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Top 10 Best Sound Quality Earbuds For The Budget 2023 Reviews

In a relatively short period, earbuds have become the most common and convenient way people listen to music in this day and age. Not long ago, earbuds were considered to be a poor choice when seeking out the best sound quality. But with improved technology and Bluetooth capabilities, earbuds can now stand shoulder to shoulder with traditional over-the-ear headphones.

However, with this rapid pace of technological development, the options out there are endless. From wired to wireless to true wireless, there is an earbud out there to suit everyone’s needs.

Trying to wade through what makes the best sound quality earbuds can be difficult. That is why we put together this list of what we consider to be the best to help you make the most informed purchase.

Top 10 Best Sound Quality Earbuds For The Budget 2023 Reviews

Top 10 Best Sound Quality Earbuds To Buy 2023 Reviews


1 Bose SoundSport Free

The first earbuds on our list come from a world-renowned brand when it comes to sound equipment.

The Bose SoundSport Free earbuds are truly wireless, meaning that aside from the fact they are Bluetooth operated, they are not connected to each other by a wire, leaving you with complete freedom of movement.

Do you need your earbuds to endure a heavy workout?

Don’t sweat it. These earbuds are sweat and weather resistant, so bring them to the gym or on a run in the rain without worrying about damaging them.

You can use them for up to 5 hours of play time with each charge, and the included charging case offers an additional 10 hours. So even if you are on an international flight you, these earbuds will be with you the whole way.

Worried that you are going to lose these because of the size?

You can track lost earbuds with the Bose Connect App’s “Find My Buds” feature. Incredibly handy for those of us who a little absent-minded.

And these aren’t just for athletes…

SoundSport Free headphones have an integrated dual microphone located on the right earbud so, you can take and make calls on the go with any device that is Bluetooth compatible. This makes them one of the Best Sound Quality Earbuds with Microphone currently available.


Bose SoundSport Free

Our rating:3.8 out of 5 stars (3.8 / 5)

Pros

  • Truly wireless.
  • Five hours of play time.
  • “Track My Buds” feature.
  • Integrated microphone.

Cons

  • Pricey.
  • Some users report Bluetooth instability.

2 Powerbeats Pro

Are you looking to take your music experience to the next level when it comes to performance? Then look no further than the Powerbeats Pro.

These earbuds from Beats by Dre are some of the best sound quality earbuds under 300 dollars that you can find. With superior sound quality, you have come to expect from beats; these are hard to beat.

Are you a serious athlete that needs earbuds that can endure like you do?

The Powerbeats boast an incredible 9 hours of play time with a single charge. With these, you can run a marathon while listening to a marathon of your favorite tunes. The included charging case offers a whopping 24 hours of play time.

You are fully in control of these earbuds. You can control the volume and tracks on either earbud, so you can use whichever hand you have free. They also have voice capability and play/pause controls that can be utilized for your music and for phone calls.

But we haven’t even gotten to the best part yet…

The Powerbeats Pro possesses a powerful and balanced sound with a dynamic range that is made possible by noise isolation technology. While not fully noise canceling, these earbuds place a seal in your ear that blocks out ambient sounds so you can hear more of your music.


Powerbeats Pro

Our rating:4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

Pros

  • Noise isolating.
  • Over the ear hooks.
  • 9 hour play time from a single charge.
  • Dual controls.

Cons

  • Pricey.
  • Case is a bit large.

3 Logitech Sweat & Waterproof Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless Sport Headphones

Do you love the freedom that wireless earbuds offer, but worried about the possibility of losing one or both of them? Then the Logitech Jaybird Tarah Pro might be the ones for you.

While still wireless, in the sense that they connect to your device over Bluetooth, these Logitech earbuds still connect to each other with a single cord that drapes over the back of the neck. This makes them harder to lose if one of them falls out while you are moving around.

Goes the distance…

A single full charge offers you an incredible 14 hours of play time. These are ideal for long trips by land or air. A simple 5-minute charge gives you an immediate hour and a half of play time. So if your battery is low, and you need music now, these earbuds have you covered.

Unique switch fit technology allows you to rotate the silicone ear gel up to rest over your ear for a secure fit or rotate it down for more relaxed situations.

Exactly the way you like it…

These earbuds allow you to completely customize your listening experience. They are compatible with the Jaybird app so you can adjust your EQ settings to get the best sound experience right to your ears.


Logitech Sweat & Waterproof Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless Sport Headphones

Our rating:4.2 out of 5 stars (4.2 / 5)

Pros

  • Adjustable ear hook.
  • Sweat and waterproof.
  • Fourteen hours of play time.
  • Fast-charging battery.

