The best TWS for calling and Zoom meetings - under $50 and $100
BUYING GUIDE - There are many wireless earbuds that fail to offer clear phone and video calls. Not all, fortunately! These are the best cheap wireless earbuds for phone calls and Zoom and conference meetings - last updated in June 2025.
Best wireless earbuds for calling - June 2025:
OnePlus Buds 3 - best under $100
Realme Buds Air 6 Pro - runner-up
Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 - best without rubber ear tips
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE - best without stems
Haylou X1c - the dirt-cheap option
What you need to know about calling with wireless earbuds:
Wireless calls are not as reliable as a wired earphone with a microphone you can hold close by your mouth, or pin on your shirt with a clip. While most wireless earphones have no trouble with phone calls and video calls in quiet areas, it differs how wireless earbuds perform in busy or outside situations.
There is a lot of variation in how earbuds handle phone calls. Some earbuds handle phone calls well, but can make you inaudible in video calls, such as WhatsApp group calls, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom meetings. Many earphones drown your voice, have no volume, or have too much hiss or surrounding noises on the line - some in phone calls, some in video conferences. Wind noise often is the biggest threat for the clarity in your voice.
Apple AirPods 3
Take for example the $250 AirPods Pro 2. Apple's earbuds have been praised many times for their call clarity, but while your voice is indeed clear, they do pick up and pass through a lot of noise around you. When you're walking or cycling in wind, it's almost unbearable to the other end of the line. Even Apple has trouble delivering clear calls all the time.
Happily, some earbuds do it better. There are capable calling earphones out there - and quite affordable as well!
In this Buying Guide, I've summed up the best budget-friendly wireless earbuds for phone calls and video conferences, after testing and reviewing 458+ wireless earbuds from $15 to $150 on Scarbir.com.
How Scarbir.com tests call quality on wireless earbuds:
Indoor phone calls are tested in a stimulated office area, with and without vocal and sudden background noise, while sitting down and walking around.
Outdoor phone calls are held in the same area; a slightly windy and heavy traffic intersection in a city, where busses, small trucks, and scooters stop and accelerate, and cyclists and pedestrians talk to each other.
Video calls are held on a phone and a laptop, in line with older work laptops and desktops - ensuring the wireless earbuds fare fine with older Bluetooth chipsets as well.
All sound recordings are done with the same apps on iPhone and Android, to have a consistent basis to test and compare the recorded samples.
All earphones are tested and reviewed on other aspects as well. As you can see from the links to the reviews, earbuds are tested on sound quality, look and feel, build quality, connection strength, controls, battery life, and ANC active noise cancelling and Transparency modes when available.
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These are the best cheap wireless earphones for phone calls and video calls, updated for June 2025:
1. Best cheap earbuds for phone and video calls under $100: OnePlus Buds 3
Best call quality on wireless earbuds under $100
The OnePlus Buds 3 is a great pair of wireless earbuds for phone calls and Zoom meetings, with clear calls, long battery life, and fantastic multipoint connectivity - making it easy to connect to multiple devices at the same time.
How the OnePlus Buds 3 handles phone and video calls:
Your voice sounds clear and natural
Indoor sounds like chatter and door slams are reduced very well
Outdoor sounds like traffic are reduced very well
Wind doesn't drown your voice - does colour it a bit darker
Available in black or blue, the OnePlus Buds 3 looks and feels great. The USB-C powered charging case is compact and stays scratch-free after heavy use. The IP55 waterproof earbuds itself look sleek thanks to their shiny finish, and thanks to soft rubbers on the inside, they're a secure fit and very comfortable. It's even doable to sleep on your side with these!
The Buds 3's battery provides comfort as well, with its 6,5 hours of playtime with Active Noise Cancelling on - even longer when you turn it off. The ANC itself is usable, and takes away darker and most middle sounds from your surroundings. Sudden sounds like nearby chatter or laughter still come through when you're not playing any music, however. You can accentuate those further by the very natural Transparency mode.
Another thing that could have been a tad better, are the volume controls on the stems. You control them by swiping the stem up and down like on Apple's AirPods Pro 2, but your input isn't always registered well.
That said, there are three great features of the OnePlus Buds 3:
The first is the call quality. Phone and video calls are handled exceptionally well. Your voice sounds loud and clear and outweighs nearby people and sounds, even in crowded places. Noise around you is filtered well in calls, and your voice even remains clear when there's a bit of wind outside.
Second is the connectivity. You can easily connect the earbuds to every device you have. Take the earbuds out of the case, and it connects to the two closest devices you once connected it too, after which you can switch between them by pausing the playback on one device and starting it on the other - or automatically when you receive a phone call. It's a great way to tie your laptop, your work phone and your private phone to these - it will connect to your work gear during the day, and flawlessly to your private devices after the work day.
