The 6 Best Cheap Over-Ear Headphones You Can Buy On The Market

We live in a world of discounts and best deals. Everyone wants to get high-quality goods at the lowest possible price, but you don’t have to wait for Black Friday or seasonal sales to get a good deal. This article about the 15 best cheap over-ear headphones in 2021 was written to show you that there are many great products on the market that can be purchased for a very low price at any time.

You’re probably thinking that those cheap products will break in a week or so, but if you keep reading, you’ll see that this isn’t the case because the products on our list are of good quality and, if used properly, can last for a long time.

We attempted to present various types of over-ear headphones. Some are designed to be used only at home for listening to music or watching movies, while others can be used as Bluetooth headphones, taken outside, and even used to answer calls. Some are designed for bass heads, while others provide only average bass.

WHAT TYPES OF OVER-EAR HEADPHONES EXIST?

Over-ear or full-size headphones are classified into three types, with the main distinction being the ear cup design. Drivers inside the cups convert electrical signals into sound, which is then transmitted to the user’s ears and outside the cups.

Depending on whether the cups are open or closed, the headphones will produce a different type of sound, isolate a greater or lesser amount of ambient noise, and leak a different amount of sound.

1. Closed-back Headphones

These are most likely the most popular over-ear headphones on the market. Their main distinguishing feature is the closed design of their cups, which keeps the sound inside and gives the impression that the music is in your head.

Thick cushions on the cups are there not only for comfort, but also to seal around your ears and keep ambient noise out.

Closed-back headphones protect your privacy because they leak little to no sound, so people around you aren’t forced to listen to your music. Furthermore, these headphones will isolate a significant amount of ambient noise, allowing you to concentrate on your music or whatever you are doing.

2. Open-back Headphones

On open-back headphones, the front side of the cups is opened. Actually, it appears to be narrow mesh, with headphone speakers visible through the small holes. These holes are responsible for the sound that these headphones produce.

If closed-back headphones give you the impression that the sound is coming from inside your head, open-back headphones give you the impression that you are listening to music in a room.

This also means that sound has a better chance of exiting the cups, resulting in significant sound leakage as well as increased awareness of everything going on around you.

3. Semi-open headphones

Semi-open headphones are intended to be the ideal compromise between closed-back and open-back headphones. They are supposed to provide less sound leakage, better awareness of one’s surroundings, and a better opportunity for ears to breathe.

The truth is that they don’t work as well as they should, especially in studios. It is preferable to use them in everyday situations for casual music listening, though you should be aware that they still leak a significant amount of sound.

THE 6 BEST CHEAP OVER-EAR HEADPHONES TO BUY

1. Best Cheap Bluetooth Headphones for Workouts – Mpow 059

Mpow 059 are one of Amazon’s best sellers, and they aren’t there by accident. They deserved it, as do many other Mpow products, because of their high quality and low price.

What Is Included in the Box?

The headphones come in a simple cardboard box with a 4-foot audio cable terminating in a gold-plated 3.5 mm connector, a short USB charging cable, and a soft carrying bag.

What we like:

• Mpow 059 has a straightforward but appealing and modern design. They come in a variety of colors (red, black, grey, blue, green, pink, and silver), which should satisfy the majority of customers’ needs and preferences.

• All of the controls are easily accessible and are located on the right earbud. On the front of the cup, you’ll find a set of buttons for controlling the volume and skipping tracks.

• The button in the small circle in the center is used to play/pause music and answer/end phone calls. The ring around the button turns blue when you press it.

• When you press it again, the ring will begin to change colors from blue to red, indicating that the headphones are in pairing mode. There is also a micro USB port on the same earbud, and a 3.5 mm audio cable port on the left earbud.

Things we don’t like:

• One of the things we didn’t like about the Mpow 059 is the glossy finish, which shows off all of the fingerprints, and the fact that the headphones can look a little bulky on the user’s head.

• The next disadvantage is the microphone, which can make you sound muffled and cannot be used in wired mode, so don’t rely on it for long and important conversations.

