With our ranking of the best headphones available for less than fifty dollars, we hope to demonstrate that acquiring high-quality cans at an affordable price is now simpler than ever before. While it is true that there are also a lot of cheap headphones out there that you want to avoid, there are also some excellent options that offer a tremendous value and can compete with much more expensive models without having a negative effect on your wallet. There are also some excellent options that offer tremendous value and can compete with models that are significantly more expensive. In this buyer’s guide, I only want to highlight those things that I would think about purchasing if I were wanting to spend less than fifty dollars in 2019.
List of the 12 Best Headphones Under $50 in 2023
1. The Status Audio CB-1 is the best closed-back headphone that costs less than $50.
- Current Audio Status CB-1
- Inviting and Cozy
- Absorbing or Isolating Noise
- Premium Sound
The Status Audio CB-1 was awarded our pick for best budget headphone of the year in 2019, and it remains every bit as amazing as it was two years later in 2023. Both the headband and the earpads are very comfortable, while the closed-back construction of the headphones blocks out a significant amount of ambient noise. We also like how the design isn’t over the top, with no flashing logos and a color scheme that’s been done tastefully.
The sound is incredibly precise and has a tune that is neither emphasized or emphasized at all. You may get a sense of the sound quality of more costly headphones by using it, and it works well with practically any musical genre. What do you like best about them? Check out the link below to see if there are any offers now being offered, as the price of these items has dropped to about half of what it was when they were initially introduced.
2. BEST SOUNDING CHEAP OPEN-BACK HEADPHONES, SUPERLUX HD681 EVO
- Headphones of the Superlux HD681 model
- Headphones of the Superlux HD681 model
- Excellent sound
- Open Back
- Velour padding ensures a high level of comfort.
A few years back, we learned about the Superlux HD681 Evo and its excellent performance at an affordable price. Since that time, they have become one of the headphones that are suggested the most to individuals who are looking for a taste of audiophile sound but don’t want to spend an exorbitant amount of money doing so.
The Evo offers outstanding value for the price, and in my opinion, it is the headset that has the best sound quality among all five options. Detailed and well-balanced, with an unbelievable amount of open air and depth for a headset that costs less than $50
In addition to having two different pad options (leather and velour), they have a good build quality and are amazingly comfortable.
You can locate aftermarket solutions for replacing the cables, and if you browse around on internet audio forums, you can find a wide variety of options for customizing Superlux headphones to suit your particular preferences and requirements.
3. The KOSS PORTA PRO are the top budget travel headphones.
- Legendary Design
- Compact
- One of the best-sounding headphones available for less than fifty dollars.
A pair of Koss Porta Pro on-ear headphones sitting on a desk made of wood. The Koss Porta Pro Headphones are the best portable headphones available for less than one hundred dollars. The Porta Pro by Koss is the winner of the award for the finest portable headphone that costs less than $100 because to its compact design and excellent sound.
The Koss Porta Pro is regarded as a classic model of headphone. Even though they have been on the market for more than 25 years, they continue to be one of the most popular pairs of headphones anywhere in the world.
The sound is the most important aspect of this product, even if it has a small footprint and a construction that is nearly indestructible. You won’t find a sound as wonderful and well-balanced as this one, with as much detail and as much clear clarity, in earbuds costing less than $50.
If you are feeling adventurous, there are several mods for the Koss that can elevate them to an even higher level at no additional expense. If you want to learn more, check out this article.
The fact that they have a vintage look is another important factor in their widespread popularity. Those in the know can spot them in an instant since they look completely different from anything else that is available on the market right now.
4. The Audio-Technica M20X is One of the Best Studio Monitors for Less Than $50
- Excellent build quality
- Excellent for solitary pursuits
The ATH-M20x is the more affordable sibling of the incredibly successful ATH-M50x. Because the more costly model’s DNA has been transferred into the design of these more affordable headphones, it will be difficult to find a better all-around pair of headphones than these.
The sound is clear and tight, with a decent solid punch to the bass end, and the build quality is superb, especially considering the price. They are primarily intended to be utilized as a pair of low-cost studio monitors, and as such, they are constructed to survive for an extended period of time.
The style of these is spot on, and despite the fact that they are very large, the fact that they have a low profile makes them appropriate for use as portable accessories if necessary.
5. THE SHURE SRH-145 IS A REWARDINGLY PORTABLE HEADSET
- Ultra Portable
- Durable
- Integrated microphone with a high-quality sound output
The Shure SRH145 is an excellent choice to consider purchasing if you are interested in purchasing a reliable set of headphones for traveling or if you simply like the more compact design of an on-ear headset.
A excellent, robust headband that can fold up to make the headphones practically inconspicuous is matched with a set of earpads that deceive in terms of their level of plushness. A good choice for folks who are constantly on the move and don’t want the hassle of hauling around some of the more cumbersome solutions included on our list.
It is important to note that these are on-ear headphones, which means that they sit right on top of your external ear. Because this sort of headphones can be uncomfortable for some individuals to wear for extended listening sessions, I would advise you to either become familiar with them beforehand or give them a test drive before making a purchase.
