When it comes to headphones, cheap doesn't have to mean nasty. While there are plenty of bargain bin pairs we would avoid, there are some truly great models that are pleasingly easy on the wallet.
Sony has dominated this field in recent years, at least in terms of wireless models. But there's plenty of choice, both in terms of headphone styles – from wireless earbuds to wired over-ears – and brands. Even Apple has made our list.
The below models all offer excellent sound quality – for the money – and quite often more advanced features that wouldn't expect from such an affordable pair, like active noise cancellation (ANC) and app support. They're all under £100, too.
We've given a brief overview of each pair, and linked to our reviews for a more in-depth analysis. With over 100 years' testing experience between us, we know a great pair of headphones when we hear them, however much they cost. We always compare models against their closest price rivals, and reach our verdicts as a team, rather than as individual reviewers, to eliminate bias. For more on how we test, see our how we test cheap headphones section further down this page.
I have 20 years' experience reviewing and writing about consumer tech of all kinds, and headphones have played a large part of that. My first review was a Bluetooth headset (the kind that made you look like a drive-thru worker) and I remember when A2DP was the hot new thing in the world of Bluetooth headphones. I've used all kinds of models over the years, from AirPods to Bose noise-cancellers and my fair share of cheaper pairs, so I know what to expect from every section of the market.
The quick list
Six years after launching, the E11C still sound pretty magic, picking up a current What Hi-Fi? Award for their sonic abilities, build quality and price.
Sony is truly the king of wireless headphones at the moment, and has put a lot of effort into its lower-end pairs of late. It shows, as the C500 are stunners, and worthy Award winners.
The C700N take everything that's great about the C500 and add active noise cancellation with some ambient sound modes to keep you aware of your surroundings.
A clear, open presentation and plenty of detail helped these to a current What Hi-Fi? Award. You'll have to pay a lot more to get a significant upgrade on these.
The CH520 offer a lot for very little money. App control, very good battery life and a balanced and engaging sound are all yours for under £40. Phenomenal.
Apple's older AirPods still offer a lot of what makes the AirPods so great, just with a lower price tag. Apple no longer sells them, but you can find them elsewhere.
The best cheap headphones we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
These are the best cheap headphones you can currently buy, broken down by type, complete with galleries of each product, specs, test results and a review summary.
Best wired earbuds
When it comes to excellent cheap headphones, the SoundMagic E11C are the granddaddy. They launched back in 2018, and now, six years on, they're still winning Awards – they won Best wired in-ear headphones under £100 at the 2023 What Hi-Fi? Awards. Think of Anthony Hopkins winning an Oscar at 83, and you get the idea.
So why are they (still) worth buying? Firstly, they have an excellent pedigree. The E10 before them were previous leaders in terms of cheap, wired earbuds, and their follow-up – the E10C in-line mic and remote control upgrade – similarly so. The E11C build on this strong foundation with better drivers, and an improved cable that's now silver-plated.
All this means better sound, but without reinventing the wheel. It retains SoundMagic's distinctive warmth, but the bass delves deeper than before, and without sacrificing the treble. Sandwiched between them is a clear, lively midrange that always remains composed.
The one downside is that they're still sticking around their launch price – six years on, you'd expect a hefty discount. But considering the price tag was eminently reasonable to begin with, maybe we're asking too much. Other budget earbuds should respect their elders.
Read the full SoundMagic E11C review
Best wireless earbuds
Sony is probably still grinning from its clean sweep at the most recent What Hi-Fi? Awards. But while most of its victors were first-timers, the C500 have been here before – they won in 2022 as well. When you see them for yourself, it's hardly surprising.
They're Sony's cheapest wireless earbuds, and tick all the boxes, with Bluetooth 5.0, and compatibility with SBC and AAC codecs. Battery life is a healthy 20 hours (10 from the earbuds, 10 from the charging case).
Like Sony's pricier models, they work with the brand's Headphones Connect app, which gives you more controls as well as extra features like the ability to upscale audio files to hi-res quality, or thereabouts. Don't want to reach for your phone? Just use your voice, as Google Assistant and Siri virtual assistants are onboard. And with a water-resistance rating of IPX4, you need not worry about wearing them in the rain or being splashed by a passing bus.
