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The 9 Best Bluetooth Headphones under $50 in 2023

Last updated: 3 months ago
7 min read

Not all affordable Bluetooth headphones perform terribly. Some are truly worth getting, offering incredible value for the money.

Get the latest and best Bluetooth headphones under 50 dollars.

Here’s our quick selection:

We test and review headphones based on an independent 9-point methodology. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Rating Price Battery Type Mic & Controls More info
4.5
Under $50
Up to 40h (ANC on)
Over-ear, closed-back
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TOZO NC7 Best earbuds
TOZO NC7 small image
4.4
Under $50
9h + 36h in case (with ANC)
True wireless, closed-back
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4.2
Under $50
14h + 20h in case
True wireless, closed-back
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4.4
Under $40
Up to 12h
On-ear, closed-back
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4.4
Under $50
9h + 26h in case
True wireless
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4.5
Under $50
Up to 35h
On-ear, closed-back
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4.5
Under $30
Up to 35h
Over-ear, closed-back
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Skullcandy Hesh 2 Best bass
Skullcandy Hesh 2 wireless headphones
4.6
Under $50
Up to 20h
Over-ear, closed-back
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4.3
Under $40
7h + 21h in case
True wireless, closed-back
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Introducing the best wireless headphones under 50 bucks that are worth your money.

While $50 isn’t a lot of money, it’s enough to get good quality (and great value for money).

If you want a daily non-expensive pair of headphones for listening to your favorite tunes, then these are for you.

You can choose from over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear models. We even found a nice noise-canceling model that falls under the price tag.

In case you don’t care about Bluetooth and want wires, see the best headphones under $50.

What You Need to Know

  • Most popular brands offer similar headphones but often for more money. Lesser-known brands want to gain market share, so they often offer their headphones for less. You get more for the same money.
  • The features are rather basic since $50 isn’t much. You can’t expect the latest Bluetooth version, clear microphone calls, or a companion app. As long as you don’t expect premium quality, you’ll be surprised how much value you can get at this low price point.
  • Some of the models here are older that used to cost more money. And since they aren’t the latest model, the manufacturers lower their prices. This is when you get fantastic value for money.
CONTENTS (show more)

    Best Wireless Headphones under 50 Dollars

    1. Anker Soundcore Life Q20

    1st-place BEST BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES UNDER $50
    Anker Soundcore Life Q20 active noise canceling over-ears

    Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are the best wireless headphones under $50, and here’s why.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0
    Driver size icon Driver size: 40mm
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 16-40.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 60h (40h with ANC) | Wireless range: 50ft (15m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: n/a | Water resistance: No | Features: ANC, BassUp, 3.5mm port, foldable
    • Good ANC
    • Lightweight and comfortable
    • Fairly balanced sound
    • Not the best build quality
    • Lacking detail due to dark-ish treble

    With an overall bassy and warm audio performance, these best headphones under $50, should make most customers happy. A smooth midrange and treble with a quick roll-off can make the sound a bit dark.

    The comfort is excellent, with plush earpads filled with memory foam and dressed in pleather. Ear cups are rotatable and can also fold, saving more space in your backpack.

    The amount of battery life is very generous, providing you with up to 60 hours of playback or 40 hours of music playing with active noise cancellation. If you don’t want to use Bluetooth mode, you can always use the included wire and AUX port.

    Noise-cancelling headphones do a good job of blocking constant ambient noise, such as bus or plane engines and home appliances.

    Related:

    For a bit more money, see the best Bluetooth headphones under $100.

    Also, check the best budget noise cancelling headphones for more similar options.

    2. TOZO NC7

    true-wireless BEST BLUETOOTH EARBUDS UNDER $50
    TOZO NC7 buds and case

    TOZO NC7 are the most compelling Bluetooth headphones under $50 if you seek great sound and effective noise cancellation.

