7 Best Wireless Earbuds Under $30 (that Big Brands Hate) (2024)

We’ve tested 183 tested headphones. Here we’ll explore:

• The best Bluetooth earbuds under $30 to get today
• Our hands-on experience with each pair
• Frequency response charts and audio comparisons, so you know exactly how they sound
• Other tests we did to compare performance

Let’s get started.

	More info	Price	Battery	Water protection	Mic & Controls
SoundPEATS ClearBest overall	Read more	Under $30	4h + 33h in case	IPX4
TOZO T10Best bass	Read more	Under $30	6h + 24h in case	IP68
Skullcandy Dime True WirelessBest sound	Read more	Under $30	3.5 + 8.5h in case	IPX4
JLab Go Air PopBest battery	Read more	Under $25	8h + 24h in case	IPX4
QCY T13Best features	Read more	Under $30	8h + 30h in case	IPX5

All wireless Bluetooth earbuds on our list are evaluated based on 9 key factors (Sonic9Score). Explore our testing and ranking methodology (and how we picked for this list). The main criterion we looked at to pick the top earbuds is their performance across the board, with emphasis on connection stability, sound, and battery life, which are the main problems with cheap earbuds.

We’ve included budget wireless earbuds that might be a couple of dollars above 30. But generally, keep around the same level (+/- $5).

All of the listed wireless Bluetooth earbuds here were priced at $30 or less in the last couple of months (but might be a bit more right now).

Best Wireless Earbuds under $30

1. SoundPEATS Clear

SoundPEATS Clear are the best wireless earbuds under $30 we’ve tested. They have a balanced sound signature and come with app support – SoundPEATS Clear review.

For such cheap earbuds, the Clear have a natural tonality, especially after applying our custom EQ. Their technical performance can easily match other budget wireless earbuds, if not surpass them.

Hear the SoundPEATS Clear A/B sound test:

Furthermore, earbuds fit very comfortably in your ears and stay put even during vigorous head movements. That makes them suitable for sports, particularly thanks to the IPX4 rating, which means complete sweat resistance.

Earbuds have a unique design with a transparent stem, exposing the circuitry inside. The charging case also has a transparent lid, which feels fragile, so you need to go easy on it.

The battery life is almost 6 hours on a single charge, with another 33 hours in the case. Sadly, the buds lack fast charging.

Overall, for 30 bucks, the SoundPEATS Clear are the best choice you can make.

Best Heavy-Bass Earbuds under $30

2. TOZO T10

TOZO T10 (upgraded) are the best bassy earbuds under $30 we’ve tested. You get powerful punch with lots of features – TOZO T10 review.

Despite a strong bass, the earbuds manage to keep the midrange free of bloat and pretty natural. For the price, there aren’t many competitors, and these are a no-brainer.

Hear the TOZO T10 A/B sound test:

Construction-wise, TOZO T10 are built quite well. They have a basic design that looks sturdy enough to survive a few drops, whereas both the case and the buds sport an IP68 rating, making them fully water-resistant.

The battery life of 6 hours on a single charge is pretty solid, with another 24 hours inside the charging case. The latter can also charge quickly and Qi wirelessly.

Moreover, comfort is also a highlight of these earbuds. Thanks to their smooth design, they fit comfortably and relatively securely. They’re fine for light walks but not for running, as they slip out when you start sweating. Find more details in our review.

If you want bassy Bluetooth earbuds under $30, check out the TOZO T10.

Here are more top heavy-bass earbuds.

Best Sounding Wireless Earbuds under $30

3. Skullcandy Dime True Wireless

Skullcandy Dime are hands down the best wireless earbuds under $30 for high-fidelity sound – Skullcandy Dime True Wireless review.

Skullcandy Dime have excellent audio performance despite being so cheap. They’re slightly V-shaped, with good dynamics and crystal-clear sound.

These are musical gems with superior sound quality for under $30 that rivals other earbuds despite only using the SBC Bluetooth codec. Of all cheap earbuds we tested, these truly surprised us.

Hear the Skullcandy Dime A/B sound test:

They share a similar stem design as AirPods Pro. That makes them easy to pick with your fingers and places a built-in microphone closer to your mouth.

The Dime wireless earbuds are ergonomic and feel comfortable as long as you don’t push them in your ears too hard. Sadly, physical buttons do precisely that, which makes them annoying. Voice calls are reasonably clean for a quick on-the-go phone call. We discussed more details in our review.

Also, the Bluetooth earbuds are IPX4 protected, so they can withstand sweat. The battery life of 3.5 hours isn’t that great, but with another 8.5 hours inside a compact charging case, it should be enough for a decent listening session.

