The best cheap headphones deliver impressive sound, reliable performance, and of course excellent value. But with so many budget-friendly options available, how do you find the bargains?
Easy – you come to us. Our expert team has tested and reviewed countless cheap headphones and earbuds, putting them through rigorous evaluations to uncover the best. Every pair of inexpensive headphones or earbuds in this guide has been through our stringent testing process and emerged with an approving nod from us – we know audio, and we know a great deal.
These days, you don’t need to spend a fortune for great sound and durability. While budget headphones may come with some compromises, even high-end features like active noise cancellation are becoming more accessible at lower prices, as long as you know what to look for.
If budget earbuds or low-cost headphones aren’t your main focus, check out our best headphones and best earbuds guides for top-tier audio tech. But if you’re looking for great sound at an unbeatable price, you’re in the right place. Here 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.
The best cheap headphones overall
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.
The best cheap on-ear cans
Superb value from Sony with well-balanced sound, Bluetooth multi-point pairing and a 5-hour battery life. If you're looking for cheap over-ears, these are for you.
The best cheap earbuds
Top Sony sound and excellent comfort packed into a pair of affordable buds that are one of the best low-cost options we've ever reviewed.
The best super cheap ANC earbuds
Squeezing solid ANC, impressive bass, energetic audio and essential features into a comfortable design that costs less than $30/£30 is nothing short of a miracle. But JLab have done it and we're impressed.
The best still-affordable noise cancelling earbuds
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.
The best super-cheap buds
A teeny tiny pair of buds with useful features and customizable sound all for under $40 / £40. If you have small ears or you're on a budget, these are the buds you're looking for.
The best super-cheap USB-C buds
A comfortable and affordable pair of cheap USB-C buds which offer decent sound quality considering their price and a sleek design available in several different colors.
The best super-cheap wired buds
Our top pick if you want a pair of wired buds with a 3.5mm jack. Ideal if you want great fidelity when gaming or listening to music, but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg.
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.
The best cheap headphones available today
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The best cheap headphones overall
✅ 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 well under $100/£100.
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.
Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review
The best cheap on-ear cans
✅ You want balanced sound on a budget: They might be cheap but there's no overblown bass here – 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 only $60 / £60 / AU$99. 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 over-ears that won't break the bank.
Read our full Sony WH-CH520 review
The best cheap earbuds
✅ You like clear, vocal-led sound: If you prefer crisp treble and detailed mids over booming bass, these are a rare budget gem – especially for acoustic or classical tracks.
✅ You want a lightweight design: The buds are pretty light at 4.6g each, but so is the case too. Ideal for carrying in smaller pockets.
❌ You need proper noise cancellation: There’s no ANC here, just passive isolation and ambient mode. Not ideal if you need to block out serious background noise.
❌ You’ll be off-grid for days: The buds last well, but the case doesn’t hold much extra charge. For multi-day trips without power, you’ll need more backup.
The Sony WF-C510 earbuds are some of the best low-cost buds we've reviewed – and that's really saying something considering how many we've tested over the years. They tick all of the boxes for such an affordable pair of buds, with good sound, on-board battery life and a snug fit.
Don't expect high-end features from buds at this price. You won't find wear detection or a low-latency mode, for example. But expect a solid 11 hours of battery life, which should see you through a long work day or most trips. Unfortunately, the case battery life is a little disappointing, bringing you only one more full charge – rivals pack in multiple.
There's no active noise cancellation here, but Sony has added its 'sound control' tech, which allows you to better hear what's going on around you when wearing them. There's also decent noise isolation thanks to the secure fit. And that fit really does hold up: in our review, we commented "they always felt rigid in my testing, never once falling out or even feeling loose". They have a minimal design with a choice of colors (black, white, blue and yellow) and there's a physical button, which is sensitive enough to use as the main control.
Sony's DSEE (digital sound enhancement engine) is here, which can restore extra range to compressed audio tracks from streaming services – great for Spotify users. You'll need to turn this on from the app, but once you do, expect clear and high-quality audio. Treble and vocals are particularly pronounced from these buds, with powerful bass lacking a little. But for everyday listening at this price, it's hard to fault them.
