The 7 Best Budget Wireless Headphones - Spring 2020
Reviews

If you prefer the portability of in-ears, get the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019. Their in-ear fit may not be as comfortable as the over-ear Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, and they don't isolate background noise as well due to their lack of ANC, but they're much more portable and are even cheaper. Their sound profile is fairly bass-heavy but should still be well-balanced enough for most genres. They're a great option for the gym as their ear-hook design makes them quite stable in the ear, and they're rated IPX7 for water and sweat resistance, though this isn't something we test for. At almost 18.5 hours, the battery life of these headphones is very impressive and is among the longest we've ever tested for a pair of Bluetooth in-ears.

If you find over-ears more comfortable and want ANC to help give you some peace and quiet, go for the Q20, but if you want something even cheaper than you can easily toss in your pocket, get the Curve, a good alternative to the best cheap wireless headphones under $50.

If you want better ANC, get the Mpow H10. Their sound profile isn't as well-balanced as the Mixcder E9 Wireless, and they don't feel as durable and premium, but their ANC works a lot better and their battery lasts about five hours longer. Their ANC does a great job across the board and will help keep you concentrated in the office, as well as giving you some peace and quiet on bus or plane rides. They have an excited sound profile that's a bit more bass-heavy than the Mixcder, but they'll be well-suited for most genres. Unfortunately, they feel quite plasticky, and the hinges make a concerning snapping sound when you fold them in.

If you're concerned about build quality or want a better-balanced sound profile, go with the Mixcder, but if you care more about ANC performance and battery life, get the Mpow.

If you prefer the extreme portability of truly wireless in-ears, get the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2. Their in-ear fit may not be as comfortable for everyone as the over-ear design of the Mixcder E9 Wireless, and their battery doesn't last as long off a single charge, but they're much more portable and isolate background speech better. They have an excited sound profile and their companion app gives you access to a graphic EQ, making them well-suited to a wide range of genres and content. They last just over six hours off a single charge, which is good for truly wireless headphones, and their case holds an additional three charges to help you get through the day. Unfortunately, their touch-sensitive controls may not be for everyone, and if you prefer physical controls you may want to consider the similarly-performing Anker SoundCore Life P2 Truly Wireless, though they don't have a companion app.

Overall, if you prefer over-ear headphones and want something with a long battery that will get you through a couple of full work days, go for the Mixcder, but if you prefer the truly wireless experience and want something you can easily toss into your pocket or bag, get the Anker.

If you’re looking for the best budget wireless headphones for gaming, get the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition. They don't have Bluetooth like the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016, so you can't pair them to your phone, but they have a much better microphone and lower latency, thanks to their dedicated wireless transmitter. While their out-of-the-box sound profile is very well-balanced, unfortunately, their frequency response consistency is sub-par, so different people may experience it differently. On the bright side, they can be EQ'd via the SteelSeries Engine software to suit your preferences, and they're comfortable enough for extended gaming sessions.

If you're looking for a day-to-day pair of Bluetooth over-ears get the Plantronics, but if you want a good gaming headset that won't break the bank, go for the SteelSeries.