Workout & Gym · The rankings
Best workout earbuds under $100: nine with a hook, clip or neckband and a rating you can read
Under $100 you can have a hook and an IP rating, or a hook and ANC, or an immersion rating and 12 hours. The Sport X20 has all three, which is why it's first. The rest are the honest trade-offs at each price.
By Mike M.Updated Spec-checked, not worn by us
#adReader-supported: we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never decides a ranking. How we rank · Disclosure
Quick picks
The rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Soundcore Sport X20 Hooks that rotate 30 degrees and extend 4 mm, ANC, 12 hours per charge (48 with the case) and a submersion rating for under $100. The sweatproof sealed bud that actually fits different ears. | Best under $100 overallIn-ear + ear hook | 8.9 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 2 |  Baseus Bowie MC2 IP67, 5.1 g, 11.5 to 13 hours per charge and 55 to 60 with the case, Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint and LDAC. On paper the best-rated budget clip-on by a distance. | Best open-ear under $100Open-ear clip-on | 8.6 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 3 |  Creative Outlier Free Pro IPX8, 10 hours, 8 GB of onboard MP3 storage and Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint for well under $100. The budget bone conduction set that can also swim. | Best bone conduction under $100Bone conduction (neckband) | 8.3 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 4 |  Soundcore V20i The cheapest open-ear hook worth naming: IP55, four adjustable positions, 8 hours per charge, 16 mm drivers, multipoint. It's a budget set with a real sweat rating. | Best open hook under $100Open-ear hook | 7.7 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 5 | Mojawa Run Plus IP68, 29.6 g, 32 GB of storage and a 5-minute quick charge in the under-$100 band. A swim-capable neckband that undercuts Shokz on paper. | Best budget swim-capableBone conduction (neckband) | 8.2 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 6 | JLab GO Sport+ IP55, 9 hours per bud and 35 total, a Be Aware mode and a small ear hook, for less than a pair of gym socks. The cheapest hooked earbud we'd hand to anyone. | Best under $50In-ear + ear hook | 7.4 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 7 | JLab JBuds Open Sport 2 IP55, Bluetooth 6.0 with three-device multipoint and 45 hours total for about the price of a gym month. The cheapest sport hook that still carries a jet-spray sweat rating. | Cheapest IP55 open hookOpen-ear hook | 7.6 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 8 | Shokz OpenMove The cheapest way into Shokz: IP55, 29 g, 6 hours, USB-C. You give up quick charge and two generations of driver, but the neckband fit is the same idea. | Cheapest ShokzBone conduction (neckband) | 7.4 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 9 | JLab Flex Open Earbuds A clip-on cuff with IP55, multipoint and 21-plus hours total for the price of a takeout order. The budget answer if you want the cuff style without the Bose bill. | Cheapest clip-onOpen-ear clip-on | 7.2 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
#ad · Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Scores are ours, built from published specs and cited independent reviews, not our own wear tests. Photos are illustrative stock. Tap a row for the full write-up.
The bar
Three rules, same as our other budget lists. A maker's own product page. A published IP rating on it. A list price under $100 on that page on September 21, 2026 (Amazon prices change daily and aren't printed here; the button shows the current one). Plus one rule specific to this page: a retention system. No plain tips. Every pick has a hook, a clip or a neckband, because the reason you're reading this is that the last cheap pair fell out.
The table
| Evidence | Soundcore Sport X20 | Baseus Bowie MC2 | Creative Outlier Free Pro | Soundcore V20i | Mojawa Run Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit system | In-ear + ear hook | Open-ear clip-on | Bone conduction (neckband) | Open-ear hook | Bone conduction (neckband) |
| Water & sweat rating | Soundcore lists IP68 in its product imagery and IPX7 in its product description; both are immersion ratings | IP67 | IPX8 (Creative: run, cycle and even swim) | IP55 | IP68 (fully submersible) |
| Battery | 12 hours per charge / 48 with case (normal); 7 / 28 with ANC | About 11.5 h (bass boost on) or 13 h (off) per charge; 55 to 60 h with case | Up to 10 hours per charge | 8 hours; 36 hours with case | 8 hours; standby up to 10 days |
| Noise control | Active noise canceling | — | — | — | — |
| Controls | Physical buttons, customizable in the app | — | — | Touch control | — |
| Multipoint | Dual connections | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Score | 8.9/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| Evidence | JLab GO Sport+ | JLab JBuds Open Sport 2 | Shokz OpenMove | JLab Flex Open Earbuds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit system | In-ear + ear hook | Open-ear hook | Bone conduction (neckband) | Open-ear clip-on |
| Water & sweat rating | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 | IP55 |
| Battery | 9 hours per earbud; 35 hours total | 45 hours total with case | 6 hours listening | 21+ hours total with case |
| Controls | Touch | — | Physical buttons | Touch |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.0 | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.2/10 |
What $100 buys, by design
- Sealed hook: the Sport X20 is the standout, with ANC and a rating most flagships don't match. The Go Sport+ is the same idea at a third of the price with no ANC and a smaller driver.
