I decided to prepare a special gift - the best headphones under $50 - for our colleague Robin. She has been thinking about buying new headphones, but she hasn’t been able to find the most suitable model. Robin kept using her old pair as she did not have enough time to go shopping.
I wanted to discover the best headphones under $50, knowing that she would be happy to receive a useful gift that did not cost too much. After conducting thorough research, I have compiled a list of options that met my criteria perfectly.
I wanted to purchase headphones that supported impressive sound quality, were comfortable to wear, and were made of durable materials. Setting these criteria helped me discover the pair that would be the best choice for Robin. On this list, you will find both wired and wireless models. I have added my reviews to show why I opted for these headphones.
OneOdio A71 ★★★★★ (5/5)
The OneOdio A71 are the best headphones under $50, as they stand out for their excellent sound quality with pro-level bass sound. It makes them perfect for listening to music and performing monitoring. They are fitted with soft ear cushions and an easy-to-adjust headband. It ensures that they will be comfortable to wear even during prolonged periods.
When I decided to find the best headphones under 50 USD for my colleague, I wanted to see whether the models I tested were suitable for various situations. My colleague spends a lot of time in the studio, so it was crucial to choose a comfortable model with impressive noise isolation capabilities and clear sound.
I was wondering whether budget headphones delivered the performance that met the needs of my colleague. I used them in quiet and noisy environments to check whether they have a high level of noise isolation. It also helped me see whether they were suitable for prolonged use.
After testing 30+ headphones under $50, I discovered a few options that were better than others. They stand out for their impressive sound quality, a high level of comfort, and great noise isolation capabilities.
Amazon: 200+ bought in past month
OneOdio: 3K+ sold in past year
After testing the OneOdio A71, I understood that these are the best headphones under $50 I can buy, as they deliver excellent performance despite their low price. This over-ear model stands out for stunning sound clarity, making it a good option for every person who wants to listen to high-quality audio for professional purposes and in their daily lives.
The key selling point of these headphones under 50 USD is that they are extremely comfortable to wear. They have padded ear cushions, so I was sure that my colleague would appreciate using them during long sessions. The headband is easy to adjust, while swivel earcups facilitate single-sided monitoring easily. These will be especially handy for those who work in studios with a team.
If you are looking for headphones for classical music that produce rich, nuanced sound, buy this model. As they surpassed my expectations, I decided to purchase them as a gift. The OneOdio A71 does not cost an arm and a leg to purchase.
Amazon: 10K+ bought in past month
B&H: 300K+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 250K+ sold in the past year
Best Buy: 180K+ sold in past year
I was also thinking about buying over-ear headphones under $50. In this category, the Sony WH-CH520 is the best option to consider, as this model has a lot of positive reviews. It stands out for its sound quality, rich bass, and perfect mids. Besides, it does not weigh much, making it perfect for those who enjoy listening to music for hours.
Its battery lasts up to 50 hours. These multipoint headphones support a stable Bluetooth connection. If you are looking for the best headphones for movies, it’s an excellent choice. This model produces clear sound with decent bass and treble balance. It’s the perfect choice for those who like listening to soundtracks and hearing dialogue clearly.
Nevertheless, I decided against buying them as a gift for my colleague. They do not support active noise cancellation, making it impossible to enjoy a truly immersive experience. Besides, these $50 headphones have an on-ear design, making them a bit uncomfortable to wear when it’s warm outside.
Amazon: 10K+ bought in past month
B&H: 270K+ sold in the past year
Best Buy: 160K+ sold in past year
I was thinking about buying the Anker Soundcore headphones because many of my colleagues already use them. I even purchased a pair for myself. This model remains quite popular because it supports decent sound quality and is quite comfortable to wear.
Nevertheless, I decided against buying this model as a gift. Even though many people have these headphones, I wanted to find something more special for my colleague. I was also thinking about buying Acellories headphones, but they are quite common. As I needed to buy a gift with a special touch, I picked another option.
If you want to enjoy high-quality audio when using videoconferencing software, you can use this model together with the best microphones for Zoom meetings. It will allow you to improve your listening experience and communicate with your colleagues at a professional level.
Amazon: 2K+ bought in past month
B&H: 50K+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 40K+ sold in the past year
Last year, I wanted to buy a Behringer HPX2000 for my colleagues as a gift for our Secret Santa exchange. These headphones have impressive functionality. They do not cost much, are easy to use, have a stylish design, and come with a choice of features. This model is a great option for anyone who is interested in reliable headphones for everyday use.
