You do not need to spend 300 dollars to get good wireless earbuds. A few years ago, features like noise cancelling, a good app, and all-day comfort were only on expensive models. Today, you can find them for much less.
But the choice is big, and many product pages sound the same. Some earbuds have great noise cancelling but weak battery life. Some sound great but only work well with one phone brand. That is why we made this guide.
Below, you will find 7 earbuds that cost 200 dollars or less. For each one, we explain the price, the battery, the sound, and the small problems you should know about before you buy.
A quick note on prices: The prices in this guide are the normal prices in the United States around 2024. Sales are common, so check the current price before you buy.
How We Chose These Earbuds
We did not pick earbuds by name or by brand. We read and compared expert reviews from trusted tech sites such as Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?, SoundGuys, Reviewed, and Engadget. We looked at what many reviewers agreed on, and we also noted when they disagreed.
We used these simple questions:
- Is the price 200 dollars or less?
- Is the sound good for the money?
- Does the noise cancelling work well?
- Is the battery life fair in real use, not only on the box?
- Are the earbuds comfortable and easy to use?
Quick Comparison Table
| Earbuds | Price (US) | Battery per charge | Total with case | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing Ear (2024) | $149 | About 8.5 hours (ANC off) | About 40 hours (ANC off) | Sound and customizing |
| Nothing Ear (a) | $99 | Check maker’s page | Check maker’s page | Best value |
| Sony LinkBuds S | $199 | 6 hours (ANC on) | 20 hours | Small, light, comfy fit |
| Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | $99.99 | Up to 10 hours | Up to about 50 hours | Long battery on a small budget |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds FE | $99 | 6 hours (ANC on) | 21 hours (ANC on) | Samsung phone owners |
| Jabra Elite 4 Active | About $120 | 7 hours | 28 hours | Workouts |
| Google Pixel Buds Pro | $199 | 7 hours (ANC on) | 20 hours (ANC on) | Pixel and Android users |
Battery numbers come from the makers and reviewers. Your own results can be a little lower or higher, depending on volume and noise cancelling.
1. Nothing Ear (2024): Best for Sound and Features
Price: $149
The Nothing Ear (2024) is the model many reviewers liked most in this price range. It keeps the clear, see-through look that Nothing is known for, and it adds some real improvements over the older Ear (2).
Tom’s Guide reports that the noise cancelling is about 1.8 times stronger than the Ear (2), with up to 45 dB of noise reduction. Battery life is also about 25% longer. All of this comes at the same price as before.
The sound is fun and full of detail, and the Nothing X app lets you change the sound to your taste. You can pick from four noise control levels: High, Mid, Low, and Adaptive.
What we like
- Strong sound for 149 dollars
- A very good app with many settings
- Comfortable and small
What to know
- Expert Reviews noticed that the sound changes when you turn noise cancelling on, because the bass gets stronger. This makes it hard to judge how well the noise cancelling really works.
- Digit.in found the noise cancelling to be one of the few weak points.
- Battery life is good but not the best. With noise cancelling on, it drops a lot.
Good for: People who care about sound and like to adjust settings in an app.
2. Nothing Ear (a): Best Value
Price: $99
The Ear (a) came out in April 2024 together with the Ear above. It costs 50 dollars less. That is a big saving, and you still get most of the good parts.
TechRadar describes the sound as expressive and the noise cancelling as a big step up from earlier Nothing models. The Guardian also liked the mix of good sound, noise cancelling, and a low price. The yellow version is easy to spot, and the small case fits in a pocket easily.
What we like
- Very low price for what you get
- Good sound and useful noise cancelling
- Fun design that stands out
What to know
- It has fewer sound settings than the more expensive Ear.
- The bright design is not for everyone, but other colors are available.
Good for: Anyone who wants good earbuds without spending much. You will also have 100 dollars left from your budget.
3. Sony LinkBuds S: Best for a Light, Comfortable Fit
Price: $199
Sony LinkBuds S are some of the smallest and lightest noise cancelling earbuds you can buy. Reviewers often say you can forget you are wearing them, which is great if you listen for many hours a day.
