8 Best 'Cheap' Headphones
Quality for an Inexpensive Price
You want a set of earphones that are high quality, great sounding, and all for a great price. Great! The problem is, there are literally thousands of models and brands to choose from. How do you know which ones are the best? Do you go with a certain brand like Sony or Sennheiser? If they're highly rated, will they work with your type of music? In my time writing reviews for my blog Classical Music Headphones, I've come across earphones and earbuds from the same manufacturer that deliver stunningly different sounds.
There's no doubt that searching for good value can be a daunting task. People will tell you that "you get what you pay for..."
But you know what? I hate that phrase. I've encountered quite a few high quality headphones that are priced much lower than they should be. In fact, some of them are so good that I tend to use them more often than my $300 set. When new models come out, the older models tend to drop in price substantially. Except that audio devices don't age as fast as other electronics. The items on this list will get you the "best bang for your buck".
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Update:
I've added a "Great Deals" section that highlights some great sales going on right now. I'll keep updating the list as new deals come. The best ones (by far) on sale right now are the Audio Technica ATH-M50x's, which are currently over $50 off.
3 Things To Look For:
Tips to Help You Make the Right Purchase:
I've rated each (out of 5) based on these 3 criteria:
1. Comfort
People tend to wear them for hours on end, and so even the slightest differences in clamping pressure, the type of earcups material and headband can make a huge difference in your music enjoyment.
2. Sound Quality
Every manufacturer (and even different models of the same manufacturer) has a distinct sound that works better for some genres of music and worse for others. Some sound great (like the Sennheiser HD202 II's listed below) no matter the genre. I try to highlight which genres each headset will excel at and which ones they simply won't do justice to.
3. Build Quality
Will they survive multiple trips in your backpack? I have given all of them the rough treatment to see how they hold up over time.
1. Sennheiser HD202 II - Professional DJ Quality for Unbelievably Cheap
Ratings: (out of 5)
Comfort: 4.7
Sound Quality: 4.85
Build Quality: 4.65
Overall: 4.75
Sennheiser HD202 II Reviews:
Cnet User Review:
"This is an Absolutely Stunning Set of Headphones."
Head-Fi Review:
"Overall, they are fantastic for only 20 dollars."
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M30x - Warm Surround Sound and Deep Bass
Ratings: (out of 5)
Comfort: 4.8
Sound Quality: 4.75
Build Quality: 4.65
Overall: 4.7
Audio Technica ATH-M30 Reviews:
Classical Music Headphones Review:
"The ATH-M30s have the uncanny ability to put you right there in the middle of the orchestra. You can hear the subtleties of the different instruments. This is a great listening experience."
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30 offer good build quality and detailed, natural sound with good bass."
3. MEElectronics M31-BK In-Ear Buds - Earphones that Focus on the Fun.
Ratings: (out of 5)
Comfort: 4.7
Sound Quality: 4.5
Build Quality: 4.35
Overall: 4.55
MEElectronics M31-BK Reviews:
"They come across as lively and fun to use beating out many other contenders in the sub $50 dollar price range bringing out the miser in all bass lovers."
"Bass is strong and boomy, more suitable for basshead quantity wise and may become slightly offensive to the non-basshead."
Sound Off! Poll
What Will You Use Your Headphones For?
4. Koss Porta Pro - Excellent Sound Held Back by the Retro Design
Ratings: (out of 5)
Comfort: 3.9
Sound Quality: 5.0
Build Quality: 4.0
Overall: 4.3
Koss Porta Pro Reviews:
Current Deals on Now: - Where the Unattainable Becomes Attainable
Every once in a while things that were once out of your price range have sales that make them irresistible. They are hundreds of great sales on Amazon. Here we'll feature some truly high-quality models that we normally wouldn't recommend because they'd be out of our price range. Included are the ATH-M50's, which are frequently rated #1 by audiophiles. You can read a full ATH-M50 Review here.
5. Sennheiser CX300B MK II Bass Earbuds - Ultra-Lightweight with a Bassy Punch
Ratings: (out of 5)
Comfort: 4.4
Sound Quality: 4.7
Build Quality: 4.2
Overall: 4.45
Sennheiser CX300B MKII Reviews:
"An incredibly robust pair of earphones that can play pretty much anything you throw at them."
"If you're on a budget but want to ditch the crappy Apple buds, we can't say it loudly or plainly enough: buy a set of Sennheiser CX 300-II."
6. JVC HARX700 - Great Full-Size Studio Headphones that Can Compete with the Big Boys...
Ratings: (out of 5)
Comfort: 4.7
Sound Quality: 4.5
Build Quality: 4.5
Overall: 4.55
JVC HARX700 Reviews
"Musician for 30+ years. Studio work for 20+.
There is no better set of headphones available in this price range."
7. Koss UR-20 - Great Noise-Isolation and a Long, Durable Cord.
Ratings: (out of 5)
Comfort: 4.6
Sound Quality: 4.45
Build Quality: 3.8
Overall: 4.28
Koss UR-20 Video Review
8. Monoprice 8320 Earphones - The New Earphones on the Block are Causing a Stir
Ratings: (out of 5)
Comfort: 4.0
Sound Quality: 4.55
Build Quality: 4.0
Overall: 4.18
Monoprice 8320 Earphone Reviews:
"At less than $10, the Monoprice 8320s are one of the best deals in technology. If you want a sturdy pair of cheap headphones for enjoying music, these are the ones to get."
" Way above its price range in terms of Sound Quality. Great Price. Did i mention great sound quality with an unbeatable price"