As many of my colleagues enjoy learning something new, I wanted to find the best headphones for podcasting. After giving it some thought, I decided to avoid buying these headphones.
Even though they are quite affordable, I did not want to buy a cheap model. I wanted to find a more thoughtful gift for this occasion. However, I still think that the Behringer HPX2000 are the best headphones for less than $50 if you are interested in a compact model.
Amazon: 10K+ bought in past month
B&H: 280K+ sold in the past year
Best Buy: 150K+ sold in past year
People who want to buy headphones often consider buying JBL models. When I started to look for wireless headphones under $50, I considered purchasing the JBL Tune 510BT. It has a streamlined design and supports excellent sound quality.
The JBL Tune 510BT is a great option for everyday use. They are extremely comfortable, do not weigh much, and support superb sound quality, which makes them suitable for listening to music and making calls. However, this model is hardly suitable for work-related tasks, as its noise-cancellation capabilities are rather subpar.
Amazon: 400+ bought in past month
B&H: 5K+ sold in the past year
Adorama: 4.5K+ sold in the past year
I’ve been considering buying the Mpow H12 as a gift for my colleague, as they are known as great noise-cancelling headphones under $50. They support nice sound quality and have great battery life, making them a great option for those who do not have a lot of money to spend.
I have noticed that my colleague has been using the same model for years. She keeps telling me about how comfortable they are and how she likes using them during long commutes or when she has to work with too many people. Even though their price is quite low, she believes that they are perfect for her due to their ability to cancel noise.
I have been thinking whether it could be a great idea to purchase the same model she already owns. However, I decided to find a different model sold at a similar price. I was also considering buying vintage Ross headphones, but then disregarded this idea.
Our FixThePhoto team values our readers and wants them to get trustworthy information about the products they are interested in to help them make an informed choice when looking for budget options.
We have thoroughly tested popular headphones under $50 and compared them in terms of sound quality, comfort, noise-canceling features, build quality, battery life, and the value for money they deliver.
To get started, we have compared the available headphones to check whether they have comfortable designs and fit. We wanted to find models suitable for casual use and long sessions. We compared how they performed in different settings, checked them for sound leakage, and considered their adjustability.
Then, we examined the quality of the output sound, as it is the most essential thing to consider when looking for headphones. We played music in various genres, from classical to electronic. It helped us assess the clarity of the mids, bass depth, and highs. After testing headphones with various sound profiles, we have selected the most affordable models with well-balanced audio.
We wanted to check whether these headphones are comfortable to wear for long periods. We used them in various situations to check whether they are suitable for commuting, working, and casual listening.
When looking for wireless models, we have also considered their battery life. We used Sony WH-CH520 and JBL Tune 510BT for hours to check how long they lasted on a single charge. Due to this, we were able to compare their actual performance with the manufacturer’s ratings.
We were also interested in noise isolation. When testing wired models, we tested passive isolation. For wireless models, we decided to check active noise cancellation. When checking the headphones’ performance in various environments, we were able to check whether they were able to block ambient sounds.
Then, we decided to compare the performance and the price of each model to see if they offered decent value for the money. We decided to prove that even affordable headphones could be quite durable and comfortable to wear while supporting impressive sound quality. Due to this, we were able to choose the best headphones under $50 that are worthy of every dime.
Battery life depends on the specific model; however, most good headphones under 50 USD support 20-50 hours of playtime. For instance, the Anker Soundcore has a battery life of up to 40 hours, making it perfect for those who travel a lot. Before making a purchase, make sure to check the specs indicated by the manufacturer to choose a model with a suitable battery life.
They may not have pro-level features that most models sold in a higher price bracket have, but there are plenty of headphones that deliver impressive audio performance, which makes them suitable for gamers. If you want to find a more comfortable option, take a closer look at the best gaming headsets for small heads for a more enjoyable gaming experience.
Even though affordable headphones do not have some premium features available in expensive models, many of them support impressive sound quality, are made of durable materials, and are comfortable to wear.
Yes, many affordable headphones support decent bass performance, especially if they are designed for bass-heavy genres. Even though their performance is worse than that of the most expensive models, they still offer an impressive listening experience with improved bass response.
Even though some affordable models do not deliver clear sound or lack depth, you can find plenty of decent headphones under 50 USD that stand out for excellent sound quality. If a model has well-balanced bass, mids, and highs, you will enjoy your listening experience while staying within your budget.
