Best Budget Earphones or Earbuds Under $60 in 2019

scrimshaw on 15/03/2019 - 14:40
Last edited 15/03/2019 - 18:22

Moderators at OzBargain have decided to run yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. The polls will end once the year is over.

Question

What is the best budget earphones (under $60) for the money in 2019?

The results for last year's poll shows that wireless Meizu EP51 took the top spot as Ozbargain's preferred cheap earphones.

As more and more phones now come without a dedicated 3.5mm Audio Jack, it's not surprising that wireless audio devices are starting to become more popular. True Wireless earphones (abbreviated as TWS) are also now common as Apple Airpods have ignited a new trend & styling.

Some of the things you need to consider apart from their sound quality:

  • Wired or Wireless
  • Battery life, if they are Bluetooth earphones.
  • The qualify of the microphone for clearer phone calls
  • Active noise or passive noise isolation
  • Water resistance (for sweaty workouts)

Remember: You can change your votes at anytime, and suggest more than 1 product over the course of the poll.

How do I suggest products to What Should I Buy polls?

If you have a product that you would like to suggest for the poll (that is currently not in the Poll Options), you'll need to make a top-level comment (i.e. not replying someone else's comment) and fill up "Suggestions" text box just above your comment:

Suggestion box

Do try to make a sensible suggestion (e.g make sure the item is still available to purchase) and include a brief argument as to why you would recommend the product. You can only suggest 1 product at a time.

(extra note: The SoundPEATS TWS earbuds is known to be a rebadge of the QCY T1C and are considered identical)

Poll Options expired

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2019. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
Electrical & Electronics Bluetooth Earphones JBL Meizu QCY TaoTronics What Should I Buy Xiaomi

Comments

  • pformag on 15/03/2019 - 14:42

    Soundpeats TWS from Amazon

    • crentist on 15/03/2019 - 14:49

      Soundpeats is rebranded QCY, you might have just doubled up the options

      • Bargain80 on 15/03/2019 - 15:58

        I didn't know that. But I bought Soundpeats from Amazon and it works great.
        I teased my colleague who spent $200 for Apple Airpod everyday.

  • psyren89 on 15/03/2019 - 14:46

    The Verge recommends this and this.

    • Axelstrife on 16/03/2019 - 01:58
      +2

      They also recommend a swiss army knife to build a PC which they hope (yes hope is the correct word) it has a screwdriver.

      I don't think there recommendations can be trusted very much.

  • pinchies on 15/03/2019 - 15:20

    I have the EP52 and had the EP51 too. The EP52 is a BIG step up from the EP51 in terms of sound quality, comfort, size, and battery life. Totally recommended without hesitation.

  • follow on 15/03/2019 - 15:21

    Final Audio e2000

  • YellowKnight on 15/03/2019 - 15:28

    Oh, I like these polls. Makes my OzBargain alerts much more specific. Can anyone point me to where the other poll results are?

  • dajackal on 15/03/2019 - 16:35
    Suggested i10 TWS

    I suggest i10 TWS for a very budget friendly airpods clone

  • Wystri Warrick on 15/03/2019 - 23:04
    Suggested Xiaomi Mi HD Pro IEM

    Xiaomi Mi HD Pro IEM.

    They are currently Xiaomi's latest flagship IEM's.
    Excellent sound, absolutely love them.
    Can get them for about $30.

    • w1nthrophy on 18/03/2019 - 01:52

      Please advise reputable seller…

    • jasswolf on 21/07/2019 - 17:06

      Sorry to drag this up, but that would in fact be the Xiaomi Mi HD Pro 2 (aka the Quantie 2, aka model QTEJ03JY).

      And they are exceptionally good value.

  • ajh on 16/03/2019 - 04:03

    QCY T1C is a pretty good unit but the case is terrible as there's no door. The bh052 are decent but definately do not stand out. I do not recommend them. One of the biggest flaws are they need to be constantly adjusted and are extremely easy to accidentally set off.

    • Mr Bond 007 on 29/03/2019 - 00:37

      the case is terrible as there's no door

      Excuse the noob questions, but what does this mean? What is a door in the context of wireless earphones?

      Additional question - I have a nice pair of IEMs for recreational use (Vsonic VC1000s), and I stumbled across this thread and have decided to get a pair of wireless earphones for the gym etc. In this price range, is there much difference between how far you can get from the bluetooth source before the sound is distorted / lost?

