All-Around Best Value

For the best bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with the KZ ATE Hifi earbuds on Amazon and coming in as the top of our list for best earbuds under $20. The copper build delivers high-quality sound in both treble and bass. The in-ear-monitors (IEM) mimic those used by professional musicians, so the sound experience is unique for this price point. These earbuds also offer noise cancelation, making them ideal for open plan office workers and commuters taking public transportation.

The foam ear tips are light, and the shape will fit comfortably with most ears, allowing users to wear the earbuds for extended periods of time while running or working out. This design minimizes "microphonics," annoying vibrations from the cable. However, not everyone is a fan of the over-the-ear-style, so users looking for the smallest option may find themselves drawn to another item. 

The earbuds come with a 12-month warranty, which does not cover man-made damage or immersing the earbuds in liquid. Available on Amazon, you can also buy them at Ankerly and FocusOnValue for the same price.

Best Bass 

You wouldn't expect to hear thudding bass out of unassuming earbuds that is very affordable, but sound is where this model delivers. While most earbuds struggle with the mid and lower tones, the Monoprice Enhanced Hi-Fi offers stellar bass. Playing ambient "pink noise" for 24 hours may also help the speakers reach their maximum potential. 

These earbuds are smaller than the KZ ATE Hifi, and are available in four colors, including a stylish neon blue/green option. They come with a 12-month limited warranty. You can find these on Amazon, as well as from Huetron, Monoprice, and OutletPC in a range of affordable prices.

Best Design

We gave these best design for a reason: the sleek metal and gold exterior looks like something out of a steampunk novel. The design is also optimized for superior sound, delivering quality bass and noise cancelation. There's a range of ear tips so users can choose the size that provides the best fit. They also come with a custom leather case for stylish portability. 

While it looks like the YSM1000 has gone up in price on Amazon, Betron also offers the similar ELR50 earphones at an affordable price. They have a similar look, amazing bass, and three sizes of silicone ear tips. The ELR50 comes with a one-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee.

Best for Workouts

So far, we've mainly focused on audio as the prime feature, but that's not all there is to design. The MEE Audio Sport-Fi M6P offers decent sound with a fit that will stand up to the most strenuous workout. With a secure but discreet over-the-ear fit, these earbuds won't come out even jostled. They are also 100 percent sweat and water resistant, so for athletes, these may be the best earbuds under $20. 

They are offered in a wide range of stylish neon colors, including pink, orange, purple, and sky blue. Some colors are pricier than others. The MEE comes with a one-year manufacturer's warranty and six sets of ear tips. Besides online sellers like Amazon and eBay, you can also purchase these earbuds at Walmart.

Best Price

The Panasonic Ergofit is the cheapest option thus far. These earbuds deliver good quality sound for the price, but may not stand up to some of the other options on this list. Their main draw is an "ergonomic" fit, meaning you won't have to worry about annoying hot spots in your ears during use.

Originally designed to pair with the iPod Nano, the Ergofit comes in a variety of whimsical colors. You can purchase them in blue, orange, purple, pink and red. You can also opt for a traditional white or black if you prefer a more minimalist look. These earpieces are lightweight and convenient. 

You can purchase Panasonic Ergofit earbuds at your local Walmart or Target, as well as on Amazon and the Panasonic website. They do not come with a warranty.

Better Fit

For a similar price point but a more sophisticated fit, try the Urophylla earbuds. A special silicone gel earbud in three sizes conforms to the shape of your ear for optimal comfort. In contrast to the bright Ergofit colors, the Urophylla's design is sleek and black, going for "cool" rather than "cute." Although they aren't noise canceling, they will drown out background noise for a better listening experience. 

To top it all off, the Urophylla earbuds come with a lifetime warranty. The company will address any issues with the earbuds for as long as you own them. Talk about getting your money's worth!

No-frills option

These are a lightweight and budget-friendly option for users seeking a basic earbud set. They come with three sizes of ear tips to ensure that they will fit snugly through all types of movement without coming loose. The 3.6-foot cord is easy to hide under clothing, and the buds also boast an ergonomic fit. 

The two-tone casing comes in a variety of friendly, neon colors that give the product an energetic feel even though they're not intended for sports. With eight options to choose from, users can personalize their earbuds to their own sense of style. .

Good price and color

These earbuds are definitely one of the better buys on this list. Although they're not meant for sports, like the MEE Sport-fi above, they do provide all the basic earbud functionality. They are ideal for normal use listening to music, audiobooks, and podcasts, and for playing smartphone games. 

In spite of the lightweight casing, 10mm dynamic drivers offer clear sound and controlled bass. Besides the original black, they come in pink, blue and white. They also include a one year warranty. You can purchase them in store at Fry’s, Best Buy, and Walmart.

Affordable price and fashion

The silicone ear tips mean a comfortable fit, even when users are napping. 