For natural-sounding wireless earbuds under $30 that sound like a $100 model, get the Skullcandy Dime.

Related:

• Best earbuds under $30 (wired included)
• Best wireless earbuds under $50

Best Battery in Earbuds under $30

4. JLab Go Air Pop

JLab Go Air Pop rock over 9-hour battery life per charge. This makes them the best earbuds for battery life under $30 we’ve tested – JLab Go Air Pop review.

JLab Go Air Pop produce a fun, V-shaped sound with a prominent bass boost and a sharp treble. They’re ideal for casual listeners who only want to enjoy some tunes without dissecting the details.

Hear the JLab Go Air Pop A/B sound test:

You can regulate the bass quantity with 3 EQ presets built into the earbuds. The “Bass Boost” is the punchiest, while the “Balanced” sounds the most natural.

The earbuds’ design is simple and offers touch controls for basic commands. Thanks to ergonomic design and lightweight construction, you can easily wear them all day.

They’re stable, too, but with no ear wings, they can’t stay in your ears during extreme exercises.

And there’s the rock star. More than 9 hours of battery life on a single charge. This is more than many premium true wireless earbuds can muster together. And is plenty of time for even the most demanding users.

Add an IPX4 rating to survive heavy sweating or rain, and you can see why these punch above their weight.

If you want the longest battery life from Bluetooth earbuds under $30, get the JLab Go Air Pop.

Best Features in Earbuds under $30

5. QCY T13

QCY T13 are a great pair of truly wireless earbuds that surprise you with rich features, long battery life, and bassy sound quality.

These cheap true wireless earbuds surprise with 7.2mm drivers that provide a wide soundstage, excellent instrument separation, and imaging. It works especially well for live recordings.

On the other hand, despite their great sound, they’re far from neutral, presenting you with a heavy bass boost and sparkly highs.

Earbuds provide a secure and comfortable fit for decently long listening sessions. They stay in your ears quite well, so you shouldn’t have a problem taking them out for a run.

The best thing is that the earbuds pair with the QCY app. In there, you can:

• Customize EQ: Adjust the sound profile to fit your preferences
• Personalize controls: Use the built-in controls the way you want without limitations
• Find your buds: Find your Bluetooth earbuds if they get lost inside the app

This is uncommon for the price.

On top of that, they do an admirable job at microphone call quality, with the help of active noise reduction for microphones, you can hold a phone call in imperfect conditions. Plus, the low-latency 5.1 Bluetooth connection is suitable for mobile gaming and watching videos.

The battery is solid, too, with quick charging and 8 hours of playtime per charge.

If you’re after features, check the QCY T13 for a feature-rich experience under $30.

Honorable Mentions

6. JLab Go Air Sport

7. Skullcandy Jib True Wireless

The Jib Bluetooth earbuds have typical Skullcandy bass-emphasized sound, but suffer from lower connection and microphone quality. The Skullcandy Dime listed above are a better choice. But if you want rich bass from Skullcandys’, these are it.

Skullcandy Jib True Wireless review

How Did We Test?

We fully test even cheap earbuds. All in our list are objectively tested by measurements (frequency response, etc; see graphs in full reviews).

We also listen to them personally and describe what we hear. Altogether, we test them on 9 key points: Sound quality, noise isolation, ANC, battery life, comfort, features, etc. This helps us compare and pick the best-performing earbuds that we can confidently recommend. See our testing and scoring methodology.

The combination of objective testing and hands-on experience gives us an edge in giving data-based recommendations.

How did we choose the wireless earbuds?

We mainly focused on 3 common weak points of cheap Bluetooth earbuds: connection strength, audio quality, and battery life.

Secondly, we looked at other important aspects: comfort and fit in all situations, build quality, and usefulness of features.

All recommended earbuds perform well and are top contenders in their category. We ranked them for different use cases so everybody finds a recommendation that fits them.

What to Expect from the Best $30 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds?

• Great audio quality, considering the price
• From 4-9 hours of playtime per charge
• Multiple extra charges in the carrying case
• Reliable true wireless design that feels and fits well
• A reliable wireless connection
• Good voice quality over built-in microphones

We mentioned the good stuff above. You also have to expect cheaper materials and finishes. Shorter battery cycles (shorter lifespan). And older features that were first introduced in more expensive models.

Not happy with the options? Check earbuds for a bit more:

• Best earbuds under $50
• The best Bluetooth earbuds under $100

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Hopefully, our list was useful, and you found a solid option for your needs.

P.S. If you got wireless earbuds from this list, we’d love to hear which ones you picked. Leave a comment below.