Sonic kit can set you back hundreds, but you don’t need deep pockets to bag a pair of the best wireless earphones. Want reliable ‘phones for everyday listening? The best cheap headphones make cord-free audio more affordable, without cutting corners where it counts.

From accessible cans to budget earbuds, the list below features our pick of the top earphones available for less than $100/£100. They might not rival high-end headphones for outright feature-packed performance. But each pair promises to please the ears – and a few give premium competitors a good run for their money.

Whether you want in-ears, on-ears or sporty neckband numbers, our round-up covers excellent cheap headphones fit for every need. So you can upgrade your playlists without downgrading your credit score.

The best cheap headphones you can buy today:

1. Sony WF-C500

Aping the ergonomic design of Sony’s premium earbuds, the WF-C500 are lightweight wireless earphones for easy everyday audio. Small and subtly sculpted, the in-ears offer a faff-free and comfy fit. Output from their 5.8mm drivers can be tweaked via the Headphones Connect app. And big buttons on the back of each ‘bud make for straightforward control inputs.

There’s no active noise cancellation, but three tip sizes help you find a seal that reduces background sound. The charging case’s compact proportions mean it can only extend longevity by 10 hours. Standalone battery life is impressive at 10 hours’ playback.

2. Earfun Air Pro

There might be a new edition, but the original Earfun Air Pro arguably offer better value than their successors. Distinctive angular stems set them apart in a crowded marketplace, as does the inclusion of ANC. This is something rarely seen in earphones this cheap. There’s no app compatibility, but the Air Pro’s 10mm dynamic drivers promise a neutral, balanced listen.

While infrared wear-detection pauses your playlist if you remove them. Their pebble-like case isn’t the most compact. But it does add a solid 23 hours to the nine on-board the Air Pro.

3. JBL Tune 660NC

JBL knows how to hit the price/performance sweet spot, and these noise-cancelling cans are no exception. Pairing dynamic audio with stellar ANC, the Tune 660NC does plenty for their accessible price tag. Designed to sit comfortably on your ears, the headphones are relatively light at 116g.

Folding hinges above the cups allow for easier stashing. Promising “Pure Bass Sound”, the 660NC deliver a weighty listen that doesn’t want for energy. With ANC enabled, battery life tops out north of 40 hours. While five minutes of refuelling gives you a two-hour boost. Google Fast Pair support means easy syncing with compatible Android devices, too.

4. Sennheiser CX True Wireless

Awarded a five-star review at full price, Sennheiser’s CX True Wireless earphones are only more tempting after a hefty ticket reduction. Their large, functional shells won’t be to every taste, but they do at least benefit from Sennheiser’s robust build quality. Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity means high-quality audio that’s less hungry for power, resulting in nine hours of on-board battery life.

Responsive touch controls are complemented by voice assistant support and the exemplary Smart Control app, which unlocks all sorts of adjustments. And while there’s no ANC, the 7mm drivers still deliver a dynamic, punchy listen that stops short of shrill.

5. Jabra Elite 45h

Classy looks can’t mask the plastic build of Jabra’s budget headphones, but the Elite 45h are no cut-price cans: well-made and comfortable to wear, they also ship with a truly generous suite of features. Top of the list are two 40mm full-range drivers, delivering a detailed and dynamic listen.

Backing them up is a battery good for 50 hours on a single charge, comfortably eclipsing pretty much everything in this list and price bracket. Swivelling cups assist with wearability, while intuitive buttons streamline the experience. And while there’s no ANC, Jabra’s Sound+ app allows in-depth tailoring of the sonic experience.

• Read more: Jabra Elite 45h review

6. Beats Flex

Featuring a tangle-free neck loop with integrated volume, music and call controls, the Flex earphones are Beats’ best effort at cheaper audio. And they’re pretty close to being a bona fide bargain. Audio performance doesn’t rewrite the rulebook, but you can expect well-defined highs and suitably wobbly lows from the 8.2mm drivers – a sound signature which lends itself well to processed beats.

