Every music or gaming enthusiast has a craving for good headphones with high sound quality. When you think of the best offers and amazing discounts for such, black Friday comes to mind. However, you don’t have to wait once a year to find the best offers or discount; you also don't necessarily have to save a lot to get the best options. It also doesn't take luck to find the best headphones under $50 with great sound quality at affordable prices.
This article is about the best of both worlds, quality, and affordability. So whether you're trying to find a pair of headphones that are best for gaming or great to use during an exercise or something for your journey, we’ve searched and sifted through the markets to compile a list of the best headphones under $50 in 2019.
Headphones run the gamut of price and quality and are available for purchase just about anywhere. You can find pairs costing thousands of dollars at specialty audio shops, or you can grab a pair for five dollars at a gas station. The key to finding the right pair of headphones is determining a value which I define as price vs quality. Also, there are many different types of headphones designed for many different utilities including; listening to music, recording/mixing sound, video games, phone calls, etc. Below is a list of the top ten brands of headphones for under $50.
- Advanced build quality and engineering designed for studio tracking and mixing
- 40 mm drivers with rare earth neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils
- Tuned for enhanced low-frequency performance
Purchasing a set of professional headphones for less than $50 isn't hopeless anymore; just look at the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones. If you're searching for headphones using detailed sound without overly stressed bass, these may be the right choice for you. Even though they are not the best ATH headphones, they will provide you with excellent gratification during critical listening or playing an instrument. They are also a fantastic pick for ordinary men and women who like to enjoy clean and detailed audio when listening to their favorite tunes. It includes a 9-foot cable and comes with a 1/4-inch adapter for plugging in.
Despite being the entry-level version headphones, these are similar to other ATH-M versions. The difference is that these are considerably lighter and smaller, weighing in at just 6.7 ounces. They feature a closed-back design and isolate a good amount of surrounding sound. Even though they are not as foldable as other versions from the M lineup, they're flexible enough to be comfortable.
Even though ATH-M20x are fantastic headphones for the price, they could have minor drawbacks based on how that they are used. If you would like to use them at home, the cable should not be an issue. However, if you want them for the studio, then you may consider another version with a coiled cable. Additionally, some users favor Bluetooth versions for outdoor use and the 9-foot cable it comes with can prove bothersome. Another issue is that the cable isn't detachable. This makes it impossible to substitute in the event of any damaging. Since these headphones do not include an inline microphone, you cannot use them for hands-free calling.
Pros
Cons
- Ear-direct structure
- Twist action structure
- Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW
JVC HARX300 are fairly great headphones with just basic capabilities. The cost can be reduced, as there are usually discounts on Amazon. So in the event that you figure out how to use one of these, it might be a legitimate bargain. It comes in a white partly transparent box, so you could easily see what you are getting. The box includes only the fundamentals — the headphones with an 8-foot long sound cable with 3.5-millimeter connectors, 6.3-millimeter plug adapter and a user manual.
These headphones weigh significantly less than 7 ounces. They feature an adjustable headband and large soft ear cushions which have holes large enough for all ear sizes. The cans have a closed-back layout and thick cushions that seal well around the ears for decreased background noise and protection against substantial noise leakage.
As we've previously mentioned, the HARX300 fundamental headphones and do not include extra features, like a microphone. They are very affordable in appearance, with ear cushions that seem unable to withstand regular use. The headband must have cushioning. In case the headband isn't padded, it may hurt the surface of your head and lead to some pain, even though the customers state that the HARX300 headband isn't as uncomfortable as they believed it might be.
Pros
Cons
- Advanced build quality and engineering designed for studio tracking and mixing
- 40 mm drivers with rare earth neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils
- Tuned for enhanced low-frequency performance
The following product is an economical pair that is listed under the best headphones under $50. It is manufactured by a company named Edifier, which is located in China. They have been making speakers and headphones for 20 years; however, they have only become popular recently in the United States. Edifier creates good-quality products that can be purchased at reasonable prices. That is especially true for the H840 model.
Unlike many other manufacturers, Edifier does not include extra equipment in their bundle. The headphones come separately and you will discover that there nothing more than one set of wired headphones in the package.
H840 have an easy and attractive layout. It features a fine and elegant matte finish with color options that include blue, black and white. There are versions both with or without a microphone.
