It may be a bit challenging to find the best headphones under $50 that offer good sound quality and an overall high quality performance. Cheap or bargain priced headphones are notorious for producing unpleasant sound with lousy build quality. Realistically speaking, $50 isn’t really a lot of money so you also need to manage your expectations. Cheap doesn’t have to be bad quality, and if you just know how to choose wisely, you can definitely get a pair of best headphones under $50 and still enjoy more than basic features that’s a true value for your money.
In this article, we’ll be serving you a guide of the best headphones under $50 that’s friendly to your budget but can compete with top-rated, premium headphones. The best headphones under $50 in the market come in different functional design and models – from open-back headphones, over-ear, on-ear, wireless, noise cancelling, to name a few. Check out our list for the best headphones under $50 below:
Table of Contents
Best Headphones Under $50: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
What We Like
- high sound quality without compromising comfort
- can be worn even with glasses
What We Don’t Like
- weak noise cancelling features
This model is ideal for audiophiles who don’t have disposable income but still want to enjoy high quality headphones that are worth the mint. This pair of best headphones under $50 from Audio-Technica provides high sound quality without compromising comfort.
If you are a buyer who is looking for the best headphones under $50 that are lightweight and can be worn even for those who are wearing glasses, then the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is an ideal choice. It has an adjustable headband that can fit even relatively large heads. This pair of best headphones under $50 is known to last for a long time, so as a buyer who’s looking for a great bargain, you can depend that this brand can deliver more than what it’s worth. If you need the best headphones under $50 that are suitable for mixing studio tracks, Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is also one of the top choices.
One drawback of this pair of best headphones under $50 is its noise isolation or noise cancelling feature. Users who use this type of product in loud environments may not have the best listening experience. There are also no microphone or audio controls in this pair of best headphones under $50.
In terms of sound quality, this pair of best headphones under $50 have been getting above average reviews. The tones are warm and rich, the ranges are balanced and the mids and bass are slightly enhanced. Overall, the sound of this pair of best headphones under $50 is clear and compatible with every music genre, much more worthy than a low dollar budget.
Best Headphones Under $50: JBL Tune 500BT
What We Like
- swiveling earcups, extendable headband
What We Don’t Like
- not sweatproof
- can’t be used if not wired
- uses older Micro-USB version
- bass is a bit too boosted
JBL Tune 500BT is one of the best headphones under $50 with an on-ear design. On-ear products are popular for consumers who are always on the go and who need a portable and easily foldable design. On-ear devices are also ideal partners for a long trip or commute. This pair of best headphones under $50 from JBL may be considered small scale but they can actually offer more powerful drivers compared to its earbuds competition.
The design of this pair of best headphones under $50 is made to be comfortable, durable and flexible. It also features swiveling earcups and an extendable headband, making it customizable for people with larger heads. This pair of best headphones under $50 from JBL can also be used for sports and gaming, but take note that they are not really sweatproof, so use it with caution.
The battery life of this pair of best headphones under $50 from JBL is pretty impressive and worth getting a headline; one full charge offers 18 hours of battery life. For users who have a habit of forgetting to charge their electronics at night, they can do a quick charge for, let’s say, for 5 minutes, and get to enjoy around 1 hour of playback. How cool is that?
This pair of best headphones under $50 from JBL is perfect for commanding voice assistants that links you to your electronic tasks and for calls on the go. You don’t also need to bother yourself with remote controls as this device has built-in physical buttons that are very user friendly.
A small drawback on this pair of best headphones under $50 is that when the battery dies, it’s bad news for the user because there’s no way to use this product as wired. This pair of best headphones under $50 also uses an older version of Micro-USB and the materials on the earpads’ fabric feels a little bit too synthetic and tacky.
Sound-wise, the bass is a bit too boosted, to the point that it already masks other sound ranges. Audiophiles who are looking for pure sound quality may find this pair of best headphones under $50 a bit not fit for their trip. Overall, this pair of best headphones under $50 is ideal for consumers on a budget who just want to use a pair of headphones with a friendly price that offers wireless connectivity for videos or daily casual use.
Best Headphones Under $50: Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019
What We Like
- comfortable, stable and secure fit
- impressive battery life, can go head to head with JBL Tune 500BT
What We Don’t Like
- heavy bass
- cable is a bit too thin
If you are thirsting over Sony WI-C310 Wireless but your income may not be enough to cover the cost and you have other priorities, don’t worry because there are legit companies that are known for their production of best headphones under $50. Such is the case with Anker, offering best headphones under $50 that does a pretty great job.
The Anker SoundBuds Curve Upgraded 2019 is the best headphones under $50 featuring an earbud design. It has wireless earbuds that can connect both earbuds together with a thin wire. The ear hook design is comfortable, stable and secure enough for mild to moderate workouts.
