Frank
Audio guide

Best wireless earbuds under $100

The Soundcore Liberty 5 from Anker is our top pick for the best all-round wireless earbuds under $100, balancing strong ANC, solid battery, and tuneable sound better than anything else in the price bracket.

Updated June 2026 · 6 picks compared · every weakness listed

Sub-$100 earbuds have gotten genuinely good, but the category is messy. Some chase flashy specs they cannot back up, others nail sound but skip noise cancelling or a usable mic. We focused on models you can actually buy in 2026 from Soundcore/Anker, Nothing, JLab, EarFun, Samsung, and Google, and we weighed the things that matter day to day: how they sound out of the box, whether ANC does anything real, comfort over long sessions, honest battery life, and call quality. No pick here is perfect, so every one gets at least one con worth knowing before you spend.

Trust scores on this page are our editorial judgement. For scores built from the latest sources, ask Frank for a live report.

Side by side

The short version

Product comparison
Product Trust Price Best for Buy
#1
 91 $90 to $110 People who want one pair that does everything decently Check price →
#2
Nothing Ear (a)
Best sound
 88 $99 Listeners who care most about sound clarity and detail Check price →
#3
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
Best for Samsung phones
 84 $70 to $90 Galaxy phone owners who want seamless pairing Check price →
#4
Google Pixel Buds A-Series
Best for Android calls
 80 $60 to $80 Pixel and Android users who take a lot of calls Check price →
#5
 83 $70 to $90 Bargain hunters who still want ANC and modern codecs Check price →
#6
JLab JBuds ANC 3
Best budget
 75 $40 to $50 Tight budgets and rough-and-tumble daily use Check price →

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The picks

Every choice, with its trade-offs

#1 Top pick

Soundcore Liberty 5 (Anker)

The most complete package under $100, with capable ANC, a deep app EQ, and long battery.

Trust 91
91/100

What holds up

  • +Adaptive ANC that genuinely cuts low-frequency rumble
  • +Soundcore app has full custom EQ and a hearing test tuning feature
  • +Long battery life, roughly 8 hours per charge with ANC off
  • +Comfortable, secure fit for most ear shapes

Where it falls short

  • −Default tuning is bass-heavy and needs EQ work to balance
  • −Often sits right at or just above the $100 line depending on sales
Best for People who want one pair that does everything decently $90 to $110
Check price
#2 Best sound

Nothing Ear (a)

The clearest, most detailed sound in this group, wrapped in a design that stands out.

Trust 88
88/100

What holds up

  • +Crisp, well-separated sound that punches above the price
  • +Effective ANC for the money
  • +Distinctive transparent design and light, comfortable fit

Where it falls short

  • −Call quality is only average in noisy environments
  • −Best features assume you use the Nothing X app
Best for Listeners who care most about sound clarity and detail $99
Check price
#3 Best for Samsung phones

Samsung Galaxy Buds FE

A comfortable, well-rounded pick that shines if you live in the Galaxy ecosystem.

Trust 84
84/100

What holds up

  • +Secure wingtip fit that stays put during workouts
  • +Solid ANC and clean, balanced default sound
  • +Tight integration and easy switching with Samsung devices

Where it falls short

  • −Some app features are limited or locked outside Samsung phones
  • −No wireless charging on the case
Best for Galaxy phone owners who want seamless pairing $70 to $90
Check price
#4 Best for Android calls

Google Pixel Buds A-Series

A reliable, comfortable everyday pair with clean Android integration and dependable calls.

Trust 80
80/100

What holds up

  • +Comfortable, lightweight fit with a stable seal
  • +Fast Android pairing and easy Google Assistant access
  • +Consistent, clear call performance

Where it falls short

  • −No active noise cancellation at all
  • −Battery life is middling at around 5 hours per charge
Best for Pixel and Android users who take a lot of calls $60 to $80
Check price
#5 Best value

EarFun Air Pro 4

A spec sheet that looks like it costs twice as much, with strong ANC and multipoint.

Trust 83
83/100

What holds up

  • +Strong ANC and aptX Lossless support over LDAC and aptX Adaptive
  • +Reliable Bluetooth multipoint for two-device switching
  • +Frequently discounted with coupons below list price

Where it falls short

  • −Brand support and firmware updates are less proven than the big names
  • −Touch controls can be fiddly and easy to trigger by accident
Best for Bargain hunters who still want ANC and modern codecs $70 to $90
Check price
#6 Best budget

JLab JBuds ANC 3

Cheap, comfortable, and far better than the price suggests for casual everyday use.

Trust 75
75/100

What holds up

  • +Very low price with usable ANC included
  • +On-board EQ presets so the app is optional
  • +Built-in charging cable on the case means one less thing to lose

Where it falls short

  • −Sound is fine but lacks the detail of pricier picks
  • −ANC is modest and mic quality is just okay on calls
Best for Tight budgets and rough-and-tumble daily use $40 to $50
Check price
Straight answers

Questions worth asking first

How does Frank make money?+

We use affiliate links, including Amazon Associates. If you buy through a link here we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That commission never changes our rankings or which products we recommend. We pick the same way whether a product pays us or not, and plenty of items we rate highly earn us nothing.

Is active noise cancelling worth it under $100?+

It depends on where you use the earbuds. Budget ANC will not match a flagship pair, but models like the Soundcore Liberty 5, EarFun Air Pro 4, and Nothing Ear (a) cut low rumble from planes, buses, and HVAC noise meaningfully. If you mostly listen in quiet rooms, you can save money and skip it, like the Pixel Buds A-Series do.

Do these earbuds work with both iPhone and Android?+

Yes, all of them pair over standard Bluetooth and work with either platform. The catch is companion apps and extra features. Samsung's deepest features favor Galaxy phones, Google's favor Pixel and Android, and the rest rely on their own apps that run on both iOS and Android. Core listening and calls work everywhere.

Which pick is best if I take a lot of calls?+

For call clarity in everyday conditions, the Google Pixel Buds A-Series are the most consistent in this group, with the Soundcore Liberty 5 close behind. If you regularly take calls in loud places, none of these match a premium pair, so manage expectations and consider a model with multiple beamforming mics.

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