Best Earbuds Under $30

Fiio F3

The Fiio F3 earbuds come with 3 different colored faceplates so you can change the look of the earbuds whenever you want. The cord has a stiffened rubber covering that doesn't tangle easily and the cord also has a built in microphone, which is a nice touch. The earbuds can be worn with the cord over your ear (with the included ear guides) or straight down like most earbuds. The Fiio F3s have dynamic drivers with a relatively flat impedance curve. There is a slight emphasis on bass frequencies but it is not extreme by any measure. Midrange is good and voices sound natural. Due to the dynamic drivers, these earbuds aren't the best at isolating external noise but they do manage to isolate some noise. The Fiio F3s don't do any one thing exceptionally well or really poorly, they do everything pretty well which makes them versatile earbuds and an excellent value.

Brainwavz S0

The Brainwavz S0 earbuds have a metal housing, which is nice, and come in a few different colors. They also come with a rather larger variety of silicone and foam tips to choose from. They have a flat cable with good strain relief but that flat cable can sometimes sit awkwardly depending on how you wear them. The Brainwavz S0 produces excellent sound. The bass is very clean and neutral but can be emphasized depending on which tips you use. The mids are smooth and well balanced and the treble is ever so slightly emphasized. Clarity and soundstage are both very good as well.

Symphonized NRG 3.0

The Symphonized NRG 3.0 earbuds come in a wood housing, which is uncommon at such a low price point. The wood housing looks great, provides a warm sound, but is a tad more fragile than metal or plastic housings. These earbuds have good bass response with an emphasis on the lower mids and upper bass frequencies. As a result, vocals can sound a bit recessed. If you prefer a little extra bass and you want some good looking earbuds, these would be great for you.

SoundMAGIC E10

The SoundMAGIC E10 earbuds come in a stylish metal housing. They offer good noise isolation and are comfortable even during extended listening sessions. They produce a fairly flat response curve. The bass is good but not overpowering like many cheaper earbuds. The midrange is slightly recessed and the high end is clear and well defined. The SoundMAGIC E10s sound great with a variety of music except, maybe, super bassy music.