We tested 171 headphones so far. 99 of them under $80.
Here are the 11 top budget picks right now. You’ll also learn:
- What makes the best budget wireless headphones the best.
- Our test results and honest opinion for each pair.
- A/B sound comparison tests, so you’ll know exactly how they sound.
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.
| Editor's rating | Price | Battery (charging) | Active noise cancelling | More info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
Best overall
|
4.1
|
Under $80
|
44h
|
 
|
|
|
Edifier W820NB Plus
Runner-up
 
|
3.9
|
Under $80
|
33h
|
|
|
|
EarFun Air Pro 3
Best TWS
 
|
4.2
|
Under $80
|
8h (36h in case)
|
|
|
|
OneOdio A30
Best cheap
 
|
3.5
|
Under $60
|
18h (USB-C)
|
|
|
|
Beats Flex
Best for iPhone
 
|
3.6
|
Under $50
|
12h (USB-C)
|
 
|
|
|
Sony WH-CH510
Best on-ear
 
|
3.2
|
Under $60
|
31.5h (USB-C)
|
On-ear
|
If you’re looking for cheap wireless headphones, then check any on the list. You won’t be disappointed.
These are the best budget Bluetooth headphones after considering: sound quality, comfort, durability, battery life, and features.
Best Budget Bluetooth Headphones 2023
The best cheap wireless headphones with Bluetooth. Starting from $80 to under $50. Find the budget kings of on-ear, in-ear, and over-ear wireless headphones.
1. Anker Soundcore Life Q30
Best Budget Wireless Headphones
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are impressive wireless headphones for under $80. They come with great sound quality, effective ANC (active noise cancellation) and long battery life – Anker Soundcore Life Q30 review.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
40mm
Frequency range:
16-40.000Hz
- Excellent sound quality (after EQ)
- Great ANC with 3 modes
- Comfortable fit
- Companion app with EQ
- Outstanding battery life
- The bass isn't very fast
- Looks bulky on your head
Check the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 A/B sound test:
If you’re looking for versatile Bluetooth headphones on a budget, this is it. Many other headphones have the same features and technology, but none apply it as well as the Soundcore Life Q30.
You get everything a modern pair of over-ear headphones offers:
- Great audio quality with in-app equalization (EQ), so you can adjust the sound to your taste
- Effectively block background noise with noise cancelling and focus on your music
- Long battery life of 44 hours per charge with ANC (up to 60h without ANC)
- Comfortable and foldable design that feels more expensive
- You can also use them as wired headphones
The Bluetooth headphones also come with a decent microphone for phone calls. Ambient sound mode, many EQ options in the app, physical and touch controls, and voice assistant support. The only bad thing is that they’re a bit bulky.
Read more about them and the test results in our review.
Related:
2. Edifier W820NB Plus
Runner-Up
Edifier W820NB Plus wireless headphones offer a beautifully natural sound quality under $80 which makes them great for all music genres – Edifier W820NB Plus review.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.2
Driver size:
40mm dynamic
Frequency range:
20-40.000Hz
- Balanced, natural, and decently detailed sound
- Long battery life of 33.5h per charge with ANC
- Strong indoor Bluetooth range of 65 feet
- Decently comfy and removable earpads
- Splendid call quality in quiet enivornments…
- … but muted and distorted in louder environments
- Average passive & active noise cancellation
- All-plastic design, no protective case
Check the Edifier W820NB Plus A/B sound test:
In case you’re looking for neutral-sounding budget headphones with Bluetooth and ANC, check these.
You get:
- Balanced sound with lots of detail
- A decent battery life of around 33 hours with ANC and quick charging ability
- A good microphone quality in a quiet room, but gets muffled with background noise
- The active noise cancellation is decent, especially for the price
- Comfortable over-ear headphones
Unfortunately, they don’t include a carrying case. And they’re a bit plasticky. So you have to take better care of them.
Check the test results in our review.
3. EarFun Air Pro 3
Best Budget True Wireless Headphones
EarFun Air Pro 3 are great true wireless headphones on a budget. For under $80, you get good sound, a long battery, and a comfortable fit – EarFun Air Pro 3 review.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.3
Driver size:
11mm wool composite dynamic
Frequency range:
n/a
- Natural sound (after EQ)
- Comfortable & lightweight design
- Customization via companion app
- Bluetooth 5.3, LC3 codec, & multipoint
- Excellent battery life of over 8 hours per charge
- Effective active noise cancellation & ambient sound mode
- Not stable enough for sports activities
- Background hiss when in ANC mode
Hear the EarFun Air Pro 3 A/B sound test:
EarFun Air Pro 3 true wireless headphones give money’s worth of premium features for under $80.
You could easily think these cost over $100. You get:
- Good sound quality with equalization (EQ)
- The latest Bluetooth 5.3 and the LC3 Bluetooth codec
- Multipoint (you can connect to multiple devices)
- Great active noise cancellation that removes ambient noise
- And a long battery life of 8 hours per charge
Check the test results in our full review.
