Imagine unboxing a sleek new pair of earbuds, slipping them into your ears, and being enveloped in a rich, immersive soundscape that rivals headsets ten times their price. The bass reverberates with clarity, the treble sings sweetly, and your favourite song feels like a private concert just for you. This is the ‘wow’ moment we’ve all been chasing, and believe it or not, you can experience it for less than $50.
If you are in the market for the perfect earbuds or audio listening device, you’re about to get lucky. Over the years, I’ve tested a wide range of earbuds from AliExpress, including open-ear and ANC earbuds, clip-ons, and headsets. Today, we will be looking at the best 5 for 2025 under $50, offering a superb listening experience, nice build quality, and, above all, the ultimate value for money.
Best overall – The Soundpeats Air 5 Pro
Over the year, the Soundpeats Air 5 Pro has been the best earbuds I’ve used. Boasting a 10mm dynamic driver, AAC codec support, and up to 6 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, these earbuds are the perfect blend of value for money and a premium experience. I did not find a perfect rival for the Air 5 Pro, and in certain situations, they matched up with my AirPods Pro.
The Soundpeats Air 5 Pro delivers a perfect sound profile, with rich bass and very clear treble. The sound from the Soundpeats Air 5 Pro was nothing short of perfect. I personally like how it delivers high-quality audio across every genre; although I’m a big fan of Afrobeats, the Air 5 Pro delivers excellently.
But the real reason this is at the top of our lists is its ANC mode. The Soundpeats Air 5 Pro has one of the best ANC modes in the market. This one comes with three modes: hybrid noise cancelling, transparency mode, and normal mode. All three modes are very functional. I did not have a hard time filtering out background noise from the music I listened to, and I also used the transparency mode properly during active conversations.
In conclusion, the Soundpeats Air 5 Pro is the perfect blend of value for money and good quality. I liked how these earbuds delivered proper sound and still held up. For $50, you can pick this up on AliExpress.
Second place – QCY Melobuds N50
The QCY Melobuds N50 are the top budget ANC earbuds on this list. Initially, the design did not impress me, but after several days of use, their performance convinced me to consider them among the best.
Offering an impressive price-to-performance ratio, these $20 earbuds defy expectations by delivering sound quality and comfort comparable to mid-tier models priced around $40. The sound profile features a strong bass, one of the best trebles for budget earbuds, and very clear vocals. This makes the Melobuds N50 a standout choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want exceptional performance.
I like how $20 earbuds can deliver both sound quality, comfort, and ANC that’s half the price of the Soundpeats Air 5 Pro. But for half the price, this one still delivers a very nice sound profile: a strong bass, one of the best trebles for budget earbuds, and very clear vocals.
Now, for $20, you won’t expect that much in terms of ANC, but that’s why this is the second on our list. The ANC on the QCY Melobuds N50 is superb. I like how this one filtered background noise very easily and still maintained a very premium sound. And like the Air 5 Pro, this one comes equipped with three modes: Active noise cancelling, transparency mode, and normal mode. All modes on this were very functional, and even if you are the metro man on a budget, then you’ve got the perfect pick.
In conclusion, the QCY Melobuds N50 are the perfect ANC earbuds for budget-conscious buyers.
Third place – The QCY Crossky R70 is best for comfort.
In a world that’s prioritizing comfort over sound quality, the Crossky R70 excels. Now, this was one of my favourites for testing in 2025. In a bid to improve comfort, sound quality was largely neglected in open-ear designs, but the Crossky R70 excelled in this regard. I like how this one blends comfort with a very nice, calm sound profile.
While testing, I couldn’t help but notice that this one delivered a relatively loud sound even in noisy environments, whereas the Haylou Airfree performed terribly. Although QCY has been at the forefront of open-ear designs like the Crossky C30 and C30S, with the R70, they definitely delivered something very impressive.
