The best cheap headphones in 2023: Big sound for less
The best cheap headphones are all about getting maximum quality for the smallest possible investment. That’s not to say that these are just the cheapest working headphones and earbuds we can find; we’ve tested them all to make sure that despite their low prices, they really can deliver on sound quality, comfort and practicality.
The headphones selected here aren’t the best overall, but they’re reliable and serve up decent sound quality with music and podcasts for a fraction of the cost of some models from more established brands. Read on to find out our pick of the best cheap headphones that won’t stretch your wallet.
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Top 3 of the best cheap headphones
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Best overall: JLab Go Air Pop
Our top pick of the best cheap headphones is the JLab Go Air Pop. This is something very rare indeed: a pair of true wireless earbuds, and pretty good ones too, for $20. It even comes IPX4-rated, so it could act as a budget alternative to the best sports earbuds if you want something that can resist rain and sweat.
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Best value fake AirPods: EarFun Air
The EarFun Air ranks top on our best fake AirPods for its Apple inspired design with bright and crisp sound. Its noise-canceling mics do a fantastic job of limiting ambient noise from entering phone or video calls. Then there’s the IPX7 certification for waterproofing, which all adds up to a great budget choice.
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Best low-cost ANC: Edifier W240TN
A fine-looking and sounding pair of wireless earbuds with ANC at an attractive price. Performance is strong and you get detailed sonics combined thanks to the dual dynamic drivers that deliver a wide and compelling sound. Noise cancellation is effective and battery life achieve respectable playtimes too.
The best cheap headphones you can buy today
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)
It turns out you don’t have to spend more than $20 to purchase a top-notch AirPods alternative. The JLab Go Air Pro is proof, housing a dynamic soundstage and 32-hour battery inside a sturdy, IPX4-protected design for sweat and water resistance. Three EQs are programmed into the buds, each one capable of enhancing sound quality based on your preference. Bass Boost is self-explanatory, while Balanced gives audio a neutral presence and JLab Signature offers a bit of both; we recommend sticking with the latter.
Up to 8 hours per charge is generous for buds this inexpensive, so is bundling the buds with a compact charging case that holds 4 extra charges and comes with an integrated USB cable for charging on the go. The different color options are enticing too: Black, Lilac, Rose, Slate, Teal.
Read our full JLab Go Air Pop review.
(Image credit: EarFun)
2. EarFun Air
The best AirPods alternative
Our expert review:
Specifications
Size:
2.1 inches x 2 inches x 1.3 inches (charging case)
Weight:
1.8 ounces (charging case)
Battery life (rated):
7 hours, 35 hours (with charging case)
Bluetooth range:
50 feet
ANC:
No
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Reasons to buy
+
Good sound quality
+
Waterproof
+
Noise-cancelling mics
+
Lengthy wireless range
Reasons to avoid
–
Unreliable fit
–
Tricky touch controls
The EarFun Air ranks at No. 1 on our list of the best fake AirPods for many reasons. Let’s start with audio, which is bright and crisp to hear vocals and instruments more distinctly. This level of sound translates well to videos and podcasts as well. Second, the noise-cancelling mics do a fantastic job of limiting the number of ambient noises that enter phone or video calls. Bluetooth 5.0 functions well, providing strong connectivity and up to 50 feet of wireless listening. Then there’s the design, which is clearly inspired by the original AirPods, but sleeker and sturdier with IPX7 certification, making these buds waterproof.
Fit is often loose, though you can customize it by swapping out the installed tips for any of the three different size pairs in the box; the AirPods doesn’t even come with ear tips. The touch controls could also use some work, but with some patience, you’ll have a full suite of functions that can be enabled through basic tap gestures.
Read our full EarFun Air review.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
3. Edifier W240TN
Great-sounding value earbuds with ANC
Our expert review:
Specifications
Size:
0.9 x 0.6 x 0.9 inches (per bud); 2.3 x 1.08 x 1.6 inches (charging case)
Weight:
1.8 ounces (earbuds + charging case)
Battery life (rated):
Up to 8.5 hours; 25.5 hours (charging case with ANC off)
Bluetooth range:
100 feet
ANC:
Yes
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Reasons to buy
+
Detailed, dynamic soundstage
+
Effective ANC
+
Attractive, durable design
+
Reliable battery life
Reasons to avoid
–
Limited touch control customization
–
Weak call quality
–
No wireless charging
The Edifier W240TN are a fine-looking and sounding pair of wireless earbuds. They’re pretty well featured, although not everything works quite as well as we’d like. For an ANC model at the price, though, performance is strong and you get detailed sonics thanks to the dual dynamic drivers that deliver a wide and compelling sound, and effective noise cancellation.