They use Sony’s adaptive noise cancelling. This means they can switch between noise cancelling and transparency mode when you move, for example when you stand up and walk. They also support LDAC for better sound quality on Android phones and have 360 Reality Audio.
What we like
- Very light and comfortable
- Smart features, including automatic mode changes
- Good call quality, according to several reviewers
What to know
- Sony says the battery lasts 6 hours with noise cancelling on, 9 hours with it off, and 20 hours in total with the case. Reviewed tested them for a little over 6.5 hours with noise cancelling on, so the claim is fair.
- Reviewers do not agree on the noise cancelling. Inverse and Tech Advisor were happy with it, while Tom’s Guide called it only average.
- TechRadar found the sound a little lacking in energy for the price.
- The price is at the top of our budget. These earbuds came out in 2022, so you may find them for less.
Good for: People who want comfort first and plan to wear earbuds all day.
4. Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: Best Battery for the Money
Price: $99.99
Soundcore is Anker’s audio brand, and it is known for making good earbuds at low prices. The Liberty 4 NC is one of its best.
These earbuds last up to 10 hours on one charge, and the case adds a lot more. Soundcore says the total can reach about 50 hours. Tech Advisor tested the earbuds and got about 9.5 hours, which is very close to the claim. Trusted Reviews, however, found the battery fell a little short in its own test, so expect slightly less than the box says.
You also get adaptive noise cancelling, six microphones for calls, wireless charging, and an IPX4 water resistance rating. Reviewed said these set a new standard for earbuds under 100 dollars.
What we like
- Excellent battery life
- Good noise cancelling for the price
- Wireless charging and a good app
What to know
- They are not built for hard workouts.
- Real battery life can be a bit lower than the claim.
Good for: Travelers and commuters who do not want to charge often.
5. Samsung Galaxy Buds FE: Best for Samsung Phone Owners
Price: $99
The Galaxy Buds FE are the cheapest earbuds in Samsung’s Galaxy Buds range, but Samsung did not remove noise cancelling. Several reviewers, including TechRadar, SamMobile, and Gizmodo, said the noise cancelling is better than they expected at this price.
The fit is secure thanks to a small wing on each bud. Battery life is 6 hours with noise cancelling on and 8.5 hours with it off. With the case, you get about 21 hours with noise cancelling on and 30 hours with it off.
What we like
- Very good noise cancelling for 99 dollars
- Secure, comfortable fit
- Works smoothly with Samsung phones
What to know
- The sound is fine but not special. Stuff and SamMobile both say these are not for people who want the best sound.
- No wireless charging.
- Some features only work with a Samsung phone.
Good for: Galaxy phone owners who want a simple pair with strong noise cancelling.
6. Jabra Elite 4 Active: Best for Workouts
Price: About $120
If you run, go to the gym, or work outside, this is a smart pick. The Jabra Elite 4 Active has an IP57 rating. That means it can handle sweat, dust, and even a short time in water. This is rare in this price range. Jabra also gives a 2-year warranty against water and dust damage when you register the earbuds.
Battery life is 7 hours on one charge and 28 hours with the case. SoundGuys tested the battery with noise cancelling on and got 7 hours and 17 minutes. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX and have four microphones for calls.
What we like
- Strong water and dust protection
- Good battery life for the price
- Small, light, and comfortable
What to know
- Notebookcheck found the sound a little unbalanced, and bass lovers may want more.
- The noise cancelling is decent, not great.
- The design is simple compared with newer models.
Good for: Active people who need earbuds that can take a beating.
7. Google Pixel Buds Pro: Best for Pixel and Android Users
Price: $199
The Pixel Buds Pro were Google’s first earbuds with active noise cancelling. According to Tom’s Guide, they have strong noise cancelling and give you more playtime with it on than the AirPods Pro. They also support Bluetooth multipoint, so you can connect to two devices at the same time, and they charge wirelessly.
