Best Wireless Earbuds Under $100 (2026): 6 Picks, 5 With ANC
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Quick answer
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the best all-round pair of wireless earbuds under $100: adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC, multipoint and a case that charges wirelessly. The Nothing Ear (3a) is the pick for hybrid noise cancelling and a distinctive design, and the Sony WF-C710N is the lightest, easiest fit for small ears.
The six wireless earbuds below typically sell for under $100, picked for noise cancelling, comfort, battery life and how well they work with an iPhone or an Android phone. Five of them have active noise cancelling, which used to be a feature reserved for much pricier pairs.
Davii researched this guide by comparing manufacturer information, spec sheets and independent reviews from sites such as RTINGS and SoundGuys. The focus was on what changes your day: how much noise the buds block on a train, how long the battery lasts with ANC on, whether they stay comfortable for hours, and which codecs and phone features they support.
Below you will find a spec table, the six picks with their drawbacks, the most common complaints, and a short guide to scenarios such as commuting, the gym and open offices. Prices move often, so check the current listing and confirm it is still under $100 before you buy.
Our Top Picks
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC8.4/10
Adaptive noise cancelling, LDAC, multipoint and a case that charges wirelessly, all in one pair. It is the most complete package in this group.
Read our full take ↓Nothing Ear (3a)7.9/10
A 2026 model that replaces the Ear (a), with 45 dB hybrid ANC per the Amazon listing and a see-through design.
Read our full take ↓Sony WF-C710N7.6/10
Sony's budget ANC earbuds are small and light, with IPX4 protection and multipoint. They replace the WF-C700N.
Read our full take ↓| Product | Our score | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | 8.4 | Anyone who wants one pair that does ANC, long battery and flexible codecs on iPhone or Android | Photos & price on Amazon |
| Best Hybrid ANC Nothing Ear (3a) | 7.9 | Android users and commuters who put noise cancelling above everything else | Photos & price on Amazon |
| Best for Small Ears Sony WF-C710N | 7.6 | Small ears, long wear sessions and anyone who prefers a light, unobtrusive fit | Photos & price on Amazon |
| Best for Hi-Res Audio EarFun Air Pro 4 | 8.1 | Android listeners with a Snapdragon Sound phone who care about codecs and sound quality | Photos & price on Amazon |
| Best Battery Life Soundcore P40i | 7.8 | Frequent travelers and people who forget to charge their earbuds | Photos & price on Amazon |
| Best Without ANC Beats Solo Buds | 6.0 | People who want a light, simple pair without noise cancelling or an app | Photos & price on Amazon |
1. Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — Best Overall
- Adaptive ANC
- LDAC + multipoint
- Wireless charging case
Best for: Anyone who wants one pair that does ANC, long battery and flexible codecs on iPhone or Android
What we like
- Adaptive ANC with a transparency mode
- Supports SBC, AAC and LDAC, and pairs with two devices at once
- Case charges wirelessly or by cable
- Soundcore app has a custom EQ and many presets
Keep in mind
- IPX4 is only splash resistance, so heavy sweat is a risk
- A newer, pricier Liberty 5 exists, so this is the previous generation
- Case is larger than the Sony's
The Liberty 4 NC is the previous-generation model in Soundcore's Liberty line. The newer Liberty 5 launched at a higher price tier, according to SoundGuys, while the Liberty 4 NC is still sold on Amazon and is the one that lands under $100 more often. SoundGuys has published a head-to-head of the two if you want to compare them.
Soundcore lists up to 8 hours per charge with ANC on and up to 10 hours with it off, with about 40 hours total with the case when ANC is on. The buds are rated IPX4 and use Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, so a laptop and a phone can stay connected together. LDAC support means Android phones can send higher-bitrate audio, while iPhones fall back to AAC.
Owners most often praise the sound for the money and the feature list, and the app's EQ lets you fix bass-heavy tuning. The trade-offs are the splash-resistant rating and the fact that ANC is good rather than class-leading.
