The 9 Best Earbuds under $30

What earbuds can you get for $30 today? Discover the best wired and wireless options.

Are you on a tight budget and don’t want to spend more than $30 on a new pair of in-ear headphones? We got you covered.

Here you’ll find the top wireless and wired earbuds at this price. You can choose from great-sounding, durable, and workout earbuds, all in the same price range.

See wireless earbuds under $30.

The budget earbuds market is huge. There are a lot of different brands offering their headphones for little money and it takes quite a lot of time to research and review the top ones. Hopefully, this guide will be of help to you.

Check more cheap earbuds:

• The best cheap earbuds
• Best earbuds under $50

The Best Earbuds under 30 Dollars

1. SoundPEATS Clear

Hear the SoundPEATS Clear A/B Sound Test:

Truly wireless earbuds have come a long way in sound quality, and SoundPEATS Clear can easily match other wired or wireless earbuds. They sound balanced with a hint of sub-bass boost.

Earbuds even surprise with excellent comfort and a stable fit. You can wear them for hours, and they remain fixed inside your ear canal even during lighter workouts.

The latter is also possible due to an IPX4 rating, which means full sweat resistance. However, avoid taking them under the shower or pool, as that might damage them.

Lastly, the Clear support a companion app with a Game mode and fully customizable EQ, which is a rarity under $30.

2. TOZO T10

Hear the TOZO T10 A/B Sound Test:

Earbuds push a generous amount of bass and rumble you can feel. Despite the V-shaped sound signature, the midrange stays relatively balanced, making for a rather pleasant listening experience.

As a whole, TOZO T10 outperform many of their competitors. Earbuds and the charging case have a fully waterproof design (IP68).

Furthermore, the case supports fast charging and Qi wireless charging, which is a rarity in wireless earbuds under $30.

On top of that, the buds themselves are pretty small and should fit all ear sizes. They’re comfortable, as well, with a smooth surface that gently touches your skin.

On the other hand, 6 hours of battery life is average, and the audio delay is pretty noticeable when watching videos.

3. Symphonized NRG 3.0

You get good sound quality for the price. Rich in detail, and the wood is providing warmer tones to an entire audio spectrum. It also adds more bass quality. A no-brainer for the price.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money but you’re still looking for a quality pair of earbuds with a stylish design that sounds good, these are perfect for you.

These wired earbuds look amazing because they’re made out of real wood (the wood also makes them lightweight).

The cable is nice, too, but it can produce some microphonics. The included soft carry pouch adds protection.

You get 6 different ear tips to find your perfect size, which ensures exceptional comfort and good sound isolation.

The in-line microphone works fine. You can make phone calls and use voice control. Just don’t expect to use it in a noisy office.

4. KZ ZST

There are two drivers inside the earbud: one balanced armature and one dynamic. Overall sound signature tilts towards a V-shape, which is a frequency response many users prefer.

You can expect deep bass with solid punch and rumble. The midrange is slightly subdued but not to the point of missing detail. High-end offers great clarity, and it has a good extension for airier presentation.

Ergonomically designed housing appears premium, and silicone ear tips of different sizes fit nicely in your ear canal. Of course, these are also comfortable to wear, which is necessary for long listening sessions.

It’s quite remarkable to have a detachable cable in this lower price range. That makes them more durable since the wire can get replaced if damaged.

5. Skullcandy Dime True Wireless

Hear the Skullcandy Dime True Wireless A/B Sound Test:

The Dime have more than decent sound quality, especially in the price range. While not the most detailed, it suits most music genres with a dynamic V-shaped sound.

Primarily plastic build quality feels okay and comes in several colors. Rubber cover on the outside hides control buttons, with a small Skullcandy logo.

The button offers many useful commands, from switching tracks, enabling voice assistant, to volume control. However, controls are a bit stiff to use.

An IPX4 rating should be enough for gym-goers who need their earbuds to withstand sweat during intense workouts. Three sizes of stock ear tips feel comfortable and have a secure fit, preventing pain during extended listening sessions.

Two earbuds hold 3.5 hours of continuous playtime (you can see the battery percentage in the Bluetooth menu), with an additional 8.5 hours in the charging case. With one step connection method, you pair them with your mobile phone in no time.

For more wireless options, see the best Bluetooth headphones under $100 and, of course, the best wireless earbuds under $100.

6. Sony MDR-XB50AP

Notably, the best sound quality for hard bass lovers. The low-end is dominant, and it’s overpowering other ranges. The middle and high ranges are recessed. This makes them an excellent choice for bass-intense music.

If you’re a fan of powerful bass and love listening to bass-heavy music like EDM, pop, and hip-hop, make sure to check these out.

Also, the XB50AP come with a tangle-free cord with an in-line mic for making calls. Quality materials make them last longer, on top of having a lightweight, comfy design. While low impedance ensures loud volume even if you use them with your smartphone.

Another great thing is that external noise isolation is better than with most low-priced earbuds. These used to cost more but have been discounted to fit right into the under $30 category.

For bigger over-ear & on-ear options, see the best bass headphones.

7. JLab Go Air Pop

Hear the JLab Go Air Pop A/B Sound Test:

Using “JLab Signature” tuning, earbuds sound relatively natural, warm, and bassy, which many will enjoy. You can also select between the “Balanced” and “Bass Boost” presets, each changing the bass quantity.

Earbuds are very comfortable to wear thanks to their low profile and ergonomic, smooth casing.

They use touch controls for more pleasant navigation compared to more annoying physical ones on Jlab JBuds Air.

To endure light workouts, earbuds are rated for IPX4, meaning they will survive dripping sweat and light rain.

Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about the battery thanks to more than 9 hours of playtime on a single charge.

For more options, check out the best waterproof Bluetooth headphones.

Looking for wireless headphones that are still affordable? Look at the best Bluetooth headphones under $100 for top choices.

8. KZ ZSN PRO X

Like most KZ earbuds, these are also V-shaped but much less bloated with less extended bass response.

While you can still hear a thumping bass boost, the sub-bass is now more restricted, allowing for a clearer listening experience. While the detail retrieval is good, those clear highs can be a bit sibilant.

Earbuds have a detachable cable and use a double-pin connection, so a replacement is easily purchasable. The one included already has a hook to go over your ears.

Thanks to multiple sizes of ear tips, you can greatly reduce external noise. That way, you can easily use the ZSN Pro X for commuting, as it also prevents sound leakage, so that the other person next to you doesn’t hear your playlist.

9. Moondrop Chu

Hear the Moondrop Chu A/B Sound Test:

The main star of the Moondrop Chu is their tuning. While not perfectly balanced, it’s still the best you can get for under $20.

Most cheap earbuds tend to cheap out on build and accessories. But not the Chu.

The packaging is filled with goodies, like spring ear tips that cost $12 more than the earbuds themselves. The tips are comfortable and don’t cause any pressure while doing a good job of keeping earbuds in place.

The next accessory is ear hooks which are a must during a workout. Especially since the cable likes to bounce around, and you don’t get any shirt clip.

Instead of plastic, the housing is made of tougher zinc alloy, adding weight and a premium feel.

Honorable Mentions

Anker Soundbuds Slim Plus

Panasonic ErgoFit HJE120K

Tranya T3 Pro

iTeknic BH001

Aukey EP-T21

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)