6. The MONOPRICE 8323 is an incredibly affordable studio headphone.
- Excellent in-ear monitor headphones at a reasonable price
- Presentation of sound that is flat
The 8323 is a fantastic option for you if all you need are some headphones that don’t break the bank but still deliver a satisfying listening experience and aren’t too important to you in case they get broken. There is nothing particularly exceptional about the construction or the sound quality, but when you take into account that they cost merely half of the budget that we set for this post, then they start to look very good.
7. The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are the finest noise-cancelling headphones available.
- A lot of technological advancement for the cost
- functioning devices that block out noise
- Wireless
- Superior constructional quality.
On the list, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is the pair of headphones that delivers the most powerful punch. This is the wireless headset that you should purchase if you want to be able to cancel out background noise and it is packed to the brim with cutting-edge technology.
The headphones have a lively bassy sound to them, and they are compatible with a wide variety of musical styles. Although it’s not the most extensive explanation, one of the things I enjoy most about having active noise cancellation is that it allows me to block out the majority of the surrounding ambient noise.
Both the construction quality and the level of comfort are unexpectedly high. The battery life is impressive, with over 40 hours available from a single charge and a mind-boggling 60 hours available when operating in regular wireless mode. Incredible sound quality considering the price of these headphones.
8. EDIFIER H840 Affordable Headphones
Simple and inexpensive headphones that, for the price, have a nice analytical sound. The 840 are not going to win any awards for having the most attractive design among the headphones on our list; nonetheless, due to the fact that they have an excellent sound quality, they are deserving of consideration.
Because of its closed-back design, which provides above-average isolation from ambient noise, these would make an excellent pair of headphones for use in the workplace. Because of the ample cushioning, not only are they expertly crafted, but the level of comfort they provide also won us over.
The sound is silky and surprisingly clear, and the H840 excels beyond the capabilities of most headphones by bringing the transparency of the midrange forward and extending it into the higher notes. Because of this, the sound quality of the headphones is quite clear and accurate, especially considering the price. one in which there is not an excessive amount of additional colour added to the sound.
9. The JBL Quantum 100 is the best budget gaming headset currently available.
- Gaming headset that has a microphone integrated into it
- Comfortable
- Well made
This is the only gaming headset that made it onto our list of the best headphones for less than $50, and you definitely get your money’s worth with them. If you do not have a lot of money to spend on gaming, you will have a better experience if you invest more money in your computer and other peripherals rather than spending money on headphones. Aside from the materials and the design, the Quantum 100 doesn’t leave much to be desired in terms of its features.
This headset excels at the fundamentals, providing sound that is both clean and flat with an integrated mic that performs to a satisfactory level. Due to the fact that they had wide, well-padded earpads, we discovered that they were incredibly pleasant to wear for extended periods of time.
10. HOUSE OF MARLEY REBEL Headphones
- Headphones that are on the cutting edge of fashion
- Excellent reception on the bluetooth device
- Very solid construction.
In most cases, I would avoid purchasing a pair of headphones that are considered to be stylish. I always put sound first, and then styling, so I’m interested in finding something that not only looks beautiful but also sounds excellent and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
The House of Marley wireless met all of my requirements, including having Bluetooth connectivity, having simple and clean designs, and having a sound characteristic that was both friendly and engaging.
Even though they are made entirely of plastic, they have a fairly solid feel to them despite providing only 10 hours of playback on a single charge.
Because the headband is constructed from a single piece, it is not possible to fold the headphones, which was the one aspect of the testing procedure that we did not find to be satisfactory.
11. SAMSON SR850 Headphones Low Price
- The Samson SR850, which are a great headset for a low price and an open back design.
- headphones by Samson, model SR850; digital audio player, Colorfly C3 DAP
- Sound that is quite outstanding and well-balanced.
- They can be taken to the next level with rather inexpensive mods.
The Samson SR850 was one of the very first pairs of headphones that I ever reviewed, and to this day, they continue to be a reliable option for audiophiles on a tight budget.
These headphones are competitors to the Superlux headphones that decorated the top of this list due to the extremely clear and detailed sound they produce.
They feature open backs, so the sound is very expansive, and you also have the ability to apply a few simple adjustments to tune them to your own personal preference. These headphones are quite versatile.
The studio monitors have wonderful aesthetics, and more importantly, they are quite comfortable to wear for extended periods of time during listening sessions.
12. MONOPRICE BT 300ANC
- Bluetooth, in addition to ANC
- Excellent for transport
- A joyful and bass-heavy sound
These headphones from Monoprice are large full-size cans built specifically for portability. The large size offers a significant benefit in the form of the enormous driver that is concealed within.
The BT 300ANC performs admirably across a wide range of musical styles, but it shines brightest when used for electronic dance music and other electronic types that emphasize deep bass.
Everything is an unabashed budget bass monster of a headphone, yet there is enough sparkle in the high notes to keep pace with the rest of the sound and mix it together.
In addition, they come with with noise-cancelling technology as well as buttons for instant control.
13. SENNHEISER HD206 Personal Headphone
Get it now on Amazon.com- A solid and long-lasting pair of headphones.
- Traditional Appearance
- Monitoring and production of music both benefit from the use of neutral sound.
