IEMs are the most professional headphones that one can find! IEM stands for in-ear monitors and they are types of headphones that are mostly seen used by singers while having concerts.
Whenever I have to write anything about IEMs in general, I know that there is confusion between IEMs and normal earbuds. Well, in order to solve that mystery, I would directly advise you to check out IEMs vs. Earbuds, an article that is completely related to them.
Whereas, in this article, you will find some of the best IEMs under $100 that you can find in the market nowadays! You will notice that I added many picks, but the more the better, so you can choose between them.
Now, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the best IEMs under $100!
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Noise Isolating  | 8.6 | Check Latest Price | |
Best Bass Accuracy  | 8.5 | Check Latest Price | |
Most Durable  | 9.1 | Check Latest Price | |
Best Runner-Up  | 8.8 | Check Latest Price | |
Best Overall  | 8.6 | Check Latest Price |
The Top 5 Best IEMs Under $100
5. 1MORE – Best Noise Isolating
Even though the name is one more, these IEMs appear as the first ones in our article. This brand launches some of the greatest in-ear headphones that are on the worldwide market. Starting with some of the best noise isolating IEMs is a great start, I guess!
These IEMs, based on the looks, have a very simple design since they look exactly like many in-ear headphones that we are used to seeing. Whenever you use them, even though you will be in a lot of movement, it is important to know that these IEMs fit too well in your ears and they don’t move. They come in two colors such as gold and silver, and with nine sets of ear tips, assuring more the fitting part.
The IEMs come with a tangle-free 3.5mm cable, which makes the IEMs compatible with many different devices, that you may already own. By the way, the cable owns Kevin fiber, and it makes the cable super durable.
Just by the way I listed them, the best noise isolating in ear monitors, are definitely ones that let you alone with the melodies and the sounds in general. Every sound is perfectly clear, and you won’t be disturbed by any other thing that may surround you.
Key Specifications
- Driver – Three 10mm Drivers
- Frequency Response – 20-40,000 Hz
- Impedance – 32 Ω
- Sensitivity – 99 dB
- Weight – 0.8 ounces
- Dimensions –
Why Should You Buy It?
In explaining and reviewing these in ear monitors the word that I mentioned mostly is noise isolation. That basically shows why these in ear monitors should be bought
4. Audio-Technica ATH-E40 – Best Bass Accuracy
Audio Technica is a name that is known as a celebrity when it comes to audio equipment, and they always know how to deal with music fans that want a high-quality sound. The Audio-Technica ATH-E40 IEMs are one of the greatest budget iems that bring an amazing bass for all of them who like it.
These Audio Technica IEMs are super comfortable while in use. They are known to fit in your ars in the best way possible, and they fit any type of ear. You can use them for the longest periods of time. The ear tips are made out of silicone, and once they are in your ears, they stay perfectly fine.
Connecting these IEMs to another device is the easiest thing to do. They use a 6.3mm 1/4 inch plug-on adapter, and as we all know, many devices accept this plug-on. You can use them with anything that you want.
As long as sound quality is concerned, these budget iems are known for their exceptional sound signature, and most importantly, they are the greatest ones when it comes to the bass. The bass is super powerful, and also it is super well-balanced.
Key Specifications
- Driver – Dual-Phase Push-Pull
- Frequency Response – 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Impedance – 12 Ω
- Sensitivity – 107 dB
- Weight – 3.17 ounces
- Dimensions – 3.43 x 3.9 x 5.39 inches
Why Should You Buy It?
If you want a budget in ear monitor that has a very fun sound signature and performs well with any genre of music you throw at it, you should consider this IEM.
3. KZ ZS10 Pro – Most Durable
Even though there are many different brands that launch amazing headphones all over the world, we have KZ as one of the best brands that deals with IEMs mostly, and their job is totally aimed at the professionals in the field of sound.
These IEMs are made of metal combined with stainless steel. Well, that assures us one thing! The KZ ZS10 Pro is the most durable IEM that you can find. Besides that, you can choose between six colors, and those include black, blue, purple, yellow, dark black, and glare blue.
These IEMs work with a detachable gold-plated two-pin cable that includes a 3.5mm adapter at the end of it in order to get connected with different devices. The cable is durable and a long-lasting one as well.
Besides being the most durable ones, these IEMs also bring you a superior sound quality. Everything comes out detailed, and every note is well balanced in many ways. They also know how to deal with a strong bass accuracy.
Key Specifications
- Driver – 5 10mm BA Drivers
- Frequency Response – 7 – 40,000 Hz
- Impedance – 24 Ω
- Sensitivity – 111 dB
- Weight – 2.11 ounces
- Dimensions – 4.06 x 2.83 x 1.3 inches
Why Should You Buy It?
Just as listed, these IEMs are totally made and aimed at bass lovers. In case you are one of them, then I would gladly say that these IEMs are one of the greatest choices.
2. Shure SE215 PRO – Best Runner-Up
Shure as a brand is in charge to bring you whatever you need that is related to sound in general. They bring amazing products on the market, and Shure SE215 PRO are some of the greatest IEMs that one can find!
You can choose three types of colors in case you are more into looks. These Shure IEMs are brought in black color, blue, and clear. Based on their style or the design, they can be used over the ears and once in there, you shouldn’t worry in any way about them falling off.
Just like many IEMs, Shure SE215 PRO also uses a 3.5mm adapter in order to get connected or paired with other devices. Besides that, these IEMs also own a 1/4 inch adapter. The cable is straight and what is important to be mentioned about it is that the cable is very durable and allows replacement, so you can choose whether you want to use it.
What Shure brings with these IEMs is amazing, of course, based on the sound quality. The sound that you will be listening to with these IEMs will be brought in the most detailed way so you can have a super clear listening experience. Also, these IEMs bring perfect bass accuracy. This is because of the dynamic drivers which allow these in ear headphones to give you a neutral sound.