- Open clip: the Baseus Bowie MC2 is IP67, 5.1 g and 11-plus hours, specs that embarrass pricier cuffs. The JLab Flex is the bare-minimum IP55 clip.
- Open hook: the Soundcore V20i and JLab JBuds Open Sport 2 are both IP55; the V20i has an adjustable hinge, the JLab has three-device multipoint on Bluetooth 6.0.
- Neckband: Creative (IPX8, 10 h, 8 GB), Mojawa (IP68, 8 h, 32 GB), Shokz OpenMove (IP55, 6 h). The first two can swim; the Shokz has the name and USB-C.
In detail
The picks, in full
Rank 1
Stock photoBest under $100 overall
Soundcore Sport X20
Hooks that rotate 30 degrees and extend 4 mm, ANC, 12 hours per charge (48 with the case) and a submersion rating for under $100. The sweatproof sealed bud that actually fits different ears.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | In-ear + ear hook. Sealed ear canal: isolation, no awareness. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | Soundcore lists IP68 in its product imagery and IPX7 in its product description; both are immersion ratings |
| Battery | 12 hours per charge / 48 with case (normal); 7 / 28 with ANC |
| Charging | About 40 minutes to full for the earbuds |
| Multipoint | Dual connections |
| Controls | Physical buttons, customizable in the app |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Driver / tech | 11 mm dynamic drivers with BassUp |
| Noise control | Active noise canceling |
| Extras | Ear hooks rotate plus or minus 30 degrees and extend 4 mm in four steps; SweatGuard sealed cavity |
How the 8.9 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 10
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 10
- Noise control & transparency (15%)
- 8
- Sound quality (15%)
- 7
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 7
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 9
- Value (5%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- Adjustable hooks: rotation and extension are the difference between a bud that stays and one that doesn't
- Immersion-rated where Beats is IPX4
- 12 hours per charge with ANC off
- Buttons, not touch
Where it falls short
- Soundcore's own page disagrees with itself on IP68 vs IPX7
- SBC/AAC only
- Soundcore doesn't publish per-earbud weight on the product page
Skip this if…
…you want heart-rate data or Apple integration; the Powerbeats Pro 2 has both.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Soundcore Sport X20
Rank 2
Stock photoBest open-ear under $100
Baseus Bowie MC2
IP67, 5.1 g, 11.5 to 13 hours per charge and 55 to 60 with the case, Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint and LDAC. On paper the best-rated budget clip-on by a distance.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Open-ear clip-on. Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP67 |
| Weight | About 5.1 g per earbud; about 52 g with case |
| Battery | About 11.5 h (bass boost on) or 13 h (off) per charge; 55 to 60 h with case |
| Bluetooth | 6.0; 38 ms low-latency mode |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Microphones | 4-mic AI call clarity |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Driver / tech | 11 mm dynamic, 20 Hz to 40 kHz |
| Extras | Detachable air cushions in M/L/XL |
How the 8.6 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 8
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 10
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 9
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 7
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 7
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 10
- Value (5%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- IP67 at a budget price: the best water rating of any clip-on here
- Lightest clip-on at 5.1 g
- Battery figures nobody else in the category matches
- Three cushion sizes for fit
Where it falls short
- Less brand track record and fewer independent reviews than Bose, Shokz or Soundcore
- Baseus's battery figures are at 50% volume
Skip this if…
…you want a known name with a long warranty history; Shokz and Bose cost more for that reason.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Baseus Bowie MC2
Rank 3
Stock photoBest bone conduction under $100
Creative Outlier Free Pro
IPX8, 10 hours, 8 GB of onboard MP3 storage and Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint for well under $100. The budget bone conduction set that can also swim.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Bone conduction (neckband). Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IPX8 (Creative: run, cycle and even swim) |
| Weight | 31.5 g / 1.11 oz |
| Battery | Up to 10 hours per charge |
| Charging | Magnetic charging cable |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Storage | 8 GB built-in memory |
| Extras | Silicone and titanium memory alloy frame; plug-in microphone for underwater use |
How the 8.3 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 10
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 10
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 4
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 6
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 8
- Value (5%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- IPX8 at a budget price: the cheapest set here you can take in the pool
- 10 hours beats the Shokz OpenMove by four
- 8 GB MP3 player for swimming or phone-free runs
Where it falls short
- Heavier than the Shokz OpenRun models at 31.5 g
- No dust rating (the X in IPX8 means dust wasn't tested)
- Magnetic charging cable rather than USB-C
Skip this if…
…you want the best sound at this price; bone conduction bass is thin across the board and the sealed JLab Go Sport+ sounds fuller for less.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Creative Outlier Free Pro
Rank 4
Stock photoBest open hook under $100
Soundcore V20i
