The 6 Best Budget And Cheap Headphones - Fall 2024

The best budget headphones we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. They're the previous generation of 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-res audio codecs. That said, you don't have to compromise too much. They have an ANC feature that does a fantastic job of blocking out a wide range of noise, including rumbling engines and background chit-chat. They also last for around 44 hours on a single charge and support multi-device pairing to keep you connected to your phone and computer simultaneously.

Out of the box, their sound delivers 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 earcup 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.

Consider 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 sound performance. There aren't many cheap over-ear headphones out there that outperform the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, especially regarding their powerful ANC system.

They don't cut out as much noise as the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, but they still do a good job of reducing bassy background noise from commutes and 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. Out of the box, they have an excited sound profile with lots of bass and treble to complement pop, rock, and hip-hop.

Unlike our previous Anker pick, they don't have a companion app, and you can't change their sound via an EQ or presets. Fortunately, you're permitted some sound control via their built-in Bass Effect feature that adds more thump and boom to the mix. They'll also last several long workdays or listening sessions, thanks to their nearly 33-hour continuous battery life. You miss out on a few extras, like an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life and multi-device pairing. However, they still offer great overall quality and some premium-level features at a reasonable price.

Wired headphones can be an advantage for listeners who want the best sound quality, no lag, and no possibility of connection issues. If you prefer this, 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, and their great mid-range accuracy ensures clarity and detail to 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 and well-built enough for casual use.

While their wired-only build removes the battery life problem, the cable isn't removable and is exposed at the headband's adjustment points. This gives them lots of points for potential damage, which requires replacing the entire unit to fix. 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.

The Philips SHP9500 are a great entry point for users curious about audiophile headphones. These over-ears have a relatively flat sound profile that represents instruments and vocals with detail and clarity. Their open design means they have a great passive soundstage that 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. 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 that trait, as their design makes it harder to accurately represent the lowest frequencies. If a thumpy low-end is important to you, consider the Superlux HD 681. These 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.

The 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 do away with the bulkiness of over-ear headphones, like the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, while giving you a more immersive soundstage and a different fit than in-ears. This design struggles to isolate you from much background noise, like rumbly bus engines or ambient chatter, since they can't create a 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 it falls 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 have virtual surround sound, but you'll likely need a subscription to a compatible streaming service.

Provided you don't plan to wear them running, their stability is okay. Their nearly 53-hour continuous battery life is also quite good and will last a whole work week before needing a recharge. If you're okay with sacrificing long battery life for active noise cancelling, the JBL Live 460NC Wireless are a great option to filter out some ambient noise. Unlike the Sony headphones, they're foldable but only reach 29 hours of battery.

If 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 and have an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, making them a good choice for workouts. 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 V-shaped default sound profile, so mixes have 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 even cheaper and don't care to customize your buds much, the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless have a pleasant neutral sound that isn't too bassy or trebly, although they're less customizable and don't protect against dust like the JBL. They last for nearly nine hours off a single charge, which isn't as long as bigger, more powerful over-ears, but it'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.