9 Highly-Rated Headphones You Can Get For Under $50

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Whether it's Bose or Sony, people often think that great audio has to come with a hefty price tag. But for a solid pair of headphones in 2026, you don't need to spend big. Premium options benefit from better noise cancellation, more detail, and fancier features than cheaper models, but that doesn't mean there's no fun to be had on a budget. Headphones come in different shapes, sizes, and budgets, and you just have to know what to look for, especially if you want to spend $50 or less.

There are plenty of great cheap headphone brands out there, but in this roundup, we're specifically focusing on headphones under $50 that are highly rated by users and authoritative review outlets. We'll cover plenty of options that punch well above their price range. This includes wireless earbuds, over-ear and on-ear wireless options, kid-friendly options, and even high-value in-ear monitors. So whether you're looking for more bass or a critical listening experience, these are the best headphones to buy under $50.

Nothing's CMF Buds Pro 2 prove that budget wireless earbuds can be fun, stylish, and enjoyable in terms of sound. These buds feature a Smart Dial on the charging case, which offers a tactile experience for controlling playback, volume, and even active noise cancellation. They come in dark grey, blue, light grey, and orange, and it's refreshing to see these fun color options under $50. The noise cancellation ability is impressive here, as the Buds Pro 2 provide effective isolation and do a good job of suppressing traffic noise.

They are lightweight and comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. Expect up to six hours of battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) on, and the charging case provides 24 hours of additional battery before you need to plug them in. SoundGuys praised the overall audio quality, as there's plenty of clarity, a wide enough soundstage, and minimal distortion. These buds also pack a heavy bass, which is great if you listen to a lot of electronic dance music (EDM) or hip-hop. However, you might want to adjust the sound equalizer (EQ) in the Nothing app if the bass is too strong for you. You even get an IP55 rating with the Buds Pro 2, meaning workout sweat won't cause a problem. The Buds Pro 2 have a 4.3-star rating on Amazon with over 3,000 reviews.

The Tozo HT2 might not be the most well-known pair of headphones, but considering they have a 4.5-star rating on Amazon and over 4,600 customer reviews, they are worth considering. These are a no-nonsense pair of over-ear, ANC-enabled wireless headphones. Coming from a relatively obscure brand, the Tozo HT2 sound great. Tech Gear Lab's review highlights the balanced sound profile, meaning they're not too bass-forward and feature pleasing mids and highs. You can expect around 30 hours of battery life with ANC on, and you can continue listening even with a dead battery thanks to the included 3.5-millimeter-to-3.5-millimeter cable.

Some sacrifices have to be made when buying headphones under $50, and for the Tozo HT2 it's the ANC capability. They do block out some amount of background noise, but louder sounds will still force their way through to your ears. Fortunately, they provide a comfortable and stable fit, making them a decent option during workouts. Some earbuds in this price range, like the CMF Buds Pro 2, will provide better ANC and overall sound quality, but if you need an over-ear wireless pair, these are a good option.

The Koss Porta Pro are a prime example of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." These are an iconic pair of vintage headphones that a lot of audiophiles swear by when recommending on a budget. The Porta Pro are wired on-ear headphones, and despite the compact size of the drivers, they are quite comfortable and lightweight. Headphones.com had high praise for the sound quality, highlighting the midrange delivery and warm highs. These are semi-open headphones with great soundstage, but that also means that people around you will be able to hear your music.

The Koss Porta Pro have a 4.6-star score on Amazon from more than 17,000 buyer ratings, which goes to show just how popular these are in the budget category. Of course, they won't be well-suited to everyone, especially for casual use. The wired connection makes them less convenient for wearing during workouts; they lack active noise cancellation, and you'll likely need a USB-C-to-3.5-millimeter adapter for using them with your phone. This is all by design, though, as the Porta Pros focus on a pure, high-fidelity listening experience while preserving a nostalgic 1980s design. With wired headphones making a comeback, these provide an awesome retro experience.

If you're worried about portability and also want good battery life, the JLab JBuds Mini are a great pair of earbuds to consider. These earbuds are compact, as even the case itself is considerably smaller than an Apple AirPods Pro case. Because of the lightweight and compact design, they're highly comfortable for longer sessions and provide a secure fit. The miniature size means that they're also a better option for people with smaller ears. They feature an IP55 rating, meaning they're good to withstand rain and sweat.

The compact size isn't all the JBuds Mini have going for them, as they also sound great. Tom's Guide praised the bass presence, the rich delivery of vocals, and how the buds handle smaller background details in the mix. Battery life is slightly better than the Apple AirPods 4, as you get 5.5 hours on a full charge with the JBuds Mini versus the five hours on the AirPods. Unfortunately, these lack any sort of active noise cancellation. The newer ANC version is out, but at the time of writing, in-depth reviews are limited, and we recommend checking for more coverage in the future. The JBuds Mini are popular on Amazon, as they have a 4.2-star average rating and over 7,000 reviews.