We weren’t sold on call quality or wind resistance when on the move, but these sorts of compromises are to be expected for wireless earbuds this affordable. Battery life is very respectable as is connectivity, and the overall comfort and craftsmanship make them well worth their asking price.
Read the full Edifier W240TN review.
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Tom’s Guide)
4. Beats Flex
Great value wireless flex headphones
Our expert review:
Specifications
Size:
4 x 0.6 x 34 inches
Weight:
0.66 ounces
Battery life (rated):
Up to 12 hours
Bluetooth range:
30 feet
ANC:
No
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Reasons to buy
+
Stable battery life
+
Intuitive, responsive controls
+
Ideal for movies and podcasts
+
Strong mics for calls and digital assistant use
Reasons to avoid
–
Sound could be better for music
–
No waterproof rating
Did you ever think Beats would release $50 wireless earbuds? Neither did we, but fortunately for budget shoppers, the Flex is a no-brainer purchase if you want many of Beats’ hallmarks (e.g. flashy design, long playtimes, acceptable call quality) in a super-affordable package. Even with Apple’s older W1 processor at the helm, you’re given plenty of useful features to work with, including easy pairing with iDevices, Fast-Fuel technology to speed up charging, and audio sharing. We’re also surprised by how good the audio quality is on these buds, particularly with movies and podcasts.
It is disappointing to see that there is no water or sweat resistance, plus the bass levels don’t knock as hard as they should for a device bearing the Beats logo. However, performance is equally balanced in almost every category.
See our full Beats Flex review.
(Image credit: Alex Bracetti/Future)
5. OnePlus Nord Buds
Value buds that deliver big on sound
Our expert review:
Specifications
Size:
1.9 x 0.8 x 0.92 inches (per bud)
Weight:
0.17 ounces (earbuds)
Battery life (rated):
7 hours; 30 hours (charging case)
Bluetooth range :
Not specified
ANC:
No
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Reasons to buy
+
Rich, customizable sound
+
Useful battery life with powerful quick charging
+
Dependable call quality and connectivity
+
Reliable touch controls
Reasons to avoid
–
Poor wind noise reduction on calls
–
Bass heavy on some music tracks
At $39, the Nord Buds are too good to pass up, especially for OnePlus conformists and commuters who desire quality true wireless performance for less. These buds have a 4-mic array with AI noise reduction, 12.4mm titanium drivers, mobile app compatibility with personalization tools, and proprietary Flash Charge technology. OnePlus mobile users may receive special software perks, but the solid controls, strong audio performance, and sufficient battery life remain consistent across all platforms.
Sound is dynamic and bass heavy at times, but the ability to customize frequencies helps balance things out. The controls work without a hitch, comfort is pleasant, and Fast Charging is clutch for recharging in short time spans. The noise reduction on calls could be better, but the Nord Buds pros outweigh any cons to make it a must-own for budget-conscious earbud users everywhere.
Read our full OnePlus Nord Buds review.
(Image credit: Regan Coule/Future)
6. Skullcandy Dime
The best cheap wireless earbuds below $30
Our expert review:
Specifications
Size:
1 x 1 x 0.4 inches
Weight:
Not stated
Battery life (rated):
Up to 12 hours
Bluetooth range:
Not specified
Digital assistant support:
Yes
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Reasons to buy
+
True wireless design
+
High sound quality
+
Full waterproofing
Reasons to avoid
–
Limited battery life
–
Fiddly controls
We suspect that for most people, “cheap” wireless earbuds would cost somewhere in the $100 dollar range, but the Skullcandy Dime delivers surprising quality for a fraction of that. Besides sounding better than we would ever have expected, their compact design is fully waterproof to the IPX7 standard: something even a lot of top-tier buds don’t bother with.
Is there a catch? Battery life could be a lot better — you only get about 3.5 hours of playback per charge — and the touch controls aren’t as reliable as we’d like. But hey, they let you ditch wires completely and only cost $25. That’s worth some misfiring sensors.
