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 860 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.
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Best Headphones Under $50
Travel7.9Office Work7.6Noise Isolation8.5Noise Isolation - Full Range8.8Comfort7.5See all our test resultsTypeOver-earThe 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 amazing 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.
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. These headphones also come with multi-device pairing and a battery life of around 50 hours. That said, if you want even longer battery life, 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
Commute/Travel6.3Office6.5Noise Isolation3.3Comfort7.5See all our test resultsTypeOver-earAre you a gaming aficionado worried about the wireless latency of our other picks? The Logitech G435 LIGHTSPEED Wireless are well worth checking out. 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. These cans also 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
Commute/Travel4.1Office4.8Noise Isolation - Full Range2.6Comfort7.5See all our test resultsTypeOver-earIf 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 sound profile, 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.
These headphones are 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. 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 than the Superlux and aren't as immersive.
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Best Earbuds Under $50
Travel7.8Office Work7.2Noise Isolation8.8Noise Isolation - Full Range8.9Comfort7.5See all our test resultsTypeIn-earThe best earbuds under $50 we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless. These small and lightweight buds are a great option if you're looking to bring your tunes around with you on the go and don't want to deal with the hassle and bulk of over-ears. Their sound profile is warm but fairly well-balanced out of the box, with a softened treble that lends a smooth, vintage quality to your audio. If you prefer a different sound, you can use the graphic EQ and presets in their companion app. The Anker also boast an amazing ANC system that punches well above its price point, so the sounds of chatty coworkers or fellow commuters are handily reduced.
These earbuds 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. They're also certified IPX4, so they can withstand water splashing while you're out and about. That said, they are sometimes priced above $50. If you don't want to wait for a sale or would just prefer a cheaper pair of earbuds, check out the JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless. The JBL are even hardier than the Anker, with an IP54 rating that makes them a good choice for hikes in the rain. However, unlike the Anker, the JBL don't have an ANC system, so you'll probably hear some outside noise along with your audio.
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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Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless:
The Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless are in-ear headphones with a fairly balanced 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 don't have an ANC system like the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless.
See our review -
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED:
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED are budget-friendly wired IEMS. Unlike the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly 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 more closely, which some listeners may prefer.
See our review
Recent Updates
Feb 19, 2026:
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless are our new earbuds pick as they're usually priced around $50 and offer excellent bang for the buck. The JBL Vibe Buds True Wireless are a cheaper alternative. Finally, we removed the Turtle Beach Stealth 500 and TOZO NC9 Truly Wireless from our Notable Mentions.
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.
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.