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2. Best Bass Headphones Under $50 – Skullcandy Crusher

Skullcandy Crusher, headphones for true bass lovers, has taken second place on our list of best cheap over-ear headphones. These headphones normally cost more than $50, but we were able to locate one that is less expensive than the others, and the price is obviously determined by the design.

What Is Included in the Box?

Aside from the headphones, Skullcandy includes a detachable audio cable with 3.5mm connector and inline mic with remote controls, one AA battery, and a thin and very large carrying bag that doesn’t offer much protection.

Things we like:

• One of the things we like best about Skullcandy is the colors they use and the effort they put into making such unique headphones. We chose this navy model with stripes because it was inexpensive, but we think it looks very nice and trendy.

• Skullcandy Crushers are well-known for their comfort. They’re a little heavier than average (10 ounces), but thanks to the well-padded adjustable headband and thick soft ear cushions, you won’t notice the difference.

• The cushions are large enough to accommodate various types of ears while still sealing nicely around them to isolate the user from background noise as much as possible.

Things we don’t like:

• Skullcandy Crusher are plastic headphones, and you must be aware of this and treat them with care if you want them to last a long time.

• Aside from that, when the volume is low, there is some rattling in the left ear cup, which is caused by the battery. Furthermore, these headphones do not produce completely clear and natural sound.

• It’s not bad or distorted; it just needs more bass to sound more powerful, so if you’re looking for natural and detailed sound, keep reading because we have some better options for you.

3. Best-sounding Wired Headphones Under $40 – Edifier H840

The following item on our list is a low-cost pair of headphones manufactured by the Chinese company Edifier. They have a 20-year tradition of producing headphones and speakers, but they have only recently gained popularity in the United States. They produce high-quality products that are reasonably priced, which validates the H840 model.

What Is Included in the Box?

Edifier, unlike many other manufacturers, does not include any additional equipment in their package. The headphones are sold separately, and there is only one pair of wired headphones included.

Things we like:

• H840 has a simple and appealing design, and we appreciate the nice and elegant matte finish, as well as the option to choose between black, blue, and white colors and models with or without a microphone.

• The headphones have an adjustable and flexible headband that can be stretched and twisted despite being made of metal.

• The ear cups are also quite adjustable, as they can be partially rotated to make a better fit for your ears.

Things we don’t like:

• Edifier H840 do look attractive, but they also look rather plastic, which they in fact are. They won’t break so easily, of course, but they were definitely made for mostly indoor use.

• That confirms the fact that the headphones can’t be used without it’s 6ft Y-shaped cable, which is often considered too long for activities such as working out, walking or even traveling.

4. Best for Studio Monitoring – Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Because of the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones, purchasing a pair of professional over-ear headphones for less than $50 is no longer impossible. If you want headphones with detailed sound but not overly emphasized bass, these are ideal.

Although they are not the best ATH headphones, they will provide you with a lot of enjoyment while critical listening or playing an instrument. They are also an excellent choice for regular people who enjoy detailed and clean sound when listening to their favorite music.

What Is Included in the Box?

The ATH-M20x headphones come in a simple package that includes the headphones, a 9ft non-detachable straight cable with a 3.5mm connector, and one 6.3mm plug adapter.

Things we like:

• The Audio-Technica M20x, as the entry model in the M series, offers a lot for the money.

• As you may have noticed, they resemble other ATH-M models in appearance, but they are significantly smaller and lighter, weighing only 6.7 ounces.

• They have a closed-back design that allows them to isolate a significant amount of ambient noise. Although they are not as foldable as other M series models, they are adjustable enough to be extremely comfortable.

Things we don’t like:

• Although the ATH-M20x are excellent headphones, they do have some minor drawbacks depending on how they are used. If you only intend to use them at home, the cable should not be an issue.

• If you need them for a studio, you should look into a model with a coiled cable. Furthermore, some users prefer Bluetooth models for outdoor use, and a 9ft cable can be inconvenient.

• Another issue is that the cable cannot be detached. As a result, it is impossible to replace in the event of damage. It also lacks an inline microphone, preventing you from using these headphones for hands-free communication.

