There’s no denying that the audio industry is at large, with companies like Sennheiser and Shure releasing some of their finest products for the masses. However, these earphones often end up costing a lot more than a person would want to spend, and if you happen to be on a shoestring budget, your choices can be limited.
However, it’s an established fact that if you have $50 to spare, you can find some really good options that will fit your range, and while the options won’t be groundbreaking, they’ll provide you with pleasant experience nonetheless.
With that said, if you’re in the market for the first time looking for a good pair of earphones that are not too expensive, and will get the done. You’re going to be pleasantly surprised how the market is currently filled with options for you to choose from.
However, at the same time, the sad thing is that any newcomer who isn’t as adept in choosing or knowing the technical details of an earphone can get confused mainly because of the number of products available in the market.
In order to address the issue, we have come up with a list of 15 best earbuds that only cost you under $50, and while some of the earphones are from brands most people haven’t heard about, we have also included some brands like Sennheiser to balance things out.
Today, we are going to take a look at these 15 earphones, and see just how good they are, in addition to that, we are also going to pick up an editor’s choice for the earphone that offers the most in the given price range.
So, without further ado, let’s begin.
Top 15 Best Eabuds Under 50 Dollars
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1. Sennheiser CX 300 II Precision
The Best Budget Earbuds of 2018
When people hear Sennheiser’s name, they normally think that Sennheiser is basically a brand that charges a lot of money for the product they offer. However, the truth is far from that, as a matter of fact, apart from creating some of the highest end earphones and headphones, the company has a nice range of affordable offerings too.
The star of this show is the Sennheiser CS 300 II Precision Enhanced Bass, and as you can tell, it’s part of Corsair’s “CX” lineup of earphones that is aimed at delivering good sound quality at a respectable price. So, without further ado, let’s take a look.
Considering how the official name suggests that this pair of earphones is aimed at people who are looking for a higher bass, it’s all the more understandable that the emphasis will be on the lows. However, despite the official name, our testing revealed that the CX 300 II is rather well balanced, and even though the sound is on a warmer side, we didn’t see any of the factor overpowering or cancelling one or the other.
Now these earphones are made out of good quality plastic and the cables feel solid too, although, we would suggest that you don’t to spar with them. The sound quality is unquestionably one of the best we have heard, and while these are no match for the Momentum 2.0, the fact that you’re getting sound quality this good in just a small amount of money is simply too good.
You’d be surprised to know that this pair happens to have one of the most comfortable fit we have noticed in any pair of earphones so far, and thanks to the comfortable fit, the passive noise cancellation works rather well.
Overall, the Sennheiser CX 300 II Precision is a well-crafted pair of earphones with a lot to offer despite the low price point.
Cnet Says The Sennheiser CX 300-II Precisions are incredibly affordable and great.
2. SoundMAGIC E10 In-Ear Earphones
The second pair of earphones we are going to take a look at is from a pretty popular Chinese brand known as SoundMAGIC, and it would be pretty obvious why a lot of people haven’t heard about them, but it’s okay.
The good thing about this brand is that their earphones happen to be some of the best sellers on places like Amazon, and while testing the E10 in-ear earphones, we found some interesting things to begin with.
Now the good thing about this pair is that despite costing really low, these earphones provide a lot. Some of the main highlights include a solid build quality, and in addition to that, you’re also getting a good amount of sound quality for the money you’re spending.
In case you’re wondering how the earphones sound like, you’re getting a bass that has quite a thump, overall mids and highs don’t get muffled either. The build quality is consistent of metal housing, and the pair follows a tried and true design that we have come to love.
The accessories include a handy carrying case with some silicon tips that you can replace on the go, and in addition to that, you also get a nice cable clip to keep things tidy. Considering how this is basically a low budget pair of earphones, finding something so attractive in this price is a big plus.
Overall, looking at the price you’re paying for this pair of earphones, we don’t really have a lot to complain here; it’s cheap, it’s efficient, and it’s packing some high end vibe to it. In all honesty, we don’t think any company can create a pair of earphones better than this in the given price range.
