10 Best Of > Retail / Commerce > The best cheap wireless headphones
The market for wireless headphones is booming, offering unparalleled listening freedom.
However, you don't always have to spend a fortune to get good audio quality and optimum comfort.
If your budget is under £100, there are plenty of nuggets out there that combine performance and functionality. We've scoured customer reviews and tests to bring you a selection of the best wireless headphones that won't drain your wallet.
Rank | Make & Model | Customer rating (out of 5) | Price range (€) | Main assets |
1 | EarFun Air Pro 3 | 4.5 (Amazon) | 70-90 | Excellent active noise reduction, balanced sound, autonomy. |
2 | Anker Soundcore Life P3 | 4.4 (Amazon) | 60-80 | Good noise reduction, gaming mode, powerful bass. |
3 | Nothing Ear (stick) | 4.3 (Fnac, Darty) | 90-100 | Unique design, clear sound, light weight, good battery life. |
4 | Jabra Elite 3 | 4.3 (Amazon) | 60-80 | Comfortable, clear calls, good sound quality. |
5 | Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro | 4.2 (Amazon) | 70-90 | Hi-Res sound, effective noise reduction, autonomy, multipoint connection. |
6 | Realme Buds Air 5 Pro | 4.2 (Amazon) | 70-90 | Spatial sound, advanced noise reduction, long battery life. |
7 | JLab Go Air Pop | 4.5 (Amazon) | 25-40 | Ultra-compact, great value for money, decent battery life. |
8 | Soundpeats Mini Pro HS | 4.3 (Amazon) | 50-70 | High-resolution sound, noise reduction, small format. |
9 | Urbanista Lisbon | 4.2 (Amazon) | 40-60 | Ultra-compact, design, varied colours, balanced sound. |
10 | 1MORE ComfoBuds 2 | 4.1 (Amazon) | 35-55 | Lightweight, pleasant sound, long battery life, good value for money. |
EarFun Air Pro 3 stands out as one of the best choices at under £100 thanks to its excellent active noise reduction (ANC) and surprisingly balanced sound quality for its price. They offer good battery life and appreciable comfort for prolonged use. It's a model that combines efficiency and affordability, ideal for isolating ambient noise.
The Anker Soundcore Life P3 are highly regarded for their value for money, offering satisfying noise reduction and particularly powerful bass. They feature a gaming mode for low latency, making them a versatile choice for music, calls and gaming. Their battery life is also a strong point.
With their unmistakable transparent design, Nothing Ear (stick) offer clear, balanced sound, ideal for everyday listening. Their 'stick' format makes them particularly light and comfortable, even after several hours. The battery life is also very good, and they are an excellent choice for those looking for originality.
The Jabra Elite 3 are renowned for their comfort and secure fit in the ear, making them ideal for sports or travel. They offer good sound quality for calls and music, with a strong bass. Their ease of use and durability make them a reliable choice for everyday use.
The Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro impress with the high-resolution audio quality they offer at this price point. Their noise reduction is effective, and they boast solid battery life. The multipoint connection is a practical feature, making it easy to switch between two devices.
The Realme Buds Air 5 Pro stand out for their integrated spatial sound and advanced active noise reduction, features often reserved for higher price ranges. They offer long battery life and good sound quality, making them a very competitive option for budget-conscious audiophiles.
The JLab Go Air Pop are a real surprise, offering exceptional value for money. Ultra-compact and lightweight, they're perfect for those on a tight budget or as spare headphones. Despite their size, they offer decent battery life and surprisingly clear sound for their category, making them accessible to everyone.
Soundpeats Mini Pro HS offer high-resolution sound in a mini format, ideal for discretion and comfort. Their noise reduction is effective for their size, and their compact charging case makes them easy to carry. They're an excellent choice for those who value both audio quality and portability.
Urbanista Lisbon are ultra-compact, lightweight headphones designed to be forgotten. Their colourful, minimalist design makes them a fashion accessory. They offer balanced sound and good battery life, perfect for listening on the move and those looking for a discreet, comfortable fit.
The 1MORE ComfoBuds 2 are appreciated for their lightness and comfort, offering a pleasant listening experience over long periods. They deliver clear, pleasant sound, with good battery life. Their excellent value for money makes them a solid option for those looking for reliable, affordable headphones.
Absolutely! The market for wireless headphones has become very competitive, and many brands are now offering models with excellent audio quality, good battery life and interesting features (such as active noise reduction) for less than £100. You don't necessarily have to spend a fortune to get a good product.
At under £100, you can expect very decent audio quality, with a generally balanced sound and present bass. Some models even boast clear, detailed sound. Of course, they won't compete with top-of-the-range headphones, but they'll be more than good enough for most everyday uses (music, podcasts, calls).
Yes, many sub-£100 models incorporate active noise reduction, which can be surprisingly effective. Although it's not always as effective as on premium headphones, it's sufficient to attenuate constant background noise (public transport, office noise) and significantly improve the listening experience.
Most wireless headphones under £100 offer 5-8 hours of battery life on a single charge, and the charging case allows the headphones to be recharged several times, extending the total battery life to 20-30 hours. That's more than enough for everyday use and even for longer journeys.
Comfort is very subjective, but many models in this price range are designed to be comfortable, even over long periods. Manufacturers often offer different sizes of ear tips for a personalised fit. Stick models are generally lighter and less intrusive.
Some wireless headphones costing less than £100 are suitable for sports. Look for models with waterproof certification (IPX4 or higher), a good fit in the ear (sometimes with fins or hooks) and sweat resistance. Brands like Jabra or EarFun offer reliable options for physical activity.
Call quality can vary. The best models under £100 incorporate microphones with ambient noise reduction for clearer calls. However, in very noisy environments, performance may be limited. For occasional use, most headphones will do.
Despite their affordable price, these headphones can offer some interesting features: transparency mode (so you can hear your surroundings), multipoint connection (so you can switch between two devices), gaming mode (low latency), customisable touch controls, and dedicated applications for adjusting the equaliser or settings.
A dedicated application (such as Soundcore for Anker, or the Xiaomi app) can often be used to personalise the listening experience: adjust the sound equaliser, update the headphones' firmware, customise the touch controls, or activate/deactivate specific modes such as ANC or gaming mode. It's a great way to fine-tune your settings.
To prolong the life of your earphones, clean the tips and grille regularly to prevent wax build-up. Keep them in their charging case when not in use. Avoid exposure to excessive humidity and extreme temperatures. Charge them regularly, but avoid leaving them plugged in all the time.
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