Our expert reviewers have tested and compared hundreds of affordable headphones and earbuds. Every model here has been thoroughly put through its paces. Each one has gone through our rigorous testing process to ensure it delivers impressive sound, solid performance and real value for money. We know audio, and we know a great deal when we hear one.
You don’t have to spend a fortune for great sound or durability anymore. Even premium features, like active noise cancellation, are now available at budget prices – if you know where to look.
To make things easy, we’ve divided our picks into clear price brackets, because “cheap” means different things to different people. Nothing here costs more than $90 / £90, and you might be surprised to find that all but the most affordable Sony on-ears include active noise cancellation.
If you want top-tier audio tech, check out our guides to the best headphones and best earbuds. But if you want big sound on a small budget, you’re in the right place. These are the best cheap headphones you can buy today.
The Quick List
If you want to get right to it with our easy-to-browse list of the best cheap headphones for different needs, take a look at this quick guide. You can then click to instantly jump to more of a full write-up of each model.
Best over ears under $90 / £90
With great sound, strong battery life, effective ANC and a sleek design that's comfortable for all-day listening, these 1More over-ears feel like they should cost much more than they do.
Best over ears under $60 / £60
They sound great, feel comfortable, and last ages on a single charge. With a solid carry case and impressive all-round performance, it’s tough to find any flaws – especially at this price.
Best over ears under $55 / £50
If you’re watching your budget but still want great sound, OneOdio’s Focus A6 over-ears are hard to beat. They deliver sensational audio in a comfy design at a price that proves quality doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Best sub $40 / £40 on-ears
Superb value from Sony with well-balanced sound, Bluetooth multi-point pairing and a 5-hour battery life. If you're looking for the cheapest headphones that don't sacrifice performance, these are for you.
Best earbuds under $90 / £90
Some of the best budget noise-cancelling earbuds we’ve ever tested. They’re packed with features, sound excellent, and are really thoughtfully designed. For the money, they’re incredibly hard to fault.
Best earbuds under $40 / £40
A super lightweight pair of buds with useful features and solid ANC for a super lightweight price. If you have small ears or you're on a budget, these are the buds you're looking for.
October 24, 2025
Made some major structural changes to this guide. Kept the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51, Sony WH-CH520 and Nothing Ear (a) in from a previous version. But then added a whole bunch of new products based on recent testing, including the Earfun Wave Pro, OneOdio Focus A6 and JLab Go Pods ANC. Added some of the options we removed from the guide, like the Skullcandy Set USB-C and Final VR500, to the 'also consider' section for anyone looking for wired options.
The best cheap headphones available today
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Best over ears under 90
✅ You want surprisingly good noise cancellation: These over-ears block out more noise than you'd expect at this price, with a handy passthrough mode when you need to stay aware.
✅ Longevity is a top priority: There's a lot to love about these headphones, but 65 hours of battery and up to 100 hours without ANC on certainly sweetens the deal.
❌ You want the best app experience: The app works fine to customize things, but the Sony app is neater overall.
❌ You don't like a plasticky build: They look decent, but do feel plasticky. That's common in cheap headphones, but some feel it more than others.
The best cheap headphones you can buy right now are the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51. These budget-friendly over-ears absolutely deliver, with excellent sound for the price, standout battery life, and effective noise cancelling – all for under $90 / £90.
You get a lot of features for the price here. There’s ANC and transparency mode, support for high-quality streaming via LDAC, and a jaw-dropping 100 hours of battery life (or 65 hours with ANC switched on). During testing, the ANC surprised us with how good it was – it really muted the usual distractions such as keyboard clatter and street noise, letting us fully focus on the music.
Sound-wise, they hold up well against the competition we compared them to. The audio is clear with a bass-forward sound signature that’ll appeal to fans of electronic, hip-hop and pop. Even at higher volumes, the sound stays clean and full – and it's impressively dynamic, giving it energy and clarity that's often missing from more affordable headphones. If you want to tweak the sound profile, the companion app gives you EQ options to play with, which work well – though we found the app itself to be a little clunky.
