Showing 5 picks — ranked by overall score
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Best Under $100 · Editors' Pick
1
EarFun Air Pro 4
EarFun
9.0
★★★★★
Editors' Score
EarFun Air Pro 4
  • ANC: 50dB adaptive hybrid ANC — CNET Editor's Choice
  • Sound: Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound + aptX Lossless — audiophile-grade
  • Battery: 52 hrs total, 10 hrs per charge with ANC on
  • Codecs: LDAC, aptX Lossless, LE Audio, Bluetooth 5.4
  • Mics: 6 AI mics + CVC 8.0 — best call quality under $100
  • Price: ~$80 — one of the best value audio buys of 2026
The EarFun Air Pro 4 — 'Earfun's flagship earbuds deliver surprisingly good performance and a robust feature set for an affordable budget.' CNET Editor's Choice.— CNET / SoundGuys
If you want the absolute best all-arounder under $100 that feels future-proof, buy the EarFun Air Pro 4.— EditorialGE
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Best all-rounder
Best ANC Under $100
2
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Anker
8.8
★★★★½
Editors' Score
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
  • ANC: 98.5% noise reduction — adaptive to ears and environment
  • Sound: LDAC Hi-Res, 11mm oversized driver
  • Battery: 50 hrs total, wireless charging case
  • Mics: 6 beamforming AI mics — best calls for commuting
  • App: HearID personal sound profile + 22 EQ presets
  • Price: ~$80 — exceptional value for the features
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — you'd be hard-pressed to find earbuds for a Benjamin Franklin that do most tasks the Liberty 4 NC promises.— SoundGuys
For blocking out noise on the commute, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the undisputed king under $100 — Adaptive ANC 2.0 cancels up to 98.5% of noise.— NearHub
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Best for commuting
3
CMF Buds 2 Plus
CMF
8.6
★★★★½
Editors' Score
CMF Buds 2 Plus
  • ANC: 50dB adaptive ANC + Smart Dial case control
  • Sound: 12mm driver + LDAC — Hi-Res audio at budget price
  • Battery: 61.5 hrs total — longest on this list
  • Features: Personalized sound via Audiodo hearing test
  • Price: ~$60 — best budget value on the list
  • Dial: Smart Dial removed from case vs. Buds Pro 2
CMF Buds 2 Plus blew us away with a pleasant sound mix, loads of features, and a price that makes premium earbuds feel overpriced.— TechGearLab
For anyone prioritizing effective noise cancellation and tailored audio at a budget price, the CMF Buds 2 Plus are an outstanding value.— SoundGuys
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Best budget pick
4
Nothing Ear a
Nothing
8.5
★★★★
Editors' Score
Nothing Ear (a) — Yellow
  • Design: Iconic transparent stems — most distinctive look under $100
  • ANC: 45dB adaptive ANC, auto-adjusts to ear canal fit
  • AI: ChatGPT voice integration — unique feature at this price
  • Battery: 42.5 hrs total, fast charge (10 min = 10 hrs)
  • Dual Connect: Two devices simultaneously
  • Price: ~$95 — worth every cent for design and features
The Nothing Ear (a) — distinctive design, strong ANC, clear calls, and striking looks. The 45dB ANC and 42.5-hour total battery make it a compelling choice.— Scarbir
If you just want something that looks cool and works seamlessly, the Nothing Ear (a) is a joy to use. Stop overpaying for brand names.— EditorialGE
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Best design
5
Soundcore Space A40
Soundcore
8.3
★★★★
Editors' Score
Soundcore Space A40
  • ANC: Auto-adjustable ANC — adapts to surroundings automatically
  • Battery: 50 hrs total, 10 hrs per charge — fast 10-min charge
  • Comfort: Lightest Soundcore ANC earbuds — 4.9g per bud
  • Sound: LDAC Hi-Res + double-layer diaphragm drivers
  • Value: RTINGS best-tested earbuds under $100
  • Price: ~$80 — wireless charging case included
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 are the best earbuds under $100 we've tested — jam-packed with active features like adaptive ANC.— RTINGS
The Soundcore Space A40 is our runaway winner for the most balanced package under $100 — comfortable, long-lasting, and with solid ANC.— Smartphones GadgetHacks
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Best RTINGS pick
Buying Guide

Budget Earbuds Buying Guide 2026

What You Get Under $100 in 2026

In 2026, sub-$100 earbuds routinely include: hybrid ANC (50dB), LDAC or aptX Lossless hi-res codecs, 40-60 hours total battery, multipoint connection, 6-mic call quality, and wireless charging cases. The gap between budget and flagship has shrunk dramatically.

ANC at This Price: What to Expect

Budget ANC (EarFun, Soundcore) is excellent for steady low-frequency noise — plane engines, HVAC, traffic. It struggles more with irregular sounds like speech or sudden noises. For daily commuting or office use, it's more than sufficient. For serious plane travel, consider stepping up to $150+.

LDAC vs. AAC: Does It Matter?

iPhone users: AAC is Apple's standard — all five picks here support it, and it's perfectly fine for streaming. Android users: LDAC (EarFun, Soundcore, CMF) and aptX Lossless (EarFun Air Pro 4) deliver noticeably better detail on high-quality streams like Tidal or Apple Music Lossless.

Battery: Per-Charge vs. Total

CMF Buds 2 Plus leads at 61.5 hours total. But per-charge time matters more for daily use. EarFun Air Pro 4 and Liberty 4 NC give 10 hours per charge with ANC on — a full workday. Soundcore Space A40 gives 10 hours per charge. CMF Buds 2 Plus gives 11 hours.

Fit and Comfort: Try Before You Buy

No spec sheet tells you if earbuds will fit your ears. If possible, test at a retail store. Most picks here include 3-5 ear tip sizes. Soundcore Space A40 is specifically praised for comfort by long-session listeners. CMF and Nothing Ear (a) use similar tip designs.

When to Spend More

If you travel by plane frequently, the $199 AirPods Pro 3 or $299 Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen offer noticeably stronger ANC. If you're an audiophile, the $169 Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 delivers a level of sound detail these budget picks can't match.

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