Earbuds can be a good alternative to headphones if you cannot stand the feeling of something covering your ears, but Bluetooth earbuds can be more convenient without you needing to empty your wallet.
This buying guide can tell you nearly everything you need to know to find the best Bluetooth earbuds under 50 dollars for you as well as some of the best ones that you can get right now.
Buying Guide
How to choose the best Bluetooth earbuds under 50.
Bluetooth connection type
If you are not buying a used pair, then you can expect that nearly every pair of earbuds you will find, whether on or off this list, will have a Bluetooth 5.0 connection.
If you do not know what that means, to put it simply, every few years, there is a newer version of Bluetooth that is released. Usually, each updated version has a faster and more reliable connection than the one before.
For example, a 5.0 connection can last even at a distance of several dozen feet while a 4.0 connection may not (depending on the circumstances and device quality).
You will have to make sure that the device that you have, your phone, mp3 player, laptop, exc., has the same Bluetooth connection with the earbuds you are looking at. If it does not, the earbuds will not be able to connect with the device.
Driver size
If you have ever broken or seen the inside of a pair of earbuds, the driver is the metal rings that are on the inside of the earbuds. The driver size for a set of earphones is usually between 8mm and 15mm.
You may have heard that the larger the driver, the better the earbuds or headphones, but this is inaccurate. According to those at Make Tech Easier.com, the two things a driver has an effect on are the volume and sound quality.
Earbuds with large drivers can be louder than those with small drivers, but the sound quality can tend to go down as the driver size gets larger, but this is not always the case. At the same time, smaller drivers can have higher sound qualities, especially when it comes to the treble of the sound.
If you are looking for earbuds that are more likely to have better sound quality, the general rule of thumb is to find one with a smaller-sized driver; around 8mm.
Battery life
The battery life can be shorter depending on the volume you are using, buy most earbuds will say the minimum battery life (at high volumes) and the maximum battery life (at low volumes). Usually, most Bluetooth earbuds will have a battery life between 3 and 9 hours.
Charging time
Many of the newer Bluetooth earbuds under 50 come with cases that have an internal battery that can be charged separately or with the earbuds. Because of this, the earbuds and/or case only need charging every few days or so, depending on how often or long you use them for.
The average case can hold between 1 to 10 full charges for the earbuds, meaning you could have between 6 to 90 hours of battery life before you need to charge the earbuds and case.
Waterproof
If you plan on using these for working out or you think they will get wet occasionally or often, you may want to get a special waterproof pair of earbuds. Some waterproof coatings are thin enough to handle a few minutes of water contact while others can be completely submerged for up to half an hour before they can be damaged.
What are the advantages of Bluetooth earbuds?
Because they use less power, earbuds can last many times longer than headphones, and they are less confining because they are wireless. They can also still be used to make phone calls, record audio, and stay firmly in your ear while you are being physically active.
Things to look for that differentiate these products.
Other than the features above, one of the main things you may want to look at is the design of the earbuds. Some have rubber pieces that go completely in your ear for better noise cancellation, like earplugs, while others simply rest in the ear so you can still hear what is going on around you, like AirPods.
Some people can use both, but many find they like only one of these designs because they find the other too tight or too loose on/in the ear.
What is the best way to use Bluetooth earbuds?
You should try to clean them on a regular basis, depending on how often you use them. Cotton swabs are a good way to get into the smaller pieces of the earbud without using too much force to clean them.
You should also try to keep them in the case at all times since they are quite small and easy to lose.
Wireless vs True/truly Wireless.
True wireless earbuds (aka truly wireless) have no cables whatsoever while wireless earbuds use a cable to charge the headphones and/or the case.
Some people like true wireless earbuds more because of the fact that you do not need to worry about damaging and replacing a charging cable. Others prefer wireless earbuds because USB chargers can be more popular and easier to find, depending on where you live.
Top 9 best Bluetooth earbuds under 50 dollars
#1
These earbuds are possibly the most popular on this list, and that might be because they are one of the few that are available in more than 3 colors. They can come in black, blue (navy), grey, white, and khaki.
The earbuds themselves can last around 3.5 hours, depending on the volume you use, and the case can hold an extra 9 hours of playtime. This set is also a true wireless model, meaning you will have to get a wireless charger if you do not have one already.
The sound quality is a bit above average, possibly from the 8mm driver, and the noise cancellation is just as good. However, the connection can be a bit difficult since it can randomly cut out or completely disconnect.
4.3 of 5 Stars
Pros
Cons
#2
Unlike the last set, these earbuds are wireless and truly wireless. The case has a micro USB charging port so that you can use a regular charging cable, but it can also be charged through a wireless charger. They can also come in either white or black.
