TOP 15 best budget headphones according to customer reviews

Cheap headphones today are not just tweeters with a microphone. Modern devices in terms of sound quality, ergonomics and even reliability are quite capable of outperforming some models from the mid-price segment. But when choosing available ears it is important:

• Focus on the manufacturer.
  The most popular among cheap “ears” are models from Xiaomi, JBL, Panasonic, HONOR and Sony. Headphones from these brands produce good sound at a reasonable price.
• Check the device carefully before purchasing.
  Defects among inexpensive headphones are the most common problem. Buying cheap “ears” looks like roulette: you may get lucky and you will become the owner of a device that is worth every ruble spent. Or it may turn out quite the opposite.
• Be clear about your preferences.
  Do you need the highest quality sound? Then the best option would be a wired model. If you need hands-free and comfort during workouts, then completely wireless headphones are more suitable for such tasks.

Don't make excessive demands on budget headphones - they won't meet your expectations. The inexpensive models presented in the rating are more designed for ordinary users than for audiophiles. The devices perform well in daily use and cope with basic needs: listen to music, answer a call or watch a movie or YouTube video.

Main characteristics

1. Sensitivity – determines the volume of the output sound. Surely everyone has encountered the fact that at the same volume settings, some headphones produce louder sound than others. This means their sensitivity is higher. It is measured in decibels (dB).
2. Power - the higher this parameter (measured in watts - W, mW), the richer the sound will be. However, more power puts a strain on the player's amplifier, so with more powerful devices the battery will drain faster. This is important to consider if you are going to listen to music outside the home, away from the mains.
3. Resistance or impedance - affects the clarity of playback. Measured in ohms (ohms). Each amplifier has an optimal impedance range; for example, most portable devices are designed for impedance in the range from 16 to 32 ohms, so units of this impedance level are more suitable for smartphones. You can use headphones with a higher level, but this will drain the battery faster. Professional headphones, many of which cost several hundred dollars, have an impedance in the hundreds of ohms.
4. Frequency range - the larger it is, the better quality sound you will get. The unit of measurement is hertz (Hz). The average figure is 18 Hz – 20 kHz.
5. Distortion factor - measured as a percentage, the lower it is, the better. However, manufacturers rarely indicate this parameter.

Pros and cons of inexpensive models

If manufacturers of budget headphones do not constantly improve the quality of their products, their products will not be in demand. The low-cost segment is where good value for money comes into play. Let's look at the pros and cons of budget headphones.

• Nice price.
• Generally the best value for money.
• If they break, don't mind. New inexpensive headphones can be purchased for less than the cost of repairing expensive ones.
• No need to overpay for the brand.
• If you do not have an ear for music, you most likely will not hear the difference between inexpensive, good quality headphones and expensive ones.

• To some extent, buying budget headphones is a lottery. Maybe you'll be unlucky. Yes, many cheap models are quite good. Many, but not all. You need to remember this when you buy unknown headphones from China, even without reviews.
• No repair service available.
• Not the best design.

Huawei Honor Sport AM61

Inexpensive in-ear Bluetooth headphones for sports

The TOP 11 ranking of the best inexpensive headphones goes to Huawei Honor Sport AM61 - the best inexpensive wireless headphones under $35.

Bluetooth headphones from a well-known brand from China are convenient to use for training due to their wireless operation and the ability to adjust the length of the cord. If you choose the right ear pads and adjust the equalizer, you will achieve excellent sound. This is the very option of headphones when the price and quality are optimal.

Main characteristics

• Type: in-ear, wireless
• Weight: 19.7 g.
• Opening hours: 11 hours
• Charging time: about 2 hours
• Moisture/dust protection IP52
• Control: push-button
• Frequency range: 20 – 20000 Hz.
• Connector: microUSB
• Battery capacity - 135 mAh.
• Cost: $35

Video review

• Autonomy. The battery lasts exactly a working week (2 hours/travel x 5 days = 10 – 11 hours). The headphones are fully charged in 2 hours.
• Convenience. The set includes ear pads for ears of any size. Definitely a great solution for physically active people.
• Reliability. No stuttering at distances up to 10 meters, even with obstacles.
• IP52 protection. You don’t have to worry about the safety of the model during sports or light rain.
• Design. Bright colors and sporty design help create a “training” mood.

