Do you dream of crisp music or clear calls without emptying your wallet? It feels like great sound should cost a lot, right? But finding good headphones for under fifty dollars can feel like searching for buried treasure. You see lots of choices, but you worry about weak sound or them breaking too soon. It’s frustrating when you just want reliable audio without the big price tag.
This guide cuts through the noise. We tested and checked the best budget-friendly headphones available right now. You will learn exactly which models give you the most bang for your buck. Stop guessing and start listening! Keep reading to discover your next awesome, affordable pair of headphones.
Top Headphones Below 50 Recommendations
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: With up to 50-hour battery life and quick charging, you’ll have enough power for multi-day road trips and long festival weekends. (USB Type-C Cable included)
- HIGH QUALITY SOUND: Great sound quality customizable to your music preference with EQ Custom on the Sony | Headphones Connect App.
- LIGHT & COMFORTABLE: The lightweight build and swivel earcups gently slip on and off, while the adjustable headband, cushion and soft ear pads give you all-day comfort.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR CALLS: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: With up to 50-hour battery life and quick charging, you’ll have enough power for multi-day road trips and long festival weekends. (USB Type-C Cable included)
- HIGH QUALITY SOUND: Great sound quality customizable to your music preference with EQ Custom on the Sony | Headphones Connect App.
- LIGHT & COMFORTABLE: The lightweight build and swivel earcups gently slip on and off, while the adjustable headband, cushion and soft ear pads give you all-day comfort.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR CALLS: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
- Custom acoustic architecture and updated drivers for powerful Beats sound.
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking.
- Ultralight ergonomic design for all-day comfort. Flex-grip headband and ergonomically angled, adjustable ear cups for a stable fit.
- UltraPlush ear cushions are designed for comfort and durability.
- Up to 50 hours of battery life.
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: With up to 50-hour battery life and quick charging, you’ll have enough power for multi-day road trips and long festival weekends.(USB Type-C Cable included)
- HIGH QUALITY SOUND: Great sound quality customizable to your music preference with EQ Custom on the Sony | Headphones Connect App.
- LIGHT & COMFORTABLE: The lightweight build and swivel earcups gently slip on and off, while the adjustable headband, cushion and soft ear pads give you all-day comfort.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR CALLS: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
- Bass Sound: Enjoy clear sound and superior comfort with the OneOdio Studio Monitor Headphones. Equipped with large 50mm speaker drivers and neodymium magnets, pro-10 deliver powerful bass, clear vocals, and crisp highs for a balanced stereo sound.
- Built for Comfort: The soft, padded ear cushions are designed to provide long-lasting comfort and effective noise isolation. The adjustable, stretchable headband allows you to easily find the perfect fit and angle for your listening pleasure.
- Single-side Monitoring: The 90° swiveling ear cups allow for single-ear monitoring, making it ideal for DJing or mixing. The self-adjusting and flexible headband ensures a fatigue-free listening experience, even during extended sessions, making these headphones perfect for mastering and mixing.
- Compatibility: Pro-10 wired headphones work exclusively in wired mode and are compatible with a wide range of devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, desktop computers, audio interfaces, DJ mixers, amplifiers, and any device that features either a 3.5mm or 6.35mm audio jack.
- Share Audio Port: With a shared audio port, easily connect another pair to share music or videos—no splitters or special cables needed.
- Bulk Pack of Personal Classroom Headphones – Super‑affordable personal on‑ear headphones designed for large‑scale use in classrooms, labs, testing centers, and libraries.
- Soft Foam Ear Cushions & Lightweight Design – Features replaceable foam pads and an adjustable plastic headband for comfortable, long‑term student wear.
- Universal 3.5mm Compatibility – Straight 3.5mm stereo plug works with tablets, Chromebooks, computers, mobile devices, MP3 players, and CD players.
- Durable 5‑Foot PVC Cable – Built with a 5' PVC‑jacketed cord engineered for repeated classroom use and easy storage.
- Clear Stereo Sound with 30mm Drivers – Offers 20Hz–20kHz frequency response, 32‑ohm impedance, and reliable performance for multimedia lessons, testing, and online learning.
- BASS SOUND: Enjoy powerful bass and comfort with the OneOdio Studio headphones. Large 50-millimeter speaker unit drivers combined with neodymium magnets deliver dynamic bass, great for DJing, mixing, monitoring, or listening to music.
- BUILT TO STAY COMFORTABLE: The soft padded ear cushions are designed for monitor headphones' comfort and noise isolation. The headband is adjustable and stretchable for you to find the desired angle you like to fit in.
- NO MORE ADAPTER: A long DJ-style 9.8-foot cord easily reaches from the TV or stereo to your chair. A standard-sized 6.35mm plug and a 3.5mm plug are included. They both are completely detachable, you can plug in the mixer you want to use.
- SINGLE-SIDE MONITORING: 90° swiveling ear cups for single-ear monitoring anytime; self-adjustable and flexible headband delivers a fatigue-free listening experience that can last for hours, ideal for mastering and mixing.
- WORKS WITH: All devices have a 3.5 or 6.35mm audio jack. Bass sound, durability, and comfort. These are the headphones you've been looking for.
- High-Resolution Sound Quality by Professional Audio Team - Our custom-made aluminum fascia and 50mm neodymium drivers provide punchy bass and dynamic stereo sound with clear vocals and crisp high tones. You'll be amazed by the detailed sound quality when you wear these over-ear headphones.
