15 Best Cheap Over-Ear Headphones Under $50 In 2023

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We are living in the world of discounts and best offers. Everyone wants to get great quality for the lowest price possible, but you don’t have to wait for Black Fridays or season discounts to buy a decent product. This article about 15 best cheap over-ear headphones in 2021 is created in order to show you that there are many great products on the market that can be bought for a very small amount of money at any time.

You must be already thinking that those cheap products will break in a week or so, but if you keep reading, you will see that it’s not true because the products on our list have decent quality and, if used properly, they can last for a long time.

We have tried to present different kinds of over-ear headphones. Some of them are made to be used at home just for listening to music or watching films, while the others can be used as Bluetooth headphones, be taken outside and even used for answering calls. Some of them are made for bass heads, while the others deliver only average bass. We have even managed to include some studio headphones in the list for all those customers who love to hear natural and detailed sound.

Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $50 – Comparison Table

What Types of Over-Ear Headphones Exist?

Over-ear or full-size headphones can be divided into three main categories and the main difference between them is the ear cup design. Drivers inside the cups convert electrical signal into sound and send it towards user’s ears and outside the cups. Depending on the open or closed design of the cups, the headphones will deliver different type of sound, isolate bigger or smaller amount of ambient noise and leak different amount of sound.

Closed-back headphones

These headphones are probably the most popular over-ear headphones on the market. Their main characteristic is closed design of their cups that keeps the sound inside them and makes the impression that the music is in your head. Thick cushions on the cups aren’t there just for comfort, but also to seal around your ears and prevent ambient noise from entering the cups. Because of their design, closed-back headphones protect your privacy as they leak little to no sound so that people around you won’t be forced to listen to your music. Also, these headphones will isolate great amount of ambient noise and enable you to concentrate on your music or anything you are doing.

Open-back headphones

The front side of the cups on open-back headphones is opened. Actually, it looks like narrow mesh and you can actually see headphone speakers through the small holes. Those holes are responsible for the type of sound these headphones deliver. If the closed-back headphones give you the impression that the sound is in your head, open-back headphones create more open sound and you get the impression that you are listening to music in some kind of a room. That also means the sound has better opportunity to exit the cups, causing great sound leakage as well as more awareness of everything that is happening around you.

Semi-open headphones

Semi-open headphones are designed to make the perfect combination of closed-back and open-back headphones. They are supposed to ensure less sound leakage, better awareness of the surroundings as well as a better chance for ears to breathe.

The truth is they don’t work as well as they were supposed to, especially not in studios. It is better to use them in everyday situations for casual listening to music, although you have to be aware that they still leak great amount of sound.

However, tastes and needs differ from person to person. That’s the reason why we have prepared very interesting list of 15 cheap over-ear headphones that consists of 15 different kinds of full-size headphones in accordance with customers’ most often requirements.

1. Best Cheap Bluetooth Headphones for Workouts – Mpow 059

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Mpow 059 are one of Amazon’s best sellers and they aren’t in that category for no reason. As many other Mpow products, they deserved it because of their great quality and very affordable price.  

 What’s in the box?

The headphones come in a very simple cardboard box with 4ft audio cable that ends with gold-plated 3.5 mm connector, one relatively short USB charging cable and one soft carrying bag.

 Things we like:

Mpow 059 have quite simple but appealing and modern design. They are available in many colors (red, black, grey, blue, green, pink and silver), which should cover most of customer needs and preferences.

All the controls are highly accessible and they are placed on the right earbud. On the front side of the cup, you will see a set of buttons used to control the volume and skip tracks. The button in the center of the small circle is used to play/pause music and answer/end calls. When you press the button, the ring around it turns blue. If you press it again, the ring will start changing colors from blue to red and it means that the headphones are in pairing mode. On the same earbud, there is also micro USB port and on the left earbud you will find 3.5 mm audio cable port.

The next thing we appreciate about these headphones is the fact that they are quite comfortable. The headband and the ear cups are covered with padding and ear cushions made from very soft material. The headband can be extended and the ear cups are flexible, so that the headphones can be adjusted to customer’s head. In addition, Mpow 059 are foldable, which makes them highly portable, especially because they have their own carrying bag provided.

Mpow 059 use 40mm drivers that deliver balanced sound with nice bass. They also have Bluetooth 4.0 technology with 33ft signal range and the battery that offers the astonishing 13 hours of playback and 15 hours of talk time. Also, if you run out of battery, you can always take out the audio cable and connect the headphones to your phone or player and continue listening to your favorite music.

 Things we don’t like:

One of the things that we didn’t like about Mpow 059 is their glossy finish that leaves all the fingerprints visible and the fact that the headphones can look a bit bulky on user’s head.

The next disadvantage is microphone that can make you sound muffled and it also can’t be used in wired mode, so don’t count on it for long and important talks.

In addition, we have to mention the lack of ANC. The headphones use only noise isolation technology and thanks to the closed-back design and thick ear cushions, they manage to isolate up to 10 dB of ambient noise. However, passive noise cancellation can’t replace ANC so you will still be able to hear some background sounds.