Edifier H840 seem appealing, but they are made from plastic. They won't crack as easily as others, but they were certainly created largely for indoor usage. That confirms that the headphones cannot be used without its 6-foot, Y-shaped cable, which is often considered too long for activities like exercising, walking and traveling.
Pros
Cons
- WHY WE RECOMMEND MPOW 059 SET TO YOU: More convenient for you, Mpow 059 Bluetooth Headphones Set contain bluetooth 059...
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These are just one of Amazon's best-sellers and they are not in that class for no reason. As many other Mpow goods, these headphones deserved the recognition due to the great quality and incredibly inexpensive price. The headphones come in a simple cardboard box with a 4-foot sound cable that is finished with a gold-plated 3.5-millimeter connector. It also includes one comparatively brief USB charging cable plus a single soft carrying bag.
Mpow 059 have a very simplistic, yet attractive and contemporary design. They can be found in a number of colors – black, red, gray, blue, green, silver and pink – which should cover all client requirements and tastes.
Among those things we did not enjoy about Mpow 059 is that their glistening finish that renders all the fingerprints visible and the fact that these headphones can seem a bit bulky on the consumer's head.
Pros
Cons
- YOUR EARS WILL THANK YOU: Featuring AptX Hi-Fi technology, our industry leading headset allows you to experience crystal...
- LONG LASTING BATTERY: Stream away with our built in battery that lasts up to 40 hours of playtime! With our dual mode...
- COMFORTABLE & CONVENIENT: Designed with you in mind, our over the ear headphones feature ultra light, super soft protein...
Avantree Audition headphones are an updated of the previous Avantree Hive version. They sound and look better, and their durability has been improved. Should you require a set of headphones that can be used both inside and outside, with or without sound cable, then this reasonably-priced model may be the right choice for you.
The simple partly transparent box includes the headphones, a horizontal 3.5-millimeter detachable audio cable, USB charging cable, user guide and a 2-year guarantee card.
These headphones may not cost a considerable amount of money, but they certainly look expensive. Headphones are finished in a matte black color with fine red components. They were developed to be used as both wired and wireless headphones. On the left ear cup, then you will discover all the required controls (electricity on/off button, volume controls, mic, USB charging interface), as well as a port for connecting the audio cable in the event you run out of battery.
There are not many negative aspects about these headphones, but we must say that they are not foldable and do not include a carrying case. This makes them difficult in terms of portability and that's an important feature people look for when buying Bluetooth headphones.
Pros
Cons
- Natural, spatial and accurate sound. Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Silvery, clear cymbals
- Pleasantly natural trebles
Superlux HD668D headphones are evidence that you do not need to spend a lot of money to find a quality set with great audio. These are not the most attractive nor the most comfortable headset on Earth, but they surely have something to show when it comes to sound quality.
HD668D come in an easy box with two removable sound wires. Both possess the same 3.5-millimeter connectors with a 3-foot and 9-foot cable. This way, it is possible to attach the headphones to your PC or use them with a telephone. With that, you'll also get one cable clip and a single 6.3-millimeter plug jack (in the event you want to use the headphones in the studio), along with one large carrying bag for secure transportation.
When you look at HD668D, you immediately detect their unconventional yet intriguing design. The next thing you notice is that the earbuds are similar to the AKG K240 cups, particularly in their semi-open design. On the other hand, the two flops that perform the part of headband seem quite unique and adapt well to the dimensions of consumer's head.
Although we cannot find flaws with these headphones, they do have various other issues. They are made affordably from plastic, rather than elastic, and are not foldable. Also, the cubs cannot be rotated. We also discovered that the build quality of the sound cables is rather poor, so be cautious when using them if you do not want them to split.
Pros
Cons
- Pro-Grade Closed Back Over-Ear Headphones for Live Monitoring & Mixing
- Truly Powerful NdFeB Magnet System Offers Instant Dynamic Response
- Telescoping Stainless Steel Arms w/Sizing Scale; 180° Rotatable Ear Cups
The following product on the listing of the best affordable headphones is the LuxPro HAS-10. This version that reminds us of this ATH--M50x version produced by Audio-Technica. Although you need to spend a little bit costly for a set of ATH-M50x, HAS-10 saves you a great deal of cash as it can be found for under $50. It also provides similar audio quality, excellent build quality and decent relaxation for the purchase price.
