Deciding to incorporate in-ear monitors (IEMs) into a live rig is a big step for a musician. It says you’ve gone past the point of relying on dodgy monitor wedges that have seen better days and want to improve the standard of your sound, playing and performance. Being able to hear, directly, what your audience can hear can only improve your playing after all. No more guessing if your tone is right. No more hoping your trusty axe has stayed in tune. If it’s accuracy and clarity you need, IEMs will provide the solution. Thankfully, there's no need to empty your bank account when investing in quality IEMs - as this guide to the best budget in-ear monitors proves.
Depending on the specifics of your setup, IEMs can represent a dramatic improvement with respect to on-stage monitoring and performance. Being able to hear a comprehensive live monitor mix clearly - without the volume and mix compromises that wedges require to reduce stage volumes and sound system feedback - is practically a luxury, and one which grants you the freedom to focus on your playing both individually and as an ensemble. You can also use IEMs to make rehearsals quicker, smoother and less fatiguing, to say nothing of the studio applications that some well-designed models have.
The budget end of the in-ear spectrum provides exceedingly affordable access to these professional utilities, with a wide variety of brands and models that run the gamut from entry-level earbuds to mid-range pro tools.
We've included some in-depth buying advice and useful FAQs at the end of this guide, if you'd like to read more about how to pick the best budget IEMs. If you'd rather get straight to the products, then just keep on scrolling.
Best budget in-ear monitors: Quick list
The Shure SE215s represent fantastic quality, with superb sound reproduction and exceptional ambient noise reduction. They look and sound the part, without a doubt. We also like the detachable cable which adds a level of durability to them, and reduces the risk of them being pulled out of your ears mid-performance.
Sitting at the top end of budget, the Audio Technica ATH-E70 offer a tantalising taste of what happens when you start to lay down serious cash on monitoring. The sound reproduction is a good few steps above everything else on this list, ensuring everything from sub bass to shimmering treble sounds exceptional.
The Mackie MP-220s, with dual drivers, offer a great example of how this simple component can add tons to the overall performance level. We found them to be well built, and overall couldn’t help but be impressed by the value they offer.
The SE425 adds in an extra driver to increase (and enhance) reproduction of a wider range of frequencies, and blocks out up to 37 dB of external noise, making them ideal for use on a noisy stage. In practice, that extra driver makes a heck of a difference, cleaning up and boosting bass and treble frequencies masterfully.
The Etymotic ER3XR series promises to combat the lack of bass response you usually get from passive in-ears that. You see, the ‘ER’ in the name stands for ‘extended response’, referring to a widened bass reproduction. Their passive nature also has the benefit that they don’t require an external power source of any kind.
Where the other budget IEMs on this list block out noise in order to allow full focus on sound reproduction, the AM PRO X10s let in a certain amount of ambient noise, but filter it so it doesn’t impact the overall sound. The benefit here is that you can still hear what’s happening around you, but without compromising on the sound you’re receiving from the desk.
If you’re not quite able to stretch to the price of the ATH-E70s, but still have your eye on Audio-Technica’s reputation for solidly-built gear, you might want to cast your eyes over the ATH-E40. Their drivers aren’t as responsive as those further up the range, but they are solid performers - the same of which can be said about the sound isolation.
Behringer is an undisputed champion in the budget range for practically anything audio. Here, they offer what could easily be the highest-quality in-ears at the lowest-possible price. A sleek-looking matte-black pair of monitor earphones that combine balanced and dynamic drivers for full-frequency feedback. There are some competition issues with multiple sources fed in at higher volumes, but the MO240s do do a great job of isolating sound otherwise.
Best budget in-ears overall
✅ Buy if want a reliable option: Shure are the industry leaders for a reason. Their in-ear monitors are reliable, well-crafted, and sound superb.
❌ Avoid if need more than one driver: While these are a great product, they don't offer the widest tonal range.
As one of the biggest names in pro-audio, you can expect Shure to produce great quality IEMs. The Shure SE215 proves this to be the case, with superb sound reproduction and exceptional ambient noise reduction.
They look and sound the part, without a doubt. We also liked the detachable cable which adds a level of durability to them, and reduces the risk of them being pulled out of your ears mid-performance.
We found that while they don't exactly offer the widest or most impressive tonal range, they still provided us with a satisfying, meaty-sounding representation of what was going on on-stage. For under $/£100, consider us impressed.
