Like food, petrol and energy, a lot of tech products just seem to get more expensive. But not certain headphone ranges.
Because while a new Sony Walkman will set you back nearly £1000 more than the previous model, and a new Apple TV nearly twice the launch price of its predecessor, you can still pick up an Award-winning pair of headphones for under £30.
The headphones in question are the Sony WF-C510. But the bargains aren't limited to wireless pairs. Below we've got wired and wireless pairs, both in-ears and over-ears, so whatever you needs and preferences, there's a great budget pair for you.
With decent sound (for the money), great build quality and a raft of features like active noise cancellation (ANC) and talk through, they're eminently capable devices that might have you asking 'Why pay more?'
By "cheap", we mean under or around the £100 mark. And any pairs here that cost over that amount will usually come down in the sales.
There are three fresh entries on this list: the Sennheiser CX 80U, Sony WH-CH530 and Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case. The Sennheisers are Award winners, the Sonys improve on their five-star predecessors and the AirPods 5 give you the proper AirPods experience without requiring a payday loan.
Below you'll find an overview of each pair and why they deserve a place on this list, plus a link to our review for a more detailed look.
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 our reviews process, see our how we test cheap headphones section further down this page.
October 2026: We've added three new pairs to the main list in light of recent reviews.
I have over 20 years of 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 good news is that budget pairs offer more than ever, as our list shows...
The best cheap headphones we recommend in 2026
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.
Below you'll find an in-depth look at each pair we recommend, plus a link to the full review if you want even more detail.
Best wired earbuds
Wired headphones have been making a comeback of late, and one listen to the Award-winning CX 80U and you can see why.
In a sign of the times, they sport a USB-C connector, as so few phones still have a 3.5mm headphone jack. While they do feel cheap (which they are), they fit securely and comfortably, with a decent level of passive noise isolation. There is a bit of cable noise too, so try to keep the left and right earbud cables separate if you can.
The onboard DAC supports hi-res files up to 24-bit/96kHz natively and will downsample anything higher, and there's an inline remote that gives you basic controls.
Downsides? There are no volume controls – you'll need to dig out your source device – which seems a bit stingy. And a travel pouch to house them in would have been nice.
But the sound quality more than makes up for these minor shortcomings. It's "rich, detailed and surprisingly sophisticated for the money," we wrote in our Sennheiser CX 80U review.
Play 15 Step by Radiohead, and the 'buds "hold on to and organise all the different musical threads that intertwine throughout the track, but they also extract an impressive amount of information from them."
Each element is afforded ample space around it, and the balance never tips too far in favour of one end of the frequency range. It's a great performance for the money. No wonder wired headphones are making a comeback.
Read the full Sennheiser CX 80U review
Best wireless earbuds
When it comes to wireless headphones, Sony has been on fire lately. While it couldn't match 2023's clean sweep, it still dominated the category at the 2026 What Hi-Fi? Awards, picking up five out of a possible eight gongs. One of those winners was the WF-C510, which replace the Award-winning C500.
They make a fitting replacement. For a start, they launched much cheaper than the C500 (though the C500 have dropped in price over their lifetime).
They might feel a bit budget, but they fit snugly and are bursting with features: they add a longer battery life than the C500, plus an ambient mode to allow in outside sounds (a feature that's usually only found on noise-cancelling pairs).
Add Bluetooth Multipoint, IPX4 protection and independent earbud use, and you can see why they're a force to be reckoned with.
And that's before we get to the performance. Fun, engaging and musical is the order of the day, which is exactly what you want from a pair costing this much.
But they do retain Sony's distinctive sonic profile: "You can tell the WF-C510 are part of the Sony family, such is their musicality and rhythmic ability – even complex pieces of music don't unravel and their sense of timing and ability to just get into the groove of a song works with any music you play through them," we wrote in our review.
They're a little richer and fuller-bodied than their predecessors, which is another point in their favour. If you're after wireless earbuds on a budget, you just found them.
Read the full Sony WF-C510 review
Best noise-cancelling earbuds
If you want something a little higher-end than the WF-C510, but without spending too much more, the WF-C710N will suit you perfectly.
They are a little larger and heavier than their C700N predecessors. But the new transparent Glass Blue finish more than makes up for it.
As does the performance. There are new touch controls, which are nice and responsive, and the battery life has been doubled to a total of 30 hours including the carry case (or 8.5 hours from just the buds). That's double their predecessors' total battery life.