3. Phaiser BHS-730 Wireless earbuds
Best Bluetooth Earbuds Under 50
Yes, you’ve heard that right, a wireless pair of earphones in just under $50. Say hello to the Phaiser BHS-730 Wireless, something actually surprised us beyond what he had originally anticipated. The good thing about these earphones is that they are wireless, and in addition to just being wireless, they are also providing a lot of features that you normally don’t expect in this price range.
For starters, you’re getting to choose from a total of 4 attractive colours that complement your device well, the earphones will pair with almost any of the device as long as it is Bluetooth compatible. Considering how these are wireless earphones, and mostly intended for sports use, these do come with sweat proofing thanks to a special coating on these.
One really surprising thing we noticed is that the housing contains 2 magnets that can hold the earphones together when they are not in use. Something that we rarely get to see in a budget oriented pair of wireless earphones.
Now comes the important bit, how do they sound? Well, for a pair that is costing less than 50, you’d wonder that they are not as good, however, the good thing is that they sound really, really good, and another good thing is that it comes with memory foam tips that are there to provide the best possible noise cancellation, and tight, secure fit.
Overall, anyone looking for a good pair of wireless earphones on a budget, this happens to be the perfect choice. The sound is well balanced, the build quality is nice, and you’re getting wireless capabilities, something that you don’t get easily under 50.
4. TaoTronics TT-BH05 bluetooth earphone
Best Wireless Earbuds Under 50
You would think that there can’t be more Bluetooth headphones in the given range, but you’d be wrong. Moving on from the ones that we have reviewed before, we are now looking at the TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones TT-BH05.
Now, you should know that there are some minor things about this pair that are different, for starters, the earphones are basically geared towards the market that doesn’t want to spend a lot of money, and for anyone looking for a review may have a hard time to come across some of them.
With that said, we had mixed feelings about this pair of earphones because you’re not really paying a whole lot of money, you’re just paying a small amount for a wireless pair of earphones. The good thing? Well, the good thing about this pair of earphones is that they are absolutely phenomenal for the price you’re paying.
The sound quality is really nice; with decent highs, mids, and lows, and the build quality is another plus point thanks to the flat cable that is tangle free, and quality construction overall. These earphones also happen to be a lot more comfortable than some of the other options we have seen in the past.
Another good thing is the battery, and although there’s no groundbreaking long durations, the earphones manage to last a respectable 6 hours once fully charged. Something we really appreciate.
Overall, there can’t be a lot of complaining about this pair of earphones mainly because you’re getting a lot more for the price you’re paying. We can only hope that TaoTronics continues to improve their products over time and bring us some more amazing product to use in the near future.
5. Symphonized NRG Premium Genuine Wood
It’s not often that you come across earphones that are housed in genuine wood, and when you do, they look unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Today, we are going to take a look at something really, really premium, the Symphonized NRG Premium Genuine Wood earphones. These earphones cost almost half of what some of the other options do, and they are every bit as impressive as you’d imagine.
When you first lay eyes on the packaging, you may feel underwhelmed as it happens to be pretty standard, however, don’t be fooled by the packaging alone as these earphones are packing some serious power.
The entire cable is thickly, and nicely braided, and although we won’t call it cat proof, it can survive some damage. In addition to that, the earphone housing is actually made out of genuine wood, something you rarely get to see.
Now the important part is whether or not the sound quality is good enough, and the good thing is that it happens to be really, really impress. Obviously, the emphasis is on the bass, but even with that, the overall experience remains pretty pleasant to be honest, and while the wooden housing doesn’t really do much to the sound, we were surprised that these earphones sound a lot like semi-open headphones, and that is certainly something to write home about.
Overall, a lot of good things can be said about these earphones, and considering that these cost half as much as some of the other products on our list, we are surprised by how good of a performance they are providing. Comparing the price to performance ratio, it’s really difficult to measure if things can get better than this one.
6. Vsonic VSD1S
We are now looking at something surprising from a company called Vsonic VSD1S, now a lot of people don’t know, but these earphones are available in a bunch of different models, and that’s mainly because each model is representing a certain style of audio output.
The VSD1S is basically a new pair by a not so new company known as Vsonic, and considering how this entire article is revolving around earphones priced under a $50, we thought what would be the better time to remember these amazing earphones.