It can be difficult to choose between on-ear and over-ear headphones, but if you do prefer a more compact design, the JBL Tune 520BT (also available on the JBL website) are a great pair. These wireless on-ear headphones deliver around 60 hours of playback from a single charge, which is quite impressive. The earcups fold flat for easy portability, but they unfortunately don't come with a carrying case. SoundGuys praised the overall sound quality and the secure fit, something that isn't always a given with on-ear headphones.

However, if you want good noise isolation, you're probably better off with a pair of over-ear headphones. On-ear headphones can only do so much in this regard, and the Tune 520BT are no different. Despite this, Amazon users love these JBL cans, as they have a 4.7-star average rating with over 16,000 reviews. As a pair of affordable on-ears, these are also a decent option for kids. While adults might miss ANC, parents will appreciate the fact that their kids aren't zoned out from the world completely.

The Samson SR850 are a classic in the audiophile world, with positive user reviews dating as far back as 2010. Even today, at around $50, these wired headphones are a great choice because of the solid sound quality. They won't win any points in terms of aesthetics, though some might appreciate how they closely mirror classic reference gear you'd see in a recording studio. RTings had high praise for the overall sound quality, as their review highlights the balanced sound profile and incredible detail. As these are semi-open-back headphones, meaning the outer shell has small openings, you get a wider and more immersive soundstage. This also means that they leak sound to your surroundings, resulting in somewhat poor isolation.

For critical listening or even recording and mixing purposes, these are a great, affordable pair of cans. The wide, spacious sound experience also makes them decent for gaming, though they lack a microphone. But perhaps the biggest drawback here is the fact that they aren't the most comfortable. The earcups are a bit shallow, which means that they get uncomfortable during longer listening sessions. Amazon users love this pair regardless, as they have a 4.5-star average score based on over 7,800 buyer ratings.

The Simgot EW200 are a bit of a deep pull from the audiophile and in-ear monitor (IEM) world, and these earbuds are just plain impressive for the price. Headphonesty's review featured endless praise for the sound quality, with highlights including powerful bass, detailed mids, and bright highs that don't get too harsh. These earphones perform well across almost every genre and feature a well-rounded soundstage.

Out of the box, they come with a carrying case made of soft cloth material, a two-pin cable, and three pairs of white silicone ear tips. The cable is of high quality, and the clean chrome mirror finish on the earbud housing looks great. These earbuds are also quite comfortable, as they have good weight distribution, offer good isolation, and provide a secure fit. The microphone-free version is the least expensive at $45, the mic version is $49, and the Type-C version is just slightly over our budget at $52. On Amazon, the Simgot EW200 has a 4.2-star average rating with over 520 reviews.

Wired earbuds or IEMs are a great gateway to high-fidelity audio on a budget. The Linsoul 7Hz Salnotes Zero are only $23, but the overall package they deliver at this dirt-cheap price is surprising. They feature a high-quality cable, various ear tip sizes and colors, and fun accent colors on the main earbud housing. The Salnotes Zero are also quite comfortable, though you'll have to get used to the ear hook design if you haven't used IEMs with this design.

In terms of sound quality, Audiophile On had high praise for the out-of-the-box tuning. Bass is tight and controlled; mids sound pleasing, with a good amount of warmth; and the highs are smooth. In case you want to use them for gaming, there is a slightly more expensive version with a mic ($26), and there's also a USB-C version with a mic. The 7Hz Salnotes Zero have a 4.4-star average score on Amazon with nearly 2,700 ratings.

If you need a pair of dirt-cheap wireless headphones for your kids, you can't go wrong with the EarFun K2 Kids. These headphones don't feature active noise cancellation or the most balanced sound profile, but they do feature 10 color options, claim 40 hours of playtime from a single charge, and cost only $27 (pricing varies slightly depending on the color, but all options are under $35). This low price means that, even if your child accidentally breaks these cans, it's not a massive financial burden to replace them.

The design is very comfortable, thanks to plenty of cushioning on the earpads and the underside of the headband. PCMag's review praised the audio quality, especially the impressive bass performance in a wide variety of tracks. These headphones might sound a bit too energetic to discerning listeners, but your kid probably isn't one of them. The microphone here is just passable, as the signal is a bit weak. The EarFun K2 Kids have a 4.6-star average rating on Amazon with over 3,700 reviews.

For this roundup of highly-rated headphones, we stuck strictly to a $50 price ceiling, with many options coming in well under that mark. The models we selected cover multiple form factors, including true wireless earbuds, over-ear wireless, on-ear wireless, semi-open studio headphones, and even IEMs to keep the selection diverse and help you find what you need. Selections prioritize models with strong real-world feedback, professional and community testing, and consistent praise for core performance (sound, comfort, battery, or isolation) rather than gimmicks.

Where newer versions exist (like the ANC version of the JLab Jbuds Mini), we preferred the more widely tested and reviewed earlier model when it still delivers solid overall value and proven reliability. Each product has at least a 4.1-out-of-5-star average rating on Amazon, and we referenced expert testing from the likes of Soundguys, RTINGS, and PCMag to round out our recommendations. We also evaluated all headphones at their retail prices, so you'll find all these options under $50 at any point in the future.