Finding a good pair of wireless earbuds under ₹5,000 in 2025 is like searching for the perfect chai in a city full of cafes. Everyone has their preferences – some want strong bass, others want balanced sound, and some just want them to look cool. Personally, I’ve gone through at least six pairs in the last three years (I keep misplacing one of the buds or dropping them in water, don’t judge). Based on all that trial and error, here are the ones I think are worth your money, plus a few hilarious lessons I learned the hard way.
1. OnePlus Nord Buds 3 – The bass lover’s dream
If you love bass-heavy tracks, the Nord Buds 3 might be your jam. When I first put them on, I actually grinned because my Bollywood playlist never sounded this punchy on budget earbuds. They come with 12.4mm drivers and support Dolby Atmos on OnePlus phones (I tested them on my friend’s OnePlus 12R; on my Samsung they still sounded great). Battery life is around 7 hours on a single charge, and the case adds another 20. They have fast charging too – 10 minutes gives you about 5 hours.
Comfort-wise, they sit snugly but after about 2 hours my ears got a little sore. Maybe it’s my weird ear shape. The case is a bit chunky, but still pocketable. One funny incident: I was taking out the buds while walking and the left one just flew out, bounced off the footpath, and landed straight into a puddle. I panicked, fished it out, wiped it, and guess what? It still worked. So I guess they can take a splash, but please don’t try.
2. Realme Buds Air 5 – Value packed with ANC
Realme has been killing it in the budget audio space, and the Buds Air 5 continue that trend. These are the only earbuds under ₹5k that offer decent active noise cancellation (ANC). I used them on a bus ride to Delhi, and it cut down engine noise by about 60%. You can still hear loud horns (it’s India after all), but it’s much better than nothing. The sound signature is more balanced than the Nord Buds – clear vocals, decent bass, and crisp highs.
Battery life is similar: about 6 hours with ANC off, 4–5 hours with ANC on. The case can be a bit slippery; I dropped it once and thankfully it survived. The touch controls are responsive but sometimes I accidentally pause the music while adjusting them. Small annoyance.
3. boAt Airdopes 441 Pro – The budget-friendly workhorse
boAt is like the Xiaomi of audio – so many models, it’s confusing. The Airdopes 441 Pro are not new, but they still sell because they’re reliable and cheap (around ₹2,500). The sound is bass-heavy, which a lot of Indians love. There’s no ANC, but the passive isolation is okay if you get the right ear tips. Battery life is insane – each bud lasts 5 hours and the case holds enough charge for almost 150 hours (boAt claims, I didn’t actually count). It’s like carrying a power bank for your earbuds.
The downside? Build quality feels plasticky. The case lid feels like it might break if you’re rough. Also, I faced occasional connectivity drops when I was running outside with my phone in my pocket. Not a deal breaker, but worth noting.
4. Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro – Best for all-rounders
I originally bought the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro for my sister because she’s into K-Pop and wanted something “cute.” After trying them myself, I almost kept them. These buds have a semi-translucent case that looks unique. Sound quality is surprisingly balanced with slightly boosted vocals – perfect for podcasts and acoustic songs. They support LDAC codec, so if your phone supports it, you get higher-quality audio (I tried it on my friend’s Xperia and it sounded crisp).
They also have decent ANC (not as strong as Realme, but enough to dull the hum of a ceiling fan). Battery life is about 5 hours per charge with ANC on. Fit is comfortable; I used them during a workout and they stayed put. At around ₹4,800, they might be slightly above some budgets, but I think they’re worth it.
Things I’ve learned after losing/destroying earbuds
- Always check pockets before washing clothes – I once washed a pair of earbuds. They did not survive. My mom laughed at my stupidity.
- Get a case with a lanyard – It’s easier to hang it on your bag rather than fish around your pockets.
- Don’t sleep with them – You’ll wake up with sore ears or worse, a lost bud inside your bed.
- Read the manual – I used to throw it away, but sometimes there are hidden features (like low-latency gaming mode).
My ranking and which one I’d buy again
If I had to rank them:
- Realme Buds Air 5 – Balanced sound + ANC + good price.
- Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro – Unique design, LDAC support, comfortable fit.
- OnePlus Nord Buds 3 – Great bass, splash resistant, but comfort could be better.
- boAt Airdopes 441 Pro – Super cheap and long battery, but average build and sound.
Personally, I use the Realme Buds Air 5 daily now. They just fit my needs best. I still keep the boAt ones as a backup (and because my dad “borrows” them sometimes).
What to look for when buying earbuds under ₹5k
- Sound signature – Are you a bass head or do you like balanced sound?
- Battery life – If you travel a lot, look for cases with more cycles.
- Fit – Everyone’s ears are different. Try them if possible or at least check reviews.
- Features – Do you need ANC? Gaming mode? Water resistance?
Final word
Good earbuds don’t have to cost ₹15k. The options today are so much better than what I had back in 2020 (my first pair had a 2-hour battery, lol). Just be honest about what you need, dont fall for marketing hype, and take care of them. And maybe don’t drop them in water or run them through the washing machine. Been there, done that. 😂
If you’ve used any of these, or have other favourites, drop a comment. My ears and my wallet are always up for new experiments.
