Budget IEM Recommendation List

last updated on: January 8th, 2026

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE LOOKING AT THE LIST

This is a recommendation list for IEMs under and around 100$.

It is recommended to choose one of the cheaper IEMs and EQ that set of IEMs by preference, then choose one of the IEMs which fit the description of the preferred sound signature.

You can still ask the sender for help, which one to choose, when you like a specific kind of sound.

If you don't have any preference in terms of sound signatures, choose the one which aesthetically looks the best for you.

(recommendations are based on different opinions within the In-Ear Fidelity Discord server, this has nothing to do with my own preferences)

Before buying IEMs, please make sure you watch this video first:
Take care of your IEMs!

As always, please check the pricings in your country, as they may differ from the price on this list. The IEMs here are listed at their original MSRP. Because of recent changes due to USA import tariffs, prices will wildly differ.

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A TIERLIST OR RANKING LIST

Legend:

< Price tier

Price: Name of the IEMs (Sound signature) - additional notes [microphone available?] seller

$15.99 - $16.99: TANCHJIM ZERO ULTIMA/TANCHJIM ZERO ULTIMA DSP (balanced (3.5mm)/variable (DSP)) - fixed cable [microphone option by default] Amazon US, Amazon DE

$17.85: TANGZU WAN'ER SHANGGUAN Studio Edition (balanced/mid-forward) [no microphone]

$19.99 - $20.99: TANCHJIM BUNNY/TANCHJIM BUNNY DSP (W-shaped (3.5mm)/variable (DSP)) [microphone option available] Amazon US, Amazon DE (3.5mm), Amazon DE (DSP)

$19.99: QKZ x HBB (warm/bassy) - made for bassheads [microphone option available] AliExpress, Linsoul

$20 - $24: TANGZU WAN'ER SHANGGUAN 2 (mid-forward) [microphone option available]

$21.99 - $22.99: TRUTHEAR GATe (mid-forward/balanced) [microphone option available] AliExpress, Shenzhenaudio, The Hangout

$22.99 - $25.99: 7Hz-Salnotes Zero (bright) [microphone option available] AliExpress, Linsoul, The Hangout

$24.99: 7Hz x crinacle Zero:2 (warm/balanced) [microphone option available but not recommended] AliExpress, Linsoul, The Hangout

$24.99 - $27.99: TANCHJIM ONE/TANCHJIM ONE DSP (V-shaped (3.5mm)/variable (DSP)) - for tiny conchae/bullet IEMs enjoyers [microphone option available but not recommended] AliExpress, Shenzhenaudio

$25.99 - $29.99: Kinera/Celest/Queen of Audio Wyvern series (V-shaped with treble roll-off) - some options have a boom mic, would be the best ultrabudget headset [microphone option available] AliExpress, Shenzhenaudio

$34.99: Kiwi Ears Cadenza (mild V-shape) - for people desperately searching for IEMs with specific aesthetics [no microphone]

$34.99 - $36.99: 7Hz G1 (V-shaped) [microphone option available] Linsoul, The Hangout

$52: FLOAUDIO LILY (dark/mid-centric) - not widely available, for Treble-sensitive people, high isolation, bad accessories, unvented [no microphone] AliExpress

$39.99: MOONDROP MARIGOLD (variable) - for people who want a bullet type but for some reason don't want to pay less than 30$ and don't want a deep fitting set of IEMs [microphone option by default]

$59.99: MOONDROP LAN II (REF: mid-forward/bright, POP: V-shaped) - compatible with small ears [no microphone] Shenzhenaudio

$64.99: TRUTHEAR x crinacle ZERO:RED (mid-forward or bassy with high output impedance [10 Ohms or higher]) - WARNING: VERY BIG SHELL, VERY LONG AND WIDE NOZZLE [no microphone] AliExpress, Shenzhenaudio, The Hangout

$70: ARTTI R1 (warm V-Shape) - very big shell [no microphone] AliExpress (choose R1), Volkchoi

$75: ARTTI T10 (bright/bright W-shape) - weird shell shape [no microphone] AliExpress (choose T10), Volkchoi

$79.99 - $85.99: SIMGOT EW300 (warm V-shape) [no microphone] AliExpress, Linsoul

$89.99: TRUTHEAR HEXA ("neutral") [no microphone] AliExpress, Shenzhenaudio, The Hangout

$89.99: TRUTHEAR PURE (warm) - warmer/more bassy Hexa [no microphone] AliExpress, Shenzhenaudio, The Hangout

$89.99: SIMGOT EA500LM (bright V-shape) [no microphone] AliExpress, Linsoul

under $90: FLOAUDIO BLUELOVER (balanced) - not widely available, bad accessories, high isolation, unvented [no microphone] AliExpress

$99.99: LETSHUOER S08 (warm/mid-forward) [no microphone] AliExpress, Linsoul

$99.99: KOTORI AUDIO VAMPIRE (dark/mid-centric) - more accessible and better Lily, pressure buildup [no microphone] Kotori Audio

$99.99 - $104.99: NiceHCK F1 Pro (bright/bright W-shape) - more comfortable Artti T10 [no microphone] AliExpress, HiFiGo

$119.99: AFUL Explorer (warm) [no microphone] AliExpress, HiFiGo

$139.99: AFUL MagicOne (warm/neutral) - high isolation, noticeable pressure buildup, unvented [no microphone] AliExpress, HiFiGo

$149: 7Hz x crinacle Divine (mid-forward/balanced) [no microphone]

$149: 7Hz x crinacle Diablo (bassy) [no microphone]

$149.99: etymotic ER2SE/XR (SE: mid-centric/XR: "neutral"/balanced) - for people who want the best isolation, very deep fit/very intrusive [no microphone] etymotic (ER2SE), etymotic (ER2XR)