The 5 Best Headphones Under $50 - Summer 2020
Reviews

The best headphones under $50 we've tested so far 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 these headphones don't have a very neutral sound profile, they still sound quite balanced. They have a lot of extra bass, but they 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 like pretty cheaply-made headphones. 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 headphones under $50 with a truly wireless design we've tested so far are the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 79. These super-compact earbuds are surprisingly well-rounded, especially for the price. They're fairly comfortable, well-built, and come with a decent charging case so you don't lose power on-the-go.

These truly wireless in-ears have an impressively well-balanced sound profile. They deliver an extra kick of thump and rumble that fans of more bass-heavy music crave, without overpowering vocals or instruments. Their battery performance isn't bad, either - they last nearly 6 hours on a charge, and you can recharge them up to four more times in their carrying case.

On the downside, their touch-sensitive controls are rather mediocre. While it's good that they let you adjust your music's volume without having to take out your phone, they're not the easiest to use. That said, their price-to-performance ratio is still quite impressive, and they're easy to recommend overall.

The best headphones under $50 with an earbud design that we've tested so far 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, these headphones are an excellent value and are among the best headphones we've tested to date.