7 Best Cheap Earbuds for Calling (Tried and Tested Picks)

When I buy earbuds, the first thing I check isn’t the bass or battery life — it’s how good they are for calling. After all, I spend hours on work calls, quick catch-ups with friends, and sometimes even attending meetings while traveling. And trust me, a bad mic can make the whole experience frustrating.

The good news is, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get clear, reliable call quality. I’ve tested and shortlisted 7 earbuds that strike a great balance between price and performance, all ranging between $20 and $130.

Here’s my breakdown, with quick specs, my honest review, and simple pros & cons for each.

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7 Best Cheap Earbuds for Calls – At a Glance

Model	Best Deal
1. OnePlus Buds 4	View on AliExpress
2. CMF Buds Pro 2	View on AliExpress
3. Realme Buds Air 7 Pro	View on AliExpress
4. Realme Buds Air 7	View on AliExpress
5. OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro	View on AliExpress
6. Moto Buds Base	View on Amazon
7. Realme Buds T310	View on AliExpress

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1. OnePlus Buds 4

Price: $130
Key Specs:

• 6-mic noise cancellation setup
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• AI live translation (works with OnePlus phones)
• Up to 40 hours battery

The Buds 4 feel almost like a flagship pair. The call clarity is excellent — even when I was outdoors on a busy street, the other person could hear me without asking me to repeat myself. ANC is solid, and music playback is well-balanced. If you already use a OnePlus phone, the extra features like live translation make them even better.

✅ Pros: Great for calls anywhere, strong ANC, comfortable fit
❌ Cons: Some features only work with OnePlus phones, slightly pricey

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2. CMF Buds Pro 2

Price: ~$60
Key Specs:

• Smart dial control on case
• 6 HD mics with Clear Voice Tech
• ANC up to 50 dB
• Up to 40 hours battery

This one surprised me the most. The smart dial on the case is super handy — I could adjust volume without even touching my phone. Call quality is sharp, and the voice comes through clean even in a noisy café. The ANC is strong for the price, though I wish the bass was a little punchier.

✅ Pros: Smart dial is practical, excellent call clarity, strong ANC
❌ Cons: Case feels a bit bulky, sound tuning leans light on bass

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3. Realme Buds Air 7 Pro

Price: ~$80
Key Specs:

• 6-mic system with AI ENC
• Strong ANC (up to 50 dB)
• AI live translation
• 40 hours total playback

I used these during a train ride, and I was impressed at how well the noise cancellation worked. My voice came through cleanly during calls, and music sounded natural (not overly bass-heavy). The AI live translation is cool, but it’s more of a niche feature. Still, these feel premium without costing too much.

✅ Pros: Premium features for mid-range price, strong noise control, comfortable design
❌ Cons: Advanced features limited to Realme/Oppo phones, slightly higher cost

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4. Realme Buds Air 7

Price: ~$33–35
Key Specs:

• 6-mic ENC setup
• ANC up to 45 dB
• Dual-device connection
• 38 hours playback

Think of these as the lighter version of the Pro model. I found the call quality still very good for the price, especially indoors. The ANC works, but not as strong as the Pro. If you’re on a budget and don’t care about extra features, these are a fantastic value.

✅ Pros: Affordable, good call clarity, lightweight and comfy
❌ Cons: ANC isn’t as strong, missing Pro-only features

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5. OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro

Price: $80
Key Specs:

• 6-mic ENC system
• ANC up to 49 dB
• Custom EQ via app
• 38 hours battery life

These are my go-to recommendation for anyone under $30. The calls are clear, the bass is heavy (sometimes a little too much), and the ANC actually makes a difference. During my testing, people could hear me well even while I was walking on a busy road.

✅ Pros: Great value, reliable for calls, customizable sound
❌ Cons: Bass-heavy sound, fit may not suit everyone

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6. Moto Buds Bass

Price: ~$22–25
Key Specs:

• 6-mic ENC system
• Android app support (not for iOS)
• 30 hours battery life
• IPX4 splash resistant

I wasn’t expecting much at this price, but the Moto Buds Bass handled calls surprisingly well. Indoors, my voice sounded natural and clear. Outdoors, they did a decent job of cutting background noise. One downside: the companion app works only on Android, so iPhone users miss out on EQ controls.

✅ Pros: Budget-friendly, solid call clarity, comfortable fit
❌ Cons: No iOS app support, ANC is just average

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7. Realme Buds T310

Price: ~$18–20
Key Specs:

• 6-mic ENC setup
• Low-latency gaming mode (45 ms)
• 36 hours battery life
• Lightweight build

For under $20, these are a steal. I’ve used them during calls while walking outdoors, and my voice was still audible to the other person. Don’t expect flagship-level ANC, but for the price, the six-mic setup really makes a difference. Plus, the low-latency mode is nice for casual gaming.

✅ Pros: Best call clarity under $20, lightweight, gaming-friendly
❌ Cons: Average build, weaker ANC

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My Final Picks

• Best Overall: OnePlus Buds 4 – feels like premium earbuds without going over $60.
• Best Mid-Range: CMF Buds Pro 2 – unique, practical, and very reliable for calls.
• Best Budget Buy: Realme Buds T310 – unbeatable for call clarity under $20.

No matter which one you pick, all of these earbuds are great for calls on a budget. I’ve used them in real-world conditions — from quiet home offices to noisy streets — and these 7 consistently delivered clear conversations without me having to shout, “Can you hear me now?”

You might like:

• 5 Top Clip-Style Earbuds Under $50
• 7 Best Budget-Friendly Wireless Earbuds
• Affordable Chinese Headphones
• 5 Best Budget Earbuds With Bass