Here are the best budget over-ear headphones under $50 in 2022. We’ll cover what makes these great if you want cheap over-ear headphones.
And, how to avoid a bad apple (in this price bracket, there’s plenty).
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.
But first, here’s a quick overview:
| Rating | Price | Connection | Foldable | Mic & Controls | More info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Anker Soundcore Life Q20
Best wireless
|
4.5
|
Under $50
|
Bluetooth 5.0
|
 
|
|
|
|
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Best wired
 
|
4.6
|
Under $50
|
Wired – 3.5mm / 6.3mm
|
 
|
|
|
|
Skullcandy Hesh 2
Best bass
 
|
4.6
|
Under $50
|
Bluetooth 5.0
|
|
|
|
|
Samson SR850
Best open
 
|
4.5
|
Under $50
|
Wired – 3.5mm / 6.3mm
|
|
|
|
|
TaoTronics TT-BH090
Best noise cancelling
 
|
4.6
|
Under $50
|
Bluetooth 5.0
|
|
|
|
|
Aukey EP-N12
Noise cancelling alternative
 
|
3.6
|
Under $50
|
Bluetooth 5.0
|
|
|
|
|
AKG K240 Studio
Best studio/monitoring
 
|
4.6
|
Under $50
|
Wired – 3.5mm
|
|
|
|
|
Sennheiser HD 300
Best soundstage
 
|
4.5
|
Under $50
|
Wired – 3.5mm
|
|
|
|
|
Razer Kraken X
Best for gaming
 
|
4.4
|
Under $50
|
Wired – 3.5mm
|
|
|
|
|
Monoprice 8323
Best under $30
 
|
4.1
|
Under $30
|
Wired – 3.5mm
|
|
|
How We Selected the Best Cheap Over-Ear Headphones?
The over-ear (also known as circumaural or over-the-ear headphones) in this list have:
- Big earcups that fit comfortably around ears (that’s the whole point of over-ears)
- A low price under $50 (this was harder than we expected)
- And of course, good sound quality, useful features, and decent durability
You can read more about it below.
What about ambient noise isolation?
You can choose from:
- closed-back (great passive noise isolation)
- or open-back headphones (almost no noise isolation)
Closed-back over-ear headphones are best for loud places where you want to block as much background noise as possible.
Open-back over-ear headphones are best for listening at home, where nobody bothers you (and you don’t annoy others).
All in all, you shouldn’t expect the latest and best audio devices, but good enough for casual listening.
Now let’s dig in:
Best Budget Over-Ear Headphones under $50: The List
1. Anker Soundcore Life Q20
BEST BUDGET WIRELESS OVER-EARS
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are the best budget wireless over-ear headphones. they convince with rumbling bassy sound, noise cancellation, comfortable fit, and portable design.
Note: They can often be found under $50, but generally, the price hovers close around it.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
40mm
Frequency range:
16-40.000Hz
- Good ANC
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Fairly balanced sound
- Not the best build quality
- Lacking detail due to dark-ish treble
These are the best-value over-ear headphones for bass as well. Their sound quality is quite bassy while retaining a fairly balanced midrange. The treble is smooth and free of sibilance but can sound a bit dark.
Life Q20 are a perfect pick for most people who commute, sporting a foldable design and cushy earpads. They’re overall comfortable to wear for more extended periods. All the controls are located on the left ear cup.
The addition of ANC helps to reduce ambient noise and improve the listening experience.
A couple of built-in cVc microphones aim to provide good-quality phone calls, regardless of how strong the background noise gets.
If you want an even more complete package and don’t mind spending a bit more, you can check our Anker Soundcore Life Q30 review.
Want similar but for a bit more money? See the best Bluetooth headphones under $100.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
BEST CHEAP WIRED OVER-EARS
ATH-M20x professional monitors are the best wired over-ear headphones under $50. These are the cheapest from the critically acclaimed M-Series line and offer superb sound.
Connection:
Wired- 3.5mm / 6.3mm
Driver size:
40mm
Frequency range:
15-20.000Hz
- Great, balanced sound for
- Affordable studio monitors
- Good build quality and comfort
- Not very portable
The crystal clear sound quality of the Audio-Technica ATH-M20X is worth the money and a bit more. It’s the closest you’ll get to Hi-Res audio under $50. It’s an outstanding choice for tracking and mixing.
Expect a balanced sound signature with a nice amount of bass, but not overly bassy. Great audio performance for all music genres and watching movies. The audio quality is much better than with other best headphones under $50.
