Spending money running into hundreds of dollars for a pair of headphones doesn’t mean that you would a superb performance from that headphone. At times, most expensive headphones do not justify their price tag. There are best budget headphones on the market for you to use for quick commutes or entertain yourself during leisure hours.
This is a good time to get an affordable headphone without breaking your bank. Below is a list of the best budget headphones to get right now.
Best Budget Headphones 2023
1. AKG K72
You can get a decent pair of headphones for under $50. Certainly, these headphones are quite large and they come with pads which are large enough to cover even the most gigantic of ears. The sound quality is not what you get in every cheap headphone, there’s enough bass to make it cool to use. Overall, AKG K72 is a great buy.
Features
- Type: Closed-back.
- Headband: Self-adjusting.
- Cable: 3m.
Price: $49.99
Pros
- Extremely comfortable to wear.
- Excellent value for the price.
Cons
- Coloured, boxy mids.
2. AKG Y50
The AKG Y50 is a pair of exceptionally built headphones that are designed with aluminium ear cups along with 40mm drivers.
They deliver a glossy and smooth feel when worn in the ears. Over the years, AKG Y50s have been award winners and would be a great option for anyone looking for cheap headphones to buy.
They appear stylish and helps to deliver the kind of rhythmic sound you’re craving to get.
Features
- Type: On-ear.
- Driver: 40mm.
- Finishes: 4.
- Connector: 3.5mm.
- Controls: In-line remote and mic.
Price: $94.99
Pros
- Rhythmic, clear and detailed.
- Dynamic and punchy.
- It is portable.
Cons
- Sources might need to be turned up.
- Ears get warm after a while.
3. Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd
If you are looking for an affordable headphone to replace you ageing Apple EarPods, the Beyerdynamic Soul Byrd is the perfect substitute you can possibly get. They give clear sound and are fun to use. These budget headphones are interesting to use as they bring out the bass and true sound of your favourite songs.
Features
- Type: In-ear.
- Cable: 1.2m.
- Controls: In-line remote and mic.
- Compatible: Android/iOS.
- Connector: 3.5mm.
Price: $78.98
Pros
- Nicely balanced sound.
- Clear, detailed delivery.
- Impressive rhythmically.
Cons
- Nothing at this price.
4. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1
If you are changing your earbud due to its abysmal sound experience, then you should be getting the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1. They provide an intuitive, expansive, cohesive and rhythmically driven sound – which is difficult to find in cheap wireless earbuds.
They come with excellent battery life which assures you of up to 9 hours of use.
Features
- In-line remote and mic.
- OS support: Android/iOS.
- Bluetooth connectivity.
- Noise-cancelling: No.
- 9 hours of battery life (45 hours with charging case).
Price: $129.95
Pros
- Detailed and insightful sound.
- Reliable Bluetooth.
- Stellar battery life.
Cons
- Some may find the fit difficult.
- Not the most stylish design.
5. JBL Reflect Flow
JBL is a force to reckon with – especially in the headphones industry. These pair of wireless headphones are great, they offer amazing sound quality. You can take it along with you to the gym and enjoy bass-heavy music. The battery life is awesome, you get up to 10 hours.
Features
- In-line remote and mic.
- OS support: Android/iOS.
- Bluetooth: Yes.
- Noise-cancelling: No.
- Battery life: 10 hours (30 hours with charging case).
Price: $149.95
Pros
- Good detail.
- Strong bass depth.
- Long battery life.
Cons
- Can be beaten for dynamics.
- Carrying case is a bit big.
6. JVC HA-ETR40
If your choice is to get a sporty material, what you need is a pair of headphones that provides decent sound and fits comfortably in your ears.
Although cheap headphones do suffer from thinness and brightness, the JVC HA-ETR40 has been built to defeat these barriers. They come at a decent weight and the sound quality is balanced.
The JVC HA-ETR40 are extremely affordable. Also, they are water-resistant, so you can give them a thorough wash after use. It comes with excellent battery life for users to use it for long hours without any form of discomfort.
Features
- Cable length: 60-120cm.
- Ambient earplugs.
- Waterproof: IPX7 washable.
Price: $31.94
Pros
- Balanced, detailed sound.
- Fast and punchy.
- Secure, comfortable fit.
Cons
- Rivals have more subtlety.
- No volume controls on the mic.
- No case.
7. Klipsch TM5 Wired
The Klipsch TM5 Wired is an affordable choice for you to get right now. They are not only affordable but also comfortable to wear. Underneath this headphone is the TM5’s 5mm dynamic drivers which brings out powerful and punchy bass with exquisite precision.
Also, they are dynamic and offers a detailed sound – whether you are using them for watching videos on YouTube, streaming on Spotify or watching blockbuster movies on Netflix.
Features
- Connector: 3.5mm.
- In-line remote and mic: Yes.
- OS support: Android/iOS.
- Bluetooth: No.
Price: $80
Pros
- Impressive, comfortable fit.
- Detailed, dynamic sound.
- Even tonal balance.
Cons
- Can generate cable noise.
- No volume control.
8. Lindy BNX-60
Perhaps, one of the best budget headphones on this list. You can kill two birds using one stone by getting the Lindy BNX-60. Lindy’s BNX-60 is not an ordinary material, it is extremely comfortable and it comes with lots of features.
You can connect it to your mobile device using Bluetooth, the noise-cancelling feature is optional, you can use to turn it on or off.
Overall, Lindy’s BNX-60 is a great value pair of noise-cancelling headphones to get at a budget-friendly price.
Features
- Connectivity: Bluetooth.
- Noise-cancelling: Yes.
- Battery life: 15hr.
- Adapter: 6.3mm.
- Charging: USB.
Price: $102.16
Pros
- Great value.
- Detailed, solid sound.
- Noise-cancelling
- Wireless functionality.
Cons
- Treble a little muffled in standard mode.
9. Sony WF-1000X
Sony’s WF-1000X offers you the benefit of noise-cancellation. Just lie its successor (Sony WF-1000XM3), they are one of the best-sounding headphones on the market. You get great sound quality and they are built with Apple Siri voice assistants and Google Assistant.
Features
- In-line remote and mic.
- OS support: Android/iOS.
- Bluetooth: Yes.
- Noise-cancelling: Yes.
- Battery life is 3 hours (9 hours with the charging case).
Price: $91.74
Pros
- Excellent with timing and dynamics.
- Truly wireless.
- Decent noise-cancelling.
Cons
- Occasional wireless dropout.
10. SoundMagic E11C
The SoundMagic E11C headphones are one of the headphones you can get at a fairly cheap rate. Its previous model (E10) was loved by most users and the E11C is a new model which comes with upgraded features. It also comes with remote control and a mic.
Features
- Type: In-ear.
- Cable: 1.2m.
- Controls: In-line remote and mic.
- Compatible: Android/iOS.
- Connector: 3.5mm.
Price: $49.99
Pros
- Entertaining sound.
- Remote and mic.
- Easy to drive.
Cons
- Timing isn’t perfect.