The 5 Best Headphones Under $50 - Fall 2020
Reviews

The best headphones under $50 we've tested 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.

While they don't have a very neutral sound profile, they still sound quite balanced. They have a lot of extra bass, but 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 pretty cheaply-made. 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 truly wireless headphones under $50 that we've tested are the FIIL T1X. These well-built wireless in-ears come with different sizes of ear tips and stability fins to help you get a comfortable, stable fit. Their continuous battery life is over six hours, and their portable charging case offers around three extra charges for when you're on the go.

Overall, they have a bass-heavy sound profile that packs a little extra thump and punch, but can still suit a lot of different music genres. If you prefer a different sound, you can customize the sound profile using the 15 different EQ presets in their companion app. They don't leak a lot of noise, either, so you can turn up the volume on your favorite tunes without bothering the people around you.

Unfortunately, they don't have the most intuitive control scheme, so it may take a bit of time to figure out their touch-sensitive controls. Their integrated microphone isn't the best, either, as it tends to make your voice sound unnatural and distorted. That said, these in-ears have a decently versatile performance and a solid amount of sound customization options for their price point.

The best headphones under $50 with an earbud design that we've tested are the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019. These wireless in-ears have an intuitive in-line remote and feel reasonably well-built, with dense plastic earbuds and an IPX7 rating for water resistance, although we don’t test for the latter. With an included selection of five differently-sized ear tips and three differently-sized stability fins, finding a comfortable, consistent, and secure fit shouldn’t be a challenge.

Their sound profile is quite bass-heavy, with enough thump and rumble to please all but the most demanding of bass fanatics.  However, they seldom sound muddy or boomy thanks to their well-reproduced mids and treble. Meanwhile, their 18.4-hour battery life is among the longest we’ve tested for a pair of Bluetooth in-ears and should have no trouble getting you through a couple of long days at the office. They only take a little over one hour to charge, which is really handy if you’re in a rush.

Unfortunately, while the earbuds are made of dense plastic, their cable is quite thin and feels a little more fragile. They also lack any dedicated app support, although that might be expected at this price. Overall, they're an excellent value and are among the best headphones we've tested.