1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best value
4. Best ANC
5. Best buds under $25
6. Best buds for sound
7. Best earphones
8. How to choose
9. How we test
10. Best deals
The best cheap headphones are all about getting maximum quality for the smallest possible investment. That’s not to say that these are just the cheapest working headphones and earbuds we can find; we’ve tested them all to make sure that despite their low prices, they really can deliver on sound quality, comfort and practicality.
The headphones selected here aren’t the best overall, but they're reliable and serve up decent sound quality with music and podcasts for a fraction of the cost of some models from more established brands. Read on to find out our pick of the best cheap headphones that won't stretch your wallet.
The quick list
The best cheap wireless headphones overall block out around 85% of external sounds thanks to their strong ANC performance. Battery life lasts for 50 hours with ANC on, they have good sound and superb call quality.
These combine much of what we love about the Sony's flagship XM5 headphones, but at an entry-level price. There's no noise canceling but they deliver a big nuanced sound and support 360 Reality Audio via the app.
These headphones offer premium sound features and ANC performance at the entry-level price. They have Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC codec support, customizable sound, multipoint technology, and strong quick charging.
The best cheap headphones you can buy today
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Best cheap headphones overall
With remarkable battery life that lasts up to 50 hours with ANC on and strong performance across the board, these are the best cheap headphones right now. Our reviewer found that they were able to showcase higher quality music streams, and they also rank as one of the best cheap noise canceling headphones for value thanks to their noise cancelation performance that managed managed to block out 85% of incidental sounds in all environments during our tests.
These headphones are also good for call quality handling, with the combination of strong ANC and a mic array that worked surprisingly well during our test calls. They also have some of the strongest quick-charging technology and claim to achieve around 5 hours of playtime from a 5-minute power top up, which is greater than some high-end models can achieve.
Best value cheap headphones
If you're looking for Sony's great control app experience but don't want spend big on its WH-1000XM5 flagship model, these are the ones for you. The Sony WH-CH520 on-ear headphones combine much of what we love about the company's upmarket headphone designs, and are a great value option for those on a budget.
These affordable on-ears pick up from where their WH-CH510 predecessor left off and boast significantly longer battery life, a quicker charge time, and the option to fine-tune the audio settings to make the most of your music via a bunch of useful sound tools in the Sony Headphones Connect app. They weigh just 5.1 ounces, but have a solid and sturdy feel, with an extendable headband that doesn’t become flimsy at maximum reach.
Sound quality was impressive during our tests, delivering a thumping but nuanced bass and crisp midrange, and there's support for Sony's 360 Reality Audio via the app too. There's no noise canceling and the built-in mics is serviceable for calls at best, but the Sony WH-CH520 headphones are a useful cheap option for casual listening at home and the workplace.
- Read the full Sony WH-CH520 review
Best ANC under $100
We've been very impressed by the Anker Soundcore Space One for their premium sound features and ANC performance at the entry-level price. The have Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC codec support, customizable sound, multipoint technology, and some of the strongest quick charging out there. A safe volume settings add to the lengthy list of features. The adaptive ANC can be personalized via different listening modes to your liking, and is an impressive feature at the price.
Performance is above what we expected, with strong bass levels and a re-engineered sound profile that brings greater clarity to mids and highs. Unlike several cheap headphone designs, the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones are available in several attractive color options including jet black, latte cream and sky blue colorways.
- Read our full Anker Soundcore Space One review
Best cheap wireless earbuds under $25
The JLab Go Air Pro is proof, housing a dynamic soundstage and 32-hour battery inside a sturdy, IPX4-protected design for sweat and water resistance. Three EQs are programmed into the buds, each one capable of enhancing sound quality based on your preference. Bass Boost is self-explanatory, while Balanced gives audio a neutral presence and JLab Signature offers a bit of both; we recommend sticking with the latter.
Up to 8 hours per charge is generous for buds this inexpensive, so is bundling the buds with a compact charging case that holds 4 extra charges and comes with an integrated USB cable for charging on the go. The different color options are enticing too: black, lilac, slate, rose, and teal.
