9 Best Headphones under $30 Worth Checking in 2023

Do you only have 30 bucks for a pair of headphones? Here are the best cans under $30.

Browse through wired and wireless picks that are worth checking out. Some are even fully waterproof and can wirelessly charge (more on that later).

Without any further ado, here are the cheapest best headphones out there.

Are you looking for cheap headphones and don’t want to spend more than $30? There’s a heavily saturated market out there with so many options, even bad ones.

You’ve come to the right place.

Below you can find the best headphones under $30 that are available today. While it might not seem like a lot of money, you can actually get a decent pair of headphones.

You’ll find different types of cans here: over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, and even solid open-back headphones. All of the picks are some of the best at this price level.

We looked at the:

• sound quality
• durability
• comfort levels
• overall performance
• features

Other headphone guides for a lower budget:

Best cheap headphones
The best earbuds under $30

The Best Headphones Under 30 Dollars

1. Monoprice 8323

Surprisingly good sound for under $30. You get good bass, slightly forward mids, and the highs that can get a little sibilant. But all in all, they are great for music listening to a variety of genres, from jazz to hip-hop.

These can easily be worn for a long time, because of their fantastic comfort. They also block pretty much all noise around you, which makes them great for private listening.

The foldable design helps take less space and makes them portable as well.

Monoprice 8323 closed-back headphones are not perfect, but you can expect fantastic audio quality for all music genres that won’t leave you disappointed. A great product and a top pick for less than $30.

2. Tascam TH-MX2

While Tascam TH-MX2 are marketed as mixing headphones, they have a too bass-heavy sound to serve that purpose. Instead, their fuller sound is great for everyday listening with a warm yet well-balanced sound and wide frequency response.

The design is fairly robust, as you usually use them in a studio environment. Headphones provide good external noise isolation due to relatively thick earpads, making them good for studio monitoring.

They connect via a 9.8-foot-long integrated audio cable with a 3.5mm headphone jack. You also get a screw-on 6.3mm adapter.

These headphones under $30 are a reliable piece of equipment that should last you a very long time. Only after a few years will earpads stiffen and become uncomfortable.

• You can find other best bass headphones.

3. OneOdio A11

The sound is nothing spectacular, but for a non-demanding user, the A11 should provide a decent level of satisfaction.

Overall external quality is on par with other headphones that are dirt-cheap. There are onboard volume controls on the ear cups.

Especially in terms of comfort, which is quite decent. The oval-shaped earpads provide an on-ear fit, which is good for shorter listening sessions.

Headphones come with a carrying pouch and foldable hinges to make themselves smaller. The mechanism for the adjustable headband is fully plastic, so don’t be too harsh on it.

The long battery life of 23 hours per charge is good enough for a few days of use, or you can use them in wired mode.

4. SoundPEATS Clear

Earbuds have a pretty balanced frequency response but with a tad of extra sub-bass boost. You can further tune them inside the companion app by making the sound even more balanced.

Clears’ sound and features make them a high-value pick under $30. You get app support, Bluetooth 5.3, Game mode, and a customizable audio equalizer.

Also, earbuds come with a good battery life of almost 6 hours per charge and another 33 hours inside the charging case. Sadly, there’s no official support for fast or Qi wireless charging.

Comfort and stability are excellent and suitable for light workouts. The Clear even survive sweat thanks to an IPX4 rating.

5. Symphonized NRG 3.0

They produce slightly warmer tones, rich in details. Crisp highs are well-defined, mids are smooth, and the low-end response nicely colors altogether. Their high-quality audio can satisfy all music genres, from classical to more modern.

The first thing you notice is the wooden design, which looks cool and provides a lightweight design. Wearing these with ear tips in the right size (you get different sizes in the package) can make them super comfortable and give good background noise isolation.

What makes these different from others in the guide is also having a built-in microphone you can use to make hands-free phone calls. You can easily use these in the gym, but they are best for everyday use.

• Find more best cheap earbuds.

6. Koss Porta Pro

The soundstage they produce is open and detailed. They tend to get very loud at a high volume and offer extended frequency response up to 25kHz.

The low-end is strong but not overbearing. Mids and highs are reasonably neutral, with mids being a little punchier. They are suitable for listening to any kind of music, from classical to R’n’B.

Koss Porta Pro’s design is comfortable, extremely lightweight, and therefore cozy to wear for a long time. Lightly padded ear cushions don’t go over the ears but instead rest on them.

The flexible headband extends well, so they are pleasant to wear, regardless of your head size. The cable length is just right to be able to move around.