Of course, these headphones are suitable for listening to music for fun as well. And for the price, they do a good job.
As for comfort, they arrive with soft contoured earcups sealed tight for good sound isolation, with minimal noise leakage.
3. Skullcandy Hesh 2
BEST BUDGET OVER-EARS FOR BASS
Skullcandy Hesh 2 are still the best budget over-ear headphones under $50 if you’re looking for a lot of bass.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
50mm
Frequency range:
20-20.000Hz
- Lightweight and decently comfortable
- Good battery life
- Overly dominant bass
It’s no surprise Skullcandy headphones prefer their bass. Hash 2 have a very dominant low-end response, which compliments specific genres like hip-hop very nicely.
However, they lack a little in midrange and treble, where the loss of detail is noticeable. Still, they’re pleasant to listen to and can also get dangerously loud.
These are all plastic wireless over-ears, with a small chrome ring around the ear cups to give them a little bit of a shine.
Materials contribute to a very light headphone that is nicely padded and comfortable for more extended listening.
There are big plus and minus control buttons under the right cup that adjusts only the volume.
See more best bass headphones.
4. Samson SR850
Best open-back option
While Samson SR850 are not the coolest looking, they’re the best budget over-ear, open-back headphones. And their fantastic sound quality makes up for it.
Connection:
Wired – 3.5mm / 6.3mm
Driver size:
50mm
Frequency range:
10-30.000Hz
- Fantastic sound for the price
- Lightweight construction
- Decent durability
- 6.3mm adapter included in the box
- Price
- All-plastic construction feels cheap
- Below average comfort and fit
- Bad noise isolation
Apparently, SR850 are using larger drivers from more expensive audiophile headphones, giving them a punchy bass, clean midrange, and sparkly treble. An open sound that excels the price.
Headphones come in all-plastic construction, with even earpads feeling plasticky (there’s a version with velour pads).
However, they still feel somewhat durable and lightweight. The latter also contributes to the overall comfort, which is quite good.
Since you should be using these headphones in a studio, their audio cable is really long, with a 3.5mm headphone jack at the end. There is a 6.3mm screw-on adapter included in the box if needed.
Their design is semi-open, which means you’re getting a better bass response from the closed-back headphones, with a wider soundstage and air from open-back ones.
Check other best open-back headphones.
5. TaoTronics TT-BH090
BEST NOISE CANCELLING BUDGET OVER-EARS
TaoTronics makes cheap headphones that perform surprisingly well. One of their latest popular active noise-cancelling models are the TT-BH090.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
40mm
Frequency range:
n/a
- Great price-to-performance ratio
- Good noise cancellation
- Comfortable earpads
- Smooth, enjoyable sound
- Might not fit the biggest heads
These have a consumer-friendly tuning with elevated bass and warm frequency response. They have a very smooth, decent sound, so you can listen to your favorite tunes for hours without experiencing fatigue.
TT-BH090 have a rather simple design that is still very functional. Each ear cup can fold and rotate up to 90° if you want them to lay flat on your chest.
The build is also quite lightweight due to plastic construction. Add memory foam earpads, and you have an excellent pair for a long listening session.
These noise-canceling headphones can cancel out the ambient sound with great success, especially in low-end regions.
On top of that, a 30-hour battery life is more than enough for a couple of days of use, with a fast-charging capability to quickly top them off.
Headphones also support the AAC Bluetooth codec, which works best with Apple mobile devices.
6. Aukey EP-N12
NOISE CANCELLING BUDGET OVER-EAR ALTERNATIVE
Aukey EP-N12 are over-ear headphones with noise-cancellation, comfortable thick earpads and a foldable structure to save space in your backpack.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
n/a
Frequency range:
n/a
- Good sound (via AUX port)
- Comfortable design
- Foldable & rotatable earcups
- Good build quality
- Decent ANC performance
- Great battery life (up to 30h)
- Subpar sound quality in Bluetooth mode
