I have prepared a rating of the best budget headphones of the year. I'll make a reservation right away, we are not talking exclusively about the equipment released in year. The selection criteria were the "price-quality" ratio and the compliance of the headphones with modern requirements. For convenience, I have divided the entire rating into sections by existing headphone form factors. Then he studied expert reviews, reviews of real owners of hundreds of inexpensive models, and in the end chose the best ones in the price segment up to .
TOP-6 budget plug-in (earplugs) headphones
Honor AM61
The rating is opened by in-ear wireless headphones for sports from a rapidly developing brand. Mount type - rubber bow, fits comfortably and securely in your ears. They have built-in magnets, the headphones can be connected around the neck. Autonomous work - up to 11 hours. Connection - via Bluetooth 4.1. Available in three colors: black, red, blue. Implemented protection against water and dust IP52. The sound is focused on low-quality lows, mids and highs. For headphones of this type, this is the norm; for sports, this sound is enough. Price - .
Pros:
- fit well in the ears, comfortable ear pads and mounts;
- assembly materials;
- design;
- ergonomics;
- micro-USB charging;
- good sound for this type of headphones;
- autonomy;
- microphone quality.
Minuses:
- the wire is short. The remote / battery is too close to the ears;
- when the headphones are magnetically connected, music playback does not pause;
- background noise in pauses and desync;
- the LED is bright, does not turn off;
- sometimes they lose their phone.
Budget bluetooth headphones for sports. Lovers of high-quality sound will not be suitable, it is better to take the Samsung EO-BG950 U Flex, with the amendment that it is not very convenient to do sports in them.
Samsung EO-BG950 U Flex
Declared by the manufacturer as wireless earbuds for sports. The construction partially refutes this statement. The mount in the form of a neck rim hits the shoulders when running, and when exercising on the bench, the headphones completely fall off the head. The earplugs themselves sit well, but the Honor AM61 is more suitable for sports. At the same time, the Samsung EO-BG950 U Flex has better sound and the ability to connect to multiple devices. Works perfectly in conjunction with brand devices. The proprietary Samsung Level application optimizes playback by selecting the optimal sound quality. Due to this communication interruption, background noise, latency and out-of-sync are kept to a minimum. The app allows you to set the function value to a button on the headphone remote control. Autonomy - up to 10 hours. Price - .
Pros:
- sound (two-way sound system - dynamic and reinforcing emitter in each earphone);
- ergonomics;
- Multipoint support;
- autonomy;
- stable connection;
- good microphone;
- branded intelligent assistant S-Voice.
Minuses:
- long wires from the rim;
- not quite suitable for sports;
- low quality ear pads;
- When the headphones are magnetically connected, music playback will not pause.
Inexpensive earbuds included by experts in Samsung's TOP 5 earphones year. They are not very convenient for sports, so I recommend the Honor AM61 for athletes with a loss of sound quality. Samsung EO-BG950 U Flex are suitable for leisurely walks, daily short-term use.
Sennheiser IE 4
Legendary vacuum headphones that have been in the TOP of sales for 10 years. A representative of the class of simple wired devices without unnecessary "bells and whistles". Cable length - 1.2 m. Great sound. An extended frequency range (15-24000 Hz), sensitivity - 106 dB, decent noise isolation and reliability are the reasons for the popularity of these headphones, overlapping even the absence of a microphone. Price - .
Pros:
- reliability;
- sound;
- the cable does not harden in the cold;
- soundproofing.
Minuses:
- packaging (simple bag);
- lack of additional functionality (not even a microphone);
- a lot of fakes;
- demanding on the quality of incoming sound;
- the price for such headphones is high.
An excellent choice for conservatives and retrogrades - good sound and quality of the headphones themselves. For listening to music in urban areas - what you need. If you need wired headphones - a headset, I recommend Beats urBeats3. If you consider yourself an innovator, take the wireless Xiaomi AirDots Pro.