Sony's Dual Noise Sensor filters make the active noise cancellation that bit more effective than their predecessors, especially in the lower mid and bass frequencies.
Sonically, they're a cut above for the money. "There's a weight, solidity and fullness in the bass which makes the WF-C700N sound lightweight and a little top-heavy," we wrote in our Sony WF-C710N review.
"The new model fleshes things out better."
They dig up an incredible amount of detail for a pair at this price, and give vocals a natural warmth that sounds authentic. And they have Sony's trademark musicality in spades.
For noise-cancelling 'buds under £100, you can't do better than these. Discounts are becoming more frequent too – it's not uncommon to see them for around £70.
Read the full Sony WF-C710N 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 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. Quite a run.
We’d consider the Hi-X15 an analytical pair of headphones, but they still manage to make music entertaining – 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.
"Play The End by Kings Of Leon, and the Hi-X15 pick apart and deliver the funky bass guitar riff at the start, the drum kit and lead guitar with consummate ease," we wrote in our Austrian Audio Hi-X15 review.
"You can almost feel the texture of each instrument as it's being played, the headphones drawing you deep into the performance."
There isn’t an ounce of fat on any track played. 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
There is a lot of Sony in this list, but it's definitely justified. And none more so than the WH-CH530, which offer a lot of features, effortless usability and super sound quality for just £50.
They follow the CH520, and on the surface, very little has changed (besides the bright new finish pictured here, that is). They're still plasticky to the touch, they still don't fold, and there's still no active noise cancellation. But what can you expect for this money?
But while they might be plasticky, they are still well made. They're comfortable, well padded and stay cool even during prolonged sessions. Their fit might be a little tight for some, but it does help with the passive noise isolation.
With Bluetooth 6.0, Auracast and Bluetooth Multipoint all supported, they're certainly well connected, especially for the money. And Sony's SoundConnect app lets you customise the sound.
The 55-hour battery life has been bettered elsewhere, but usually only by pairs costing at least twice as much.
To listen to, they're "well-balanced, expressive, and frankly, surprisingly enjoyable listen for the price," we wrote in our Sony WH-CH530 review. Energy and insight levels are high, while the bass succeeds in going low but not to the detriment of the rest of the frequency range: the midrange remains detailed and textured, and the high end expressive.
These wireless cans would be worth the money on sound quality alone. Throw in all the extra features, and you've got an absolute bargain on your hands.
Read the full Sony WH-CH530 review
Best AirPods
Cheap? AirPods? Well, kind of. Because Apple's latest pair of in-ears come in at £139, or £119 for the variant without on-stem volume control, no wireless charging case, and an hour less of battery life. That's not cheap cheap, admittedly. But it's significantly less than the AirPods 4 with ANC's launch price.
Basically, they're the cheapest AirPods you can buy (without rooting through the bargain bin at your local Computer Exchange, that is). And they offer a lot for the money.
Both variants now have ANC, and the same semi-open design as their predecessors, which gives you ANC without eartips. The fit is still just as divisive – some members of our reviews team got on fine with them, while others struggled to get a secure fit.
The element resistance is now up to IP57, which is very good for the money, and features include transparency mode, personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, easy switching between connected iOS devices, and compatibility with the updated Siri AI.
The five-hour battery life (22 hours with the case) is disappointing. But buy the base model and it's even worse – you only get four hours from the 'buds.
ANC is a real highlight, especially considering there are no eartips for passive noise isolation. Higher frequencies sneak through, as expected on this kind of design, but noises on the lower end of the spectrum are silenced more effectively than on the AirPods 4 with ANC.
You can now also fine-tune your balance of noise cancellation and environmental sounds using a slider.
The new multiport acoustic architecture produces a sound with greater extension and weight in the lower frequencies. "For such an open design, the amount of power and heft to the sound is quite impressive," we wrote in our AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case review.
"The enhanced bass power comes to the fore when listening to the taut, fast bassline in Ice T's Addicted To Danger, which sounds more menacing and muscular than before; while Max Richter’s The City Was A Chaos instrumental is admirably delivered with deep punchiness and increasing scale and intensity. Highs have plenty of headroom to soar too, with no hint of sharpness or brightness to disturb our listening."
The sound isn't nearly as good as the AirPods Pro 3, however, and at times its weighty balance tends to overpower subtler moments in a track. But for the AirPods experience without breaking the bank, these are for you.