This inexpensive set of headphones does not come with a lot of gear. In fact, they come in a very simple box with a 6.3-millimeter plug adapter which comes screwed on the universal 3.5-millimeter plug. Aside from the instruction guide with fundamental details about the headphones, that is practically all you get. No carrying bag is included.
HAS-10 have a very easy layout that we find favorable. They are not as appealing as some customary consumer headphones, but if you take into account the fact that they were created for studio use, you can understand it more. For professionals, functionality is much more important than fashionable looks.
These headphones become difficult to transport as they include a non-detachable, lengthy cable. Furthermore, they are not watertight and the box does not include a carrying tote for ease of portability.
Pros
Cons
- EASY ON THE EARS: The synthetic leather ear pillows are so soft that you might forget you're wearing them. Low-profile...
- LONG LASTING BATTERY: Enjoy the comfort and sound of your headphones for a full 10 hours, without having to worry about...
- ONBOARD MIC AND REMOTE: Take calls and navigate your playlists with the built in microphone and easy-to-access buttons...
Skullcandy has made a name for themselves by providing affordable quality headphones. The Uproar is often referenced as the best wireless set of headphones available on the market for under $50
No wires and ten hours of battery life. It has a slim design weighing in at a mere 10.6 oz. It handles low frequencies well and is good for bass-heavy music such as EDM and Hip-Hop. It is available in a variety of colors.
The overall sound quality is lacking and not entirely accurate as the bass is boosted. It needs to be recharged regularly.
Pros
Cons
- The earpieces on these 'phones are equipped with thick comfortable padding that keeps the music inside and the noise...
- The headsets do not have a fixed wire. Instead there is a 3.5 mm jack in the bottom of the left earpiece which allows a...
- The 50 mm drivers and 100 dB sensitivity ensure that these 'phones produce good volume and premium sound clarity at all...
Monoprice is not actually the name of a company which produces headphones. They're now a retail company that sells goods manufactured in China or other parts of Asia online. As you can imagine, the goods they sell are fairly affordable, and they also cannot brag about the quality. However, we'll reveal to you that the quality of some products in their catalog can really surprise you.
The box does contain the Monoprice 108323 headphones, with two 4-foot long sound cables and a single 6.3-millimeter plug jack. The thicker one additionally has an inline microphone you could use to answer calls.
These headphones have the capacity to fold entirely, making them highly mobile. On the flip side, the cups can be rotated to quickly adjust to the form and dimensions of your head. The headband can also be extended for your comfort.
One con about the this headphones is their layout. They seem rather dull and the three lumps, rather than the typical thick padding, do not look comfy. The ear cushions are comfortable though, however,we've seen many complaints regarding the clamping force that's larger than normal and something which needs to be considered.
Pros
Cons
- Wired Over-the-Ear Headphones: Full-size, classic-style headphones deliver balanced, high-frequency sound on par with...
- Powerful Bass, Vocals and Lyrics: Dual 30mm neodymium driver units easily handle up to 1000Mw maximum power input for...
- Padded for Comfort: Plush-padded earpads softly surround the entire ear to minimize ambient noise and distractions, and...
Panasonic is an older company that is well-known for its quality merchandise. In our opinion, you can certainly trust the quality of its products – especially for affordable headphones.
As you might expect from cheaper headphones, they do not include any extra equipment. All that you will be receiving in the box is the headphones with a non-detachable 6-foot long curved cable with a 3.5-millimeter right connector. The cable is Y-shaped without an inline microphone.
Panasonic RP-HT161-K have very straightforward but appealing appearance. Available in black, these headphones weigh in at 10 ounces for a lightweight construction that is easily wearable inside and outside. The headband is adjustable on both sides along with also the ear cushions that are rather soft and thick. The holes at the ear cushions are large enough for all sized ears and small enough to seal comfortably around your ears and isolate a good portion of background sound.
Among the defects can be that these headphones are made from plastic. Also, the padding would be convenient, but the absence of cushioning makes it uncomfortable.
Pros
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Comparison Table
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Things You Should Consider When Buying Affordable Headphones
As you can realize from our references, affordable does not necessarily mean inferior. Affordable products do not need to be utilized just as short-term replacements for costly goods. This is especially true since when you buy expensive goods, you often spend a good sum of money for your brand. Now that we have found some of the best headphones under $50, it's time to speak about additional aspects to which you ought to pay attention to when purchasing such devices.