Comparison Table

2. Best Bass Headphones Under $50 – Skullcandy Crusher

 

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The second place on our list of best cheap over-ear headphones has taken Skullcandy Crusher, headphones for true bass lovers. These headphones normally cost more than $50, but we have managed to find this specific model that costs less than the others and the price obviously depends on the design.

 What’s in the box?

Apart from the headphones, Skullcandy a sends you detachable audio cable with 3.5mm connector and inline mic with remote controls, one AA battery and one thin and very large carrying bag that really doesn’t help a lot when protection is concerned.

 Things we like:

One of the things we generally love about Skullcandy is the colors they use and the effort they make to create such interesting headphones. We picked this navy model with stripes because of the price, but we think it looks very nice and trendy.

Skullcandy Crusher are well-known for being very comfortable. They are a bit heavier that average (10 ounces), but thanks to the well-padded adjustable headband and thick soft ear cushions, you really won’t feel any extra weight. The cushions are spacious enough to receive different kinds of ears and still manage to seal nicely around them in order to isolate the user from background noise as much as possible.

When it comes to sound quality, we have to say that these headphones were made for people who love bass and that’s the reason why they use AA battery. Skullcandy Crusher have two drivers. One of them, Sensation 55, requires the battery in order to work normally. Thanks to the battery and bass level controller on the left ear cup, you will be able to hear how great bass sounds.

The battery is inserted into the left ear cup and it offers up to 40 hours of playback. If it dies, you will still be able to use headphones, but the sound will be more passive and there won’t be so much bass.

 Things we don’t like:

Skullcandy Crusher are plastic headphones and you have to be aware of that and take care about them if you want them to last for a long time. Besides that, some kind of rattling in the left ear cup can be heard when the volume is low and it is the caused by battery.

Also, these headphones definitely don’t deliver completely clear and natural sound. It is not bad or distorted, it just requires turning on bass in order to sound more powerful, so if you’re looking for headphones with natural and detailed sound, you better keep reading because we have some better options for you.  

Comparison Table

3. Best-sounding Wired Headphones Under $40 – Edifier H840

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The next product on our list is economic pair of headphones made by company called Edifier, which is based in China. They have 20-year long tradition of making headphones and speakers, but in USA they have become more popular only recently. They make good-quality products that can be bought for reasonable amounts of money and that confirms this H840 model.

 What’s in the box?

Unlike many other manufacturers, Edifier doesn’t include additional equipment in their package. The headphones come alone and you will find there nothing but one pair of wired headphones.

 Things we like:

H840 have simple and attractive design and we appreciate this nice and elegant matte finish and the possibility to choose between black, blue and white colors and models with or without mic.

The headphones have adjustable and flexible headband, which can be stretched and twisted although it is made from some kind of metal. The ear cups are also quite adjustable as they can be partially rotated, which enables them to make better fit to your ears.

When it comes to comfort, we have to say that the headphones are quite light in spite of their 40mm drivers. They weigh only 7 ounces and their clamp force is only average, which keeps you free from headaches and pressure. Ear cups have nice soft cushions made from foam and covered with leatherette material that lies nicely around your ears.

Closed design and the structure of the ear cushions will save you from the greatest part of ambient noise. Although these headphones don’t have ANC, passive noise cancellation technology works just fine and it will allow you to enjoy very nice and pleasant sound that H840 deliver.

 Things we don’t like:

Edifier H840 do look attractive, but they also look rather plastic, which they in fact are. They won’t break so easily, of course, but they were definitely made for mostly indoor use. That confirms the fact that the headphones can’t be used without it’s 6ft Y-shaped cable, which is often considered too long for activities such as working out, walking or even traveling.

One more problem with this audio cable is the fact that it is so thin that you could easily confuse it with earbud cable and that poor thickness makes it less solid and more prone to damaging. Besides that, it is not even detachable. That means you can’t replace only the damaged audio cable, but the whole headset.

Comparison Table

4. Best for Studio Monitoring – Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

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Buying a pair of professional over-ear headphones for less than $50 is not impossible any more because of Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones. If you’re looking for headphones with detailed sound with not too emphasized bass, these will be great for you. Although they aren’t the best ATH headphones, they will definitely offer you great satisfaction during critical listening or playing an instrument. They are also great choice for ordinary people who love detailed and clean sound when listening to their favorite songs.

 What’s in the box?

ATH-M20x come in a simple package containing the headphones with 9ft long non-detachable straight cable that ends with 3.5mm connector and one 6.3mm plug adapter.

 Things we like:

Being the entry model of the Audio-Technica M series, ATH-M20x offer quite a lot for the money. As you have probably noticed, they look practically the same as other ATH-M models, but they are significantly smaller and lighter as they weigh only 6.7 ounces. They have closed-back design and they manage to isolate great amount of ambient noise. Although they aren’t as foldable as other models from M series are, they are adjustable enough to be amazingly comfortable.

ATH-M20x are very durable headphones although they are made mostly from plastic. The headband is adjustable and quite flexible and the cups can be rotated up to 15 degrees. The paddings on the headband and ear cups are quite thick and they prevent headphones from putting too much pressure on your head and ears. The ear cushions are very soft and they seal comfortably around your ears.

