We have rounded up the best IEM under 100 in this article. This will help you narrow down the IEM that’s right for you.
Yes, you are in the right place if you are searching for a budget IEM. A well-built IEM doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You can find a lot of choices around.
So let’s get started.
🏆Best IEM Under 100: Our Top Choices
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Shure SE215- K
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | KZ AS10
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | MEE Audio M6 Pro
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | Sennheiser IE 40 Pro
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Earphone
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | BLON BL03
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | LINSOUL TIN Audio T2
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | FiiO F9
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | KZ ZSX In-Ear Monitor
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | Final Audio E2000
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | LYPERTEK TEVI TWS Earphones
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | FiiO FA1
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
 | CCA C10
| Check PriceFull Review>> |
- 🏆Best IEM Under 100: Our Top Choices
- A Quick Sneak-Peek Of Our Review Results of 13 Best Budget IEMs!
- Detailed Reviews of Top 13 Budget IEMs In 2023 [Updated]
- Is Shure SE215-K Any Good?
- Why KZ AS10 Is Such A Big Deal?
- Why Should You Buy MEE Audio M6 Pro?
- What’s So Special About Sennheiser IE 40 Pro?
- Does 1MORE IEM Match Your Expectation?
- Why BLON BL03 Is A Hidden Gem?
- Why Linsoul Tin Audio T2 Steals Your “Soul”?
- Why FiiO F9 Is On Our List?
- Why Do Drummers Love KZ ZSX IEM?
- Why You Shouldn’t Miss Lypertek Tevi?
- Is Final Audio E2000 Your Final Choice?
- Is FiiO FA1 Really That Impressive?
- Does CCA C10 Have Anything Significant To Offer?
- Conclusion: What’s best for you?
- Best Budget IEM FAQs
A Quick Sneak-Peek Of Our Review Results of 13 Best Budget IEMs!
| Product | Sound Quality | Build and Desing | Bass Boost | Comfort | Added Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shure SE215-K | 9/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 |
| KZ AS10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 |
| MEE Audio M6 Pro | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Sennheiser IE 40 Pro | 10/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| 1MORE Triple Driver | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 |
| BLON BL03 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 |
| Linsoul TIN Audio T2 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| FiiO F9 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| KZ ZSX In-Ear Monitor | 10/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Final Audio E2000 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| Lypertek Tevi TWS | 9/10 | 10/10 | 10/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 |
| FiiO FA1 | 9/10 | 8/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| CCA C10 | 8/10 | 9/10 | 10/10 | 8/10 | 10/10 |
References For Nerds:
- Best IEM under 100$? – A Reddit Discussion!
- Durable, reasonably quality IEMs under $100? – A Reddit Discussion!
- Suggest the best IEM under $100 for a bass lover – A Reddit Discussion!
Detailed Reviews of Top 13 Budget IEMs In 2023 [Updated]
Now, let’s head over to the detailed reviews of hand-picked choices.
Is Shure SE215-K Any Good?
Pros
- Good sound quality.
- Attractive design and build quality.
- Comfortable wear.
Cons
- Unbalanced sound
The SE215 still is one of the most comfortable IEMs that do an excellent job isolating sound. They are thinner, and when they are in your ear, they sit deep, so you can also lay your head on the side of a pillow, and it does not feel uncomfortable.
Looking at the SE215, most people now consider them outdated and overpriced. Because there are many other options on the market for cheaper, many Chinese IEMs have much better sound quality.
Which can be found for even half the price of the SE215; they do sound much better in certain areas.
Also Read: Learn Why Singers Wear Earpieces In Less Than 7 Minutes (Seriously!)
These are still probably the most comfortable than other earphones. Because they are so lightweight and thin now, from experience, they are also durable and can take a pretty big beating. The body itself is strong. It’s made of some kind of plastic, but the part that tends to break the easiest is the nozzle.
