We aim to show you that it’s simpler than ever to find excellent headphones on a budget with this list of the top 10 best headphones under $50. There are some good options that give tremendous value and may compete with much more expensive models without having a negative impact on your budget, despite the fact that there are also a number of cheap headphones available that you should avoid. I only want to include items in this buyer’s guide that I would think about purchasing in 2019 if I wanted to spend less than $50.
Table of Contents
List of the Top 12 Best Headphones Under $50 in 2023
12. The best closed-back headphones under $50 are the Status Audio CB-1.
- CB-1 Status Audio
- Attractive
- Sound Isolation
- Premium Audio
In 2019, the Status Audio CB-1 earned the award for best budget headphone, and it still holds up well in 2023. Its closed-back design effectively muffles noise, and the headband and earpads are very plush. We especially appreciate the subtle style, free of gaudy branding, and the well-chosen color scheme.
The sound has a neutral tune and is quite detailed. You may get a taste of what more costly headphones sound like because it works well with practically every genre. What makes them the best? Check out the website below to see if there are any sales happening because they are virtually half the price they were when they were originally released.
11. BEST SOUNDING CHEAP OPEN-BACK HEADPHONES, SUPERLUX HD681 EVO
- Headphones Superlux HD681
- Headphones Superlux HD681
- outstanding sound
- Closed Back
- Velour pads make it extremely comfortable.
We recently learned about the Superlux HD681 Evo’s low-cost brilliance. Since then, they have consistently ranked as one of the top headphones for those seeking an audiophile sound experience without the exorbitant price.
The Evo is the most affordable headphone on this list and, in my opinion, has the best sound quality. For a headphone that costs around $50, it is detailed, balanced, and has an absurd amount of space and soundstage.
They feature a respectable build quality, two pad options (Pleather and Velour), and are ridiculously comfortable.
If you explore around on internet audio forums, you will find a wide range of possibilities for customizing Superlux headphones to your preferences. The cables are replaceable with aftermarket options.
10. The BEST CHEAP PORTABLE HEADPHONES are KOSS PORTA PRO.
- On a wooden desk, Koss Porta Pro on-ear headphones.
- Best portable headphones under $100: Koss Porta Pro Headphones
- The Porta Pro by Koss is the winner of the best portable headphone under $100 due to its tiny size and excellent quality.
- Exceptional Design
- Compact
- among the top-performing headphones under $50
An iconic pair of headphones is the Koss Porta Pro. Despite being around for more than 25 years, they continue to rank among the best-selling headphones worldwide.
The sound is the main attraction, not the small size and nearly indestructible architecture. You receive a nice, balanced sound that is full of information and has a clear, sharp quality that is unmatched by earbuds under $50.
If you’re feeling daring, the Koss can be modified in a variety of ways to take them to even higher levels at no additional cost.
Another important factor in the success of these headphones is their retro design. They appear unlike anything else currently on the market, making them instantly recognized for those in the know.
9. The best studio monitors under $50 are the Audio Technica M20X.
- excellent construction
- Suitable for Isolation
The ATH-smaller M50x’s brother, the M20x, is incredibly popular. These affordable headphones have so much of the DNA of the more expensive model leaking into them that they are truly tough to beat as a set of all-arounders.
The build quality is excellent for the price, and the sound is crisp and focused with a strong bass end punch. They are built to last because they are primarily intended to be used as a set of inexpensive studio monitors.
Although they are very large, these are perfectly styled and, despite their size, are easily transportable due to their low profile.
8. A FUN PORTABLE HEADPHONE: SHURE SRH-145
- Extremely portable
- Durable
- Sound-quality built-in microphone
The Shure SRH145 is a fantastic choice if you’re searching for a reliable pair of headphones for traveling or are just a lover of the on-ear headphone’s smaller size.
Deceptively velvety earpads are combined with a decent, robust headband that folds up to make the headphones positively tiny. For those who are constantly on the run and don’t want to deal with hauling about some of the heavier items on this list, this is a perfect option.
These headphones rest right on top of your outer ear because they are on-ear models. Before buying, I would advise you to either try them on or become familiar with the style because some people find this particular headphone style uncomfortable during extended listening periods.