Calling and media playback on these earbuds were superb, the sound profile was also nice, and, as a matter of fact, the battery held up remarkably. So if you prioritize comfort over sound quality, this is definitely the perfect pick for you. However, these earbuds have a slight issue: you can’t wear glasses with them comfortably. But don’t worry, if you’re a glasses wearer, consider the QCY Melobuds N50 as a great alternative that combines decent comfort with excellent sound quality for an affordable price. Besides that, it’s the best open earbuds I’ve tested on AliExpress.
In conclusion, this is the best open-ear design on our list, thanks to its unique design and immersive sound quality.
Fourth place – Baseus MC1 Best clip-on
The Baseus MC1 represents a leap in innovation with its evolving design known as ‘ear-hug’ clip-ons. It’s an alternative to in-ear designs like the Air 5 Pro, and I have a particular fondness for these earbuds. Just like the Crossky R70 clip-ons, they prioritize comfort over sound quality. However, what truly sets the MC1 apart is its excellence within its class, offering a unique blend of practicality and comfort that stands out among peers.
While testing, I could not help but notice that these earbuds still delivered louder sound than others in their lineup, like the Haylou Airfree and the QCY Crossky C30. The Baseus Bowie MC1 was a powerhouse, whether you were listening to an Afrobeats song or the latest hip-hop; these earbuds still delivered an immense sound profile.
The bass was very nice, with accurate treble and crystal-clear vocals. The battery, on the other hand, could last you days without running out, and considering that Baseus is a powerhouse when it comes to battery charging and power banks, this doesn’t seem like a surprise.
In conclusion, the Baseus MC1 is one of the best clip-ons on the market for a fraction of the price of more expensive alternatives like Soundcore and Skullcandy, as many companies have not perfected the clip-on designs yet.
Fifth place – Soundpeats Air 4 Pro
With its transparent case style and very nice sound profile, the Soundpeats Air 4 Pro still remains a powerhouse. These were my first ANC earbuds with a transparent carry-on case, and the earbuds themselves were transparent, giving them a very unique and attractive look.
The Soundpeats Air 4 Pro has one of the best sound profiles on the market. Like the Air 5 Pro, this one delivers a very nice sound profile, with strong bass, excellent treble, and crystal-clear vocals. However, it can be a bit heavy and bulky, which puts it in this position. These earbuds delivered on sound quality, battery life, and overall endurance.
While testing, I couldn’t help but notice how durable the Soundpeats Air 4 Pro was; you could drop it from high heights without it breaking, which was a highlight. Coupled with the fact that I’ve had it for a while, it still remains a favourite.
In conclusion, if you are on a budget and can’t get the Air 5 Pro, then the Soundpeats Air 4 Pro might be your best pick for now.
Sixth place – The Baseus Bowie E19
No app, no fuss, just play: The Baseus Bowie E19 has to be the best budget earbuds on our list. For less than $20, you can have these very simple yet efficient earbuds. Now being one of my easiest to use with no ANC or all those other modes, the Baseus E19 is simply a plug-and-go pair of earbuds.
You get a very nice sound profile and a working battery. Compared to the Haylou X1C, this one holds the crown as the best budget earbuds on our list because it ticks all the boxes: you get very nice bass, crystal-clear vocals, and nice treble, all in a $15 pair of earbuds.
While testing, I liked how this one performed remarkably well in real life, though it doesn’t have app support or the other features you’d expect from premium earbuds these days. It still stands out as the best budget earbuds I’ve tested on AliExpress.
Seventh place – QCY Crossky C30 best for sports
The QCY Crossky C30, like the Baseus MC1, is a clip-on design earbud, but it is way lighter. Now imagine using earbuds that don’t make you feel anything in your ears. That’s the reputation the QCY Crossky keeps up, and that’s why it’s the best for sports on our lists.
I’ve had this one for a while. Whenever I don’t want to feel as if I have something in my ears, it’s my go-to option. I like how light this one is. It’s very comfortable. Note that there is an upgraded version of the Crossky C30S, but it still stands supreme.
