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Tom’s Guide

Technology

Erin Bashford

2025 has been my favorite year for budget earbuds so far — here's my 3 top picks

Tom Guide EarFun JLab Bose Dirac

From left to right: the jlab go pods anc in lilac in the charging case, the cmf by nothing buds pro 2 in orange being taken out of the charging case, and the earfun air pro 4+ in the black charging case.

2025 has been a bumper year for budget earbuds. I've tested loads of the best cheap earbuds this year, and I'm continually blown away by how much earbuds can do these days.

We're getting premium features like IP ratings, wear detection, app compatibility with unlimited custom EQs, and even high-end tuning by brands like Bose and Dirac. All that in earbuds that cost well under $100... yeah, 2025 is treating us.

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