7. SUPER CHEAP STUDIO HEADPHONE (MONOPRICE 8323)
- Excellent monitoring headphones around $100
- dull audio presentation
The 8323 is a good option if all you want are some reasonably priced headphones with good sound that you won’t be disappointed if they break. Both the build and the sound quality are unremarkable, but when you consider that they only cost half of the amount we allocated for this post, they start to look fairly appealing.
6. ANKER SOUNDCORE LIFE Q20 – BEST EARPHONES FOR NOISE CANCELLATION
- Lots of technology for the price
- operating noise cancellation
- Wireless
- excellent construction
The list’s hardest striking headphones are the Anker Soundcore Life Q20. This is the headphone you should get if you want wireless functionality and noise canceling because it is jam-packed with technology and still of high quality.
The headphones fit nicely with most genres and provide a lively bass tone. Not the most detailed, but I enjoy that I can activate the ANC and eliminate the majority of the background noise in my immediate environment.
The comfort and build quality are both pleasantly surprise. With a single charge, the battery lasts for more than 40 hours, and in regular wireless mode, it lasts for an astounding 60 hours. Excellent headphones for the money.
5. EDIFIER H840 8 Headphone Under $50
The 840 don’t have the most attractive set of headphones on our list, but their sound quality makes them deserving of praise.
The closed-back design of these headphones provides above-average isolation from outside noise, making them an excellent choice for the office. They are quite nicely crafted, and the plush cushioning added to the comfort, which also won us over.
The H840 gives more than other headphones in terms of advancing the midrange’s clarity and extending into the upper notes. The sound is mellow and delightfully clean. They sound incredibly accurate and clear for the price, thanks to this. one without an excessive amount of added sound coloring.
4. THE BEST CHEAP GAMING HEADSET IS THE JBL QUANTUM 100
- Gamer’s headset with a microphone
- Comfortable
- made well
Our selection of the best headphones under $50 only includes one gaming headset, and they offer excellent value for the money. If you don’t have much money to spend on gaming, investing more in your computer and accessories will improve your experience. Really, the only things you give up with the Quantum 100 are materials and style.
With flat, clean sound and a decent-sounding built-in mic, this headset excels at the fundamentals. Due to the big, well-padded earpads, we also discovered that they were incredibly comfortable to wear for lengthy sessions.
3. THE MARLEY REBEL HOUSE
- contemporary on-ear headphones
- dependable Bluetooth connection
- very well constructed
Normally, I wouldn’t choose a pair of trendy headphones. What about finding something that sounds nice, looks good, and isn’t too expensive? I always give sound preference above styling.
The House of Marley wireless satisfied my needs thanks to its Bluetooth compatibility, straightforward design, and enjoyable yet warm sound.
A single charge lasts for 10 hours of playback, and although being entirely made of plastic, they feel quite well made.
The headphone’s inability to fold due to the headband’s single-piece design was the only item we didn’t like during the testing procedure.
2. SAMSON SR850 Headphone Under 50 Bucks
- The Samson SR850 are a superb, affordable open-back headphone.
- Headphones by Samson SR850 with Colorfly C3 DAP
- Outstandingly well-balanced sound
- They can advance with inexpensive mods.
One of the first headphones I ever tested was the Samson SR850, and for budget audiophiles today, they continue to hold up well.
They rival the Superlux headphones at the top of this list with their exquisitely clean and precise sound.
They have an open back, which makes the sound spacious, and you can make a few easy adjustments to customize them to your preferences.
The style of studio monitors is fantastic, and they are also really cozy to wear during extended listening sessions.
1. MONOPRICE BT 300ANC Under 50$ Headphones
- ANC and Bluetooth
- terrific for travel
- fun bass sound
These large, full-size Monoprice headphones are made for travel. One significant benefit of the large size is the enormous driver hidden inside.
The BT 300ANC performs admirably throughout a wide range of musical genres, but it especially shines when it comes to EDM and other electronic music with powerful bass.
Although the headphone is an unabashed budget bass monster, the high notes have just enough glitter to keep up and mix the sound.
