Budget IEM Recommendation List

last updated on: May 10th, 2026

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE LOOKING AT THE LIST

This is a recommendation list for IEMs under 150$.

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?]

$15.99 - $16.99: TANCHJIM ZERO ULTIMA (3.5mm)/TANCHJIM ZERO ULTIMA DSP (USB-C) ("balanced" (3.5mm)/variable (DSP)) - fixed cable [microphone option by default]

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

$19.99 - $20.99: TANCHJIM BUNNY (3.5mm)/TANCHJIM BUNNY DSP (USB-C) (warm W-shape (3.5mm)/variable (DSP)) [microphone option available]

$19.99: QKZ x HBB (warm/bassy) [microphone option available]

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

$21.99 - $22.99: TRUTHEAR GATe (mild bright V-shape) [microphone option available]

$22.99 - $25.99: 7Hz-Salnotes Zero (bright) [microphone option available]

$24.99: 7Hz x crinacle Zero:2 (warm/"balanced") [microphone option available but not recommended]

$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]

$28.99 - $29.99: NICEHCK Tears (3.5mm) (W-shaped) [microphone option available]

$31.99: NICEHCK Tears DSP (USB-C) (variable (DSP)) [microphone option by default]

$34.99: Kiwi Ears Cadenza (mild V-shape) [no microphone]

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

$34.99 - $39.99: ooopusX op.22 (warm V-shape (• mode)/bright (○ mode)) [no microphone]

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

$39.99: MOONDROP MARIGOLD (variable) - bullet type IEMs [microphone option by default]

$49.99: Kiwi Ears Cadenza II ("balanced") [no microphone]

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

$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]

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

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

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

$89.99: TRUTHEAR HEXA (bright-ish) [no microphone]

$89.99: TRUTHEAR PURE (warm) - warmer/more bassy Hexa [no microphone]

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

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

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

$99.99 - $104.99: NICEHCK F1 Pro (bright/bright W-shape) [no microphone]

$109.99: Tanchjim NORA (mid-forward) [no microphone]

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

$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: "balanced"/mid-forward) - for people who want the best isolation, very deep fit/very intrusive [no microphone]

Looking for the list for wireless IEMs/TWS? Click here.