• Sound. Sound is not the strong point of these headphones. At high volumes, the music turns into a mess of high frequencies. Recommended for training.
• Noise insulation. The sound insulation is “weak”; for those who constantly travel by metro or other public transport, most likely it will not be enough.
• Minor flaws. The power indicator is too bright and may be distracting in the dark.

Beyerdynamic DT 240 Pro

Studio monitor headphones under $100.

Beyerdynamic makes a lot of equipment for both audiophiles and audio professionals, and some of it comes with a hefty price tag. But the Beyerdynamic DT 240 Pro hit the sweet spot, offering professional sound and a high standard of design at a lower price.

The DT 240 Pro headphones cost $92, making them more affordable than many other studio monitor headphones. That price puts them in close competition with some Audio-Technica cans, such as the widely praised ATH-M40X or the wireless ATH-SR5BT, which can be found on sale at the same level as the DT 240 Pro.

Main characteristics

• Type: overhead, closed, full-size Over-Ear, swivel bowls
• Connection: wired
• Frequency range: 5 – 35000 Hz
• Impedance: 34 ohms
• Sensitivity: 99 dB
• Cable length: 1.25 m
• Range: 10 m
• Weight: 196 g
• Connector: mini-Jack (3.5 mm), Jack (6.35 mm)

Video review

• Clear balanced sound.
• Sturdy build.
• Reliability.

• Convenience. Suitable for small ears.
• Poor sound insulation.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Inexpensive over-ear headphones for listening to music.

The TOP 10 best inexpensive headphones are occupied by Audio-Technica ATH-M20x ($55) - inexpensive on-ear headphones for listening to music.

For the price, they sound incredibly clear, balanced and powerful, and give you the most bang for your buck. There are other options, but professionals will immediately choose the M20x.

GAL MP 10

Headphones of this brand can be found in most large hypermarkets. The workmanship of the headphones is mediocre; the paint on the body of the headphones is sloppily applied. The set includes only one spare pair of medium-sized attachments. There is no tactile point on the left channel.

As a nice bonus, there is a special strap for attaching to a mobile player or phone.

The second bonus is the latch between the right and left headphone wires, which allows the wires to be visibly connected when the listener is alone and uncoupled when two people are listening to the headphones on one earpiece.

The sound is biting, but with a poorly developed attack. Not enough bass. The mid frequencies are dominant, the stage is blurred, and it is difficult to separate the instruments in the panorama. RAA Report:
Test of technical characteristics of GAL MP 10
Overall sound rating – 2. Quality of workmanship and equipment – ​​3.

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

>One of the best budget closed-back headphones.

Silver in the rating of the best headphones under $100 - Audio-Technica ATH-M40x ($95) - these are professional-level headphones, tuned to a flat frequency response and created specifically for monitoring.

The Audio-Technica ATH M40x is a favorite among many audiophiles on a budget. It's almost a classic. If you're looking for a pair of headphones under $100 that are great for all genres of music, look no further.

Main characteristics

• Device type: wired headphones
• Type: full size
• Technology: dynamic
• Frequency range: 15 – 24000 Hz
• Impedance: 35 Ohm
• Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW
• Maximum power: 1600 mW
• Weight: 240 g
• Membrane diameter: 40 mm
• Connector: mini jack 3.5 mm
• Connector shape: straight
• Cable length: 3m

Equipment

• Headphones
• Adapter 6.3 mm
• 2 cables: 3 m (twisted), 3 m (straight)
• Documentation

Video review

• Sound.
• Quality of materials.
• Design.
• Convenient adjustment.
• Excellent sound insulation.
• Price quality.

• Convenience and comfort. Be sure to try on before purchasing.