- Read our full JLab Go Air Pop review
Best cheap wireless earbuds for sound
Sony's WF-C500 earbuds may not wow you with their looks, but arguably these are the best wireless earbuds under $100. Music sounds punchy and although their profile might not be as depth-filled as the Sony WF-1000XM4, you can expect powerful lows and crisp highs, along with under-emphasized mids. Should you want to tweak the sound, there’s the Equalizer feature in the Sony Headphones Connect app to manually adjust frequencies or select from nine presets that prioritize different sonic elements, depending on the music genre or content.
The WF-C500 isn’t perfect, though, with slightly impractical controls that can inflict some discomfort when attempting to activate, and mediocre capacity from the charging case. However, these are trivial complaints when factoring in the level of sound Sony has managed to engineer into these tiny buds, and they're a bargain-priced model that really shouldn't be overlooked.
- Read our full Sony WF-C500 review
Best cheap wireless earphones
Did you ever think Beats would release $50 wireless earbuds? Neither did we, but fortunately for budget shoppers, the Flex is a no-brainer purchase if you want many of Beats’ hallmarks (e.g. flashy design, long playtimes, acceptable call quality) in a super-affordable package. Even with Apple’s older W1 processor at the helm, you’re given plenty of useful features to work with, including easy pairing with iDevices, Fast-Fuel technology to speed up charging, and audio sharing. We’re also surprised by how good the audio quality is on these buds, particularly with movies and podcasts.
It is disappointing to see that there is no water or sweat resistance, plus the bass levels don’t knock as hard as they should for a device bearing the Beats logo. However, performance is equally balanced in almost every category.
- See our full Beats Flex review
How to choose
5 things to consider when selecting the best cheap headphones
Just because you’re spending less doesn’t mean you’re settling for less. You want to get the most bang for your buck when shopping for the best cheap headphones, and the one way to ensure this is by checking off a few essentials from the list.
Many factors come into play when shopping for the best cheap headphones, but your decision should always come down to intended use. That being said, you’ll want to take the following categories into account before settling on any pair.
1. Design: Are you looking for in-ear, on-ear or over-ear headphones? Wired or wireless? Since these are headphones that will be used for multiple occasions, you want something that suits your lifestyle. Whatever type you choose, make sure the headphones are well built, easy to carry, and comfy to wear for about 1 to 2 hours daily.
2. Sound quality: Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings. Some models offer personalized sound via companion app, which allows the user to create their own profiles and tweak EQ levels to their hearing.
3. Battery life: Models like Sennheiser's 60-hour battery life are a real crowd pleaser, but most wireless over-ear headphones typically manage around half that. Wireless earbuds can last about 5 to 10 hours and offer extended playtime with their bundled charging cases — always make sure one is included.
4. Accessories: It's disappointing spending money on a new pair of headphones only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. For wired models, the manufacturer must include the aux cable, and any headphones that come with a carrying case, charging cable, user guide, and extra ear cups or tips are solid purchases.
5. Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best cheap headphones. Generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn't necessarily a bad thing, though, as the models in this list demonstrate.
As the saying goes: timing is everything, and right now some of our favorite cheap headphones are being discounted online and are available for even less. Bookmark our best headphone deals pages to keep track of the latest bargains.
Contributions from Alex Bracetti
How we test
As with most of our headphone roundups, we based our list of the best cheap headphones not only on price, but also design, sound, and ease of use. Available features such as controls, mics, and digital assistant support are tested as well.
Our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for 2 hours at a time throughout the testing phase. From there, they evaluate how comfy and securely they fit, along with how well they isolate noise.
For sound quality, we evaluate volume, clarity, and fullness by listening to many songs across different music genres. This includes hip hop, rock, jazz, classical, and electronica just to name a few. Movies, podcasts, and video games are considered, when necessary. Our reviewers make phone calls to assess call quality and microphone performance too.
After testing is completed, our reviewers rate the best cheap headphones on Tom’s Guide five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Products that hit nearly every mark receive an Editor's Choice badge.
Find out what we listen for during our testing process and how to get the best headphone sound for you.
More from Tom's Guide
- Best wireless earbuds under $100
- 5 of the best Bluetooth speakers for outdoor sounds this summer
- Iconic audio brand brings all-day comfort in new earbuds that rival AirPods
Best deals
