You don't have to spend a lot of money on headphones with features like active noise cancellation to block out background noise, a comfortable fit, or solid build quality. It's not uncommon to find exceptional value in budget and cheap headphones that rival the performance of more expensive alternatives. Beyond noise cancellation, comfort, and build quality, you also want to get headphones without major audio reproduction defects, like mismatched left and right output (which can skew your audio to one side).
We've tested over 915 headphones and identified the best budget and best cheap headphones for you. For the purposes of this article, we consider 'budget' headphones to fall close to the $100, with some leeway for significant performance or features. Due to the nature of sales and pricing fluctuations, there are often some variations at this price point, so it's worth looking into price history as well.
For more recommendations, check out our picks for the best budget noise cancelling headphones, the best wireless Bluetooth headphones under $100, and the best noise cancelling headphones under $200.
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
Sound ProfileWirelessYesStyleSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyThe best budget headphones we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. The Anker are Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones, so if you're looking for earbuds or something wired, there are recommendations further down in the article. These headphones balance accessible pricing with impressive noise isolation performance, thanks to active noise cancelling (ANC). They keep you isolated from airplane engine rumble and background cafe noise for up to 44 hours on a single charge. They're also comfortable to wear, but you may find their thin padding can lead to fatigue during long listening sessions.
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. Their plastic frame isn't particularly premium, but they feel decently sturdy. They also come with a padded hard case to keep them secure during transit.
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Best Headphones Under $50
Sound ProfileWirelessYesStyleSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyIf you're looking to shrink your spend, check out the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024, our best entry below $50. The Anker Soundcore brand dominates the mid-range and budget headphone market thanks to their combination of aggressive pricing and great performance. So as you'd expect, the Q20 2024 nearly match up to the performance of our top pick in noise isolation, though they don't handle low-frequency rumble as well. You'll also miss out on the hard case, which could be a dealbreaker if you travel and want to safely store the headphones in your bag.
Still, the Q20 2024 have a comfortable fit and feel decently well-built, though parts like the plastic hinges feel flimsy. Out of the box, they have an excited sound profile with lots of bass and treble to complement pop, rock, and hip-hop. You can also adjust their sound using the graphic EQ and presets in the companion app. They also last nearly 49 hours continuously.
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Best Cheap Headphones
Sound ProfileWirelessTruly WirelessStyleSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyIf you want the cheapest possible pair of headphones and aren't set on over-ear headphones, consider earbuds like the Anker Soundcore P31i. They offer features commonly found in more expensive models while staying competitively priced; you get a decent ANC system and a companion app with customization options. Just keep in mind that switching to earbuds typically means a lower battery life; the Soundcore P31i have a short, seven-hour battery life compared to the 44 hours of our top pick. That said, the earbuds also come with a charging case that has a capacity for three additional charges.
Their ANC doesn't do quite as well as the previous picks, particularly when it comes to reducing engine rumble on your next flight, but it's plenty for quieting the sound of chatty coworkers. Their in-ear fit is comfortable and light on the ears, too, and their integrated mic is adequate for quick calls while you're out and about.
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Best Budget Wired Headphones
Sound ProfileWirelessNoStyleCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeWireless GamingSee all our test resultsWired GamingWired headphones are useful for listeners who want the best sound quality and no audio latency. While the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are less portable than Bluetooth-equipped cans due to their cable, they're a good choice if you mostly listen at your desk and want to avoid the hassle of batteries. They reproduce bass frequencies smoothly, while their great mid-range accuracy keeps vocals and lead instruments clear and detailed. 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, but they're still comfortable at a fraction of the price.
However, it's worth noting that their cable isn't removable, which can reduce long-term durability, especially since the headband extension design directly exposes the cable to damage by 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 isolating you from background noise, like conversations at the office.
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Best Budget Audiophile Headphones
Sound ProfileWirelessNoStyleSports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)See all our test resultsFrequency Response ConsistencyThe Philips SHP9500 are a great entry point for users curious about audiophile headphones. They differ from our wired pick due to their open-back design. The headphones don't enclose the drivers fully, which some people find can feel and sound more spacious than closed-back designs. However, the design also means these cans don't isolate you from noise and leak audio into your environment, making them unsuitable for recording with a live mic or for use in a busy space; mics will pick up your backing track when recording, and any background noise is fully audible. The SHP9500 over-ears have a relatively flat sound profile that represents instruments and vocals with detail and clarity.
Another downside of these headphones is their lack of low bass. Many open-back headphones share this trait, as the open driver enclosure makes it more challenging to reproduce the lowest frequencies. If a thumpier low-end is important to you, consider the Superlux HD 681. These semi-open headphones have significantly more bass than the Philips, though there's a trade-off that comes at the other end of the frequency spectrum; they have an elevated treble that can make cymbals and sibilants sound piercing. That said, they're usually a little cheaper than the Philips, though they aren't as comfortable or well-built and don't have a detachable cable.
Notable Mentions
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CMF Headphone Pro:
The CMF Headphone Pro are stylish over-ears that underperform both the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024 in aspects like noise isolation and comfort. Still, they offer impressive ANC, especially for the price.
See our review -
JBL Endurance Peak 4:
The JBL Endurance Peak 4 are in-ears with stabilizers. While the JBL are pricier earbuds than the Anker Soundcore P31i, they'll make a better companion for runners and gym-goers thanks to their hook-style stabilizers and water- and dust-proof certification.
See our review
Recent Updates
Sep 24, 2026:
We've adjusted the text to improve clarity and streamline buying advice, but our picks remain valid and in stock.
Jul 30, 2026:
The Anker Soundcore P31i replace the Anker Soundcore P25i as our cheap pick because they offer much better noise isolation performance and a longer battery life. The Anker Soundcore P25i move to our Notable Mentions, where their support for an EQ in their companion app means they replace the JLab Audio GO Air POP True Wireless. Also in our Notable Mentions, the CMF Headphone Pro replace the TOZO HT3 because they have stronger noise isolation.
Jun 02, 2026:
We've verified our existing picks are still relevant and in stock. We also added the JBL Endurance Peak 4 to the Notable Mentions as a workout-friendly pick.
May 08, 2026:
We've made minor edits to the article, including adding the TOZO HT3 as a new Notable Mention.
Apr 10, 2026:
We've merged this article with our 'Best Headphones Under $50' article, as the two had substantial overlap. In practice, this has meant introducing a cheap pick (the Anker Soundcore P25i) while shifting the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024 to our 'Best Under $50' pick. We've also added the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless as our budget earbuds pick.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best budget and cheap headphones for most people. 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'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all our reviews for headphones and earbuds under $100. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.
