Top Budget Wireless Headphones of 2025: Best Models at Reasonable Prices

Explore the best budget wireless headphones of 2025. Find high-quality sound and features without breaking the bank!

Overview of Budget Wireless Headphones

Every year, the market floods with a plethora of wireless headphones, making it tricky to keep up. While you can find a ton of premium options, today's market proves that “cheap” doesn’t necessarily mean “bad.” Sound quality has significantly improved across all price ranges, although many budget headphones should still be avoided due to their poor build quality and subpar sound performance.

However, if you can discover a good pair of budget-friendly wireless headphones, you’ll enjoy fantastic sound quality, a comfortable fit, reliable water resistance, and features such as Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) along with lengthy battery life typically found in pricier models. The key is knowing where to look and what to watch out for…

To assist you in your search, our team of expert reviewers has meticulously tested all the budget wireless headphones on this list. This means you’ll find a model that meets your specific needs. Each model listed below costs less than 16,000 rubles, with most being significantly cheaper. Those on the higher end of the budget spectrum are often available at discounts, so it’s worth hunting for the best deals using our price tracking widgets.

Quick List

Best Overall Headphones

Sony WF-C510

The WF-C510 delivers exceptional sound at an unbeatable price. Sony earns another five-star rating.

Best Value Headphones

EarFun Air

If you're looking for affordable waterproof headphones with great sound, nothing beats the EarFun Air at this price.

Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Sony WF-C700N

The WF-C700N is undoubtedly the best way to purchase budget headphones with noise cancelling. Few can compete at this price.

Best Functional Headphones

JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS combines a range of features for a low price, and their lively sound will appeal to many.

Best Apple Headphones

Apple AirPods (2019)

The second-generation AirPods are technically and acoustically superior to their predecessors and are a perfect match for your iPhone.

Best Open-Back Headphones

Sony LinkBuds (2022)

The original LinkBuds marked a new direction for Sony, providing a comfortable fit and decent sound quality in a new casing.

Best Cheap Wireless Headphones Overall

Sony WF-C510

Outstanding headphones that sound amazing without costing a fortune.

Specifications

• Noise-Cancelling: No
• Bluetooth: 5.3 (AAC, SBC)
• Battery Life: 11 hours (+11 hours with charging case)
• Wireless Charging: No
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Available Colors: Blue, Yellow, Black, White

Pros:

• Compact, comfortable, lightweight design
• Solid, musical sound
• Strong performance characteristics

Cons:

• Feels a bit cheap in appearance and feel
• Ambient sound mode is not outstanding

Sony’s wireless headphones are what you need. The premium WF-1000XM5 is likely the best wireless headphones we've ever heard, but Sony is not just focusing on higher-end models. The new WF-C510 headphones replace the award-winning budget WF-C500, and in our opinion, they meet all the expectations again.

In terms of sound, we loved what the C500 could do. They were balanced, with lots of detail in the mids, and had a full, penetrating sound that was still very pleasant and bright. This might be a matter of personal taste, but we believe the new C510 significantly outperforms its predecessors, delivering a richer and denser sound than the lighter and more compact C500. The power and reliability that the C510 demonstrates are impressive considering their cost. They produce a rich, energetic sound that really shines through.

In other areas, there have been improvements, though it feels like Sony had to make some clever compromises to keep costs down. The C510 headphones are smaller and feel less premium than their predecessors, but you gain new features such as multi-point Bluetooth, Ambient Sound Control (which filters surrounding sounds, enhancing human voices), touch control on the earbuds, and a total of 22 hours of battery life, which more than compensates for this shortcoming. At this level, they offer much more than we could hope for.

The Sony WF-C500 is still available, and we suspect they will remain on sale for a while due to their popularity. Prices are already dropping with the release of the C510. While choosing between these two models is not easy, we recommend the C510 as the best budget wireless headphones currently on the market due to their appealing sound and impressive feature set.

Best Cheap Wireless Headphones by Price

EarFun Air

Fantastic, multi-functional, and budget-friendly headphones that sound better than you expect.

Specifications

• Bluetooth Version: 5.0
• Noise-Cancelling: No
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Water Resistance: IPX7
• Battery Life: 35 hours (7 hours for earbuds, 28 hours for case)
• Weight: 5.35g each

Pros:

• Crisp, expansive sound
• Excellent feature set
• Stylish build and finish

Cons:

• High frequencies need more refinement
• New competitors sound better

The EarFun Air became one of the first budget wireless headphones to receive five stars, even after testing models from various well-known and more reputable brands.