Now right out of the box, you’d notice that these are really focused on the bass, and while that may turn some people away, the good thing is that the bass doesn’t overpower the vocals and instruments. This is really rare because most of the earphones that are cheap usually have that issue.
The overall build quality is quite pleasing, and the VSD1S ship in a rather unconventional, but still good looking packaging. Bear in mind that the cable isn’t braided and manages to hold well in most conditions.
Now in case you are wondering whether or not this pair of earphones will get recommended, the good news is that it will. Although it may not present you with a lot of fancy accessories or features. The fact that this is one of the best sounding pair of earphones out in the market says a lot. We honestly don’t really have any issues to begin with, and everything seems perfect.
7. MEE audio M6 PRO
While some may think that these earphones are associated with Xiaomi mainly because of the product’s named, the truth is, that they don’t. Still, that doesn’t mean they aren’t good as they happen to be one of the only earphones under $50 that have removable cables, something Shure is known for, however, the resemblance doesn’t end here; the M6 PRO also share a clear housing, showing you all the internals inside.
Now that we know where the inspiration came from, let’s dive in and see whether or not the earphones are worth the money. For starters, you’re getting a lot of accessories including a nice carrying pouch, additional cables, ear tips, and what not. While the price is certainly impressive enough, the performance side of things is a bit ups and lows.
Now when it comes to the overall sound signature, it is by no means a bad sounding pair of earphones, however, do keep in mind that in a similar price tag, we’ve got a lot of other options as well. The highs are way, way over saturated, and sometime they end up overpowering the other frequencies. However, not all things are bad about the sound; the MEE audio M6 Pro’s overall sound signature remains very, very balanced, and manages to offer one of the cleanest sounds we have heard.
Another great thing about this pair of earphones is the build quality, and while there’s no metal or Kevlar braiding involved, the fact that the cables happen to be solid and secure is a huge plus for these otherwise amazingly done earphones.
Last but not the least, we also love the comfort level of these earphones, they are not too hard on the ears, and they have the perfect fit.
8. Sony MDRXB50AP
Sony is known for creating some of the most high end earphones and headphones, however, the good thing about the Japanese based tech giant is that they are not only limited to high end stuff, and usually have a lot for budget oriented people as well.
Today, we are going to take a look at Sony’s MDR XB50AP earphones, and for those who don’t know, these earphones are strictly for people who enjoy a lot of bass. The unboxing experience is rather simple and underwhelming, but considering the price tag on these, it’s understandable
Considering how these earphones are targeted at bass lovers more, it’s safe to say that in terms of sound quality, the mids, and the highs are held back by the overpowering bass, and while that may have an impact on an average consumer, bass lovers will be happy to know that the bass is strong and punchy.
The build quality is nothing but quality, and while Sony isn’t selling you braided USB cable, or fancily designed housings, the earphones are made out of quality material and will be able to survive the wear and tear, as well as the test of time.
Last but not the least, we are also praising these earphones on the comfort level that they are providing, and while it’s certainly not the best sounding earphones, we are glad Sony paid close attention to the comfort in these earphones.
Overall, the Sony MDR XB50AP is a nice pair of earphones with plenty to offer for a smaller price tag, and while it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it certainly offers more than what most people would hope to get.
9. Sennheiser MM30i
Sennheiser is known for listening to the consumers, and that is why, the MM30i was born after the original MM30s, now in case you’re wondering the difference, the model we have today has an in-line button/microphone combo that works with iPhones. But is it as good as the original? Let’s take a look.
Now the thing about MM30i is that they don’t look a lot different than the previously reviewed CX 300, as a matter of fact, if it wasn’t for the online remote, it would have been a bit too hard to differentiate. The unboxing experience remains pleasant enough, and we do love Sennheiser’s attention to detail as everything is nicely put together.
You don’t really get a lot of accessories apart from some extra ear tips, but considering you’re paying less than $50 for a Sennheiser product, it actually makes sense.
Now the thing with these low budget earphones is that people are normally wondering how bad the sound quality is, well the good news is that the sound quality of these earphones remain pleasant, and while there’s no groundbreaking here, it provides you with enough bass, treble, and instruments that you can be happy without having any issues. We’d say that the overall sound is well balanced and that’s how we prefer.