Sonically, they're not up there with the WF-1000XM5, but at a fraction of the price, we wouldn't expect them to be. And they do offer a lot of the same qualities, like being very well balanced, with ample bass. Put it this way: on current evidence, we wouldn't be surprised if they took the winner's podium for a third year in a row, though they have now been succeeded by the C510 – we'll have a review soon.
Read the full Sony WF-C500 review
Best noise-cancelling earbuds
If you want something a little higher-end than the WF-C500, but without spending too much more, the WF-C700N will suit you perfectly.
They're small, and so lightweight that they're actually more comfortable to wear than Sony's older – but pricier – WF-1000XM4. They might miss out on aptX HD and LDAC, but they do have noise cancellation, which the C500 lack. Though this does impact battery life – at 15 hours (7.5 hours each from the buds and carry case), it's five hours fewer than the C500.
You also get features you would usually associate with more expensive headphones. Adaptive Sound Control automatically switches listening modes depending on your location, and Sony's DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales low-res digital audio files to higher quality.
The sound quality is superbly balanced too, with deep, detailed bass, expressive mids and engaging highs. They're a very musical listen for the money.
Downsides? The lack of aptX HD and LDAC support is a shame, while Multipoint – which lets you switch seamlessly between devices – still hasn't arrived. And the charging case only provides one extra charge which seems a little mean – that's the price you pay for noise cancellation, we suppose. But the superb sound and great feature set more than make up for these rather minor shortcomings.
Read the full Sony WF-C700N review
Best wired over-ears
Given everyone’s apparent obsession with wireless headphones, you’d be forgiven for thinking the days of wired headphones were numbered, especially at the more affordable end of the market.
But we’d be surprised if those thoughts ever surfaced in the corridors of Austrian Audio’s Vienna HQ. The company, born out of ex-AKG employees, has hit the ground running with its first-ever range of wired headphones, Hi-X. And this model won What Hi-Fi? Awards in both 2022 and 2023.
We’d consider the Hi-X15 an analytical pair of headphones, but they still manage to make music entertaining with it – they extract bags of detail but keep the soul of your music intact. Throughout the frequency range, these headphones deliver consistently high detail levels and fantastic dynamics. There isn’t an ounce of fat on any track played through the Austrian Audio Hi-X15 headphones. But at the same time there’s enough weight and substance to low frequencies that you don’t feel as though you’re missing out.
We wouldn't insist on you partnering them with a suitable DAC/headphone amplifier, but do so and you’ll be rewarded with a mature-sounding pair of headphones that go above and beyond at the money.
Read the full Austrian Audio Hi-X15 review
Best wireless over-ears
Sony's WH-1000XM5 are some of the best over-ear headphones around, but they cost a pretty penny. If you want a stripped back version at a fraction of the cost, check out the brand's WH-CH520.
Pretty much every claim from here on it should be proceeded by the phrase 'for the price'. They're feature laden, with Bluetooth Multipoint letting you connect to multiple devices wirelessly and seamlessly switch between them, voice assistants are supported, they have on-earcup controls and you can fine-tune the sound using Sony's excellent Headphones Connect app.
Speaking of the sound, it's very good indeed. The low end is solid, deep and controlled, though it could be a bit more expressive. The midrange is informative and eloquent, while the top of the frequency range balances brightness with substance well.
Oh, and did we mention the battery life is a phenomenal 50 hours?
They might feel a bit plasticky, but they're solidly built and will withstand their share of knocks. Even at this cheap price, that's reassuring.
Read the full Sony WH-CH520 review
Best AirPods
You don't often see 'Apple' and 'cheap' in the same sentence, but these older AirPods are now priced around the lower end of the market. They're the second-gen AirPods from 2019, and while Apple no longer sells them, you can find them easily enough at other retailers.
If you're using an iOS device, they pair seamlessly, with a rock solid connection. Sound quality is decent (though not quite as good as the other pairs on this list), as is the battery life. If you can find some more budget for the AirPods 3 you'll get better sound quality, longer battery life, shorter stems and a more comfortable fit. But many will find the compromises worth the saving.
They're AirPods without the bells and whistles, and without a large chunk of the price tag. Apple users hunting for a pair of cheap headphones could do a lot worse than these.
Read the full Apple AirPods (2019) review
AirPods will work with Android devices, but you'll miss out on a lot of features. For a taste of Apple's wireless headphone knowhow on an Android device, check out the Apple-owned Beats brand, which work just as well on non-Apple phones thanks to their own Android app. The Beats Studio Buds are our current pick of the best Beats headphones, though they do come in a little over £100. Maybe wait for a sale.
