The 5 Best Headphones Under $50 - Fall 2021 Reviews

The best headphones under $50 with an over-ear fit that we've tested are the Plantronics BackBeat Go 810. These wireless headphones have a comfortable fit and a decently versatile performance that can please many different listeners. Thanks to their over 24-hour continuous battery life, they're ideal for long days on the go.

Overall, they have a neutral, well-balanced sound profile suitable for listening to lots of different audio content. The BackBeat companion app even offers a few EQ presets to help you customize their sound to your liking. Their leakage falls below the average noise floor of most offices too, so you crank up the volume on your favorite tunes without bothering people around you.

Unfortunately, while they come with an active noise cancellation (ANC) feature, they still struggle to block out bass-heavy background noises like bus and plane engines. Their ear cups are also small and shallow, so they may not be comfortable for all listeners. Some users have experienced their unit's headband cracking or breaking over time too. However, if you're on a budget, these over-ears are still a solid choice.

The best truly wireless headphones under $50 that we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless. These in-ears have just under 100 hours of total battery life, thanks to the 12.5 additional charges in their carrying case. They also have roughly 7.3 hours of continuous playback time, and they're even equipped with a standby mode to help conserve battery life when not in use.

These headphones have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that adds extra thump, body, and boom to your mixes, which fans of EDM and hip-hop can enjoy. Even though they lack active noise cancelling, they can still passively isolate you from a good amount of ambient noise, like ambient chatter. They have a decently comfortable fit, are well-built, and have an IPX5 rating for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this.

Unfortunately, they don't have a companion app and lack an EQ to help you adjust their sound. Their integrated mic also has a hard time separating your voice from moderate ambient noise around you, so you may not want to take calls if you're out on a busy street. Still, These in-ears offer a versatile overall performance as well as a very long total battery life that's suitable for most users.

The best wired earbuds under $50 that we've tested are the Samsung AKG Type-C. These in-ears have a USB-C connector and can only be used with devices like newer smartphones and laptops that have a corresponding port. However, this connection has low latency, so your audio and visuals stay in sync if you're streaming video.

They have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that delivers a touch of extra boom and warmth. However, it shouldn't overwhelm vocals and lead instruments so they're still suitable enough for a variety of audio content. These headphones have a comfortable fit and a good build quality that feels solid and durable. If you take a lot of calls, their in-line mic can capture your voice clearly and naturally.

Unfortunately, their USB-C cable can be limiting for some users as you can't use them with devices that have an AUX port. They can also fall out of your ears during moderate physical exercise and their audio cable can snag on something, pulling them off your head. However, these no-frills headphones are among the best USB-C headphones we've tested and are sure to please most users.