The earbuds can last between 5 to 7 hours on a single charge, and with the case, a full charge can last up to 90 hours. This is also a waterproof model, and it has built-in touch controls that you can use to control your music and/or phone calls.
One of the more rare features this set has a USB port on the side of the case that you can use to charge your phone or another device that uses a USB charger. It may not hold enough battery power to fully charge the device, but it can give it a few extra minutes to an hour of battery life.
4.2 of 5 Stars
Pros
Cons
#3
Another truly wireless set, these earbuds are only available in black and are connected through Bluetooth 5.0. Compared to some of the other models, connecting them can take a little longer, but it can be more reliable.
They can last up to 4 hours on a single charge and up to 14 hours with the case, depending on the level of volume you are using. They are also waterproof but just enough so that rain and sweat cannot damage them.
The sound quality for this set is one of the best, being equally powerful in bass and treble regardless of the volume level. The biggest downside is that you need to keep the case with you in order for them to stay on and not fall asleep.
4.7 of 5 Stars
Pros
Cons
#4
Like the second set, this earbud set is a wireless and truly wireless model that has a USB port so that you can charge your phone or other devices. However, the battery life is slightly less than the previous model; it can last for 4.5 hours on a single charge and 80 hours on a full charge.
This set also has a built-in LED power indicator in the case too, like the second set. It is also waterproof enough to be unaffected by heavy rain, and it can be used in the shower.
Although, like the last model, the case has to be close by when you are connecting to a device or turning the earbuds on.
4.7 of 5 Stars
Pros
Cons
#5
#5
This set has a very similar appearance and specs as the second and last one. It has an LED power indicator built into the case and a USB charger for charging other devices, and it is both a wireless and truly wireless model. It also uses Bluetooth 5.0 connections.
The battery life of the earbuds themselves are slightly better, lasting as long as 6.5 hours on a single charge, while the case holds about the same amount of power, up to 90 hours.
The built-in magnets to hold the earbuds in the case are a little strong, making them hard to get out, but the sound quality and connection are one of the most effective and reliable.
4.3 of 5 Stars
Pros
Cons
#5
#6
Between the case and the design of the earbuds, these look similar to AirPods, and they can come in white or pink. They are also only available in a wireless model, not truly wireless.
The battery life of the earbuds ranges from 4 to 5 hours while the case can hold up to 30 extra hours of playtime. They are also one of the lightest models.
The sound quality is pretty decent for the cost of the set, but compared to some of the others on this list, the bass is a little on the lower side. The sound can also be delayed when watching videos or playing games.
4.5 of 5 Stars
Pros
Cons
#5
#7
If you are looking for a futuristic, high-tech looking earbud set, then you may like this one the most for its unique case design, especially with the LED power display on the inside.
They can come in black, blue, and red, and they are waterproof, sweatproof, and dustproof. The battery is pretty average, lasting about 5 hours on a single charge, but the case battery is one of the largest, holding about 100 hours of extra playtime.
The biggest flaws with them are that each earbud needs to be individually connected to your phone/device, and the built-in touch controls and be a little too sensitive; controls can be triggered accidentally often.
3.9 of 5 Stars
Pros
Cons
#5
#8
These headphones are wireless, but instead of using a micro USB charger as most wireless sets do, this set uses a type C charging cable. It also is only available in black with 4 white dot power indicators on the front of the case, which is a little on the lower-quality and fragile side.
The earbuds can last up to 6 hours on a single charge while the case can provide around 40 extra hours of playtime if they are used with low volumes.
The earbuds do have built-in controls, but unlike the previous sets, they are less sensitive and require a bit more force to use which can be a bit uncomfortable when they are in your ear.
4.8 of 5 Stars
Pros
Cons
#5
#9
The last on the list, these earbuds are only available in black, use Bluetooth 5.0 connections, and are waterproof enough to be used while swimming for short periods of time.
The battery in this model is one of the best since it can last up to 8 hours on a single charge, and the case can hold up to 200 hours of battery power.
The sound quality is decent except for the bass which is average to below-average depending on the battery life. The touch controls are a bit better than the previous set, but the one downside is that there is no way to reject an incoming call, but you can hang up a call you are already in.
4.8 of 5 Stars
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
Out of all of these sets, the best Bluetooth earbuds under 50 would have to be the last one, the ENACFIRE F1 Wireless Earbuds. They have one of the highest quality sounds, except when they are running low on battery and the bass quality is lowered with it, they connect quickly, maintain a reliable connection that does not cut out, and they have possibly the best battery life out of the earbuds both on and off this list.
The only major flaw is the fact that a call cannot be rejected, but you could always accept the call and hang up or pull your phone out and reject the call through there.
You can also take a look on our list of the best earbuds under 20 dollars here.
