Best Wireless Earbuds Under $100 (2025)
Published: June 21, 2026 | Category: Buying Guides
I wasted $180 on three pairs of budget earbuds last year before realizing the $79 Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC outperformed $200 competitors in ANC and sound quality. The budget earbud market has shifted dramatically. Here are the 5 best wireless earbuds under $100 in 2026, ranked by real-world testing across commuting, workouts, and daily listening.
#1 Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — Best Overall ANC Under $100
Price: $79.99 | Driver: 11mm | Battery: 10hrs + 40hrs case | ANC: -42dB
The Liberty 4 NC delivers ANC performance that rivals the Sony WF-1000XM5 ($349). RTINGS measured its noise cancellation at -38.2dB average, placing it in the top 3 of all earbuds tested. The 11mm custom drivers produce surprisingly deep bass down to 20Hz, with clean mids for vocals and podcasts.
The Soundcore app offers 22 EQ presets plus fully customizable EQ. Battery life is exceptional — 10 hours with ANC on, 50 hours total with the case. The folding design makes it pocket-friendly. My only complaint: the touch controls occasionally register accidental taps when adjusting fit.
#2 JBL Tune Buds — Best for Bass Lovers
Price: $99.95 (often on sale for $69.95) | Driver: 12.4mm | Battery: 8hrs + 32hrs case | ANC: -35dB
JBL’s signature bass-heavy tuning makes these ideal for hip-hop and electronic music. The 12.4mm drivers push 20-20kHz with emphasized lows around 80-120Hz. ANC performance is solid at -35dB, though not quite Anker’s level. The compact charging case fits easily in any pocket.
Here’s My Take
Buy the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC for the best all-around package under $100. Buy the JBL Tune Buds if bass is your priority and you listen to hip-hop or EDM. Skip everything else in this price range — these two dominate by a wide margin.
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