If music is an important part of your everyday life, owning a pair of quality headphones isn't just important, it's essential. But that shouldn't mean having to break the bank just to be able to afford headphones with great sound quality.

The headphone market is flooded with major brands which come at a high price. Many rappers and celebrities have also released their own branded headphones, such as Beats by Dr. Dre, but what do you get for all your hard-earned cash?

Even some top headphone brands out there will offer a range of products at a much more affordable price, and just like the headphones we've reviewed, the price in no way reflects a lack of quality; hardcore audiophiles aside, these headphones are enough to put a smile on any music lovers face.

Here are the best quality headphones at an affordable price, available today.

Our Picks for the Best Affordable Headphones in 2023

JBL-Tune-710BT-1
JBL Tune 710BT
Best Overall

Impressive audio at an affordable price

$60 $80 Save $20

The JBL Tune 710BT proves that you don't need to spend an arm and a leg on quality Bluetooth headphones. With a huge battery life and impressive sound quality, they offer incredible value for money.

Pros
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Built-in microphone
  • Lightweight and comfortable design
Cons
  • Bass could be a little better

While wired headphones generally tend to be cheaper, there are still a few great wireless headphones out there with incredible features and great prices. The JBL Tune 710BT offers impressive audio at an extremely reasonable price point.

The JBL Tune 710BT are lightweight headphones that feel comfortable even with prolonged use. They also fold, making them compact and easy to take with you on your travels.

If you're after wireless headphones with a long-lasting battery, the JBL Tune 710BT comes with an impressive 50 hours of battery life, and a quick five-minute charge will give you another three hours of battery life.

Sennheiser HD 400S
Sennheiser HD 400S
Best Wired Headphones

Lightweight and affordable sound on-the-go

If you enjoy walking while listening to music, or you prefer to have your headphones while on the go, the Sennheiser HD 400S has some incredible features that make them a great choice. The one-button smart remote allows you to control music and take calls on the move. Similarly, you can easily fold the headphones down to a compact size so you can store them for travel.

Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Clear and balanced sound
  • Foldable for travel
Cons
  • Sound can distort at higher volumes

If well-balanced sound is what you're looking for, you can't go wrong with the Sennheiser HD 400S at this price. The earpads are comfortable without feeling too obtrusive, and the overall design is pretty well thought out.

There's a detachable cable with a microphone and remote so you can easily take calls, hands-free. It's handy if you want to play/pause/skip sounds and answer calls. While on a call, the sound is clear, even if the surrounding area is quite noisy.

Foldable for travel, the Sennheiser HD 400S offers decent sound at an affordable cost across a wide soundstage. Cut out the luxury and go for something solid.

Motorola Moto JR200
Motorola Moto JR200
Best for Kids

Affordable headphones for your kids

Designed for kids, the Motorola Moto JR200 headphones are available in pink or blue to suit your child's taste. And, thanks to its bright color, it will be harder to lose these headphones or leave them behind. With a safe volume limit of 85dB, the Moto JR200s protect your child's ears from any potential damage.

Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Available in different colors
  • Solid and sturdy for kids
Cons
  • Volume limit is quite low

The Motorola Moto JR200 headphones are designed with kids in mind. There are two color options and a built-in audio splitter so friends and family can share what they're listening to together. There's also a built-in microphone too.

With a foldable design, the Motorola Moto JR200 is easy to transport; perfect for vacations or road trips. And, thanks to the solid build, these headphones are going to stand the test of time even when your children get hold of them.

There's an 85dB audio limit to protect your child's hearing. However, for some people, this may not be suitable. Overall, though, there shouldn't be too much of a problem when listening to music in quieter environments.

JBL Tune 600BTNC Folded
JBL Tune 600BTNC
Best Bass

Crank up the bass with these budget headphones

The JBL Tune 600BTNC boasts an impressive active noise-canceling feature that can be toggled on/off, allowing you to switch on ANC and focus on great music while at work, then switch it back off when done.

Pros
  • Togglable ANC
  • Short charging times
  • Built-in hands-free mic
  • Wired backup connection
Cons
  • Some color options are more expensive than others

JBL headphones are widely known for their sound quality, in particular, the JBL Pure Bass sound, which is used in nightclub venues all over the world, and now comes included in their over-ear headphones, offering bass-rich sounds at reasonable prices.

