Best all-rounder under £100
EarFun Air Pro 4
- The case charges on a wireless pad
- About 7.5 hours per charge
- Balanced sound and a comfy fit
Best for: Most people, and Android users who want LDAC or aptX
Catch: Calls sound tinny.
Best noise-cancelling earbuds under £100
The EarFun Air Pro 4 is the best all-rounder under £100: plenty of battery, a wireless charging case and every common codec. For the strongest noise cancelling, get the Nothing Ear (a). Take lots of calls? The Sony WF-C710N has the best microphones and the longest battery here.
Updated 4 November 2026
If you want something different
Quietest under £100
Nothing Ear (a)
- The quietest of the three
- Lively, punchy sound
- Small case that fits any pocket
Best for: Tube and bus commuters who want the most noise cancelling for the money
Catch: Shortest battery here, about 5.5 hours.
Best for calls and battery
Sony WF-C710N
Best for: People who take a lot of calls, or want the longest listening between charges
- Longest battery of the three, about 8.5 hours
- Very clear calls
- Comfy for a full working day
What buyers love: how it sounds.
Catch: The buds stick out, and they're only splash-proof.
Good to know
What matters at £100, and the trade-offs to expect.
Where the noise comes from
Engine and Tube rumble is what budget noise cancelling handles best. Nearby voices still get through on every pair here.
Calls
Microphones vary more than sound at this price. If calls matter, start with the Sony.
Real battery
Compare battery with noise cancelling switched on, since that's how you'll use them on the move.
Seal and ear tips
Noise cancelling depends on a tight seal. Try the different tip sizes before deciding a pair doesn't work.
The trade-offs that matter
Noise cancelling against battery
The Nothing Ear (a) blocks the most noise but needs charging first. The Sony lasts about three hours longer per charge with a little less quiet.
Codecs only matter on Android
The EarFun and the Nothing support LDAC, the Sony doesn't. On an iPhone that makes no difference, because all three use AAC.
Gym and rain
The EarFun is IPX5 and the Nothing buds IP54, both fine for sweat. The Sony's IPX4 only covers splashes.
Final buying advice: Buy the EarFun Air Pro 4 for the best mix of features, battery and price. Pick the Nothing Ear (a) if blocking noise on the commute comes first. For lots of calls or long days away from a charger, the Sony WF-C710N is the safer choice.
How they compare
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Budget | Budget | Budget |
| Battery per charge, noise cancelling on (claimed) | Up to 7.5 hours | Up to 5.5 hours | Up to 8.5 hours |
| With the case, noise cancelling on (claimed) | Up to 35 hours | Up to 24.5 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Weight per bud | – | 4.8 g | 5.2 g |
| Fit | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips |
| Water resistance | IPX5 | IP54 (buds), IPX2 (case) | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Are budget noise-cancelling earbuds good enough for the Tube?
For the rumble, yes. Reviewers found all three cut low engine and track noise well. Announcements and nearby voices still come through, as they do on most earbuds at this price.
Which earbuds under £100 have wireless charging?
Of these three, only the EarFun Air Pro 4. The Nothing Ear (a) and the Sony WF-C710N charge with a USB-C cable.
Do the Nothing Ear (a) fit small ears?
Usually, with the smallest tips. TechRadar found them comfortable but warned that people with very small ear canals may struggle to get a good seal.
Related guides
How we reached this
We shortlisted noise-cancelling earbuds that independent reviewers rate well and that we saw selling under £100 at a major shop, then compared them on the makers' specs.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: EarFun: Air Pro 4, Android Central: EarFun Air Pro 4 review, PC Gamer: EarFun Air Pro 4 review, Nothing: Ear (a), TechRadar: Nothing Ear (a) review, Expert Reviews: Nothing Ear (a) review, Sony UK: WF-C710N specifications, What Hi-Fi?: Sony WF-C710N review, Tom's Guide: Sony WF-C710N review.