Enjoying quality music should not require breaking the bank. The headphone market provides numerous options for every type of music head. If you need help choosing new budget headphones, here’s what we recommend.
1More SonoFlow
Philips SH9600 Open-Back Stereo Headphones
Puro Sound Labs BT2200s
Anker Life Q35
Anker Soundcore Space One
Best Budget Headphones Overall:1MORE SonoFlow
The1MORE SonoFlownoise canceling headphones are quite popular, and for good reason. With active noise cancelation, Hi-Res Audio certification, LDAC codec support, and a 70-hour playtime, the SonoFlow is an excellent pair of headphones for users who need great sound quality without shelling out the cash for high-end headphone models.
They weigh only 250g and come with a hard carrying case for users on the move. They feature a mostly plastic build with protein leather earcups that completely wrap around your ears. The Sonoflow’s design is solid and durable enough to handle regular, sustained use.
The ANC is powered by 1MORE’s proprietary active noise canceling technology, QuietMax, and can block out most sounds without diminishing audio quality. It also comes with a transparency mode to let sounds in without taking the headphones off.
If you’re looking for an excellent set of headphones that aren’t expensive, the 1MORE SonoFlow ANC headphones are a great choice. It’s super comfortable, sounds great, and the ANC does the job. Throw in the excellent battery life, and it’s a winning combination.
Best Wired Budget Headphones:Philips SHP9600
Wired headphones are usually cheaper than wireless alternativesand sound better overall. If you value a great listening experience over Bluetooth connectivity, thePhilips SHP9600wired headphones are a good budget option.
The Philips SHP9600 has an open-back design for a more natural soundstage. It is mostly made from plastic and reinforced with a steel frame for added durability. It’s far from a luxury product, but the design is good enough for the price range. The headphones' lightweight nature and ear cup padding make for a very comfortable listening experience, even with extended use. However, like otheropen-back headphones, the SHP9600 suffers from sound leakage and may not be the best choice for public listening.
Philips SHP9600 Open-Back Stereo Headphones
With an open-back design, the Philip SHP9600 wired headphones deliver a spacious and immersive soundstage. The plastic build is quite solid, and the headband is reinforced with steel for more durability.
Best Budget Headphones for Kids:Puro Sound Labs BT2200s
ThePuro Sound Labs BT2200s Plusheadphones offer a clear, crisp, and controlled sound that will thrill and excite young listeners while protecting their delicate eardrums. The volume is limited to 85 decibels to prevent hearing loss.
The Puro BT2200s Plus headphones are well-built and have a refined design that could easily fit a pair of headphones targeted at adults. They are made primarily from aluminum for added durability, and the earcups and headband are padded with vegan leather. The on-ear earcups can be swapped for over-ear ones for improved fit and comfortability. They also come with a daisy-chain cable, allowing two sets of headphones to listen to the same source.
The Puro Sound Labs BT2200 Plus Headphones are designed for children and focus on safety, comfort, and excellent sound reproduction. They are volume-limited to 85dB and feature both over-ear and on-ear cushions in the box for a safe and enjoyable listening experience.
Best Noise-Canceling Budget Headphones:Anker Soundcore Life Q35
TheAnker Soundcore Life Q35offers remarkable noise-canceling performance compared to more expensive/high-end headphones. It features two earcup microphones that detect and filter out ambient noise without reducing sound quality. Three ANC modes—Transport, Outdoor, and Indoor—deliver adaptive noise cancelation without reducing sound quality.
These headphones are light enough and comfortable enough for long-term use. A built-in sensor detects when they are removed and pauses the music immediately. The music resumes automatically when they are back on.
The Anker Soundcore Life Q35 is advertised to offer 40 hours of battery life, but users have reported even better battery performance. It supports the Soundcore app, allowing you to customize your listening experience with 22 EQ presets.
The Soundcore Life Q35 headphones offer above-average noise cancelation and high-quality sound at a bargain price. The Soundcore app provides a personalized listening experience, allowing users to choose from over 20 sound presets and white noise soundscapes.
Best Budget Headphones for Travel:Anker Soundcore Space One
TheAnker Soundcore Space Oneis another great product from the company that focuses on delivering music without the distraction of outside noises. The headphones are advertised as reducing ambient noise by up to 98%. They offer both adaptive ANC (which adjusts to your environment) and customizable ANC (with 5 different levels of transparency).
The headphones feature a plastic build, but the detailed design gives the impression of a premium product. They come in three color themes: Sky Blue, Latte Cream, and Jet Black. The headband and ear cups are made from durable, soft silicone for maximum comfort and breathability. Battery life is also important for a travel-focused product, and the Space One doesn’t disappoint, with a playback time of 40 hours with ANC on and up to 55 hours with ANC off.
Anker’s Soundcore Space One headphones offer excellent value in affordable audio. They feature top-tier ANC, Hi-Res LDAC codec support, and a comfortable design.
Q: What is ANC?
ANC, oractive noise cancelation, cancels out noise by introducing a secondary sound with a similar amplitude but opposite phase. It is not perfect and is usually more effective at suppressing constant, repetitive noise than sharp, sudden sounds.
Q: Are bone-conduction headphones safe?
Bone-conduction headphones transmit sound directly to the inner ear using gentle vibrations of the skull. They are completely safe to use and offer certain advantages such as comfort, leaving you aware of your surroundings, and may be helpful for people with conductive hearing loss.
Q: Should I use wired or wireless headphones?
Despite what audiophiles might tell you, there are great options for both wireless and wired headphones. It depends entirely on what the optimal listening experience is for you. If you prefer to move around while listening to your favorite tracks, or simply hate the hassle of untangling headphone wires, wireless headphones should be a better choice. However, if you won’t be using your headphones much while away from your device and you are on a tight budget, you can’t go wrong with a wired pair of headphones.
Also, wired headphones are much better for watching movies, studio recording, and playing games because they do not introduce latency/delay, unlike wireless headphones.
Q: Why won’t my wireless headphones connect to Bluetooth?
There are a few reasons your wireless headphones may not connect to your device. They include:
