The best budget headphones we tested
Best budget wireless headphones: EarFun Wave Pro
Best budget wired headphones: Grado SR60x
Best budget noise-canceling headphones: Sony WH-CH720N
Best feature-filled budget headphones: Anker Soundcore Space One
Best budget headphones value: 1More SonoFlow SE
Shopping for the best budget headphones is a lot easier these days. Whichever style you choose — wired or wireless — you’ll stumble upon a few picks that are as good, if not better, than some of the best over-ear headphones at any price.
Several big names are selling inexpensive gems right now, from legacy brands such as Grado, Sony and Sennheiser to low-priced consumer favorites like 1More, Anker and EarFun.
The CNN Underscored team has spent several months testing dozens of leading models in real-world situations to gain a greater sense of their worth. Our rankings are now official. Here are the best budget headphones based on performance and purpose.
EarFun’s debut headphones are a triumph that combine fantastic active noise cancellation (ANC) with even better sound for a fraction of Apple’s, Bose’s and Sony’s flagships. Take an extra 5% off at Amazon with code EWPROCNN. The code is also usable at EarFun.
Traditionalists wanting a bargain audio upgrade for their computer setup or home entertainment system will get their money’s worth with the SR60x. These wired headphones produce wide sound in a chic, retro-inspired design that rests pleasantly on the skull.
Best budget wireless headphones: EarFun Wave Pro
EarFun has undercut top audio manufacturers with its terrific true wireless models, many of which rank among the best budget earbuds and best wireless earbuds. And now the company has done the same with noise-canceling headphones via the Wave Pro.
The Wave Pro’s 40mm DLC dynamic drivers deliver robust sound highlighted by striking vocals and thumping bass. Hi-Res Audio certification reveals lots of details in recordings, while LDAC codec support results in smooth streaming playback when listening to tracks on the best music streaming services. There’s an adjustable 10-band EQ in the companion app to manually tweak frequencies, though we prefer the default sound profile.
ANC handles low- and mid-frequency sounds with ease, and the wind resistance mode heavily reduces whooshing effects for peaceful listening in gusty conditions. Ambient mode is just as effective for boosting situational awareness.
The real prize is battery life. A full charge gets you 80 hours of playtime, with 55 hours reserved for noise cancellation. This crushes class leaders like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (24 hours) and Sony WH-1000XM5 (30 to 40 hours). More impressive is quick charging: A five-minute charge equals five hours of use.
Not everything goes according to plan. The controls are a bit wonky, plus the lack of simple features like Google Fast Pair and wear detection are disappointing omissions. Be that as it may, you won’t find a better sub-$80 headphone deal out there.
Best budget wired headphones: Grado SR60x
Grado’s penchant for assembling professional headphones is well known amongst audiophiles. Past releases like the SR325x have earned wide recognition as the best wired on-ear headphones. The SR60x follow suit as the best wired headphones under $100.
This affordable offering in the Prestige X range bears the core performance of premium Grado headphones. New drivers were developed to give the SR60x well-balanced, spacious audio across the frequency spectrum. Their expansive soundstage creates a resonant blend of deep lows, sharp mids and transparent highs. The airy presence on string instruments and vocals are sonically serene on classic and jazz recordings. Drums are also treated respectfully and sound impactful with little distortion.
Pairing the SR60x with a portable DAC (digital to audio converter) increases sound quality on desktops and mobile devices. The Questyle M15i gave these headphones a bit more clarity and hi-res output when streaming on Apple Music and Tidal.
Grado installed a four-conductor cable with a super annealed copper wire to improve the “purity of the audio signal.” There were no audio inconsistencies when plugged into devices. The durably braided exterior ensures the cable’s longevity for years to come.
The plastic driver housing doesn’t look as attractive as the metal housing on Grado’s pricier headphones. However, signature details like the aluminum embossed lettering and outer grilles play to the SR60x’s nostalgic appeal. A leather-cushioned headband and soft-sponged earpads provide adequate comfort for lengthy listening sessions. Lastly, the thin extenders make it simple to achieve optimal fit.
Going back to wired headphones means dealing with compromises, such as a scarcity of features and being tethered to your media player. The good news is that the SR60x’s fine construction and sound quality cancel out these drawbacks.
Other budget headphones we recommend
The WH-CH720N come surprisingly close to matching the excellent noise cancellation and sound of the best headphones around in Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM5. They have longer battery life (up to 50 hours) as well. This is an incredibly well-rounded Sony package for the price.
Anker’s latest headphones offer a heap of functionality for $99 or less, including customizable EQ that hosts 20-plus presets, personalized sound profiles and support for hi-res streaming playback. Adaptive ANC, monstrous 55-hour battery life and safe volume settings complete these bad boys.