In 2020, the relatively unknown EarFun created quality earbuds that are comfortable to wear and perform excellently, impressing with their design, build quality, and numerous features. They support wireless charging and have a spacious soundstage, plus they are protected to IPX7 standards, allowing them to be fully submerged in water, making them ideal for workouts in the rain or even at the pool.

Battery life is also impressive at 35 hours, and the EarFun Air even includes features typically found only in more expensive models, such as ear detection that pauses playback when you remove the earbuds. Most importantly, they sound much better than one might expect, offering a sound where spaciousness and breadth blend with excitement and energetic sound. In terms of sound, only the Sony WF-C500 can compete with the Air at this price point.

If you're looking for some of the best budget wireless headphones—especially if you plan to wear them while working out—the EarFun Air might be just what you need.

Best Cheap Wireless Headphones with Noise Cancelling

Sony WF-C700N

These five-star wireless headphones combine comfort, noise cancelling, and stunning sound quality.

Specifications

• Bluetooth Version: 5.2 (AAC, SBC)
• Noise-Cancelling: Yes
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Water Resistance: IPX4
• Battery Life: 15 hours (7.5 hours for earbuds, 7.5 hours for case)
• Weight: 4.6g each

Pros:

• Very comfortable fit
• Exquisite presentation for the price
• Detailed, dynamic, musical sound

Cons:

• Charging case lacks battery life
• Lacks aptX or LDAC support

One day, in the not-too-distant future, our favorite award-winning earbuds may give way to their successors, the Sony WF-C710N. However, for now, the Sony WF-C700N are the best wireless headphones for the price on the market today.

These Sony headphones occupy a respectable spot between the budget perfection of the WF-C500 and the premium virtues of the WF-1000XM5. While they may be small, what impresses most is that their lightweight design helps make them even more comfortable than the more premium XM5 buds. They might be the most comfortable earbuds that Sony makes, and they are incredibly well-built for their price.

While they may be budget-friendly, their noise cancellation is top-notch. As stated in our review: “With noise cancelling activated, background noise disappears, and the ambient sound mode does what it promises, letting just the right amount of sound through without drowning out what you’re listening to.”

The C700N lacks aptX HD and LDAC, but importantly, they feature noise cancelling technology absent in the WF-C500. The Adaptive Sound Control feature automatically switches listening modes depending on your location, and the Sony DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) enhances the quality of low-resolution digital audio files. We find this feature genuinely impressive at this level. There’s even a Bluetooth Multipoint function that allows connection to two devices simultaneously, making switching between them a breeze.

Best of all, Sony has managed to create a lively, detailed, and well-balanced sound profile for the C700N, with deep, textured bass, expressive mids, and engaging highs. For the price, they sound remarkably musical and clearly outperform the cheaper WF-C500, meaning you’re paying not just for noise cancelling and a few extra features.

What are the drawbacks? The lack of aptX HD and LDAC support is disappointing, and the case provides only one extra charge, which feels a bit sparse. Nevertheless, due to the excellent sound and a plethora of features, these headphones can be recommended as some of the best available wireless headphones with ANC.

Best Cheap Wireless Headphones for Functional Features

JBL Live Pro 2 TWS

Outstanding sound quality with a multitude of useful features.

Specifications

• Bluetooth Version: 5.2 (AAC, SBC)
• Noise-Cancelling: Yes
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Water Resistance: IPX5
• Battery Life: 30 hours (8 hours for earbuds, 22 hours for case)
• Weight: 4.8g each

Pros:

• Piercing, lively sound
• Solid, meaty bass
• Convenient app and setup

Cons:

• No aptX HD or LDAC
• Control customization could be better
• Only three ear tip options

If you have a decent budget but can't afford pricier options like the Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra, these JBL headphones may be the right fit for you.

For this price, you get all the features you could wish for, including ANC noise cancelling, IPX5 water resistance, a comfortable design, and an intuitive management app that makes operation easy and offers some customization options. More ear tip options would be welcome for achieving the perfect fit, but at this price, you can’t have it all.

