Best cheap headphones 2019
Cheap headphones don't have to mean rubbish sound quality. Here we review and rank the best budget headphones you can buy.
The headphone you really want probably cost a few hundred pounds, but the bank balance doesn't always match. Luckily, you can get decent budget headphones giving you great sound on the go. We've reviewed the best cheap headphones you can buy, all under £100 with many under £50.
Your buying guide for the best cheap headphones in 2019
Mobile music lovers have never had it so good - although some modern smartphones no longer have a headphone jack, the standard headphones you get with smartphones are at an all-time high in terms of quality.
This does tend to be flagship phones though and cheaper ones might not even come with some in the box. Either way, spending a little to upgrade your headphones is one of the best ways to get the most from a smartphone, or any other portable music player.
If you're looking for something more premium and high-end then check out our chart of best headphones. If you're looking for current bargains, take a look at our pick of the best headphones deals.
The instant lift in audio quality needs to be heard to be believed – better, more impactful bass, crisper, more detailed treble and better isolation from the outside world are all worth the investment. Choosing headphones isn’t just about improved audio quality, though – there are plenty of things to consider to make sure you end up with something that suits you perfectly. We also have a chart just for the best wireless headphones.
It's highly inlikely that cheap headphones will have noise cancelling but we have a dedicated round-up for the best noise cancelling headphones which you can browse.
Types of cheap headphones
In general, there are three types of headphones to choose from: in-ear, on-ear and over-ear. They do as you would expect although often have different names and within each category you can get various styles.
Most buyers will be looking for the first two, as over-ear headphones are big and heavy so are more suited for static use at home or at your desk.
The cheapest are in-ear, or earbuds, as they are the most basic but getting on-ear headphones might improve both comfort and sound quality.
Look out for extra features like an in-line control, microphone and comfortable foam tips.
Best cheap headphones 2019
1. Soundmagic E11BT
While the Soundmagic E11C headphones were top of our charts for quite some time, the updated wireless E11BT earphones now take the crown.
The neckbuds are incredibly light at 25g, comes with three pairs of eartips to find the perfect fit and offer advanced features like Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC support, but it's the incredible battery life that stands out. You get around 40-60 hours per charge depending on usage, and charges up in only two hours.
The company hasn't forgotten about the audio though, with the E11BTs sporting a built-in 24bit DAC that helps provide clear, crisp audio with prominent - but not overpowering - bass. They may be more expensive than the E11Cs, but we think the E11BTs are worth the extra.
2. Xiaomi Redmi AirDots
Xiaomi has proven that you don't need to spend hundreds of pounds to get decent wireless earbuds. The Redmi AirDots are astonishing for the the price considering how many pairs you could buy for the same cost as Apple's AirPods.
There's no immitation dangly design here and they provide excellent sound quality along with strong battery life. It's also simple enough to pair them and use the controls.
No volume control and a lack of any waterproofing are minor complaints, and are acceptable considering the low asking price here. If you need very cheap wireless earbuds, these are the ones.
3. SoundMagic E11C
SoundMagic has come up trumps with the E11C headphones, setting a high standard for what to expect from a budget pair of cans.
They're stylish, comfortable and have excellent features like an in-line control that works with both iOS and Android. We'd like more tips in the box, but it's not the end of the world, especially considering how good they sound.
Subtle tweaks in the audio profile, mean these headphones punch above their weight in sound quality. Powerful, yet balanced and considered tuning make them very versatile indeed.