These Sony WF-C510 buds sit between the pricier Sony WF-C700N, which bring you ANC (although we've since replaced these in this guide with the Nothing Ear (a) buds), and the super-cheap JLab buds that we'd recommend if you're on the tightest of budgets. Or split the difference and get JLab's Go Pop ANC, which combine ANC and a budget price. But if you're looking for an affordable pick, you can do without ANC and can make your money stretch to the Sony WF-C510 buds, you won't be disappointed.
Read our full Sony WF-C510 review
The best super cheap ANC earbuds
✅ You want noise cancellation on a tight budget: Sure, everything in this guide is cheap. But $29.99 / £29.99 for ANC this decent is rare. For the price, it’s a total bargain.
✅ You like your earbuds tiny and light: These are featherweight and super compact – perfect for comfy, all-day listening without ear fatigue.
❌ You’re after audiophile sound: Audio is good for the price, but the soundstage is narrow. The other earbuds in this guide sound obviously better.
❌ Style matters more than specs: They're fine when it comes to practical design, but aren't the best-looking buds around.
If you want ANC and you want it as cheap as possible without sacrificing on sound, build or other features, then you literally cannot do better than the JLab Go Pop ANC. These earbuds from JLab are fantastic value and although the ANC is not best-in-class, it is surprisingly competent for the price.
Normally you have to sacrifice something for a budget pair of buds, but expect all of the essentials here. That includes some surprising features you don't usually find in all budget buds, like a companion app that allows you to customize touch controls and tweak EQ settings, as well as 7 hours of battery life – although expect up to 24 hours with the case. Comfort levels here are also great. The buds themselves feel a little cheap, but that's to be expected. And who cares when they're fairly robust, with a highly unusual IP55 waterproof rating?
Sound here is energetic and fun to listen to. We rated the "impressive bass and treble" in our review, even if the soundstage seemed a little too narrow at times. ANC is the star of the show at this price. Of course, it's never going to compete with high-end brands, like Bose, but we think most people will be happy with the level of silencing on offer here. In our review, we wrote: "It’s certainly enough to keep conversations muted and loud noises dulled when you’re out in public."
Overall, these buds are very impressive considering you can snap them up for under $30/£30. Having said that, if you can take a step up, do check out the Nothing Ear (a) buds literally one place below. They're pricier than these from JLab, but are still incredibly affordable for a pair of ANC buds and tick all the boxes in terms of features, design and comfort, too.
Read our full JLab Go Pop ANC review
The best still-affordable ANC earbuds
✅ 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, e.
❌ 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 £100/$100. 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
The best super-cheap buds
✅ You want ultra-portability: These might be the tiniest earbuds we’ve tested and the case is seriously pocket-friendly.
✅ You’re into cute tech: Not just small, they're also stylish and Instagram-friendly. What we're saying is, they score high on the aesthetic front.
❌ You’re after booming bass: The sound’s clear, but if you love deep, punchy lows, these simply don't have the power to hit hard enough.
❌ You need proper noise cancelling: Passive isolation is fine for most settings, but not enough for noisy commutes.
The JLab JBuds Mini are mini in size, and mini in price. This is why they're our top pick if you're looking for a super budget pair of buds and we'd also highly recommend them if you have smaller ears, too.
Features are a little light given how cheap these buds are. But we were happy to find there's multi-point pairing – this isn't always common with budget buds. There's also a Be Aware mode, which lets you better here what's going on around you and you can listen to just one bud at once, if you prefer. There's 5.5 hours of battery onboard and 20 once you add the case into the mix, which is pretty standard.
There's no noise cancellation here, but we were pleasantly surprised by the noise isolation during our testing. In our review, we wrote: "While you'll still hear traffic as you walk past, it isn't as all encompassing as with other weaker earbuds." We think that the bass could be stronger – but that's often the case with budget buds. Still, they deliver good sound quality, which in our review we described as "pretty lively with a wider soundstage than anyone could have seen coming here." The good news is you can also tweak the sound a little thanks to the app's EQ.
