We tested 192 headphones on 9 key points.
Here are the best cheap headphones from $50 to $20 with surprising sound quality and features.
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.
| More info | Price | Design | Connection | Mic & Controls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Anker Soundcore Life Q20
Best wireless
|
Under $50
|
Over-ear, closed-back
|
Bluetooth (60h)
|
 
|
|
|
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Best wired
 
|
Under $50
|
Over-ear, closed-back
|
Wired – 3.5mm
|
 
|
|
|
TOZO NC7
Best true wireless
 
|
Under $50
|
True wireless, closed-back
|
Bluetooth (9h + 36h in case)
|
|
|
|
Samson SR850
Best audiophile
 
|
Under $50
|
Over-ear, semi-open
|
Wired 3.5mm & 6.3mm
|
|
|
|
SoundPEATS Clear
Best $30 TWS
 
|
Under $30
|
True wireless, closed-back
|
Bluetooth (4h + 33h in case)
|
|
|
|
Moondrop Chu
Best $20 in-ears
 
|
Under $20
|
In-ear, closed-back
|
Wired – 3.5mm
|
Optional
|
Headphones on our list are evaluated based on 9 key factors (Sonic9Score). The main criteria we looked at to pick the best budget headphones are sound quality, build quality, and user experience. Explore our testing and ranking methodology.
Are you looking for simple cheap headphones that are good-enough for a non-demanding user?
Then this list is for you.
Budget headphones don’t have to be low quality. While they can’t compare to high-end headphones, the models on the list offer good audio quality and an enjoyable user experience.
If $50 is too much for you, check headphones for less: top headphones under $30 and headphones under $20.
Fine tune your search:
- The best cheap earbuds (in-ear headphones)
- Best budget noise cancelling headphones (ANC)
- Best headphones under $100 (all types)
Best Cheap Wireless Headphones
1. Anker Soundcore Life Q20
Best Cheap Wireless Headphones
If you need cheap over-ear headphones with loud bass-heavy sound and noise cancellation, Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are the top pick.
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
If you’re a fan of a bassier sound profile, these should suit your taste. Consequently, they’re pretty warm, with a balanced midrange and smooth treble.
Life Q20 offer good active noise cancellation performance, especially when blocking low-frequency external noises. That makes them a great companion on airplanes and public transport. Sadly, they lack ambient mode. But they come with a decent built-in microphone. So if you want the best cheap headphones with a mic for hands-free calling, these are great.
Portability wise, the ear cups have foldable hinges to make more space in your bag. Faux leather ear pads are nice and comfy and ensure good levels of external noise isolation.
The battery life is excellent, with up to 60 hours of continuous playtime (40 hours with noise cancellation), and the Bluetooth connectivity is also pretty solid.
Soundcore Life Q20 are great budget noise canceling headphones if you plan to make many phone calls with a surprisingly clean built-in mic.
For more ANC, check the best budget noise cancelling headphones.
Best Wired Cheap Headphones
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Best Wired Cheap Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are the best cheap wired headphones under $50 from a well-known brand. Perfect for home studio.
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 ATH-M20x have a well-balanced sound signature. The overall detailed audio quality is much better than you’d expect for 50 dollars.
You also get a controlled bass response while keeping the details. They’re good enough for every music genre, and a worthy top pick on this list.
The wired over-ear headphones are well built, considering the price range. They can survive most of the unfortunate drops.
Another great thing about them is their simple yet sleek design that never comes out of style (they look similar to other higher-end models from Audio-Technica).
Large and well-padded over-ear ear cups provide comfort for many hours so you can enjoy your favorite music without itching.
More at $50:
- Best Bluetooth headphones under $50
- Best headphones under $50 (all types)
- Top over-ear headphones under $50.
Best Cheap True Wireless Headphones
3. TOZO NC7
Best Cheap True Wireless Headphones
TOZO NC7 are the best cheap true wireless headphones we’ve tested. For less than $50 you get highly effective active noise cancellation – TOZO NC7 review.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.3
Driver size:
7mm dynamic
Frequency range:
17-20.000Hz
- 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
Starting with audio quality, TOZO NC7 have a bad default sound (very V-shaped) that gets immensely better after applying custom EQ. It gets more natural and detailed, among the best performances in cheap Bluetooth headphones.
Check TOZO NC7 A/B sound test:
ANC and ambient sound mode are also excellent for the price. If you’re on a tight budget and frequently commute, you should definitely check these out.
On top of that, their 9-hour battery life (with ANC) and another 36 hours in the charging case should last you throughout a very lengthy trip.
Thanks to 6 pairs of ear tips, you can easily find the most optimal fit for your ears. Just note that while they’re very comfortable, they aren’t the most stable for sports.
Trivia
Did you know cheap headphones make you happier if you’re a bargain shopper?
