BEST FOR price

SONY WF-C500

Sensibly specified, not overtly built down to a price and with some real performance highlights (not least where sonic organisation and enthusiasm are concerned), the Sony WF-C500 are everything you want from an affordable true wireless earbud. And with 10 hours of playback time from the earbud, you can enjoy your bargain all day long. £59, sony.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE AUDIO MELOMANIA 1 PLUS

In truth, the Melomania 1 Plus aren’t much to look at, and they’re not in the running for the title of ‘most comfortable true wireless earbuds’ either. But they sound way, way better than the asking price prepares you for. Balanced, robust and extensively detailed, they’re a wolf in affordable sheep’s clothing if ever we heard one. £49, cambridgeaudio.com

NOTHING EAR (STICK)

It’s unusual to find a hint of individualism in products like this at any price, and unheard-of at the more affordable end of the market. Until now, that is. With Ear (Stick), Nothing has served up a nicely designed, goodlooking pair of ‘half-in’ earbuds that sound impressively big and full, with a nice ability to properly describe a soundstage. £99, nothing.tech

LYPERTEK PUREPLAY Z7

There’s one sure-fire way to turn a ‘good’ product into a ‘great’ product, and that’s to carve a chunk out of the asking price. Now they’re less than £90 a pair, the Lypertek PurePlay Z7 (with their great battery life, robust wireless connectivity and entertaining sound) are starting to look (and sound) like the real deal. £89, lypertek.com