£50 is a funny amount of money in audio. In an industry where you can spend hundreds, even thousands, on a pair of headphones, it might not seem like much. But let’s be realistic, £50 is still £50, and with the cost of living being what it is, I can appreciate that not everyone can justify splashing out on a pair of earbuds.
It’s a bit of a double-edged sword, really. £50 back in 1998 had roughly the same buying power as £101 today, or about £95 if we go back to 2003. Not exactly cheerful reading, but there’s another side to it. While our money doesn’t go as far as it used to, audio technology has become considerably more affordable.
Think about what you’re actually getting for that £50 now. Wireless earbuds with decent battery life, reliable Bluetooth, and even active noise cancelling. That sort of technology would’ve cost considerably more back then, assuming you could even get your hands on it.
So, while £50 might not be the budget it once was, it can still get you a surprisingly capable pair of earbuds. Things aren’t quite as bleak as they first appear.
We’ve picked seven of the best wireless earbuds under £50, covering everyday listening, exercise, noise cancelling, and a few more specialised options.
In a hurry?
If you want to skip straight to the good stuff, these are the three pairs I’d look at first.
| JBL Tune Buds 2 | Adaptive ANC, customisable sound, and up to 48 hours of battery life with the case. | Check current price |
| Final Audio ZE300 | Tiny 4g earpieces with noise cancelling and a comfortable, lightweight fit. | Check current price |
| Panasonic RZ-B310WDE | Hybrid noise cancelling, 10mm drivers, and IPX4 water resistance at a sensible price. | Check current price |
Why we’ve chosen these wireless earbuds
When you’re working with a £50 budget, I think it’s important to be realistic about what you’re getting. There are some genuinely decent earbuds at this price, but you’re probably going to make a few compromises somewhere. The trick is figuring out which ones you’re happy to live with.
Sound quality is obviously a big consideration, but so are comfort, battery life, and how well the earbuds actually work day to day. There’s no point having a pair that sounds great if they fall out every time you move your head, or need charging halfway through the afternoon.
We’ve also tried to give each pair a reason to be here. Some are better suited to exercise, others offer active noise cancelling, and a few focus more on the listening experience itself. It’s a fairly mixed bunch, which is useful when everyone’s priorities are different.
Ultimately, we’re looking for earbuds that offer good value without pretending they’re something they’re not. You can get a lot for under £50 these days, provided you know where to put your money.
The best wireless earbuds under £50
1. Ledwood Sports Park TWS Earphones and Activity Tracker Kepler
Key features
- Bluetooth 5.0 with touch controls
- Included activity tracker with heart-rate and sleep monitoring
- Up to 7.5 hours of battery life with charging case
Pros
- Incredibly affordable at £9.99
- Fitness tracker is a nice extra
- USB-C charging and built-in microphone
Cons
- Short battery life compared to newer earbuds
For under a tenner, the Ledwood Sports Park set has managed to bundle together a pair of wireless earbuds and a fitness tracker. Admittedly, neither is going to give the bigger names in their respective markets sleepless nights, but there’s something quite appealing about getting both for so little money.
The earbuds themselves are fairly straightforward. You get Bluetooth 5.0, touch controls, a built-in microphone, and a charging case. They’re intended for casual listening and exercise rather than serious audio quality, which seems fair enough at this price.
The activity tracker is arguably the more interesting part. It monitors steps, heart rate, sleep, and calories burned, while also handling notifications and music controls.
Battery life is where things fall behind, with around three hours from the earbuds and 7.5 hours including the case. Still, if you want something inexpensive for occasional workouts or everyday listening, it’s ideal.
2. Panasonic RZ-B110WDE Digital Wireless Stereo Earphones
Key features
- 10mm drivers with XBS bass technology
- Up to 26 hours of battery life with case
- Bluetooth 5.3 and IPX4 water resistance
Pros
- Lightweight 4.2g earpieces
- Secure, comfortable ergonomic design
- Quick charging for everyday convenience
Cons
- No active noise cancelling
After the slightly unusual Ledwood bundle, we’re back to something a bit more conventional. Panasonic is a household name, and there’s something reassuring about that when you’re shopping at the cheaper end of the market.
The RZ-B110WDE keeps things simple. Its 10mm drivers use Panasonic’s XBS bass technology, which aims to give music a fuller low end. You’re not getting loads of sound customisation or fancy codecs, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing if you just want something straightforward.
