We are firm believers in the saying you get what you pay for. But great value does exist, especially when it comes to headphones. Our best headphones buying guide features class-leading pairs across a wide range of prices, but this particular guide focuses on the best-performing models that satisfy modest budgets.
Sony is the biggest name at this end of the market, but it's far from the only game in town. Whatever your preference – wireless earbuds, wired over-ears, active noise cancellation (ANC) – you'll find a decent pair (or two) at an affordable price. Even Apple has made our list.
It's a given that the models below all boast excellent sound quality (for the money). But you'd be surprised what extensive features they offer, like the aforementioned ANC, ambient aware modes, app control and more. And all for under £100.
We've given a brief overview of each pair, and linked to our reviews for a more in-depth analysis. 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.
The quick list
Seven years after launching, the E11C still sound pretty magic, picking up a current What Hi-Fi? Award for their sonic abilities, build quality and price.
With improved battery life and a new ambient mode, plus a pleasingly low launch price, Sony's latest wireless earbuds are a real improvement over their predecessors, and Award winners to boot.
The C700N take everything that's great about Sony's affordable wireless earbuds and add active noise cancellation to block out unwanted sounds.
A clear, open presentation and plenty of detail helped these to a current What Hi-Fi? Award. You'll have to pay a lot more to get a significant upgrade on these.
The CH520 offer a lot for very little money. App control, very good battery life and a balanced and engaging sound are all yours for under £40. Phenomenal.
Apple's older AirPods still offer a lot of what makes the AirPods so great, just with a lower price tag. Apple no longer sells them, but you can find them elsewhere.
I have 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...
March 2025: The newly reviewed Soundmagic E80D USB-C wired earbuds have been added to our Also Consider list. We have also expanded our how to choose cheap headphones section for more helpful advice.
Best wired earbuds
When it comes to excellent cheap headphones, the SoundMagic E11C are the granddaddy. They launched back in 2018, and now all these years later they're still winning Awards – they won Best wired in-ear headphones under £100 at the 2024 What Hi-Fi? Awards. Think of Anthony Hopkins winning an Oscar at 83, and you get the idea.
So why are they (still) worth buying? Firstly, they have an excellent pedigree. The E10 before them were previous leaders in terms of cheap, wired earbuds, and their follow-up – the E10C in-line mic and remote control upgrade – similarly so. The E11C build on this strong foundation with better drivers, and an improved cable that's now silver-plated.
All this means better sound, but without reinventing the wheel. They retain SoundMagic's distinctive warmth, but the bass delves deeper than before, and without sacrificing the treble. Sandwiched between them is a clear, lively midrange that always remains composed.
"Listen to Drake’s God’s Plan and the deep, sub-bass notes hit as they should, with decent depth and warmth, while the hi-hats tick along clearly at the top end," we wrote in our review. "Drake’s processed vocals sit comfortably in the midrange, again clarity is a strength from these in-ears."
The one downside is that they're not massively reduced from their original price – seven years on, you'd expect a hefty discount. But considering the price tag was eminently reasonable to begin with, maybe we're asking too much. Other budget earbuds should respect their elders.
Read the full SoundMagic E11C 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 2024 What Hi-Fi? Awards, picking up five out of a possible seven 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 a new 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-C700N will suit you perfectly.
They're small, and so lightweight that they're actually more comfortable to wear than some much pricer earbuds. They might miss out on aptX HD and LDAC, but they do have noise cancellation, which the C510 lack. Though this does impact battery life – at 15 hours (7.5 hours each from the buds and carry case), it's seven hours fewer than the C510.
You also get features you would usually associate with more expensive headphones. Adaptive Sound Control automatically switches listening modes depending on your location, and Sony's DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) upscales low-res digital audio files to higher quality.
The sound quality is superbly balanced too, with deep, detailed bass, expressive mids and engaging highs. Of the low frequencies, we wrote in our review: "It's not just the weight, depth and solidity of the notes that impresses, it's also the layers of detail the Sony uncovers and their ability to paint the notes with believable texture." They're a very musical listen for the money.
Downsides? The lack of aptX HD and LDAC support is a shame. And the charging case only provides one extra charge which seems a little mean – that's the price you pay for noise cancellation, we suppose. But the superb sound and great feature set more than make up for these rather minor shortcomings.
Read the full Sony WF-C700N 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 and 2024. The hat-trick.
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 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
Sony's WH-1000XM5 are some of the best over-ear headphones around, but they cost a pretty penny. If you want a stripped back version at a fraction of the cost, check out the brand's WH-CH520. (Want active noise-cancelliation? Check out the model-up WH-CH720N).
Pretty much every performance claim from here on should be proceeded by the phrase 'for the price'. They're feature laden, with Bluetooth Multipoint letting you connect to multiple devices wirelessly and seamlessly switch between them, voice assistants are supported, they have on-earcup controls and you can fine-tune the sound using Sony's excellent Headphones Connect app.
Speaking of the sound, it's very good indeed. The low end is solid, deep and controlled, though it is a little buttoned-up for our tastes. "They’re not the most expressive headphones you've ever heard where low frequencies are concerned, it’s true," we wrote in our review. "But the low end they generate is solid, deep and properly controlled at the leading edges, so the WH-CH520 express rhythms confidently. They hit reasonably hard, and keep bass firmly in its lane where it can’t interfere with the midrange activity above."
The midrange is informative and eloquent, while the top of the frequency range balances brightness with substance well.
Oh, and did we mention the battery life is a phenomenal 50 hours?
They might feel a bit plasticky, but they're solidly built and will withstand their share of knocks. Even at this cheap price, that's reassuring.
Read the full Sony WH-CH520 review
Best AirPods
You don't often see 'Apple' and 'cheap' in the same sentence, but these older AirPods are now priced around the lower end of the market. They're the second-gen AirPods from 2019, and while Apple no longer sells them, you can find them easily enough at other retailers. They're frequently discounted, too, so often drop below £100.
If you're using an iOS device, they pair seamlessly, with a rock solid connection. Sound quality is decent (though not quite as good as the other pairs on this list), and they retain Apple's signature neutral sound profile. "There’s no artificial boosting of bass or enhancement of treble," we wrote in our review. "You feel as though you’re listening to music with little to no manipulation, and that’s something for which we’re always hugely appreciative."
If you can find some more budget for the AirPods 4 you'll get better sound quality, longer battery life, shorter stems and a more comfortable fit. But many will find the compromises worth the saving.
They're AirPods without the bells and whistles, and without a large chunk of the price tag. Apple users hunting for a pair of cheap headphones could do a lot worse than these.
Read the full Apple AirPods (2019) 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 E80D: If you like the look of the Soundmagic E11C in our main list but only plan to use your next wired earbuds with USB-C source devices, these USB-C-terminated E80D are very strong five-star alternatives, their capabilities belying their cost.
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 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. They launched at £150 but can now be picked up for half that. Bargain.
Sony WF-C500: Sony's older budget pair are end of life, but they are still around. They have a shorter battery life than the C510, no ambient sound mode and their audio is a little thinner with less body. But for the money, they're a great buy.
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 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 looking at a wireless pair. Wired models rarely include ANC nowadays, no matter your budget. ANC was once the reserve of premium-priced pairs, but in recent years it has trickled down to the more affordable market – as the Sony WF-C700N earbuds in this list, and the Sony WH-CH720N over-ears, demonstrate. 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 and Sony WF-1000XM5.
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 waterproofness. 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 nearly 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 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