According to this study, people buy themselves happiness if their purchases match their personalities. If you’re a bargain shopper, you get more happiness from buying a quality budget item than paying top dollar for a “premium” item.
Best Budget Audiophile Headphones
4. Samson SR850
Best Budget Audiophile Headphones
SR850 are the best cheap audiophile headphones we’ve tested. These have open-back design and fantastic audio quality for the price suitable for studio work – Samson SR850 review.
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
For the price tag, the audio quality of these cheap headphones is mind-blowing. The overall solid bass doesn’t dig very low (as in most semi or fully open-back headphones), but the midrange is engagingly natural.
Detail retrieval and imaging are great, with good instrumental separation and airiness in the treble.
To save on material, the over-ear headphones are entirely plastic. With good care, you can have them for many years as we did. Also, the cable is thick so that it won’t break anytime soon.
You can choose between pleather or velour earpads. The latter ones are more breathable and gentler to the skin, giving you better comfort over long stretches of listening.
Due to sound leakage, they’re only usable for home listening. There’s a 6.3mm adapter in the box if you have a dedicated headphone amp or you want to plug them into a speaker amplifier.
Best True Wireless Headphones for $30
5. SoundPEATS Clear
Best True Wireless Headphones for $30
SoundPEATS Clear are the best cheap $30 wireless earbuds we’ve tested. They are similar to Apple Airpods Pro but much cheaper and have surprising audio quality – SoundPEATS Clear review.
Connection:
Bluetooth 5.3
Driver size:
12mm dynamic
Frequency range:
n/a
- Good, balanced sound (for the price) even without EQ tweaks
- App with customizable EQ & Game mode for under $30
- Extremely comfortable & stable fit that's suitable for sports
- Great call quality, but only in quieter places
- Earbuds' shape produces audible wind noise during outdoor use
- Charging case's transparent lid looks fragile & easily scratchable
While costing only $30, the Clear have a decent sound with a nice balance and boost in the sub-bass, which adds a pleasant rumble and warmth. You can change that by using in-app’s EQ.
The latter is also the most surprising addition to these earbuds. They support a companion app with a custom EQ, sound presets, and a Game mode.
Check SoundPEATS Clear A/B sound test:
Furthermore, earbuds sport a partly transparent design, giving them a unique look. They’re also rated for IPX4, which means complete sweat resistance but not waterproofness.
Still, thanks to a pretty stable fit, you can easily wear them for physical activities like fitness or other forms of light workouts. Battery life will also not disappoint you with 6 hours of playtime per charge.
Related: Best wireless earbuds under $50
Best Cheap $20 In-Ear Headphones
6. Moondrop Chu
Best Cheap $20 In-Ear Headphones
Moondrop Chu are the best $20 in-ear headphones we’ve tested. With amazing high-quality audio for a twenty-dollar bill.
Connection:
Wired – 3.5mm
Driver size:
10mm dynamic
Frequency range:
20-20.000Hz
- Great, natural sound quality
- High build quality for the price
- Comfortable fit
- Included spring ear tips & ear hooks
- Good passive noise isolation
- Excellent value
- Slightly thin sounding vocals
- Splashy treble
- Fixed cable
The Moondrop Chu offer a well-balanced bass and midrange, with natural and tight sound that performs well for fast-paced music with decent soundstage and excellent imaging.
To squeeze a bit more out of them, pairing them with an amp makes the bass tighter and more controlled. These earbuds stand out for their audio quality at a low price. We go in more details in the review.
Check Moondrop Chu sound test:
Their zinc alloy housing offers a comfortable and secure fit, despite their noticeable heft compared to plastic models. Their over-the-ear wearing style with detachable ear hooks ensures weight distribution across the earlobe for optimal comfort. This design makes them suitable for everyday use and light physical activities.
Moondrop Chu are the by far the best $20 in-ear headphones we’ve tested. We highly recommend them, you won’t be disappointed.
Related:
What are the best cheap headphones under 10 dollars? You won’t find decent headphones, but you can find decent earbuds.
Runner-Ups: Other Headphones to Consider
7. Best Cheap Headphones for $25: Monoprice 116150
These are dirt-cheap over-ear headphones for $25. They come with big earcups that comfortably fit big ears. But you might want to replace the thin earpads. Their sound is shockingly good. The 50mm drivers produce deep bass and crisp highs.
8. Best Cheap Headphones for $20: Koss UR-20
Koss UR-20 have a balanced audio performancesuitable for all music genre. Softly padded earcups and lightweight design make them comfortable. Their large cups fit securely in adult ears. All in all, for good-sounding $20 over-ear headphones, check these.
9. Jlab Audio Go Air
These true wireless headphones have a bassy v-shaped sound that’s suitable for modern music with a beat. The lightweight and ergonomic design ensures comfort and stability. The 9-hour battery life is impressive and better than in many more expensive earbuds. Find more details in our review.
10. Jlab Audio Jbuds Air