Cons

  • Not truly wireless.
  • Pricey.

4 Soundcore Spirit X

If you are looking for high-performance earbuds without having to break the bank, then give the Soundcore Spirit X some serious consideration. They are some of the best under 50 dollar sound quality earbuds you can find.

Oversized drivers fuel high-quality sound with powerful bass, which is intensified by a Soundcore’s patented BassUp technology.

Quick as a flash re-charging…

A high-capacity battery coupled with a low power consumption chipset provides up to 18 hours of non-stop listening. If you’re in a rush and need juice quickly, plug them in for only 10 minutes and get up to 3 hours of play time!

Listening to music on your laptop, but need to make a call? You can connect two devices at once with the newest Bluetooth 5.0 and switch between the two with ease.

These earbuds come with ear hooks that can be adjusted to comfortably grip any ear shape and stay securely in position no matter what activity you are partaking in.

What’s in the box?

In addition to ear tips in multiple sizes, the Spirit X earbuds come with a travel pouch and carabiner for safe and secure storage.


Soundcore Spirit X

Our rating:4.2 out of 5 stars (4.2 / 5)

Pros

  • Affordable.
  • BassUp technology.
  • Eighteen hours of play time.
  • Dual Bluetooth connectivity.
  • Adjustable ear hooks.

Cons

  • Not truly wireless.
  • Somewhat uncomfortable.

5 Jabra Elite Active 65t Earbuds

Up next in our review are the Jabra Elite Active Earbuds. These are another pair of true wireless earbuds that are made for the individual with an active lifestyle. Whatever your activity, these won’t get in the way of enjoying sports, music, and calls. If you need to have an open ear, you are free to use only one at a time, as well.

Worried about unstable audio when it comes to Bluetooth connectivity??

With Jabra’s true wireless stability, you can take a call and listen to your favorite music without audio dropouts. And with up to 5 hours of play time on a single charge. And up to 15 hours in total when placed inside the charging case that fits easily into your pocket, you will be able to have your music going from sunup to sundown.

These earbuds are also compatible with Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. Simply tap the side of the buds and speak to activate the specific voice assistant on your device.

Superb for the gym…

These earbuds are IP56 rated with a 2-year warranty that offers protection against sweat and dust. So if the elements mess with the quality in any way, you can replace them worry-free.


Jabra Elite Active 65t Earbuds

Our rating:3.6 out of 5 stars (3.6 / 5)

Pros

  • Sleek and discrete.
  • No audio dropout.
  • Pocket-friendly charging case.
  • Voice assistant compatible.
  • 2-year warranty.

Cons

  • Small.
  • Relatively short battery life.
  • Users report poor microphone quality.

6 Apple AirPods With Charging Case

Next on our list are the earbuds that have completely changed the game when it comes to true wireless technology. Likely the most popular earbuds in the world today, the Apple AirPods combine top of the line sound quality with the ease of use we have all come to expect from Apple. And rightly deserve the honor of being the best iPhone sound quality earbuds.

Comfortable dynamic quality…

In true wireless style, these earbuds rest easily within the ear without needing that extra shove into the ear canal like some other popular brands. Combined with exceptional battery life, these earbuds offer over 24 hours of comfort and dynamic quality.

Each earbud is able to be fully customized in your phone settings. Control the volume on the left, and the tracks with the right or switch it up. Whatever works for you works for your AirPods. They also come with dual microphone technology. So if you only feel like rocking one earbud for the day, you can take and make calls either way.

Intelligent technology…

The technology within them is also a sight to behold. We have all been approached by another person who needs our attention while we have our earbuds in. Built-in optical sensors cut the music when you take one of them out so you can easily hop out of your music and into a conversation when necessary.


Apple AirPods With Charging Case

Our rating:4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)

Pros

  • Superior battery life.
  • Easy to use.
  • Customizable controls.
  • Optical sensors.
  • Dual microphones.

Cons

  • Not very discreet.
  • Pricey.

7 Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Earbuds

The next earbuds on our list offer superior performance and quality with a small and subtle design.

The Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Earbuds are not like others. Weighing in at only 4.6g each and with a choice of silicone and memory foam earphone tips provided, these are designed to deliver a great ear fit that with both comfort and improved sound quality.

Thirty-six hours of musical pleasure!t

With a single charge, these earbuds provide up to 9 hours of playtime. But if that’s not enough, the included charging case can hold a total of 4 complete charges on a single charge of its own. That means you are looking at a full day and a half of listening ability without ever having to plug in!

