The 5 Best Headphones Under $50 - Spring 2020
Reviews

The best headphones under $50 we've tested so far are the Mpow H10. These noise cancelling over-ears are quite versatile, with a simple, straightforward design well-suited for casual use. Their active noise cancelling (ANC) feature blocks out a lot of noise, they have a fairly well-balanced sound, and their battery life is great too.

While these headphones don't have a very neutral sound profile, they still sound quite balanced. They have a lot of extra bass, but they also emphasize the treble range for an excited, yet versatile sound signature that doesn't drown out vocals or instruments. Their ANC is especially impressive, as they do a great job at reducing the intensity of disruptive ambient noise, even the low thump and rumble of bus or plane engines. They also have a 23-hour battery life, which is great for long days of travel.

Unfortunately, they feel like pretty cheaply-made headphones. The even less expensive Mpow H5 Wireless actually feel better-built, but their ANC isn't as good and they sound less well-balanced. There's an upgraded version of the H10 available that might feel more durable, but we haven't tested it to confirm. That said, they still provide excellent value for the price thanks to their solid combination of features.

The best headphones under $50 with a truly wireless design we've tested so far are the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 79. These super-compact earbuds are surprisingly well-rounded, especially for the price. They're fairly comfortable, well-built, and come with a decent charging case so you don't lose power on-the-go.

These truly wireless in-ears have an impressively well-balanced sound profile. They deliver an extra kick of thump and rumble that fans of more bass-heavy music crave, without overpowering vocals or instruments. Their battery performance isn't bad, either - they last nearly 6 hours on a charge, and you can recharge them up to 4 more times in their carrying case.

On the downside, their touch-sensitive controls are rather mediocre. While it's good that they let you adjust your music's volume without having to take out your phone, they're not the easiest to use. That said, their price-to-performance ratio is still quite impressive, and they're easy to recommend overall.

The best headphones under $50 with an earbud design that we've tested so far are the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019. These wireless earbuds have a thin wire that connects both earbuds together and are available for considerably less than $50. They feel quite comfortable, and their ear-hook design is stable enough for even moderately strenuous workouts.

Their sound profile is fairly bass-heavy, though it shouldn't be too overpowering. While they'll give a bit of extra thump for genres like EDM or hip-hop, they'll still be well-balanced enough for most genres. They last almost 18.5 hours off a single charge, which is great and should easily get you through a couple of full days before needing a re-charge.

Unfortunately, their thin cable feels quite cheap, though this can be somewhat expected for their low price point. On the bright side, they're rated IPX7 for water resistance, though this isn't something we currently test for. Overall, they offer excellent value and are among the best headphones we've tested to date.