The cheapest open-ear hook worth naming: IP55, four adjustable positions, 8 hours per charge, 16 mm drivers, multipoint. It's a budget set with a real sweat rating.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Open-ear hook. Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP55 |
| Battery | 8 hours; 36 hours with case |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 1 hour |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Microphones | 4 mics with AI algorithm |
| Controls | Touch control |
| Driver / tech | 16 mm drivers with titanium-coated domes |
| Extras | Four adjustable hook positions |
How the 7.7 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 8
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 8
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 9
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 6
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 6
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 7
- Value (5%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- IP55 at a fraction of the Shokz price
- Adjustable hook, the same idea as the AeroFit 2
- Multipoint and four mics at this price is unusual
Where it falls short
- Soundcore doesn't publish weight or Bluetooth version on the product page
- 10-minute charge only buys an hour
- Touch controls
Skip this if…
…sound matters; single-driver budget open-ears are thin, and the JLab Epic Open Sport adds LDAC for a bit more.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Soundcore V20i
Rank 5
Stock photoBest budget swim-capable
Mojawa Run Plus
IP68, 29.6 g, 32 GB of storage and a 5-minute quick charge in the under-$100 band. A swim-capable neckband that undercuts Shokz on paper.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Bone conduction (neckband). Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP68 (fully submersible) |
| Weight | 29.6 g |
| Battery | 8 hours; standby up to 10 days |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 90 min |
| Charging | Magnetic induction, 1 hour to full |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Storage | 32 GB built-in |
| Extras | Full titanium construction |
How the 8.2 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 10
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 10
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 4
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 6
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 8
- Value (5%)
- 9
What the spec sheet supports
- IP68 and 32 GB at a price the Shokz OpenSwim Pro doesn't approach
- Lighter than the Creative and close to the Shokz OpenRun
- Quick charge, which the Shokz OpenMove lacks
Where it falls short
- 8 hours is two short of the Creative Outlier Free Pro
- Magnetic charging cable
- Fewer independent reviews than Shokz; we cite only Mojawa's own specs
Skip this if…
…you want the brand with the deepest review record and the widest accessory support; Shokz has both.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Mojawa Run Plus
Rank 6
Stock photoBest under $50
JLab GO Sport+
IP55, 9 hours per bud and 35 total, a Be Aware mode and a small ear hook, for less than a pair of gym socks. The cheapest hooked earbud we'd hand to anyone.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | In-ear + ear hook. Sealed ear canal: isolation, no awareness. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP55 |
| Weight | 13.1 g for the pair (about 6.5 g per earbud); case 45.8 g |
| Battery | 9 hours per earbud; 35 hours total |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 1 hour |
| Charging | Integrated USB-C cable on the case |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Dual Connect (either earbud solo) |
| Microphones | 2 MEMS mics with ENC |
| Controls | Touch |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Driver / tech | 8 mm dynamic driver |
| Noise control | Be Aware transparency mode |
How the 7.4 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 8
- Noise control & transparency (15%)
- 6
- Sound quality (15%)
- 5
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 6
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 8
- Value (5%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- IP55 and 9 hours per bud at a throwaway price
- Be Aware mode lets some of the gym in
- Integrated charging cable means nothing to lose
Where it falls short
- 8 mm driver: thin sound
- Touch controls
- No ANC
Skip this if…
…sound quality is on the list at all; the Epic Sport ANC 3 is JLab's real sport bud.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to JLab GO Sport+
Rank 7
Stock photoCheapest IP55 open hook
JLab JBuds Open Sport 2
IP55, Bluetooth 6.0 with three-device multipoint and 45 hours total for about the price of a gym month. The cheapest sport hook that still carries a jet-spray sweat rating.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Open-ear hook. Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP55 |
| Battery | 45 hours total with case |
| Bluetooth | 6.0 |
| Multipoint | Multipoint-3 (up to three devices) |
| Extras | Sport ear hooks; JLab 2-year warranty |
How the 7.6 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 8
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 8
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 9
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 5
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 6
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 8
- Value (5%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- IP55 at the lowest price on this site for an open-ear
- Three-device multipoint on Bluetooth 6.0
- 45 hours total
Where it falls short
- JLab hasn't published per-earbud battery, weight or driver size for this model yet
- Budget single-driver sound
Skip this if…