They still have that warm dark bass emphasize sound with the treble rolled off. It’s enjoyable and easy to listen to, and its never fatiguing sound stage is still narrow. If you’re considering buying the SE215 nowadays, it depends on your tastes and what you’re purchasing it for.
You get a solid Bluetooth cable and a comfortable and isolating pair of earphones with a mediocre but smooth sound. Most importantly, you get quick customer service, which is pretty favorable.
Shure SE215- K: Design and Build Quality
Shure SE215- K: Sound Quality
The SE215 is very strong and promising in terms of noise isolation, especially for a dynamic driver earphone. Because it is such a completely sealed design, it blocks much external noise.
In terms of sound, the SE215 is a love-it-or-hate-it in-ear earphone. The sound is vibrant, very smooth, and even a bit sleepy. So the highs are pretty rolled off on the SE215, but overall it’s not a muffled-sounding earphone.
There’s still quite a ton of richness and detail in the vocals. It’s just very much an earphone that’s tailored towards a warmer or a darker sound.
Why KZ AS10 Is Such A Big Deal?
Pros
- Perfect for daily use.
- Good treble.
- Accurate audio.
Cons
- Quality issues with the wire.
They’ll be easy to pick up and start listening to because the bass is so punchy and rich, and expressive. But at the same time, you don’t lose details in the mid and highs.
If you’re an audiophile and have been browsing many forums, you’ve probably heard of this brand; they’re based in Shenzhen, China. They’ve been around for the past few years and are widely celebrated for making excellent sounds on your monitors.
Ten balanced armature drivers mean there are 5 per your phone; that’s much more than any other pair.
This makes sense with more different drivers; you’re technically able to create a more expressive sound. So maybe one is dedicated to the bass, so it should be loud and punchy, while another is dedicated to mids and another to highs. So you can have an excellent articulated and detailed sound.
They also come with a detachable cable, which is excellent because if Fry breaks, you can still replace it and continue using the earphones. There are tips for connecting to the earphones, and they also have a bendable wire that fits over the outside of your ears.
These are very lightweight, and the dimensions aren’t any more significant than regular pairs of IEM.
The bass is just so punchy and rich and expressive, but at the same time, you don’t lose details in the mids and highs. The trouble as well, So everything is just overly clear. Bass, in particular, so classically speaking, the IEM is an audiophile-grade type of earphone.
These are the flagship models for KZ; they’re still not expensive compared to more well-established brands. I mean, seventy bucks for something innovative in its driver setup; it’s still worthwhile.
KZ AS10: Design and Build Quality
These don’t come with memory foam or compiled tips by default, you can always use your own, however, and they also come with a detachable cable. These also have a bendable wire that fits over the pinna of your ears.
The design of this IEM is average looking as far as the shape is concerned, made out of acrylic plastic, a teardrop shape to them.
Their trance texture is cool; you can see the KZ logo and the printed PCB underneath.
They are very lightweight, and the dimensions aren’t any more significant than regular pairs of IEM.
KZ AS10: Sound Quality
It has different types of drivers, Which lets you technically sound more expressive. Perhaps one of these is dedicated to the bass, so it should be loud and punchy, while the other driver is dedicated to the mids, the other to the highs. So you will get an excellent clear and detailed sound due to this.
So everything is just highly articulated. The bass, so classically speaking, this IEM is an audiophile-grade earphone.
Also Read: Boltune BT BH020 In-Ear Headphone Review
Why Should You Buy MEE Audio M6 Pro?
Pros
- Good noise cancellation.
- Minimalistic and attractive design.
- Good electronic music output.
Cons
- Fiddly over-ear bits.
The m6 competes just elegantly and represents a solid bang for the buck.
These in-ear monitor-style buds arrive very well accessorized. Not only do you get different-sized ear tips, but you also get different styles of tips to try and guarantee the best possible fit, including some foam options you should be able to achieve comfort and a high degree of passive noise reduction.