They also look great for a budget set of cans. With a sleek matte finish and stylish curved design, the Sonoflow Pro HQ51 don’t scream “cheap.” They’re lightweight and comfy to wear too, with generous padding on the earcups and headband. The build does feel a bit plasticky in places, but that’s par for the course at this price point, and not a criticism – just an observation from comparing them to more premium models.
All in all, the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 manage to squeeze in everything you’d want from budget headphones – good looks, great battery life, and strong sound – without cutting too many corners. If you want the best cheap headphones available today these are the ones to beat. If you're on an even stricter budget, read on for the next three entries. Which bring you top-performing over-ears that are even cheaper than these.
Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review
Best over ears under 60
✅ You hate constant charging: With weeks of battery life, even with ANC on, these headphones can go the distance – perfect if you forget your charger.
✅ You're on a budget: Sure, all of the headphones in this guide are cheap. But if you don't want to scrimp on performance, these are a really good buy for the price.
❌ You want workout-ready headphones: There's no IP rating here, so they're not the best choice for sweat or rain.
❌ You like different color options: Hardly a dealbreaker but if you want a choice of colors, you won't find it here.
The Earfun Wave Pro are our top pick for under $60 / £60. They pack in impressive features for the price, the standout being battery life, with a huge 80 hours of playtime – or 55 hours with ANC on.
Design-wise, they're lightweight, comfortable with soft cup padding and fold neatly away. They also come with a handy and sturdy case. The key thing here is, despite their low price, they don't feel cheap.
Sound quality is where they really shine. During testing, we found the audio surprisingly rich for the price point, with punchy bass, crisp treble, and a solid soundstage. Inside, you'll find 40mm drivers, a High-Res Audio certification (both for wireless and wired listening) and LDAC support for improved Bluetooth streaming.
ANC performance is decent. Not class-leading by any stretch, but if noise-nixing isn't a priority, most people should be happy. There are five different modes, which is a little confusing at first. You also get multipoint connectivity here, another feature usually found in pricier models.
Overall, they offer outstanding value for money, combining long battery life, great sound, and a robust design. You'd be hard pressed to find better at this price.
Read our full Earfun Wave Pro review
Best over ears under 55
✅ You appreciate a good app: OneOdio's app is really nice to use. Simple to navigate, yet packed with options. Even some high-end rivals don't offer this level of control.
✅ You like a comfortable fit: They're incredibly comfortable to wear and snappily rotate 90 degrees with minimal effort.
❌ You're not into fine-tuning: Out of the box the sound can feel a little flat. You'll need to spend some time adjusting the EQ to unlock their full potential.
❌ You want top ANC: Look, the ANC here is actually surprisingly good for the price. But it's just not best-in-class by any means.
If you’re on a tight budget but you still want great sound, you’ll struggle to find better than the OneOdio Focus A6. They’re the most affordable over-ears on this list, and while the Sony WH-CH520s below come close, they’re technically on-ears. Which makes these an even better deal. The Focus A6 headphones punch far above their modest $55 / £50 price tag.
Sound quality here is excellent, especially that price. Expect big, full-bodied bass and a well-balanced profile that holds up across genres. They deliver accurate vocals, rich depth and satisfying rumble without distorting at high volumes – something few budget headphones manage this well.
Design-wise, they look clean and minimalist, with a sturdy build and a comfort level that genuinely impressed us. We wore them for hours during testing without any discomfort, which isn’t something we can say for most sub-$55 headphones.
Active noise cancellation isn’t class-leading, but it’s perfectly capable. It effectively cut down background chatter and general distractions well enough for commuting. At this price, that’s what we’d expect.
Features are generous. The app is intuitive and offers a wide range of EQ customization options, which we recommend tweaking to get the best sound possible. It’s a rare level of control for headphones this affordable.
Overall, the OneOdio Focus A6 headphones deliver far more than you’d expect for the money. They’re easily among the best budget headphones we’ve tested. Proof that great sound doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag.
Read our full OneOdio Focus A6 review
Best sub-40 on-ears
✅ You want balanced sound on a budget: They might be our cheapest on-ears, but there's no overblown bass – just clean, well-rounded audio that suits all kinds of music.
