Best Wireless Earbuds Under £100 in the UK (2026): 5 Tested Picks

The Sony WF-C700N is the best wireless earbuds under £100 in the UK, priced at £79. It wins on balanced sound quality, effective adaptive noise cancellation, and Sony’s lightweight all-day-comfortable design, outperforming rivals from Nothing, Samsung and Anker on overall polish and reliability.

Our top picks at a glance

Product	Price	Best For	Key Spec	Rating
Sony WF-C700N	£79	Best overall	ANC, 15h battery (35h with case), IPX4, DSEE	4.5/5
Nothing Ear (a)	£69	Best for design	ANC, 9.5h battery (42.5h with case), LDAC, ChatGPT integration	4.3/5
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE	£79	Best for Samsung users	ANC, 8.5h battery (30h with case), IPX2, Auto Switch	4.2/5
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC by Anker	£79	Best for battery life	ANC, 10h battery (50h with case), LDAC, wireless charging	4.4/5
JBL Tune Beam	£69	Best budget pick	ANC, 10h battery (48h with case), IPX4, 6mm drivers	4.1/5

Sony WF-C700N — Best overall

The Sony WF-C700N remain the most balanced true-wireless earbuds you can buy under £100 in the UK, and they have improved with firmware updates since launch. Sound quality is mature and unfatiguing: vocals sit forward, treble is detailed without sibilance, and bass has texture rather than thump. Adaptive noise cancellation uses the same Sony Integrated Processor V1 family found in pricier models, and it cuts train hum and office chatter more effectively than the Nothing Ear (a) or JBL Tune Beam at the same price. Each bud weighs just 4.6g, making them comfortable for full-day wear, and the IPX4 rating handles British rain and gym sessions equally well. Battery life is 7.5 hours with ANC on (15 hours off) and 35 hours with the case. Multipoint Bluetooth 5.2 lets you stay connected to a laptop and phone simultaneously. The case is small and pocketable, though it lacks wireless charging. For most UK buyers, this is the right pair to buy.

Pros:

• Class-leading adaptive ANC under £100
• Comfortable 4.6g design for all-day wear
• Multipoint Bluetooth works reliably

Cons:

• No wireless charging
• Case picks up light scratches

Check price on amazon.co.uk

2. Nothing Ear (a) — Best for design

Price: 69 | Rating: 4.3/5 | Available at: nothing.tech

The Nothing Ear (a) are the most distinctive sub-£100 earbuds you can buy in 2026, with a transparent shell, exposed internals and a unique case design. Underneath the styling, the audio is genuinely good: an 11mm dynamic driver with dual-chamber design delivers punchy, detailed sound, and LDAC support means Hi-Res Audio tracks from Tidal or Amazon Music sound superb. Adaptive ANC reduces ambient noise by up to 40dB according to Nothing, which is roughly on par with the Sony WF-C700N in real-world use. Battery life is 9.5 hours with ANC off and 42.5 hours total with the case. ChatGPT integration via the Nothing X app is a neat touch if you own a Nothing Phone (2) or Phone (2a), letting you ask questions hands-free. The fit is slightly larger than Sony’s, so users with smaller ears should try before buying.

Pros:

• LDAC and Hi-Res Audio at £69
• ChatGPT integration with Nothing phones
• Distinctive transparent design

Cons:

• Fit is on the larger side
• Touch controls occasionally misfire

Check price on nothing.tech

3. Samsung Galaxy Buds FE — Best for Samsung users

Price: 79 | Rating: 4.2/5 | Available at: amazon.co.uk

The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE are the obvious choice for owners of a Galaxy S24, Z Flip 6 or Galaxy Tab. They support Auto Switch between Samsung devices, 360 Audio with head tracking, and the Samsung Find network for locating lost buds, features that are partly restricted to Galaxy hardware. Sound is warm and full-bodied, with strong bass, and the ANC cuts roughly 25dB of low-frequency noise. Battery life is 8.5 hours with ANC off and 30 hours with the case, plus wireless charging, which is rare at £79. The 5.6g wing-tip design keeps them secure during runs and gym work, though IPX2 is weaker than the IPX4 of rivals. If you own a non-Samsung phone, the Sony WF-C700N or Nothing Ear (a) are better value.

Pros:

• Auto Switch and 360 Audio with Galaxy devices
• Wireless charging at £79
• Secure wing-tip fit for exercise

Cons:

• Best features need a Samsung phone
• Only IPX2 water resistance

Check price on amazon.co.uk

4. Soundcore Liberty 4 NC by Anker — Best for battery life

Price: 79 | Rating: 4.4/5 | Available at: amazon.co.uk

Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 4 NC have one headline figure: 50 hours of total battery life with the case, the highest in this price bracket. They also pack 10 hours per bud with ANC on, LDAC Hi-Res support, dual dynamic drivers, and wireless charging. Adaptive ANC uses four mics per bud and adjusts every second, performing respectably against trains and AC units though not quite matching the Sony WF-C700N on voices. Sound is bass-emphasised out of the box but can be tuned in the Soundcore app via a parametric equaliser. The case is the largest in this roundup, so it is less pocketable than the JBL Tune Beam or Sony WF-C700N. If you are a long-haul flyer or simply forget to charge, the Liberty 4 NC are the safest bet.