Skip it if you want a smaller case or an IP rating above IPX4; the Sony WF-C710N is lighter and the EarFun Air Pro 4 resists water better.
2. Nothing Ear (3a) — Best Hybrid ANC
- 45 dB hybrid ANC
- IP54 buds
- LDAC + Dual Connect
Best for: Android users and commuters who put noise cancelling above everything else
What we like
- 45 dB hybrid ANC, per the listing
- Compact buds with a distinctive design
- LDAC, multipoint and IP54-rated buds
- Nothing X app for controls and EQ
Keep in mind
- Battery is the shortest here with ANC on
- Stock tuning needs EQ work for many listeners, per SoundGuys
- Sits at the top of the price range, so it may not always be under $100
Nothing's Ear (3a) launched in July 2026 as the successor to the Ear (a), so there is no reason to buy the older model unless it is deeply discounted. SoundGuys reviewed the 3a against the Ear (a) and found the new model's noise cancelling a clear step up, which makes it the pick here for drone-type sound such as trains and planes.
The Amazon listing describes 45 dB hybrid ANC and a 12mm driver. SoundGuys reports up to 6 hours with ANC on and up to 10 hours with it off, and 42 hours with the case when ANC is off. The buds have IP54 protection, Bluetooth 6.0 and support SBC, AAC and LDAC.
The catch is battery life and tuning. SoundGuys scored battery lowest among its criteria and says the default sound needs EQ changes for most tastes, and that EQ control is weaker than on the previous model. It is also the model most likely to sit near the top of the price limit, so check the listing.
Skip it if you take long flights or work days without a charging break; the Soundcore P40i lasts far longer.
3. Sony WF-C710N — Best for Small Ears
- 8.5 h with ANC on
- IPX4 + multipoint
- SBC and AAC only
Best for: Small ears, long wear sessions and anyone who prefers a light, unobtrusive fit
What we like
- Compact, light buds that suit small ears
- Multipoint pairing, per HeadphoneCheck
- About 30 hours total with the case with ANC on, per Tom's Guide
- Sony's quick charge gives about an hour from five minutes
Keep in mind
- Only SBC and AAC, no LDAC or aptX
- ANC is weaker in low bass frequencies, per RTINGS
- No wireless charging mentioned in reviews
The WF-C710N is Sony's current budget noise-cancelling model, and RTINGS describes it as the replacement for the WF-C700N. The buds are small, and reviewers repeatedly single them out for comfort. If standard-size earbuds hurt after an hour, this is the first pair to try.
Sony lists 8.5 hours of battery in the buds and a case that adds 21.5 hours, about 30 hours in total with ANC on. The buds carry an IPX4 rating, use Bluetooth and keep to SBC and AAC, so there is no high-bitrate option for Android users.
RTINGS reports that Bluetooth can be slow to connect and the microphone sounds honky, and that ANC is weaker for bass-heavy noise. That makes it a better pick for an office or a quiet commute than for loud trains.
Skip it if you want LDAC, wireless charging or the best noise cancelling; the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and Nothing Ear (3a) do more.
4. EarFun Air Pro 4 — Best for Hi-Res Audio
- LDAC and aptX Lossless
- IPX5 sweat resistance
- Up to 52 h with case
Best for: Android listeners with a Snapdragon Sound phone who care about codecs and sound quality
What we like
- LDAC, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless on Bluetooth 5.4
- IPX5 handles sweat and rain better than IPX4 buds
- About 5 g per bud, per SoundGuys and The Gadgeteer
- Long case battery for the price
Keep in mind
- Some reviews note mixed connectivity
- LDAC may disable multipoint, per one review
- iPhone users do not benefit from the extra codecs
The EarFun Air Pro 4 is the codec pick. It supports LDAC, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, which matters if you own a recent Android phone with Snapdragon Sound. The Gadgeteer called the audio excellent for the money.