This special-edition release provides the same high-quality performance as its predecessor, and for several dollars less. 1More’s 40mm drivers and Studio EQ bring a lot of punch to contemporary tracks while also feeding listeners crisp highs and detailed mids. ANC is sufficient for blocking out most low- and mid-frequency sounds, and turning off the feature extends battery life to 70 hours.
How we tested
We’ve spent weeks putting these headphones through rigorous testing, considering key factors such as audio, battery life, controls, comfort and compatibility. Special features and warranties were also accounted for. Throughout the process, we compared all headphones with their competitors, new models and previous favorites to finalize our rankings.
Audio performance
- Audio quality: Most of our focus was placed on sound quality. We played tracks across many music genres to hear how detailed and realistic the soundstage was while acknowledging clarity, depth, frequency, reverberation and separation.
- Connectivity: Latency and playback were considered when using music streaming platforms.
Craftmanship
- Build quality: Materials for each product were thoroughly examined. We assessed the foam and leather used on ear cups and headbands. Aluminum and plastic were tested for pliability and sturdiness. The same went for rubber and silicone used on cables. We also took note of whether each pair was water-resistant in any way.
- Design: Size, weight and portability were observed as well.
Features and warranty
- Personalization and battery life: We checked wireless headphones to see whether they supported upscale features like ANC, hi-fi audio codecs, multipoint technology, one-tap pairing and the latest Bluetooth version. We also verified whether each set of headphones worked with a companion app for further personalization. Battery life and charging capabilities (e.g., quick charging, USB-C) were also evaluated.
- Call quality and extras: Wired headphones with an inline remote went through similar testing. We rated microphone performance based on how well the digital assistant functioned (e.g., Google Assistant, Siri) and voice calling performed. Included accessories like aux adapters, carrying cases and cables received attention too.
- Controls: Headphones with touch controls were tested to determine the accuracy and responsiveness of input methods (e.g., tap, swipe, long hold). Headphones with physical buttons were judged similarly but with more emphasis on button placement and tactility. Motion detection and voice activation were closely examined on supported models.
- Warranty: Our team researched the warranty for all products, what periods they covered and whether extended warranties or service plans are offered through the manufacturer or online retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy.
Other budget headphones we tested
The 1More SonoFlow have many strengths. Audio and noise cancellation are equally gratifying to hear boom-filled sound with minimal distractions. Companion app support lets you adjust frequencies to your liking. Battery life also extends up to 70 hours. The design is flimsy, and the buttons aren’t well executed. Still, their audio value is too good to pass up.?
Sennheiser’s entry-level wired headphones are a solid budget alternative to the brand’s luxury models. Their drivers are dynamically tuned to reproduce sound accurately on most tracks. We’re fans of the track system to seamlessly adjust fit. The leather padding around each ear cup could be thicker, but it provides enough comfort to get you through most of the workday before fatigue sets in. Our only legitimate gripe is durability; the frame and wiring feel like they can easily break if you’re not careful.
Any $30 headphones that come with a customizable EQ, multipoint technology and up to 70 hours of playtime are worth a look. Spacious sound rips through the H30i’s drivers and can be tweaked to increase bass response. Wireless playback is smooth over Bluetooth 5.3. The build quality is better than the cheap price suggests, though comfort and the physical controls aren’t favorable.
We find the Sony ZX Series to be some of the best on-ear headphones at their price point. They dish out big bass for lively listens. Compatibility plays a significant role for audio output, as the headphones work with sound-enhancing devices such as portable DACs and USB-C adapters. Basics like the control module with built-in mic also come in handy. Just don’t expect elite noise isolation or high-end Sony craftsmanship.
The SoundPeats Space boast the longest battery life of any budget headphone we've seen: up to 123 hours. Playtime isn’t their only positive. Strong bass with notable depth allow you to hear more details and nuance in tracks. Build quality is impressive as well. It’s just a shame that the ANC and call quality are awful.
Engineered for studio use, the HD 200 Pro may sound jarring to you out of the box, but they reach their full potential when enabling advanced features on hi-res streaming platforms. For instance, turning on Tidal’s Exclusive Mode (desktop only) vastly improves frequency range and removes most muddiness present in standard mode. The closed-back design blocks out ambient noise, and the leather padding grants pleasant comfort for extended listening sessions.
The StreamQ C4 hold their own for the most part. Sound is crisp and neutral. You have three selectable EQs — Bass, Music and Voice — that complement their targeted categories. Battery life is high at 40 hours per charge and quick charging is strong: a 15-minute charge equals eight hours of listening time. Unfortunately, Mixx’s ANC technology is subpar and bloats up the soundstage. The bundled aux cable ruins audio even worse.