One of the most important advantages of these headphones is the way they sound. Although they are advertised as DJ or professional monitoring headphones, ATH-M20x can be used for home listening, watching movies and even gaming, as they are quite loud and they deliver pleasant balanced sound with punchy bass and very clear vocals. Because of their detailed sound, every person who loves to really feel music would be very satisfied with this model.

 Things we don’t like:

Although ATH-M20x are great headphones, they can have minor downsides depending on the way they are used. If you want to use them only at home, the cable shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you need them for studio, you might consider some other model with coiled cable. Also, some users prefer Bluetooth models for outdoor usage and 9ft cable certainly can be annoying. Another problem is that the cable is not detachable. That makes it impossible to replace in case of damaging. It also doesn’t have inline mic, so you can’t use these headphones for hands-free talks.

Comparison Table

5. Longest Battery Life – Avantree Audition

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Avantree Audition headphones are an upgrade of the previous model – Avantree Hive. They look and sound better and their durability is also excellent. If you need a pair of headphones that can be used both indoors and outdoors, with or without audio cable, you might consider buying this relatively affordable model.

 What’s in the box?

Avantree Audition come in a simple partially transparent box that contains the headphones, short flat 3.5mm detachable audio cable, USB charging cable, user manual and 2-year warranty card.

 Things we like:

These headphones might not cost much, but they certainly look expensive. They are available in matte black with nice red elements. They were designed to be used as both wireless and wired headphones. On the left ear cup, you will find all the necessary controls (power on/off button, volume controls), microphone, USB charging port as well as port for connecting audio cable in case you run out of battery.

The headband is slightly adjustable and although it is not padded, you don’t really get the impression that it is uncomfortable, mostly because of the small weight (approximately 6 ounces), evenly distributed all over the headphones. The ear cups are closed-back and the ear cushions are quite thick and soft, but if you don’t like them for any reason, you can buy some other cushions as the original ones are replaceable.

The most important feature of Avantree Audition headphones is definitely their sound. These might not be the best headphones in the world, but they offer very pleasant sound with good amount of bass, clear mids and highs and that, along with respectable loudness, makes these headphones such a great choice for listening any type of music.

Avantree Audition use Bluetooth 4.0 technology with 33 feet signal range and excellent battery that can last up to 40 hours per charge. You can connect them to two devices at the same time, even with the help of NFC technology that works nicely with most of Android devices.

 Things we don’t like:

Truth to be told, there aren’t so many bad things about these headphones, but we have to emphasize that the headphones aren’t foldable and they don’t come with carrying case, which makes them less portable and that is definitely bad for Bluetooth headphones.

Although the headphones are quite comfortable, we have to notice that their clamping force is slightly increased in comparison to some other models. It is not too strong, but it might cause problems if you have bigger head.

Also, despite good sound isolation, the headphones do leak certain amount of sound and they do not have ANC technology, so they probably won’t be the best choice for crowded places.

Comparison Table

6. Best Semi-Open Cheap Wired Headphones – Superlux HD668B

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Superlux HD668D are a real proof that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a great pair of professional, or if you prefer, audiophile headphones, at least when the sound quality is concerned. They are not the prettiest nor the most comfortable headphones in the world, but they certainly have something to show in the sound quality area.

 What’s in the box?

HD668D come in a simple box with two detachable audio cables. Both of them have the same 3.5mm connectors and they are both straight and rounded, but one of them is 3ft and the other 9ft long so you can use the short one to connect the headphones to your phone or player and the longer one when you need to connect them to PC. Along with these, you will get one cable clip and one 6.3 mm plug adapter (in case you need to use the headphones in studio), as well as one big carrying bag for safe transport.

 Things we like:

When you first look at HD668D, you immediately notice their unusual but interesting design. The next thing you notice is that their ear cups remind you of AKG K240 cups, especially because they are semi-open. However, the two flops that play the role of headband seem rather unique and they adjust well to the size of user’s head.

The headphones are wired and the interesting thing about them is that they have male jack below the left cup, where usually stands female port. Anyway, the important thing is that the audio cables are detachable and that you can choose which one to use depending on your needs.

HD668D are quite light for over-ear headphones as they weigh approximately 7 ounces. They are quite comfortable and they can adjust even to big heads, but we would advise buying velour ear cushions as they provide more comfort and better sound.

When it comes to sound quality, these headphones impress their users with extremely clear sound with punchy bass, highly distinctive mids and highs and pleasant vocals. Some people might not be used to such a clear sound, but every musician or any person that loves natural sound will definitely appreciate them. In addition, headphones that sound like this can also be great choice for gaming, especially because of the surround sound feeling, caused by semi-open cups.  

 Things we don’t like:

Although we can’t find flaws of the sound, these headphones certainly have some other problems.

First of all, they look rather cheap and, although they are quite flexible, they are made from plastic and they aren’t foldable nor the cups can be rotated. Also, we have noticed that the build quality of audio cables is quite bad, so be careful when using these if you don’t want them to break.

