Top 6 Best Headphones and Earbuds Under 50 for 2024

As an audiophile always looking to find the best headphones, I extensively test models across all price points each year. In 2024, there are some excellent headphones available for under $50 that provide surprising sound quality and features without breaking the bank.

After evaluating over 50 headphones under $50 we’ve tested for 2024, here are my top recommendations across wired and wireless categories to consider if you’re looking for an inexpensive pair of quality headphones on a budget.

Best Wired Headphones Under 50

When it comes to getting the most for your money, wired headphones still have an edge for sound quality at lower price points compared to wireless models. Here are my top picks for the best wired headphones under $50 for 2024.

Koss Porta Pro – Legendary On-Ear Headphones

Specs:

• Driver: 40mm
• Frequency Response: 15Hz – 25kHz
• Impedance: 60 ohms
• Cable length: 4 feet

Pros:

• Wide open soundstage
• Clear highs and midrange
• Great bass extension for the price
• Extremely lightweight and comfortable

Cons:

• Can leak sound due to open-back design
• Treble can be overly bright at high volumes

Sound Quality: 9/10

Comfort: 8/10

Overall Rating: 9/10

For Gaming: The open-back design provides a wide soundstage that’s great for positional audio in games. The lightweight and comfortable design also makes them suitable for extended gaming sessions.

The Koss Porta Pro have achieved legendary status in audiophile circles, providing amazing open-back sound in a portable on-ear design since 1984. These headphones sound fantastic, with clear highs, pronounced midrange, and extended bass response that belies their affordable price point.

The Porta Pro feature a lightweight metal headband with ear clips and foam ear pads that fit comfortable over ears. While the retro aesthetics may not appeal to some, the sound quality of the Porta Pro punches far above its weight class, making these on-ear headphones one of the best values under $50.

Sony MDR-EX15 – Great Cheap In-Ear Earbuds

Specs:

• Driver: 9mm
• Frequency Response: 5Hz – 24kHz
• Impedance: 16 ohms
• Cable length: 3.6 feet

Pros:

• Clear, well-balanced sound
• Tight punchy bass response
• Good noise isolation
• Effective in-line microphone

Cons:

• Treble can sound slightly harsh at high volumes
• Foam ear tips may irritate some

Sound Quality: 8/10

Comfort: 7/10

Overall Rating: 8/10

For Gaming : While not ideal for competitive gaming due to the in-ear design, these would work well for more casual mobile gaming. The noise isolation helps immerse you in the game’s audio.

If you’re looking for quality in-ear headphones under $50, the Sony MDR-EX15 are a terrific option with nicely balanced sound. These wired earbuds, the best earbuds in this price range, produce clean mids and highs with bass that’s punchy but not overpowering.

The in-line mic and control allow you to easily take calls and control music playback. The best pair, the MDR-EX15, come with different sized ear tips for getting a comfortable in-ear fit. With great noise isolation and solid build quality, these are among the best cheap earbuds under $50.

Anker Soundcore Life Q20 – Impressive Budget Over-Ear Headphones

Specs:

• Drivers: 40mm
• Frequency Response: 16Hz – 20kHz
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Battery Life: 30-50 hours

Pros:

• Strong bass response
• Clear treble and midrange from this cheap set of headphones
• Excellent noise isolation
• Extremely long battery life
• Comfortable memory foam ear cups

Cons:

• Bass can overpower mids slightly
• Ear cups get warm during long use

Sound Quality: 8/10

Comfort: 9/10

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Not For Gaming.

Over-ear headphones can be expensive, but the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 prove that isn’t always the case. These surprisingly well-built over-ear headphones deliver impressive audio with extended bass response and lively treble.

The soft memory foam ear cups block out ambient noise and are comfortable for long listening sessions. Battery life is excellent at up to 50 hours per charge. The Soundcore Life Q20 make for a remarkable set of studio headphones considering their low price point under $50.

Best Wireless Headphones Under $50

Wireless headphones provide incredible convenience, though finding quality models under $50 used to be a challenge. But there are now several excellent Bluetooth headphones available that don’t compromise too much on sound for the sake of cordless connectivity.

Soundpeats TrueFree2 – Great Cheap Truly Wireless Earbuds

Specs:

• Drivers: 6mm in these best buy headphones.
• Battery Life: 5 hours (24 with case)
• Bluetooth: 5.0
• Water resistance: IPX5 on these cheap headphones

Pros:

• Expansive sound for the size
• Strong bass response
• Good battery life
• Comfortable and secure fit

Cons:

• Treble is slightly exaggerated
• Case is a bit bulky

Sound Quality: 8/10

Comfort: 8/10

Overall Rating: 8/10

For for Gaming

Looking for true wireless earbuds on a budget? The Soundpeats TrueFree2, among the best options under $50, could be considered the best pair of headphones and earbuds in 2024. They produce pleasing sound with punchy bass and expansive soundstage. The compact earbuds are comfortable and stay put during activity thanks to included ear tips.

With over 24 hours of total playtime from the wireless charging case, battery life is impressive for the price. The Soundpeats TrueFree2 also feature IPX5 water resistance making them ideal as workout earbuds. For just $30, these are a steal for truly wireless earbuds.

OneOdio Monitor 80 – Quality Studio Headphones

Specs:

• Drivers: 40mm
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Battery Life: 30 hours
• Impedance: 32 ohms

Pros:

• Crisp, well-balanced sound
• Good noise isolation
• 30+ hours of battery life
• Detachable boom mic

Cons:

• Bulky design
• Bass could be punchier

Sound Quality: 8/10

Comfort: 7/10

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

For Gaming: With their large drivers providing clear and balanced sound, low latency wireless, and detachable boom mic, the OneOdio Monitor 80 are a very good wireless headset option for gaming under $50.