This one delivers a premium listening experience, along with good battery life and great comfort for sports and workout sessions. Although it might lack a little in loud environments and crowded areas, it still serves.
In conclusion, if you hit the gym or do long runs and want something for everyday use, the QCY Crossky C30 is the perfect pick on AliExpress.
Eighth place – Soundpeats Air 5
The Soundpeats Air 5 is the only open-ear ANC model on our list. This one shares a similar design to Apple AirPods 4 but has ANC, not like the Soundpeats Air 5 Pro. The ANC on these earbuds is not all that.
Now, aside from the ANC, which could not filter background noise efficiently, I noticed during testing that these earbuds produce some pretty good sound. You get very clear vocals, with good bass and treble, and the call quality and media playback were also nice.
The only reason it’s way down on the list is its sound-quality downside; everything else is superb on this one.
In conclusion, if you are on a budget and don’t really care about ANC, the Soundpeats Air 5 still delivers quality sound.
Ninth place – Haylou X1C
The Haylou X1C is probably the cheapest on our list. This one delivers the right quality for its price, but where these earbuds do their magic is by enhancing the sound to make it sound like it has ANC.
Now I’ve been a fan of Haylou after testing out the Haylou W1 and even up to the Haylou S40 headsets, and the X1C did not disappoint. Also, you get a very nice sound profile, smooth media playback, and very punchy bass, but there’s one aspect this one lacks.
Now the battery on the Haylou X1C is not what we will call great, although it serves its purpose, but it is not that reliable compared to the Baseus Bowie E19. I like how slim these earbuds are and how light they feel on the ears.
In conclusion, if you are on a budget but still need a little bit of noise filtration, then the Haylou X1C is a good choice.
Tenth place Bonus – Best headset Haylou S40
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been a fan of Haylou, and Haylou did not disappoint with the Haylou S40. This is one of the best headsets I’ve tested recently with active noise cancellation.
Now, the reason this is on our lists is that this particular headset is good: you get a very nice sound profile with punchy bass, a nice treble, and crystal-clear vocals, even in very crowded places.
The noise-cancelling mode is one of the best you can find on any headset as of today. It comes with three modes: ANC, transparency, and normal. I specifically like the transparency mode, as it helps with conversations and lets you keep your headsets on in certain situations.
But the marvel of this one is the fact that you can use this one in playing games, which means this one also serves as a gaming headset, so for under $50, you get both a gaming headset and a normal headset, ultimate value for money.
How did we make this pick?
Design and build quality
Build quality and design play a significant role in choosing earbuds, as many individuals wouldn’t want to choose ones that are out of style or not durable. In this article, we’ve selected the best-looking earbuds and tested their durability to ensure they meet certain standards and last a long time.
During our testing, we conducted rigorous drop tests from various heights and stress cycles to assess how well each model withstands everyday wear and tear. These tests help ensure that the earbuds you choose are not only stylish but built to last.
Sound quality
When picking these earbuds, we’ve tested all the ones mentioned here to bring our readers the absolute best-sounding earbuds on AliExpress, so they can enjoy a premium listening experience.
Comfort
All the earbuds mentioned have been tested to meet certain comfort standards and to determine whether they cause mild or serious ear irritation during long listening hours.
Battery
Everyone wants the best battery life from their earbuds, and we’ve picked the absolute best in terms of battery life and performance to deliver the ultimate listening experience without having to charge your earbuds at every instance.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How safe is it to buy from AliExpress?
I’ve been using AliExpress for years now, and it’s very safe to buy there. Just make sure to fill in the correct contact details when signing up, and you’re good to go.
Are Chinese AliExpress earbuds good?
Yes, Chinese earbuds are good, and compared to more expensive alternatives, they offer better value for money and good quality.
How long would it take to receive my package?
Shipping varies by region or address, but it usually takes up to 2 weeks to receive your package via AliExpress.