Upgrading to a better pair of buds doesn’t always require splurging. If you’re looking for a modest, no-frills pair of buds that checks most of the must-haves list, we have a few recommendations for you for $150 or under. The must-haves list can be decent audio, a comfortable fit, intuitive controls, a battery that doesn’t always have you tethered to a socket, and, ideally, noise cancelation if that’s a requirement for you.
As decent budget-friendly picks, we recommend the fairly new Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, which offers excellent ANC, the Google Pixel Buds Pro, which are a great (much cheaper) alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro, and the Beats Studio Buds, which are also a great, Android-friendly option.
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Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE is marketed as a pocket-friendly option and makes for a pretty decent gift. They don’t offer all the bells and whistles you like the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, for instance, but for the price, I think I am okay with that.
Think of these as a no-frills, no-nonsense pair of buds that sound good and won’t cost you an arm and leg. If you don’t have a lot of bucks to spare or want to buy your child their first pair of buds, this is an excellent entry-level product to go for. The ANC is way more impressive than you would expect on a pair of buds this cheap, and the sound isn’t what you’d call bad. They feature simple, intuitive controls and a snug, secure fit. The battery life (30 hours with ANC off and 21 with it on) is slightly better than that of the Galaxy Buds 2 and the Buds 2 Pro, which are more expensive than the FE Buds. It may not feature the kind of sound layering one would expect, but that’s forgivable at this price point. Read More — Dua Rashid
Google Pixel Buds Pro
The Google Pixel Buds Pro sounds better and offers much improved ANC performance over the Apple AirPods Pro. They pair with iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks as easily as any wireless earbuds. But like with AirPods and iPhones, pairing the Pixel Buds Pro with Android devices is a better and more streamlined experience.
Suppose you’re an Android user searching for a new pair of buds. In that case, the Pixel Buds Pro are an excellent choice and offer Google-centric features like instant access to Google Assistant by just saying “Hey, Google” while paired to an Android device without pushing any buttons. I would even recommend them over options like Sony’s WF-1000XM4 wireless earbuds if active noise cancellation is a priority, as the Pixel Buds Pro offers competitive ANC performance while being far more comfortable to wear. Read More — Andrew Liszewski
Beats Studio Buds
The Beats Studio Buds offers an excellent design, fit, and a pretty premium feel. With ANC constantly on, Beats promises five hours in each earbud and another 10 hours in the charging case, resulting in 15 hours of battery life. But if you toggle between ANC and transparency modes, you’ll get closer to eight hours in each bud and up to 24 hours total. That’s on par with AirPods Pro. If your battery is on its last leg as you’re heading out the door, a 5-minute charge will get you an hour of juice.
For $150, the audio quality and active noise cancellation are impressive, and for those who aren’t all in with Apple, the ability to seamlessly set these up with either an iOS or Android device is clutch. Read More — Caitlin McGarry
This list is updated regularly with new recommendations.