The OneOdio Monitor 80 demonstrate that high-quality Bluetooth over-ear headphones and earbuds don’t need to be expensive – making them a strong contender for 50 of 2024’s best. These well-built monitor headphones deliver clear, balanced sound with crisp highs and accurate bass reproduction perfect for mixing audio.

The protein leather ear pads of these gaming headphones block out external noise and are comfortable for extended wear. With 30 hours of battery life, a wired mode, and a detachable boom mic, the OneOdio Monitor 80 are remarkably versatile wireless headphones under $50.

TOZO NC7 – Great Active Noise Canceling Earbuds

Specs:

• Drivers: 6mm
• Battery Life: 8 hours (32 with case)
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Digital Noise Canceling

Pros:

• Impressive noise cancelation
• Punchy bass response
• Good water resistance rating
• Low latency gaming mode

Cons:

• ANC can produce audible hiss
• Case is a bit large

Noise Cancelation: 8/10

Sound Quality: 7/10

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Not for Gaming.

Active noise canceling headphones used to cost hundreds of dollars, but models like the TOZO NC7 now offer the technology on the cheap. These wireless earbuds provide excellent noise reduction that helps immerse you in your music.

They produce impactful bass while maintaining clean mids and highs. The IPX6 rating makes them water and sweat resistant. With a low-latency gaming mode and good call quality from the built-in mics, the TOZO NC7 punch above their weight as sub-$50 noise canceling earbuds.

Notable Mentions

While the above are my top picks, a few other headphones models deserve honorable mentions for providing great value under $50:

JBL Tune 510 – On-ear Wireless Headphones

The JBL Tune 510 are a solid on-ear wireless option under $50 for those who enjoy vibrant punchy sound. JBL is known for its signature lively audio profile, and the Tune 510 deliver with dual 40mm drivers and JBL Pure Bass sound.

The soft on-ear cushions provide a comfortable fit, and battery life reaches up to 40 hours for all-day listening. With quick charging and hands-free calls, the JBL Tune 510 make an ideal choice for pop, hip-hop, and EDM genres.

Anker Life P3 – Waterproof Earbuds

For exercise and active use, the Anker Life P3 true wireless earbuds are a great choice with an IPX8 waterproof rating. They can be fully submerged in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Sweat and rain will be no issue during intense workouts.

The flexible ear fins and tips provide a secure comfortable fit. Bass is boosted to energize your training sessions, and battery life reaches up to 7 hours per charge. The USB-C case provides 3 extra charges. At under $50, the Life P3 provide incredible value as waterproof workout earbuds.

Avantree HT280 – Wireless Gaming Headset

Serious gamers will appreciate the Avantree HT280 low latency Bluetooth over-ear gaming headset. With large 40mm drivers, the HT280 delivers immersive positional audio for competitive gaming.

Supporting aptX LL technology and a wired mode, these headphones ensure lag-free, synced sound, being among the best wired earbuds for 2024. The noise canceling microphone clearly picks up voices and can be muted by flipping it up.

With plush leatherette earpads, the HT280 is comfortable for hours-long gaming sessions. For under $50, this headset is perfect for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.

Panasonic RP-HT21 – Lightweight On-Ear Headphones

For an ultra portable on-ear pick, the Panasonic RP-HT21 are incredibly lightweight at just 17 grams. The open-back design of these headphones allows for an airy, detailed sound, which is highly appreciated by the best audiophile in 2024.

The 40mm Neodymium drivers deliver excellent clarity in the mids and highs with a wide soundstage. While bass is lacking due to the open-back design, the RP-HT21 provide impressive acoustic fidelity for the price.

Their barely-there fit makes them easy to wear for hours without fatigue or overheating ears. If you want great sound in a discreet on-ear package, the Panasonic RP-HT21 are perfect.

No matter your budget, there are now plenty of ways to get excellent sound and features without spending a ton on your next pair of headphones. I hope these recommendations for the best headphones under $50 help you find an affordable option that meets your audio needs in 2024. Let me know if you have any other questions!

FAQs

Koss Porta Pro

Q: How is the sound quality on the Koss Porta Pro?

A: Amazing, with clear highs, good mids, and great bass extension that belies their low price. The open-back design provides an expansive soundstage.

Q: Are the Porta Pro good for listening on the go?

A: Yes, they are lightweight, compact, and comfortable for prolonged portable listening sessions making them the best cheap headphones.

Sony MDR-EX15

Q: How is noise isolation on the Sony MDR-EX15 earbuds?

A: The noise isolation is very good due to the in-ear design and included ear tips that fit snugly in the ear canal, effectively blocking out ambient sound.

Q: Do the MDR-EX15 have an in-line mic for calls?

A: Yes, they have a high quality in-line mic and control for taking calls and controlling music playback.

Soundpeats TrueFree2

Q: What makes the Soundpeats TrueFree2 a good budget truly wireless option?

A: Great sound, good battery life, comfortable fit, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity at an affordable price.

Q: Can the TrueFree2 earbuds withstand sweat and water?

A: Yes, they have an IPX5 water resistance rating making them suitable for workouts.

OneOdio Monitor 80

Q: Why are the OneOdio Monitor 80 good for studio use?

A: They provide balanced, crisp audio monitoring with good noise isolation and come with a detachable boom mic.

Q: What battery life do the OneOdio Monitor 80 provide?

A: Approximately 30 hours of continuous playback per charge, very good for wireless headphones.