Beats urBeats3
According to experts, this is a model from the Top 10 Beats headphones in year. Wired, they have a flat 1.2 m cable that is not prone to tangling, a control panel on it, a microphone that allows you to use the headphones as a headset. They sound good, traditionally the bass is boosted. They are produced in two versions, identical in functionality, with connection via mini jack 3.5 and Lightning. The latter - only for Apple devices, are available in two additional colors - gold and yellow. Price - .
Pros:
- complete set (case-cover);
- design, build quality;
- flat cable;
- soundproofing;
- magnetic mounts;
- good sound.
Minuses:
- overpriced;
- on Android there is no way to switch tracks from the remote control;
- the size of the complete ear pads is non-standard.
Good headphones if you need a good headset, but the price is too high. I will not recommend them unequivocally. Consider Sennheiser IE 4 and save up to .
Xiaomi AirDots Pro
A wireless Chinese novelty that has taken a good market share in a niche in a year. A modified version of Xiaomi AirDots that changed the form factor. Now the headphones have become in-ear and have acquired noise cancellation. In terms of design, they are similar to the iconic Apple AirPods 2, but half the price. The sound is decent, provided that good ear pads are selected, noise cancellation is also at the level. The features of the model are IPX4 moisture protection, a USB-C charging connector and infrared sensors that determine the position of the headphones: it is worth pulling out one earpiece and the music playback will pause. They use Bluetooth 4.2 to connect, which is illogical, since Xiaomi AirDots have already used version 5.0. Autonomy - 3 hours from a single charge and up to 10 hours - from a case. Price - .
Pros:
- comfort;
- stable connection;
- good sound;
- good microphone;
- noise suppression;
- infrared sensors;
- moisture protection;
- you can use one earphone while the second, for example, is charging;
- fast charging (about an hour);
- charging case included;
- charging connector - USB-C.
Minuses:
- no charge indication;
- no Multipoint;
- no aptX support;
- autonomy;
- out of sync, especially in videos and games;
- dimensions of the case and the headphones themselves;
- few management options;
- playback does not resume when the earphone is placed back in your ear.
A worthy alternative to Apple AirPods, but even compared to them, it has little autonomy. For such a price, they can be forgiven for this shortcoming. The second fact that users complain about is the size. It's a matter of taste - the earphone sticks out of the ear, but the sound quality and connection stability are excellent. For fans of fully wireless headphones, I recommend this model.
Shure SE215
Wired earphones of a famous American brand with behind-the-ear attachment. Feature - detachable cable. Taking a separate wire with bluetooth, you get wireless headphones. The sound - everything is fine, it is balanced: good bass that does not clog the midrange and bass, low impedance and high sensitivity - this is what is needed for low-power mobile devices. It is hardly worth looking for the best sound among analogs of the in-channel type. In terms of convenience, they are also one of the best - they fit perfectly in the ears, you can even play sports with a wire. Price - .
Pros:
- design;
- quality of materials;
- case included;
- convenience;
- sound;
- sound insulation.
Minuses:
- the plug of the detachable cable (headphone jack) may fail (components are on sale);
- rigid cable;
- earhooks are not comfortable for everyone;
- no microphone (microphone cable can be purchased separately);
- ear pads material.
An interesting model. A cable with bluetooth or a microphone can be purchased in addition to the standard kit, and in case of breakdown - a separate left or right earpiece. Convenient, but this design reduces reliability by adding vulnerable nodes. It's hard to find fault with the sound. If you are a music lover and love headphones of this form factor, be sure to buy this model. 91% of Yandex. They are recommended by the Market. If the price is too high for you, the Sennheiser IE 4 is a good saving option without significant loss in sound quality.
TOP 2 budget in-ear headphones
Apple EarPods
Wired headphones with a microphone, which are equipped with many "apple" devices. According to experts, this is one of the best models among the earbuds. Available not only for owners of Apple devices - there is a version with a 3.5 mm jack. Sound quality cannot be compared with gags. This is due to a design feature: there is practically no sound insulation. But the sound is spacious, balanced, in quiet places it will even delight music lovers. The risk to hearing is minimal. Price - .