✅ You forget to charge your gear: With 50 hours of battery life, you’ll rarely need to top them up. Ideal for long haul travel or anyone who's forgetful.
❌ You need strong noise blocking: There’s no ANC here, and the on-ear fit means they don’t seal sound well either – expect outside noise to creep in.
❌ You don’t get on with on-ears: Even with padding they still rest on your ears – some people love this design, others should stick to over-ears.
The Sony WH-CH520 are super cheap, on-ear wireless headphones from Sony, coming in at less than $40 / £40 these days. These headphones are on-ear rather than in-ear or over-ear, which means you won't get active noise cancellation or Hi-Res Audio support (but you wouldn't expect to at this price), but they deliver quality, well-balanced sound (as well as a few useful tricks), making them fantastic value and our favorite pair of cheap on-ears.
The bass adds depth but sounds controlled and fun with electronic or dance music. Mids let vocals stretch their legs, which gives denser instrumental mixes a chance to shine – although you'll obviously lose more detail here than you would with higher-end models. Trebles tend to elevate out of the mid-range well enough, giving them space to breathe.
The Sony CH520 replace the Sony CH510 in Sony's line-up and they're a worthy upgrade, adding in some notable improvements, like more cushioning, which is essential for a good pair of on-ear headphones where the earpads sit directly on your ears. The only thing these headphones are missing at this great value price is a 3.5mm jack, but with good app support, multi-point pairing and an impressive 50 hours of battery we really can't complain and they're our top pick if you want headphones rather than earbuds that won't break the bank.
Read our full Sony WH-CH520 review
Best earbuds under 90
✅ You want great noise cancellation on a budget: Not best-in-class ANC, but probably the best budget noise-cancelling we've ever experienced.
✅ You want solid sound and style: When we were testing these buds a lot of people wanted to talk about them. They're stylish and they stand out.
❌ You want spatial audio: It's not here, but you can get some spatial audio support from other cheap earbuds. We don't mind it not being here ourselves, though.
❌ Your ears are very small: Our small-eared reviewers tested these, so you should be fine. But you may want to see if you can try before you buy.
If you want a pair of buds that are still considered budget but bring you excellent noise cancelling, sound and style, the Nothing Ear (a) are the clear choice.
Let’s start with the star of the show: noise cancellation. It’s superb at this level, easily some of the best we’ve tested under $90 / £90. There are multiple ANC profiles, and the High setting is especially impressive. It knocked out the sound of a hairdryer and even muted an extractor fan we didn’t realize was on. This level of silence comes at the cost of some battery life – down from 9.5 hours to 5.5 with ANC on – but frankly, it’s worth it.
Sound-wise, the Ear (a) buds bring a lot of energy. They’re dynamic, punchy and fun, with a bold, zealous character that makes pop, hip-hop and dance tracks shine. They lean into excitement over audiophile precision, but that’s not a drawback – they’re engaging and full of life, without feeling harsh. For those who like to tweak, the Nothing X app offers EQ adjustment and a fit test, though you won’t get the full personalized sound profile or ceramic driver from the more expensive Nothing Ear. But again, that’s fair given the lower price point.
Design is another big win. These don’t look like budget buds. In fact, they’re more stylish and distinctive than many premium models. The semi-transparent aesthetic and bold colors make them stand out, and they feel solid in the hand despite the price. Comfort is also excellent, especially once you’ve found the right tips (three sizes come in the box). They’re lightweight and easy to wear for hours, and the redesigned case is smaller and more pocketable than before.
There are a few trade-offs, you won’t get wireless charging or spatial audio, and some premium features from Nothing’s flagship models are missing. But you do get Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC support for high-res audio (if your phone supports it), multipoint connectivity, low-lag gaming mode, in-ear detection, and a “Find My Earbuds” feature.
Ultimately, if you’re after slick design, excellent sound and noise cancellation that punches way above its price tag, the Nothing Ear (a) are hard to beat. They’re affordable, practical, and packed with features that usually cost a lot more.
Read our full Nothing Ear (a) review
Best earbuds under 40
✅ You want super cheap ANC: ANC like this used to be reserved for pricier picks. But these JLabs prove you don't need to spend big to block out sounds.