The JBL Tune 600BTNC boasts an impressive active noise-canceling feature that can be toggled on/off, allowing you to switch on ANC and focus on great music while at work, then switch it back off, to keep yourself safe, when out and about in public.

Thanks to the quick and easy folding design of the JBL Tune 600BTNC, they are perfect for those who are always on the go, simply fold them up and pack them away in seconds, with minimal fuss.

Sony MDRZX110
Sony MDRZX110
Best 3.5mm Headphones

The best headphones for older tech

The Sony MDRZX110 offers an affordable yet solid option for those looking for a no-frills way to listen to music both at home and on the go.

Pros
  • Deep bass
  • Comfortable design
  • Tangle-free wires
Cons
  • No ANC
  • Many modern devices no longer support 3.5mm

The Sony MDRZX110 offers an affordable yet solid option for those looking for a no-frills way to listen to music both at home and on the go. Sacrificing Bluetooth for a 3.5mm wired connection means there is no battery life to worry about, allowing you to continue listening to music for as long as you need to.

Considering its low price, the Sony MDRZX110 offers rich and well-balanced sound without breaking the bank, with a surprisingly solid design that has been built to last, unlike many other cheap headphones that might require replacement sooner than you would like.

The Sony MDRZX110 features 30mm drivers with a dynamic range between 12 - 22,000Hz offering an immersive experience that you wouldn't expect to achieve from headphones at this price. So, if you value crisp highs and deep lows, these headphones will offer what you need without costing you a fortune.

Sony WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones
Sony WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones
Best for Travel

The perfect travel companion for awesome audio

$50 $60 Save $10

The Sony WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones offer impressive audio and a whopping 35 hours of battery life. They fold away and come with a travel case, making them perfect for use when traveling.

Pros
  • One-touch NFC connectivity
  • Travel-friendly design
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Only one color option

Let's start with one of the most impressive features of the Sony WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones, its incredible 35 hours of playtime within a single charge, allowing you to keep the music going all day, and then some. When you're ready to charge these affordable headphones up, you can do so with a USB-C cable that you can plug into a charging point or your computer.

Making a call, checking the weather, or changing the track has never been easier, with the built-in voice assistant you can simply press the voice assistant button to quickly access Siri or Google Assistant, allowing you to control your device without needing to stop what you are doing.

The Sony WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones include a free carry case too, making it the perfect travel companion and ensuring it remains perfectly safe whilst not in use. So, if you're looking for cheap, quality headphones that are comfortable and easy to use, these are a great choice.

Koss Porta Pro
Most Comfortable

Retro-style theme and extreme comfort

Thanks to the collapsible design, and their minimal size, the Koss Porta Pro headphones are ultra-portable, lightweight headphones that have been designed to sit on, rather than over your ears.

Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Portable
  • Rich bass
Cons
  • Lacks ANC

Thanks to the collapsible design, and their minimal size, the Koss Porta Pro headphones are ultra-portable, lightweight headphones that have been designed to sit on, rather than over your ears. They feature 30mm drivers, a 15-25,000Hz frequency response, and 101dB sensitivity, giving them some impressive sound, considering the portable size of the headphones, and the very affordable price.

Thanks to the adjustable clip on the side of the Koss Porta Pro's, users can switch between levels of firmness, allowing a more snug and secure fitting, or opting for a loose yet more comfortable fit, a great feature for those who might be looking to use their headphones for an extended period, but worry about prolonged use interrupting their comfort.

So, if you're in the market for some cheap headphones that offer high-quality sound, these headphones are a great choice, and won't burn a hole in your wallet.

Sony MDR-ZX310 R
Sony MDR-ZX310 R
Best Mid-Range

The perfect no-frills headphones

The Sony MDR-ZX310 R headphones are a great no-frills solution for those looking for excellent sound, without paying extra for all the bells and whistles of modern headphones that many newer devices offer.

