The 5 Best Earbuds And Headphones Under $20 - Fall 2020
Reviews

The best earbuds under $20 that we've tested to date are the Skullcandy Jib. These simple Bluetooth in-ears have a neckband design, and they're very portable. Overall, their performance should satisfy most casual listeners.

Thanks to their adequately neutral sound profile, these earbuds are suitable for listening to most types of music. They pack a good amount of bass, so they can sound a bit boomy, which is sure to please fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. Also, they don't leak a lot of noise, so you can enjoy your favorite songs without disturbing the people around you.

On the downside, they look a bit cheap, and they might fall out of your ears if you try to use them during your workouts. If you can stretch your budget by a few dollars more, the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019 have more features and a more versatile performance. That being said, if you can't spend more than $20, these earbuds are a reasonable pick.

The best headphones under $20 with an over-ear design that we've tested so far are the Koss UR20. These wired over-ears are very lightweight and comfortable, with large ear cups and soft, plush padding. They have a very long 8.3-foot wire and have a retro headband design that distributes pressure evenly across the top of your head.

Their sound profile is fairly well-balanced through the bass and mid-ranges, though unfortunately, some higher-frequencies sound dull and lifeless, while others are slightly piercing and harsh. That being said, due to their fairly loose fit, different people may not be able to achieve the same quality of seal and may experience their sound reproduction differently.

Unfortunately, they look and feel very cheap and plasticky, and their low price point is really reflected in their build quality. They're also quite bulky, lack a microphone, and block almost no background noise, making them less than ideal to use during your daily commute or at the office. Overall, while they aren't the most versatile pair of headphones, these are a decent option for people who want fairly neutral-sounding over-ears without breaking the bank.

The best headphones under $20 with an on-ear design that we've tested so far are the Koss KSC75. They have a unique clip-on design that's very lightweight and ensures a stable, secure fit without putting any pressure across the top of your head. It also makes them very portable and breathable, so they're not bad if you're looking for something affordable to wear while running but don't like earbuds.

These inexpensive on-ears have a similar sound profile to the popular, yet more expensive, Koss Porta Pro Wireless. The KSC75 have a bit less bass, but they share the same overall bright, yet still fairly neutral sound. This makes them very well-suited to podcasts or audiobooks. Since they have an open-back design, they also sound quite spacious.

Unfortunately, the ear-clip design isn't the most comfortable. Their ear-hooks stop feeling as intrusive once you've had them on for a while, but if you wear glasses, it doesn't get much better. They also don't isolate any ambient noise at all. While this can actually be a good thing if you're jogging around the neighborhood, they're not suitable for wearing on the bus, especially since they leak a lot of sound.