Lastly, the free HeyMelody app provides a ton of features. You can add single-tap controls to play/pause manually next to the automatic pausing when you take an earbud out, there's a gaming mode to synchronize sounds effects well with the action on your screen, but there's also much more. The OnePlus 3D Audio can place music artificially more around you, you can measure the hearing capabilities of your ears to adjust the sound to it, and there's a BassWave setting that can strengthen or slim down the bass.
If you want to - that is. The Buds 3 can go from very soft to very loud, and except for the extremely high volumes, it always balances the sound out nicely. Higher vocals and brighter instruments are prominent clear, without dipping into harsh territory. Music has air around the treble - it feels open and vivid. The bass convinces as well: it doesn't punch you in the face with an annoying strong thump, but gets its power from its fullness and depth. Center-mid tones like guitars and piano play may not play the biggest role in between the lows and the highs, but they do sound fluent and natural. The OnePlus Buds 3 never fails to entertain.
The OnePlus Buds 3 is great for both indoor and outside calls, on your laptop, phone, or both devices connected at the same time. The strong battery life and big comfort only help it to make it the best budget TWS for calls in 2024.
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2. Runner-up for best calling earbuds under $100: Realme Buds Air 6 Pro
If listening to music is even more important than calling
Offering only a little less clarity in indoor phone and video calls than the OnePlus Buds 3, the Realme Buds Air 6 Pro are well worth-considering due to the stronger Active Noise Cancelling and their fantastic sound quality.
How the Realme Buds Air 6 Pro handles phone and video calls:
Your voice sounds clear and natural
Sudden sounds like chatter and door slams are quickly countered
Wind doesn't kill your voice, you remain audible
The Realme Buds Air 6 Pro has a lot going for it. These earbuds have a comfortable fit for long wearing sessions, are IPX5 waterproof protected against rain and sweat, and last around 6 hours on a single charge, after which you can put them just 10 minutes in the case to gain another 3 hours of listening time. The case needs recharging after three full recharges of the earbuds. That happens via USB-C; wireless charging isn't supported.
The earbuds operate well too. Music automatically pauses when you take an earbud out (unless you don't want to), and with the multipoint connection, you can connect the Buds Air 6 Pro to your phone and laptop (or two phones) at the same time. You can then switch back and forth between the devices by pausing one device, and playing on the other - or automatically when you receive a call.
The earbuds also boast solid Active Noise Cancelling that competes with the best offerings under $100. It heavily reduces the volume of low to high frequencies in an even and consistent way. Darker electronic humming and higher laughter are repressed strongly. Mid-sounds like keyboard typing, nearby conversations, or a background radio can still be a bit audible - but this is only when you're not playing any music.
The Realme's noise cancellation doesn't put too much pressure on your ears, and doesn't show too much wind noise. The Transparency mode does a good job of putting through traffic sounds when you need it - not conversations.
The Buds Air 6 Pro provides clear phone and video calls both indoors and outside, even when there are people around you or there's a bit of wind. Sudden sounds come through in calls for a short moment, but are quickly attacked in favour of your voice - which remains louder and clear.
It controls great too - including easy volume controls and customisable controls in the great Realme Link app for iPhone and Android phones. Yet the best part of the Realme Buds Air 6 Pro is the sound quality.
There's a great mixture of warmth and clarity in the sound here. Center mid-tones like guitars and piano play have a warm undertone but still sound natural. Vocals over the entire range are forward and show nuances, from Leonard Cohen's resonating depth to Björk's squeeks in It's Oh So Quiet. Meanwhile, instrumental details come from your left and right. And underneath it all is an impactfull bass that's controlled and deep, but not-overpowering. It can be a bit full on background listening levels, but clears up and feels tight on higher volumes.
Not to mention what you can further do with the sound via the app. With the ‘Golden Sound’ hearing test, the Realme monitors your hearing loss in the highest frequencies and compensates for it by boosting the treble, livening up the highs without making them too sharp (!). There are multiple equalizers and there's a separate bass slider to increase the bass fullness, and the Spatial Audio here actually impresses - making music and videos slightly more around you, and much more immersive.
Prefer a more bassy sound over the sound quality and many sound options of the Realme? The Nothing Ear (a) is a great alternative for both ANC and call quality!
If call quality is important to you, but you want a fantastic all-around pair of wireless earbuds too, the Realme Buds Air 6 Pro can be better suited for you than the OnePlus Buds 3, with stronger ANC and a richer sound.