Magnetic backs mean the dinky buds can be usefully clicked together when they’re not occupying your earholes, while the cable itself sits naturally without flopping about. And the whole package is complemented by a lengthy 12-hour listening time.

Beats Flex

7. Anker Soundcore Life Q30

Slightly bulbous by design, Anker’s Soundcore Life Q30 are unlikely to win awards for their looks. But when you compare their price to their spec sheet, you’re unlikely to mind too much: these are among the most skilful ‘phones you can buy for the price.

Active noise cancellation is the headline feature, deploying dual microphones to detect and counteract background sounds. Add 40mm drivers, 40-hour battery life with ANC and comprehensive customisation options in the Soundcore app, and these shape up as the kind of cans that could confidently go up against big-name rivals.

8. Urbanears Boo Tip

Absurdly light at less than 4g per earbud, these eco-friendly phones use 91% recycled plastic in their matte construction. While the soundstage can feel slightly cramped on textured tracks, the Boo Tips produce an energy which belies their lightweight build and relatively low price, with 10mm drivers delivering unexpectedly rich, well-balanced bass.

That said, they’re not without compromise: stem touch controls can’t be customised and battery life is mediocre at 4.5 hours. And without ANC, limited noise isolation means the Boo Tips can struggle to stop outside sounds from leaking into an otherwise enjoyable listen.

9. 1More Sonoflow

A truly wallet-friendly alternative to flagship over-ear headphones like Sony’s WH-1000XM5, the Sonoflow is an enjoyable listen with capable active noise cancelling. The plastic construction is about what you’d expect for the money, and the on-device controls could be a little slicker, but the fold-up design and extra-long battery life (50 hours with ANC enabled, or 70 with it switched off) make it a superb choice for frequent flyers.

Want to know how to take a screenshot on iPhone? We’ve got you covered. It’s pretty simple and won’t take long, so you’ll be screenshotting away before you know it. Once you’ve mastered your new skill, feel free to check out our other guides, such as our pick of the best cheap smartphones, or best gaming TVs, if you like.

How to take screenshots on iPhone

Taking screenshots on an iPhone is a delightfully simple process, and there are three main methods to try:

• The most common method: Press the side button and the volume up button at the same time. This will capture a screenshot of the entire screen. It can take a few tries to get the knack/timing down, but once you’ve nailed it, it’ll come naturally.
• Using AssistiveTouch: If you have AssistiveTouch enabled, you can also use it to take screenshots. Open Settings and tap on Accessibility. Then, tap on AssistiveTouch. Toggle the switch next to AssistiveTouch to turn it on. Once AssistiveTouch is enabled, you’ll see a small white button on your screen. Tap on the button, tap on Device, and then tap on Screenshot. Sorted.
• Using Siri: You can also use Siri to take screenshots. Simply press and hold the side button or the Home button (depending on your iPhone model) to activate Siri, then say “Take a screenshot.”

The above methods should also work on your iPad, so if you can take a screenshot on one device, you’ll know you can do it on the other.

On the hunt for one of the best fitness trackers? Whether you want to track your runs in preparation for a marathon, or simply want an easy way to keep on top of general stats like daily steps, calories burned, and sleep data, there’s a fitness tracker out there that’s right for you.

There are, in fact, far too many, and sifting through them all can take up quite a bit of time. Luckily though, we’ve done all the hard work for you, by rounding up some of the best fitness trackers for all budgets. If you want to check out other fitness tracker articles, see best kids’ fitness tracker and the best cheap fitness tracker as well as heart rate trackers.

What’s the best fitness tracker?

We think the Fitbit Charge 5 (check price) is the best fitness tracker for most people today. Combining a large screen, svelte design, and advanced health-tracking capabilities like stress management, it ticks all the main boxes (including GPS), for a reasonable price.