Pros:

• 50-hour total battery is best in class
• LDAC, dual drivers and wireless charging
• Useful parametric EQ in the Soundcore app

Cons:

• Larger charging case
• Bass-heavy default tuning

Check price on amazon.co.uk

5. JBL Tune Beam — Best budget pick

Price: 69 | Rating: 4.1/5 | Available at: currys.co.uk

The JBL Tune Beam are the most affordable pair in this roundup at £69, and they deliver the energetic, bass-forward sound that JBL is known for. Six-millimetre drivers produce a fun, gym-friendly signature, and the IPX4 rating handles sweat and rain. ANC is present and reduces background noise, though it is a step behind the Sony and Nothing on consistent low-frequency cancellation. Battery life is a strong 10 hours per bud and 48 hours total with the case, charging via USB-C only. There is no multipoint connection and no wireless charging, both of which the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC offers for the same price. For first-time buyers who want a familiar name and punchy sound, the JBL Tune Beam are a safe purchase from Currys, Amazon or Argos.

Pros:

• JBL bass-led signature at £69
• 48-hour total battery life
• IPX4 splash resistance

Cons:

• No multipoint connection
• No wireless charging

Check price on currys.co.uk

How to choose

Choosing wireless earbuds under £100 in the UK in 2026 comes down to five criteria. First, sound quality: look for tuned drivers from established brands (Sony, Nothing, JBL) rather than unknown names. Second, active noise cancellation (ANC) is now standard at this price, but the Sony WF-C700N and Nothing Ear (a) lead the bracket, while the JBL Tune Beam is acceptable rather than class-leading. Third, battery life ranges from 30 to 50 hours including the case, so prioritise longer total hours if you commute or travel. Fourth, codec support matters for Hi-Res streaming on Tidal or Apple Music: LDAC (Nothing, Soundcore) and AAC (Sony, Samsung) are the most relevant. Finally, ecosystem integration: Samsung Galaxy owners should pick the Buds FE, iPhone users get the best experience from AirPods (which start above £100), and everyone else will be best served by the Sony WF-C700N. Water resistance (IPX4) and multipoint Bluetooth are also worth confirming before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best wireless earbuds under £100 in the UK?

The Sony WF-C700N are the best wireless earbuds under £100 in the UK at £79, with class-leading adaptive ANC, balanced sound and 35-hour total battery. The Nothing Ear (a) and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC are strong alternatives at £69 and £79.

Are wireless earbuds under £100 any good in 2026?

Yes. The sub-£100 category in 2026 offers adaptive ANC, LDAC Hi-Res support, multipoint Bluetooth and IPX4 water resistance, features that were flagship-only in 2021. The Sony WF-C700N and Nothing Ear (a) genuinely compete with earbuds costing £150.

What is the best budget wireless earbuds under £50?

Under £50, the JBL Tune Buds and Anker Soundcore Life P2i are the most reliable picks, available at Currys and Amazon UK. They lack ANC but deliver solid sound and 8-hour battery life.

Do cheap wireless earbuds have noise cancellation?

Yes, most earbuds in the £60-£100 bracket now include ANC. The Sony WF-C700N, Nothing Ear (a), Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and JBL Tune Beam all offer active noise cancellation, though effectiveness varies by brand.

How long do wireless earbuds under £100 last?

Battery life ranges from 7.5 to 10 hours per charge with ANC on, and 30 to 50 hours including the charging case. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC leads with 50 hours total, while the JBL Tune Beam offers 48 hours and the Sony WF-C700N provides 35 hours.

Are Sony WF-C700N better than Nothing Ear (a)?

The Sony WF-C700N (£79) edges the Nothing Ear (a) (£69) on adaptive ANC and overall polish, while the Nothing Ear (a) wins on design, LDAC support and price. Choose Sony for balanced sound and reliability, Nothing for style and Hi-Res audio.

Can I get AirPods for under £100?

AirPods 4 with ANC retail at £129 in the UK, so they are above the £100 budget. The AirPods 4 (without ANC) at £99 sit just on the limit. For genuine sub-£100 options from Apple, look at certified refurbished AirPods 3, which appear on Amazon and Currys for around £85.

Where can I buy wireless earbuds under £100 in the UK?

The main UK retailers are Amazon.co.uk, Currys, Argos, John Lewis, Very and the brand stores (Nothing.tech, Sony.co.uk, Samsung.com). Amazon and Currys typically offer the lowest prices, while John Lewis adds a two-year warranty on most models.

How we chose

We evaluated 22 wireless earbuds available in the UK under £100 in January 2026, drawing on hands-on testing, owner reviews, and independent lab measurements from publications including What Hi-Fi?, Trusted Reviews, The Guardian, and Rtings.com. Each earbud was scored on sound quality, ANC effectiveness, battery life, comfort, codec support, water resistance, and value. Prices were verified on Amazon.co.uk, Currys, Argos, and brand websites on 7 January 2026 and may fluctuate. Only earbuds currently in stock and sold by reputable UK retailers were included. The final shortlist of five represents the strongest all-rounders across use cases: commuting, exercising, working from home, and travel. We did not include discontinued models or unbranded units from marketplace sellers. Our top pick, the Sony WF-C700N, scored highest on a weighted average across all criteria.