Best Upcoming Earbuds Under $100 in 2026 — Leaks, Rumors & Release Dates (Vol. 2)
Six upcoming budget earbuds are being tracked through FCC filings and credible leaks — here's which ones are actually worth waiting for.
📋 Table of Contents
- Vol. 2 Watchlist at a Glance
- How I Track These Leaks (Methodology)
- Budget Earbud Leaks Worth Knowing
- 2026 Release Timeline
- Sony Upcoming Earbuds Under $100
- EarFun New Earbuds Coming Soon
- Soundcore Upcoming Earbuds 2026
- CMF by Nothing — 2026 Rumors
- Jabra Budget Line — Leaks
- Best New Budget ANC Earbuds This Year
- Should I Wait or Buy Now?
- Upcoming vs. Current Best Picks
- Confidence vs. Expected Value Matrix
- Buying Now vs. Waiting — Pros & Cons
- People Also Ask
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict
You're three days from clicking "Buy" on the EarFun Air Pro 4. Then you spot a Reddit thread: an EarFun Air Pro 5 has reportedly turned up in an FCC filing, with a Q3 2026 launch window. Now you're frozen. I know this feeling exactly — it's the same paralysis that hit me before publishing Vol. 1 of this series last quarter. Three of the models I tracked back then have since launched, and two turned out to be genuine upgrades worth the wait. That track record is why I keep running this series. Upcoming budget earbuds aren't always worth holding out for — but sometimes they are, and the goal here is to help you make that call with real evidence, not speculation.
For this round, I've been tracking FCC filings, brand announcement cadences, leaked press renders, and reliable tech sources since early Q2 2026. Meanwhile, the budget wireless market is in a fascinating stretch — Bluetooth 5.4, hybrid ANC drivers trickling below $60, and LDAC support appearing at price points that felt impossible two years ago. For anyone following best budget wireless earbuds, this is a genuinely exciting window. Here's what the evidence says, brand by brand.
📡 Vol. 2 Watchlist at a Glance
- Sony WF-C800N — Expected Q3 2026 · Rumored $89 · LDAC + ANC refresh · High Interest
- EarFun Air Pro 5 (EF-TA11) — FCC filing spotted · Rumored Q3 2026 · Bluetooth 5.4 · Leaked
- Soundcore Liberty 5 — Rumored late 2026 · Expected LDAC upgrade · Watch
- CMF Buds Pro 3 — Rumored Q4 2026 · Spatial audio expected · Watch
- Jabra Elite 5 (budget tier) — Unconfirmed · Under $100 bracket possible · Low Confidence
- Soundcore A30i — Possible successor to A20i · No FCC yet · Rumor
🔍 How I Track These Leaks (Methodology)
Every confidence rating in this roundup is built from the same evidence checklist, not a gut feeling. Here's exactly what I check before a model gets tagged High, Medium, or Low confidence:
- FCC filings — the FCC ID database requires manufacturers to submit real hardware for certification before a model can legally ship in the US, so a filing is the strongest single signal available.
- Bluetooth SIG listings — new chipset and profile declarations on the Bluetooth SIG qualification database often surface Bluetooth version and codec support ahead of an official announcement.
- Brand launch cadence — historical time-between-generations for each manufacturer (e.g. Soundcore's 12–14 month flagship cycle).
- Patent activity — driver and ANC-related patent filings that tend to precede hardware refreshes by 6–12 months.
- Reputable tech press — outlets with a track record of confirmed leaks, cross-checked against at least one other source before I cite them.
A model only earns a High confidence tag when at least two of these five signals line up. Rumors get downgraded the moment a signal contradicts an earlier one — that's what happened to the Sony model from Vol. 1 that quietly disappeared from certification databases.
What's New This Quarter — Budget Earbud Leaks Worth Knowing (2026)
Q3 2026 is shaping up to be the busiest launch window for budget wireless earbuds I can remember. Budget earbud leaks in 2026 have been arriving at a steady pace — FCC database activity from Sony, EarFun, and CMF by Nothing all picked up between March and May. That pattern usually precedes actual announcements by 60–90 days, which puts us squarely in a pre-launch window right now.