Other fitness tracker recommendations

Before we jump into the full list of the best smartwatches you can buy right now, here’s a quick look at our three top picks:

The best fitness trackers you can buy today:

1. Fitbit Charge 5

The Fitbit Charge 5 is comfortably one of the best fitness trackers, combining a sleek and stylish design, along with a host of advanced health-tracking capabilities. The latter include stress management, sleep tracking, and heart rate monitoring.

With its built-in GPS smarts, it can track outdoor activities with precision too, making it an excellent tool for runners, cyclists, and hikers. Its battery life is also impressive, lasting up to a reasonable seven days on a single charge. Another benefit is its compatibility with both iOS and Android devices, which allows for seamless integration with a wide range of fitness apps.

While it lacks some features found in more expensive fitness trackers (such as music storage), it makes up for it with a more affordable price point and generously sized screen. Overall, the Fitbit Charge 5 offers excellent value for money for those who are looking for a reliable and accurate fitness tracker. Also check out our guide to the best Fitbit trackers and watches, too.

• Read more: Fitbit Charge 5 review

2. Apple Watch SE

It might be more expensive than most fitness trackers, but if you’re an iPhone owner looking for a fitness-tracking smartwatch, then the Apple Watch SE (2022 model) is a no-brainer.

Serving up all the key Apple Watch features for a price that’s more affordable than its Series 8 and Ultra brothers (despite featuring the same latest-gen processor), it has all the sleep, fitness, exercise and GPS- sports tracking you’ll need to keep on top of things.

With a plethora of established apps and features at your disposal (including the ever-useful Apple Pay), you’ll have the best of both worlds, for a rather tempting price.

• Read more: Apple Watch SE review

3. Xiaomi Mi Band 7

The Xiaomi Mi Band 7 is an affordable fitness tracker that’s ideal for those on a tight budget. Despite its price, it still serves up commendable health and fitness tracking features. We’re big fans of its minimalistic design and even bigger fans of its impressively long battery life — it can last up to a whopping 14 days on a single charge.

Affordability and longevity aside, it provides accurate tracking of daily activities, including sleep and steps taken. Naturally, at this price, it lacks advanced features found in more expensive fitness trackers, such as GPS tracking and personalised coaching, but considering the RRP, we’ll let that slide.

Overall, the Mi Band 7 provides excellent value for money for those looking for a basic fitness tracker and is one of the best ways to kickstart your fitness journey.

• Read more: Xiaomi’s Mi Band 7

4. Fitbit Sense 2

The Fitbit Sense 2 is at the higher end of the company’s lineup, both in terms of features, and budget. Its premium, metal design aside, there are a couple of features that propel it beyond most standard fitness trackers.

The first of these is a built-in EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor, which, in essence, measures how much you’re perspiring. This data is then treated with Fitbit’s specially designed algorithms, to determine your stress levels. Not only can it warn you when you’re getting too stressed, but it can also suggest and take you through various breathing activities to help calm things down.

Other notable features include a temperature sensor, along with an ECG sensor for keeping tabs on your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity, in addition to all the regular health and activity tracking you’d expect. If you can get past the lack of GPS and are happy with around six days of battery life per charge, then this could be the ideal stress-relieving choice for you.

• Read more: Fitbit Sense 2 review

5. Garmin Vivosmart 5

If you’re after Garmin’s excellent fitness tracking app’s features but don’t want to spring for one of its pricey watches, then something like the Vivosmart 5 could be the ideal solution. It’s pretty smart, as far as fitness tracking bands go, thanks to a pared-back design and textured rubber shell.

Feature-wise, it ticks most boxes, including the usual fitness and sleep-tracking skills, along with a pulse oximeter, stress tracker, and Garmin’s body battery energy monitor. The addition of smartphone notifications and music controls also lends it some smarter functionality, without entering full smartwatch territory.

Battery life is decent, if not great, with around 7 days of use per charge on offer. If you’re set on using Garmin’s well-established app, then this could be one of the best entry points before potentially upgrading to something more fully-featured in future.

