The best affordable headphones for any style
Headphones have become an essential product for many people, and it can be disheartening to see that the best-rated headphones cost hundreds of dollars.
So, we’ve done some research to find the best affordable headphones on the market, with options for in-ear or over-ear (also called on-ear), wired or wireless sets.
Over-ear headphones
Sony MDRZX110 Stereo Headphones
$19.99 at Amazon
These solid headphones come from a reputable brand and cost less than you might imagine considering their decent sound quality. We love that their swivel design makes them more easily portable. Also available at Best Buy.
JVC Powerful Sound On-Ear Headphones
$19.99 at Best Buy
Thanks to the comfortably padded ear pieces, you can listen to these headphones for long periods without experiencing discomfort. They have a built-in mic for phone calls or video chatting, plus built-in controls to pause, play, skip and more. Also available at Amazon.
JLab Audio Studio Wired On-Ear Headphones
$20 at Amazon
With 40mm neodymium drivers and JLab’s C3 audio technology, you get some surprisingly good sound quality considering these headphones are so inexpensive. The comfortably plush faux leather ear pieces are a draw, as is the built-in mic and tangle-free braided nylon cord. Also available at Best Buy.
In-ear headphones
Apple EarPods with 3.5mm Headphone Plug
$18.99 at Amazon
Can’t afford AirPods? These headphones bring you a similar sound quality to standard AirPods but with a wired design. The 3.5mm jack is more versatile, but you also have the option to buy them with a lightning connector if you exclusively want to listen to music on an iPhone. Also available at Best Buy.
Sony EX155AP EX Series Wired In-Ear Headphones
$29.99 at Best Buy
These might be basic wired earbuds, but the 9mm neodymium dome-style drivers give you rich balanced sound, while the in-line microphone makes it convenient to make or receive calls and the silicone buds feel comfortable for long periods of use. Also available at Amazon.
Panasonic ErgoFit Earbud Headphones
$15 at Amazon
You can’t go too far wrong choosing headphones from trusted electronics brand Panasonic. You can choose a version with or without an in-line mic, and they come in a wide range of colors. These earbuds give you nicely balanced audio considering the price.
Wireless over-ear headphones
Sony WH-CH510 Wireless On-Ear Headphones
$59.99 at Best Buy
Another winning option from Sony for wireless over-ear headphones without a hefty price tag. They have an impressive 35-hour battery life and give you dynamic sound from 30mm drivers. The built-in mic is great for hands-free calling. Also available at Amazon.
iLive IAHB38 Wireless Headphones
$25 at Macy’s
These headphones come from a lesser-known brand, but have some excellent features considering their low price. They have a built-in microphone, on-ear controls, and 40mm drivers. The downside is their poor battery life — they last just five hours playing music at full volume. Also available at Amazon.
Wireless in-ear headphones
Skullcandy Jib+ Wireless In-Ear Earbuds
From $14.99 at Amazon
These headphones aren’t truly wireless, as you have a wire connecting the left and right buds, but they connect wirelessly to your phone or other device. While some people prefer a truly wireless design, you get a lot of headphone for a small price with the Jib+, thanks to features such as the in-line mic and built-in controls. Also available at Best Buy.
Sony WI-C200 Wireless In-Ear Headphones
$19.88 at Amazon
Like the Skullcandy headphones, these have a wire connecting earbuds, but they have wireless connectivity capabilities via Bluetooth. You get the solid, balanced sound quality that you’d expect from Sony, all at a reasonable price.
Altec Lansing Nanobuds
$29.99 at Macy’s
We love these affordable truly wireless headphones that are IPX5 water-resistant and come with a charging case. They have only a four-hour battery life, but the case will fully recharge them up to four times before it runs out of power. Also available at Amazon.
JLab Audio GO Air True Wireless In-Ear Headphones
$29.99 at Best Buy
Another truly wireless offering at a low price. These headphones have powerful sound from 8mm drivers, a custom equalizer and built-in microphone. They have a five-hour battery life plus an extra 15 hours from the charging case. Also available at Amazon.