Marshall Major III Bluetooth

Stylish closed-back wireless on-ear headphones at a great price.

12th place in the ranking of the best headphones under $100 is occupied by the Marshall Major III Bluetooth ($83) - a wireless model of closed-type on-ear headphones.

These budget headphones have a comfortable soft design. The headphones are quite comfortable, the ear pads feel natural on the ears. The sound, typical for Marshall, is of high quality, there is bass.

How to choose budget headphones

When choosing budget wired headphones, there are not many criteria, since the functionality of such devices is very limited. Still, there are some parameters that are better to consider when purchasing.

• Manufacturer . It doesn’t matter in which country the headphones were assembled, since even the most famous manufacturers often open factories where it is more economically profitable. But the name of the manufacturer is still important; it is better that it is at least widely known. Then there is at least some kind of quality guarantee, because well-known manufacturers value their reputation. In addition, well-known companies have better quality control than unknown companies.
• Weight . For some this parameter will be unimportant, but for others it will be fundamental. There are those who do not feel comfortable feeling significant weight in their ears for a long time. In this case, it is better to pay attention to small models with minimal weight.
• Ear pads . Even among budget headphones you can find models that come with several types of ear pads. This is a big advantage, since among them there will definitely be those that will ideally fit the size of the auricle and will not pop out with every movement.
• Sensitivity . It is better to choose models in which this parameter is higher. Then the sound will be louder and better quality.
• Connection type . Among wired headphones, there are several options: 3.5 Jack connector, USB Type-C and Lightning on Apple devices. You need to choose the one that suits your device. Sometimes headphones are sold with adapters, then they will fit any connector.
• Wire length and type . The comfort of using headphones depends on this. A wire that is too long will get in the way and get tangled in outerwear, bags and scarves. And if it’s too short, it may not reach, and then the “ears” will pop out all the time. And the wire itself should not be too thin, otherwise, after the first tangle, internal breaks and failure are possible. The most reliable type is dense twisted wire or lightning wire.

Immediately after purchase you need to check the headphones. Is there any sound, how good is it, is there any hissing or hissing, is the connection coming loose. If there are no problems initially, and the device is used carefully, most likely even budget headphones will last a long time.

What else should you pay attention to?

1. Acoustic design is determined by how the emitter is located in the cup: if it is hermetically closed from the outside, then this is a closed type. If there is fabric or other air-permeable material on the outside, it is open. In the latter option, the sound will be more spacious, but people around will also “enjoy” the sound. The same is true in the opposite direction: the closed type provides better protection from extraneous signals.
2. Signal transmission method - wired or wireless. In the latter case, the signal travels via radio waves (Bluetooth, etc.) or using infrared radiation. Wireless headphones are more expensive than their wired counterparts in terms of sound quality.
3. Plug – pay attention to which connector the playback device has, and purchase the appropriate headphones or purchase an adapter.
4. The presence of a volume control on the headphones themselves will provide the ability to adjust this parameter without the participation of the main gadget.
5. The material of the ear pads is the cushions directly adjacent to the ear. Various fabrics are used: both the cheapest materials and the most expensive. Comfort when using headphones directly depends on the quality of the material.
6. Cable length depends on how the device is used. For example, if you plan to connect your headphones to your TV, the appropriate length of wire will ensure you are comfortable while watching movies and TV shows. A cable that is too long will cause discomfort when using devices outdoors.

Sony MDR-ZX110

Bass headphones from Sony at a good price.

The ranking of the best inexpensive headphones under $100 opens with the Sony MDR-ZX110 ($12).

The only time you don't question the build quality of the headphones and the sound quality is when they have the Sony branding on them. Take a look at the MDR-ZX110 ($12), for example. These tiny on-ear headphones are not only durable, but also have quality bass sound. They're like a small subwoofer for your head that produces rich, pulsating low frequencies. We felt the headphones were best suited for low-frequency genres such as hip-hop, house and EDM.

QCY T1C

Excellent inexpensive TWS headphones from Aliexpress.