A design that has been around for years, the Sennheiser HD206 is a cornerstone in the Sennheiser Brand’s lineup of entry-level headphones. It features a 40 mm driver unit. Another pair of headphones that are intended to be used frequently is presented here. It is designed to be a cost-effective alternative for students, musicians, and recording studios that are hard on their headphones and experience a lot of wear and tear.
The sound is unremarkable and uninteresting, and the level of comfort is good. It is a running joke that when the world ends, the only things that will be left are cockroaches and Sennheiser HD206 headphones, which I believe is a testimonial to the headphones’ ability to withstand the test of time.
How to Choose the Best Headphones for Under $50
As I was saying earlier, there are a lot of different headphone options available for less than fifty dollars. It appears to be the price that the majority of people are okay with paying, but it does not imply that they should accept whatever is available for the lowest price. The price does not reflect either the sound quality or the build quality at this time in the market.
Because of economies of scale, certain headphone manufacturers are able to provide their products at competitively low prices. For instance, Sony and JVC sell a significant quantity of headphones in this price range; hence, production costs are reduced as a result of rivalry brought on by huge batch orders placed at the manufacturers. On the other hand, small businesses that expand through word of mouth and do not have a marketing budget that boosts prices are also capable of being competitive in their markets.
Lastly, the expansion of the high-end audio consumer market in China is difficult to dismiss. At Audiophile, this is a topic that receives a lot of attention and discussion. Generic brand Chinese enterprises have transitioned from creating low-quality crap to some great value audio items such as headphones, earbuds, and DAPs over the course of the past decade (Digital Audio Players).
Due to the fact that the costs of production and design are so much lower in China, the country has become a real challenge to the big brand audio firms and is now able to produce inexpensive headphones that can compete with those that are many times more expensive.
Do not buy cheap headphones just because they’re in style.
When it comes to selecting inexpensive headphones, the most common mistake that people do is going for the model that has the most appealing appearance. I concur that this is a vital consideration because the design of the headphones should complement your personal sense of taste. After all, there is a rationale behind the availability of the Beats headphones in such a wide variety of color options.
If, on the other hand, you anticipate using them on a regular basis, you should give some thought to the following three aspects before acquiring new headphones: Comfort, the Quality of the Build, and the Sound Quality At a price of less than fifty dollars, you will be required to make concessions in each category; however, you will likely enjoy the most success in the long run if you give some thought to both the level of performance you require from your headphones and the manner in which you are most likely to put them to use.
IT IS NOT ALWAYS NECESSARY TO BUY FROM WELL-ESTABLISHED COMPANIES
As was just stated, one of the most incredible developments in audio technology that has taken place over the course of the past several years is what is referred to as the “ChiFi” revolution (Chinese Hifi). In the past, if you desired quality, you would go for a brand like as Sony, Bose, JVC, or another similar name. Things are different now, and numerous companies have emerged from China that provide value for the money that they charge. These days, headphones that don’t break the bank are better than ever.
These Chinese companies are producing headphones with outstanding sound quality at prices that just a few years ago were unimaginable even in our wildest dreams. Because of this, those who are knowledgeable about the audiophile headphone market and are immersed in it have searched high and low to uncover the greatest solutions for you that cost less than $50.
When compared to a set of headphones that cost more than $200 and are manufactured by well-known brand names, headphones that cost less than $50 and come from a headphone firm that is relatively obscure can sometimes have superior sound quality.
WIRELESS HEADPHONES THAT GO OVER YOUR EAR VS. IN-EAR HEADPHONES
In this section, we will discuss headphones that fit on the ear as well as headphones that fit over the ear that cost less than $50. The preference of the user should determine which option is selected above the other two options. For instance, if you just intend to use your headphones at home or at the office, you could find that the additional comfort offered by full-size over-ear headphones is more suitable for your preferences. On the other hand, if you do a lot of traveling or are constrained for space when doing so, you could find that the more compact design of an on-ear headphone is more convenient for you.
During our research and testing conducted over the past few years, we discovered that both types of headphones can produce a satisfyingly high-quality sound. As a consequence of this, our standard recommendation would be for you to reconsider how you want to use your headphones and pick the pair that is the most appropriate for your circumstances.
ADVANTAGE: OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
- In most cases, one experiences less discomfort and pressure on the exterior of the ear.
- Because of its bigger dimensions, it is capable of accommodating larger drivers.
- Typically provide greater protection from the noise of the surrounding environment
ADVANTAGES: ON-EAR HEADPHONES
- Typically more condensed in size
- lighter as a result of the reduced amount of material used in its construction
- Less prone to the accumulation of heat in the ear canal and surrounding area.
HEADPHONES WITH CLOSED BACKS VS. HEADPHONES WITH OPEN BACKS
You will see that both types of headphones are listed above, and once again, it is essential to take into account how you want to use your headphones before making a choice regarding which is superior. A closed-back design on a pair of headphones is preferable to an open-back design in situations where you need to filter out a significant amount of ambient noise, such as while you are commuting or flying. When properly executed, an open back can produce a sound that is exceptionally open and expansive, thanks to its very distinctive acoustic qualities.