…you want a published spec sheet before you buy; JLab's Epic Open Sport has one, and LDAC.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to JLab JBuds Open Sport 2
Rank 8
Stock photoCheapest Shokz
Shokz OpenMove
The cheapest way into Shokz: IP55, 29 g, 6 hours, USB-C. You give up quick charge and two generations of driver, but the neckband fit is the same idea.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Bone conduction (neckband). Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP55 |
| Weight | 29 g |
| Battery | 6 hours listening |
| Quick charge | None |
| Charging | USB-C, 2 hours to full |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Microphones | Dual noise-canceling |
| Controls | Physical buttons |
| Driver / tech | 7th-gen bone conduction (PremiumPitch 2.0) |
| Launched | September 2020 |
How the 7.4 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 8
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 10
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 4
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 6
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 4
- Value (5%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Under $100 at Shokz's own list price, so the cheapest entry to the brand
- IP55 covers sweat and rain
- USB-C charging, no proprietary cable
Where it falls short
- 6 hours of battery and no quick charge
- Older 7th-gen driver: the thinnest sound of the Shokz neckbands
- Heavier than the OpenRun models despite the lower price
Skip this if…
…you run long or forget to charge: six hours with no quick charge is the deal-breaker. The Creative Outlier Free Pro costs less and lasts longer.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Shokz OpenMove
Rank 9
Stock photoCheapest clip-on
JLab Flex Open Earbuds
A clip-on cuff with IP55, multipoint and 21-plus hours total for the price of a takeout order. The budget answer if you want the cuff style without the Bose bill.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Open-ear clip-on. Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP55 |
| Weight | 12 g for the pair (about 6 g per earbud); case 36.8 g |
| Battery | 21+ hours total with case |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Microphones | 2-mic ENC |
| Controls | Touch |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Driver / tech | 12 mm dynamic driver |
How the 7.2 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 7
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 8
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 9
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 6
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 6
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 5
- Value (5%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- IP55 on a budget cuff
- Multipoint and Google Fast Pair
- About 6 g per side
Where it falls short
- 21 hours total is the lowest here
- JLab doesn't publish per-earbud playtime for this model
- SBC/AAC only
Skip this if…
…you need all-day battery; the Baseus Bowie MC2 more than doubles it for a little more.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to JLab Flex Open Earbuds
Buyer's guide: spending under $100 on workout earbuds
Decide open or sealed first
Sealed with ANC for a loud gym and bass: Sport X20. Open for a spotter, a road, or a sweaty canal you'd rather keep empty: Baseus, V20i, or a neckband. The decision page is open-ear vs in-ear.
Then the rating
IP55 is the floor for the gym; four picks here are immersion-rated (Sport X20, Baseus, Creative, Mojawa), which at this price is remarkable. Read can sweat damage earbuds for why a cheap unrated pair is the expensive one.
Battery per charge
Sport X20 12 h, Baseus 11.5 to 13 h, Creative 10 h, Go Sport+ 9 h, V20i 8 h, Mojawa 8 h, OpenMove 6 h. JLab publishes only totals for the Open Sport 2 and Flex.
When to spend more
For buttons and a wind rating on an open hook, the Shokz OpenFit 2 or OpenFit Air 2; for heart rate and Apple integration, the Powerbeats Pro 2. Both on best workout earbuds.
How we scored this
Pairs we claim to have worn: none we haven't
Plenty of sites say they ran a hundred miles in every pair on the list. We don't say that, and we say so on every page. What we do instead: classify the retention system (hook, clip, wing, neckband), record the maker's published IP rating, weight, battery, charging, mic and control type from its own product page, cross-reference at least one independent published review where one exists, and score every pick on a public rubric. Every figure links to where it came from.
Scores are editorial judgments from that documented research, not lab results. Commissions never set a score or decide a pick. The rubric and its weights are published.
Corrections & updates
- First edition.
Questions
Frequently asked
What are the best cheap workout earbuds?
Are there good open-ear earbuds under $100?
Are cheap earbuds sweatproof?
Keep reading
Related on Openear Club
Receipts
Sources
- Soundcore — Sport X20 product page (checked 2026-09-21)
- Baseus — Bowie MC2 product page, specifications (checked 2026-09-21)
- Creative — Outlier Free Pro product page, specifications (checked 2026-09-21)
- Soundcore — V20i product page (checked 2026-09-21)
- Mojawa — Run Plus product page, specifications (checked 2026-09-21)
- JLab — GO Sport+ product page, tech specs (checked 2026-09-21)
- JLab — JBuds Open Sport 2 product page (checked 2026-09-21)
- Shokz — official product comparison table (checked 2026-09-21)
- JLab — Flex Open Earbuds product page, tech specs (checked 2026-09-21)
We haven't worn every pair on this site and we don't pretend to. Specs come from the maker's own product pages (linked on every product), independent findings are attributed to whoever published them, and Amazon prices change often, so we don't print them. Where a figure isn't published, we say so. Read the full method.