• Read more: Garmin Vivosmart 5 review

6. Fitbit Inspire 3

With a great battery life, minimal-yet-smart design, and a price that’s at the more affordable end of Fitbit’s lineup, the Inspire 3 has plenty going for it.

Sure, you won’t get more advanced features like sweat-based stress tracking or GPS for phone-free runs, but if you want to enter the world of Fitbit’s tried and tested ecosystem while tracking activities, sleep, steps and more, the Inspire 3 won’t let you down.

• Read more: Fitbit Inspire 3 review

7. Withings ScanWatch

Withings’ ScanWatch is a rather unique offering that blurs the lines between fitness trackers, smartwatches, and regular timepieces. Thanks to the combination of a regular analogue face and a built-in miniature display, it offers all the charm of a traditional watch, with advanced features including an ECG sensor, oxygen saturation detection, and sleep apnea detection. This unique combination makes it one of the best fitness trackers.

With sleep tracking, 24/7 activity tracking, heart rate tracking and more all included as well, it’s the perfect watch for fitness fans who want a more traditional aesthetic on their wrist. And, thanks to the lack of a large display, it can last up to 30 days on a single charge too, embarrassing the rest of our picks on this list in the longevity department.

• Read more: Withings ScanWatch Horizon

8. Huawei Band 7

The Huawei Band 7 is one of the cheapest fitness bands available from a known manufacturer, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at it. With a smart, elongated appearance and large display, it looks far fancier than its price tag would suggest.

Its 1.47-inch AMOLED display is a beauty to behold, while its incredibly light 16g weight makes for a device that you’ll barely feel. Features include blood oxygen monitoring and heart rate tracking, in addition to sleep tracking, 96 workout modes, and the ability to view notifications and weather updates.

Huawei reckons you can squeeze up to 14 days of use per charge in typical use cases, or 10 days if you’re really pushing it. Both estimates are impressive, and at this price, we can’t even complain about the lack of built-in GPS.

9. Oura Ring Gen 3

Want a fitness tracker but don’t want to clutter your wrist and/or sacrifice your beloved traditional timepiece? Enter the Oura — a fitness tracker that’s cleverly incorporated into an honest-to-goodness ring, letting you wear it on your finger of choice for unintrusive tracking.

Covering everything from sleep and heart rate, to steps and body temperature, it’s one of the best solutions for minimalists who don’t want an obvious smart device messing with their fashion Feng Shui.

How to choose the best fitness tracker for you

Overwhelmed by the vast choice of fitness trackers out there? Fear not, for Stuff’s wearable experts are on hand to grace you with their expertise.

The first step is deciding on a form factor — we’ve gone mostly for more minimalist “band”-type trackers, as they’re fitness-focused rather than offering all the apps, bells, and whistles served up by, say, some of the best Android smartwatches. That’s not to say you can’t opt for a smartwatch, mind. In fact, we’ve included the likes of the Apple Watch SE below as it’s a great choice for iPhone users looking for fitness tracking and other smarts in one device.

For the most part, though, you’ll want something compact, thin, and light, with a smartwatch-beating battery life of around five days or more. Waterproofing is a must if you’re swimming, and practically every fitness tracker is weather/sweat-resistant at the very least, for obvious reasons.

Built-in GPS is a bonus if you’re looking to track outdoor activities without having to bring along your bulky smartphone, and other extras like music playback can come in handy for the same reason.

With most fitness trackers offering the same core experience — namely, steps counted, calories burned, heart rate, sleep tracking, activity tracking, and more, you’ll want to decide on which brand you feel most comfortable with. Some fitness trackers offer more comprehensive stats for particular sports like swimming, and if you’ve already got a device from a particular brand, you may want to stay within their ecosystem so that you don’t lose any of your existing app data.

If you’re still set on a smartwatch though, then no problem. Simply read Stuff’s guide to the best smartwatches, and you’ll be golden.

Finally, if you’re serious about getting fit, check out Stuff’s guides to the best workout shoes for the gym, the best running shoes, and the best GPS watches.