Speed-focused builds in Path of Exile often prioritize movement, clear speed, and consistent uptime over sheer power. Managing Exalted Orbs in such builds requires a fast-and-frugal approach where value is tied to tempo and map clearing efficiency.
Early in the league, speed builds benefit from gear that enhances movement and attack/cast speed. Instead of spending Exalted Orbs on high-end DPS upgrades, prioritize boots with high movement speed, Quicksilver flasks with increased effect, and efficient support gems like Onslaught or Increased Duration.
Crafting fast builds means you'll need to think in terms of synergy. Use your Exalted Orbs to amplify features like recovery on kill, explode mods, or frenzy charge generation rather than pure raw stats. These perks speed up mapping and yield better returns from content like Delve or Heist.
Strategically, speed builds generate currency faster by running low-investment maps at high speed. Exalted Orbs saved from this method PoE 1 Currency can be reinvested into flask upgrades, gear corruption attempts, or even high-quantity maps for better loot returns. 
Efficiency begets profit.
Movement is life in PoE. Use a portion of your Exalted Orbs to craft or buy gear with +1 to movement gems or Tailwind for Rangers. These options, while not always budget, dramatically increase clear speed and sustain, particularly in tightly packed layouts.
An often-overlooked aspect is map sustain. Fast builds require constant mapping, and spending Exalted Orbs on scarabs or sextants to increase map returns is justified if your build clears in under three minutes. Don’t hoard—invest smartly into content loops that make your time count.
Choosing the right ascendancy also affects how your Exalted Orbs should be used. Deadeye, Raider, or Occultist builds can leverage speed and AoE to full potential if the correct gear supports them. Tailor your upgrades toward sustaining that momentum.
Lastly, while speed builds might seem lightweight, investing Exalted Orb into effective recovery mechanics like leech or life on hit ensures you can handle chaos damage and degens during fast-paced runs. Defense shouldn’t be neglected in favor of speed alone.
In short, speed builds require precise and frugal exalt usage. Your orbs should feed your velocity—whether it’s via flasks, movement-enhancing gear, or efficient map investments. Time is money, and in PoE, faster often means richer.