Battery life is 7 hours with noise cancelling on and 11 hours with it off. The case adds enough for about 20 hours (noise cancelling on) or 31 hours (off). Android Authority tested them and got a little over 7 hours with noise cancelling on, which matches the claim.
What we like
- Strong noise cancelling
- Above-average battery life
- Multipoint and wireless charging
What to know
- TechRadar said the sound needs some work, and that the buds are best for Pixel phone owners.
- At 199 dollars, they cost more than several rivals that offer similar features.
Good for: People with a Pixel phone who want smooth connections and good noise cancelling.
What to Look for Before You Buy
A long list of specs can be confusing. These are the points that matter most.
Noise cancelling (ANC). This feature uses small microphones to block outside noise. It works best on steady sounds, like a bus engine or a fan. It works less well on sudden sounds, like voices. If you travel often, choose earbuds with strong ANC, such as the Galaxy Buds FE or the Pixel Buds Pro.
Battery life. Look at two numbers: the hours per charge, and the total hours with the case. Also check whether the number is for ANC on or off. Many earbuds last 2 to 3 hours longer with ANC off.
Fit and comfort. The best earbuds on paper are useless if they hurt your ears. Try different ear tip sizes. Most brands include several.
Water resistance. An IPX4 rating protects against splashes and light sweat. An IP57 rating, like the one on the Jabra Elite 4 Active, offers much more protection.
Your phone. Some earbuds work best with certain phones. The Galaxy Buds FE and Pixel Buds Pro are good examples. Sony’s LDAC is useful on Android phones, but iPhones do not support it.
Call quality. If you take many calls, look for earbuds with four or more microphones, like the Jabra Elite 4 Active or the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.
Extra features. Multipoint lets you connect to two devices at once. Wireless charging is nice to have. A good app lets you change the sound and the controls.
Which Pair Should You Choose?
If you are still not sure, use this short list:
- Best sound and settings: Nothing Ear (2024)
- Best price: Nothing Ear (a) or Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
- Longest battery life: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC
- Best for workouts: Jabra Elite 4 Active
- Most comfortable: Sony LinkBuds S
- Best for Pixel phones: Google Pixel Buds Pro
- Best for Samsung phones: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
One more idea: the EarFun Air Pro 3 costs about 79 dollars and also has noise cancelling and multipoint. SoundGuys found its ANC weak, but Tom’s Guide liked it for the price, so it may suit a very tight budget.
Final Thoughts
There is no single best pair for everyone. The right choice depends on your phone, your habits, and what you care about most.
If you want the best mix of price and quality, start with the Nothing Ear (a) or the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. If you have a Samsung or Pixel phone, the Galaxy Buds FE or the Pixel Buds Pro will work smoothly with it. If you work out a lot, the Jabra Elite 4 Active is built for it. And if comfort comes first, try the Sony LinkBuds S.
Whatever you choose, check the current price, read the return policy, and test the fit in the first few days. A pair that feels good in your ears is the one you will actually use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wireless earbuds under 200 dollars worth buying?
Yes, for most people. Earbuds in this price range now have features that used to cost much more, such as active noise cancelling, multipoint, wireless charging, and good apps. The top models still sound a little better and cancel more noise, but the gap is smaller than before. Unless you are very picky about sound, you will probably be happy with a pair under 200 dollars.
Which earbuds under 200 dollars have the best noise cancelling?
Reviewers often praise the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE for its noise cancelling at 99 dollars, and the Google Pixel Buds Pro for strong results at 199 dollars. The Nothing Ear (2024) claims up to 45 dB, but some reviewers found it less impressive in real use. Noise cancelling also depends on how well the earbuds fit in your ears, so choose the right ear tip size.
How long should the battery of wireless earbuds last?
Most earbuds in this price range last between 6 and 10 hours per charge. With the charging case, the total is usually between 20 and 50 hours. Turning noise cancelling on makes the battery run out faster. For daily use, 6 hours or more per charge is a good target. If you want to charge less often, the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is a strong choice.
