Top Affordable Headphones in 2025: Best Budget Picks Under $120

Explore the best budget headphones offering remarkable sound and features without breaking the bank.

Finding the Best Affordable Headphones in 2025

Looking for outstanding sound quality, durability, and great value without spending a fortune? You're in the right place! Our expert team tested countless budget headphones and earbuds to bring you a carefully curated list of the best affordable options for 2025. Whether you favor over-ear cans or compact earbuds, these picks bring top-notch audio experiences at wallet-friendly prices.

These days, you don't need to empty your wallet for quality sound. Even budget headphones are catching up on premium features like active noise cancellation (ANC), making them accessible to everyone who knows what to look for.

If you're after superb audio without the sticker shock, dive into our selection of the best budget headphones available today.

Quick Picks: Best Budget Headphones 2025

If you want a quick rundown before diving deeper, here’s a handy summary of our favorite budget headphones for different needs.

Best Overall Affordable Headphones

1. 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51
These over-ear headphones pack excellent sound, long battery life, effective ANC, and sleek design that feels way pricier than their under $100 cost.

Best Budget On-Ear Headphones

2. Sony WH-CH520
Sony delivers superb value with balanced sound, multi-device Bluetooth pairing, and an impressive 50-hour battery life. Perfect for on-ear headphone lovers on a budget.

Best Affordable Earbuds

3. Sony WF-C510
High-quality sound meets great comfort in these earbuds that offer one of the best budget-friendly options we've tested.

Best Super Affordable ANC Earbuds

4. JLab Go Pop ANC
For less than $30, these earbuds deliver decent ANC, punchy bass, and lively sound in a compact design—a true budget marvel.

Best Still Affordable ANC Earbuds

5. Nothing Ear (a)
One of the best budget ANC earbuds we've tested, packed with features, great sound, and a thoughtful design.

Best Ultra-Budget Earbuds

6. JLab JBuds Mini
Tiny earbuds with handy features and customizable sound for under $40. Ideal if you have small ears or tight budget.

Best Ultra-Budget USB-C Earbuds

7. Skullcandy Set USB-C
Simple, stylish wired earbuds with USB-C, offering decent sound quality for their price.

Best Ultra-Budget Wired Earbuds (3.5mm)

8. Final VR500
Great wired earbuds with 3.5mm jack, perfect for gaming or music without spending much.

The Best Affordable Headphones Available Today

1. 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 – Best Overall Affordable Headphones

Pros:

• Customizable, pleasant sound
• Effective active noise cancellation
• Fantastic battery life

Cons:

• App can be confusing
• Control buttons feel a bit cheap
• Slightly fragile build

Buy if you:

• Need superb noise cancellation
• Value long-lasting battery life

Skip if you:

• Prefer a more polished app experience
• Dislike plastic-feeling construction

The 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 headphones offer an incredible combo of sound quality, battery endurance, and noise cancellation for under $100. Their ANC is surprisingly effective, muffling keyboard taps and street noise alike, helping you dive deep into your music. The sound profile emphasizes bass, great for electronic, hip-hop, and pop fans, while remaining clear and dynamic even at high volumes.

The matte finish and sleek curves give these cans a premium look that doesn’t scream “budget.” At just 246 grams, they’re lightweight and comfy, with thick padding that’s perfect for all-day listening.

"The Sonoflow Pro HQ51 packs everything you want in affordable headphones—style, stamina, and sound—without major trade-offs."

2. Sony WH-CH520 – Best Budget On-Ear Headphones

Pros:

• Well-balanced sound
• Great app sound customization
• Multi-point Bluetooth pairing
• Long 50-hour battery life

Cons:

• On-ear fit may not suit everyone
• Poor noise isolation
• No 3.5mm jack

Buy if you:

• Want balanced sound on a budget
• Often forget to charge devices

Skip if you:

• Need strong noise isolation or ANC
• Dislike on-ear headphones sitting on ears

At just $60, the Sony WH-CH520 is a steal for wireless on-ear headphones. While lacking ANC and hi-res audio, they deliver a pleasing, controlled bass with clear mids and highs, great for a variety of genres. The app lets you tweak the sound, and the 50-hour battery means you rarely need to charge on long trips.

3. Sony WF-C510 – Best Budget Earbuds (No ANC)

Pros:

• Punchy, quality sound
• Sony 360 Reality Audio support
• Long earbud battery life; compact case

Cons:

• Missing some features
• Confusing equalizer mode
• Limited case battery capacity

Buy if you:

• Prefer clear, vocal-forward sound
• Want lightweight earbuds

Skip if you:

• Need active noise cancellation
• Plan multi-day trips without charging

The Sony WF-C510 earbuds deliver excellent sound clarity and comfort for their price, though lacking ANC. Their passive isolation and secure fit make them reliable for everyday use. Sony’s DSEE tech enhances compressed audio, improving streaming sound quality. Available in multiple colors, these earbuds are a solid, affordable choice for clear and natural audio.