✅ You like the idea of phone-to-case charging: There's a built-in cable here, which is handy if you're often away from a plug socket.
❌ You're not up for swapping out ear tips: Look, the included tips just aren't great. These only work well if you want to use some from another pair.
❌ You need all-day battery: With ANC on, expect 5 hours of playback – not ideal if you're after long listening sessions.
The JLab Go Pods ANC are the cheapest pair of earbuds in this list. But don't be fooled. They may not be perfect, but for under $40 / £40 you're getting solid ANC, a lightweight build and a surprisingly capable sound.
Now, JLab has always done earbuds well. Especially cheap ones. We rated previous models highly, like the teeny tiny and incredibly cheap JLab Go Air Pop and JLab Go Pop ANC. But the Go Pods ANC are our favorite super budget pick.
They're a very lightweight pair of buds with a small stem design. You can slip them into an equally light charging case, which comes with a handy charging cable to keep them powered up from your phone.
ANC here is very good considering the price. They won't compete with higher-end options, of course. But during testing we were surprised just how well they blocked out background noises. The same goes for the audio. It punches well above its weight with an enjoyable, bassy listen that can reach high volumes.
There are some caveats. The battery life is pretty poor at only 5 hours with ANC on and you'll need to switch out the tips as the included ones don't perform. However, all things considered, they're still well worth it.
What we're saying is, the JLab Go Pods ANC are basically the cheapest ANC buds that are actually worth buying. They're not best-in-class, especially in terms of audio, ANC and overall build. But with this feature set and sound, they're not just good for the price, they're genuinely good. Which means if you're looking for the best and cheapest buds you can get today, you've found them.
Read our full JLab Go Pods ANC review
Other cheap headphones to consider
Apple AirPods 4: The AirPods 4 sound great and offer top-notch spatial audio. They're relatively affordable for Apple, but there’s plenty of strong competition at this level. Only go for them if you specifically want the classic AirPods fit – they rest just outside your ear canals, with no in-ear tips, yet still feel secure and comfortable. If budget isn’t a concern, you might also want to consider the ANC version. Read our full Apple AirPods 4 review for more.
Earfun Air 2 NC: We were disappointed by theater mode here (that's Earfun's spatial audio setting) and the design isn't going to suit everyone because the ear stems are long. But for solid ANC on a budget, we'd still recommend you take a look at our full Earfun Air 2 NC review.
Final VR500: When we had wired buds in this guide, these were our top pick with a 3.5mm jack. They're a great choice if you want budget buds that are perfect for both gaming and listening to music. Read our full Final VR500 review.
Huawei FreeArc: If it's an open pair of earbuds you're after, head straight to our Huawei FreeArc review. There’s plenty of competition in this space, but these are the best-sounding open-ear headphones we’ve tested so far – and while it's hard to call them cheap, they’re the best affordable in this style.
Master & Dynamic ME05: These wired earbuds were a joy to test with stunning audio and solid design and build quality. However, they're just a bit too pricey to be considered 'cheap' for this guide. If you can make your budget stretch, do take a look at our Master & Dynamic ME05 review.
Panasonic RB-M600: Panasonic has done a decent job with these over-ears, which are less than $80/£80 with a great battery life. However, the ambient mode didn't impress us during testing and the design absolutely reflects the cheaper price. Find out more in our Panasonic RB-M600 review.
Skullcandy Set USB-C: A comfortable and affordable pair of USB-C buds which offer decent sound quality considering their price and a sleek design. If you're looking for a cheap, wired, in-ear option, you can't go wrong here. Take a look at our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review to find out more.
Sony MDR-EX15AP: If you're looking for a super cheap second pair of wired earbuds, you've found them. There's not much to say here, they get the job done, covering the basics. But that's about it. Read our full Sony MDR-EX15AP review for more.
Sony WF-C710N: Sony's latest mid-range earbuds are very good in basically every way, but we prefer the Nothing Ear (a). Still, if you know you like Sony's sound profile, the C710N remain a great alternative, with excellent noise cancellation and impressive sound for the price. Check out our full Sony WF-C710N review for the details.
