Don’t want to spend a fortune on headphones that can get lost or damaged? We fully understand your thoughts. That’s why we’ve selected some great headphones under $10. These budget-friendly earbuds are perfect for students, travelers, or anyone who wants a basic pair for everyday use.
While working on a recent DIY photo shoot at FixThePhoto, my colleagues and I decided to sync LED lights with music. We needed the audio to be perfectly aligned, so we started to look for a pair of headphones that could do the job.
Besides, we wanted a budget-friendly model because we didn’t know how the whole project would turn out. We tested over 40 headphones under 10 dollars to find the ones we could recommend to others.
Amazon: 300+ bought in past month
B&H: 4K+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 3K+ sold in the past year
Best Buy: 2.5K+ sold in past year
I didn’t expect much from the budget-friendly JVC HAFX5W Gumy Plus, but they truly surprised me. These headphones have a colorful design that immediately attracts attention. Besides, their snug fit is perfect for an active lifestyle. For our project, we needed very precise audio, and these earpieces ideally fit the bill.
I was very impressed by their sound quality. The bass was deep and punchy, and the overall sound was clear and balanced. You can rarely get such performance from noise canceling headphones under $200. No matter whether I was listening to ambient soundscapes or testing audio frequencies, the Gumy Plus proved very capable. Besides, I like that they stay in my ears securely.
I like that the manufacturer thoughtfully included ear tips of different sizes. Thus, any person can enjoy a comfortable fit. The lightweight design is another plus. The cable doesn’t seem to last long as it gets tangled easily. Still, these 10 dollar headphones are an amazing deal in general.
Amazon: 100+ bought in past month
iKurdene: 1.5K+ sold in the past year
Robin Owens, our tech specialist, told me about the Kurdene Bluetooth Earbuds. If you are dwelling in a fast-paced environment, they can be the best headphones for 10 dollars for you. They’re surprisingly comfortable and secure. In fact, they worked without issues during our dynamic shoots with the LED lights.
The Bluetooth 5.3 technology makes pairing quick and intuitive. I just opened the case, waited several seconds, and was ready to go. For that money, the sound quality was exceptional. The bass had a satisfying depth, and the mids and highs were crystal clear. The noise cancellation worked wonders in combination with the comfortable fit.
Frankly speaking, the sound quality wasn’t on par with high-end brands, but these headphones still showed remarkable results for their sub-$10 price tag. You can expect up to 6 hours of playback and take advantage of on-the-go charging. All in all, these Bluetooth headphones under 10 dollars are suitable for extended work sessions.
Amazon: 1K+ bought in past month
B&H: 15K+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 10K+ sold in the past year
It was quite a shock to see the big-name brand Panasonic selling headphones for a mere $10. This particular model has a vintage look and a featherweight design. They’re so comfortable, you can even forget you’re even wearing them.
The sound quality was one more pleasant surprise. The 30mm drivers provided crisp mids and highs. The XBS system produced a solid bass response without muddying the sound. Considering such characteristics, I think these are terrific, inexpensive headphones for movies.
The only downside was the slightly uncomfortable, rigid headband. However, you can easily solve the problem by adding some custom padding. Because of the open-back body, you can hear some environmental sounds. Still, this can be great for activities like syncing sound with a video. Generally, these headphones under 10 bucks are a good option for most tasks.
Amazon: 1K+ bought in past month
eBay: 13K+ sold in the past year
I bought the iRAG A101 earbuds out of necessity during a journey. My favorite headphones for iPod had conked out, and I needed a new pair. When I bought these in-ear headphones under 10 dollars, I could even imagine they would work so marvelously.
I packed these earbuds as a spare option for our DIY light-and-sound endeavor. I was pleasantly surprised by how efficient they appeared to be during our tests. The audio was clear enough to accurately align the LED lights with the rhythm. Besides, thanks to the secure fit, I didn’t have to constantly fiddle during our experiment.
Still, the iRAG A101 has a few drawbacks. There’s a subtle hum when plugged into my laptop, although it’s masked by the music. The construction of these in-ear headphones under 10 bucks also seems rather fragile, so I’m not convinced they’ll stand the test of time. Anyway, if you aren’t ready to spend much, you can consider this model.
Amazon: 3K+ bought in past month
I came across Aylaa AY8 earbuds completely by chance. I needed to find a new pair very quickly and saw this model. I liked their attractive design and surprisingly low price. I wasn’t expecting much for such a budget-friendly option, but I was wrong. Now I know these are reliable headphones for everyday use.
I like their comfortable and secure fit. They didn’t cause inconveniences even when I was moving around to adjust the lights. The audio quality was also terrific for the price. The noise isolation feature was another pleasant surprise. They blocked out distractions, so I could fully enjoy the music.
As for drawbacks, the sound during phone calls was slightly muffled. This may disappoint some people, but it was a minor issue for me. You should also be aware of the cable length. It felt limiting, as I needed more flexibility at my desk. Besides, the overall fit wasn’t as comfortable as I’d hoped when I had these headphones on for several hours in a row.
Amazon: 9K+ bought in past month
B&H: 100K+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 90K+ sold in the past year
I was on the hunt for the best headphones under $10 to complete our lighting and sound setup. Suddenly, I saw the Koss KPH7. They have a retro design, which I couldn’t but marvel at. I instantly remembered the golden age of headphones.
These headphones showed amazing results during our light and sound tests. They have a lightweight, over-ear design, so they don’t cause discomfort even over long periods of use. The plush ear cushions were comfortable. Audio quality, although not audiophile-grade, was remarkably crisp.
One small drawback was the dual cords. They get tangled easily and you need to get distracted to fix them. Generally, the model lives up to its reputation for being budget-friendly and easy to use. Although they may not be ideal for audiophiles or people looking for a model for a prolonged use, they’re a great choice for everyday listening.
Amazon: 1K+ bought in past month
Maxell USA: 30K+ sold in the past year
By paying $10, you can receive a very practical headphone model. The Maxell 190319 has a 6-foot cord that allows you to move around without restrictions. Besides, these headphones are made with durability and comfort in mind.
These headphones did exactly what the manufacturer promised - they were simple, reliable, and functional. They are also equipped with soft ear cups and an adjustable headband, which guarantee a comfortable listening experience. Unfortunately, the open-back design means that some sound will escape.
These headphones are very versatile. Some colleagues brought their kids, and our younger testers loved how comfortable the earphones were. Besides, thanks to customizable colored inserts, they can serve as terrific headphones for teens. Though they may not impress audiophiles, the sound quality is good considering the price.
Quite often, it feels that our FixThePhoto team comprises audio-visual gear nerds. Every time we test and review equipment, we go the extra mile to examine the smallest details. The process was the same when we selected the best headphones under 10 dollars.
Comfort is a critical factor, even within budget constraints. We rigorously evaluated each pair. We tested them for long periods for different tasks, including audio-visual synchronization and casual listening. Moreover, we paid attention to adjustable headbands, comfortable earpads, and lightweight designs.
We didn’t expect to hear audiophile-level sound from these budget-friendly headphones, but we didn’t want to agree to poor sound. We evaluated each model using a variety of audio tracks. For instance, we listened to bass-heavy and instrumentally complex pieces to assess sound clarity, balance, and bass response.
Budget headphones aren’t always durable. To evaluate how well these models held up, we mimicked real-life scenarios – accidental drops, being stuffed in bags, and constant connection and disconnection. We also assessed cable quality, as this is a common weak point in lower-cost options. The headphones that came out on top proved they could withstand the rigors of everyday use.