The battery life of the Live Pro 2 TWS is a respectable eight hours with Bluetooth and noise cancelling on, and the wireless charging case extends this to 30 hours. The touch controls on the headphones are located on top of each earbud, and you also get the bonus of Bluetooth Multipoint if you want to connect to two sources simultaneously.

The excellent sound quality provided by JBL is certainly the cherry on top. Lively and engaging sound that never feels boring or tiresome. The bass also sounds superb, and the level of detail and contrasting dynamics is top-notch considering the level we’re working with.

If you’re looking to upgrade from the very cheapest headphones on this list to something more quality-oriented but still want pleasant sound, these JBLs should make your shortlist.

Best Cheap Wireless Headphones for Apple Users

Apple AirPods (2019)

Impressive true wireless headphones for iPhone owners on a budget.

Specifications

• Bluetooth Version: 5.0
• Noise-Cancelling: No
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Water Resistance: No
• Battery Life: 24 hours (5 hours for earbuds, 19 hours for case)
• Weight: 4g each

Pros:

• Tonally balanced
• Flawless wireless technology
• Designed for Apple users

Cons:

• May not fit everyone perfectly
• No buttons on earbuds
• Sound is sharp at times

“Cheap” isn’t a word typically associated with Apple, but with their price drop since their release in 2019, these second-generation AirPods make our list as an ideal affordable option for Apple fans. In the past, we’ve expressed our desire to see cheaper Apple headphones on the mass market, and while AirPods Lite may be on the horizon, the second-gen AirPods still provide the best price-to-performance ratio for now.

These are old-school AirPods that don’t quite fit the “one size fits all” principle. They fit perfectly in some ears and fall out with the slightest movement in others, but what they excel at is working seamlessly with iPhones, MacBooks, and other Apple devices. The setup and connecting are flawless, making them perfect for those already accustomed to the Apple lifestyle. Unfortunately, there’s no touch control, but they are very lightweight at just 4g each.

This has also been true for the original AirPods, but they didn’t sound great. However, these headphones offer a pleasant tonal balance, more detail, dynamics, and spaciousness in the sound. While they are not a substantial upgrade on their own, they result in a noticeably more engaging and immersive listening experience. The AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods Max are Apple’s most advanced sounding headphones, but you’ll have to pay a lot more for those.

The 2019 AirPods can still sound sharp at high volumes and don’t always handle the more complex aspects of some compositions well. Additionally, the lack of noise cancellation and limited physical controls may deter some buyers, but for Apple fans who can’t afford a pair of AirPods Pro 2, they still hold up fairly well.

However, they might not be around forever. Apple recently launched the AirPods 4 at its September It’s Glowtime presentation, so the days of a pair of earbuds lagging behind two generations may be numbered as the California tech giant looks to the future.

Best Cheap Open-Back Headphones

Sony LinkBuds (2019)

Sony offers a thoughtful approach to traditional wireless earbuds.

Specifications

• Bluetooth Version: 5.2
• Noise-Cancelling: No
• Built-in Microphone and Controls: Yes
• Water Resistance: No
• Battery Life: 5.5 hours (plus 12 hours in the case)
• Weight: 41g each

Pros:

• Balanced, natural sound
• Open and spacious presentation
• Lightweight and comfortable

Cons:

• Lacks drive and dynamics
• Average battery life
• No wireless charging

Since the original earbuds launched in 2022, many LinkBuds models have emerged: traditional Sony LinkBuds S, sporty Sony LinkBuds Fit, and even the revamped Sony LinkBuds Open that we reviewed earlier this year. There’s even a LinkBuds Speaker, though it’s a bit misleading to have “earbuds” in the name of a speaker.

However, if you’re looking for the best budget option, the original LinkBuds 2022 are definitely worth considering. They debuted at a price of 18,000 rubles, but now they can be found for around 9,000 rubles. They are a fantastic option with an open design at an affordable price, especially while waiting for prices to drop on newer Sony models.

The main advantage of the LinkBuds is their open donut-shaped design with a 12mm ring driver that sits in the lower part of the outer ear rather than in the ear canal like with tips or inserts. They are incredibly small, weighing just 4.1g each, making them very comfortable to wear. You’re likely to forget you’re wearing them if the music stops playing. If you pause the music, you’ll notice how much noise the LinkBuds let in, making them an excellent choice if you always pay attention to your surroundings in daily life.