What makes this particularly interesting is the spec tier shift. Hybrid ANC drivers, which were a $100+ feature just 18 months ago, are reportedly targeting the $59–79 range in several upcoming models. Meanwhile, Bluetooth 5.4 — with its lower power consumption and improved multipoint handling — is appearing in FCC filings for models under $80. These represent a genuine generational step for wireless earbud trends shaping 2026.
However, not every FCC filing converts to a launch. In my Vol. 1 tracking, one Sony model I watched never shipped at the rumored price and quietly disappeared from certification databases. That's the honest reality of following leaks. What I'm doing in this edition is applying a confidence tier to each model, so you can calibrate how seriously to factor each rumor into your buying decision.
📅 2026 Release Timeline — All Six Models at a Glance
Laying every tracked model's expected window side by side makes the picture easier to act on than reading six separate confidence tags in isolation:
Read left to right: the two high-confidence Q3 launches (EarFun, Sony) cluster earliest, the medium-confidence Soundcore refresh trails into Q4, and the two lowest-confidence entries have no hardware evidence to anchor a date at all.
Best Upcoming Sony Earbuds Under $100 in 2026
✅ High Confidence — FCC trail + patent activity corroborateTimeline: From Rumor to Expected Launch
The best upcoming Sony earbuds under $100 in 2026 are widely expected to arrive as the WF-C800N — a direct successor to the WF-C700N. Sony's own FCC activity and patent filings from late Q1 2026 both point toward a refreshed WF-C series model. The certification trail suggests the model code sits one above the C700N in Sony's internal naming, consistent with a genuine generational update rather than a colorway refresh. For official confirmation once Sony does announce, the Sony newsroom is the fastest primary source.
If the WF-C800N's ANC performance matches what I've already seen from the EarFun Air Pro 3 — a model that genuinely impressed me at sub-$80 pricing — that would set a new benchmark for Sony's budget tier. The existing Sony WF-C700N full review covers the benchmark you'd be upgrading from: excellent LDAC codec support, solid call quality, but modest ANC depth. Treat the $89 price point as a rumor — Sony has a history of pricing aggressive at launch, then discounting within 60 days.
Buy now or wait? If LDAC and improved ANC matter to you, the WF-C800N is worth watching. Otherwise, the current WF-C700N regularly drops to $69 and remains one of the best LDAC options under $100 available today.
EarFun New Earbuds Coming Soon — What's Leaked So Far
✅ High Confidence — EarFun has a 90-day FCC-to-launch track recordFCC Filing History: Why EF-TA11 Is a Strong Signal
EarFun's new earbuds coming soon in 2026 center on what I'm tracking as the Air Pro 5, internally coded EF-TA11 in a recent FCC certification. The code pattern directly mirrors how the Air Pro 4 (EF-TA10) was filed. The certification lists Bluetooth 5.4 — one step above what the current Air Pro 4 uses — which suggests a genuine hardware refresh, not just a cosmetic update.
Not every FCC filing translates into a spec upgrade that justifies waiting. That said, EarFun's filings historically convert to actual launches within 90 days, so I'm treating the Air Pro 5 as effectively confirmed for planning purposes, while still noting it remains officially unannounced — check EarFun's official site for the announcement when it lands. The current EarFun Air Pro 4 is still an outstanding buy at around $59, especially if you want companion-app EQ and multipoint connection today.
Soundcore Upcoming Earbuds 2026 — Leaks and What We Expect
⚠️ Medium Confidence — Cadence logic, no FCC filing yetLiberty 5 vs. Liberty 4 NC: What Would Actually Change
Soundcore's upcoming earbuds for 2026 point toward two potential releases: a Liberty 5 — successor to the Liberty 4 NC — and a possible refresh of the entry-level A-series line. Soundcore typically runs a 12–14 month update cycle on its flagship lineup, and the Liberty 4 NC launched in late 2024. That cadence puts a Liberty 5 announcement squarely in the Q3–Q4 2026 window. Soundcore's parent brand Anker doesn't pre-announce, so the Soundcore official site remains the only reliable place to confirm a launch once it happens.
The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC already does most of what the rumored Liberty 5 is expected to, at a price that regularly dips under $70. Still, if Soundcore adds LDAC to the successor, that would be a meaningful enough upgrade to justify waiting. Check our Soundcore A20i review to see where the entry-level line currently sits.
