As you search for the best headphones, you're bound to notice that excellence often equates to a higher price; but luckily, there are still plenty of great budget headphones available. Whether you prioritise battery life, travel, comfort, or just want to get the ultimate budget pair, we've got you covered.
The audio quality of budget headphones won't quite match up to their more expensive counterparts, but if you're not overly fussed about fine details and just want something practical, these options will be perfect for you. That said, many modern budget headphones still sport some respectable sound quality.
Editor's choice
• Most comfortable budget headphones: PowerLocus Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones
• Best ultra-budget headphones: JVC Wired Lightweight Headphones
• Best budget bass headphones: JBL Tune510BT
• Best budget headphones for travel: Rydohi Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
• Best battery life budget headphones: Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
We've gathered some of our favourite budget headphones available on the market, weighing up their strengths and weaknesses, considering factors such as battery life and comfort. We even looked into the compatible connections, so as to find the most convenient pairs possible.
Let's get into our picks.
Most comfortable budget headphones
The extra comfort from over-ear headphones is a brilliant feature, and the PowerLocus Over-Ear Headphones are one of the most comfortable pairs on the market. The pads are made from soft memory foam, and both they and the headband are flexible and easy to adjust, so you should have no issue finding the perfect setup for you.
Another nice aspect of these headphones is that they are available in a variety of colourful designs. If you're tired of being stuck with the standard black, grey and blues of regular headphones, then you'll definitely appreciate the selection of styles.
Pros
- Great padding
- Variety of fun designs
Cons
- Not the best pick for bass
| Connections | Bluetooth, USB, Aux |
| Battery power | 15 hours |
| Design type | Over-ear |
- Customer review: "Very convenient foldable design and the bonus of a nice carry case. More importantly, the sound quality is very good and much better than I had expected from budget earphones. Comfortable to wear."
Best ultra-budget headphones
We won't pretend that the JVC Wired Headphones are on the cutting edge of audio tech, but they perform very well for such an inexpensive pair of headphones. Between the lightweight build, fairly compact design, and brilliant value, these are a reliable backup pair, especially for those planning to travel and who don't want to risk losing a more expensive pair.
The wired nature might be a bit more inconvenient, but it's a worthwhile tradeoff for the budget price. The padding isn't the most comfortable, but it shouldn't cause any issues on a plane or train ride.
Pros
- Superb value
- Lightweight build
Cons
- No wireless options
| Connections | 3.5mm Jack |
| Battery power | N/A |
| Design type | On-ear |
- Customer review: "Decent quality headphones, but that’s what you pay for with the price. Do exactly what you’d expect and honestly not the worst sound quality. Very plasticky, however, feels durable enough to trust."
Best budget bass headphones
Budget headphones often come with a bit of sacrifice when it comes to audio quality, but the bass from the JBL Tune510BT is surprisingly solid. It's certainly a cut above the standard you would expect from this price point. These are the de facto choice for any fans of bass-heavy music.
Another strength of these headphones is their very impressive battery life. You can find many more expensive headphones that are nowhere near the 40-hour battery life of the JBL Tune510BT, so these are another solid choice for frequent travellers.
Pros
- Superb bass
- Impressive battery life
Cons
- Limited colour variety
| Connections | Bluetooth |
| Battery power | 40 hours |
| Design type | On-ear |
- Customer review: "These are really good headphones for being on the go. They have good battery life, which is great when you are travelling. On top of that, the sound is really clear and can go quite loud."
Best budget headphones for travel
However, the real king of budget travel headphones is the Rydohi Wireless Bluetooth Headphones. The battery life is a little less than we'd like to see from travel headphones, but the swift charging speed negates that issue, and 14 hours is still very reliable.
The design is foldable (and compact when folded), and the padding is thick and comfortable. In fact, we think this pair would probably keep your ears toasty on a cold day. Best of all, all the audio controls are on the headphones themselves, making it super seamless and easy to adjust your listening experience on the go.
Pros
- Comfortable design
- Foldable and compact
Cons
- So-so battery life
| Connections | Bluetooth, 3.5m Aux |
| Battery power | 14 hours |
| Design type | Over-ear |
- Customer review: "Really great value! Not as good battery life as my Bluetooth earphones, but way more comfortable. I seem to get an odd like humming noise through them when nothing is playing, but it's not much of an issue as you can't hear it when listening to music/audiobooks."
Best battery life budget headphones
We previously mentioned how impressive 40 hours of battery life is for a pair of budget headphones, so you can imagine how impressed we are by the 50 hours that the Sony WH-CH520 boasts. If you want a solid pair for when you're out camping for a good while, then these definitely have you covered.
The audio controls are also on the headphones, so they're another convenient pair to wear and be able to adjust without too much tinkering. Our only real complaint is that since the padding is quite rigid, you may find them to be a bit stuffy if worn for too long in a single sitting.
Pros
- Amazing, unrivalled battery life
- Easy to adjust the sound
Cons
- Can be uncomfortable if worn for long stretches of time
| Connections | Bluetooth |
| Battery power | 50 hours |
| Design type | On-ear |
- Customer review: "I recently took a long flight from London to LA with a divert via Dublin. I put these on the moment I left home and never switched them off till I landed in LA and the battery was at a mere 70% remaining. That is impressive and unexpected."
<strong>FAQs about budget headphones</strong>
Are headphones better than earbuds?
Yes and no. At an equal price point, headphones will tend to have better audio quality than earbuds, simply because they have more internal space for internal tech. That said, the difference is less noticeable when accounting for budget headphones. It's also worth noting that earbuds are much more portable than headphones, and often come with small charging cases to enhance their battery life dramatically.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Budget over-ear headphones can be a lot more comfortable than in-ear earbuds, for example, but that might not be a major concern for someone else.
How do you clean headphones?
It's easy to overlook or even not notice, but with frequent use, our headphones can get quite gross and dirty. As such, it's best to keep on top of maintenance and to clean them regularly. Thankfully, it's super easy to do.
Remove the padding if possible, and simply wipe the ear area down with a damp cloth (soapy water). Make sure it's just damp and not wet, as you don't want to damage the headphones. If you're feeling especially thorough, some hand sanitiser can be extra effective. Once done, just dry it off, and all should be sorted.
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Kyle Purves is a Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
They're well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They're also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.
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