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, but you can still find quality offerings at a reasonable price.
We've tested over 845 headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best headphones and earbuds that you can find for under $50. Also, check out our picks for the best budget noise cancelling headphones, the best wireless earbuds under $50, and the best budget and cheap gaming headsets.
Quick Look
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one, so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Headphones Under $50
Travel7.9Noise Isolation8.5Comfort7.5TypeOver-earSee all our test resultsNoise Isolation - Full Range8.8The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024 are the best headphones under $50 we've tested. This refreshed 2024 model adds some quality-of-life updates to the popular Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless, like USB-C charging and Bluetooth multi-device pairing. Although the Q20's price point fluctuates, they're often on sale around the $50 mark. Still, these headphones offer high value as they're equipped with an active noise cancelling (ANC) system to help block out background noise, which isn't always the case at this price point. They have a decent build quality and are comfortable enough for long listening sessions, but they feel a bit plasticky and lack a sturdy carrying case to help protect them when you're on the go.
They can reduce sounds like ambient chatter and street noise very well, which is handy if you work in a noisy office, but they struggle a bit more with cutting down the rumble of bus engines. They also last over 49 hours continuously with the ANC on; you can use them wired when you run out of battery life. Their V-shaped sound profile packs extra thump, rumble, and boom, while vocals and lead instruments are detailed and bright. Their sound profile isn't quite as exaggerated in the low-end as their predecessor's, but it might not be to your taste. In that case, the good news is that the Q20 2024 version now comes with a companion app, and you can use the EQ in it to tweak their sound to your taste. All in all, these provide an excellent feature set at an affordable price.
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Best On-Ear Headphones Under $50
On-ear headphones can be a good option if you don't like the feeling of your ears being closed off from the world when wearing over-ear headphones. If this sounds up your alley, you'll want to try the Sony WH-CH520 Wireless, one of our picks for the best Bluetooth headphones under $50. These comfortable cans are plush and padded, making them ideal for longer listening sessions. Their price fluctuates a bit, so they can sometimes be priced above $50, but they still represent a good option for around that price. Unlike the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024, these don't have any ANC, which is a consideration if you plan to use them in noisy places.
These headphones boast some cool features, like multi-device pairing and a battery life of well over 52 hours. Given the price, their build quality isn't the most impressive, but they're still suitable enough for most uses. Out of the box, these headphones have a slightly warm sound profile. If you want a different sound, you can always use the graphic EQ and presets in their companion app to switch it up. The app is also where you'll find Sony's 360 Reality Audio feature, which analyzes your ear shape to integrate a virtual soundstage through compatible services like TIDAL. If you love on-ears, these feature-packed headphones are a solid pick that won't break the bank.
If battery life is the most important factor to you, the JBL Tune 520BT are a worthwhile alternative and often a little cheaper. Like the Sony, they include an app with an EQ, but their build quality is flimsier, and they're not as stable.
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Best Cheap Gaming Headphones Under $50
Looking for a cheaper option? The Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless are the best wireless headphones under $50 for gaming we've tested in this price range. While these headphones are designed for teens and tweens and have a volume limiter, don't let this dissuade you from considering them: they'll still fit most adult heads and may even save your ears if you're a recovering tune-cranker.
They support Bluetooth and have a wireless USB dongle for lower-latency connectivity while gaming or watching a video on your PC. Their sound profile is slightly warm, with extra high bass complementing genres like folk or rock. Vocals and instruments are clear and present, but a bit bright. Unfortunately, they don't have a companion app or customization features.
Their build quality reflects their price, with a flimsy plastic construction and padded fabric that could easily get damaged over repeated use. The mic is also just fair. Your voice sounds unnatural and clear but thin, and is easily lost amid moderate and loud background noise. Fortunately, their battery lasts nearly 20 hours, so you can use them all day without worrying about losing power.
