Looking for good headphones can get expensive fast. With how manufacturers market their flagship models, it's easy to think that premium features like active noise cancellation (ANC), balanced sound, and all-day comfort can only come at a high cost. While you may be used to seeing barebones, no-frills products at this price tag, manufacturers have steadily raised the quality of their budget-friendly products. It's not uncommon to find solid-performing headphones without sacrificing an arm and a leg.
We've tested over 825 pairs of headphones, and below are our picks for the best budget and best cheap headphones. For more recommendations, check out our picks for the best budget noise cancelling headphones, the best wireless Bluetooth headphones under $100, and the best wireless earbuds under $50.
Quick Look
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one, so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Budget Headphones
TypeOver-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessYesTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingYesSee all our test resultsMicYesThe best budget headphones we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. They're the predecessor to the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless. As you might expect from budget headphones, they lack some of their successor's features, like support for high-resolution audio codecs. That said, you don't have to compromise too much. They have ANC that does a fantastic job of blocking out a wide range of noise, including rumbling engines and background chit-chat. They also last for approximately 44 hours on a single charge and support multi-device pairing, allowing you to stay connected to your phone and computer simultaneously.
Out of the box, these headphones deliver a lot of extra bass. There's extra thump and rumble in genres like EDM and hip-hop, but instruments and voices still sound clear and bright. If you prefer a different sound, you can use the in-app EQ and presets to customize it to your liking. While these headphones are lightweight and comfy, their ear cup padding is a bit thin, which can get fatiguing during long listening sessions. Their plastic frame isn't particularly premium, but they feel decently sturdy. Thankfully, they come with a padded case to keep them secure during transit.
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Best Cheap Headphones
Travel7.9Office Work7.6Sports And Fitness7.2Bass AmountSlightly Emphasized (2 dB)Treble AmountEmphasized (2 dB)Sound SignatureV-ShapedTypeOver-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessYesTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingYesSee all our test resultsMicYesConsider another pair of Anker headphones if you want something less expensive. The brand dominates the budget and mid-range over-ear space by offering reasonably priced headphones with great sonic performance. There aren't many affordable over-ear headphones that outperform the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024, especially in terms of their powerful ANC system. This iteration offers enhanced functionality, featuring USB-C charging, Bluetooth multi-device pairing, and a 49-hour battery life.
While they don't attenuate low-frequency sounds as well as the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, they still do a good job of reducing bassy background noise from commutes, and they excel at isolating your ears from close-by conversations. They have a comfortable fit and feel decently well-built, even if some parts, like their plastic hinges, feel flimsy. They also lack a proper carrying case, unlike the one that comes with the Q30, which is sold with just a simple pouch. Out of the box, they have an excited sound profile with lots of bass and treble to complement pop, rock, and hip-hop. There's some scope for adjustment via the graphic EQ and presets found in the companion app, too, if you need to fine-tune the sound to your preference.
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Best Budget Wired Headphones
TypeOver-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessNoTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingNoSee all our test resultsMicNoWired headphones can be an advantage for listeners who want the best sound quality and no lag. If you prefer the wired format in general, consider the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. They're less portable and limit your range of movement with them on, but they're still a worthwhile option to consider, depending on your needs. They reproduce bass frequencies well, thanks to their closed-back design. Meanwhile, their great mid-range accuracy ensures clarity and detail in vocals and lead instruments. While their build quality isn't quite up to the same standard as the manufacturer's best-known closed-back headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, they're still comfortable at a fraction of the price of the ATH-M50x.
While their wired-only design avoids the battery life problem altogether, the headphones' cable isn't removable. Additionally, the headband extension design directly exposes the cable to damage, routing the connection outside the body of the headband. Their lack of a mic means you can't use them for calls either, and they do a poor job of passively isolating you from background conversations at the office.
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Best Budget Audiophile Headphones
Travel4.8Office Work3.3Sports And Fitness5.8Bass AmountUnderemphasized (-6 dB)Treble AmountBalanced (0 dB)Sound SignatureFlatTypeOver-earEnclosureOpen-BackWirelessNoTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingNoSee all our test resultsMicNoThe Philips SHP9500 are a great entry point for users curious about audiophile headphones. These headphones can fluctuate in stock status, so if you can't find them, check out their similarly performing successor, the Philips SHP9600. The SHP9500 over-ears have a relatively flat sound profile that represents instruments and vocals with detail and clarity. Their open design provides a great passive soundstage, which feels spacious and wide. It also means they leak a lot of sound, so they aren't a good choice for recording sessions or casual use around the office. People nearby can hear your audio even if you're listening at moderate volumes, and mics will pick up your backing track when recording. These headphones come with a detachable 1/8" TRS cable and a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter to connect them to an amp or audio interface.
The main downside of these cans is their lack of low-bass. Many open-back headphones share this trait, as their design makes it more challenging to accurately reproduce the lowest frequencies. If a thumpier low-end is important to you, consider the Superlux HD 681. The Superlux are semi-open headphones with significantly more bass than the Philips. The sonic tradeoff comes at the other end of the spectrum; despite a flat mid-range, they have an elevated treble that makes cymbals and sibilants sound piercing. That said, they're usually a bit cheaper than our pick. Unfortunately, they're not as comfortable as the Philips, have a worse build quality, and don't come with a detachable cable, which might be an issue if you ever need to replace it.