4. OneOdio A30
Best Cheap Wireless Headphones
OneOdio A30 are cheap wireless headphones under $60 with impressive features and noise reduction technology (considering the price) – OneOdio A30 review.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
40mm dynamic
Frequency range:
20-20.000Hz
- Great, clean sound
- Excellent call quality
- Good comfort & fit
- Decent ANC performance
- Foldable & rotatable earcups
- Sibilance can get annoying
- Not fully over-ear earpads
- Hissing noise when you enable ANC
Check the OneOdio A30 A/B sound test:
Do you want comfortable wireless headphones with decent sound and active noise cancelling?
OneOdio A30 tick the boxes. While these are by no means perfect headphones, they’re a good package.
- A surprisingly lively and detailed V-shaped sound
- They are occasionally sibilant, but that doesn’t ruin the overall listening experience.
- The over-ear headphones support all the essential commands and can fold inwards to save space. They’re quite comfy, despite earpads still touching your ears.
- Stellar integrated microphone quality for cheap wireless headphones, with excellent clarity in quiet and noisy places.
Ambient noise cancellation can erase lower frequencies but can’t battle the higher ones or the noisy commuters. It also takes a toll on the listening time, which only lasts for around 18 hours.
Related cheap headphones:
5. Beats Flex
Best for iPhone
Beats Flex are the best cheap in-ear headphones for iPhone and iPad users – Beats Flex review.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
8.2mm
Frequency range:
n/a
- Balanced sound
- Affordable Beats with a W1 chip
- Beats app adds iOS functionalities to Android users
- USB-C port
- Great passive noise isolation
- Comfortable design
- Neckband design hurts the overall stability
- No carrying pouch included
- Lack of sweat resistance
Check the Beats Flex A/B sound test:
These are the best cheap wireless earbuds from Beats with playful color options and well-balanced audio performance.
Beats are slowly ditching the overly bassy sound and trying with a more balanced approach. Flex are still punchy, but much more lean across the response.
- The Flex use a W1 chip, which is responsible for quick pairing and seamless transitions between iOS and macOS devices. Thankfully, there’s an app to adjust settings on Android devices.
- Flex are also very attractive-looking earbuds under $50 with many color options.
- Earbuds can magnetically stick to each other and come in a sweatproof design.
- They can hold up to 12 hours of battery life per charge and are powered via a USB-C port.
Inside the box, you receive 4 pairs of silicone tips, one of them being double-flanged.
More in our review…
6. Sony WH-CH510
Best Cheap On-Ear Headphones
Sony WH-CH510 are great wireless on-ear headphones for commuting – Sony WH-CH510 review.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.0
Driver size:
30mm
Frequency range:
20-20.000Hz
- 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
Check the Sony WH-CH510 A/B sound test:
Sony WH-CH510 are perfect for most people seeking affordable wireless headphones for everyday use.
They have a consumer-friendly sound with a slight boost in bass, clear midrange, and non-sibilant treble. They make a good companion on your daily commutes.
Sony skimmed as much weight as possible. They ditched the headband padding and opted for a fully plastic construction.
Still, the on-ears stay reasonably comfy, despite sitting on your ears. On the other hand, users with bigger heads might feel some extra pressure due to the strong clamping force.
- The highlight is the excellent battery life, lasting 31.5 hours on a single charge.
- Headphones support both USB-C and fast-charging.
- Great for video consumption, with SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs showing no visible audio delay.
See related:
Honorable Mentions
Here are other best wireless headphones on a budget you can consider. These have excellent Bluetooth technology but are slightly lacking in some areas.
Overall good and affordable TWS headphones that can deliver a decent sound (after EQ found in the full review) and an ANC performance that any daily commuter can appreciate.
8. Anker Soundcore Life Q20
These are an older version of the Soundcore Life Q30 and still a good pair of cheap headphones.
Decent TWS headphones for a low price. But their features are a bit lacking compared to the alternatives above. Suitable for working out too.
Solid TWS headphones for working out with a great fit and fun sound. It’s just that the TWS pick above is better.
11. Aukey EP-N7
These are decent TWS earbuds for a very low price. If you can get them, that is. They’ve been hard to get.
How to Choose the Best Budget Wireless Headphones for You?
Decide on what you will use the headphones for.
- Want to commute with them: Get active noise cancellation
- Want to workout with them: Get water resistance
- Is portability important: Consider in-ear headphones, which are the smallest
Then identify the main features you want.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Is noise cancellation more important than sound quality?
- Do headphones need to be water resistant?
- Do you want in-ear, on-ear, or over-ear headphones?
Choose a budget that suits you.
