The 7 Best Budget Wireless Headphones - Spring 2020
Reviews

If you want something even a bit cheaper, or prefer the portability or fit of in-ear headphones, get the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019. They don't have ANC like the Mpow H5 Wireless, and some people may not like their in-ear fit as much, but they're cheaper and are much easily to slip into a bag or pocket when not being used. They're surprisingly comfortable for in-ears, and their ear-hook design is very stable, making them a great option for taking to the gym. Despite not having ANC, their in-ear fit actually blocks more background chatter, though they aren't as good at blocking engine rumble. Their excited sound profile should be decent for most genres of music, and fans of bass will enjoy their slight extra kick. Their 18.5-hour battery life is outstanding for in-ears, and lasts significantly longer than the Mpow.

Overall, if you prefer the fit of on-ears, or want something that'll do a better job at blocking out engine rumbles, get the Mpow, but if you want something you can easily toss into your pocket while saving some money, go with the Anker.

If noise cancellation is your priority but you don't want to break the bank, go with the Mpow H10. Their build quality isn't as good as the Mixcder E9 Wireless and they make a concerning snapping sound when you fold in the ear cups, but their ANC is better, blocking out as much engine rumble and office chatter as headphones double the price. They're a comfortable pair of headphones that most people should be able to wear for extended periods. While their ear cups are plushy and well-padded, their headband is fairly large and some people may find the headphones fall. Their sound quality is decent, though their vocals and leads are pushed a bit to the back, making them better-suited for less vocal-centric music. On the upside, they have a great 23-hour battery life with their ANC turned on, which should easily get you through several full work days.

Get the Mixcder if ANC isn't as important to you and you want a pair of headphones that feel slightly more premium; however, if you don't care about build quality and want the best noise cancellation you can get for the price, get the Mpow.

If you'd rather the extreme portability of truly wireless headphones, go with the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2. They don't have ANC like the Mixcder E9 Wireless, and they don't last as long off a single charge, but they can easily be slid into most pockets, or tossed into a bag. They're a welcome improvement over the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air Truly Wireless, which was our previous pick, as they now have a companion app, a much longer battery, and feel more premium overall. While their out-of-the-box sound profile is a little more bass-heavy than the Mixcder, they can easily be customized to suit your own personal preference within the SoundCore app. Their 6.5-hour battery life is quite good for truly wireless headphones, and their case will charge them an additional five times, which is great. They're also quite comfortable for in-ear headphones and feel extremely stable.

If you prefer the fit of over-ear headphones, or want something that will do a better job at blocking out the low rumbles of plane or train engines, get the Mixcder. However, if you prefer something more portable, that you can easily toss into your pocket, go for the Anker.

If you’re looking for a great pair of gaming headphones that won’t cost you a fortune, consider the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition. They're not Bluetooth, so you can’t use them wirelessly with your phone like the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016, but their low-latency wireless transmitter provides a lag-free gaming experience on PC or PS4. They’re comfortable, sound good, and have a great boom microphone for multiplayer games. Unfortunately, they don't have the best frequency response consistency, which means that certain people will find they sound different than what we measured, especially those who wear glasses. That said, you can EQ the way they sound with the SteelSeries Engine software to better suit your tastes.

Get the Plantronics if you're looking for Bluetooth headphones to use more casually with your mobile devices, but if you're after something specifically for gaming, then go for the SteelSeries.