4. JLab Go Pop ANC – Best Super Budget ANC Earbuds

Pros:

• Extremely low price
• Effective ANC for the cost
• Impressive bass and highs

Cons:

• Slightly cheap-looking
• Mids lack richness
• Limited color options

Buy if you:

• Want ANC on a tight budget
• Prefer tiny, lightweight earbuds

Skip if you:

• Seek audiophile sound quality
• Care more about style than specs

At about $30, the JLab Go Pop ANC earbuds offer surprisingly competent noise cancellation and a lively, bass-heavy sound. The app lets you tweak settings and EQ, while the IP55 rating adds water resistance. The ANC may not rival premium brands but is effective at muting chatter and loud background noise, making these a standout bargain.

5. Nothing Ear (a) – Best Affordable ANC Earbuds

Pros:

• Fun, energetic sound
• Great improved ANC
• Smaller, pocket-friendly case

Cons:

• No wireless charging
• No personalized sound profiles

Buy if you:

• Want great noise cancellation on a budget
• Crave solid sound and standout style

Skip if you:

• Need spatial audio features
• Have very small ears (try before buying)

Nothing Ear (a) offers top-tier ANC for the price, effortlessly muting even persistent sounds like hair dryers. The sound is lively and bold, perfect for pop and hip hop. The unique semi-transparent design turns heads, and the light, comfy fit earns high marks. Features like LDAC support and gaming mode add extra value.

6. JLab JBuds Mini – Best Ultra-Budget True Wireless Earbuds

Pros:

• Incredibly small size
• Multi-point connection
• Customizable sound

Cons:

• Limited codec support
• Modest fast charging

Buy if you:

• Need ultra-portable earbuds
• Love cute, trendy tech

Skip if you:

• Want deep bass
• Need active noise cancellation

These tiny earbuds are perfect for carrying everywhere, with a keyring on the case for convenience. They provide stable fit, decent sound, and useful features for a super budget price under $40. Soundstage is surprisingly wide, and the app-based EQ is a nice bonus.

7. Skullcandy Set USB-C – Best Ultra-Budget Wired USB-C Earbuds

Pros:

• Good sound for price
• Comfortable long listening
• Sleek design

Cons:

• No volume buttons on remote
• Cable noise interference
• Lacks depth in sound

Buy if you:

• Want stylish wired earbuds
• Listen for hours

Skip if you:

• Need easy volume controls
• Chase premium bass-heavy sound

Offering classic wired convenience with USB-C, these Skullcandy Set USB-C earbuds look sharp and offer decent all-round sound for under $35. The cable is tangle-resistant and comfortable, though lacks volume buttons and some sonic depth.

8. Final VR500 – Best Ultra-Budget Wired 3.5mm Earbuds

Pros:

• Built like more expensive models
• Pleasant sound
• Very affordable

Cons:

• Could be punchier on bass

Buy if you:

• Play games on your phone
• Handle gear roughly

Skip if you:

• Need deep bass
• Want longer cables for TV or console

Final VR500 earbuds punch above their weight with solid build quality and clear sound, making them great for mobile gamers and everyday use. The 1.2m cable is just right for phones but short for console setups.

Other Budget Headphones Worth Considering

• Apple AirPods 4: Great sound and spatial audio, classic fit, pricey but accessible for Apple fans.
• Earfun Air 2 NC: Solid ANC on a budget.
• Earfun Wave Pro: Former top choice for over-ear budget ANC headphones.
• Huawei FreeArc: Best open earbuds sound in the budget category.
• Master & Dynamic ME05: Premium wired earbuds, pricey but worth it if affordable.
• Panasonic RB-M600: Great battery and sound for under $80.
• Sony MDR-EX15AP: Super cheap wired earbuds for basic use.
• Sony WF-C700N and WF-C710N: Good budget ANC earbuds with detailed sound.

How to Choose the Best Affordable Headphones

Design: Over-ear, on-ear, earbuds, wired or wireless—pick what suits your lifestyle and comfort.

Features: Prioritize what matters most, like ANC, battery life, or app support. Budget models may require trade-offs.

Compatibility: Match headphones with your device for best experience, especially if looking for certain codecs or Bluetooth features.

Budget: Budget options here range roughly from $20 to $120 to fit any tight budget.

Remember: Affordable doesn’t mean low quality. We recommend only the models that offer great value and genuine performance.

Common Questions About Budget Headphones

• Which are the cheapest good headphones? Look for JLab Go Air Pop earbuds around $20—they offer solid sound and comfort for the price.
• Do cheap headphones sound good? Yes! Our tested budget headphones deliver balanced, clear sound with enough bass for everyday listening.
• Why do cheap headphones often have too much bass? Manufacturers sometimes boost bass to appeal broadly or compensate for less refined sound profiles.
• Are cheap headphones worth it? Definitely, if chosen wisely. Look for good drivers, build, and features even in affordable models.
• Which brands make the best cheap headphones? Sony, 1More, JLab, Skullcandy, Earfun, and Jabra offer reliable budget headphones.

For your favorite music visualized, shop your favorite album cover posters at our store. Bring your music vibe to life with stylish wall art!