By Robin Owens 21 days ago, Headphones
Affordable and high-quality headphones under $500 dollars.
Those looking for the best headphones under 500 dollars will have a broader range of options to choose from than people with limited funds. However, the process can become really overwhelming because of many types of earphones available. Frankly speaking, you need to devote quite lots of time to find your ideal pair.
Lucky you are to come across this overview that contains a thorough description of the most reliable models that are worth spending money on. I have examined multiple categories and managed to name the best headphones under 500 bucks belonging to the wireless, neckband, and open-back groups.
Most options covered below cost about $200, and several of them sit in the $300-400 range. What makes them stand out among numerous alternatives is excellent sound quality, an ANC feature, and high frequency response.
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Wireless: Yes | Noise Cancelling: Yes | Cable Length: No cable
⊕ Amazing noise canceling
⊕ Pillowy comfort
⊕ Generous battery life
⊖ Mediocre call quality
The Sony WH-1000XM3 hеadphones under $500 combines good looks, really comfortable construction and good battery life. These are really very comfortable headphones, in which you can easily sit for 3 hours. Provided that it is not very hot around you, because even in an office at a temperature of about 23 degrees there is a feeling of warmth in your ears. In summer it will most likely be hot in them.
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Wireless: Yes | Noise Cancelling: Yes | Cable Length: No cable
⊕ Comfortable design
⊕ Really portable
⊕ Good audio quality
⊖ Poor battery life
⊖ Lack ambient listening mode
The Apple AirPods is probably one of the most talked about products on the market today. This amazing product is available in a variety of colors and styles to suit any kind of outfit you want to wear. These headphones come with a microphone built right into them that will help you talk hands free, but also with a Bluetooth transmitter that allows you to place the headphones wherever you have your hand on. This makes them very versatile and very handy.
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Wireless: Yes | Noise Cancelling: Yes | Cable Length: No cable
⊕ Phone call quality is excellent
⊕ Sweat and water resistance
⊕ Ambidextrous controls are amazing
⊖ May not fit all ears perfectly
⊖ Charges via Lightning and not USB-C
If you want to get some of the best sounding headphones on the market, Powerbeats Pro is the brand you want to look for. Their headphones are among the top of their type on the market and have the highest-rated audio system in the industry today. However, the prices on these headphones have always been a little bit on the high side, and if you were planning on buying one, but still wanted the same level of sound quality, you probably weren't looking in the right place.
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Wireless: Yes | Noise Cancelling: Yes | Cable Length: No cable
⊕ Customizable touch controls
⊕ Comfortable, clever design
⊕ Impressive bass weight
⊖ Slow connection
⊖ Might not fit the smallest ears
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live is headphones made by Samsung and are a very comfortable product that have some excellent features. These headphones come with the Bluetooth technology, which is one of the newest technology available and it can transmit data from your device to the headphones at high speed. This way you can get your music and movies to play while you listen to them and this will also mean that there are no interruptions because your device stops playing music or view the video.
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz | Wireless: No | Noise Cancelling: Yes | Cable Length: 1.5m
⊕ Rich mids and bass
⊕ Great noise reduction
⊕ Includes zip-up case
⊖ Lacks a microphone and phone/volume controls
⊖ Wired connection only
Like many years ago, Etymotic has got excellent headphones under 500 bucks, which are likely to become classics too: it's good that the company's original approach has not gone anywhere. They have retained a rich package, very unusual ergonomics with potentially the best noise isolation among general-purpose headphones and a sound that is unique in its analyticity.
Frequency Response: 10 Hz - 40 kHz | Wireless: Yes | Noise Cancelling: Yes | Cable Length: No cable
⊕ Excellent audio quality
⊕ Comfortable fit
⊕ Feature-laden base station
⊖ No ChatMix thumb wheel on earcups
⊖ Needs base station to charge
Despite the superficial resemblance to the younger model, the Arctis Pro sits and feels differently. In some ways, this is probably the merit of the materials used in the production. Here the headband is made of steel, and the mounts are made of aluminum. I really liked the ear pads in the Arctis Pro. Firstly, one cannot fail to note the material from which they are made. He perfectly "breathes" from which the ears and head do not sweat even in the heat. The bundled software allows you to adjust the sound, noise reduction levels, voice purification, and set or turn off the backlight.
Frequency Response: 5 Hz - 40 kHz | Wireless: No | Noise Cancelling: Yes | Cable Length: 3m
⊕ Robust body
⊕ Excellent comfort
⊕ Breathtaking sounding
⊖ Slightly recessed mids
⊖ Highs can be fatiguing
The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones under $500 can help you get the best quality at an affordable price. These headphones are made with top of the line technology and offer a lot of features, so you will be able to enjoy your music without missing out on anything you want to hear. For many people, this is a good pair of headphones to have, especially if they like music that has a lot of bass. You will notice that you can feel the vibrations from the instruments and the music in your room because of the great sound you get from these headphones. These headphones have excellent build quality as well, so you do not have to worry about the headphones breaking or falling apart on you while you use them.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sony WH1000XM3
Our choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Apple AirPods
Stylish |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Powerbeats Pro
Compact |
CHECK PRICE → |
A good rule of thumb is to write down key points that you need to consider while buying a new pair of earpieces. When you have a clear understanding of what really the performance and durability of your headset, you are sure to get a decent model rather than waste money on a much-hyped but a weak product.
Noise Isolation
When you listen to music, you definitely don't want any background sounds penetrating in. You can prevent this from happening by using headphones with passive or active noise canceling technology. Passive noise cancellation is provided by seals that block noise coming from the source from reaching your ear. The best option is “earplugs” with rubber seals or full-size headphones with solid ear pads. ANC headphones are a great way out for those, who want to enjoy clear sound. However, they are not recommended for people with vestibular problems.
Wireless or Corded
Talking about a connection type, all headphones can be divided into 2 groups – wired and wireless. The latter are more suitable for active people, who don’t want to constantly deal with tangled cords. They are also favored by athletes or those fond of hiking, as they can perform various actions without wires constraining their movements.
If you have nothing against cords and need the highest sound quality, then you should opt for wired headphones. Feeling the uncertainty of many buyers, who can’t decide between these kinds of earphones, manufacturers started to release models that support both connections. Choosing such a headset, you can effortlessly remove a detachable cord and turn on Bluetooth connection and vice versa.
Comfort Level
Either you are searching for the best headphones under 500 dollars for entertainment or working needs, you probably want them to be comfortable. Check whether they come with soft padding on the headband and earpads. Some models can be adjusted to fit your head and this is a really cool feature. A good pair of headphones must be made of durable materials and be well-assembled. The choice of earphones largely depends on your personal requirements, and what is comfortable for one person is unsuitable for another. That’s why, try different types of headphones (over-the-ear, in-ear, open-back, closed-back, etc.) and define what fits you best of all.