These earbuds come equipped with advanced micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphones. Coupled with the latest version of Qualcomm’s Clear Voice Capture (cVc) active noise-canceling technology, you can take and make phone calls without the distraction of background noise.

Customize to taste…

These might be small, but they offer the same features and controls as other top of the line earbuds. You are able to fully customize your controls so you can pump up the volume, skip the track, and pause your music all with the touch of a finger.


Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Earbuds

Our rating:4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Pros

  • Lightweight and discreet.
  • Customizable controls.
  • Noise cancelling.
  • Thirty-six hours of play time.

Cons

  • Potentially easy to lose.
  • Complicated controls.

8 Sony MDR-XB50AP

Maybe true wireless and wireless isn’t your style. Sometimes, the stability and dependability of headphones that plug directly into your device can be a lot more appealing. If this sounds like you, then the Sony MDR-XB50AP earbuds might be the ones for you.

Uniquely designed drivers with neodymium magnets provide a deep bass that gives your music that authentic concert feel, that you won’t be able to resist tapping your feet to. A tight seal provides sound isolation, which also helps to amplify the bass.

Fits like a glove…

The integrated microphone and multifunction control button is separate from the in-ear portion and makes for a great pairing with your smartphone. These also include small, medium, and large earbud attachments. These earbuds will work for anyone’s ear size and desired comfort level.

We all know the worst part of corded headphones is the obnoxious and time-consuming tangles that you have to undo. But not with these! The 1.2 m flat cord reduces tangles so you can spend more time with your music and less time undoing knots. A convenient carry pouch is also included so you can store them safely and securely.


Sony MDR-XB50AP

Our rating:4.2 out of 5 stars (4.2 / 5)

Pros

  • High-quality bass.
  • Integrated microphone and control button.
  • Flat cord reduces tangles.
  • Affordable.

Cons

  • Corded.
  • Unable to control volume.
  • Uncomfortable for long periods of time.

9 Betron BS10 Earphones

Coming up next on our list are a great budget pair that possess much of the same bass ability and sleek style as the others we have already reviewed.

Great at any volume…

The Betron BS10 Earphones come equipped with built-in 12mm neodymium drivers. They help create a powerful musical performance by highlighting the bass and tonality of each song. You won’t have to compromise sound quality when you turn your volume down.

While they might be cheaper than most great earbuds, they still possess impressive noise isolation technology by creating a seal with the ear tips that go inside your ear canal, which block out ambient noise in your surroundings. This makes them one of the best under 30 dollar sound quality earbuds you can find.

Do you have smaller ears? Bigger ears? No worries…

These earbuds come with small, medium, and large ear tip sizes. This allows you to figure out exactly, which will fit for maximum comfort and sound performance.

They connect to your device using a 3.5mm gold plated connector so you won’t have to worry about the sound cutting out as it can sometimes do with Bluetooth connections. Plus, you are less likely to misplace them.

Still worried about potentially losing them?

They come with a convenient carrying pouch that keeps them protected while keeping you looking stylish.


Betron BS10 Earphones

Our rating:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)

Pros

  • Noise isolating.
  • Neodymium drivers.
  • Affordable.
  • Different size ear tips.

Cons

  • No volume or track control.
  • Below average sound quality.

10 Soundcore Anker Liberty Air True-Wireless Earphones

Finally, on our list, we have one last pair of true wireless earbuds that are sure to warrant a second look.

The Soundcore Anker Liberty Earphones boast graphene-coated drivers that eliminate sound distortion while providing accurate and clear sound. Highs, mids, and bass are all fully optimized to deliver high-quality performance.

Play your favorite tunes all day long…

Anker’s specialized charging technology, coupled with a new-generation Bluetooth chipset, guarantees highly efficient battery usage. You will be able to get 5 hours of play time on a single charge that is boosted to 20 hours with the included charging case.

These true wireless earbuds come built-in with Bluetooth 5.0, the latest and greatest Bluetooth technology. This fine-tuned technology ensures you will have an extremely stable connection without worrying about your music skipping around. This makes them some of the best sound quality running earbuds.

Crystal clear calling…

Touch pads with specific touch commands in these earbuds allow you to answer calls, activate voice commands as well as play, pause, and skip music, all with the simple tap of your finger. These earbuds also have dual noise cancelling microphones. So you can take and make calls with a clear voice and eliminate background noise.

Anker also offers an 18-month warranty that protects against any manufacturing issues. So try and buy risk free!


Soundcore Anker Liberty Air True-Wireless Earphones

Our rating:3.3 out of 5 stars (3.3 / 5)

Pros

  • True wireless.
  • Dual microphone.
  • Discreet touchpads.
  • Included charging case.
  • Noise cancelling.