Read more: Shure SE215 Pro review
Best for sound
✅ Buy if want the best sound possible: For us, Audio Technica ATH-E70 offers the best sound out of all the in-ear monitors on this list.
❌ Avoid if you're on a strict budget: While these monitors are still considered affordable, they are at the top end of what we'd class as a budget product.
Sitting at the top end of our imposed budget in-ear monitors restriction, the Audio Technica ATH-E70 offer a tantalising taste of what happens when you start to lay down serious cash on monitoring. The sound reproduction is a good few steps above everything else on show today, ensuring everything from sub bass to shimmering treble sounds exceptional.
We found these AT's to be exceptionally comfortable with both the foam and silicone earbuds - with the foam ends helping to form a decent-enough seal to act as stage-friendly noise cancelling. Although they may appear to be a little too expensive to expose to the boisterousness of live shows, take care of these IEMs and they'll take care of you.
If you’ve tried IEMs in the past and are looking to take a step up the food chain, these could be just the ticket.
Read more: Audio-Technica ATH E70 review
Best for durability
✅ Buy if want a durable option: We found the Mackie MP-220s to be robust and incredibly well made. These are sure to last for years if you look after them.
❌ Avoid if you want a tight bass sound: While we enjoyed the sound of these Mackie in-ear monitors, they are bass-heavy, which can make them sound muddy at times.
The drivers in any set of earphones are arguably the most important component. It’s the drivers that push the sound to your ears, so the higher the better usually. In an ideal world, you’d look for drivers controlling – independently – the bass, middle and treble frequencies so each is reproduced perfectly.
As a good intermediate, however, the Mackie MP-220, with dual drivers, offer a great example of how this simple component can add tons to the overall performance level. We found them to be well built, and overall couldn’t help but be impressed by the value they offer.
Read more: Mackie MP220 review
Best for isolation
✅ Buy if you want great isolation: With the ability to block out up to 37 dB of external noise, this is ideal for loud stages.
❌ Avoid if you need durability: We loved the sound of these in-ear monitors, but we found the cables not to be the best and they will eventually wear out.
While the Shure SE215 Pro we showed earlier in the list are superb budget IEMs, the Shure SE425 warrant inclusion simply because of the superb quality on offer.
The SE425 adds in an extra driver to increase (and enhance) reproduction of a wider range of frequencies, and blocks out up to 37 dB of external noise, making them ideal for use on a noisy stage. In practice, that extra driver makes a heck of a difference, cleaning up and boosting bass and treble frequencies masterfully.
The SE425's are undoubtedly a great set of in-ears, but after some long-term use we found that the cables are susceptible to being pinched, damaged and cutting out. Not the end of the world, as Shure does sell replacement cables - but frustrating nonetheless.
If your budget runs to it, the Shure SE425 set makes for a great piece of kit.
Read more: Shure SE425 Pro review
Best passive in-ears
✅ Buy if you want a passive option: These are easily the best-sounding passive monitors we've come across.
❌ Avoid if you need perfect isolation: While these monitors sound fantastic, they don't offer the same level of sound isolation as others.
One of the main issues when using passive – i.e. not powered – earphones, headphones or monitors is a lack of bass response. The Etymotic ER3XR series promises to combat that. You see, the ‘ER’ in the name stands for ‘extended response’, referring to a widened bass reproduction. While that serves a clear purpose when listening to music or other regular sources, it also means you don’t just hear a jar full of wasps when playing at higher volumes.
Of course, their passive nature also has the benefit that they don’t require an external power source of any kind, and we also liked the included accessory kit containing various different ear plug sizes and – praise be – a clip to hold the monitors steady on your shirt.
The isolation isn't quite as good as some of the other options on this list, but we found using them to be quite an enjoyable experience all the same. If you like to hear the ambient noise of the stage, then these could be a great choice.
Best for innovation
✅ Buy if you want the best of both worlds: The Westone AM Pro X10 intelligently blocks out unwanted noise while also allowing through some ambient noise, meaning you can hear exactly what's happening on stage.
❌ Avoid if want a basic set of monitors: These are fantastic monitors, but they may be overkill if you are seeking a basic set to get started.
We love a bit of innovation here, and the Westone AM Pro X10 delivers on that count. Where the other budget IEMs on this list block out noise in order to allow full focus on sound reproduction, the AM10s let in a certain amount of ambient noise, but filter it so it doesn’t impact the overall sound.