Battery life is decent, with six hours from the earbuds and up to 26 hours including the case. A quick 15-minute charge also gets you around 70 minutes of playback, which is handy.
At just 4.2g per earbud, they’re nice and lightweight, while the IPX4 rating means a bit of rain or sweat shouldn’t be a problem. There’s no ANC, unfortunately, but for everyday listening, the Panasonic offers a sensible balance of features without getting carried away.
3. Panasonic RZ-B120WDE Digital Wireless Stereo Earphones
Key features
- 7mm drivers with XBS bass technology
- Up to 26 hours of battery life with case
- Bluetooth 5.3 and IPX4 water resistance
Pros
- Compact, low-profile design
- Lightweight at just 4g per earbud
- Comfortable fit with three ear tip sizes
Cons
- No active noise cancelling
If you’ve just read the B110 entry and thought these look pretty similar, you’d be right. Panasonic has kept much of the same formula, but the RZ-B120 takes a slightly different approach to fit and sound.
For starters, the 7mm drivers are smaller than the 10mm units in the B110, with the tuning aimed at a tighter, more controlled bass response rather than simply pushing the low end harder. You still get Panasonic’s XBS technology, though, so there’s some emphasis on bass.
The other difference is the design. The B120 sits a little more discreetly in your ears, with a low-profile shape and a choice of silicone tips. At just 4g per earbud, they’re worth considering if comfort is your main priority.
6.5 hours of charge in the earbuds and 26 hours including the case. Add Bluetooth 5.3, touch controls, and IPX4 water resistance, and you’ve got a decent everyday option.
4. Final Audio ZE300 Compact Wireless ANC Earbuds
Key features
- Active noise cancelling with Ambient Mode
- Ultra-compact design weighing just 4g per earbud
- IPX4 water resistance and touch controls
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable for smaller ears
- Balanced, natural sound tuning
- Touch controls can be disabled to prevent accidental presses
Cons
- Battery life is shorter than some competitors
Not everyone wants a pair of earbuds that feels like it’s taking up half their ear. That’s where the Final Audio ZE300 comes in. At just 4g per side, they’re remarkably small, and that makes them worth considering if you’ve struggled with the fit of larger wireless earbuds.
Final Audio also has a slightly different approach to sound. Rather than going all-in on bass, the ZE300 aims for a softer, more natural presentation that should work nicely across music, podcasts, and everyday listening.
You also get active noise cancelling and an Ambient Mode, which is pretty good going for something this small. The little airflow ports help relieve pressure inside your ears, and there’s even an option to disable the touch controls.
Up to 5.5 hours per charge, but if comfort and sound quality are your priorities, the ZE300 is a very interesting option for under £50.
5. Panasonic RZ-B310WDE Wireless Earphones with Hybrid Noise Cancelling
Key features
- Hybrid active noise cancelling
- 10mm drivers with XBS bass technology
- Bluetooth 5.3 and IPX4 water resistance
Pros
- Affordable way to get hybrid ANC
- Secure, lightweight ergonomic fit
- Good bass response for everyday listening
Cons
- Battery life is shorter than the cheaper Panasonic models
Yes, we’re on our third Panasonic pair, but there’s a good reason for including these. The RZ-B310WDE brings hybrid active noise cancelling into the mix, making it a worthwhile consideration if you want a bit more control over background noise without breaking the £50 budget.
Unlike basic ANC systems, hybrid noise cancelling uses microphones both inside and outside the earbuds to help reduce unwanted sound. It’s particularly useful for dealing with consistent background noise, although you shouldn’t expect the same performance as something costing three times as much.
The 10mm drivers also feature Panasonic’s XBS bass technology, giving music a bit more low-end emphasis. Combined with the ergonomic fit and IPX4 water resistance, they’re a sensible option for commuting, exercising, or general listening.
Battery life is the compromise, with around five hours from the earbuds and 16 hours including the case when ANC is switched on. Not dreadful, but worth considering.
For under £50, though, hybrid ANC from an established manufacturer is a pretty convincing proposition.
6. Final Audio ZE500 True Wireless ASMR Earphones
Key features
- ASMR-focused sound tuning for quieter listening
- Sleep Mode disables tap controls and voice guidance
- Bluetooth 5.4 with USB-C and wireless charging
Pros
- Comfortable design for relaxed listening
- Fine volume adjustment through the companion app
- Useful for podcasts, spoken content, and ASMR
Cons
- No active noise cancelling
These are probably the most specialised earbuds on the list, but I quite like that. Rather than trying to compete on bass, ANC, or having the longest feature list, the Final Audio ZE500 are built around a very particular kind of listening.