CMF by Nothing — New Earbuds 2026 Rumors and Spec Predictions
🔴 Low-Medium Confidence — Cadence inference only, no hardware evidenceBrand Trajectory: Why CMF Is Harder to Predict
CMF Nothing's new earbud rumors for 2026 are harder to pin down than EarFun's or Sony's, mostly because CMF operates with less FCC transparency. What we do have: Nothing's announcement cadence of roughly every six months for CMF sub-brand products, plus community leaks suggesting a Buds Pro 3 with spatial audio and improved ANC depth. The Buds Pro 2 launched in early 2026 and sold well enough that a Q4 refresh seems commercially logical. Nothing tends to tease hardware weeks ahead on its own channels, so the Nothing official site is worth checking directly as Q4 approaches.
If the rumored noise-cancellation depth reaches 40dB — currently the territory of products $20–$30 higher — CMF could reset the value equation for the entire budget ANC segment. For now, the CMF Buds Pro 2 remains a sharp buy while you watch this space.
Jabra Budget Earbuds 2026 — Low-Confidence Leaks
🔴 Low Confidence — No hardware evidence, speculation onlyThe Jabra picture is the least clear in this roundup. Community speculation around a budget-tier addition to the Elite line, possibly sub-$100, has circulated since early 2026, but I've found no FCC evidence, no credible press leaks, and no corroboration from reliable tech sources. Jabra pivoted heavily toward enterprise and professional segments after selling their consumer division, which makes a genuine sub-$100 consumer launch harder to forecast with confidence.
The Jabra Elite 4, already available, delivers excellent call quality and reliable ANC at a price that regularly hits $69. That's the current buy, and I wouldn't wait on Jabra speculation without better evidence. Also worth exploring: our roundup of the best earbuds with multipoint connection, where the Elite 4 ranks highly.
Best New Budget ANC Earbuds Releasing This Year — What to Expect
The best new budget ANC earbuds releasing this year represent a genuine inflection point for the sub-$100 segment. When I tested the EarFun Air Pro 3 back in 2024, its hybrid ANC performance at $79 felt like a ceiling-breaker. Now, the trend lines in affordable earbuds rumors for 2026 suggest hybrid ANC drivers — using both feedforward and feedback microphone arrays — are targeting the $50–$60 tier by Q4 2026.
This matters because noise-cancellation depth doesn't scale linearly with price once you cross the hybrid driver threshold. A well-tuned hybrid ANC at $59 can match or exceed a single-driver ANC system at $90. New earbud releases in 2026 also consistently mention Bluetooth 5.4 as the baseline, improving connection stability and multipoint switching latency compared to 5.3. For anyone switching frequently between a laptop and a phone, that improvement is practically significant.
One trend to watch alongside ANC: IP54 water resistance is becoming standard rather than premium. Every model I'm tracking in this roundup is expected to carry at least IP54 certification, compared to IP44 or less on many 2024-era budget models. For more on what's driving these shifts, our wireless earbud trends shaping 2026 piece covers the broader market dynamics.
Should I Wait for New Earbuds or Buy Now? (Honest Guide)
Here's the framework I actually use, not a vague "it depends." If the rumored product is more than four months out and offers less than a 15% spec improvement over the current best pick, buy now. Waiting costs you real listening hours — three months with the EarFun Air Pro 4 at $59 is worth more than three months of anticipation for a spec that might not materialize at the leaked price.
⏳ Wait If...
- Launch is within 6–8 weeks (FCC filing already cleared)
- The rumored upgrade is a codec you specifically need (LDAC)
- You currently own earbuds you're satisfied with
- The price delta vs. the current model is minimal (under $10)
🛒 Buy Now If...
- Launch is 3+ months away with no FCC confirmation
- You need earbuds immediately (broken pair, new job, travel)
- The "buy now" option is on a significant discount right now
- The rumored upgrade doesn't match your actual use case
The Sony WF-C800N situation is the trickiest call in this roundup. It's high-confidence, potentially 8–10 weeks out, and rumored to add meaningful spec improvements — that's the one case where I'd genuinely say wait, if you don't have a pressing need. For everything else, the Soundcore Liberty 5, CMF Buds Pro 3, speculative Jabra, buy the current best picks now. The top-rated budget wireless earbuds guide keeps a live comparison of everything available today while you monitor these launches.