The benefit here is that you can still hear what’s happening around you, but without compromising on the sound you’re receiving from the desk. This gives you the best of both worlds with isolation when you need it, but the ability to hear ambient noise too.
We liked the AM10s – handcrafted in Colorado Springs – on a number of levels, not least the great sound and general ruggedness. A variety of earbud shapes means they should fit pretty much anyone and the handy carry case for all your accessories is a nice touch.
Read more: Westone Audio AM PRO X10 review
Best for beginners
✅ Buy if you can't quite stretch to the ATH-E70s: With the ATH-E40s you get all the great built quality and reputation of Audio-Technica, but at a much more attractive price point. These in-ears would make a great pair for a first-timer.
❌ Avoid if want the best isolation: These IEMs won't block as much noise out as other sets in this guide, so if that's a deal breaker you'll want to look further up this list.
Audio-Technica have already excelled in the low-to-mid-budget space here, as evidenced by our thoughts on the ATH-E70s touched on above. If you’re not quite able to stretch to that price, but still have your eye on Audio-Technica’s reputation for solidly-built gear, you might want to cast your eyes over the ATH-E40.
This is Audio-Technica’s cheapest answer to the budget in-ear monitors question, and a product which does a great deal for its sub-$/£100 price point. Its drivers aren’t as responsive as those further up in the range, but they are nonetheless solid performers - the same of which could be said about the ATH-E40’s sound isolation.
Audio-Technica’s proprietary A2DC coaxial connectors offer both easy detachability and secure connections; in use your cables won’t move around unless you ask them to, and out of use you can easily disconnect them for safe storage and transport. These are practical solutions, which speak to the practicality of the ATH-E40s as a well-priced beginner set, built like a brick proverbial.
Best on a shoestring
✅ Buy if your budget is tight but you want to give in-ears a go: We believe everyone should use in-ears at some point or other and experience all the benefits the bring in the live arena. If you just want to dip a toe, these behringers are the perfect intro.
❌ Avoid if want better isolation and sound: Of course, the more you spend, the better your in-ears will sound and the better isolation they will deliver, so thing about your budget before you go straight for these.
Behringer is an undisputed champion in the budget range for practically anything audio, and it should come as no surprise that the budget in-ear monitors industry is no different. Here, they offer what could easily be the highest-quality in-ears at the lowest-possible price - though, naturally, there are some pretty significant trade-offs that come with professional monitors that come in under $/£50.
These are the MO240s, a sleek-looking matte-black pair of monitor earphones that combine balanced and dynamic drivers for full-frequency feedback. There are some competition issues with multiple sources fed in at higher volumes, but the MO240s do do a great job of isolating sound otherwise.
The MO240s are light, and pretty solid in spite of their lightness - not to mention well-designed more generally, with 360-swivelling contact points for the wires (something you might not find on any other IEMs at this price). Of course, a little weight would be reassuring, as could the various foam and silicone buds provided; for a cheap first set, though, these are an excellent start.
FAQs
How do in-ear monitors work?
In-ear monitors, or IEMs, are designed to do two key things. The first is to provide musicians, engineers and sound techs with direct audio feeds from specific sources, and the second is to protect those same musicians, engineers and sound techs from loud external sounds in the process. They are most commonly used in live music performance environments, where both stage volumes and PA system levels can both actively damage hearing and impede the work at hand.
Functionally, in-ear monitors share some surface-level similarities with consumer-grade earphones and earbuds - however, where earphones you’d use casually at home or on the go are often flatteringly tuned to enhance the listening experience, in-ear monitors are designed to provide the flattest possible frequency response. IEMs are also carefully designed to isolate your ears from chaotic sounds in the room, protecting them from damage and ensuring you can hear everything going on.
As a musician on-stage, this is a much more reliable way to receive monitor mixes from the mixing desk, and hence hear yourself and your band, than on-stage wedges which have to compete with stage volumes and feedback-y rooms. They are also more discreet than on-ear solutions like ear defenders, ensuring they don’t get in the way of a good performance. As sound techs, IEMs can enable easier receipt of instructions, or a clearer idea of exactly what’s going on in the foldbacks.
Lots of clever design work goes into providing these two key functions, and the different brands have different approaches to driver design and sound isolation as a result. Many will have proprietary technologies that give them certain benefits, such as hybrid drivers for providing robust frequency response at both ends of the spectrum - but the relative merits of such technologies are for you to discover!