The focus is on ASMR, spoken content, and quieter audio. If you’re someone who listens to podcasts in bed, enjoys ambient sounds, or uses ASMR to unwind, there’s a good argument for choosing something actually designed with that in mind.
There’s some thoughtful stuff here too. Sleep Mode disables the tap controls and voice guidance, while the companion app lets you make finer volume adjustments, which is particularly useful when listening quietly.
Battery life is fairly modest at 4.5 hours, or 18 hours with the case, and there’s no ANC. They’re not necessarily the best choice for a noisy commute, but that’s fine. The ZE500 has a specific purpose, and it’s nice to see something a little different at this price.
7. JBL Tune Buds 2 Wireless Earbuds
Key features
- 10mm drivers with JBL Pure Bass Sound
- Adaptive ANC with Smart Ambient mode
- Up to 48 hours of battery life with case
Pros
- Excellent features for under £50
- IP54 dust and water resistance
- Customisable sound through the JBL Headphones app
Cons
- Bass-focused tuning might not suit everyone
I’ve said it before, but JBL really is the everyman brand of wireless audio, and I mean that as a compliment. Their portable speakers and earbuds consistently offer good value, and the Tune Buds 2 are another example of that.
For under £50, you’re getting quite a lot. The 10mm drivers provide JBL’s familiar bass-focused sound, while Adaptive Noise Cancelling helps reduce background noise. There’s also Smart Ambient for when you want to hear what’s happening around you, plus app-based EQ and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity.
Battery life is particularly good, with up to 12 hours from the earbuds and 48 hours including the case, although that’s with ANC switched off. You also get six microphones for calls and IP54 protection against dust and splashes.
In terms of features, usability, and overall value for money, the Tune Buds 2 are difficult to argue with.
How to choose the right wireless earbuds
When you’re working with a £50 budget, I’d start by figuring out what you actually need from your earbuds. Sounds obvious, but it’s easy to get distracted by features that look good on paper and forget about the stuff you’ll be dealing with every day.
First, there’s comfort. Earbuds are quite personal when it comes to fit, and a decent seal can make a good deal of difference to sound quality, particularly bass response. If you’re planning on exercising with them, you’ll also want something that stays put and has a reasonable water resistance rating. IPX4 is a useful starting point for sweat and light rain.
Then there’s active noise cancelling. It’s become increasingly common at this price, which is great, but keep your expectations realistic. Budget ANC can help reduce consistent background noise, but it won’t completely shut out the world. Don’t overlook passive isolation either, because a well-fitting pair can do a decent job without any electronics involved.
Battery life is another one worth checking properly. Manufacturers often advertise the total playback time including the charging case, which isn’t quite the same as how long the earbuds themselves will last. ANC can also reduce battery life, so look at both figures before making a decision.
And of course, sound quality. But to be honest, the kind of audio you like does come down to personal preference! Some people enjoy a bass-heavy presentation, while others prefer something more balanced. App-based EQ is useful if you like adjusting things yourself, but it’s hardly essential.
You won’t get everything for under £50, but you don’t necessarily need everything either.
FAQs
Will wireless earbuds work with any phone?
Wireless earbuds work with almost any phone that supports Bluetooth connectivity. Most Android phones and iPhones are compatible with Bluetooth earbuds. However, some advanced features may only work with specific brands or devices.
Is noise cancelling worth having on budget earbuds?
Noise cancelling is worth having on budget earbuds, especially for commuting, travelling, or working in noisy environments. Affordable earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC) can reduce background noise, although performance varies between models.
Can wireless earbuds connect to a TV?
Wireless earbuds can connect to a TV that supports Bluetooth audio output. Simply enable Bluetooth pairing on your earbuds and select them from your TV’s audio settings. Older TVs may require a separate Bluetooth transmitter to establish a connection.
Final thoughts
For a category that initially looked a bit thin on the ground, there’s actually a decent mix here.
I also think it’s worth remembering that you don’t have to spend the full £50 just because that’s your budget. If a cheaper pair does everything you need, there’s nothing wrong with keeping a bit of money in your pocket.
Ultimately, finding the best wireless earbuds under £50 doesn’t have to be particularly complicated. There are some good options here, and while none of them will do absolutely everything, they don’t need to. Sometimes a decent pair of earbuds at a sensible price is all you’re after.
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