The TOP 13 best budget headphones under $100 are occupied by QCY T1C ($14) - one of the best inexpensive TWS headphones from Aliexpress.

The QCY T1C is one of the most affordable truly wireless in-ear (TWS) headphones that gives the user true freedom of movement.

Main characteristics

• Type: in-ear
• Technology: dynamic
• Frequency range: 20 – 20000 Hz
• Impedance: 32 Ohm
• Bluetooth: 5.0
• Work profile support: Handsfree, A2DP, Headset, AVRCP
• Range: 10 m
• Battery type: proprietary Li-Ion
• Standby time: 120h
• Talk time: 4 hours
• Charging time: 2h
• Battery life in case: 20 hours
• Case charging connector: micro USB
• Case battery capacity: 380 mAh

Video review

• Sound.
• Value for money.
• Convenience. The set includes ear pads for ears of any size.
• Autonomy.

• Microphone.
• Quality of materials. Cheap plastic, typical of China.
• Lack of instructions in Russian.

1More Stylish True Wireless

The best budget TWS headphones in 2022.

Eighth place in the ranking of budget headphones from Earphones-Review is occupied by the “droplets” 1More Stylish True Wireless ($60) - the best completely wireless headphones (TWS) under $100. Excellent value for money, the headphones meet all the needs of listeners.

1More Stylish True Wireless are compact True Wireless (TWS) in-ear headphones with a built-in microphone, excellent battery life and support for the progressive Qualcomm aptX codec for transmitting the best quality audio signal.

Main characteristics

• Type: in-ear
• Technology: dynamic
• Impedance: 16 Ohm
• Membrane diameter: 7 mm
• Bluetooth: 4.2
• Work profile support: Handsfree, A2DP, AVRCP
• Range: 10 m
• Battery capacity: 410 mAh
• Talk time: 2.5 hours
• Working time: 2.5 h
• Charging time: 1.2 h
• Battery life in case: 8 hours

Equipment

• 3 pairs of replaceable ear pads

Video review

• Good quality materials.
• Stylish design.
• Convenience.
• Convenient mechanical buttons.
• Value for money.

• Case. It may get scratched in the first days.
• They are noisy at low volume levels.
• I would like Type-C. But this is more of a nitpick.

Sony WH-CH510

The best on-ear headphones for people on a budget.

Looking at the Sony WH-CH510 ($40), it's surprising that wireless on-ear headphones can cost so little, not to mention the benefits of decent sound, a USB-C port, and 35 hours of battery life.

Main characteristics

• Device type: overhead, closed, rotary bowls
• Microphone: built-in
• Technology: dynamic
• Connection type: wireless
• Bluetooth v5.0
• Frequency range: 20 – 20000 Hz
• Range: 10 m
• Codec support: AAC
• Charging port: USB C
• Working time: 30 h
• Charging time: 4.5h
• Weight: 132 g

Video review

• Affordable price.
• Good sound quality.
• Working hours.
• Compactness.
• Lungs.

• Ears may sweat.

Plantronics BackBeat Go 600

The best inexpensive headphones under $100 in 2022.

The best inexpensive headphones under $100 are Plantronics BackBeat Go 600 ($67).

The BackBeat Go 600 is one of those models that you will definitely want to buy as it provides excellent sound quality, highlighted by powerful bass and crisp highs. These headphones are programmed with a bass mode that emphasizes low frequencies, although the default sound stage itself is good. You get a full set of controls split between the two earbuds, which are also easy to operate.

Main characteristics

• Device type: overhead, closed, full-size Over-Ear, swivel bowls
• Connection type: combined
• Connector: mini-Jack (3.5 mm)
• Bluetooth v4.1
• Frequency range: 50 – 20000 Hz
• Impedance: 32 Ohm
• Sensitivity: 92 dB/mW
• Weight: 175 g
• Membrane diameter: 40 mm
• Connector: microUSB
• Working hours: 18 h

Equipment

• Headphones
• Case
• Charging cable
• Documentation