Pros:
- Beautiful design;
- good sound;
- case-case included;
- convenience and comfort;
- excellent compatibility with Apple devices;
- good microphone.
Minuses:
- soundproofing;
- straight plug;
- there are many fakes on the market;
- Control panel functions are limited when working with devices running Android, Windows.
Budget headphones are tuned for Apple at a low price for the brand, sit well in your ears, especially considering the form factor, produce excellent sound and are a good headset. I see no reason not to buy them for those who use "apple" devices - it is better to do this in official stores. For owners of smartphones, tablets and other devices running other operating systems, headphones lose a number of functions, so it is not always advisable to take them. Although they sound good too. If you need wireless earbuds, get the Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2.
Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2
The “fresh” headphones of the Chinese brand, which are beginning to conquer the market, are a gift for fans of this form factor of the company, because the AirDots Pro, which appeared at the beginning of the year, are in-ear, unlike the AirDots that were released earlier. Ideal for Xiaomi smartphones - stable and fast connection to Android OS with the proprietary MIUI 11 shell. Unlike AirDots Pro, they use Bluetooth 5.0, which when paired with devices of this version, Bluetooth extends the range to 50 meters. The sound is not bad, as for earbuds, there is no need to talk about sound insulation, but there is noise cancellation of the microphone. Autonomy - up to 4 hours from a single charge and up to 14 hours - from a case. Price - .
Pros:
- design;
- sit comfortably in your ears;
- good sound;
- good microphone;
- sufficient autonomy;
- excellent compatibility and fast connection to Xiaomi devices;
- the possibility of separate use;
- voice control;
- Bluetooth 5.0;
- charging connector - type-c.
Minuses:
- very weak sound insulation;
- lack of aptX support;
- case charging is too big;
- low volume margin.
Inexpensive liners of the Chinese brand, which appeared on the market just a couple of months ago. It's too early to talk about their reliability and give them a final rating, but if you used AirDots, you can get the Pro version.
TOP 4 budget on-ear headphones
Sony WH-CH500
Sony has good products for a reasonable price.Swivel earcup design, plastic headband and soft ear cushions. Good balanced sound. Can be used as a headset. Autonomy - up to 20 hours. Connection - via Bluetooth 4.2. and through the NFC module. Price - .
Pros:
- sound;
- build quality;
- rotary mechanism of bowls;
- NFC;
- autonomy;
- stable connection.
Minuses:
- poor sound insulation;
- low volume margin;
- no sound or LED battery discharge indicator;
- weak microphone;
- glossy surface;
- inconvenient control with a tight start button;
- no Multipoint support;
- sound delay in games.
Not the best model in the ranking, but optimal in the manufacturer’s lineup in terms of price-quality ratio. If you need the perfect sound with a large margin in the wireless model, look for the 10000+ price range. If wired, take the Marshall Major III.
Koss porta pro
Legendary wired headphones that have been in the TOP of sales for 15 years. The reason is a number of engineering solutions for maximum user convenience: adjustment of the headband length, the angle of inclination of the speakers, a temple stand, which reduce the strain on the ear. Lightweight and compact, weight 79 g. They have a larger frequency range than the Sony WH-CH500, and higher sensitivity: the sound is more voluminous and balanced. But sound insulation is worse, there are problems with sound quality and volume margin from portable devices due to an impedance of 60 ohms. There is also a sporty variation of them. Koss Sporta Pro has design improvements: the headband can be worn both on the head and on the back of the head. They are even lighter - 62 g. Price - 2990; - sports version.
Pros:
- compactness;
- ease;
- convenience;
- good sound.
Minuses:
- there are many fakes on the market;
- finishing of ear cushions with foam rubber;
- tears hair when changing the size of the arm;
- soundproofing;
- cannot be used as a headset.
Inexpensive, comfortable, suitable for home, walks, sports. Due to poor sound insulation, they are not suitable for noisy places. Not compatible with all devices due to the high impedance, in this regard, the Sony WH-CH500 is more universal. If you want good sound combined with low impedance, the Marshall Major III is your option.