Overly boosted frequency response in wireless mode leaves a lot to be desired. If you don’t mind using them in wired mode, they produce a noticeably more natural and more balanced sound.
The EP-N12 are one of the cheapest active noise-canceling headphones, and they do their job well.
ANC performance from these new headphones isn’t mind-blowing, but it will help you make your daily commute more bearable by reducing engine background noises.
The battery is great as well, providing up to 40 hours of playback time on a single charge or slightly below 30 hours with ANC enabled.
The build quality is good for the price, with good comfort and foldable hinges for easy storage. You get a leather carrying case in the box.
7. AKG K240 Studio
BEST STUDIO/MONITORING ON A BUDGET
AKG K240 Studio are a great-sounding, detailed, comfy pair of over-ear headphones under $50 with a semi-open design that’s great for the studio.
Connection:
Wired – 3.5mm
Driver size:
30mm
Frequency range:
15-25.000Hz
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Replaceable ear pads and detachable cable
- Exceptional frequency response, even suitable for mixing and producing
- Generous 2-year warranty
- Open soundstage and good acoustics
- Blocks out some external sound
- Doesn’t have the most powerful bass frequencies
- No waterproof protection or sweat resistance
- The earcups can get tatty and frayed over time and therefore need replacing
Vocals, guitars, cymbals, and wind instruments sound lively and real. Speed and detailed sound on high notes are both exceptional, mirroring the performance you’d expect from more expensive products.
Imaging is pretty accurate, thanks to the semi-open design and the soundstage that floats gently around your head.
The AKG K240 Studio over-the-ear, semi-open headphones are designed for professional applications such as mixing, mastering, and playback.
They have a self-adjusting headband, as well as thick around-ear cushions for lasting comfort. The single-sided detachable straight cable resists tangles and can easily be replaced.
As for sound, the wired headphones deliver a wide dynamic range, increased sensitivity, and high sound levels, while their semi-open design provides a solid bass range and extremely clear highs.
8. Sennheiser HD 300
BEST BUDGET OVER-EARS FOR SOUNDSTAGE
Sennheiser HD 300 are wired over-ears that come in Sennheiser’s signature design, folding mechanism, and audiophile-grade audio quality.
Connection:
Wired – 3.5mm
Driver size:
32mm
Frequency range:
18-20.000Hz
- Big soundstage
- Good passive isolation
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Well-balanced sound
- Sweaty ears due to faux leather earpads
Sennheiser is one of those headphone manufacturers whose audio products rarely disappoint. And these headphones offer relatively balanced sound with neutral bass that is well controlled.
The midrange has a good presence, especially where the vocals happen. The treble is quite sparkly, giving you plenty of details without being too harsh.
Of course, you need to combine that with a big soundstage that is both nicely deep and wide.
Germans made these headphones very simplistic, with a thin frame and large, over-ear cups. Apart from their lightweight construction, earpads are crazy soft, giving you hours of uninterrupted listening to your favorite music.
While they don’t have active noise cancellation, earpads isolate passively quite well. And with foldable ear cups, you can easily store them in your backpack.
Also, check the best earbuds under $50.
9. Razer Kraken X
BEST BUDGET OVER-EARS FOR GAMING
By far the best gaming headset under $50 and a great choice for budget gamers.
Connection:
Wired – 3.5mm
Driver size:
40mm
Frequency range:
12-28.000Hz
- Wide compatibility
- Great value
- Good sound
- Comfortable
- All-plastic construction
Since they’re gaming headsets, the bass sounds noticeably boosted, giving in-game effects a more thunderous presence.
Thankfully, the midrange can still dig up details like footsteps but don’t expect high fidelity.
A retractable built-in microphone works very well at picking up your voice nice and clear. Headphones are a reliable companion for both game chat and video calls.
As with many Razer gaming headphones, these also receive a code for proprietary 7.1 virtual surround sound. And under the left ear cup, there are easy-access volume controls.
Thanks to their plastic build quality, they’re very light. Foam earpads have a good thickness, providing great comfort for extended gaming sessions.
The Cheap Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $30
