Locating headphones on a budget can be complicated, but you don’t need to break the bank to find a decent listening experience. The headphones on this list typically aren’t as comfortable or neutral-sounding as some of the more premium options on the market, but it is possible to discover quality offerings at a reasonable price.
Best Headphones Under 50 Reviews
We’ve tested over 400 headphones and below are our recommendations for the best headphones under $50 you can buy in 2024. See also our recommendations for your best earbuds under $50, the best wireless earbuds under $50, as well as the best gaming headsets under $50.
Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $50
1. Mpow H10 Wireless
The best over-ear headphones under $50 that we’ve analyzed so far are the Mpow H10 Wireless. These Bluetooth over-ear headphones are quite comfy thanks to their lavish and soft palate, and their 23-hour battery lifetime should easily get you through a couple of full workdays. They may also be utilized wired by means of a typical 1/8″ TRS cable if your battery dies in the middle of your listening session, which is excellent.
They have an enthusiastic sound profile out-of-the-box that should be well-suited to a vast selection of genres, but sadly, they don’t have a dedicated companion app so that you can’t change their EQ settings. Despite their funding price-point, they have a surprisingly great ANC feature.
Though it does not perform quite as well as the ANC on higher-end headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM Wireless, it is going to help block the low hum of bus and aeroplane engines, in addition to chatty coworkers in the office.
Unfortunately, their low price shows in their build quality, plus they feel fairly cheap overall. Our apparatus also made a concerning breaking noise when folding the earcups level, and while we don’t know if this is going to result in any harm, it’s still concerning. They’re also a little on the bigger side, and if you have a bigger head, they may not rest comfortably.
Best Truly Wireless Headphone Under $50
2. Anker SoundCore Liberty Lite Truly Wireless
The best genuinely wireless headphones under $50 that we have tested to date are the Anker SoundCore Liberty Lite Truly Wireless. These truly wireless earbuds feel surprisingly well-built because of their cost and include a good charging instance that retains the earbuds in place with magnets. They include four different sizes of tips and three dimensions of equilibrium fins, and once you get a good match, they feel secure enough for even moderately strenuous workouts.
They don’t have a committed companion app to make any changes to their own EQ, but their out-of-the-box sound profile is well-balanced and must be suitable for a wide range of genres and articles. They do a great job at blocking out mid-high frequency noises, such as background chatter in an office or the high-pitched sounds of an AC unit.
Regrettably, they aren’t the comfiest as their housing can apply a bit of pressure on the ear. Their battery life is also very disappointing at under 2.5 hours per charge, and just an extra three charges in the case. If you want a similarly-performing pair of truly wireless headphones that are more comfortable and have a much better battery life, check out the Anker SoundCore Life P2, even though they’re a little bit more pricey.
Alternative for Gaming
3. Corsair HS60 Pro
If you’d like a pair of over-ear headphones under $50 for gaming, get the Corsair HS60. They are not wireless like the Mpow H10 Wireless, and they do not have ANC, but those gambling headphones feel much better-built and have a better-balanced audio profile. Their boom mic is easily removed if you would like to use the headphones for casual usage, and your voice will appear clear and easy to listen to, even in noisy environments.
If you’d like a wireless pair of headphones for day-to-day use, get the Mpow, however in case you’re searching for a budget set of gaming headphones, proceed with the Corsair.
Cheaper Alternative
4. Soundpeats Truefree/True Wireless
If you’d like a nice set of wireless earbuds that cost less, get the SoundPeats TrueFree. They have a lot darker sound profile which might not be as adaptable as the Anker SoundCore Liberty Lite Really Wireless, but they are cheaper and have much better battery life. Regrettably, their situation does not have a lid, along with the headphones are held in place with magnets, which means that they might possibly come loose.
Should you hear more vocal-centric genres and need a better-balanced sound profile, then go together with all the Anker, but if you would like something much more economical, get the SoundPeats.
Best Earbuds Under $50
5. Anker Soundbuds Curve Upgraded
These wireless earbuds have a thin wire that connects both earbuds collectively and are available for less than $50. They feel quite comfortable, and also their ear-hook layout is stable enough for even moderately rigorous workouts.
Their audio profile is rather bass-heavy, even though it shouldn’t be too overpowering. While they’ll give a bit of extra thump for genres like EDM or hip, they’ll continue to be well-balanced enough for many genres. They last almost 18.5 hours off a single charge, which can be excellent and should easily get you through a couple of full days before needing a re-charge.
Unfortunately, their thin cable feels quite inexpensive, though this can be somewhat anticipated for their low-cost point. On the bright side, they are rated IPX7 for water resistance, though this isn’t something we currently test for. Overall, they provide excellent value and therefore are one of the best headphones we’ve tested to date.
Wired Alternative
6. Beats urbeats3 Earphones
If you do not need to need to be concerned about maintaining your headphones’ battery and might like a wired alternative, proceed with all the Beats urBeats3 Earphones. They are not as comfy as the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded, plus they are not as secure in the ear, however, they have a better-balanced audio profile along with a consistent wired connection. Their audio profile is flexible enough for an extremely broad selection of genres and material, along with the headphones are accessible with a regular 1/8″ TRRS jack, or even a Lightning connector should you use an iPhone with no headphone jack.
If you want the liberty of wireless headphones, proceed together with the Anker, however, should use your headphones for extended trips or simply don’t need to need to be concerned about a wireless link, get the Beats.
Notable Mentions
TIN Audio T2: The T2 are wired headphones which feel really well-built and have a fairly well-balanced sound profile. Do not perform as well overall since the Beats urBeats3 Earphones.
Mpow H5 Wireless: The Mpow H5 is adequate wireless over-ear headphones. They’re cheaper and sense better-built than the Mpow H10, but possess much worse ANC and a less accurate sound profile.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless: The Q20 is adequate wireless over-ears with ANC. Good choice to the Mpow H10, however frequently around $50.
Sony WI-C310 Wireless: The Sony WI-C310 Wireless are decent Bluetooth earbuds having an around-the-neck layout. A good alternative to this Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019, but more expensive.
AUKEY Latitude Wireless: The AUKEY Latitude are decent wireless in-ears. Better-balanced sound profile compared to the Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019, but lower battery life.
Skullcandy Grind Wireless: The Grind is decently performing on-ear wireless headphones using a rather well-balanced audio profile. Their on-ear fit could be uneasy during extended listening sessions.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are now the best headphones under $50 to buy for most people. We variable in the cost (cheaper headphones win more expensive ones if the distinction isn’t worth it), feedback from our customers, and accessibility (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to select for yourself, here’s the list of all our reviews for headphones under $50. Be careful to not get caught up in the information. There aren’t any ideal headphones. Personal taste, taste, and listening habits will matter more on your selection.