Cons

  • Bulky
  • Somewhat difficult controls.

Best Sound Quality Earbuds Buyer’s Guide

With nearly everyone owning a smartphone, we are always listening to music. Whether on your morning commute, an international flight, or a serious workout, you need a pair of headphones that are going to fit your needs and provide high-quality sound and performance.

There is an ever-expanding and improving market when it comes to the best sound quality earbuds. Therefore, choosing the right one for you can be a bit daunting, so we have created this convenient buyer’s guide for you to sift through and consider before making your final decision.

Wired or Wireless?

Everyone has a preference, and there are a few options to consider depending on your daily activity.

True wireless is the most popular option right now. This means that not only is there no wired connection to your device, but there is also no wire linking the two earbuds together. This allows for complete freedom of movement with contemporary style. These are great for heavy workouts where you need to move around rapidly and forcefully.

best sound quality earbuds

But they are also great for just walking around without worrying about getting caught on a doorknob.

Wireless earbuds are also free of a wired connection to your device, but they are still linked to one another. These are great options for workouts as well as they offer ample freedom of movement. They also help prevent misplacing them since you can take them out and drape them around your neck when you aren’t listening instead of holding two small pieces in your hand.

Wired earbuds are less popular nowadays, but you know you can depend on a stable connection that doesn’t cut out. They also make it a lot less likely that you will misplace them since they are connected directly to your device.

Driver Size

When trying to find the best sounding quality earbuds, driver size is important. The larger the driver, the more powerful and clearer the sound tends to be, especially in the bass and high frequencies. Most are between 8mm and 10mm, but there are several which offer up to 12mms.

However, the sound quality is fairly subjective since the genres you listen to will respond better to different drivers. If you’re after bass heavy music, then large drivers will be what you want to look for. However, if you listen to podcasts or make a lot of phone calls with your earbuds, then you will need a set where the mid-range is clear and optimized.

Comfort

Earbuds create a listening experience like no other in the sense that they go directly into your ears as opposed to over them. But this can cause discomfort to your ears after a while, so comfort should be carefully considered before making a decision.

Start with the tip material since this is the part you will be sticking directly in your ear. The materials should be flexible and made of a material that isn’t going to rub your skin the wrong way. You will find tips that are made from memory foams, rubber, plastic, and silicone. All of these are great options and are relative to the listener’s preference.

sound quality earbuds

You should also consider the design of the tip itself. Ergonomic designs are key for comfort and reduce the risk of damaging your ears over time. Of course, no two ear canals are created equal, and as such, a lot of manufacturers include a few different sized tips to choose from. This is a great option to help ensure the best fit and performance.

Water Resistance

Many people enjoy walking around a town or city listening to music, and since you are outside, you are subject to all the elements that come with it. If you are somewhere you can get caught in a sudden rainstorm; you will certainly want a pair of earbuds that won’t get destroyed with a little rain.

Let’s face it; some of us are more sweaty than others. Much of that sweat comes off our heads as well and can find a home in the deep canals of our ear. Having waterproof or water-resistant earbuds can ensure they can endure as much as you do.

Controls & Microphones

A good quality pair of earbuds should also help make your life a bit easier. Freedom from wires should also mean freedom from having to pull out your device to skip or pause a song.

Many earbuds offer controls on a separate piece along the wires or, if true wireless, directly on the earbud itself. This is great when you are focused on a great workout or hitting your stride on your walk to work and don’t want to distract yourself by pulling out your device

Many of us also depend on our earbuds to take and make phone calls and need high-quality sound for that as well. Some of the best earbuds will have dual microphone technology that allows you to use only one bud at a time. Beyond that, finding a pair with noise cancelling technology can help to ensure a clear phone call without interruptions.

More Options

You are probably quite impressed with what we’ve included; they are, after all, the best of the best. But, maybe you still haven’t found exactly what you’re looking for? If that’s the case, it’s well worth checking out our in-depth reviews of the Best Bass Earbuds, the Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds, the Best Earbuds under 50 Dollars and the Best Headphones for Sleeping currently available.

So, What Are The Best Sound Quality Earbuds?

We hope you were able to make an informed and confident decision about your next pair of earbuds. But we realize there are so many things to consider and you might still be a bit lost. If so, we wanted to offer you our pick for the best of the sound quality earbuds reviewed.

You simply cannot go wrong with the…

They are likely the most popular earbuds today, and for a good reason. Sound quality, style, comfort, and battery life come together to create an exceptional pair of earbuds. They might be a little steep in price, but you will be left with an immersive and long-lasting listening experience.

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