I’m addicted to buying headphones and earbuds, and I own pairs for almost every listening situation. I’ve got workout earbuds for running, ANC earbuds for everyday listening, ANC over-ears for streaming and travel, IEMs for intentional listening, and open-backs for my home audio setup. If I had to give up one type of headphones forever, it’d be premium wireless earbuds. Think models like AirPods Pro 3, Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, or Google Pixel Buds Pro 2.
I’ve tested them all, including options from Bose and Sony. While they sound fantastic and offer excellent active noise-canceling features, I’m just not sold on their value proposition. Paying upwards of $300 for wireless earbuds that’ll never be your go-to option for lossless streaming or critical listening feels like a tough ask. After trying Belkin’s $40 active noise-canceling earbuds, I’m more convinced than ever that most of us are paying too much for our everyday pairs.
What actually makes wireless earbuds great
If we’re being honest, it’s convenience, not sound quality
The emergence of truly wireless earbuds in the mid-2010s changed our idea of the value propositions for everyday audio gear. It’s easy to forget that cheap wired earbuds are pretty impressive, even in 2025. I still recommend Apple’s USB-C EarPods to anyone looking for an ultra-cheap pair of earbuds with a microphone that’ll surpass the quality of even the best wireless options — and they’re only $19. However, I think the early knockoff AirPods soured buyers on budget earbuds completely, because they were just that bad.
Things have unsurprisingly changed in the near-decade since AirPods broke onto the scene. Technology always gets cheaper as it progresses, and budget options always get better. That’s what we’re seeing in the earbud market today. If you haven’t tried sub-$50 wireless earbuds in a while, it’s time to give them another shot.
I did just that with the Belkin SoundForm Rhythm ANC earbuds (testing sample provided by Belkin). These $40 earbuds meet the same needs as my $250 AirPods Pro or $300 Bose QuietComfort Ultra while costing a fraction of the price. That’s because what makes wireless earbuds great are convenience, battery life, comfort, portability, and noise-canceling.
If sound quality made the list, it’d be last — when I care about quality, I’m using wired IEMs or studio monitors with a DAC, not wireless earbuds.
Belkin nails the basics while hitting an incredible price
I can forgive a lot when I’m saving over $200
Let’s start with the sound quality, because it’s the most obvious area where the SoundForm Rhythm ANC falls short. The earbuds feature 10mm drivers, which are pretty large for audio products in this category. They also have an inbuilt EQ that can cycle through three listening modes: Belkin Signature Sound, Bass Boost, and Balanced. You’ll want to use Signature Sound for most of your listening, while Bass Boost increases low-end sounds and Balanced does the same for high-end frequencies.
The best way I can describe the SoundForm Rhythm ANC’s sound quality is as being hit or miss. Some tracks, particularly those with a robust low end, sound excellent. Other songs, usually ones that rely on the mids and highs, have a tinny sound to them at high volumes. Changing the EQ mode addresses this slightly, but not much.
Overall, I found it hard to complain much about the quality, especially for the price. At 50% to 75% volume, the SoundForm Rhythm ANC earbuds were surprisingly solid. The active noise-canceling was even better. Again, it’s not going to match your premium earbuds, but it’ll drown out a noisy coffee shop. Crucially, the transparency mode actually lets enough sound pass through for you to hold a conversation without yanking out your buds.
Where the SoundForm Rhythm ANC earbuds really impress me is in the basics. You get IPX5 water-resistance for sweat and splashes, which is more than any AirPods offer. There are eight hours of earbud battery life and an extra 20 with the case, matching or nearing the best options on the market. Connection is powered by Bluetooth 5.4 with support for multipoint connection, and there’s a Clear Call Quality feature that reduces background noise during phone calls.
Other perks include USB-C fast charging and a small charging case for easy pocketability. In all the ways that matter for convenience, the SoundForm Rhythm ANC earbuds are stellar.
Who are ultra-budget earbuds for?
If you’re not picky or break things easily, these are for you
I’m not going to lie and say the SoundForm Rhythm ANC sounds better than earbuds in the $250 range, because it doesn’t. I won’t even tell you that I’m replacing my AirPods Pro or Bose QuietComfort Ultra with these $40 earbuds, because I’m not.
However, I also can’t say that any of the premium earbuds I’ve tested are a whopping $210 (or more) better than the SoundForm Rhythm ANC. From a price-per-dollar standpoint, nothing beats earbuds in the Belkin SoundForm Rhythm ANC’s wheelhouse. If you have the money to drop on flagship wireless earbuds, feel free to do so. But let’s be honest — it’s probably a bit unnecessary.
That’s fine, as being a tech enthusiast comes with making a few unnecessary purchases. With that being said, if you’re someone looking for wireless ANC earbuds just to get you through your workday or for daily wear, consider whether you really need the best. If you’re someone who regularly breaks or misplaces wireless earbuds (no judgment here), a cheap pair like these might make more sense than the pricey models.
- Connectivity
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Multipoint 2-device connection
- IP rating
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IPX5
- Driver size
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10mm
- Earbuds battery life
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8 hours
The Belkin SoundForm Rhythm ANC earbuds offer decent sound quality and active noise-canceling in an affordable package. There’s also IPX5 water-resistance, a built-in EQ, and multipoint connection.
