Budget IEM Recommendation List

last updated on: April 24th, 2025

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

$19.99 - $20.99: Tanchjim Bunny/Tanchjim Bunny DSP (mid-forward (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

$21.99 - $22.99: Truthear GATe (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) - Truthear Hola alternative [microphone option available but not recommended] AliExpress Linsoul The Hangout

$24.99 - $27.99: Tanchjim ONE/Tanchjim ONE DSP (mild V-Shape (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 (mild V-shape) - some options have a boom mic, would be the best ultrabudget headset [microphone option available] AliExpress Shenzhenaudio

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

$34.99 - $45.99: BLON x HBB Z300 (warm) [microphone option available] AliExpress Linsoul The Hangout

$45.99: Moondrop LAN (mid-forward) - for smaller ears [no microphone] AliExpress Shenzhenaudio The Hangout

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

$64.99: Truthear x crinacle Zero:RED (mid-forward or bassy neutral 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

$70 - $80: Simgot EW300 series (warm V-shape) [no microphone] AliExpress Linsoul

$74.99: Moondrop May (variable with DSP/balanced with analog cable) [has microphone by default] AliExpress Shenzhenaudio The Hangout

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

$79: Tangzu x HBB Xuan Nv (mid-forward) - Truthear x crinacle Zero:RED alternative [no microphone] AliExpress Linsoul The Hangout

$89.99: Truthear Hexa (neutral) - for those who don't mind little amounts of Bass [no microphone] AliExpress Shenzhenaudio The Hangout

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

under $90: Floaudio Bluelover ("Meta") - 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

$109.99: Aful MagicOne (warm/neutral) - high isolation, noticeable pressure buildup, unvented [no microphone] AliExpress HiFiGo

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

$139.99: Etymotic ER2SE/XR (SE: mid-centric/XR: neutral) - for people who want the best isolation, very deep fit/very intrusive [no microphone] Etymotic (ER2SE) Etymotic (ER2XR)