If you’re looking to upgrade some low-end headphones, or just want to grab a cheap pair so you can leave your megabucks headphones in your drawer at home, there are plenty of great-sounding options out there. Here you’ll find our pick of the best headphones and earphones which cost well under the £50 mark.
If you’re still using the headphones which came bundled with your smartphone, then you really do owe it to your eardrums to buy something better. You might think that there wouldn’t be a huge difference between a pair of bundled ‘phones and something that costs as little as £15, but you’d be dead wrong. Some of the budget-centric brands that you may never have heard of, such as Superlux and Rock Jaw, have earned a great reputation even among audiophiles and headphone enthusiasts, and big names such as Sennheiser also have some impressive entry-level options in their ranges.
If you’re tempted to spend a little more, then by all means take a look at our best headphones in 2017 article. And if you want some headphones that can double as a gaming headset, then check our guide to the best gaming headsets of 2017. After all, if you don’t mind the microphones, the HyperX Cloud Stinger and Logitech G231 Prodigy sound great and cost less than £50.
Best cheap headphones of 2017
Superlux HD668B: Budget audiophile-grade headphones
Price when reviewed: £33
Back in 2009, Superlux took a few people by surprise with its Superlux HD681. Mimicking the design of AKG’s classic studio headphones, the HD681 provided a more rough-and-ready sound for vastly less cash. Then, in 2010, the company brought out the HD668B and they took the internet by storm. They’re not best suited to using outside the house due to their open-backed design, but the sound is hugely impressive for the money. The soundstage spreads far and wide, and the surprisingly deep and subtle bass is paired with a crisp mid-bass slam, although the treble is a little fatiguing. The tendency towards sibilance means that you should be wary of getting the HD668Bs if you listen to tracks with a lot of female vocals within them.
The HD668B come with a soft carrying pouch, cable clip, two removable cables (1 and 3m) and a 6.3mm adapter. For the money, they’re tough to beat.
Key specs– Type: Over-the-ear headphones; Connections: 3.5mm jack plug; Weight: 222g; Cable length: 1/3m (removable)
Sony MDR-ZX310: Ultra-portable headphones
Price when reviewed: £15
If you’re looking for a pair of headphones to wear on the commute, then you’ll want something that’s portable and not too pricey. The Sony MDR-ZX310 fit the bill perfectly: they’re an ultra-portable headphone that comes in a variety of colours, and can be folded to be easily carried around. Its sound isn’t jaw-dropping, but for £15 there’s not much to complain about. Bass is a touch flabby and undefined, and there’s not much snap or clarity to the mid-range and treble frequencies, but they’re by no means offensive to listen to – and the slightly soft sound quality is very forgiving of less than pristine-sounding albums. If value for money and portability are at the top of your shopping list, and you want an everyday pair of headphones, the MDR-ZX310s are a perfect choice.
Key specs– Type: On-ear headphones; Connections: 3.5mm jack plug; Weight: 127g; Cable length: 1.2m
Sennheiser HD206: Budget reference headphones
Price when reviewed: £35
The Sennheiser HD201s were regarded as one of the best budget reference headphones money can buy, and the HD206 follow in their footsteps. Their over-ear design, size and long three-metre cable make them more suitable for home listening, but the closed-back design means that you could use them outside the house without upsetting your fellow commuters. Sound quality errs on the side of neutrality, with unexaggerated bass, crisp midrange and smooth highs, and this makes them ideal for budget-conscious DJs, music producers, or just watching TV from a distance. They don’t come with much in the way of accessories, however: you get a 3.5mm-6.3mm adapter, but that’s your lot.
Key specs– Type: Over-the-ear headphones; Connections: 3.5mm jack plug; Weight: 165g; Cable length: 3m
Best cheap earphones of 2017
Brainwavz BLU-100: Cheap Bluetooth earphones
Price when reviewed: £30
The Brainwavz BLU-100 are the best-value Bluetooth earphones you can buy. At around £30, the BLU-100s pack in a huge amount for the cash: you get a carry case, a pair of Comply S-400 memory-foam tips (which normally cost around £10), extra silicone tips, ear hooks and a charging cable. The earphones even come with a three-button remote to answer calls, skip tracks or adjust the volume while you’re out and about. They sound decent, too, with a relatively refined sound that has detailed mids and highs for an earphone at its price point. Its bass response could be firmer, but is perfectly acceptable at its inexpensive price tag.
For more details see our review of the Brainwavz BLU-100.
Key specs– Type: In-ear; Connections: Bluetooth 4 with aptX; Weight: Unknown; Cable length: N/A
READ NEXT: Best Bluetooth headphones 2017 - the best wireless in-ear, on-ear and over-ear headphones to buy
SoundMagic E10: Budget earphones
Price when reviewed: £35
The SoundMagic E10s are considered one of the best sub-£50 earphones on the market. If you just want plain vanilla earphones, then the E10 cost £35, but you can also buy the E10C, which adds an inline remote and microphone and bumps up the price to £40. They have an unusually full-bodied sound for the money, with a firm bass slam and accurate treble reproduction. The relatively wide soundstage is also impressive for an earphone at its price tag, and means that instruments and sounds are well separated. SoundMagic hasn’t skimped on extras, either: you get a large selection of different-sized silicone tips (3x hollow, 3x silicone, and dual flange), a shirt clip, and a hard carrying case.
For more details see our review of the SoundMagic E10.
Key specs– Type: In-ear; Connections: 3.5mm jack plug; Weight: 11g; Cable length: 1.2
Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2: The best sub-£50 earphones
Price when reviewed: £45
Designed by the British company, Rock Jaw, the Alfa Genus V2 are highly regarded – even within enthusiast circles. Make no mistake, the Alfa Genus V2 are the best earphones you can buy for less than £50. They aren’t just a cut above the SoundMagic E10s, though, as they also have a killer feature: you can tune their sound with three supplied sets of filters that alter the sound signature. If you want more bass, or less treble, then you simply have to swap out the filters. We preferred the Gold filter that was designed to produce a more neutral sound, and it provided fantastic bass and a non-fatiguing treble. Coupled with its wide soundstage, the Alfa Genus V2 deliver unbelievable audio performance at an affordable price. The earphones come with a few sets of silicone tips, memory foams tips and double flange tips, alongside a soft carrying pouch and a shirt clip.
For more details see our review of the Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2.
Key specs– Type: In-ear; Connections: 3.5mm jack plug; Weight: Unknown; Cable length: 1.2
Sennheiser CX 3.00: Budget earphones you can sleep on
Price when reviewed: £35
The CV 3.00 are the evolution of the CX 300, which were hugely popular earphones back in 2008. Sennheiser has since released an updated version, and it’s refined its old design and made them even more comfortable to wear. Just like the originals, you could even sleep with these in place, as their design is lightweight and sits flush with the ear. Sound quality is respectable, too, with a marked improvement over the older CX 300 in the bass department. This does, however, affects the mid-range by making them sound a little muddy and lacking treble crispness. Nonetheless, if you can find them for a tempting price, the CX 3.00 are a solid alternative to the SoundMagic E10 or Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2. The earphones are available in black, white or red and come with a small selection of silicone tips and a hard carrying case.
For more details see our review of the Sennheiser CX 3.00.
Key specs– Type: In-ear; Connections: 3.5mm jack plug; Weight: 12g; Cable length: 1.2