They also include rapid control buttons and noise-cancelling technology.
13. SENNHEISER HD206 Cheap Headphone
Get it now on Amazon.com- A durable, reliable headphone
- Classical Style
When producing music and for monitoring, neutral sound is effective.
The Sennheiser HD206 is a dependable entry-level headphone for the Sennheiser Brand and has been in existence for many years. Another pair of workhorse headphones is this one. It is intended to be a low-cost alternative for students, musicians, and studios who abuse their headphones frequently.
The comfort is tolerable, and the sound is neutral and flat. Additionally, it’s a running joke that all that will be left after the end of the world are cockroaches and Sennheiser HD206 headphones, so I suppose that speaks to their long-term endurance.
WHICH FEATURES TO CHECK IN HEADPHONES UNDER $50
There are lots of choices for headphones around $50, as I have indicated. The majority of people appear to be content with paying this amount, but it does not mean they should accept anything less expensive. Price at this stage in the market does not correspond to build or sound quality.
Because of the economies of scale, some headphone manufacturers can provide their products at low prices. For instance, Sony and JVC sell a lot of headphones in this price range, which means that production costs are lower because of the competition and the factories’ huge batch orders. Small businesses that expand through word of mouth and don’t have a marketing budget that drives up prices can, nevertheless, also be competitive.
Finally, the expansion of the Chinese high-end market is difficult to ignore. Here at Audiophile, we discuss this a lot. Generic brand Chinese enterprises have switched from manufacturing low-quality crap to some amazing value audio items like headphones, earphones, and DAPs during the past ten years (Digital Audio Players).
A significant challenge to the major audio brands, China’s low production and design costs allow them to produce affordable headphones that can compete with those costing many times as much.
AVOID GETTING BUDGET HEADPHONES JUST FOR FASHION
I find that getting the best-looking pair of inexpensive headphones is the largest error people make. I concur that this is crucial because the headphones’ style can complement your own. The Beats headphones are available in a variety of colors for a purpose, after all.
There are three other factors to think about when buying new headphones if you want to use them frequently. Comfort, constructability, and audio quality. You will have to compromise in each area to stay under $50, but it usually works out best in the long run if you think about the performance and usage you will get out of your headphones.
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ALWAYS BUY RENOWNED BRAND ITEMS.
As was already noted, one of the most astounding developments in audio technology in recent years is the “ChiFi” revolution (Chinese Hifi). In the past, if you wanted quality, you would search for companies with names like Sony, Bose, JVC, etc. Things have changed, and a large number of Chinese businesses have emerged to provide good value. Better than ever are inexpensive headphones.
These Chinese startups are producing headphones with great quality at costs we could only imagine a few years ago. Because of this, those in the know who are well-versed in the field of audiophile headphones have searched far and wide to locate the greatest solutions for you that cost less than $50.
In some situations, a set of $200+ headphones from well-known brand names can sound better than a pair of sub-$50 headphones from a relatively obscure headphone business.
On-ear vs. over-the-ear headphones
Both on-ear and over-ear headphones under $50 will be covered in this category. User preference ultimately determines why one should be preferred over the other. For instance, if you just intend to use your headphones at home or at work, over-ear full-size headphones may be more comfortable for you. On-ear headphones have a more compact form, which you might prefer if you travel frequently or have limited space when doing so.
During our testing over the previous few years, we discovered that both types of headphones can produce excellent sound. As a result, we normally suggest that you take another look at your intended use for your headphones and select the model that best meets your requirements.
THE BENEFIT OF OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
- the outer ear is typically less compressed, making it more pleasant.
- The greater size allows for the housing of larger drives.
- tends to better insulate from outside noise
PERKS OF ON-EAR HEADPHONES
- typically smaller
- lighter as a result of using less materials while building
- less prone to the development of heat in the ear area.
- Open-back versus closed-back headphones
Again, both types of headphones are given above, and it is crucial to take your intended use into account before making a choice. When traveling or commuting, closed-back headphones are ideal since they can block out a lot more outside noise than open-back models. When done properly, an open back has some pretty interesting acoustic characteristics and may sound quite airy and spacious.