What are the benefits of in-ear monitors?
The essential benefits of wearing in-ear monitors are that you hear exactly, for better or worse, what’s going on on-stage. You no longer have to pick and choose what goes in your monitors for headroom or feedback-reduction purposes; you can receive everything you’d like to, in exactly the proportions you’d like as well.
In the first instance, this means you can have a much better idea of what’s actually going out front, and work with your equipment accordingly. Secondly, you’ll be much better-placed to play with your fellow musicians rather than just alongside them, as your in-ear mix will put you closer to the music you’re playing. A less-considered ancillary benefit is that of repeatability, wherein you’ll have exactly the same monitoring experience each and every show; no more nasty surprises at new and unplayed venues!
This can also have the knock-on effect of tempering your playing. We’ve all found ourselves in at least one live situation where we’ve been fighting the room rather than playing to it, whether accidentally drumming harder over the band or straining your voice to hear yourself over everything.
Will in-ear monitors protect my hearing?
The answer, generally, is yes. The vast majority of products that advertise themselves as IEMs are designed specifically to protect your ears from loud external volumes, as well as to supply a clean feed of audio directly to your ears. Some unscrupulous cash-grab brands might attempt to sell untreated earbuds under the IEM banner, but you won’t find any of the sort in our guide here.
Many people mistakenly think that hearing damage is caused simply by exposure to loud noises. This is obviously true, but not the whole story. Prolonged exposure to moderately loud sounds (as loud as a traffic jam, or a lawnmower) can also have damaging impacts. Certain sources are also far more likely to cause damage than others; one loud hit from a kick drum won’t necessarily harm your hearing as much as 5 minutes of cymbals. In-ear monitors are crucial not just for improving your access to monitoring, but for preserving your hearing from show to show in the process.
The main caveat here is that, however good the budget in-ear monitors you buy are at reducing the impact of external sounds, you are the only one that can ensure your ears don’t get damaged.
Whether you turn up your monitor mix too loud, or frequently pop your IEMs out to get a feel for the room mid-show, you could be inadvertently continuing to impact your hearing – so make sure you use them properly!
How much should I spend on budget in-ear monitors?
We’ve kept the limit for budget in-ear monitors in this guide to $/£400. While this is clearly a decent amount of cash in anyone’s books, it does allow us to point out some of the improvements you can expect as you travel up the price ladder - but we also include a couple of options that won’t cost you more than $/£100.
Realistically, if you're after a decent, no-frills degree of in-ear monitoring then there's really no need to spend more than about $/£150 on a pair of in-ears. It's astonishing the kind of features you can get for that amount of money, and when directly compared with more expensive in-ears, the differences are almost impossible to decipher.
In a live-gig situation, all you need to hear is what's going on around you - in relatively high fidelity - and a pair of budget IEMs under $/£150 will provide just that.
It’s also important to view IEMs as a tool, or as an investment in your playing career. They’re not going to make your playing improve, but they do encourage a more professional approach to live performance.
Which brands make the best budget in-ear monitors?
You'll do no wrong with any of the budget IEM brands featured in the guide. Shure is top of the tree, with plenty of experience in this world. That's why the SE215 Pros have held the top spot in this guide for a very long time. They just work.
Also proving it pays to investigate beyond the mainstream brands are the Etymotic Research ER3XRs in this guide. They're designed to produce an accurate image of your audio, without breaking the bank, and they absolutely deliver on that promise.
How we choose products for this guide
First and foremost, we are musicians, so when we test products, such as in-ear monitors, we are viewing them from a practical point of view. For us, the best budget in-ear monitors perfectly balance quality, comfort, and noise isolation, and if we wouldn't use them with our own bands, we won't recommend them.
When testing the products, we'll be sure to use them as they are intended - by putting them through their paces at a band practice or even at a gig. We'll pay careful attention to the sound quality of the IEM, how comfortable they are to use for long periods of time, and how well they block out the unwanted sounds of a noisy practice room.
As well as combining our hands-on experience, we also look at user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
Read more about how we test music-making gear and services at MusicRadar.
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Since 2007 MusicRadar has been helping musicians of all kinds, whether they're guitarists, drummers, producers, keyboard players, or DJs. We've been testing music gear for a long time, and our team of highly experienced industry professionals collectively have over a century's worth of knowledge from real-world music-making.
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