you most of the premium experience. You mainly give up the last word in ANC and call quality in very loud places.

Ready to pick a winner?

Use the live Amazon links above to compare today's prices, then buy where the return policy protects you.

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