The 7 Best Headphones Under $50 - Summer 2019
Reviews

Finding headphones on a budget can be tricky, but you don’t need to break the bank to get a decent listening experience. The headphones on this list generally aren’t as comfortable or neutral-sounding as some of the more premium options out there, but you can find quality offerings at a reasonable price.

We've tested 346 headphones and below are our recommendations for the best headphones under $50 you can buy in 2019. See also our recommendations for the best earbuds under $50, the best wireless earbuds under $50, and the best gaming headsets under $50.

1. Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $50: Mpow H5 Wireless

   

   Mpow H5 Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   6.7

   Mixed Usage

   7.3

   Critical Listening

   6.5

   Commute/Travel

   6.8

   Sports/Fitness

   6.7

   Office

   6.0

   TV

   5.8

   Gaming
   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best over-ear headphones under $50 that we’ve tested so far are the Mpow H5. They're decently comfortable wireless noise cancelling over-ear headphones that are surprisingly feature-packed for their price. They’re fairly well-built for budget headphones and even come with a detachable cable and a great hard carrying case.

   These headphones have a decent 12-hour battery life and can be used while they charge, as well as passively with their provided audio cable when the battery runs out. They support multi-device pairing, which is rare for Bluetooth headphones in this price range, and have an efficient control scheme that’s easy-to-use. They have punchy bass that’s well-suited to fans of bass-heavy music like EDM or hip-hop, but they’re less suitable for more vocal-centric music.

   Although they have a more premium look than other headphones under $50 we’ve tested, they still don’t feel super durable. Their noise cancellation feature is also sub-par and they leak a bit of sound at higher volumes. That said, the Mpow H5 are one of the best Bluetooth headphones under $50; they have a pleasantly surprising price-to-performance ratio and are likely to please casual listeners looking for wireless headphones on a budget.

   See our review

2. Alternative For Gaming: Corsair HS60

   

   Corsair HS60

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for comfortable over-ear headphones that you can use casually but also for gaming, then get the Corsair HS60. They’re not Bluetooth-compatible like the Mpow H5, so you’ll have to use them wired, but they have a much more balanced sound and come with a good detachable boom microphone. They’re compatible with most mobile devices and gaming consoles thanks to their 1/8” audio jack and can also be customized for PC gaming with the Corsair iCUE gaming software via USB.

   While they have a simple, low-profile design that works well for everyday use, they don’t isolate noise very well. Their audio cable also doesn’t have an in-line mic, so if you remove their boom mic for use on-the-go, you’ll need to take calls directly on your phone. If you can stretch your budget a bit, the Logitech G433 come with more accessories so they’re a bit more versatile, but they can be tough to find under $50. Overall, the Corsair HS60 perform well and provide good value for most users.

   See our review

3. Best On-Ear Headphones Under $50: Skullcandy Grind Wireless

   

   Skullcandy Grind Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   6.5

   Mixed Usage

   7.2

   Critical Listening

   6.2

   Commute/Travel

   6.8

   Sports/Fitness

   6.6

   Office

   5.8

   TV

   5.5

   Gaming
   Type : On-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you prefer the compact format of on-ears, then the best on-ear headphones under $50 you can get are the Skullcandy Grind. Only certain color variants are available under $50, so you may have to spend a bit more for your favorite color scheme, but overall they're easily among the best on-ear headphones we’ve tested so far. They have a sturdy metal design that looks great and they’re surprisingly comfortable for on-ear headphones.

   These are Bluetooth headphones but also come with two audio cables to use when the battery is empty or just to eliminate wireless latency. They’ll work with nearly all devices, including providing audio and chat support on the PS4 and Xbox One since one of their cables has an in-line mic. They sound decent overall, albeit a bit sharp at times, but should satisfy most casual listeners. They have a decent 15-hour battery life and charge in under 2 hours.

   Unfortunately, they aren’t as portable as some of the other on-ears we've tested since they don’t fold into a more compact format. They’re also only available for less than $50 in some of the slightly less popular color schemes. That said, if you don’t mind, they're one of the best wireless headphones under $50 and they provide great value overall.