Marshall major iii
The third generation model in the Marshall Major line retains the recognizable rock and roll design of the previous two versions. And the sound has changed: instead of a clear emphasis on bass, it has become more balanced, voluminous. Management, as before - with a proprietary joystick. Built-in microphone, replace the headset. The cable connects to any bowl. The free connector can be used to transmit sound to other headphones.
Pros:
- design;
- folding design;
- detachable cable;
- ear pads are more comfortable than in the previous version (according to user reviews);
- You can "share" music with a friend;
- good sound.
Minuses:
- no cover included;
- poor sound insulation;
- may squeeze ears at the start. After a month of active use, adaptation takes place.
In terms of sound quality and noise isolation, the model clearly surpasses the Koss Porta Pro, but more expensive - . Another example of a decent wireless model is the Sony WH-CH500.
Harman / Kardon Soho Wireless
Headphones for business people and those who prefer classic style of dress. Materials - metal and leather, look very brutal. The sound is good, they support AptX, but it's still worse than in Marshall Major III. To connect using Bluetooth 3.0 and NFC. You can connect to multiple devices at once. There is a built-in microphone - you can use it as a headset. Autonomy - up to 10 hours. Price - .
Pros:
- design;
- good materials and build quality;
- compactness and lightness;
- folding design;
- touch control;
- good insulation;
- support aptX;
- availability of NFC.
Minuses:
- Bluetooth 3.0
- background noise when connected via Bluetooth;
- According to user reviews, the cable in the headband breaks after about a year of use;
- weak microphone;
- sit loosely on the head.
This model is considered budget in its segment (it costs almost ), but the sound quality of music lovers do not approve. For fans of great sound, I recommend any wired model, but you can consider a more expensive wireless one.
TOP 3 budget full-size headphones
JBL E55BT
Full-size wireless model for ... They have a convenient folding design, a recognizable brand design, a large selection of colors. A carrying case for transportation is included. Hybrid connection - mini-Jack (3.5 mm), Bluetooth v 4.0. Autonomy of work - 20 hours. The sound is good, smooth, not bass, for lovers of low frequencies they may not seem enough.
Pros:
- large selection of colors;
- case-cover included;
- folding design;
- autonomy;
- good sound;
- stable connection;
- Multipoint support.
Minuses:
- weak insulation;
- control buttons are unreliable;
- weak microphone.
Despite the flaws, the model is well worth the money. Suitable for daily use at home, great for home, for gamers.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Wired headphones from a well-known brand, which, unlike JBL E55BT, can be used both at home and in the studio. Extended frequency range - 15-24000 Hz, sensitivity - 98 dB / mW, impedance - 35 Ohm. Vocal and instrumental parts are legibly and accurately reproduced. The model has good sound insulation. Convenient transportation is ensured by a foldable design and a detachable cable. Price - .
Pros:
- materials and build quality;
- folding design;
- good balanced sound;
- excellent sound insulation.
Minuses:
- too long cable included;
- no microphone;
- 35 Ohm impedance is not enough to work with professional equipment.
Despite the manufacturer's statement, this model is suitable for the home, for the studio its capabilities will not be enough. An excellent option - for daily use by a not very demanding music lover. Finding the sound better in this price segment will not work.
Plantronics Backbeat GO 600/605
A worthy competitor JBL E55BT closes the rating. It is not inferior in sound quality and battery life. Among the disadvantages is the awkward design. The advantage is the ability to mute the microphone. The price is almost higher , but the choice of Yandex. Market fell on this particular model. She is rated higher on all criteria. Price - .
Pros:
- design;
- weight - 175 g;
- comfortable headband;
- good sound;
- stable connection.
Minuses:
- soundproofing;
- no detailed operating instructions;
- management is incomprehensible, you need to get used to.
Not a bad model of a well-known brand, which was to the taste of music lovers. The case when cheap does not mean bad. If you want to save money, you can consider the JBL E55BT. Before choosing, it is worth comparing the sound of both models: perhaps the overpayment is justified.