Second of all, the headphones have bigger clamping force than average and some people with bigger heads might find them uncomfortable, in spite of their great ability to adjust to different head sizes and shapes.

Finally, we have to mention the fact that the headphones don’t have ANC. They are also partially open, which means they don’t have good sound isolation and that they leak a lot of sound. Because of that, it is not advisable to use HD668D in public, but rather in your house or studio, as they were originally made for.

Comparison Table

7. LuxPro HAS-10 Closed-Back Over-Ear Professional Headphones

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The next product on our list of the best cheap over-ear headphones is LuxPro HAS-10, the model that reminds us of the ATH–M50x model made by Audio-Technica. While you have to spend between $100 and $150 for a pair of ATH-M50x, HAS-10 saves you a lot of money as it can be bought for less than $50 and it offers similar sound quality, great build quality as well as decent comfort for the price.

 What’s in the box?

As it could be expected from the relatively cheap pair of headphones, they don’t come with a bunch of additional equipment. In fact, they come alone in a simple box and the only present you get is the 6.3mm plug adapter that comes screwed on the universal 3.5mm plug. Besides the paper with basic information about the headphones, that’s practically everything you get. Not even a carrying bag is included.

 Things we like:

HAS-10 have very simple design and we like it. They aren’t as attractive as some usual consumer headphones, but if you consider the fact that they were made for studio use mostly, you realize that it really doesn’t matter. For professionals, performance is more important than trendy looks.

HAS-10 are wired headphones that come with the non-detachable 9ft long straight rounded cable with two plugs which enable you to use the headphones everywhere – in studios, at home, or anywhere you go. They have nicely padded headband and ear cups, which provide better comfort and decrease the pressure that the headphones put on your head. The headband’s size can be adjusted to the size of your head and the cups can be rotated up to 180 degrees, which enables DJ’s to wear them on one ear only.

The thing we love the most is the way these headphones sound. As you could expect from the pair of professional headphones made mostly for mixing, recording and tracking, you get natural and balanced, crystal clear sound with great mids and highs and punchy bass, which is not too emphasized. Besides that, the headphones get pretty loud even at 50% volume. The loudness, closed-back design and ear cushions that seal around your ears nicely enable decent passive noise isolation and some to none sound leakage.

 Things we don’t like:

There are no many things we don’t like about these headphones, but we have to mention that they are hardly portable as they have non-detachable long cable. They are also not foldable and you don’t get any carrying bag included in the package.

In addition, we have to warn you that some customers had problems with clamping force, which is definitely higher than usual, so if you have bigger head, you should consider buying some other headphones.

Comparison Table

8. August EP650 Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones

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August EP650 headphones are one more product on our list that proves that an excellent piece of equipment can be found at very affordable price. In spite of being slightly unattractive, at least for us, these headphones have a lot to offer to their users. Good build quality, exceptional comfort and powerful bassy sound – you get all that for less than $50.

 What’s in the box?

EP650 come with flat detachable audio cable with 3.5mm connector, one USB charging cable and user manual. Sadly, the carrying bag is not provided by the manufacturer, so we advise you to buy one separately for better protection.

 Things we like:

August EP650 can be called a true revelation in the world of “cheap” headphones. They are designed to be both Bluetooth and wired headphones, depending on your needs and battery life. The controls are on the right ear cup and they are highly accessible and easy to use as the buttons are big enough even for people with thicker fingers. On the same cup, you can find micro USB charging port and built-in mic, while the port for audio cable is on the left side.

The headphones are available in many modern and attractive colors (black, red, blue, gold, silver and white) with nice and elegant metallic finish. The headband and ear cups are thickly padded, the headband can be adjusted to the size of your head, the cups can be slightly rotated and the headphones fully folded, which makes these headphones very comfortable and highly portable. In addition, the ear cushions are big enough even for people with bigger ears and the headphones are quite light. Because of all these characteristics, they can be worn for many hours without problems or pain.

Besides the fact that EP650 are surprisingly durable, their sound quality is what surprises us most. These headphones are definitely the right choice for any bass head. They deliver strong and powerful sound with strongly emphasized bass and decent mids and highs. Besides that, they are quite loud, which enables you to isolate yourself almost completely from the ambient noise. In addition, they use Bluetooth 4.1 technology with up to 33ft signal range and up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.

 Things we don’t like:

As every other product, these headphones are not perfect and we have to mention some of their major flaws.

EP650 don’t have very attractive design. On the contrary, they seem too big and kind of edgy. Also, when they are used in wired mode, the buttons on the right ear cup don’t respond. On the other hand, when they are used in wireless mode, the status indicator light is too bright and annoying, especially if you are in a dark room.

The last thing we want to mention is that the vocals can sometimes get muffled and unnatural, but that certainly can’t spoil the general impression about these amazing headphones.

Comparison Table

9. Ausdom Lightweight Over-Ear Wired HiFi Stereo Headphones

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Ausdom F01 headphones are definitely one of the cheapest products on our list. If you are looking for headphones that have only basic features and don’t cost a fortune, you should consider these. Otherwise, you better look for some other models, as these headphones offer just as much as their price lets them.