- Dual Mode and Never Power Off - In wireless mode, you'll enjoy up to 110 hours of playtime on a single charge. And in wired mode, you can use the included audio cable to keep the headphones powered and never miss a beat.
- Maximum Comfort and Space-Saving Design - The over-ear, ergonomic design ensures long-lasting comfort, with a multi-angle rotation and foldable structure for a proper fit and great sound isolation. Soft memory cotton and skin-friendly protein leather add to the comfort, while the foldable headband is designed for space-saving and easy portability.
- Compatible with a Wide Range of Devices - These headphones work with pc, laptop, podcast and many other audio devices with Bluetooth or a 3.5mm audio jack. Enjoy high-quality sound, supreme durability, and maximum comfort with the headphones you've been searching for.
- Crystal-Clear Hands-Free Calls—Built-in HD microphone with advanced noise reduction ensures lifelike voice clarity, while wireless freedom lets you multitask effortlessly during calls, work, or workouts.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Scoring Great Sound Under $50
Finding quality headphones without breaking the bank is totally possible! When your budget is $50 or less, you need to know exactly what to hunt for. This guide helps you pick the best budget-friendly audio companions.
1. Key Features to Look For
Even cheap headphones have important features. Focus on these things first:
Sound Quality Basics
- Driver Size: This is the speaker inside the ear cup. Bigger drivers (usually 40mm or more) often move more air, giving you richer bass. Don’t expect studio quality, but bigger is usually better here.
- Frequency Response: This shows the range of sounds the headphone can make (from low bass to high treble). Look for something close to the standard human range (20Hz to 20,000Hz).
Connectivity and Comfort
- Wired vs. Wireless: Under $50, wired (using a cable) usually offers better sound quality for the price. Wireless (Bluetooth) adds convenience but often uses cheaper components to fit the budget.
- In-line Microphone: If you take calls, make sure there is a built-in mic and a control button to answer or hang up.
2. Important Materials That Matter
The materials directly affect how long the headphones last and how comfortable they feel.
Durability and Comfort
- Headband: Metal reinforcement inside the plastic headband adds strength. If it’s all plastic, check the hinges—they are often the first things to snap.
- Earcups/Pads: Look for soft foam or pleather (fake leather). These materials keep your ears comfortable during long listening sessions. Hard, cheap plastic padding will cause pain quickly.
Cable Quality (For Wired Models)
A thick, braided cable is much better than a thin, rubbery one. Thin cables tangle easily and break internally where they meet the plug.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all $40 headphones sound the same. Here is what separates the good from the bad:
What Improves Quality:
- Good Fit (Seal): Over-ear headphones must create a good seal around your ear. This seal traps the sound in, making the bass sound much stronger and clearer.
- Simple Design: Often, headphones that try to do too much (like adding unnecessary flashing lights or overly complex controls) sacrifice sound quality. Simple, focused designs often win at this price point.
What Reduces Quality:
- Over-Emphasized Bass: Many budget brands boost the bass too much. This makes music sound muddy and drowns out the vocals and higher notes. Read reviews to see if the sound is balanced.
- Cheap Jacks: The plug that goes into your phone or computer should be sturdy. A weak plug connection leads to static or sound cutting out.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Think about what you will use the headphones for most often.
Daily Commuting and School
For walking to school or riding the bus, you need something portable. Look for models that fold up easily. Since you cannot get true noise cancellation for under $50, look for passive noise isolation (earcups that fit snugly over your ear to block some outside noise).
Gaming and Video Watching
If you watch movies or play games on a laptop, a wired connection is best. This prevents audio lag (where the sound doesn’t match the picture). Comfort is key here, so prioritize those soft ear pads.
Remember, for under $50, you are looking for the best *value*. You might not get perfect sound, but you can certainly get very enjoyable sound!
10 FAQs About Headphones Under $50
Q: Can I get noise-cancelling headphones for under $50?
A: No, true Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is expensive. You can find headphones that offer good passive noise isolation, meaning the earcups fit tightly and block some outside noise naturally.
Q: Should I choose wired or Bluetooth under $50?
A: Wired usually gives you better sound quality for the money. Bluetooth headphones in this range often have shorter battery life or lower audio fidelity due to the cost of the wireless chip.
Q: What is the most common problem with cheap headphones?
A: The most common problem is poor durability. The plastic hinges or the cable connection points often break after a few months of rough use.
Q: Are the built-in microphones usable for important calls?
A: They are usually okay for quick calls in quiet places. However, the microphone will likely pick up a lot of background noise when you are outside.
Q: What is a ‘balanced’ sound profile?
A: A balanced sound profile means the bass, midrange (vocals), and treble (high notes) are all present and clear, not one drowning out the others.
Q: Do I need a special adapter for my phone?
A: Many new phones no longer have a standard headphone jack (3.5mm). If your phone lacks this port, you will need a small, inexpensive adapter to use wired headphones.
Q: How long should I expect these headphones to last?
A: With careful use, you can expect 6 months to a year. If you treat them gently, some budget models can last longer.
Q: What does “over-ear” mean compared to “on-ear”?
A: Over-ear headphones completely surround your ear. On-ear headphones rest directly on top of your ear. Over-ear usually provides better comfort and better sound sealing.
Q: Are these headphones good for workouts?
A: Only if they are specifically sweat-resistant (look for an IP rating). Most basic budget headphones are not designed to handle heavy sweat and can break easily.
Q: Where is the best place to buy these budget headphones?
A: Check large online retailers, but always read recent user reviews there. Sometimes, buying directly from a trusted brand’s official store online is safer than buying generic brands from third-party sellers.