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Top Pros
Top Cons
Reddit Reviews
0rangeBMWI'll second the Soundcore Space A40s. Great sounding at the price point, I just wish the fit was a bit more dialed in for me. I also have the Sony C700Ns and they are a great value bud. ANC and sound quality are both very good for me. I also find the fit excellent, I wear them most of the day at work. On top of that, the Bluetooth multipoint on the C700Ns is great. It switches between my phone and work laptop seamlessly.
I own and use the older Sony WF-C700Ns daily at work. To me, they represent an incredible value in the bud space. I find the sound quality, ANC, seal, and long-term comfort all very good at a minimum. A bonus is that the multi-point Bluetooth connection always makes a seamless transition between my phone and work laptop. That said, if you are willing to consider refurbs, open box, and used product, you may be able to move up to a higher level of bud.
blueberry_sushiI have Sony C700's and XM5's. I actually prefer the C700's due to them having a better fit for my ears.
ciceronessI love my Sony WF-C700Ns!! They have proven to be the best for phone calls. I can cook in my kitchen with the exhaust fan on and bang on pots and pans and the person on the other end doesn’t hear any of it! The sound quality is much better than I ever expected, since they are way cheaper than the XM5s.
costinmatei98Sony WF-C700N. Cheap, sound good, noise cancelling is pretty decent, latency is not bad at all for true wireless stuff. But if audio lag really bothers you, wired is the way to go...
cwazydwiverSony WF-C700N first earbuds I've bought with my money and almost 2 years later still works fine
darfra76also had them, they are pretty good. I upgraded to the c700n and they are worth the extra bit of money
I've changed the left one to change modes and right one to pause or skip
ErickBock1I think the ones I use the most are the Liberty 5, and the ones I use the least seem to be the Redmi Buds 6.
For the gym I usually use the Sony WF-C700N, the Soundcore P20i or the Redmi Buds 6, but only because they're the ones I'm least afraid of breaking haha
Everyd4yAudioGuyIf long-term battery health is your #1, I’d stick with a mainstream model that’s easy to warranty/replace and not a super-niche pick. Micro Center carries the Sony WF-1000XM5 (best overall sound/codec support even if you leave ANC off), and the cheaper WF-C700N is a solid beater option that still sounds good for podcasts/commutes. Before you buy, check the tunings on [audiotones.co](http://audiotones.co) to see if they fit your vibes.
If you want the best ANC you can get under $150 and something that actually blocks a lot more than your $20 Amazon buds, look at Sony WF-C700N or Galaxy Buds FE. Both are comfy, have way stronger ANC than most budget options, and still sound good. They won’t match flagship noise cancelers, but for under $150 they’re among the loudest/most effective you’ll find. Before you buy, check the tunings on [audiotones.co](http://audiotones.co) to see if they fit your vibes so you don’t end up with something that sounds off for your ears.
If you want to stay aware but don’t want to leak music, I’d skip true open-ear/clip styles as your main pair. They’re great outdoors, but they can annoy people in quiet places. A normal in-ear bud with a good transparency mode is the best middle ground. Around $100, look at Soundcore Space A40 or Sony WF-C700N. Theyhave solid transparency, decent mics, and much less leakage than open-ear. Before buying, check the sound tuning on [audiotones.co](http://audiotones.co) to make sure it matches your vibe.
If you want good earbuds under $100 (and you’re open to second-hand to hit that budget), there are a few solid picks that beat basic cheap buds: For something comfy and sound quality-forward, people often like Sony WF-C700N or Jabra Elite 3. They usually pop up used in good condition under $100 and have balanced sound with reliable performance. If you want a slightly bass-heavier vibe, the Anker Soundcore Life P3 or JBL Live series are decent and easy to find second-hand. Since your Samsung Buds 2 Pro were higher-end, going used lets you hit closer to that feel without dropping big money. Before buying, I usually check the sound profile on [audiotones.co](http://audiotones.co) so I know what kind of tuning I’m getting — especially with used buds, you want to make sure they’re still worth what you’re paying for.
Yeah, sadly a lot of TWS buds start acting up around the 1–2 year mark because the batteries and charging contacts take a beating, so you’re not imagining it. In your $70–$100 range, I’d look at something simple and proven like the Sony WF-C500/WF-C700N (depending on sales) or a Soundcore option like the A40 if you want the best value. They’re usually solid for calls and don’t require a lot of app babysitting once you set them up. Buying from a place with an easy warranty/return policy helps a lot too. Before you pick, it’s worth checking the tuning so you don’t end up with sets that don't fit your vibes. try [audiotones.co](http://audiotones.co) to check first and see what sound profile matches what you like.
the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are great for running because they’re super stable and the sound is top-notch, though they’re definitely on the pricier side. If you’d rather save a bit, the Sony WF-C710N is a surprisingly good runner’s option, it's comfy, reliable, and easy to live with day-to-day. Before you buy anything, try checking the tuning on AudioTones just to make sure the sound matches your vibe
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Air travel
Top pick
Apple - AirPod Pro Series
Best for Audiophile sound quality
Top pick
Denon - PerL Pro
Best for High-intensity workouts
Top pick
Beats (Apple) - Fit Pro
Best for Industrial hearing protection
Top pick
Sony - WF-1000XM5
Best for Meetings & video calls
Top pick
Apple - AirPod Pro Series
Best for Situational awareness (when running, cycling, parenting etc)
Top pick
Shokz - OpenFit Series