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Best Audiophile Headphones Under $50
If you're looking for budget-friendly over-ear headphones and want a neutral sound, the Superlux HD 681 are the best audiophile headphones we've tested for under $50. These headphones aren't for casual use; they lack a mic and don't have ANC, so they're less versatile than the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024. However, they have a much flatter, neutral sound profile. Their bass and mid-range responses are very neutral, so your music isn't overwhelmed by extra thump and boom, and vocals and lead instruments sound preset, detailed, and clear.
They also have a semi-open design, which helps them create a somewhat more immersive sound. They're comfortable and lightweight, making them suitable for long listening sessions. They aren't the best choice for your commute or the office since they don't block out very much ambient noise. Their build quality also feels plasticky and a bit cheap.
However, if you're looking for better-built audiophile headphones, it's worth considering the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x instead. These over-ears feel sturdier, and their closed-back design means they leak less audio at high volumes. However, they're less comfortable and aren't as immersive.
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Best Earbuds Under $50
Travel6.8Noise Isolation5.6Comfort7.0TypeIn-earSee all our test resultsNoise Isolation - Full Range5.3The best earbuds under $50 we've tested are the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. These small and lightweight buds are a great option if you're looking to bring your tunes around with you on the go. Their sound profile is balanced out of the box, with plenty of low-end boom and rumble to add excitement to your music. They also have extra features compared to similarly priced models, including a 10-band graphic EQ and presets in their companion app. They have a comfortable and stable in-ear fit and boast over eight hours of continuous battery life, so you won't need to recharge in the middle of your workday.
These headphones are certified IP54, which is a nice touch for listening on the go since it protects against exposure to water splashes and dust. At this price point, it's also worth considering the JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless, which have a better mic performance, making those headphones a solid choice for taking phone calls. They're not as comfortable as the Vibe Buds, though, and their fit isn't as stable.
If you're looking for more budget in-ear picks, check out our recommendations for the best earbuds under $50.
Notable Mentions
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Turtle Beach Stealth 500:
The Turtle Beach Stealth 500 are over-ears geared towards gaming. They can often be found on sale around the $50 mark. They have a better-performing mic compared to the Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless, as well as double the battery life and Bluetooth support. However, the Logitech are more comfortable and better built and can consistently be found for under $50.
See our review -
Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless:
The Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless are in-ear headphones with a fairly neutral sound profile and roughly eight hours of continuous battery life. They're well-built and feature Bluetooth multi-device pairing, which is rare at this price point. However, they're less comfortable than the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless.
See our review - TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED: The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED are budget-friendly wired IEMS. Unlike the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless, they connect to your device via a cable and don't have a mic or companion app support. The plus side is their sound follows our target curve much closer, which some users may prefer. See our review
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TOZO NC9 Truly Wireless:
The TOZO NC9 Truly Wireless are an entry point for ANC-capable earbuds if you have a tight budget. Unfortunately, they're often out of stock, but if you catch them, they're an alright choice if the passive isolation of the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless isn't sufficient for your needs. However, you'll miss out on the JBL app.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 16, 2025:
We've updated this article, adding the refreshed Anker Soundcore Q20 Life 2024 as our top pick. We've also made minor changes to the text throughout the article.
May 01, 2025:
The JBL Tune 520BT Wireless has been added as an alternative to the Sony CH520 Wireless. Otherwise, only minor text edits have been made for clarity.
Jan 28, 2025:
We've replaced the Razer Opus X Wireless Headphones with the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 Wireless as a Notable Mention, which can be found more consistently around the $50 mark. Otherwise, we've made only minor changes to the text of this article.
Nov 05, 2024:
This article has been checked for accuracy with only minor text edits, and the TOZO NC9 Truly Wireless was added as a Notable Mention.
Aug 15, 2024: We added the JBL Tune 520BT to our Notable Mentions because of its excellent battery life. We also removed the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO because the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED has a more balanced sound.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the top wireless headphones under $50 for most people. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for headphones under $50. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.