In terms of sound profile, the bass is pretty heavy, quite similar to that of JBL Tune 500BT. This pair of best headphones under $50 provides an extra boom for hip-hop and EDM genres but overall, these cans are well-balanced, enough to make users enjoy their beats no matter what genre.
In terms of battery life, this pair of best headphones under $50 can offer up to 18.5 hours of wireless playback with a single charge, which can pose a neck to neck competition with JBL Tune 500BT. Users can last a couple of days enjoying music during their private listening time without needing to recharge.
One drawback of this pair of best headphones from Anker is that the cable is a little too thin, on the borderline cheap. However, since it is offered at a relatively low price, this site of weakness can be easily overlooked. A silver lining to this pair of best headphones under $50 is that it has a rating of IPX7 for water resistance, a feature that is not really offered by the other products in the list of best headphones under $50.
Overall, this pair of best headphones under $50 from JBL offers a decent listening experience with a creative pricing and marketing strategy.
Best Headphones Under $50: Koss Porta Pro
What We Like
- retro design
- with microphone and remote
What We Don’t Like
- priced a bit more than $50
- semi open design
If you think that scoring the best headphones under $50 that has a vintage touch is impossible, think again. Well, technically, the Koss Porta Pro retails at a regular price of $59, which is $9 more than our price range, but if you’ve got extra bucks to spare, this pair is really worth it.The Koss Porta Pro is a hidden gem especially for those who are looking for classic or vintage themed headphones.
You can own this pair of best headphones under $50 from Koss Corporation and enjoy a retro design with charming features. The original design was released in 1984, and now, this product has been revamped to cater to a whole new generation who want to enjoy a pair of good, quality headphones without breaking the bank.
The headband of this pair of best headphones under $50 is made of thin metal that are bent into each other. There are also two small pieces of adjustable plastic on the headband so users can easily adjust them while it’s being worn. The earcups are equipped with comfortable foam and there’s a small switch on the side of this pair of best headphones under $50 that lets users choose between a firm fit or a light fit.
In terms of connectivity, this pair of best headphones under $50 from Koss has a microphone and a remote. Users can play or pause music to answer or reject calls and they can also access AI assistants like Google or Siri or Alexa.
Keep in mind that this pair of best headphones under $50 from Koss has a semi-open design which means that there is a big chance that people near you might hear whatever you’re listening to – so whether you’re in a quiet art gallery in Los Angeles, learning Chinese on the commute or in a photo studio, you might want to be sensitive to your volume levels.
Want an open-back design from the same brand? Check out Koss KPH30i!
Best Headphones Under $50: JVC Fullsized Over Ear Headband
What We Like
- sturdy and comfortable design
- rich, bass
This pair of best headphones under $50 from JVC features a 40mm driver. Listeners can enjoy deep bass, perfect for shutting out the world whether you are commuting, in the office or at home.
The headband of this pair of best headphones under $50 is equipped with padding that offers an authentic listening experience paired with excellent noise production. This pair of best headphones under $50 may not really offer HiFi levels of sound but the audio is actually pretty decent thanks to the gold plated plug and 1200MW max input.
This pair of best headphones under $50 has a sturdy and comfortable design which can go a long way if taken cared of properly. The JVC Fullsized Over-ear headband is also ideal for listeners who love to get an extra dose of rich, heavy bass in their EQ.
Best Headphones Under $50: JLab JBuds Air
What We Like
- Bluetooth 5.0 technology
- water resistant, IP55 rating
If you’re looking for a pair of best headphones under $50 that offers the latest Bluetooth version, go for the JLab JBuds Air. It offers Bluetooth 5.0 technology and is considered to be truly wireless.
This pair of best headphones under $50 is definitely one of the best models out there in the market that offers Bluetooth with 4-14 hours of battery life. In terms of sound quality, this pair of best headphones under $50 has a slightly elevated treble and an impressive, thumping bass. It is also water and dust-resistant with an IP55 rating.
So that concludes our list for the best headphones under $50. If you’ve noticed, no headphones with noise-cancellation features were included in the list. Why? It’s because the technology and circuitry is quite expensive and difficult to replicate in even the best headphones under $50. Bose is considered to be the leader in noise cancellation technology and their products are in no way, for lack of better words, cheap.
That being said, our featured brand and items for the best headphones under $50 are pretty decent in their own right, and most of them can be bought at Amazon.com or at your local electronics store. You can enjoy music without breaking the bank and in the meantime, you can start saving up for a pair of more high-end headphones. We hope that this article has helped you make an informed purchase for the best headphones under $50.