Read the full Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case 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 headphone alternatives we've tested:
SoundMagic E11C: These wired 'buds might be ancient, but they're still on sale, and still great value. SoundMagic's distinctive warmth is there, but with a deeper bass that doesn't sacrifice the treble, and a clear, lively midrange that always remains composed. Need a USB-C connector instead of a 3.5mm jack? Go for the SoundMagic E80D instead.
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 – and cheap wireless earbuds generally – 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. These Award winners launched at £150 but can now be picked up for half that. Bargain.
Sony WF-C700N: An end-of-life Sony pair, but these previous Product of the Year winners are still stunners. Now the C710N have replaced them, their price has dropped even lower than before. Tempting...
How to choose the best cheap headphones for you
Headphones vs earbuds
Budget headphones aren't limited to earbuds – you can get some pretty decent over-ear headphones for not much money at all. Wondering which will suit you best? Check out our headphones vs earbuds guide for a rundown of the pros and cons for each style.
Wired vs wireless
Your next decision is between wired and wireless. Again, modest budgets accommodate both wired and wireless earbuds and over-ears.
The best wireless headphones and wireless earbuds are great for their cable-free convenience, but that technology generally attracts a higher price tag compared to wired counterparts of similar sonic quality.
Greater sound performance value is one pro of opting for a wired pair, but if you're on the fence you can read our wired vs wireless headphones comparison advice.
Noise-cancelling?
If you want active noise cancellation (ANC) for a more isolated listening experience, you're most probably looking at a wireless pair. Wired models rarely include ANC nowadays, no matter your budget (though the recent Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds are the exception).
ANC was once the reserve of premium-priced pairs, but in recent years it has trickled down to the more affordable market – as demonstrated by the Sony WF-C710N earbuds and WH-CH730N over-ears.
It's easier to find ANC in earbuds than over-ears at the modest price level, mind you. And the noise-blocking effect won't be as effective as it is on pricier pairs like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and Sony WF-1000XM6.
Consider other modern features
There aren't many features to consider on cheap wired pairs, other than perhaps an in-line remote for answering calls/playing music, but there are a few features to look out for in cheap wireless models. One is Bluetooth Multipoint, which lets you pair the headphones with more than one device at a time and switch between them seamlessly.
Another is waterproofing. If you're a fitness fiend who wants to prioritise a secure fit and waterproofing, you're better off going for pairs with some sort of sweat/water resistance – look out for an IP rating of at least IPX4.
Comfort
You can't expect luxury materials in cheap headphones, but as we state in our how to choose the right pair of headphones advice article, comfort is hugely important – and definitely within reach at the budget end. Reading headphone reviews pays off here, although you can somewhat gauge comfort factors from specs such as weight and size.
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 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.
How do I connect 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.
For more, check out our brand-specific guides on how to connect Sony headphones and earbuds and how to connect Bose headphones to Macs, laptops, phones and multiple devices.
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
- 20th October 2026: Swapped the SoundMagic E11C for Sennheiser CX 80U, Sony WH-CH520 for Sony WH-CH530, and AirPods (2019) for AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case in the main list. Updated references to reflect the winners of the most recent What Hi-Fi? Awards.
- 7th July 2026: Updated the intro, but the list of headphones remains unchanged.
- 15th April 2026: Updated the intro to reference the AirPods Max 2 and Sony WF-1000XM6 (both of which we have recently reviewed).
- 2nd February 2026: Updated the intro to mention the recently reviewed AirPods Pro 3. Updated year references to 2026 throughout. Removed Sony WF-C500 from 'Also consider' as they're no longer on sale.
- 19th December 2025: Rewrote intro. Updated Awards references through to refer to the most recent What Hi-Fi? Awards.
- 19th August 2025: General copy edits throughout, including updating headphones referenced to current models (Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) in place of the 1st Gen, for example).
- 13th June 2025: Replaced WF-C700N with C710N in main list. Moved C700N to 'Also consider'.
- 20th January 2025: Rewrote intro. Updated 2024 references to 2025.
- 7th November 2024: Rewrote intro to focus more on what to look for and to avoid. Replaced Sony WF-C500 with WF-C510 (C500 now feature in the 'Also consider' section). Added mentions of Award-winners where applicable. Added quotes from reviews for each entry. Expanded 'How to choose', 'How we test' and 'FAQ' sections with more detail and links.
- 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.
Today's best cheap headphones deals