Pros
  • Nice design
  • Great sound quality
  • High-frequency range
Cons
  • No ANC

The Sony MDR-ZX310 R headphones are a great no-frills solution for those looking for excellent sound, without paying extra for all the bells and whistles of modern headphones that many newer devices offer. Both the foldable earcups and the lightweight design make these headphones perfect for taking with you during your busy day; simply fold them knowing they are safe and secure.

With 30mm drivers and a frequency range between 10-24000Hz, you can expect exceptional sound quality for headphones at such a reasonable price. These headphones are especially worth investing in if you listen to a wide range of music genres.

While the standard Sony MDR-ZX310 R headphones do not come with a microphone, for a small extra fee, you can upgrade to the microphone version, allowing you to switch from music to calls in seconds.

Skullcandy Riff
Skullcandy Riff
Most Colorful

Headphones designed to make you standout

The Skullcandy Riff headphones are perfect for those that like it loud. While these headphones might not be noise-canceling, the volume range is so loud, you might not be able to hear anything else anyway.

Pros
  • Great choice of colors
  • Stylish design
  • Very durable
Cons
  • No ANC
  • Wireless option is double the price

The Skullcandy Riff headphones are perfect for those that like it loud. While these headphones might not be noise-canceling, the volume range is so loud, you might not be able to hear anything else anyway when these are cranked up.

All this sound doesn't come at the cost of design or comfort either. Not only are the Skullcandy Riffs foldable and lightweight, but the soft padded earcups are extremely comfortable too, making them ideal for longer sessions.

If style is important to you, worry not, the Skullcandy Riffs come in a range of four colors and designs, all looking absolutely fantastic while rocking the well-known Skullcandy skull logo on the side. There's also the option to go wireless, but it does come at a price hike.

Skullcandy Cassette
Skullcandy Cassette
Best Connectivity

Suitable for wired and wireless listening

The Skullcandy Cassette is easily the most colorful pair of headphones at such an affordable price. Stand out from the crowd with the Cobalt blue or Retro purple options, and a sleek head-turning design.

Pros
  • Great color options
  • Foldable and portable
Cons
  • Can feel a little flimsy at times

The Skullcandy Cassette is easily the most colorful pair of headphones at such an affordable price. Stand out from the crowd with the Cobalt blue or Retro purple options, and a sleek head-turning design.

With up to 22 hours of battery time and a lightning-quick charge feature, spend more time listening to the music you love and less time charging. Even if you do manage to run the battery dry, simply plug in the 3.5mm audio cable and jump straight back into the music.

The Skullcandy Cassette headphones offer a wide range, delivering clear and crisp highs, and deep lows when you're listening to bass-heavy music. These affordable yet high-quality headphones are a worthy investment, especially if you value the Skullcandy brand but don't want to spend a lot of money.

How to Choose the Right Budget Headphones for You

There are a lot more high-quality budget headphones out there than you might think, making it hard to choose the right ones for you. You also need to consider what you plan to use your headphones for, and where you plan to use them.

If you are looking for some budget headphones to use at home, the Koss Porta Pro is a great choice. Not only are they wired, so you don't need to worry about charging them, but they are also one of the most comfortable budget headphones on the market, and their retro design looks undeniably cool, too.

For those with kids that want headphones, you might want something a little more durable. Thankfully, there are tons of kid's headphones out there at a reasonable price, such as the Motorola Moto JR200 (which also comes with an 85dB audio limit to ensure they're not putting their hearing at risk).

And for those that want the cream of the crop, without needing to take out a payday loan, the JBL Tune 710BT offers up to 50 hours of wireless playback, quick charging, and a lightweight foldable design, which is why it is our best overall pick for budget headphones.

JBL-Tune-710BT-1
JBL Tune 710BT
Best Overall

Impressive audio at an affordable price

The JBL Tune 710BT proves that you don't need to spend over the odds for quality Bluetooth headphones. With a huge battery life and impressive sound quality, they offer incredible value for money.

Pros
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Built-in microphone
  • Lightweight and comfortable design
Cons
  • Bass could be a little better

FAQ

Q: Can You Use Wireless Headphones On A Plane?

Most Bluetooth headphones can be used on flights; in some cases, they are allowed during the flight, but not during taxi. For this reason, if you're a frequent flyer, it's worth investing in a pair of headphones that offer Bluetooth and wired connectivity.