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The Internet's Best Budget Headphones and Earbuds

Great sound at an affordable price

girl wearing cheap headphones with blue background

Great headphones and earbuds do not need to be costly. Almost all of them are made of the same basic materials, meaning there is a relatively small variation in production costs among headphones. This transiition from low variability of production cost to the high variability of price is mostly due to branding and marketing. Luckily for you, this allows some great, cheap little gems to sneak through the cracks. Here, I will list ane review the best cheap in-ear and over-the-ear headphones on the market. Factors that I looked for when reviewing each product include basic sound quality, frequency range, bass sound, sound isolation, durability, comfort, style, and cost. Most of the earbuds will be under $10. I have done the research, so you don't have to. These are the absolute best.

For your convenience, I've separated all the headphones and earbuds into categories depending on price.

Headphones and Earbuds under $10 Headphones and Earbuds under $20 Headphones and Earbuds under $30 Headphones and Earbuds under $40

Headphones and Earbuds under $10

JVC HA-FX32-B Marshmallow Earbuds
Pink JVC HA-FX32-B Earbuds Promo Pic

With memory foam earpieces that form to the shape of your ear, these are the most comfortable in-ear headphones headphones in this price range. Coming in multiple, solid colors you can get a pair to fit any style. These are my go-to earbuds. They last at least a year (which is how long I can usually have them before I slam them in my car door or leave them some place.)

Specifications

  • Frequency: 8Hz-200000Hz
  • Impedance: 16 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 98db/mW
  • Cord Length: 3.94 feet
  • 2 sizes of memory foam earpieces
View JVC's product page
Panasonic RP-HJE120K Earbud Headphones
All colors of RP-HJE120K Earbud Headphones

If you ever have a problem with losing earbuds, get this long term supply of these headphones. If you have amazon prime, you can get 5 pairs of these headphones for under $30.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 20Hz - 20,000Hz (20Hz)
  • Impedance: 16 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 97db/mW
  • Cord Length: 3.6 feet
  • 3 sizes of soft matching earpads
View Panasonics's Product Page
Panasonic RP-HT21 On-Ear Headphones
Panasonic RP-HT21 headphones on wooden table

You cannot go wrong with these. These are probably the most ubiquitous headphones in existence. These have the classic feel and look of headphones from the 90s with the technology from this century.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 16Hz - 22,000Hz
  • Impedance: 16 ohms
  • Sensitivity: db/mW
  • Cord Length: 4.5 feet
  • Weight: 1.2 oz
View Panasonic's Product Page
Behringer HPM1000 Over-Ear Headphones
Behringer cheap headphones on white background

Behringer has focused in on the budget headphones market. These have the look and sound of heaphones at more than triple the price. I don't expect these to be on sale for much longer.

Specifications

  • Cord Length: 6 feet
  • 3 Year Warranty
View Behringer's Product Page

Headphones and Earbuds under $20

DLAND Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
DLAND Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds on White Background

These are hands down the best bluetooth earbuds for the price you can get. With longer than average battery life and subtle volume controls and microphone, these will accomodate long runs or just look slick when walking around.

Specifications

  • Talk or Music playing time: 6 hours
  • Standby time: 150 hours
  • Range: 10 meters
  • Sweatproof
  • Built in microphone
  • Bluetooth 4
Sound Intone 165 Headphones
Sound Intone 165 White and Gold classy headphones

These headphones have the best sound quality in this price range. The two-colored design gives a very sleak, sophisticated look. The only downside is that they aren't the most durable. If you're looking for headphones that last you more than a year, scroll down.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 20Hz-20,000Hz
  • Impedance: 32 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 103 db/mW
  • Cord Length: 5 feet
  • Microphone with volume control
KZ ED9 Earbuds
KZ ED9 (:01ED9) earbuds showcasing both tuning removable nozzles

These are the best value earbuds on this list. Produced by a Chinese manufacturer that spends virtually no money on advertising in the US, these are incredibly underpriced, providing the sound quality of much more expensive earbuds. What sets these apart are the two interchangeable tuning nozzles, a regular one for a perfectly balanced soundscape and the other for a heavy bass sound. Choose whichever one fits every particular song you're listening to!