• To block the ambient sounds, see the best budget noise cancelling headphones.

7. Sennheiser HD 206

For such a low price, you’re getting an impressive sound that’s quite clear. Nothing is overly exaggerated, and the treble is smooth as butter.

Furthermore, headphones are incredibly lightweight and durable despite being tossed around a lot. No wonder the HD 206 remain a trusted tool for journalists when editing their videos.

They’re made entirely of plastic and use thin wires to connect both ear cups. The earpads are shallow, but thanks to their feather-like weight, you don’t experience wearing fatigue.

Inside the box, you even get a 6.3mm adapter for wired connection, but no carrying pouch. At least there’s a generous 2-year warranty.

8. TOZO T10

For the price, TOZO T10 are surprisingly balanced throughout the midrange for clear vocals, with an elevation in the sub-bass and upper treble. Even detail retrieval is good for the price.

The design is pretty basic but functional. Earbuds are small and easily fit into all ear sizes. They provide a comfortable fit for long periods but aren’t secure enough to endure intense workouts.

On the other hand, the TOZO T10 are incredibly durable. The earbuds and the case are rated for IP68, meaning full water and dust resistance. Even heavy rain can’t hurt them.

Great features don’t end there, as you also get a reliable connection with your Bluetooth-enabled device, voice control, touch sensors, USB-C charging cable, and Qi wireless charging support. Otherwise, there are 6 long hours and 13 minutes of listening time.

9. Skullcandy Dime True Wireless

Despite being tiny and selling for such a low price, the Dime’s amazing sound quality and fantastic dynamics exceed their price tag.

They’re slightly V-shaped but in a tasteful way. There’s plenty of clarity and detail without sounding too punchy or bloated. They could be one of the best audiophile headphones on an extreme budget.

Earbuds are also quite comfortable if you don’t push them too deep in your ear canal. Otherwise, they can start cutting into your ear lobes. Even though physical control buttons have a volume control, they’re painful to use.

The construction can withstand sweat and can resist rain (rated for an IPX4 rating). They’re overall plasticky, with the charging case feeling particularly fragile.

Moreover, Skullcandy Dime don’t have a very good battery life (about 3.5 hours).

• Also, check: Best budget over-ear headphones (under $50)

How we do reviews?

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Headphones Under $30

Of course, you can get in-ear earbuds for less. Here you can find earbuds under $20 and earbuds around $10.

But if you’re looking for over-ear and on-ear headphones, we advise against spending even less as the quality won’t be up to par.

Also, you can’t expect noise cancelling headphones as you won’t find any. Good headphones with wireless features are pretty rare, too. You have to pay more for new headphones to get that.

The durability of sub-$30 headphones is limiting.

Mostly you can expect plastic casings with minimal metal parts. It’s hard to get waterproof Bluetooth headphones or sweat-resistant headphones for this affordable price because it costs money to protect against moisture.

You should take better care of affordable audio electronics with the understanding that these are budget headphones. Or get the most durable earbuds.

Wireless Bluetooth technology that works is hard to get.

You can find wireless Bluetooth headphones under 30 dollars, but they have only basic functionality (Bluetooth and microphone integration) and average stereo audio quality. Just the fact that wireless is a feature eats up most of the price you’re paying.

Manufacturers are creating more affordable wireless headphones. If you don’t mind getting slightly more expensive headphones, see the best Bluetooth headphones under $100 to find some great options.

You can expect good sound quality.

As always, sound is one of the critical aspects of any audio equipment. If the drivers are set up correctly, you can get a pleasing sound quality that far supersedes its price.

The maximum superior audio quality for your money is exactly what you get from these headphones. They are clear, have powerful bass, and a wide soundstage, but you won’t find everything in one pair.

A comfortable fit is part of the package.

A perfect fit is important. Thankfully, most headphones today, as long as they are big enough and use soft materials, offer excellent comfort for many hours.

The plastic design in these cheap headphones is lightweight and helps with that. Plus, soft cushions are not so expensive nowadays.

You can reasonably expect to get comfortable headphones for under $30. Additionally, here are the most comfortable headphones today.

Thank you for checking our guide. Please leave a comment and let us know what you think. If you believe we missed on an amazing pair of headphones that cost less than 30 dollars, please let us know.

Disclosure: We might receive affiliate compensation if you purchase products via links on this page. This is how we purchase headphones for new reviews and keep the site ad-free. In spite of that, we do our best to tell the truth about every product and don’t favor any one brand or model.