 What’s in the box?

As you could expect from such a cheap pair of headphones, you get only the basics from both headphone features and the following equipment. In other words, you get the headphones and user manual that come in a rather simple box.

 Things we like:

First, we have to mention the design, which is really appealing. They are simple but modern and you will definitely look trendy no matter where you wear these. Ausdom F01 headphones aren’t bulky and they have slightly angled ear cups for better fit on your ears. The cups have nice soft cushions that lay nicely on ears and the headband can be extended and adjusted to the size and shape of your head. The headphones are quite bendable and flexible, but also very light (approximately 7 ounces), so you shouldn’t experience bigger problems even after wearing them for hours.

Second, Ausdom has made plastic cheap headphones, but they certainly don’t sound cheap and, in our opinion, they will be good enough for most of ordinary users. The bass is quite emphasized, but pleasant and the mids and the highs are very nice. They aren’t the clearest headphones on the list, but they satisfy users’ basic needs such as listening to music, watching videos and even occasional talking on phone because they have inline mic on their 3ft long straight audio cable with universal 3.5 mm connector.

 Things we don’t like:

Considering the price, we really can’t complain a lot about the quality, but we have to point out that some padding should have been added to the headband as there is practically has no padding. The headphones are light and the headband is not uncomfortable, but some padding would improve things a lot.

Also, we have to warn you to be careful when using the headphones as their build quality is not perfect. Some customers had problems with 3.5 mm connector breaking in two pieces. One part of the broken connector stays in the port on your device and it is really difficult to take it out. So, be gentle when connecting the headphones to your device and we are sure these headphones will serve you for a long time.  

Comparison Table

10. JVC HARX300 Full Size Headphones

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JVC HARX300 are pretty good over-ear headphones with only basic features. The price could be a bit lower, truth to be told, but there are often discounts on Amazon, so if you manage to use one of them, it could be a true bargain.

 What’s in the box?

HARX300 come in a blue and white partially transparent box, so that you can immediately see what you are getting. The box contains an only the basics – the headphones with 8ft long audio cable with 3.5mm connector, 6.3mm plug adapter and user manual.

 Things we like:

What we like about these headphones is their small weight (they weigh less than 7 ounces). They have adjustable headband and big soft ear cushions that have holes big enough for all ear sizes. The headphones have closed-back design and thick cushions seal nicely around ears, in order to reduce background noise and prevent significant sound leakage.

These headphones are actually more durable than you would ever guess and they offer quite good sound quality. As it is advertised, they deliver sound with a lot of bass, that sometimes overwhelms the mids and the highs, but these were mostly made for listening to music with a lot of bass, so we think that shouldn’t be a problem.

Also, they have swiveling ear cups and they can be worn on one ear. That means that even DJs can use them and that is probably why the manufacturer sends 6.3mm plug adapter as those connectors are used in studios mostly.

 Things we don’t like:

As we have mentioned earlier, HARX300 are basic headphones and they don’t have any additional features, not even microphone. Also, they have quite cheap look and that mostly refers to cheap ear cushions that seem unable to resist everyday usage. Also, the headband should have at least some padding, no matter how cheap the headphones are, and these aren’t even so cheap. If the headband is not padded, it can hurt the top of your head and cause pain, although the customers say that HARX300 headband is not as uncomfortable as they thought it would be.

In addition, the audio cable seems too thin and prone to tangling and breaking. It is also too long for outside usage and it would be better if the joint with the left ear cup was reinforced.

Comparison Table

11. Best Cheap Headphones Under $20 – Koss UR-20

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One of the cheapest products on our list of the best over-ear headphones under $50 is Koss UR-20. We won’t claim they are great, because they’re not, but they definitely offer more that it could be expected from such a cheap pair of headphones. If you’re looking for cheap and comfortable headphones that deliver nice sound, you should read carefully our review and think about buying these.

 What’s in the box?

The box the headphones come in is actually quite nice, but the headphones come alone with user manual and 6.3mm plug adapter because the 8ft long audio cable originally comes with universal 3.5 mm connector.

 Things we like:

Koss UR-20 are unusual headphones, but we like them just the way they are. They come in black color with nice matte finish. They have big closed-back cups and nice thick and soft cushions that enable your ears to lay there comfortably, without any pressure.

The headphones aren’t so heavy as they weigh 8.8 ounces, but they certainly could be a bit lighter. However, they won’t become uncomfortable even after few hours of use. The headband is rather flexible and bendable and its size can be adjusted to the size of your head.  The cloth that actually represents the padding or the headband itself should be soft and comfortable enough for nice fit.

The headphones are in general quite durable and there were no major complaints about their quality and the sound quality is also quite good for a pair of cheap headphones. The bass is emphasized, although not too much, and the mids and highs sound just fine.

 Things we don’t like:

There are a few things that we don’t like about these headphones and we think that they should have been managed differently no matter how cheap the headphones are.

First of all, there are those funny pieces of plastic that stand out on the sides and play the role of extenders for the headband. It seems that they stand out too much and they should definitely be smaller or shaped differently.

