The best cheap headphones are all about getting the most quality for the smallest investment possible. That’s not to say that these are just the cheapest working headphones and earbuds we could find; We’ve tested them all to make sure that despite their lower prices, they really can deliver sound quality, comfort, and practicality.
These aren’t the best headphones overall, but they’re reliable and offer decent sound quality with music and podcasts for a fraction of the price. Read on to find out our top picks for cheap headphones that won’t overburden your wallet.
We’ve also rounded up the best cheap wireless earbuds and the best cheap working headphones, and don’t forget to check out our top picks for the best headphones with mic for video and audio calls and the best bluetooth speakers you can buy right now.
What are the best cheap headphones?
Our top pick of the best cheap headphones is the JLab Go Air Pop. This is something really very rare: a pair of true wireless earbuds, and a pretty good pair of headphones for $20. They even come with an IPX4 rating, so they can work as a budget alternative to the best sports earbuds if you want something that can withstand rain and sweat.
EarFun Air ranks number one on our top fake AirPods for its AirPods-inspired design with bright, crisp sound that works well with all types of content. Its noise-cancelling microphones do a great job of reducing the number of ambient noise entering phone calls or video calls. Then there’s the IPX7 certification for waterproofing, which all add up to a great budget option.
Third place goes to Beats Flex for its balanced performance in nearly every category. Wired link style may not be suitable for everyone but the built-in microphone is effective for call quality and Siri usage. With long battery life and exceptional connectivity on both iOS and Android, Beats Flex remains an attractive option for the price.
Best cheap headphones you can buy today
Turns out, you don’t have to spend more than $20 to buy a top-notch AirPods replacement. The JLab Go Air Pro is proof of that, packing a dynamic sound stage and a 32-hour battery life inside a rugged, IPX4-protected design for sweat and water resistance. Three equalizers are programmed into the speakers, each one capable of optimizing sound quality based on your preference. Bass Boost is self-explanatory, while Balanced gives the sound a neutral presence and the JLab Signature offers a little bit of both; We recommend sticking with the latter.
Up to 8 hours per charge is generous for the inexpensive earphones, so the earphones come bundled with a built-in charging case that holds 4 extra charges and comes with a built-in USB cable for charging on the go. Various color options are also attractive: black, lilac, pink, slate, teal.
Read full JLab Go Air Pop Review.
EarFun Air ranks number one in our list of the best fake AirPods for many reasons. Let’s start with the sound, which is bright and crisp to hear vocals and instruments more clearly. This level of sound translates well to videos and podcasts as well. Second, the noise-cancelling microphones do a great job of limiting the number of ambient sounds entering phone calls or video calls. Bluetooth 5.0 performs well, providing a strong connection and wireless listening up to 50 feet away. Then there’s the design, which is clearly inspired by the original AirPods, but is much sleeker and sturdier with IPX7 certification, making these buds waterproof.
The fit is often loose, although you can customize it by swapping the fitted tips for any of the three different size pairs on the box; AirPods don’t even come with ear tips. Touch controls can also take some work, but with some patience, you’ll have a whole host of functions that can be enabled with basic tap gestures.
Read full EarFun Air . Review.
Have you ever thought that Beats would release $50 wireless earbuds? We didn’t either, but thankfully for shoppers on a budget, the Flex is a no-brainer if you want many of the hallmarks of Beats (like flashy design, long playing times, acceptable call quality) in a very affordable package. . Even with Apple’s older W1 processor, you get plenty of useful features to work with, including easy pairing with iDevices, Fast-Fuel technology for faster charging and audio sharing. We were also surprised at how well these headphones sound, especially with movies and podcasts.
It’s disappointing to see that there’s no water or sweat resistance, plus the bass levels aren’t as punchy as they should for a Beats-branded device. However, performance is equally balanced in almost every category.
See our complete Beats Flex . Review.
We think that for most people “cheap” wireless earbuds might cost somewhere in the $100 range, but the Skullcandy Dime delivers amazing quality for a fraction of that. Besides looking better than we expected, its compact design is fully IPX7 waterproof: something not many top-level buds care about.
Is there a trick? Battery life could be a lot better – you only get about 3.5 hours of playback per charge – and the touch controls aren’t as reliable as we’d like. But hey, they let you get rid of wires completely and only cost $25. This is worth some ineffective sensors.
Read full Skullcandy Dime Review.
Some wireless headphones are aging well, and the Jabra Move Wireless is one of them. For nearly six years, these color wireless enclosures still deliver clear, balanced sound thanks to Jabra’s own digital signal processor (DSP). You’ll get a great mix of lows, mids, and highs that not many models can match at this price point. The lightweight design is comfortable on the head and when worn around the neck. Good build quality with a flexible frame and dirt-resistant headband. We are also drawn to stylish colors: charcoal (black), cayenne (red), and cobalt (blue).
Battery life would seem very short by modern standards: 8 hours on a single charge doesn’t seem like much. It was also possible to better program the control system, because the touch sensors often confuse tap gestures.
Read full Jabra Move Wireless Review.
How to choose the best cheap headphones for you
Just because you spend less doesn’t mean you settle for less. You want to get the most out of your profit when shopping for the best cheap headphones, and the only way to ensure that is to check out a few essentials from the list.
Audio takes precedence over all other features. You want headphones that produce clean, balanced sound and solid bass. Some models may even offer built-in equalizer options (such as JLab) to customize the sound stage based on your hearing.
Design comes in second place, which includes build quality, along with comfort and fit. Look for durable and flexible headphones; You want to know that these things can survive any daily abuse they get. They should also feel comfortable and snug against the skull when worn for extended periods, while creating a seal around the ears to block outside noise.
Keep in mind that cheaper headphones are often wired, although if you’re looking for a wire-free experience, there are plenty of wireless headphones available as well. Just make sure it comes with at least 15 hours of playtime on a full charge and Bluetooth 4.0.
How to test the best cheap headphones
As with most of our headphone reports, we based our list of the best cheap headphones not only on price, but also on design, sound, and ease of use. Available features such as controls, microphones, and digital assistant support are also being tested.
Our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for two hours at a time throughout the testing phase. From there, they rate their suitability for comfort and security, along with how well they are noise-isolating.
For sound quality, we rate volume, clarity, and fullness by listening to several songs across different music genres. This includes hip hop, rock, jazz, classical and electronic to name a few. Films, podcasts, and video games are considered, when necessary. Our reviewers take phone calls to rate call quality and microphone performance as well.
Find out what we’re listening to during our testing process and how to get the best headphone sound for you.
After the test was completed, our reviewers rated the best cheap headphones on Tom’s Guide’s five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Products that reach nearly every mark earn an Editor’s Choice badge.
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