      Thanks all

      • quop on 30/03/2019 - 01:13
        +1

        The door comment is referring to the (lack of a) lid in the charging case. See this image which shows the T1C and the newer T1S side by side - T1C is an open case/no lid, whereas T1S has a lid.

    • pete123 on 04/12/2019 - 16:47

      They seem to have put a lid on the case in the QCY T2.

  • anonuser123 on 16/03/2019 - 10:39

    I have Anker Soundslim+ from Amazon and love it..

  • abctoz on 23/03/2019 - 11:39

    $5 KZ edr1 are pretty great

  • Wriggle on 22/04/2019 - 20:02

    Anyone have experience with TaoTronics TWS?

  • xdigger on 16/07/2019 - 13:21

    Any lightweight neckband earphones with good Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) for domestic flights?

    Also anyone with experience with TaoTronics TT-BH042?

    Cheers

  • jasswolf on 21/07/2019 - 17:18
    Suggested Xiaomi Mi Hybrid Pro 2

    The Xiaomi Mi HD Pro 2/Hybrid Pro 2 (model QTEJ03JY): a great successor to the original Mi HD Pro.

    The fit may be troublesome for some with the angled earbud, but the sound quality is fantastic. You'll want a cable clip if you're going to use this out and about, because otherwise you will suffer some pretty awful microphonics from the cable. Should be available under $30.

    Another one just outside the budget range of this poll is the Tin Audio T3 @ ~ $70. If you can get one on sale, or with a massive cashback, go for it.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2019 - 07:52

      The Xiaomi Hybrid Pro 2 is a great option for all those ozbargainers who have purchased an LG v30+.

  • Helenn on 24/10/2019 - 21:51
    Suggested Wavefun x-pods 3

    What about wavefun x-pods 3? Good reviews re sound quality. Annoying L & R on the outside of the but but otherwise look ok. Does anyone have these?

  • expertreader on 30/10/2019 - 20:27

    Can anyone recommend one for voice calls? I have tried three differet models from taotronics tt-bh025, sound liberty 77, tt-bh052 and all of them are very good for music but mic is unusable as people can't hear me(tried three different phones so I know that it's not phone).

  • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2019 - 09:28

    MPow T5 may sneak in with an ebay discount code, currently around $65-70, but I am not suggesting adding this to the poll as the price is not yet under $60, so just a model to keep an eye out for.
    They have aptx support and IPX7 water resistance, and reasonable mic for phone calls.
    I use them often to listen to music in the shower without any ill effects (yet), although the aftermarket foam eartips can get a bit waterlogged.

    QCY T1C have been good for me over the last few months with a better ear fit, fairly clear sound, although the MPOW T5 has been better for phone calls and seems better built.
    Some MPOW T5 listings on ebay have a make offer option, so you may be able to get one for $60 that way also.

    I dropped a T1C earphone on a tiled floor and the plastic housing broke open at the seam, it doesnt hold together very well now, often breaking apart now when I pull it out of the charger - may just need some glue to hold it back together.

  • tryagain on 06/11/2019 - 18:10
    +1

    Seems like the Haylou are better than the QCY judging by some comments on QCY deals

  • The Alphanumeric on 09/11/2019 - 19:49
    Suggested Sony MH755

    Have heard lots of good things about the Sony MH755 earphones which are about $10 on eBay (in regards to audiophile level quality). I've ordered 2 (waiting on them to arrive).

    Risk with these ones is getting fakes (seem to be quite common).

  • Fairmont on 12/11/2019 - 20:56

    Any recommendations for a Bluetooth earbud with a good quality microphone? I will be using outdoors and in the train. I don't mind the airpod or the in-ear bud look.

    • GuyfromMelbourne on 13/12/2019 - 22:45

      Same question here too. I have used soundpeats q30 and everything was hreat except the mic. People couldn't hear me on the other side.

  • deme on 17/12/2019 - 10:23

    QCY T1C

    How is the microphone and do they fallout?

  • Justahappymortal on 17/12/2019 - 18:15

    Could anyone recommend which one's the best for sports among the listed options? Would prefer one with a low-profile look. I have the soundpeats qc30 and although they sound okay and are comfortable, they do stick out a lot and doesn't look appealing. Thanks a lot for any response :)

  • vsixtyfour on 26/12/2019 - 08:54
    Suggested QCY T2C

    The T2C Is everything great about the QCY T1S/T1C with clearer and louder audio quality, noise cancelling and a battery that is 800mah vs 380 and can charge 8 times..

    All 3 are awesome but the T2C are the best IMHO and amazing value for money

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