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3. Best half-in-ear earbuds for phone calls: Huawei FreeBuds SE 2
Great battery life, sound and outdoor calls
The Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 is the pair to get if you don't want rubber ear tips on your earphones. These ‘half-in-ear’ earbuds have a fantastic battery life and clear calls, even when you're walking in some wind.
How the Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 handles phone and video calls:
Your voice sounds a bit thin, but very clear
Your voice outweighs sudden sounds like chatter and door slams, although they are still audible
Wind doesn't drown your voice
Wind and lots of other outside noise at the same time can cause some dips
The Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 are half-in-ear, or semi-in-ear earbuds, meaning you can just hang them in your ears instead. They have all the perks of this form factor: they're extremely light and comfortable to wear for hours, and you'll still hear traffic around you when you use them, which is good for safety. Happily, sound leakage is limited even when you listen to your music loud.
The FreeBuds SE 2 take over the crown of the SoundPEATS Air3 Deluxe HS for the best AirPods-like earbuds on a budget, and maybe even in general. The earbuds that house inside this tiny bit of plastic case are IP54 waterproof and have a crazy long battery life of up to 9 hours of playtime on a single charge!
During that time, it's no problem taking a phone call, as the FreeBuds picks up your voice loud and clear. A bit less so when people start to talk loudly around you, but the microphones still focus well on you. It's especially good in handling phone calls in the wind, just like the older FreeBuds 4i that made this Buying Guide in previous years.
The controls are limited out of the box, offering only play/pause. You can add track skip/ return options with the free Huawei AI Life app for iPhone and Android, but Android-users have to download it outside of the Play Store - a QR-code on the box will help you get it.
The app comes recommended: it also lets you activate a low-latency gaming mode, update firmware, find your earbuds when you've lost them, and comes with four sound presets.
Is the features weren't already enough, it's the sound that really ensures a spot in this Buying Guide. It's so good. The FreeBuds SE 2 enjoys the clarity and openness that comes to semi in-ears easily, but it restrains from making higher notes too prominent or harsh.
There's a smooth, warm underlining underneath it all. Both higher female singers and lower male vocals have plenty of body, mid-tones from guitars and piano play are cosy, and the mid-bass thumps decently. The lows are further accentuated by the subtly boosted lower mid-tones, giving music a pleasant fullness next to its openess. This warm-balanced presentation is a joy to listen to, from singer-songwriter ballads to heavier dance tracks.
The Huawei Freebuds SE 2 aren't just great AirPods-like earbuds for their regular 40 to 70 dollars asking price, these are among the best half-in-ears on the entire market - sounding even better than Apple's AirPods 3. An absolute steal.
4. Best calling earbuds without stems: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE
Turn Transparency mode on or off during calls
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE is another pair of affordable wireless earbuds that handle phone and video calls well. It's great for indoor phone calls in crowded areas, and lets you switch seamlessly between Transparency or ANC in calls.
How the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE handles phone and video calls:
Your voice sounds loud and natural
Indoor sounds like chatter and door slams are reduced well
Outdoor sounds are reduced well, except higher sounds like birds-chirping
Wind is sometimes audible and can make your voice darker
Switch between ANC and Transparency/ Hearthrough during calls
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE is Samsungs revisit of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, and thankfully, the Korean brand invested heavily in improving the call clarity. Whereas the Buds 2 couldn't handle background noise - let alone wind - the Buds FE is great company for your phone and video calls.
Your voice sounds loud and natural in calls, and the Buds FE does a good job of reducing chatter around you. While other people can be heard in calls for the other end of the line, your voice is always front-and-center. Sudden sounds are reduced quickly as well.
Remarkably, in video calls in Google Meet, your voice isn't always in total synchronization with the picture, but other than that, these are flawless for office use.
For another reason too: by holding down one of the earbuds, you can switch from Active Noise Cancelling to Transparency or otherwise. Need to hear your colleagues too? Just hold the button. Want to rule them out to focus on your call? Hold it again. The Samsung reminds your latest setting.
The Transparency mode is fierce and easily lets you follow conversations while you listen to music or take a call, and the totally wind noise-free Active Noise Cancelling itself is strong - reducing or removing entire frequencies from your surroundings.
The Galaxy Buds FE boasts 5,5 hours battery life per charge with ANC turned on. You won't find volume controles on the earpieces, sadly, and they're only IPX4 light rain proof. It strikes back in the sound department, however.
The Galaxy Buds FE sound exceptional. Mid-tones have a natural tonality and strong texture; it's entirely possible to hear the pressing of piano keys or plucking of guitar strings in higher quality recordings here.
Both female and male vocals are pronounced and full-bodied, and they dip into low tones just as easily as reaching high outbursts. The Buds FE reveals details other earbuds in this price category just can't grasp, and it achieves it without pushing the treble too much. It's never too sharp.