Second of all, the headband should always have some kind of padding no matter how low the price of the headphones is. In this case, there is just that piece of cloth that is actually quite comfortable, but a real padding would be more helpful, especially for people with bigger heads.

Last of all, we have to mention the fact that these headphones don’t have mic and they have too long cable, so that you really can’t use them outdoors, at least not on regular basis. Also, they don’t isolate much ambient noise and they do leak significant amount of sound, so you should think twice before you use these in crowded places.

Comparison Table

12. Best DJ Headphones Under $25 – Monoprice 108323

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Monoprice is not actually the name of some company that makes headphones. They are actually retail company that sells products made in China or any part of Asia online. As you can guess, the products they sell are pretty cheap and they also can’t brag with astonishing quality. However, we will show you that the performance of some of those products can really surprise you and that is just another proof that some expensive headphones like Beats are in fact overpriced.

 What’s in the box?

The box doesn’t contain anything special, but Monoprice 108323 come with more accessories than some more expensive headphones. Along with them, you get two 4ft long audio cables and one 6.3mm plug adapter. The thicker one also has inline mic that you can use to answer calls.

 Things we like:

What we like about these headphones is their ability to fold completely, which makes them highly portable. On the other hand, the cups can be rotated and that means they can easily adjust to the shape and size of your head, especially if you take into consideration the fact that the headband can be extended.

The headphones weigh approximately 9 ounces and they are actually quite comfortable, especially because of the thick and soft cushions on the ear cups. Anyway, if their size doesn’t match the size of your ears, you can always replace them with some other pair as the original ones can be easily removed.

Depending on the type of the device you want to use or the need for the microphone, you can use different kind of audio cable. That also means you always have spare cable in case one of them gets damaged. Both of them have 3.5mm connectors and the 6.3mm adapter you get enables you to use headphones with some real music equipment, even in studios.

The biggest surprise was the sound quality. They surely can’t beat some more expensive, professional models of headphones, but they do deliver pleasant sound with strong bass and full mids and highs. In addition, they manage to isolate great amount of ambient noise in spite of the fact that they don’t use ANC technology.

 Things we don’t like:

One of the things we don’t like about Monoprice 108323 is their design. They look rather boring and the 3 bumps instead of the usual thick padding don’t seem quite comfortable. On the other hand, the ear cushions are comfortable, but we have some complaints about the clamping force that is bigger than usual and it is something that should be considered.

Also, the headphones are fully made from rather cheap plastic that feels a bit stiff and it doesn’t seem durable, especially the hinges that crack first. Many customers had problems with hinges or headband cracking, so we advise you to be very careful when using these headphones and to avoid leaving them unprotected all over your house.

Comparison Table

13. Behringer HPM1000

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Behringer HPM1000 are extremely cheap headphones that offer much more than you would expect. They can be used in studios, but they also work nicely with modern portable devices such as phones, players, notebooks, etc. They are far away from great, but they certainly do the job. In case you’re looking for something cheap that doesn’t require special treatment, these can come in handy.

 What’s in the box?

For the price, don’t expect anything fancy. There are just the headphones with the 6.3mm plug adapter.

 Things we like:

HPM1000 are good-looking headphones and you won’t be ashamed if you take them with you anywhere you go. They come in a nice combination of black and metallic silver and they don’t look too bulky on your head.

On the left ear cup, you will see audio cable that ends with L-shaped 3.5mm connector. The cable is advertised as tangle-free and it is. You wouldn’t expect something like that from rounded straight cable, but it actually has some kind of wavy structure that prevents tangling in spite of the length.

The headband is adjustable and it is nicely padded. The ear cups have thick and really soft ear cushions that lay nicely around your ears isolating you partially from background noise. The cups are also slightly angled in order to achieve better fit. Also, the headphones weigh only 7 ounces, so they can really be called lightweight and quite comfortable.

When it comes to sound, we have to say that the bass is quite good, but nothing else. However, they will be great as replacement headphones in case of emergency.

 Things we don’t like:

As it usually happens with cheap products, there are some things we have to warn you about so that you can realize what are you actually buying.

First of all, the build quality is not great. The headphones are entirely made from plastic and it seems that they are prone to cracking if you don’t use them carefully. However, they are not foldable and they have 6ft long cable. Because of that, Behringer HPM1000 aren’t very portable and they are considered home headphones. Anyway, if they stay at home, you have less chance of breaking them.

Second of all, we have to say that they are not made for extended wearing. They are light and comfortable, but after a few hours, you will start feeling pressure that they put on your ears and the top of your head.

Last of all, don’t expect natural and clean sound coming from their speakers. As we have said, they have nice bass, but the mids and highs are quite muffled and they don’t sound natural at all.

Comparison Table

14. Best Wired Headphones Under $15 – Panasonic RP-HT161-K

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Panasonic is old company, well-known for its quality products. In our opinion, it can be trusted, so we have chosen one of its products that offers decent quality for amazingly small amount of money.

 What’s in the box?

As you could expect from cheap headphones, they come with no additional equipment. All you get in the box is the headphones with non-detachable 6ft long rounded cable with 3.5mm straight connector. The cable is Y-shaped and it comes without inline mic.