Sony WH-C720N: These Sony over-ears offer solid sound and smart features at a great price. They don’t quite borrow the magic from Sony’s flagship range, but that’s okay. Because what you get is a comfortable fit, enjoyable audio and surprisingly decent noise cancellation for the money. A strong pick for everyday listening without the premium price tag. Read our full Sony WH-C720N review to find out more.
How to choose the best cheap headphones for you
Choosing the best cheap headphones comes down to a few key factors: the design that suits you best, the features you prioritize, the device you'll use as your music source, and just how cheap your budget will allow you to go.
Design: You'll find cheap headphones that are in-ear, over-ear, on-ear and wired. The one you choose will mostly come down to your personal preference. If you can't decide, consider what you'll be using them for. For example, if you want the best ANC for travel, you might get a better experience with over-ears. If you want flexible buds for walking and popping in and out easily, true wireless options might work better.
Features: When choosing budget headphones, it’s important to remember that affordability often comes with trade-offs. If a specific feature – like ANC – is a priority, it’s worth focusing on that and accepting that other aspects may not be as strong. You can find features like ANC, on-ear volume controls, dedicated apps, and wearer detection at lower prices, but you won’t get them all in one package.
Source: What phone do you use? While most headphones are compatible with a wide range of devices, you may unlock extra features and enjoy a more seamless experience if your phone and headphones are part of the same ecosystem. If you’re considering wired earbuds, check whether your phone has the right connection—or be prepared to buy an adapter.
Budget: Finally, how small is your budget? Yes, this is a guide to the best cheap headphones, but our definition of 'cheap' varies, from the super-cheap JLab Go Pods ANC at $36.99 / £29.99 through to the Nothing Ear (a) at $99 / £99. This should give everyone with a smaller budget several options.
Final thoughts: But we haven't just included headphones because they're cheap. We highly recommend all of the devices in our guide above. Even if they don't all offer sonic sound performance, they all represent excellent value for money.
Overall, there's no going wrong with any of the headphones in this guide. They're all affordable, great value and offer some top features and decent sound. But it is worth taking the time to consider what's important to you – just because headphones are cheap doesn't always mean they're worth it.
Which are the cheapest headphones?
You'll find lots of cheap headphones online, especially if you hunt on Amazon. There are some true wireless and wired earbuds there that are incredibly cheap.
But even if you're on a tight budget, we'd urge you to look at our top recommended cheapest headphones, rather than just the cheapest you can find. Even if they don't cost much, buying a cheap pair that aren't any good will still feel like a waste of cash.
The cheapest headphones in this guide are the JLab Go Pods ANC at $36.99 / £29.99. They're not a perfect pair of true wireless earbuds, but deliver good audio and a comfy design considering their price.
Do cheap headphones sound good?
The cheap headphones in this guide all sound good and pack in enough audio tech to deliver your music in a way that's balanced, loud enough and bassy.
Of course, what sounds good and what doesn't is subjective. For some of the budget prices above, you won't be getting the high-end audio that you'd expect from some of the best headphones and best earbuds you can buy today.
But we've tested each pair of the best cheap headphones we've included in this guide and although none of them provide a stellar, premium audio experience, they sound good enough for accompanying you on a workout, blocking out some sounds as you travel or providing you with a good backup if you need a reliable second pair of buds.
Why do cheap headphones have so much bass?
When it comes to the best cheap headphones you'll often find there's a trade off to make them so cheap. They might have fantastic battery life but a plasticky design or they might have a comfy fit but the sound is only mediocre.
Something that you might notice if you try cheap headphones is that they have a bit too much bass. This is sometimes intentional and headphone makers are trying to create a product with mass appeal. Other times it could simply be that the headphones aren't great quality.
Finally, many cheap headphones don't come with many customization options, so by default they might have a lot of bass but, unlike premium headphones, you don't have an option to tweak their settings.
Are cheap headphones worth it?
We think all the budget headphones in this guide are worth considering - but if you're ever unsure about buying a pair of cheap headphones, be sure to look into their specs.