Specifications

  • Frequency: 7Hz - 46,200Hz
  • Impedance: 18 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 108 db/mW
  • Cord Length: 5 feet
  • Interchangeable Tuning Nozzles
View Product Page
AmazonBasics On-Ear Headphones
White AmazonBasics Best Value Headphones

No frills, just great sound. These headphones won't make you stand out, possessing a rather generic look. Anything this pair of headphones misses aesthetically is made up for in spades by its sound quality and durability. These are the best value headphones on this list.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 12Hz - 22,000Hz
  • Fold Flat Design
  • Cord Length: 4 feet
  • 1 Year Warranty
View Amazon's Product Page

Headphones and Earbuds under $30

Symphonized NRG Wood Earbuds
Blue light wooden symphonized NRG earbuds with braided cord

You will always stand out with these earbuds. If you are just looking for function, some of the other earbuds in the under $20 dollar range have similar specs, but these are made to be appreciated aesthetically. Different shades of real wood, a stylish braided cord, and a multitude of colors make these the most stylish earbuds on our list.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 18Hz - 22,000Hz
  • Impedance: 16 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 101 db/mW
  • Cord Length: 4 feet
  • 1 Year Warranty
View Symphonized's Product Page
Sennheiser HD 202-II Over-Ear Headphones
Sennheiser HD-202 2 headphones with logo showing

Sennheiser is one of the best producers of headphones. This is the cheapest model they offer, but still maintains the Sennheiser quality. The only drawback is that if you have very large ears, they may not quite fit.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 18Hz - 18,000Hz
  • Impedance: 32 ohms
  • Cord Length: 10 feet
  • Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.5%
  • 2 Year Warranty
View Sennheiser's Product Page
Sentey Artix Gaming Headset
Black and Blue Sentey Artix Gaming Headphones

Sentey is the go-to brand for gaming headsets. These are the only headphones that have USB connector rather than the usual 3.5mm audio connector. If you are a PC gamer, this is the headset for you. It includes volume control, a retractable mic, and even a vibration setting to really immerse you in the game.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 20Hz - 20,000Hz
  • Impedance: 32 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 107 db/mW
  • Cord Length: 7.2 feet
  • Gold Plated USB 2.0 connector
  • 1 Year Warranty
View Sentey's Product Page
GGMM Hummingbird Earbuds
Full Metal Titanium GGMM Hummingbird Earbuds

GGMM only produces headphones with metal housing, and they have perfected that niche. These just look classy, while also providing a wonderful bass sound. What sets these earbuds apart, though, is the lifetime warranty. For less than $30, you'll have headphones for the rest of your life.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 20Hz - 20,000Hz
  • Impedance: 16 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 98 db/mW
  • Cord Length: 3.9 feet
  • Lifetime Warranty
View GGMM's Product Page

Headphones and Earbuds under $40

Klipsch S3M Earbuds
Klipsch all earbuds in 5 colors

Klipsch is one of the best headphone manufacturers there is. These earbuds are great introduction to their brand.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 12Hz - 18,000Hz
  • Impedance: 18 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 106 db/mW
  • Noise Isolation: -16dB
  • 2 Year Warranty
View Klipsch's Product Page
Sentey LS-4430 Thorx Over-Ear Headphones
Thorx Headphones

These headphones just give a great experience when listening to music. They are not as durable as you would expect with the brushed metal look, but the 1 Year Warranty makes up for that.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 20Hz - 20,000Hz
  • Impedance: 26 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 94 db/mW
  • Cord Length: 4 feet
  • Microphone
  • 1 Year Warranty
View Sentey's Product Page
Koss iSpark Earbuds
Koss iSpark promo pic with earplug headphones

Regarding sound quality, these are one of the most unique earbuds you can find. They direct the sound deep into your ear for the best bass you have ever experienced. Their conic shape with the memory foam tips reduce outside noise to completely isolate the music.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 10Hz - 20,000Hz
  • Impedance: 16 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 112 db/mW
  • Cord Length: 4 feet
  • Lifetime Warranty
View Koss's Product Page
Avlex's Superlux HD681 Semi-Open Headphones
Avlex Superlux HD681 Headphones - Best First Hi-Fi Audiophile Headphones

These are the best intro headphones to the audiophile hi-fi music scene. With the 8.2 feet long cord and semi-open design, these are ideal for home listening.

Specifications

  • Frequency: 10Hz - 30,000Hz
  • Impedance: 32 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 98 db/mW
  • Cord Length: 8.2 feet
  • 2 Year Warranty
View Avlex's Product Page

If you have any further questions about these headphones or feel that I have missed any spectacular, cheap earbuds, write me in the comment section.

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