   See our review

4. More Portable Alternative: Koss Porta Pro KTC

   

   Koss Porta Pro KTC

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   Amazon.com

   Type : On-ear

   Enclosure : Open-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you're looking for a more portable alternative to the Skullcandy Grind, then get the Koss Porta Pro KTC. They’re wired headphones that don’t feel as well-built or as durable as the Skullcandy, but they fold into a very compact format that’s easy to carry around. They have an ultra-lightweight, breathable design so you barely feel them once they’re on your head. They sound okay and have with an open design that creates a fairly immersive listening experience.

   On the downside, they feel a little flimsy, especially when compared to the cheaper Bluedio T2S/Turbine T2S Wireless. However, they sound a lot better than the Bluedio and are significantly more comfortable. There’s a wireless variant of these headphones, but it doesn't offer the best value for your money, especially considering the price difference when compared to the wired version.

   See our review

5. Best Earbuds Under $50: Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless

   

   Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   6.8

   Mixed Usage

   6.9

   Critical Listening

   7.0

   Commute/Travel

   7.9

   Sports/Fitness

   6.9

   Office

   5.6

   TV

   5.4

   Gaming
   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best earbuds under $50 that we’ve tested so far are the Anker SoundBuds Curve. They’re very well-designed, with a comfortable fit that’s less fatiguing to wear over time than other in-ear headphones we’ve reviewed. They feel fairly well-built, are very portable, and even come with a good hard carrying case that’ll help protect them on the go.

   These headphones have an exciting bass-rich sound profile. They deliver deep, thumping bass that packs a pretty strong punch without completely drowning out the rest of the mix. Their battery lasts for nearly 13 hours of continuous playback, which is quite good, and they charge in about 1.5 hours. They even support aptX, so you might not even notice very much audio lag if you watch videos or play mobile games on a compatible Bluetooth device.

   Although fans of EDM or hip-hop are sure to love their punchy bass, it’s likely to be slightly overpowering for fans of more vocal or instrument-centric music like folk, indie, jazz, or classical. In addition, Anker doesn’t yet have a mobile app, so these earbuds are less customizable than the Jaybird Freedom, which can be fine-tuned in great detail with their great companion EQ. That said, they still provide excellent value overall and are the best cheap earbuds that we’ve tested so far.

   See our review

6. More Customizable Alternative For Samsung Devices: Samsung U Flex Wireless

   

   Samsung U Flex Wireless

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   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you own a Samsung device and like being able to tweak your earbuds to the max, get the Samsung U Flex. They're not as portable as the Anker SoundBuds Curve due to their neckband design, but they’re compatible with the Samsung Level app when paired with Samsung devices. This app provides a number of customizable features, such as a graphic EQ with presets, room effects, volume monitors, and playback timers.

   Unfortunately, the Samsung U Flex app only provides compatibility with the Level app on Samsung devices. Connecting them to the app on non-Samsung Android devices only provides a graphic indicator of battery level and notification management control. If you have a Samsung device and are looking for decent wireless earbuds to use as your daily drivers, these headphones are a fair option. However, if you have a non-Samsung Android phone, then the Samsung Level U Pro may be worth considering.

   See our review

7. Wired Alternative: TIN Audio T2

   

   TIN Audio T2

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : No

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you prefer a wired connection, then get the TIN Audio T2. They're not as comfortable as the Anker SoundBuds Curve and their fit might not be for everyone, but if you can get a good seal, they deliver decent sound. Their foam tips provide great isolation and they leak very little sound, so you won’t bug others around you with your music.

   Unfortunately, their fit is a bit peculiar, and they might be troublesome for smaller ears. They also don't have any active features. Thankfully, they are well-built, with a nice braided cable that is tangle-resistant and detachable. They come with foam and silicone tips to suit different preferences. They’re a decent choice for audio enthusiasts on a budget who prefer an in-ear fit.

   See our review