    TOZO NC7 review

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.3
    Driver size icon Driver size: 7mm dynamic
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 17-20.000Hz
    Type: True wireless | Battery life: 9h + 36h in case | Wireless range: 40 feet (or 12.2 meters) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 2h – quick charge – USB-C & Qi wireless | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IPX6 | Features: App, EQ, ANC, auto play/pause, relaxing sounds
    • Great & fairly natural sound quality (after EQ)
    • Feature-packed app with lots of customizations
    • Quite effective active noise cancellation for the price
    • Battery life of 9 hours per charge (with ANC)
    • No Game mode means visible audio lag in mobile games
    • Transparency mode produces audible background hiss

    Hear the TOZO NC7 A/B Sound Test:

    TOZO NC7 Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict

    Setting a custom EQ is vital if you want the best sound out of NC7. After adjusting the EQ, you can enjoy your music in a natural sound signature and one of the best audio performances in this price range.

    On top of sound quality, the active noise cancellation also works impressively well. It effectively reduces low-end hum, making these earbuds a perfect choice for budget commuters.

    Last but not least, you get the best battery duration in all ANC earbuds we’ve tested thus far. A 9-hour battery life (with ANC) is enough for all but the longest flights. There are 36 extra hours inside the case.

    You can select between 6 pairs of silicone ear tips to achieve a perfect fit.

    3. SoundPEATS Sonic

    SoundPEATS Sonic on a rock

    SoundPEATS Sonic are the best wireless earbuds under $50, boasting excellent battery life and excellent sound quality.

    SoundPEATS Sonic review

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.2
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: True wireless | Battery life: 15h, 20h in case | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: 1.5h + quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, aptX, aptX Adaptive | Water resistance: IPX5 | Features: Mono mode, Game mode
    • Great sound quality
    • Amazing battery life (14h/charge)
    • Comfortable fit
    • Reliable Bluetooth 5.2 connection
    • Support for aptX Adaptive
    • Overly boosted sub-bass
    • Cheap-feeling construction

    Hear the SoundPEATS Sonic A/B Sound Test:

    SoundPEATS Sonic Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict

    Expect a big boost in the sub-bass and a bit of sparkle in the highs, definitely not a neutral sound profile. The low-end is pretty balanced for most genres and only starts to rumble when playing specific modern genres.

    As a whole, they sound good, are reasonably natural, and are great for everyday casual listening.

    The total battery life is impressive as well, providing up to 14 hours of runtime on a single charge. An additional 20 hours is packed inside the charging case.

    The build quality is okay, and the earbuds have an IPX5 rating, promising protection against water splashes.

    On the other hand, you get a reliable Bluetooth 5.2 connection with an aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec.

    4. Skullcandy Riff Wireless

    trophy BEST ON-EAR BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES UNDER $50
    Skullcandy Riff Wireless on-ear headphones

    Skullcandy Riff are perfect headphones for a basshead on a budget.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 4.1
    Driver size icon Driver size: 40mm
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz
    Type: On-ear | Battery life: 12h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: Quick charge – Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: n/a | Water resistance: No | Features: Foldable design
    • Fun, V-shaped sound
    • Lightweight and comfortable
    • Foldable and travel friendly
    • No option for wired listening

    From Skullcandy, you can expect a big, bass-heavy sound profile, and Riffs are no exception. They can truly make you dance while you’re listening to bass-heavy genres like hip-hop.

    Simple, but still very unique on-ear design that can fold up for extra portability. They come in many different colors and are comfortable to wear.

    With buttons on the ear cups, you can control everything from volume to smart assistant. This way, you can answer calls and even send messages without touching your smartphone.

    Riff sports a 12-hour battery life with a fast-charge feature. A quick 10-minute rapid charge can give you another 2 hours of listening.

    5. Anker Soundcore Life A1

    trophy BEST VALUE BLUETOOTH EARBUDS
    Anker Soundcore Life A1 on rock

    Anker Soundcore Life A1 are the best headphones for those seeking a complete package under $50.

    Anker Soundcore Life A1 review

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0
    Driver size icon Driver size: 8mm dynamic
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz
    Type: True wireless | Battery life: 9h + 26h in case | Wireless range: 60ft (18.2m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: Quick charging – USB-C & Qi charging | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IPX7 | Features: EQ presets, ear fins
    • Good sound quality
    • Fantastic comfort & stability
    • Reliable Bluetooth connection
    • Great battery life (more than 8h per charge)
    • Usable physical controls with 3 EQ profiles
    • Okay passive noise isolation
    • Some audio delay when watching videos

    Hear the Anker Soundcore Life A1 A/B Sound Test:

    Anker Soundcore Life A1 Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict

    Despite their boosted bass, the overall tonality is pretty natural. The peak at 8kHz adds shimmer (thankfully, no sibilance), but otherwise, the treble remains relatively dark.