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Best Budget On-Ear Headphones
TypeOn-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessYesTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingNoSee all our test resultsMicYesThe Sony WH-CH520 Wireless are the best budget on-ear headphones we've tested. On-ears offer a compromise between the two standard types of headphones. They eliminate the bulkiness of over-ear headphones, such as the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024, while providing a more immersive soundstage and a distinct fit compared to in-ears. However, this design struggles to isolate you from background noise, like rumbly bus engines or ambient chatter, since they can't create a great seal around your ears or inside your ear canal.
Fortunately, they're lightweight and fairly comfortable for extended listening sessions, though their build quality is somewhat lacking. Their faux leather earpads feel prone to cracking, and their plastic headband can likely snap if the headphones fall off your head. Out of the box, they have a warm sound profile that makes audio sound full without overpowering the rest of the mix. Their companion app also features a graphic EQ and presets, allowing you to fine-tune the mix however you want. They also support virtual surround sound, but you'll need a subscription to a compatible streaming service.
Provided you don't plan to wear them for running, their stability is okay. Their nearly 53-hour continuous battery life is also quite impressive and will last a whole workweek before needing a recharge. If you're okay with a much bassier out-of-the-box default sound or don't mind spending some time tweaking them with the included EQ, the JBL Live 670NC are a great option to filter out some ambient noise. Unlike the Sony headphones, they're foldable and have ANC, but they're typically pricier.
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Best Budget Earbuds
Travel6.8Office Work6.5Sports And Fitness7.6Bass AmountEmphasized (3 dB)Treble AmountBalanced (0 dB)Sound SignatureWarmTypeIn-earEnclosureClosed-BackWirelessTruly WirelessTransducerDynamicNoise CancellingNoSee all our test resultsMicYesIf you're looking for smaller, more portable headphones, the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are the best budget earbuds we've tested. While they won't create the same immersive soundstage as over-ear and on-ear headphones, they can be more convenient for everyday use since you can slip them into your pocket or bag more easily. The JBL are lightweight and decently comfortable with an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, making them a good choice for a hike, rain or shine. They don't have ANC and won't block out much bass-range noise like rumbling engines, but they do a good job of passively isolating you from noise like conversations and computer fans.
These buds have a U-shaped sound profile, so mixes pack some extra rumble and punch, while instruments and vocals are bright and detailed. For a different sound, their companion app features a graphic EQ and presets to help you customize the mix. If you want something with multi-device connectivity, the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless can pair with up to two devices and have a pleasant, balanced profile, although they don't have a dedicated app to customize their sound signature. Both earbuds last for over eight hours off a single charge, which isn't as long as bigger, more powerful over-ears, but they'll still get you through a standard workday.
Check out our article on the best budget and cheap wireless earbuds for more low-cost options.
Notable Mentions
- Superlux HD 668B: The Superlux HD 668B are semi-open headphones designed for budget audiophiles. They have a detachable cable like the Philips SHP9500 but aren't as comfortable and have a piercing treble. See our review
- JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless: The JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless are cheap in-ear headphones with good battery life and a stable, gym-friendly design. However, the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are more customizable, thanks to their in-app graphic EQ and presets. The JBL headphones are rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, while the JLab are only rated IPX4 for water resistance. See our review
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JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless:
The JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless are similar to the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. They aren't as comfortable and have a shorter battery life, but they offer better mic performance thanks to their stem design, so they're a better choice if you want budget-friendly earbuds for phone calls.
See our review -
JBL Tune 520BT:
The JBL Tune 520BT on-ears are a close competitor to the Sony WH-CH520 Wireless. The JBL have a longer battery life than the Sony and a slightly more boomy bass response, but the Sony are slightly more comfortable, stable, and well-built. Still, it's not necessarily worth paying substantially more for the Sony headphones if you find the JBL for less cash.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 04, 2025:
We've replaced the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless with the next-generation Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024 as our cheap pick, which introduces upgrades like USB-C charging and a longer battery life. Otherwise, we've made minor changes to the text throughout the article to ensure our picks are up-to-date.
Mar 10, 2025:
We've updated the article for clarity, but our picks haven't changed. In the 'Best Budget On-Ear Headphones' category, we now mention the JBL Live 670NC instead of the JBL Live 460NC Wireless for their significantly longer battery life.
Dec 10, 2024:
We've updated the article with minor text and clarity improvements. The Philips SHP9600 are now mentioned as a comparison to the Philips SHP9500 for their similar performance and price.
Sep 03, 2024: The Philips SHP9500 replace the Superlux HD 681 as our audiophile pick. They're back in stock and are more comfortable than the Superlux, with a better build quality and a detachable cable. The Superlux are now our alternative pick for listeners who prefer more bass than the Philips have to offer.
Jun 05, 2024: This article has been updated to add the JBL Tune 520BT Wireless to the Notable Mentions.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best budget and cheap headphones you can get. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for headphones and earbuds under $50. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.