The 5 Best Headphones Under $50 - Winter 2022 Reviews

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless are the best headphones under $50 with an over-ear design that we've tested. They're the previous generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless and have a good active noise cancelling (ANC) performance. Their ANC is best-suited for blocking out mid-range noise like office chatter as well as the hum of AC units.

These headphones have a v-shaped sound profile that delivers intense thump, rumble, and boom to your mixes. Vocals and lead instruments are also bright, which makes them well-suited for genres like pop and rock. Their over 32 hours of continuous battery life easily lasts through long days on the go. They also have a comfortable fit and feel decently well-built.

Unfortunately, their ANC struggles to cut down the low rumble of bus and plane engines. They also lack sound customization features like an EQ to help customize their sound to better suit your tastes. However, if you prefer an over-ear fit, their ANC and long continuous battery life make them a solid choice.

The best truly wireless headphones under $50 that we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Dot 2 Truly Wireless. These in-ears have just under 100 hours of total battery life, thanks to the 12.5 additional charges in their carrying case. They also have roughly 7.3 hours of continuous playback time, and they're even equipped with a standby mode to help conserve battery life when not in use.

These headphones have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that adds extra thump, body, and boom to your mixes, which fans of EDM and hip-hop can enjoy. Even though they lack active noise cancelling, they can still passively isolate you from a good amount of ambient noise, like ambient chatter. They have a decently comfortable fit, are well-built, and have an IPX5 rating for water resistance.

Unfortunately, they don't have a companion app and lack an EQ to help you adjust their sound. Their integrated mic also struggles to separate your voice from moderate ambient noise around you, so you may not want to take calls if you're out on a busy street. Still, These in-ears offer a versatile overall performance as well as a very long total battery life.

The best wired earbuds under $50 we've tested are the Samsung AKG Type-C. These in-ears have a USB-C connector, and you can only use them with devices like newer smartphones and laptops with a corresponding port. However, this connection has low latency, so your audio and visuals stay in sync when streaming video.

They have a slightly bass-heavy sound profile that delivers a touch of extra boom and warmth. However, it shouldn't overwhelm vocals and lead instruments, so they're still suitable enough for a variety of audio content. These headphones have a comfortable fit and a good build quality that feels solid and durable. If you take a lot of calls, their in-line mic can capture your voice clearly and naturally.

Unfortunately, their USB-C cable can be limiting for some users as you can't use them with devices that have an AUX port. They can also fall out of your ears during moderate physical exercise, and their audio cable can snag on something, pulling them off your head. However, these no-frills headphones are among the best USB-C headphones we've tested and are sure to please most users.