    With 3 built-in presets, you can either boost the bass or reduce it and elevate the mids slightly.

    Earbuds are ergonomically designed to fit nicely into your ears without creating hot spots. They use ear wings to further stabilize them inside your ears.

    Durability is another strong point of the Life A1, offering solid construction with no visible weak points, and an IPX7 rating, providing full water resistance.

    The battery life is great, too, with around 9 hours per charge and another 26 hours inside the Qi wireless charging case.

    6. Sony WH-CH510

    Sony WH-CH510 on a desk

    Sony WH-CH510 are the best wireless on-ear headphones under $50.

    Sony WH-CH510 review

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0
    Driver size icon Driver size: 30mm
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz
    Type: On-ear | Battery life: 30h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: 4.5h + quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: No | Features: /
    • Lightweight and portable
    • Clear sound
    • Impressive battery life
    • Excellent stability for working out
    • On-ear fit isn't for everyone
    • Cheap plastic construction
    • No padding on the headband

    Hear the Sony WH-CH510 A/B Sound Test:

    Sony WH-CH510 Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict

    For the price tag, WH-CH510 are relatively clean-sounding headphones. They have a balanced frequency response, which makes them suitable for every music genre.

    Sony on-ears sport a basic design with a matte black finish. They’re lightweight and more than appropriate for daily commuting.

    Despite resting directly on your ears, you shouldn’t have too many problems with wearing fatigue.

    Also, sound leakage is minimal so that the neighbor next to you doesn’t hear your playlist.

    They offer a stable Bluetooth connection and USB-C charging and have a built-in NFC chip for fast first pairing. The battery life is excellent, providing a 30-hour listening experience.

    More under $50 headphones:

    Best wireless earbuds under $50

    Best earbuds under $50

    7. Mpow H19 IPO

    Mpow H19 IPO wireless ANC over-ears

    Bluetooth headphones under $50 with a good battery so you can listen to music for long periods.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0
    Driver size icon Driver size: 40mm
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 30h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 2.5h + quick charge – Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: n/a | Water resistance: No | Features: 3.5mm port, foldable
    • Foldable design makes them very portable
    • Great battery life
    • Decent sound that gets plenty loud
    • Micro-USB instead of USB-C

    Enabling background noise cancellation usually ruins the sound quality of cheap headphones, but not on H19 IPO. Their audio performance does change, but for the better.

    They deliver a punchy bass with good overall clarity. You can also reach painful volume levels, albeit it’s not advisable.

    Headphones are entirely made of plastic, but they feel sturdy and very lightweight. So much so that you barely feel them on your head.

    With a lightweight construction, thick pads, and light clamping force, you’re getting excellent comfort. To add to the enjoyable experience, these headphones also support pretty decent active noise cancellation technology.

    You can fast-charge them, which gives you 2 extra hours in just 10 minutes.

    8. Skullcandy Hesh 2

    trophy BEST BASS IN BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES UNDER $50
    Skullcandy Hesh 2 wireless headphones

    Hesh 2 are a top choice for bassheads on a budget.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0
    Driver size icon Driver size: 50mm
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 20h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: Micro-USB | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: n/a | Water resistance: No | Features: 3.5mm port
    • Lightweight and decently comfortable
    • Good battery life
    • Overly dominant bass

    Hesh 2 fall among the headphones with the most bass quantity, so don’t expect high-quality sound. However, if you crave a subwoofer-like experience, these should be on your list.

    The overall design is a bit old by now but still very comfortable to wear. Circular earpads have generous padding and create a comfortable fit for most people.

    Headphones are fairly lightweight and equipped with big onboard controls so that you never miss pressing them. You can perform basic commands and take phone calls.

    Their 20 hours of battery life should easily get you through a day. And if your smartphone still supports the headphone jack, there’s an audio cable included in the box.