Read our full Skullcandy Dime review.
(Image credit: Jabra)
7. Jabra Move Wireless
Jabra sound with some smart capabilities
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
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Specifications
Size:
7.09 x 7.56 x 1.25 inches
Weight:
5.64 ounces
Battery life:
8 hours
Bluetooth range:
30 feet
Digital assistant support:
Yes
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Reasons to buy
+
Lightweight, durable design
+
Loud, balanced audio
+
Comfortable fit
Reasons to avoid
–
Relatively short battery life
–
Controls can be finicky
Some wireless headphones age well, and the Jabra Move Wireless is one of them. Nearly six years old, these colorful cordless cans still deliver clear, balanced sound, courtesy of Jabra’s proprietary Digital Signal Processor (DSP). You’ll get a nice blend of lows, mids, and highs that not many models can match at this price point. The lightweight design is comfortable on the head and when worn around the neck. Build quality is decent with a pliable frame and dirt-resistant headband. We’re also attracted to the stylish colors: Coal (Black), Cayenne (Red), and Cobalt (Blue).
Battery life will seem super short compared to modern standards: 8 hours on a single charge doesn’t seem like a lot. The control scheme could have also been programmed better, as the touch sensors often confuse tap gestures.
Read our full Jabra Move Wireless review.
How to choose the best cheap headphones for you
Just because you’re spending less doesn’t mean you’re settling for less. You want to get the most bang for your buck when shopping for the best cheap headphones, and the one way to ensure this is by checking off a few essentials from the list.
Many factors come into play when shopping for the best cheap headphones, but your decision should always come down to intended use. That being said, you’ll want to take the following categories into account before settling on any pair.
Design: Are you looking for in-ear, on-ear or over-ear headphones? Wired or wireless? Since these are headphones that will be used for multiple occasions, you want something that suits your lifestyle. Whatever type you choose, make sure the headphones are well built, easy to carry, and comfy to wear for about 1 to 2 hours daily.
Sound quality: Different models offer different sound, and since you’re buying a pair to enjoy music individually, it’s important to find headphones that match your sound preference, be it heavy bass or distinctively clear to where you can hear the littlest nuances in recordings. Some models offer personalized sound via companion app, which allows the user to create their own profiles and tweak EQ levels to their hearing.
Battery life: Models like Sennheiser’s 60-hour battery life are a real crowd pleaser, but most wireless over-ear headphones typically manage around half that. Wireless earbuds can last about 5 to 10 hours and offer extended playtime with their bundled charging cases — always make sure one is included.
Accessories: It’s disappointing spending money on a new pair of headphones only to find that you need to buy the accessories separately. For wired models, the manufacturer must include the aux cable, and any headphones that come with a carrying case, charging cable, user guide, and extra ear cups or tips are solid purchases.
Pricing considerations: Obviously, price is a big consideration when looking for the best cheap headphones. Generally speaking, the less you spend on a pair of headphones the greater the chance that sound and features will be compromised. Going for a budget option isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though, as the models in this list demonstrate.
As the saying goes: timing is everything, and right now some of our favorite cheap headphones are being discounted online and are available for even less. Bookmark our best headphone deals pages to keep track of the latest bargains.
Contributions from Alex Bracetti
Next: If your budget can run a little further, then don’t forget to check out our best wireless earbuds under $100 and our guide to the best headphones overall.
How we test the best cheap headphones
As with most of our headphone roundups, we based our list of the best cheap headphones not only on price, but also design, sound, and ease of use. Available features such as controls, mics, and digital assistant support are tested as well.
Our reviewers wear each pair of headphones for 2 hours at a time throughout the testing phase. From there, they evaluate how comfy and securely they fit, along with how well they isolate noise.
For sound quality, we evaluate volume, clarity, and fullness by listening to many songs across different music genres. This includes hip hop, rock, jazz, classical, and electronica just to name a few. Movies, podcasts, and video games are considered, when necessary. Our reviewers make phone calls to assess call quality and microphone performance too.
After testing is completed, our reviewers rate the best cheap headphones on Tom’s Guide five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Products that hit nearly every mark receive an Editor’s Choice badge.
More: Find out what we listen for during our testing process and how to get the best headphone sound for you.
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