The M6 featured detachable cables, and you get a simple studio cable and a microphone cable for your phone in the box, alongside a hard case to keep all your accessories stored safely.
The cables are well-shielded with memory hooks over each ear. The construction on a product like this is built for slightly different considerations than maximum consumer gear, but this kind of build benefits folks.
Those who aren’t professional musicians from studio used to the stage pros are hard on their gear, health and comfort are critical, and when something breaks, you should fix or replace it.
Their single driver buds pay a lot of attention to the mids while keeping the bass warm. The M6 lands on the generous side; there’s some low-end Eq bump, but not at the expense of mids; they’re not trying to be harshly accurate.
There is careful consideration of the whole soundscape balance being single drivers. A single driver is tasked within the low mids and upper bass. It prevents a lot of audio from getting harsh.
Suppose you’re looking for a warm even-handed sound profile, especially for acoustic and live sets, while also capable of driving some electronica and hip-hop.
MEE Audio M6 Pro: Design and Build Quality
MEE Audio M6 Pro: Sound Quality
M6 lands on the liberal side; It has some low-end Eq bumps but not at the cost of the mids; They don’t try to be rigorously accurate.; they are juicier.
You can say there is careful consideration of the entire soundscape balance being single drivers.
Overall the sound is pretty darn good.
What’s So Special About Sennheiser IE 40 Pro?
Pros
- Comfortable.
- Good build quality.
- Accurate frequencies.
Cons
- Less bass.
This monitor is aimed at professionals with a relatively neutral-looking sound signature and a fairly utilitarian build.
This monitor is aimed at professionals with a relatively neutral-looking sound signature and a fairly utilitarian build.
It’s a reasonably good-looking earphone, and it’s cool to see just how far you can go with something; this simple, it’s not the best build quality-wise; these are probably about on par with like $50.
It fits well, is secure, creates decent isolation, and it’s not fussy to fit.
Unlike a braided cable, it comes with a reasonably basic rubber or silicone cable.
This has a relatively flat sound signature; the bass is elevated with a flat sound signature.
If you like a fine thumpy bass, you’ll like it here, and it doesn’t sound especially Bumi or anything like that; it’s well done, and the mid-range is quiet and flat.
Sennheiser IE 40 Pro: Design and Build Quality
Sennheiser IE 40 Pro: Sound Quality
Does 1MORE IEM Match Your Expectation?
Pros
- Clear vocals.
- Good bass effect.
- Hybrid IEM
Cons
- Poor soundstage.
Overall, such a pleasant, warm, enjoyable experience, and for this kind of price, I think it will be challenging to find something similar at this price point.
Three drivers are two balanced armature drivers in a separate dynamic driver to deliver an extremely accurate listening experience. Nothing gives those drivers a frequency response from 20 to 40,000 Hertz or a sensitivity of 99 decibels and any 32 impedance.
The earpieces are made from an aluminum or aluminum alloy with a nice sandblasted textured surface and silver. If you finish something a little bit different, rose gold as well.
They’ve incorporated a MEMS microphone that helps eliminate crosstalk and background static. They’re the world’s first THX-certified headphones that haven’t undergone rigorous techniques to ensure they reached the highest audio standards headphone market.
The headphones themselves have a lovely and minimal kind of milled body design, definitely looking delightful, and the sun-blasted finish adds a little extra touch and texture.
The cable and the triple drivers are Kevlar fiber, increasing the durability and tensile strength of its simple 3.5-millimeter connection. In the end, there’s no branding on that as well; it’s just fine and plain.
Regarding the soundstage they offer, it was a delightful experience to tell where each thing is coming from. The bass is pleasant, precise, and punchy for someone like a one-trick pony and Polaris.
Overall, such a pleasant, warm, enjoyable experience, and for this kind of price, I think it will be challenging to find something; that is the best bang for a buck at this price point.