The new Sony Buds use the same integrated V1 processor found in the five-star WF-1000XM4 headphones, as well as Sony's DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) technology for restoring high-frequency sounds lost in compressed digital audio files. This ensures clear and focused voice calls, though of course, don’t expect noise cancelling; the open design simply doesn’t allow for that. Instead, you get 5.5 hours of battery life on the earbuds and 12 hours in the case, along with voice control using Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Slightly adjust your expectations, and you’ll be pleased with how the LinkBuds reproduce sound. Sony maintains a wonderful sense of balance, with mids and highs that sound balanced and controlled, rather than standing out or overwhelming other frequencies. Thanks to the open ring design, the headphones deliver a spacious, open sound, which we found to be their strong suit, but you do lose out on the punch, power, and dynamics that traditional earbuds can provide for their price.

Nonetheless, the LinkBuds present a new yet quite worthy alternative to traditional earbuds. They are worth considering at a discounted price.

Also Consider

Sony WF-C500: Recently discontinued, the C500 headphones are still relevant and haven’t lost their sound charm. In fact, these award-winning wireless headphones are more appealing than ever, as discounts often reduce their modest price to around 4,000 rubles. It’s a smart purchase if you're watching your budget.

Jabra Elite 4 Active: If you’re looking for a sturdy alternative to the JBL Flow Pro, the Elite 4 Active is a great choice with energetic sound and a durable design that can be used anywhere. Additionally, we often find great discounts on Jabra products if you're willing to wait for the right moment to shop.

Technics EAH-AZ40M2: Sometimes, a good pair of wireless headphones comes down to subjective personal preferences. While we love JBL and Sony, we know many people who adore and actively enjoy the spatial sound, clarity, and brightness of the Technics wireless headphones lineup. They are slightly more expensive than anything on this list (the tested model costs 17,000 rubles), but if those criteria are important to you, the very attractive model AZ40M2 is worth a look.

How to Choose the Best Cheap Wireless Headphones for You

Before buying cheap wireless headphones, there are a few factors to consider.

First, battery life. Wireless earbuds provide power from both the earbuds and the rechargeable carrying case. It's important to pay attention to both figures and consider how you will use them. If you listen to music in short sessions, like on a commute lasting less than an hour, the carrying case's performance will be more important for you. But if you plan to use them during long flights, look for a pair with a charging case that lasts at least six hours. And just because they’re cheap doesn't mean the battery life will suffer compared to pricier pairs. You might be surprised at what you can get for a little money.

If you’re a fitness enthusiast and need a secure fit and water resistance, look for a pair of sports headphones with sweat and water protection. You should aim for headphones rated at least IPX4, meaning they can handle light splashes but not full submersion in liquid.

You might also want to think about the Bluetooth version they come equipped with. Currently, we’re using Bluetooth 5 (specifically, 5.3). Newer versions might provide a greater range and more stable connection, so it could be worthwhile to check the specs.

If you think that cheap wireless headphones won't have extra features like Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), you’ll be surprised to learn that some of our recommendations include this feature. It may not be as advanced as in more expensive models, but it should adequately block external noise.

You should also consider comfort, including how many ear tips come with them, especially if you’ll be wearing them during those long-haul flights. Lastly, you definitely need decent sound quality for your money—rest assured, all the options above have passed our trials with flying colors.

FAQs

• What is the difference between cheap and expensive headphones?
  The answer is quite interesting and lacks a clear-cut response. Generally, “cheap” headphones (we often use the terms “affordable” or “budget”) typically have fewer features. Noise cancelling is usually found in pricier models, although you can find good models in mid-range, like the Sony WF-C700N, that offer noise cancelling a step above simpler models like the WF-C500.
• Are super cheap headphones worth it?
  In a word, no. If you're referring to the many obscure brands offering all sorts of wireless headphones with attractive specs and exaggerated sound capabilities at prices that seem too good to be true, we suggest you take a breath and step back from the edge of the abyss.
• How should I care for my wireless headphones?
  To ensure longevity, clean your headphones regularly and store them in their case when not in use. Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures and moisture.
• Is it worth spending more on premium headphones?
  Yes, investing in a reputable brand often leads to better sound quality, durability, and additional features. While budget options can perform well, premium models usually offer a more satisfying listening experience.
• Can I use wireless headphones for calls?
  Yes, most wireless headphones are equipped with built-in microphones that allow for hands-free calls, though quality may vary between models.

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