This is a good point when shopping for anything. Select the max price and stick to it. You don’t want to overspend on something that isn’t that important.
What You Should Know About Budget Bluetooth Headphones
Can you find decent wireless headphones for a low price?
You can, just not top-of-the-line.
Here’s what to expect from the best budget headphones:
- Lesser-known brands that aren’t as recognized and known.
- Cheaper materials (more plastics) and thus lower life expectancy
- The audio quality is generally about average at this price. But some headphones (like the ones above) sound like more expensive models
- Older features and technology (basic apps with simple EQ & presets, no adaptable noise cancelling, etc.)
- More power consumption and less reliable wireless connectivity, though the latest version Bluetooth 5.0+, is common and reliable
Related: What are the best cheap headphones brands
What you’re giving up with budget wireless headphones
These are the things you generally can’t expect:
- The high-res Bluetooth codecs like aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC since manufacturers have to pay license money, which increases production costs.
- The latest unique features like adaptive ANC, ANC level adjustment, customizable voice controls, etc.
- Wireless charging. It’s just becoming available in flagship models.
- The highest quality materials (metal, wood) and drivers.
- And, often, no reliable customer support either since these are smaller brands.
So, are cheap Bluetooth headphones worth it?
Absolutely. For an average, undemanding user on a budget, they’re the smart choice.
You don’t need expensive headphones if you can’t justify the cost or you don’t care about the “latest and best” features.
What do you need? A reliable pair of headphones that sound good, remove some background noise and last long enough to enjoy music or podcasts. That’s the dream.
Even though even basic headphones are getting more expensive.
Comparison Between Cheaper And Premium Headphones
What are the biggest differences between cheaper wireless headphones and more premium wireless headphones?
Sound quality and fidelity: More expensive headphones usually sound better, but the difference is often minimal or negligible for an average user. While the “pay more get more” is true for the audio quality, it isn’t black and white. Choosing headphones from a reputable budget brand, can often mean you end up with good-sounding headphones for less money.
Build quality and durability: Cheaper headphones are generally more plasticky and prone to breaking. This comes with the price tag, and the best thing you can do is take good care of your headphones.
Advanced features and technology: Cheap Bluetooth headphones often have the latest Bluetooth version (5.0+), effective ANC, app support with EQ, and decent microphones. The difference lies in the details. Premium headphones have the latest version of the software, more unique features, and more customization options.
Comfort and fit: There’s little difference in the comfort between cheap and premium headphones. Both can be perfectly comfortable. As long as you find a pair that suits you.
Brand reputation and customer support: Cheap brands often skimp on customer support. It might be harder to reach a qualified person and get a response to your question.
Price range and value for money: When it comes to value for money, cheap headphones win. Hands down, there’s no competition.
All fancy headphones charge a premium for the latest tech, making them slightly better for demanding users. But much more expensive for a small performance boost.
Related: How much should you pay for quality headphones?
How We Chose Our Favorite Affordable Bluetooth Headphones: How We Test
We test each pair of headphones on 9 categories, including:
- Sound quality
- Comfort & fit
- Durability / build quality
- Battery life
- Extra features
- Passive noise isolation
- Active noise cancellation
- Bluetooth reliability & range
- Value for money (the whole picture)
You can find the test results in the full reviews where we go into further details with frequency response graphs and specific numbers.
In the case of the best budget wireless headphones, price and the overall quality of performance plays a big part. Instead of just looking for great-sounding cans, we looked at the overall performance including the effectiveness of ANC, battery life compared to similar options, and subjective user experience of our editors.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Wireless Headphones
Are cheap wireless headphones good?
Cheap wireless headphones are good for undemanding users. And some models can perform better than more expensive alternatives. Generally, you get the latest or 2nd-latest generation of technology and features.
Which brand is the best for cheap wireless headphones?
The best brands for cheap wireless headphones are Anker Soundcore, EarFun, Sony, JLAB and others. Avoid well-known brands when buying budget headphones. Usually, those charge a premium, with the same level of audio quality and features.
Ben Jacklin is a musician and has a qualification in music technology. He plays a guitar and bass and teaches others how to play.
He’s tested different musical equipment, including headphones that he uses during his work.
