(checked 2026-10-10)
The budget pick: ANC that Wirecutter measured close to $200+ earbuds, long battery life and well-liked by Amazon owners. But the stem design can slip from small ears, the touch controls misfire, and the sound is coarser than pricier pairs.
Top complaints
- Stem design may not seal or stay put
Wirecutter says people with tiny or deep-set ear canals may not get a proper seal, and the stems may slip loose from small ears or during high-impact workouts. Amazon owners, by contrast, praise a secure fit during workouts.
- Touch controls misfire
Wirecutter says the tap-and-hold commands take practice to learn and often registered a single tap when testers adjusted the buds.
- Sound and mics trail pricier buds
Wirecutter says the highs are coarser and recordings less dimensional than pricier picks, and SoundGuys says ANC reduces sound quality. SoundGuys found the mics struggle in noisy settings, while Wirecutter found calls clear even in wind.
- Occasional connection failures
Amazon's summary says connectivity is generally easy, but some customers report connection failures.
What owners love
- ANC far above its price
Wirecutter measured 24.9 dB of reduction, competitive with earbuds priced well above $200. SoundGuys measured 75%. Amazon shoppers praise the noise cancellation.
- Long battery
Wirecutter says a charge lasts about 11 hours; SoundGuys measured 8 hours 44 minutes, which it calls above average.
- Loaded with features
It has LDAC and aptX, multipoint, Auracast, a wireless charging case and an EQ app (Wirecutter, SoundGuys). Amazon owners like the app's EQ and the in-ear detection.
- You have very small or deep-set ear canals
- You do high-impact workouts
- You make lots of calls in loud places (mixed mic reviews)
- Strong ANC for under $100
- Long battery days
- Android users who want LDAC/aptX
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Budget noise-cancelling earbuds pick. Its flaws are fussy touch controls and a stem design that may not fit tiny or deep-set ears.
- SoundGuys: 8.4/10 and among the best at its price. ANC reduces sound quality and the mics struggle in noise (2024 review).
- Tom's Guide: 'Also tested' at 4.5 stars: solid ANC, great sound and a comfortable fit for under $100.