External reference points matter here too. Trusted sources like 9to5Google and GSMArena are worth bookmarking for official launch announcements. For FCC database verification, FCC ID.io is the easiest search interface.
Upcoming vs. Current Best Picks — Full Comparison
| Model | Status | Est. Price | Key Rumored Feature | Buy Now Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WF-C800N | High Confidence | ~$89 | LDAC + Hybrid ANC | WF-C700N (~$69) |
| EarFun Air Pro 5 | FCC Filed | $59–$69 | Bluetooth 5.4 | Air Pro 4 (~$59) |
| Soundcore Liberty 5 | Rumor | $69–$89 | LDAC upgrade | Liberty 4 NC (~$69) |
| CMF Buds Pro 3 | Rumor | $59–$79 | Spatial audio + ANC | Buds Pro 2 (~$59) |
| Jabra Elite 5 (budget) | Speculation | Unknown | Unconfirmed | Elite 4 (~$69) |
| Soundcore A30i | Speculation | ~$29–$39 | A20i successor | A20i (~$29) |
Confidence vs. Expected Value Matrix
Not every rumor deserves equal attention. This matrix weighs how solid the evidence is against how meaningful the upgrade would actually be, to help you decide which launches are worth watching closely:
| Model | Evidence Strength | Upgrade Value | Worth Watching? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WF-C800N | Yes — top priority | ||
| EarFun Air Pro 5 | Yes — modest upgrade | ||
| Soundcore Liberty 5 | Watch, not urgent | ||
| CMF Buds Pro 3 | Watch, high upside if confirmed | ||
| Soundcore A30i | Low priority | ||
| Jabra Elite 5 (budget) | Not worth waiting on |
Buying Now vs. Waiting for New Releases — Pros & Cons
✅ Buy Now — Pros
- Immediate use, no gap in your listening workflow
- Current models are proven, real reviews, no spec surprises
- Prices on the current generation are at or near all-time lows
- No risk of rumored features not materializing
- Potential to resell when the next generation drops, offsetting upgrade cost
❌ Buy Now — Cons
- Some significant upgrades (LDAC, BT 5.4) are genuinely near
- Current model prices may drop further post-launch
- Could feel "behind" within 3–4 months
✅ Wait — Pros
- Sony WF-C800N is 8–10 weeks out with high confidence
- LDAC + hybrid ANC at ~$89 would be a genuine generational step
- EarFun Air Pro 5 likely 60–90 days post-FCC filing
❌ Wait — Cons
- Rumored specs frequently change at launch
- Prices sometimes launch higher than leaked estimates
- CMF, Jabra, and Soundcore launches are far less certain
- Waiting has no end, there's always something next
People Also Ask
The Sony WF-C800N and EarFun Air Pro 5 are the strongest candidates. Both have FCC evidence supporting near-term launches, and both are expected to deliver spec improvements — LDAC plus hybrid ANC for Sony, Bluetooth 5.4 for EarFun — that genuinely justify waiting if you're not in a rush.
EarFun Air Pro 5 hasn't been officially announced, but an FCC filing under model code EF-TA11 was spotted in 2026. Based on EarFun's track record, FCC certification typically precedes launch by 60–90 days, pointing to a Q3 2026 window. Treat this as a strong rumor, not a confirmed date.
If you need earbuds right now, the Air Pro 4 at ~$59 is an excellent buy, with a strong companion app EQ, solid multipoint, and proven ANC. If you can wait 2–3 months, the Air Pro 5's Bluetooth 5.4 upgrade may offer better multipoint stability. Your urgency level should drive this call.
Based on Soundcore's 12–14 month product cadence, a Liberty 5 is plausible in Q3–Q4 2026. No FCC filing has been identified yet, and the Liberty 4 NC remains a strong current option. An LDAC upgrade in the Liberty 5 would be the feature most worth waiting for if that rumor proves accurate.
Yes, the open-ear segment has been moving toward the $79–$99 range with models like the Soundcore AeroFit Pro. Several upcoming models reportedly target this tier. See our guide on whether open-ear earbuds are worth it in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
FCC filings are among the most reliable early signals in consumer electronics, since manufacturers must submit actual hardware, not just plans. However, a filing doesn't guarantee the product will launch at the rumored price or spec set. EarFun's conversion rate from FCC to launch within 90 days has been near 100% in my tracking; Sony's is slightly lower, with some models quietly revised before launch.