In addition to providing quality sound, these earbuds look and feel like a fashion accessory. The Y-type cord comes with a slider to prevent tangling when you wind up the earbuds and store them for later. (Really, do you see luxury headphones addressing the dreaded problem of tangles?) The two-tone earbuds come in dainty shades of pink, lilac, and sky blue besides the more traditional white and black. 

The Sony MDREX15LP is available at online retailers such as Amazon and eBay. Shoppers can also find them at department stores with an electronics section, such as Target. Unfortunately, the Sony MDREX15LP does not include a warranty.

If you barely want to spend anything

The Sentry HO343 gives the basic functionality of earbuds with an elegant and classic design. If you want to go for the option in white, you’ll end up paying a little more. 

They still boast 10mm drivers, balanced sound, and digital stereo. They are lightweight, with a lengthy 3.5-foot cord for versatile use. Amazon shoppers can add a two-year protection plan for $1.00. 

Yes, cutting down the price does mean compromising on durability and sound. However, for shoppers who have to make every dollar count, the Sentry H0343 undoubtedly offers the best price. Truly these earbuds show that you the tech you need is available at any price.

The first noteworthy pair of headphones on this list is studio quality, user-customizable and comfortable. These closed-back headphones have a unique feature that will satisfy the musician in you.

They feature a variable bass reflex system. With the slide of a button, users can choose between heavy, vibrant, linear, or light bass. All aforementioned positions work beautifully with both middle and high ranges. While other brands have created headphones with a built-in bass reflex system, these headphones allow the listener to manually modify the bass, which has never been done before.

These headphones provide a retro feel and studio sound. The SONY MDRV6 headphones are a well-loved historical artifact from the 1980s and have lived to see the 21st century (31 years later). When these headphones were first introduced, they were popular amongst DJs and professional music producers. The digital audio world was still new.

Individuals interested in music production will really enjoy this product, but this is for anyone who likes good quality audio. The sound delivery is natural, balanced, and fun.

These are one of the best open-backed headphones you can find under $200. These airy headphones feature audio technology that provides the listener with an almost perfect delivery of bass, mids, and treble. The bass is velvety and the highs are high. The HD 598 headphones give us the full package which makes them one of the best headphones under $200.

Audio-Technica has always been known for designing professional audio equipment. Their ATH-SR5BT headphones are phenomenal and provide the listener with an immersive experience.

A key feature users may enjoy is the option to connect via Bluetooth or wire. Bluetooth is convenient because users won't have to untangle wires or deal with the discomfort of a wire getting in their way. The Bluetooth is capable of remembering up to eight devices. This feature saves a lot of time trying to connect them later on. These headphones also have a whopping 38-hour battery life, which reduces charging to once or twice a week (depending on usage and energy consumption).

If one had to choose between Beats by Dr.Dre and these headphones, Logitech wins. These Logitech’s deliver amazing sound quality for this price point. They have a frequency response of up to 20 kHz and an impedance of 50 ohms. The bass sounds are rich and loud. We would say these are one of the best headphones under $200, but they’re actually under $100. This is definitely a great investment.

The Grado SR80i are probably one of the most underrated headphones, ever. These are open-back, retro-style headphones. They are perfect for jazz, acoustic, and unplugged music. While they do have noticeable sound leakage, they still provide an immersive sound experience in the right context (i.e. home). These are an investment worth making for an audiophile who needs to hear the detail and warmth in their music.

Have you had to withstand a noisy commute to work or an uncomfortable flight? For buyers who need professional quality noise cancelation, these are a must-buy. These Bose headphones block out noise even without activating the noise cancelation feature.

It all started on a flight from USA to Switzerland when Dr. Bose was having trouble hearing his music over the airplane engines. The mathematical calculations that helped bring this noise technology into fruition took place over the course of ten years.

Dr. Amar Bose, MIT professor, and sound engineer invented the first noise-canceling headphones in 1989. In 1995, this company’s acoustic noise cancelation headset series II won the title for “product of the year.” Bose’s products have continued to evolve. These updated headphones are nothing short of exceptional.

Shure is known for their first-class, in-ear headphones. However, they did an excellent job with these closed-back, over-the-ear style headphones. These headphones were developed for studio recording and a pleasant listening experience. These SRH840 deliver crisp and clear sound.

These studio headphones are a favorite amongst professionals in the music industry. The makers of these headphones did a beautiful job designing both the aesthetic and technological parts. Functionally, these headphones do a great job of delivering crisp and clear sound.

The DT 770 have been designed specifically for professional studio use. Many considered these headphones a studio essential. Due to the bass reflex system, it’s important that listeners find a balance in volume. If the volume is too high, the sound may be piercing. On the other hand, the music can sound very distant if the volume is too low.

These deliver the analytical sound that professionals need to mix and master. The construction, durability, and amazing sound are what make these headphones special. These headphones also win the title of one of the best headphones under $200.