1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Earphone: Design and Build quality
1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Earphone: Sound Quality
Why BLON BL03 Is A Hidden Gem?
Pros
- Lightweight.
- Good build quality.
- Precise trebles.
Cons
- Mediocre sound isolation
In terms of the response, it’s a fast response, so maybe for string instruments or some acoustic tracks, this shines. Overall, It’s best in the $50 range.
You get an amicable case in the package, especially for that price range, and it’s like a recycled material kind of case.
The design, especially in that price range, doesn’t look like a $30 design, so you have an all-metal build and also like the chromed design.
It’s also a removable cable, and it’s a two-pin connector. In terms of comfort, these are comfortable.
There’s some isolation; this is below average; this doesn’t seal well because you know light suction in the ear; it doesn’t go inside your ear that much. It’s like sitting on top of the air, so it doesn’t isolate that well. So if you’re looking for isolation, maybe this is not for you.
It’s moderately neutral-sounding; it still has some lightness or musicality because there’s a lot of punch here in the BL03.
The cymbals sound full, not thin, and have micro detail; overall, it’s also not super bright sounding. For those who like clarity in their life, this may be lacking for you; this is not the strength of the blow.
In terms of the response, it’s a fast response, so maybe for string instruments or some acoustic tracks, this shines.
BLON BL03: Design and Build Quality
BLON BL03: Sound Quality
Why Linsoul Tin Audio T2 Steals Your “Soul”?
Pros
- Decent sound quality.
- Good build quality.
- Adequate staging efficiency.
Cons
- Poor treble.
Despite the price, it is a great-sounding earphone that provides great value.
It is made in the PRC, which is the People’s Republic of China. The cable it comes with is approximately four-foot lengths; it’s kind of an excellent braided style. Frankly, this is fancy for a $40 earphone and terminates in a little 3.5-millimeter jack.
They’re made out of all-metal housing. It’s moderately neutral, right with the mids present, you know it’s I wouldn’t say it’s a bright earphone, but the highs are favorable. The highs are sharp without being grating or shrill.
Talking about mids, it has outstanding sound quality that is very sharp and punchy. So, you know the vocals, and your music will sound great. It is a great-sounding earphone with great value, even despite the price.
LINSOUL TIN Audio T2: Design and Build Quality
The build quality is quite delicate; they’re made of all-metal housing. All-metal housing comes with a quiet cable.
The cable it comes with is approximately four-foot lengths; it’s kind of an excellent braided style.
LINSOUL TIN Audio T2: Sound Quality
Why FiiO F9 Is On Our List?
Pros
- Satisfying comfort.
- Definitive amount of bass and vocals.
- Optimal sound and build quality.
Cons
- Poor isolation of sound.
I would say that the sound is worth a hundred dollars and not anything more; it is passable in all areas without being problematic in any particular area. It doesn’t have any significant concerns.
It’s got portability, discretion, build quality, and sound quality locked down at a reasonable price. It’s got all the significant components one would want from an IEM without being too expensive.
It’s a bunch of small things that add up to an overall impressive package; portability on this device is easy.
In the box, you get a hard plastic carry case and six sets of ear tips of varying sizes, none of which are foam.
I think a small groove design on the outside is subtle and adds a decent texture and a pleasing look to the device without being wholly overstated.
FiiO F9 Design & Build Quality :
FiiO F9 Sound Quality :
Why Do Drummers Love KZ ZSX IEM?
Pros
- Works well with equalizers, Dolby, and THC.
- Good microphone quality.
- Highly professionally built.
Cons
- Issues with vocals.
ZSX is very well-rounded; it’s excellent. Overall it sounds like a cliche to say that, but it is perfect and well-balanced.
It looks a lot more sophisticated in shape and has a brushed metal finish. It’s available in different colors as well since it’s well-built.
Its metal look is actually plastic with a brushed aluminum finish. You get 14 drivers, seven drivers per chamber, and a single dynamic driver with six balanced armatures on each chamber.