 Things we like:

Panasonic RP-HT161-K have really simple but very attractive looks. They come in matte black color, they aren’t heavy (10 ounces) or bulky so you will be able to wear them outside your house, too. The headband is adjustable on both sides and the ear cushions are quite thick and soft. The holes in the ear cushions are big enough for ears to lay there comfortably and still small enough to seal around them nicely and isolate great part of background noise.  

When the sound quality is concerned, we must say it is quite satisfying. RP-HT161-K offer great amount of strong bass, while the mids and highs sound just fine. They aren’t audiophile headphones, but they will do the job nicely if you want to use them for casual listening to music or even gaming.

 Things we don’t like:

One of the flaws can be spotted immediately and that’s the lack of padding on the headband. The headphones are entirely made from plastic and the padding would come in handy, although we can’t say that the lack of padding makes them uncomfortable.

Being plastic, they tend to break easier than metal ones, so be careful when using or transporting these. The cushions also don’t seem too durable, but as they aren’t made for working out, there shouldn’t be major problems with this part of headphones.

Comparison Table

15. Photive BTH3 Over-The-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

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The last product on our list are Photive BTH3 headphones. They are not perfect and they might have the lowest score on the list, but depending on your needs and preferences, they might be interesting for you.

 What’s in the box?

BTH3 are wireless headphones that come in a really nice box with auxiliary audio cable with 3.5mm connector, USB charging cable, user manual and hard carrying case that actually looks rather sturdy and thick.

 Things we like:

Photive BTH3 are relatively cheap headphones that don’t look cheap at all. They are made from plastic, but the plastic is smooth and it has matte finish, so you would never guess that they cost less than $50. Also, they can be used as both wireless and wired, offering great quality for the price in both modes.

The headband is adjustable and well padded, while the ear cushions are thick and very soft. The headphones are quite flexible in spite of the metal headband and the cups can be rotated up to 90 degrees, so they can lay flat in their carrying case.

All the controls are highly accessible and part of them is on the left, while the other part is on the right ear cup. There are also build-in mic, USB charging port and auxiliary cable port. The status indicator on the left ear cup is highly noticeable and it will show you if the headphones are on/off or they are pairing/paired.

BTH3 are also very comfortable headphones with only 6 ounces of weight and very low clamping force, which means they won’t put pressure on your head or make your ears sore.

When it comes to sound quality, it is quite acceptable for such a cheap pair of headphones. The sound is not perfectly clean, but if you don’t consider yourself an audiophile, you will be satisfied. The mic sounds good, they use Bluetooth 4.0 technology with 33ft signal range, which is very stable, and they have durable battery that can offer up to 12 hours of playback or talk time after only 3 hours of charging.

 Things we don’t like:

The flaws we have noticed are related to durability and partially sound department.

As far as the build quality is concerned, the headphones look durable, but there were many complaints about headband.  It usually cracks on the places where it is connected to the cups. That’s why we advise you to use them carefully in case you decide to buy these headphones.

In addition, we have to say a few words about sound quality. As we have said previously, the sound is good for the price. However, we would like to warn you that these are not bass headphones and if you like your music with punchy strong and powerful bass, you better look somewhere else, as these headphones have barely noticeable bass.

Comparison Table

Things to Consider When Buying Cheap Over-Ear Headphones

As you could realize from our reviews, cheap doesn’t necessarily mean bad. Cheap products don’t have to be used only as short-term replacements for expensive products, because when you’re buying expensive products, you often pay great amount of money for the brand.

Cheap products offer us a lot and as we have already set the price range, we can now talk about some other things that you should pay attention to when buying devices like over-ear headphones under $50.

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Purpose

When you know why do you need the thing you are buying and how it will be used, it usually means you have done half of the job. It’s the same with headphones. The crucial thing is to define where and how you will be using the headphones. If you need something basic, just for you room or house and only for casual listening to music or watching movies, that even the cheapest models can be really helpful. On the other hand, if you need something for commuting or any kind of outdoor activity, you should consider buying some Bluetooth models as most of over-ear wired headphones have really long cables and those can make quite a mess in your pockets or your bag. Also, depending on the same circumstances, you should pay attention to the ear cup design. If you use headphones in crowded places, you probably don’t want to disturb other people with your loud music. However, semi-open and open headphones usually create greater sound leakage so you should consider buying closed-back headphones.

Comfort

Comfort is one of the most important features of every headphones, no matter how many hours a day you plan to wear them. That’s why you should pay attention to the cups design, to the thickness of the paddings and product weight, because we are sure that you don’t want your ears to be sore because of some headphones.

When you’re listening to something you certainly want to enjoy it, so if you don’t like wires, make sure that you buy some Bluetooth model. Also, if background noises annoy you, you should definitely look for closed-back models that isolate ambient noise nicely.

Build quality

As we have said, cheap headphones don’t have to break after a couple of months, especially if you take care of them and use them properly, but if you want to make sure that they are more durable, look for some models with metal elements, such as metal headband or metal hinges.