Bluetooth 5.4 introduces LE Audio improvements that benefit multipoint connection stability, lower-latency codec handling, and power efficiency. For most casual listeners the difference is subtle, but if you switch frequently between a laptop and phone, the multipoint switching is noticeably smoother on 5.4 devices in early tests.
Hybrid ANC uses both inward-facing and outward-facing microphones to cancel noise from both directions simultaneously. Single-driver ANC, more common in sub-$60 earbuds, only addresses external noise. The difference in effective cancellation depth can be 8–12dB, meaningful in office and commute environments. Its arrival below $70 in rumored 2026 models is a genuine category shift.
LDAC support is rumored for both the Sony WF-C800N and possibly the Soundcore Liberty 5. LDAC transmits audio at up to 990kbps, far above standard SBC or AAC. For casual listening the difference is subtle on compressed streams, but for lossless files it's audible on good drivers.
FCC ID.io lets you search certification databases directly by model code. GSMArena and 9to5Google are the fastest outlets for official press-release coverage. I also send a one-email alert via the newsletter above the moment any tracked model makes an official announcement.
The EarFun Air Pro 4 at ~$59 and the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC at ~$69 are the two strongest current-gen options, both offering hybrid ANC, multipoint, and companion apps. The Sony WF-C700N is the pick if LDAC is non-negotiable today. All three are covered in the best budget wireless earbuds guide.
CMF has built a strong reputation quickly. The Buds Pro 2 earned solid reviews for its ANC depth and design at sub-$60 pricing. Their product cadence and Nothing's design pedigree make the Buds Pro 3 worth watching, but the low confidence rating in this article reflects a lack of hardware evidence, not a quality concern about the brand.
Almost always, and significantly. When the EarFun Air Pro 4 launched, the Air Pro 3 dropped 25–30% within four weeks. Sony historically marks down predecessor models within 60 days of a new release. If you're price-sensitive and can wait, buying the outgoing model immediately post-launch is often the best value play.
The Jabra Elite 4 leads for call quality in this price range, with a six-microphone system and voice pickup that have been consistently excellent in my testing. The EarFun Air Pro 4 is a strong second. If call quality is your primary use case, both are safe buys regardless of upcoming launches.
Final Verdict — Best Upcoming Earbuds Under $100 (Vol. 2)
Vol. 2 of this series lands at a genuinely interesting moment. Among the upcoming ANC earbuds and codec upgrades tracked here, the Sony WF-C800N and EarFun Air Pro 5 stand out as high-confidence bets, both backed by hardware evidence and representing meaningful spec steps over their predecessors. The Soundcore Liberty 5 is worth watching but hasn't produced FCC evidence yet. CMF Buds Pro 3 is intriguing, but Q4 remains speculative. Jabra budget speculation has no corroboration I'd act on.
My honest recommendation: if your current earbuds work, wait on Sony. Otherwise, buy the EarFun Air Pro 4 or Liberty 4 NC today. Both will serve you excellently, and both will drop in price when their successors launch, giving you a second-round buying opportunity.
M. Maksudur Rahman Titu
M. Maksudur Rahman Titu has tested more than 30 wireless earbuds, covering everything from sub-$20 budget buds to premium ANC flagships. His reviews focus on real-world performance, honest value assessments, and the specs that actually matter for everyday listeners, not just spec sheets.
🎧 30+ earbuds tested · ⏱ 3+ years reviewing · 🌐 trendytechreviews.com
M. Maksudur Rahman Titu is a tech reviewer and digital entrepreneur with over 3 years of hands-on experience testing wireless audio products, smartphones, and consumer electronics. Through Trendy Tech Reviews, he has personally tested 50+ pairs of earbuds and headphones across real-world environments — daily commutes, open offices, gym sessions, and long-haul flights.
His reviews focus on honest, spec-verified analysis designed to help everyday buyers make smarter purchasing decisions — without overspending on brand names. Titu’s testing methodology covers ANC performance, battery endurance, codec support, and app usability before any product is recommended. Contact: reviewstrendytech@gmail.com