The bass on the ZSX is immaculate; It is not sloppy, and the ZSX is elegant in its presentation and very clean.
The treble is one of the strong points of the ZSX. The treble is very clean; there is an outstanding sparkle in the treble detail and sound separation.
KZ ZSX In-Ear Monitor Design & Build Quality :
KZ ZSX In-Ear Monitor Sound Quality :
Why You Shouldn’t Miss Lypertek Tevi?
Pros
- Well-functioning buttons.
- Certified IPX7
- Decent battery backup.
Cons
- Heating issues with the charging case.
The audio experience is decent for its price range.
It is made of plastic with a chrome accent on the front.; now, for the price that they’re offering this, it’s magnificent.
The plastic’s very generic; it doesn’t feel cheap; there’s quick charging 15 minutes charging gives you 2 hours of playback. Its microphones can turn on and pump out your environmental noise for safety and awareness.
The TEVI does an outstanding job of keeping everything intact without distortion and exaggerated frequencies. It has bass-heavy tracks and is too light for pop music.
LYPERTEK TEVI TWS Design & Build Quality
LYPERTEK TEVI TWS Sound Quality
Is Final Audio E2000 Your Final Choice?
Pros
- Good build quality.
- Apt for daily usage.
- Comfortable to wear.
Cons
- No functional buttons.
The sound is pleasant and balanced, with an enjoyable bass bump, mids, and good highs. The E2000 is an excellent in-ear monitor for around $45.
This is a single dynamic driver in a tiny aluminum housing.,aluminum housing 1.2-meter cable, a non-replaceable cable.
This is worth pointing out, okay, so most of the other in-ear monitors to even similar prices have had replaceable wires.
Its metal housing is stainless steel instead of aluminum, giving it cool shiny steel that almost looks like chrome. This is a favorable monitor, especially for its price of around $45.
Final Audio E2000 Sound Quality
They have elevated bass and, generally, reasonably sparkly highs. The overall quality of the sound of the E2000 is satisfactory.
Final Audio E2000 Design & Build Quality :
Is FiiO FA1 Really That Impressive?
Pros
- Apt for professional usage.
- Attractive design.
- Comfortable to wear.
Cons
- No microphone.
It’s a single balanced armature driver in-ear monitor for under $100.
These don’t have a microphone. Some in-ear monitors have microphones for taking calls, but this is intended just for the audio experience. It’s not really for phone calls; it doesn’t have buttons, and it doesn’t have a ton of functions.
This is extremely clear as the sound signature is leaning towards the high in the mids; the bass itself doesn’t get emphasized. It does have that tight, quick punch to it, but for the most part, you’re going to feel.
These are intended for you to hear every little sound as far as vocals go; it sounds like you’re in the booth with the artists as far as acoustic guitars, you can listen to them hitting the strings, and you hear every little subtle sound.
Fiio FA1 Design & Build Quality :
Fiio FA1 Sound Quality :
It doesn’t take a lot to drive these, but their main focus seems to be clarity; this is extremely clear as far as the sound signature is leaning towards the high in the mids.
If you like music that is more instrument or vocal-driven, then Sean thinks that people who listen to you like hip-hop and pop and a lot more modern music will feel like the bass is lacking.
It’s meant to hear every little sound as far as the vocals go. It’s like you’re in the booth with the cast.
The high in the mids, the bass itself doesn’t get emphasized.
Does CCA C10 Have Anything Significant To Offer?
Pros
- Long-lasting.
- Good sound quality.
- Easy to carry and use on the go.
Cons
- Poor vocals
For 30 bucks, this thing is doing quite a bit right if you want many drivers and you just really want to max out the amount of bass.
This is an air monitor from the company CCA. You’re getting four balanced armature drivers and one dynamic for that thumping bass, and frankly, that’s a lot to pack into a single ear, and especially that’s a lot to pack in for a $30 earphone.