Sound quality

Sound quality is definitely something that improves the impression even about the worst designed and built headphones. If you expect perfect sound, you better look somewhere else, because headphones in this price range can’t offer that, but if you want decent sound quality, there are many options, as we have reviewed even some studio headphones with quite clear and detailed sound. For example, you can always buy Audio-Technica ATM-20x. they may be the most expensive on the list, but they are definitely worth the price.

To conclude, if you think about all previously mentioned things carefully, chances are you’re going to find some interesting model of headphones that suites best your needs and taste and we are sure our list of 15 best cheap over-ear headphones under $50 can help you.

FAQs

Q: Are cheap headphones worth it?

A: If your expectations are realistic, then yeah. You can’t get a feature-rich product with an audiophile-grade performance for less than $50 or less than $30. That’s simply impossible. What you can get is a pretty good sounding pair of wired headphones. You can also find a nice pair of Bluetooth headphones, maybe even some headphones with aptX support and long battery life. Active noise canceling, smart features, app support, etc. are rarely found on cheap Bluetooth headphones.

Another thing to be aware of is that you can’t find many reputable brands in this price range, especially if you’re looking for wireless headphones. Sennheiser, Bose, Beyerdynamic, Sony, Audio-Technica, B&O, B&W and other Bluetooth headphones are probably out of your league if your budget limit is set at $50. 

Q: How long do cheap headphones last?

A: That depends. I’ve had a surprisingly good experience with some cheap headphones. Avantree headphones, for example. I bought mine a year ago and they are still perfectly functional. The finish on the earpads started to peel off but, other than that, I have no complaints. 

Generally speaking, the biggest issue with cheap headphones is their construction. It’s not a surprise that manufacturers use plastic. After all, much pricier Bose and Sennheiser headphones are also mostly made of plastic. However, there are different kinds of plastic. Some cheap headphones use very thin plastic without any metal reinforcements, not even for the headband. These headphones are quite prone to breaking and their durability is very poor. 

So, the most important thing to pay attention to when buying cheap headphones is their build quality. Check if the headband has a metal (steel, aluminum) frame and if the hinges are reinforced. 

Q: Do more expensive headphones sound better?

A: Of course, they sound better. There’s no rule regarding the type of sound or sound quality you get for a certain amount of money but, generally speaking, the more you pay the more you get. However, there’re always some exceptions. If you’re lucky enough, you can get a great-sounding pair of cans for less than $50. 

Q: Which is better – headphones or earbuds?

A: That depends a lot on your preferences, your needs, and intended purpose. There’s no doubt that you can get a much better bass (deeper, thicker, punchier) with over-ear headphones. The reason is simple – they have much larger drivers and bass requires large drivers. Over-ear headphones, in general, offer more detailed sound reproduction.

However, there are certain situations when in-ear headphones (earbuds) are a better choice than over-ear headphones. If you, for example, need something for sports and workouts, earbuds are much more practical. Over-ear headphones will make your ears sweat more. They are also heavier and less stable.

Q: Are cheap headphones bad for your ears?

A: Cheap headphones are just as good (or bad) for your ears as expensive headphones. The biggest threat to your ears is loud sound. It doesn’t matter if the sound is coming from $50 headphones or $500 headphones – it’s important how loud it is. Listening to music at 80dB or higher volumes for more than 8 hours could cause hearing damage. 

Q: What are the best cheap headphones under $50 in 2021?

A: Since we all have different tastes, there’s no definite answer to that question. However, we can give you a few suggestions. If you like bass-heavy sound, the Skullcandy Crusher line of headphones is an excellent choice. If you prefer a more balanced sound, try Edifier H840 or ATH-M20x. M20x is also great for studio monitoring. If you are looking for cheap Bluetooth headphones, Avantree, Mpow, TaoTronics, and Cowin are all highly praised brands. If you want something under $20, try Koss, Panasonic or Monoprice. 

Q: What are the best inexpensive Bluetooth headphones in 2021?

A: There’re numerous generic brands that you can choose from but they are not all equally good. Some brands like Avantree, Mpow, TaoTronics, and Cowin have already earned some serious reputation for making great audio equipment that doesn’t cost much. We don’t have only one answer but you can choose any of those brands and you won’t regret.

Hello, my name is James Longman.

I’m a writer and editor at AudioReputation. I disassembled my first portable AM/FM radio when I was only 8. At the age of 11, I burned the circuit board on my old boombox cassette player. I’m not going to explain how but it was reckless and stupid.

Since then, I have become much more careful around radios, boomboxes, and other audio devices (at least, I like to think so) but I have never lost the passion for audio equipment. Throughout 20 years of my professional career, I’ve been working for various audio equipment manufacturers and even started building speakers on my own in my little workshop.

I love the work we do here at AudioReputation. Testing, comparing, and evaluating all kinds of audio devices (speakers, soundbars, headphones, home theater systems, etc.) is something I truly enjoy. I try to be unbiased and give you my honest opinion on every piece of equipment I test. Still, you should take my reviews with a pinch of salt and always be just a little bit skeptical. The fact that I liked some speaker or soundbar doesn’t mean that you are going to love it. If you have the opportunity, you should test it/hear it before buying it.