Key Specifications
- Driver – 10mm Dynamic Drivers
- Frequency Response – 22 – 17,500 Hz
- Impedance – 20 Ω
- Sensitivity – 107 dB
- Weight – 0.48 ounces
- Dimensions – 7.8 x 3.2 x 2.1 inches
Why Should You Buy It?
If you are a bass lover, and you need some headphones that will bring you great sound quality and bass accuracy, then keep in mind that Shure is one of the first choices and one of the best ones that one can find.
1. Sennheiser Professional IE 100 PRO – Best Overall
Trying to find professional headphones such as IEMs and not mentioning Sennheiser would definitely be strange, right? Well, here as the last but not least go the best overall IEMs of our article coming from Sennheiser.
Based on their ergonomic over the ear design, these headphones fit very securely while in your ears, and as Sennheiser says, they fit in any auricle (the visible portion of external the ear). They are comfortable enough to be used for how long you need to. When it comes to placement, these IEMs are one of those that go over the ear.
As for the connectivity part, these IEMs use a 3.5mm adapter attached to the straight cable, and it can work, meaning it is compatible, with any device that owns a 3.5mm port.
Being the best overall, I think that you have already noticed how good they should sound. Everything that you will be listening to with these IEMs will be brought to you in the clearest way possible.
Key Specifications
- Driver – 10mm Dynamic Driver
- Frequency Response – 20 – 18,000 Hz
- Impedance – 20 Ω
- Sensitivity – 115 dB
- Weight – 5.3 ounces
- Dimensions – 5.04 x 1.38 x 8.74 inches
Why Should You Buy It?
Just by looking at the way I listed the Sennheiser IEMs, you can notice why they should be bought! They are professional enough to fulfill any need that you may have regarding IEMs.
Straight or Over-Ear?
You are always used to seeing articles Wired vs Wireless, but in this case, when it comes to IEMs, I would like to mention something else. Straight or Over-Ear? Which types of IEMs are better?
An important part of the informational content linked with IEMs is that they come in two types: Straight; meaning they are put in your ears while the cable hangs down, and Over-Era; meaning the cable moves at the back of your head. So, basically, the main difference is the way that you use these types.
Now, in this part, choosing which type of IEMs is better is totally based on your preferences! Anyways, you should know that most professional singers use over-ear IEMs since they are known as more secure when it comes to the fitting part and they don’t fall off easily.
What to Consider? – Buying Guide
Whenever anyone needs any type of product, let it be headphones or speakers, I like to mention the main things that should be considered before. Well, I am doing the same thing right now. Here are some of the most important things that you should consider before buying the best IEMs under $100:
Comfort
Whenever you don’t feel comfortable with anything, that means that it shouldn’t even be bought. Whatever you choose, especially IEMs, you should find out how they stay in our ears and what if they can damage your ear canal? That’s the main and the most important thing.
Sound Quality
The main reason that a person is buying headphones is in order to hear sound out of them, right? Well, when it comes to IEMs, as you already know, they bring a great sound quality and that’s the important part of them. Before choosing the best IEMs for you, you might want to see what frequencies they work at and other things related to the sound.
If you want a good pair of IEMs that can handle punchy bass frequencies and be able to reproduce professional sound, you should go for wired IEMs. Wireless IEMs are not recommended to professional use, because they have a lower sound quality. Plus, you will have to deal with battery life and other things.
No battery life, no bluetooth connection that cuts out all the time, affordable price and many more things make wired earbuds better.
Price
Just as the two facts mentioned above, the price of any product, in this case, the price of IEMs is an important factor that plays one of the main roles before purchasing them. Considering the fact that this article is complete with a fixed price tag of IEMs, there’s no problem of any kind.
FAQ About The IEMs Under $100
Why do audiophiles like IEMs?
Based on the IEMs that I mentioned above, you can notice that they all have the best sound quality that one can find. That’s basically the reason why audiophiles not only like but love IEMs. They sound perfectly clear and bring every tone in the greatest way possible.
Do IEMs need an amp?
Connections are one of the parts in which most IEMs shine and do a great job. Well, being in-ear headphones, just as most of them, they work perfectly fine, especially with portable devices. They do not require an amp of any kind.
Are high-end IEMs better?
Once you notice how powerful IEMs in general are, you will find out that there are not any issues with the price tags that they come at. It is important to know that even though the IEMs that I mentioned are all under $100, they still do a perfect job.
Do IEMs have any surround sound system?
We already know that IEMs are those types of headphones that go in your ears and that means that they don’t really have the potential to create any surround sound.
Final Words
Here we came at the end of this article. I tried to find some of the best IEMs in order to make your research easier.
All the IEMs that I mentioned above are budget-friendly and they work just as they are supposed to. They work fine and they are definitely the best ones.
Anyways, I hope that this article will be your biggest support and help to find the best ones for you.
Further Reading
If you liked what you read in this article, I think that time has come to advise you on checking something else out. There are many articles that can be mentioned but still, If you are not searching for a pair under $100, but instead $200 is your limit, then I would like to mention that you can have a look at some of the greatest IEMs under $200.
Sensitivity and some “diseases” that headphones can cause are a lot in number, that’s why I got something for you sensitive guys as well. Here are the most prominent headphones for tinnitus sufferers and the most used headphones for sensitive ears.
If your “sensitivity” is not related to that but you are searching for something else, then I would advise you to check out the leading headphones for large heads or the finest headphones for big ears.
I don’t think there’s anything left to say besides I hope you find the best IEMs, and I hope you have fun with them!
Audio Engineer
You’ll never find anyone more passionate about audio as me. I love to share my knowledge with others and help people find the right equipment for them.