Lower mid-tones are weighty and detailed, and thanks to outstanding separation, they don't interfere with highs or the bass. The bass boasts impactful drums and quick strikes. It's detailed and deep, and tighter than the OnePlus’ bass as well. Unless you love your sound with a ton of treble, this is the audiophile choice for earbuds under 100 dollars.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds FE is a great package, combining clear indoor calls with strong Active Noise Cancelling and fantastic sound quality.
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5. The cheapest earbuds for phone calls: Haylou X1c
decent indoor phone calls under just 10 dollars
If you're searching for the very cheapest wireless earbuds just to get your hands free during phone calls, and you can shop on AliExpress in your country, you don't have to spend much at all. The Haylou X1c cost just 6 dollars.
How the Haylou X1c handles phone calls:
Your voice sounds loud and full
Background sounds are reduced very well
Wind is a threat to your voice, these are best used indoors
A disclaimer first: there are many wireless earbuds under 100 dollars that handle calls better than the Haylou X1c, but rather than bursting out tens of alternatives to the top 4, let's jump on the cheapest option instead - so that everyone can take a call without having to hold a phone.
The Haylou X1c puts your voice through in a loud and full manner, a little less clear than the more expensive options, but still clear enough. It also handles noise around you very well, as nearby chatter and sudden sounds are kept to the background without damaging your voice too much. Wind noise is a threat to your voice, however.
Still: the value for money here is insane, and that applies to other aspects as well. The X1c has an insanely compact charging case, the earbuds look neat in their grey-dark blue finish, and they last up to 5 hours on a single charge. They fit good, although you can feel them sitting in your ears a bit. The stem could fall more elegantly as well.
The basics are there, too. It has play/ pause and track controls on top of the stems, and you can even (de)activate the game mode with three taps. Which is also great for optimizing the synchronization of audio and video in YouTube videos - otherwise you may have to pause a video first to get lipsync after.
And it gets even better. When you turn the volume up, the X1c trades in its laidback, clear presentation and its sound becomes actually entertaining. It has a punchy mid-bass delivering quick thumps, and on louder volumes, you can even feel some vibration when a song pushes the bass - a rare feature for half in-ears. Now, the highest vocal outbursts and instruments can be a tad peaky, but for the most part, the combination of the warm-balanced tonality of the mid-tones, typical openness of the vocals, and uplifting bass make for an entertaining sound.
The Haylou X1c makes clear calls and fun music available to everyone.
Honourable mentions - budget wireless earbuds with great call quality
Baseus Bowie M2s: Cheap with great calling features
The Baseus Bowie M2s costs around $40 and comes with a great feature for phone calls: it has multipoint connection, so you can connect the earbuds to either two different phones, or a phone and a laptop. The call quality itself is sufficient too, especially in office situations. Your voice output feels natural and overrules that over talkative colleagues and most sounds around you. Wind noise is the usual enemy and can drown your voice a bit.
For its friendly price, the Bowie M2s even throws in decent Active Noise Cancelling as well, which rules out most darker and the highest-sounds well, while allowing for some higher mid-tones to still be heard. The earbuds are comfortable to wear during its 5 hours playtime on a single charge (around 4,5 hours for calls), and have a warm and comfortable - albeit with a slightly thin treble - sound that can be tweaked via the free Baseus app for Android and iPhone. A convincing package for phone calls.
Previous recommendations:
Earfun Free Pro 3: Replaced by the Galaxy Buds FE as the best call earbuds without stems.
Edifier X2: Replaced by the Edifier X2s that doesn't perform as well in calls.
Edifier X6: Can't be purchased anymore.
Huawei FreeBuds 4i: Can't be purchased anymore; no separate review.
Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Almost identical to the newer Realme Buds Air 6 Pro, but with weaker video synchronization and ANC.
Sennheiser CX: Outdated
Sony Linkbuds S: Still doesn't dive under the $100 price in 2024, so not a listing here anymore. Is a great choice, though.
Soundcore Life P2i: Can't be purchased anymore.
Disclaimer
I buy most of the earphones myself; sometimes, a manufacturer sends them to me. I review all audio products on a level playing field, always stating their strengths and their downsides. Visit the leaderboard of true wireless earphones for all my reviews and ratings.
Consider buying a pair of earphones in this list? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. These are affiliate links: buying the links will financially support me a bit in my ongoing quest to test great affordable audio.
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Also check out my other articles:
Guide: the best TWS under $100
Guide: the best TWS under $50
Guide: the best TWS under $25
Leaderboard: all earphones from 10-300 dollar tested
Bought a product and want to share your opinion? Do use the comments. I hope this article helps you!
- Scarbir