These are the older but still solid cheap wireless earbuds to consider. With a stable fit, IP55 waterproof rating, and decent 5.5 hours of battery life (18 hours in the charging case), you can use them for sports too. If you find them for a low price, they’re still worth the buy.
11. Linsoul Tin Audio T2
The best cheap wired in-ear headphones for $50. These have amazing sound for the price. Plus, you get memory foam eartips for high comfort, removable MMCX cables, and the metal housing hides their low price. The only problem is that the price is slightly higher, but they do get frequently discounted under 50 bucks.
More budget guides:
How We Tested and Picked?
After talking with many people, we established the price of cheap headphones is around $50. After all, $50 is less than a full tank of gas (for most cars) or the cost of a nice restaurant date for two.
The $50-100 price range falls in the affordable range but 100 bucks isn’t cheap for all people.
Then we started searching through all the 192 headphones we tested for the best performing ones. We focused on 3 categories:
- Sound quality: The sound has to be pleasant to listen to no matter the price.
- Build quality: Many cheap headphones are poorly built. We made sure to only recommend well-built ones.
- User experience: Comfort, ease of use, battery life (for wireless models), features, design, etc.
What to Expect from the Top Cheap Headphones?
- A low price around $50 and less.
- Nearly Hi-Fi audio quality that punches well above their price tag.
- Cheaper materials, mostly plastic. With some bright exceptions that use quality materials (metal).
- Lower-quality earpads with thinner padding and limite lifespan (thankfully you can replace them on many models)
- Limited features: If wireless expect the barebones. A microphone for hands-free calls, basic controls, rarely decent ANC (active noise cancellation). If wired it’s a nice bonus if you get an in-line microphone and control module.
So, are cheap headphones worth it?
- If you’re a non-demanding user who needs a pair for occasional listening, cheap headphones make the most sense.
- In case you need a 2nd pair for home listening or home-studio work, then a budget pair is perfect for the job.
- If you’re buying basic headphones for a kid that doesn’t have high demands, why splurge if you don’t have to?
As long as you know that the low price brings some shortcomings, they’re worth it.
What are good cheap headphones brands?
We researched the best cheap headphones brands. The top ones are: Soundcore, EarFun, Sony, Jlab, and we’d also mention Monoprice and TOZO as honorable mentions.
Shortcomings of Cheap Bluetooth Headphones
Specifically for wireless Bluetooth headphones:
- The battery won’t last forever. Since you’re paying less money, you’re not getting the latest battery technology. Expect a battery to last for about 2 to 3 years.
- Cheap headphones don’t have the latest features like inductive charging (Qi wireless charging).
- Good audio quality but not the best wireless models offer today. It’s not comparable to Hi-Fi audiophile headphones.
- No support for premium Bluetooth codecs like aptX and LDAC.
- Less effective features: ANC does’t remove as much ambient noise, microphones aren’t as clear, apps have less options, etc.
How to Get the Best Audio Quality from Cheap Headphones?
1. The easiest way to get the best audio quality from budget headphones is to use audio equalization (EQ). There are different ways to EQ your music:
- Some smartphones come with built-in EQ settings or app (check yours)
- You can download free Android equalization apps from Google Play.
- You can use EQ on your music streaming service, like Spotify.
Here we go into more details on how to equalize.
2. Use an amplifier. This is a more advanced way, only suitable for wired headphones that’s less convenient and costs a bit of money (you’ll have to buy an amp). But with good amplification you can considerably improve the audio.
Read this first: Do I need an amp?
Why Trust HeadphonesAddict?
At HeadphonesAddict, we provide honest headphone tests through a rigorous methodology and a transparent process. See how we test here.
More reasons to trust us:
- We test headphones ourselves on 9 key points (wired models require fewer tests).
- We don’t take money for tests and reviews.
- We don’t delete or edit “bad reviews.” Even when brands ask us to. If the headphones sound bad or have other faults, we tell you without embellishment.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
What are cheap headphones?
Cheap headphones cost around $50 and less. For this price you can still get decent quality headphones from popular brands like: Audio-Technica, Soundcore, TOZO, etc.
What to expect from cheap headphones?
Cheap headphones can be good but generally have a plastic design with a weaker build quality, fewer features and older technology, no support for the best Bluetooth codecs and a shorter battery life.
Conclusion
We hope our list helped you make a decision. All the models are top-notch for the price and here is the #1 recommendation.
And if you end up getting a pair recommended in our list, we’d love to know which you picked (we read comments).
Last update: Updated structure and added new models.
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.
2 Comments
Just Headphone
This was a great article they have some good choices. Now I have a better idea on what to buy.
HeadphonesAddict
Thanks, we appreciate the feedback.