EarFun lists up to 11 hours per charge with ANC off and less with it on (reviews report roughly 6 to 8 hours), with up to 52 hours including the case. The buds are IPX5 rated, which makes them the best choice here for runs and wet commutes among the ANC models.
Newer EarFun models exist, including the Air Pro 4+ and Air Pro 4i, but they are separate products. The Air Pro 4 is still listed and remains a strong option.
Skip it if you use an iPhone, since the higher-end codecs do nothing there, or if you need dependable multipoint with LDAC on at the same time.
5. Soundcore P40i — Best Battery Life
- Up to 12 h per charge
- Up to 60 h with case
- IPX5 rating
Best for: Frequent travelers and people who forget to charge their earbuds
What we like
- Up to 12 hours in the buds and up to 60 hours with the case, per the listing
- IPX5 protection against sweat
- Adaptive ANC on Bluetooth 5.3
Keep in mind
- SBC and AAC only, no LDAC
- ANC is not at the level of the Nothing Ear (3a)
- A newer P41i with a phone-charging case exists
The P40i is here for one reason: endurance. The Amazon listing gives up to 12 hours in the buds and up to 60 hours with the case, far above the 6 to 8 hours of the ANC-on figures for the other buds in this group. It also has an IPX5 rating and uses 11mm drivers.
Soundcore later released the P41i, which has a built-in phone-charging case and comes in Lightning or USB-C variants. That makes the P41i interesting, but its listings are confusing, so this guide sticks to the P40i. Check that the listing you open is for the P40i.
Listings and reviews say it supports multipoint on Bluetooth 5.3, with SBC and AAC only and no LDAC, so treat it as a battery-first choice rather than a feature leader.
Skip it if you want LDAC or wireless charging; the Liberty 4 NC covers both.
6. Beats Solo Buds — Best Without ANC
- 18 h of battery
- Four ear tip sizes
- No ANC, no app needed
Best for: People who want a light, simple pair without noise cancelling or an app
What we like
- Small, light buds and a pocketable case
- Up to 18 hours of battery per charge
- Four ear tip sizes and no app needed to start
Keep in mind
- No active noise cancelling and no water rating on the Amazon spec table
- Some owners say the buds fall out during workouts
- Availability can vary; confirm it is in stock
The Solo Buds are the odd one out because they skip noise cancelling entirely. Beats lists up to 18 hours of battery per charge, with about an hour of listening from a five-minute charge. Isolation comes from the ear tips, which come in four sizes.
The case is tiny, which makes it easy to carry in a pocket, and pairing is quick on iPhone and Android. Owner complaints in listings cluster around fit, the case not charging the buds reliably and sound that does not justify a higher price. One reviewer said the model is no longer made, so check stock before you order.
Skip it if you want ANC, sweat resistance or wireless charging; any other pick here is better for the gym.
How We Chose
Davii compared manufacturer information, spec sheets and independent measurements, then dropped pairs that are discontinued or priced above the limit. The Jabra Elite 4 Active is no longer sold new at major retailers, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE has been replaced by the pricier Galaxy Buds3 FE, so neither made the list. Each remaining pair fits the “under $100” qualifier in typical pricing, though sales and list prices change, so check the live listing.
Key Specs Side by Side
This table lists the figures that decide most purchases. A dash means the spec was not clearly published or sources disagreed.
| Model | ANC | Battery per charge (ANC on) | Water rating | Multipoint | Wireless charging case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | Yes | 8 h (about 40 h with case) | IPX4 | Yes | Yes |
| Nothing Ear (3a) | Yes | 6 h | IP54 | Yes | — |
| Sony WF-C710N | Yes | 8.5 h (about 30 h with case) | IPX4 | Yes | — |
| EarFun Air Pro 4 | Yes | About 6 to 8 h, varies by review | IPX5 | Yes (not with LDAC) | — |
| Soundcore P40i | Yes | Up to 12 h (up to 60 h with case) | IPX5 | Yes | — |
| Beats Solo Buds | No | Up to 18 h | — | — | No |
The Nothing Ear (3a) has the shortest ANC-on battery here. The Soundcore P40i is the reverse.
