The 7 best cheap headphones in 2023 — all under $50

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Audiophiles will happily spend a ton of money on high-end headphones, but most people don’t want to drop several hundred dollars on a pair. Even audio enthusiasts will admit that inexpensive headphones have come a long way in recent years.

In the budget-friendly range, you shouldn’t get into the weeds with technical specifications like frequency response or premium features like noise-cancelling or wireless charging — these are more of a concern with high-end gear. At lower price points, your primary considerations should be durability and sound quality: Your headphones should be well-built enough to withstand regular use and should offer good sound for casual listening.

With these criteria in mind, we’ve selected the best affordable headphones you can get right now. Our top picks include a variety of styles, like over-ear, on-ear, wireless earbuds, and gaming headphones. Read more about why you can trust our tech team to provide the best product recommendations.

Here are the best cheap headphones you can buy:

Best cheap headphones overall: Mpow 059 – See at Walmart
Bluetooth headphones can be hit or miss, but the wireless Mpow 059 offers a surprising level of comfort and sound quality at an incredible price point.

Best cheap true wireless earbuds: JLab Audio JBuds Air – See at Best Buy
The JLab Audio JBuds Air are the best-kept secret for incredible value in wireless earbuds, with better sound quality than their price lets on.

Best cheap wired headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x – See at Amazon
If you’re looking for a well-made pair of entry-level headphones that sound great, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are more than up to the task.

Best cheap on-ear headphones: Koss PortaPro – See at Amazon
If you’re looking to ditch your earbuds for something beefier but still portable, then look no further than the Koss PortaPro.

Best cheap gaming headphones: HyperX Cloud Stinger – See at Best Buy
Kingston’s excellent HyperX Cloud Stinger offers everything you need for intense gaming sessions without cutting corners.

Best cheap wireless earbuds: iFrogz Impulse Duo Wireless Earbuds – See at Amazon
The iFrogz Impulse Duo headphones deliver good sound quality for the price.

Best cheap wired earbuds: Panasonic ErgoFit – See at Amazon
The Panasonic ErgoFit earbuds are about as basic as a pair of wired earbuds headphones can be, but they feature surprisingly good sound quality.