The 6 Best Headphones Under $50 - Winter 2020
Reviews

The best headphones under $50 that we’ve tested so far are the Mpow H5. They don't just look premium for their price; they come with tons of features that we normally find on higher-end headphones. They're reasonably comfortable, with a well-padded headband and earpads, and even have active noise cancelling. While the ANC is somewhat sub-par, they still do a passable job of isolating you from external noises.

If you haven't guessed it, they're Bluetooth headphones. With Bluetooth and ANC enabled, you can expect an average of 12 hours of continuous playback, and they take about 2.3 hours for a full charge. If you do run low, they can be used wired and Mpow has included a 3.5mm cable in the box. What's more, they also provide a hard carrying case. The overall build quality is satisfactory; however, one area of concern is the hinges and yokes, which are a little thin, but otherwise, they feel fairly sturdy.

These headphones aren't just about having lots of features, though; they have an above-average sound too. The V-shaped sound profile lends well to genres such as hip-hop and EDM, with a consistent, punchy bass, an even but recessed mid-range, and a fairly balanced treble. If you're looking for a decent pair of headphones on a budget, definitely consider the Mpow H5.

If you prefer the compact format of on-ears, then the best Bluetooth 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 they 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.

The best in-ear headphones 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 excited bass-rich sound that delivers deep, thumping bass without completely drowning out instruments and vocals. 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 might be slightly overpowering for fans of classical or folk music. Also, 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 companion EQ. That said, they still provide excellent value overall and are the best cheap earbuds that we’ve tested so far.