    9. Treblab WX8

    Treblab WX8 wet

    Treblab WX8 are a great budget pair of wireless earbuds.

    Treblab WX8 review

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.1
    Driver size icon Driver size: 6mm dynamic
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz
    Type: True wireless | Battery life: 7h + 21h in case | Wireless range: 40 feet (12.1m) | Noise cancelling: No | Charging: 1h + quick charge – USB-C & Qi wireless | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: IPX8 | Features: Mono mode
    • Very natural midrange & shimmery treble
    • Durable build quality with an IPX8 waterproof rating
    • Comfortable, lightweight construction for long listening sessions
    • Good battery life of 7 hours per charge with wireless charging support
    • Unstable fit means they aren't suitable for sports
    • Mediocre passive noise isolation lets you hear a lot of outside noise

    Hear the Treblab WX8 A/B Sound Test:

    Treblab WX8 Sound Quality Test – HeadphonesAddict

    Treblab WX8 are true wireless earbuds with overall splendid tuning but occasionally overwhelming bass. Thankfully, the latter stays controlled and offers a pleasant listening experience regardless of your preferred music genre.

    The next best thing is the earbud’s highly durable construction with an IPX8 rating, giving earbuds full water protection. That should remove the stress when using them in the gym or near the water.

    Furthermore, earbuds hold up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge and can charge wirelessly.

    And if you’re a student or frequent caller, you’ll be pleased with the earbud’s call quality. They can easily handle loud environments without distorting your voice too much.

    Honorable Mentions

    Mpow H5

    Mpow H5 ANC headphones

    They look premium, have the above-average build quality, and offer ANC. Not to mention 18 hours of battery life and a basshead-oriented sound signature.

    All of this is making them one of the best ANC headphones under $50.

    Mpow H5 review

    Skullcandy Sesh

    Skullcandy Sesh charging

    Skullcandy Sesh are meant to rumble your head with tons of bass.

    They’re also quite comfortable, easy to use, and IP55 water-protected.

    Skullcandy Sesh review

    Skullcandy Grind Wireless

    Skullcandy Grind Wireless on-ear headphones

    Budget headphones with Bluetooth connection, well-built lightweight design, and on-ear earpads for an affordable price.

    Check Grind Wireless price

    Aukey EP-T32

    Aukey EP-T32 true wireless earbuds

    Comfortable wireless earbuds with ear hooks, a sleek design, good audio quality, and compelling features like Qi wireless charging and high water protection (IPX8).

    Aukey EP-T32 review

    TaoTronics Soundliberty 97

    TaoTronics Soundliberty 97 true wireless earbuds

    Wireless earbuds with an aptX and a fun sound profile that outputs a deep bass emphasis and natural midrange.

    Ear tips go deeper into the ear canal, ensuring great background noise isolation and stability. Also, you get an IPX8 rating, making them fully waterproof.

    TaoTronics Soundliberty 97 review

    Check out more best waterproof Bluetooth headphones.

    You can find more cheap headphones:

    Best cheap earbuds

    Best cheap headphones

    The best headphones under $30

    Even cheaper, top headphones under $20

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Why Choose Wireless Bluetooth vs. Wired Headphones?

    Wireless headphones aren’t always better than wired ones. It really depends on your needs.

    Here are the advantages of wireless Bluetooth headphones:

    See the best earbuds with microphone.

    But these audio products come with some disadvantages:

    • Usually have a higher price (wired headphones are cheaper)
    • Needs battery charging which is a hassle
    • Battery capacity deteriorates over time (no limit with wired headphones)
    • Sound quality can be worse (due to data transmission limits with Bluetooth)

    It’s up to your needs what you should pick. You can check the best headphones under $50 (wired included).

    Can Bluetooth headphones also work as wired headphones?

    Most headphones can work as wired as well. This is a standard feature in low-end and high-end headphones. If that’s important for you, check for 3.5mm input before buying.

    But the smaller in-ear monitors (Bluetooth earbuds) only work wirelessly. Putting in a 3.5mm circuitry would make them too big and bulky.

    1 Comment
    1. Based on your article, I ordered the Anker Q10 headphones..I was glad to find a well rated, heavy bass pair for under $40! Thanks for the recommendation..they look ideal.

      Reply

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