These are incredibly small buds that even come with a keyring attachment on the case so you can attach them to your keys – a good idea if you tend to lose small things. Even though the buds are small, they'll fit well – they didn't budge when we took them for a run during testing.
Read our full JLab JBuds Mini review
The best super-cheap USB-C buds
✅ You want something stylish: These wired buds blend classic form with a modern look – great if you're chasing a cool, minimalist vibe.
✅ You listen for hours: They’re comfy enough for all-day use with a secure fit that stays put during long work or study sessions.
❌ You like easy volume control: There’s no volume button on the inline remote, which is annoying if your phone’s in your pocket or you're walking.
❌ You’re chasing premium sound: The audio’s decent, but lacks the depth and detail of pricier options. Bass lovers, look elsewhere.
If you want a cheap pair of wired buds with a USB-C connection, the Skullcandy Set USB-C are our top choice. They're a stylish and affordable pair of headphones that stack up well against some of the best wired headphones when it comes to value.
As you might expect for a cheap pair of wired earbuds, you won't get best-in-class sound here. In our review we wrote that they lacked depth and bass sounded a bit feeble at times. But considering the $31.99 / £29.99 (about AU$50) price tag, these earbuds sound decently. There's certainly none of the tinny audio we've experienced from other budget buds. Instead, the Skullcandy Set offer good all-round sound. As we wrote in our review: "it's just a bit thin on detail and dynamism."
The earbuds come with a few different sizes of in-ear gels, these provide some noise-isolation, which won't cancel out all ambient sounds but do keep them in place and ensure you're tuned into your music. They also look good. During tested we wrote that we like their sleek, curved design and come in several different colorways.
Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review
The best super-cheap wired buds
✅ You game on your phone: Getting both clarity and precision at this level is rare, which is why we think they're perfect for mobile gamers.
✅ You’re rough on your tech gear: They’re sturdy and cheap enough that accidents aren’t a big deal.
❌ You want strong bass: These aren’t built for deep, thumping lows. Bass is definitely lacking and you'll need to look elsewhere if that's a dealbreaker.
❌ You need extra cable length: The 1.2m cable you get here is fine for phones, but too short for console or TV gaming.
The Final Audio VR500 are among the most affordable headphones from Japanese tech company Final Audio, and a great choice if you're looking for a pair of wired headphones with a 3.5mm jack that are cheap and sound great.
As we commented in our review, just because they're cheap "doesn't mean they’ve missed out on the customary Final Audio attention to detail." They're a fantastic option for gamers and music-lovers with good specs, a solid build quality that weighs only 12g for maximum comfort, and a 1.2m cable that's tangle-resistant and should be long enough for most situations.
There are better-sounding buds and in our review we said that some listeners might crave more punch. But in terms of spaciousness, detail retrieval, fidelity and precision, the Final Audio outperform their budget asking price. We wrote: "By the standards of profoundly affordable wired in-ear headphones, the VR500 are basically as good as it currently gets."
Read our full Final VR500 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.
Earfun Wave Pro: These very capable over-ears were once our top pick for most people, but were replaced by the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51. But that doesn't mean these Earfun cans aren't still well worth your time with good sound, solid ANC, impressive battery life and a comfortable fit all for an affordable price. Take a look at our Earfun Wave Pro review for more.
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.
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-C700N: When we first tested these buds in our Sony WF-C700N review, we said that they're among the best cheap ANC buds you can buy. We stand buy that. The audio is detailed and immersive, and they’re extremely comfortable. They’re getting on a bit now, but if you spot them at a big discount while they’re still available, snap them up.
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 JBuds Mini at $39.99/£39.99 through to the Sony WF-C700N at $119 / £99 / AU$199. 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 Air Pop, which retail for $20 / £20 / AU$49.95. 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
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.