What is the minimum price of headphones that are still worth buying? This is it. These are barebones headphones. It’s not worth going lower than this.
10. Monoprice 8323 Headphones
BEST OVER-EAR HEADPHONES UNDER $30
Monoprice 8323 headphones are a technical and economic feat of sound engineering. The cheapest over-ear headphones that sound surprisingly good.
Connection:
Wired – 3.5mm
Driver size:
50mm
Frequency range:
20-20.000Hz
- Good comfort
- Detachable cable
- Great clarity for the price
- Cheap construction
The typical V-shaped sound signature with emphasis on bass and highs. Mids are recessed while clarity is fantastic for the price and much better than your average headphone.
The Monoprice headphones are designed for the professional sound spinner and the casual listener that wants the best sound quality but for a low price point.
The ear cups on the closed-back headphones are equipped with thick, comfortable padding that keeps the music inside and the noise outside. Swiveling ear cups rotate up to 90 degrees so they can double as a makeshift set of speakers.
The over-ear headphones are wide enough to stretch over a cap while maintaining a secure fit and good contact over the ears.
Find similar among the best headphones under $30.
Related:
Best cheap Bluetooth headphones
What to Expect from Budget Over-Ear Headphones?
You must be thinking that buying cheap headphones under $50 isn’t the best idea. You might feel your budget isn’t enough for quality cans.
That is often true but not always. The affordable over-ear headphones on our list are of decent quality and, if used properly, can last for a long time.
With proper use and maintenance, cheap headphones can last for years. The materials are often cheaper. However, they still provide excellent comfort. Take good care of them and they’ll last as long as average-priced headphones.
Headphones under $50 are starting to offer active noise cancellation (ANC). Though don’t expect amazing performance. The price of ANC headphones is starting to drop, and the quality isn’t all that bad, but not great either. See the best budget noise cancelling headphones.
There are some wireless Bluetooth headphones under $50 but many are older versions. You’ll simply have to accept the fact that the latest wireless headphones cost more than 50 dollars. Bluetooth adds additional manufacturing costs that many companies have to include in the price. That’s why there are few quality wireless options.
Keep in mind that low-end headphones come with basic features. They often don’t have the latest version of Bluetooth or companion apps with EQ and sound presets. These features become available at a slightly higher price range. Check the best Bluetooth headphones under $100.
How to Avoid Bad Cheap Headphones?
There are a couple of general rules to follow:
Don’t buy headphones from unknown brands just because they’re cheap. There are hundreds of different brands out there. But many go away as quickly as they rise in popularity on social media. Unproven brands often use generic technology and only spend money on marketing,
Look for trustworthy brands that discount their dated models. Often you can get a fantastic deal for the price.
Read reviews. If we try the headphones and say they’re good, then you can know what you’re getting in advance.
Find more under $50:
Check the best Bluetooth headphones under $50.
Earbuds are cheaper to make, and you can find great wireless earbuds under $50.
Or check best true wireless earbuds under $50.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are there so few wireless over-ear headphones under $50?
Because $50 is a low price for a pair of headphones. Wireless headphones cost more to produce. They have additional hardware like batteries, wireless circuitry, and Bluetooth transmitter which add to the cost. And production costs generally increase the selling price.
Are over-ear headphones better than on-ear?
Not necessarily. It depends on what you want to use them for. Over-ear headphones are more comfortable but bigger and less convenient for traveling or working out. On-ear headphones are smaller, so they are more portable and better for sports, but not as comfy.
Matija Ferjan is a seasoned audio enthusiast reviewing headphones since 2015. He has personally tested hundreds of headphones and earbuds. He’s an active member of the Headphone Audio community and a true nitpicker, always looking for the “best-value-for-money” headphones.