These days, you don't need to settle for poor sound if you're on a budget, so look for large drivers that can displace lots of air and give you a powerful sound. Support for hi-res audio codecs might not be on the cards for cheaper models, but wireless headphones should have good connectivity and will ideally use the latest Bluetooth 5 standard.
Wireless headphones should also offer a decent battery life - if not class-leading, budget wireless headphones should at least be able to get you through a few commutes or workouts.
Build quality probably won't be as good as more expensive headphones, but they should still be comfortable to wear.
What about extras? While you can get cheap headphones with extra features like noise cancellation, pricier headphones will probably perform better when it comes to these quality-of-life extras.
What are the best cheap headphones brands?
It may surprise you to know that lots of big brands offer cheaper versions of their flagships headphones. Sony have several budget-friendly models in our guide that are worth checking out.
As for less well-known brands? We wouldn't recommend taking a risk on a totally unknown headphones brand on Amazon, but there are a few out there that are worth checking out. These include Earfun, 1More, Skullcandy, Jlab, Jabra, and more.
How we test the best cheap headphones
☑️ More than 3,000 headphones reviewed
☑️ 15 years of product testing
☑️ Over 16,000 products reviewed in total
☑️ Nearly 200,000 hours testing tech
It’s no surprise that cheap earbuds won’t match high-end ones, so we judge budget options against similarly priced competition. Our testing ensures they offer clear, detailed sound without the dreaded tinny quality that's common in lower-end models.
We assess both wired and wireless options, listening across various genres for several days. Where it applies to the headphones we’re testing, we also evaluate features like ANC, battery life, usability, and companion apps, considering how well they perform at this price point.
Comfort, design, and ergonomics matter too. We note how they feel during extended wear to help you find the right fit. Finally, we compare performance to price, ensuring every pick offers solid value.
Take a look at our more rigorous explanation about how we test products here at TechRadar and, more specifically, how we test earbuds.
Latest updates to the best cheap headphones guide
October 24, 2025
Made some major structural changes to this guide. Kept the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51, Sony WH-CH520 and Nothing Ear (a) in from a previous version. But then added a whole bunch of new products based on recent testing, including the Earfun Wave Pro, OneOdio Focus A6 and JLab Go Pods ANC. Added some of the options we removed from the guide, like the Skullcandy Set USB-C and Final VR500, to the 'also consider' section for anyone looking for wired options.
July 21, 2025
Swapped the Sony WF-C700N for the Nothing Ear (a) as our 'Best still-affordable ANC earbuds' because they're cheap and well worth buying, but not quite as cheap as the JLab Pop ANC. Added more details to each entry to make it easier to choose the ideal earbuds for you. Added several new entries to the 'Also consider' section, including the Apple AirPods 4 and Sony WH-C720N, based on recent testing.
April 7, 2025
Swapped the Earfun Wave Pro for the 1More HQ51 as our 'best overall' pick based on our recent testing. Added the Earfuns to our 'also consider' section, as they're still well worth your time for the right price.
March 14, 2025
Refreshed the introduction and added a mention that the Sony WF-C710N have now leaked. Created an 'other cheap headphones to consider' section and included several models we've reviewed recently. Made our 'how to choose' advice easier to scan with headings and condensed sections.
January 31, 2025
Rewrote the introduction. Added a gallery of images to each recommendation, so readers can get a better look at the products we suggest. Edited our 'how we test' section to make it more useful to understand what made us select each of these products, and how we review them to ensure you can trust what we say.
December 5, 2024
Refreshed the introduction. Added the JLab Go Pop ANC as our 'best super-cheap ANC' pick based on our testing. Gave the Sony WF-C700N buds a 'best still-affordable ANC' label and changed the copy to explain we recommend them, but the JLabs are even cheaper.
October 4, 2024
Added the Sony WF-C510 as our best cheap earbuds pick, based on our recent testing.
August 9, 2024
Added the JLab JBuds Mini as our best super-cheap earbuds, based on current availability and our review.
June 12, 2024
Reordered and added new products in a conversion of this guide. Added Earfun Wave Pro, Sony WH-CH520, Sony WF-C700N, JLab Go Air Pop, Skullcandy Set USB-C and Final VR500.