Fit and Comfort for Small Ears
Earbud size matters more than most spec sheets suggest. The Sony WF-C710N and Beats Solo Buds are the smallest here, and the Solo Buds ship with four ear tip sizes. If a pair keeps working loose, swap the tips before you give up on it. Comfort also decides how well ANC works, because a poor seal lets in low-frequency noise no matter what the processor does.
Common Complaints Across These Picks
Several patterns come up repeatedly in reviews and owner summaries:
- Connectivity quirks. RTINGS reports slow or unreliable Bluetooth connections on the Sony, and one EarFun summary mentions mixed feedback on connectivity.
- Call quality. Reviewers say the Sony microphone sounds honky, so budget buds are better for music than for long calls.
- Tuning. SoundGuys says the Nothing Ear (3a) needs EQ changes, and Soundcore’s app is the easiest way to fix bass-heavy defaults.
- Fit. Some Beats Solo Buds owners say the buds fall out while exercising.
Most of these are fixed by updating firmware, adjusting the EQ and trying different tips.
Who Should Skip Each Pick
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: skip if you want an IP rating above IPX4 or the newest model, since the Liberty 5 exists.
- Nothing Ear (3a): skip if you want a day-long battery without charging breaks.
- Sony WF-C710N: skip if you want LDAC, wireless charging or the best ANC.
Real-Life Scenarios
On a noisy train or flight: the Nothing Ear (3a) is the one to try first for low-frequency rumble. At the gym: the EarFun Air Pro 4 or Soundcore P40i, both rated IPX5. In an open office with two devices: the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, whose multipoint pairing keeps a laptop and a phone connected together. For small ears: the Sony WF-C710N.
iPhone vs Android Features
iPhone uses AAC, so the LDAC and aptX features on the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC, Nothing Ear (3a) and EarFun Air Pro 4 give Android owners an edge. On iPhone, the Beats Solo Buds and any of the ANC pairs all work well; pick on fit and ANC strength, not codecs.
Gifting Earbuds Before Christmas
Earbuds are one of the most searched Black Friday categories, but they also make easy presents. For ideas at lower price points, see our tech gifts under $100, tech gifts under $50 and stocking stuffers for adults. If the recipient mostly watches TV, our best TV headphones for seniors guide covers options built for that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are earbuds under $100 good enough compared with AirPods Pro?
For most listeners, yes. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and Nothing Ear (3a) add ANC, multipoint and LDAC. AirPods Pro still win on iPhone integration and spatial audio, which none of these match.
Do earbuds in this range have noise cancelling?
Five of the six here do. Strength varies: Nothing rates the Ear (3a) at 45 dB hybrid ANC, and RTINGS notes the Sony WF-C710N is weaker in the bass range.
Which earbuds work with both iPhone and Android?
All six pair with both. Android users get extra from LDAC on the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and Nothing Ear (3a); iPhones use AAC, so those codec features do not matter there.
What does IPX4 versus IPX5 mean for workouts?
IPX4 covers splashes, while IPX5 covers water jets, so IPX5 buds like the EarFun Air Pro 4 and Soundcore P40i handle sweat and rain better.
How long do wireless earbuds last before the battery fades?
Manufacturers do not publish a lifespan. Small earbud batteries wear down with charge cycles, so owners commonly notice shorter run times after a couple of years of daily use.
Final Verdict
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the best wireless earbud under $100 for most people because it combines adaptive ANC, LDAC, multipoint and wireless charging. Choose the Nothing Ear (3a) for hybrid noise cancelling, the Sony WF-C710N for a light fit, the EarFun Air Pro 4 for codecs and sweat resistance, and the Soundcore P40i when battery life matters most. The Beats Solo Buds suit people who just want something small and simple.
Sources We Checked
Specs and features in this guide come from these manufacturer pages and independent sources, checked on Oct 19, 2026.