If you want many drivers for the money, quite a few if you want a fair earphone for the money, it’s not a bad option.
There is some decent treble energy, slightly sibilant but not too much, and there’s more emphasis on the bass in the mid-bass, especially if you’re not into mid-bass.
It’s a bit booming, a little bit mid-bass. The instrument generally does a good job.
It’s just a cleaner sound that still has gotten an excellent sub-bass thump and cleaner treble.
The C10 punches hard across the entire EQ range. The low bass is thick; there’s a lot of Rumble. It’s not floppy. It’s not out of control, but I wish attacks on kick drums were just a touch sharper; this bass likes to roll in sustain; it doesn’t have that fast punch.
CCA C10 Design & Build Quality:
CCA C10 Sound Quality :
Also Read: Tozo T6 vs T10 Wireless Earbuds
Conclusion: What’s best for you?
In-ear monitors (IEMs) are generally used by musicians, audio engineers, and audiophiles to listen to music or hear a unique mix of vocals and stage instrumentation for live performances or recording studio mixing.
Audiophiles use In-ear monitors for both personal and commercial use. You should go through the specs of the IEMs very well so you can buy the best Iem under 100 dollars.
You can easily buy the best iem for yourself with the help of this list. All the IEMs in this list are of the best quality and provide excellent service. So choose the best Iem according to your requirement.
Best Budget IEM FAQs
Can you use in-ear monitors as earphones?
Yes, you can use in-ear monitors as earphones. But there will be a slight difference in the sound quality compared to regular earphones.
Do in-ear monitors protect hearing?
Yes, they will protect your ears from unwanted sounds. And will only deliver sounds with suitable frequencies.
Do you need an amp for IEMs?
No, you don’t.
How long can IEM last?
It depends on the usage; a good pair of IEMs can last three years if treated reasonably.
How do I keep IEMs clean?
You can clean your IEMs by using a microfiber cloth and a bit of alcohol with it.
About the Author
Rach Wellard
Rach Wellard is the driving force behind Sound & Solitude. Her mission is to help you discover the profound impact of sound in your daily life and to explore the beauty of solitude. With a deep passion for the connection between soundscapes and emotions, she brings a unique blend of expertise and personal dedication to our platform.
Rach understands that every individual's auditory journey is unique, and she’s here to guide you every step of the way. As a devoted audiophile, Rach’s discerning ear carefully selects the most exceptional products that align with your desires for Sound or Solitude. In a world filled with noise and chaos, Sound & Solitude serves as your sanctuary.
Rach’s journey as an autistic individual with a heightened sensitivity to sound fuels our commitment to creating an inclusive space where everyone can find solace while enjoying the meaningful sounds in their lives. Her understanding of diverse sensory needs enables us to offer personalized recommendations and insights, ensuring that your chosen audio equipment not only meets technical criteria but also resonates with your unique sensory preferences. And if you simply seek the best sound possible, Rach has you covered.
At Sound & Solitude, authenticity is our foundation. We provide unbiased reviews and comparisons because you deserve nothing but the truth. Our reviews are meticulously crafted, drawing upon Rach’s deep understanding of audio technology and the human experience in the Sound and Solitude realms. Whether you're searching for noise-cancelling headphones to immerse yourself in music or seeking a gaming headset that transports you to virtual worlds, you can rely on our reviews and personally tested comparisons to find the best equipment for your specific needs. Explore our carefully curated content, from the latest wireless audio advancements to tips for creating your ideal auditory retreat.
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IEMs are my favorite music listening device and I love the way you have shortlisted your recommendations to suit my budget needs. Your site is small but quite impressive. Continue doing the good work you do!
I am glad that my reviews helped you in making your purchase decision. A merry Christmas!
Your reviews are really helpful in getting me the In-Ear Monitors I wanted. Thanks!
Glad it helped you!