Also consider
The best cheap headphones alternatives we've tested:
Earfun Air: voice assistance, wireless charging, Bluetooth 5.0 and pretty decent sound, and all for around £50 (though it can be half that in the sales). These are the buds that put Earfun on the map.
JBL Live Pro 2 TWS: these sub-£100 wireless earbuds offer an entertaining performance, lots of useful features and they're a doddle to use. Definitely worth considering.
Røde NTH-100: this brand is best known for making pro studio equipment like mics, but its first pair of headphones is an absolute belter. They launched at £150 but can now be picked up for half that. Bargain.
How to choose the best cheap headphones for you
Budget headphones aren't limited to earbuds – they come in all shapes and sizes. You can get some pretty decent over-ear headphones for not much money at all. Some models also boast features usually associated with higher-end models like noise-cancelling, too. This won't be as advanced as on pricier pairs like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or Sony WF-1000XM5, but will still help block out unwanted noise.
Your next decision is between wired and wireless. The best Bluetooth headphones and wireless earbuds are great for their cable-free convenience, but it's a technology that generally attracts a higher price tag compared to wired counterparts of similar sonic quality. Still, you can find some stellar pairs for not much cash.
Lastly, if you're a fitness fiend who wants to prioritise a secure fit and waterproofing, you're better off going for a pair of sport headphones. Some pairs here offer sweat- and water-resistance – look out for an IP rating of at least IPX4.
How we test cheap headphones
For headphones, we don't rely on our state-of-the-art testing facilities – that's more for the hi-fi and AV equipment we review. The best way to test headphones is by using them as they're meant to be used – out in the big wide world, on buses and trains, in busy pubs, while struggling to hear an announcement saying our train is delayed. That's the only way to judge how they perform for you, the user.
But we go much further than that. We compare each pair we test with the best in its style and class. Our stock room is bursting with some of our favourite models from the last few years (spanning all parts of the market, from bargain bin to high-end emporium), which will certainly give any newcomers a run for their money. We always give each pair plenty of time to run in (sometimes that makes all the difference), and listen to a wide range of musical styles and genres to make sure we're hearing everything they can do.
We try all the features (including noise cancellation and all its associated functions), and we agree upon each verdict as a team, rather than letting one person have their say. That way, we eliminate potential bias while also being as thorough as possible. It's just one of the things we've learned from over 100 years' joint experience in the game.
What Hi-Fi? has been the home of unbiased reviews for nearly 50 years, with zero input from sales or PR people. It's a reputation we're justly proud of, and will continue to uphold to help you, the reader, buy the best possible products for your budget.
Find out more about our testing process on our how we test headphones page.
F.A.Q.
What are the best cheap headphones?
There's not one pair we recommend over all the others – it depends what you're looking for. We've broken them down by category, so you can see the best cheap wired and wireless earbuds, the best cheap wired and wireless over-ears, the best cheap AirPods, and so on.
How do I pair cheap headphones?
If they use Bluetooth (as most wireless headphones do), then you pair your cheap headphones in exactly the same way as any other pair. Put them in pairing mode, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your source device (like a smartphone), and select to pair when prompted. AirPods pair a little differently – open the charging case, hold it near your iPhone and Tap Connect on screen.
Are cheap headphones better?
Generally speaking, the more you spend the better the sound quality, features and build quality will be. But that doesn't mean you have to spend a lot for a great pair of headphones. The ones on this list will suit most casual listeners just fine. Even more discerning types might be surprised at how good they are...
Recent updates
- 5th September 2024: Rewrote intro to mention newly-announced Sony WF-C510. Deleted Jump Menu and The Quick List's headings. Deleted 'Test results' tables. Bolded advisory text in 'How to choose' section.
- 18th June 2024: Rewrote intro. Made alt-texts more descriptive. Added Top Tip.
- 26th March 2024: Changed to new Best Buy format. Added new 'Also Consider', F.A.Q. and 'Test Results' sections. Added Apple AirPods (2019), removed JBL Live Pro 2 TWS, Røde NTH-100 and Lindy BNX-60.
- 8th February 2024: Removed JBL Flow Pro.
- 28th September 2023: Removed Earfun Air, Earfun Air Pro, Panasonic RZ-S500W, AKG K72 and Grado SR80x. Added Sony WH-CH720N.