5. Longest Battery Life – Avantree Audition

Avantree Audition headphones are an improvement over the Avantree Hive model. They have a better look and sound, and they are also more durable. If you need a pair of headphones that can be used both indoors and outdoors, with or without an audio cable, this model is a good option.

What Is Included in the Box?

Avantree Audition headphones are packaged in a simple partially transparent box with the headphones, a short flat 3.5mm detachable audio cable, a USB charging cable, a user manual, and a 2-year warranty card.

Things we like:

• These headphones may not be expensive, but they certainly look it. They come in matte black with nice red accents.

• They are intended for use as both wireless and wired headphones.

• All of the necessary controls (power on/off button, volume controls), a microphone, a USB charging port, and a port for connecting an audio cable are located on the left ear cup.

Things we don’t like:

• To be honest, there aren’t many drawbacks to these headphones, but we must emphasize that they aren’t foldable and don’t come with a carrying case, which makes them less portable, which is definitely a disadvantage for Bluetooth headphones.

• Although the headphones are quite comfortable, we must note that their clamping force is slightly higher than that of other models. It is not overly powerful, but it may cause issues if you have a larger head.

6. Best Semi-Open Cheap Wired Headphones – Superlux HD668B

Superlux HD668D are a real proof that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a great pair of professional, or if you prefer, audiophile headphones, at least when the sound quality is concerned. They are not the prettiest nor the most comfortable headphones in the world, but they certainly have something to show in the sound quality area.

What’s In The Box?

The HD668D comes in a straightforward box with two detachable audio cables. Both have the same 3.5mm connectors and are straight and rounded, but one is 3ft long and the other is 9ft long, so you can use the shorter one to connect the headphones to your phone or player and the longer one to connect them to your PC.

You will also receive one cable clip and one 6.3 mm plug adapter (in case you need to use the headphones in the studio), as well as one large carrying bag for safe transport.

Things we like:

• When you first look at the HD668D, you notice its unusual but intriguing design. The next thing you notice is that their ear cups are similar to AKG K240 cups, particularly because they are semi-open.

• However, the two flops that serve as headbands appear to be rather unique, and they adjust well to the size of the user’s head.

• The headphones are wired, and what makes them unique is that they have a male jack below the left cup, where the female port usually is.

• The important thing is that the audio cables are detachable, allowing you to choose which one to use based on your needs.

Things we don’t like:

• Although we can’t find flaws of the sound, these headphones certainly have some other problems.

• First of all, they look rather cheap and, although they are quite flexible, they are made from plastic and they aren’t foldable nor the cups can be rotated.

• Also, we have noticed that the build quality of audio cables is quite bad, so be careful when using these if you don’t want them to break.

Alternative Video: Best Budget Over-Ear Headphones

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING CHEAP OVER-EAR HEADPHONES

As you can see from our reviews, cheap does not always imply bad. Cheap products do not have to be used only as short-term substitutes for expensive products, because when you buy expensive products, you frequently pay a high price for the brand.

1. Purpose

When you know why you need the item you’re purchasing and how it will be used, you’ve usually completed half of the work. The same is true for headphones. The most important thing is to decide where and how you will use the headphones.

2. Comfort

Comfort is one of the most important aspects of any headphones, regardless of how many hours a day you intend to wear them. That is why you should pay attention to the design of the cups, the thickness of the paddings, and the product weight, because we know you don’t want your ears to be sore as a result of some headphones.

3. Quality of construction

As previously stated, cheap headphones do not have to break after a few months, especially if they are properly cared for and used, but if you want to ensure that they are more durable, look for models with metal elements, such as a metal headband or metal hinges.

4. Sound quality

Sound quality is unquestionably something that improves the impression of even the most poorly designed and constructed headphones.

If you want perfect sound, look elsewhere because headphones in this price range cannot provide it, but if you want decent sound quality, there are many options, as we have reviewed some studio headphones with quite clear and detailed sound.

CONCLUSION

Because over-ear headphones can be wired or wireless, noise-cancelling or not, open-back or closed-back, and come in a variety of price ranges, we compare each pair we review to the current class leader in its type and price range to determine its star rating and position on this illustrious list.

FAQs About Over-Ear Headphones