Last but not the least, the comfort level is really, really nice, thanks to the lightweight and solid construction of the earphones.
Overall, the Sennheiser MM30i are a bunch of nice pair of earphones that are there to get the job done, and while you may not get be getting the most high end sound from these earphones, you’re still getting a decent enough sound quality, and an in-line microphone/remote combination.
10. JVC HAFX1X Xtreme Xplosives
JVC has enjoyed quite a run in the audio industry, delivering some of the finest audio products including their top tier headphones, and earphones. Today, we are looking for a budget friendly offering from JVC known as the JVC HAFX1X Xtreme Xplosives.
Now this is belonging to the company’s Xtreme Xplosives series, and for those who don’t know, these earphones are only made for people who enjoy a lot of bass heavy music. The overall unboxing experience is relatively nice and simple, the earphones come in a nice looking case with “XX” on top, and this is really pleasing considering how you’re spending less than $50.
Now when it comes to the overall construction, it’s largely plastic with red cable to complement the Xtreme Xplosives series, do notice that what we found odd was the relatively large and bold earpieces, and we wish that they had been smaller. Other than that, the construction isn’t something to write home about.
Next up, we are going to see whether or not these earphones are better with the sound; considering how JVC has marketed these earphones as bass heavy earphones, it would be wrong to expect anything else, and we don’t really go there. The earphones sound really, really bass heavy, and will definitely please the people who prefer the bass, but other than that, there isn’t much to look forward to. Every other frequency gets overpowered by the extremely punchy and loud bass, and the overall sound just feels artificial.
In all honesty, JVC has done an average job in making these earphones, and they feel more like a half done product instead of something you’d expect from the company in the first place. There’s nothing really special about these earphones apart from some nice looking packaging and gimmicks.
11. KZ ATE Copper Driver Earphones
We have something unique and different to review now, the KZ ATE copper driver earphones are basically something that we haven’t seen before. In terms of the design, they look a lot like something from Shure, but as a pair of earphones that is costing less than $50, they offer a lot of impressive features, and just might be one of the best in the entire list.
For starters, the design is quite a reminiscent of the Shure earphones, and while we don’t really hate the design, the implementation here falls short, and the earphones look just average to be honest. The build quality, on the other hand, is pretty solid.
However, when it comes to budget earphones like this one, the most focused aspect is usually the sound quality as well as the comfort, this is because as per the common belief, cheap earphones usually are the worst sounding ones too.
However, the good thing is that there’s no such case as that; the KZ ATE copper driver earphones are quite possibly one of the best sounding earphones in our list, and for the price you’re paying for these earphones, you’re getting a lot in terms of sound quality.
The sound is clear, distinct, and easy to separate, the bass is there, the trebles are there, and the instruments are there, all nicely complementing one another without any overpowering in the mix or whatsoever.
In terms of sound quality, we have absolutely no issues with these earphones as we consider them near perfect. Also, let’s not forget the amazing comfort levels that are provided by these earphones thanks to the tried and tested lightweight design.
However, it seems that not much attention was paid to the build quality and the design; the earphones look really ordinary to be honest, and even though the design is copied off of Shure, we won’t call it half as attractive. Last but not the least, the cable feels really rigid, and has a chance of breaking easily.
Overcome these minor issues, and you’ve got yourself some really, really good pair of earphones for half the price of the competition. Sure, it’s not here to win championships but considering how good they perform, it’s a feat in its own self.
12. SoundPEATS QY7 Wireless
While they may not look the best looking earphones from the initial looks of it, the fact that SoundPEATS QY7 Wireless are some of the finest earphones that we have had the chance to review can simply be not denied. We don’t really get a good amount of wireless headphones in the price range, however, this one is an exception, and a pretty good one at that.
For starters, this pair also follows the same trend as some of the other wireless earphones in this range; and you’re not really looking at a lot of things to begin with. The design is simple and flashy at the same time, and judging by first looks, it’s obvious that these earphones are designed for people who are into gyms and sports a lot.
However, we were actually surprised by the amount of attention that went into the overall earphones as these are some of the finest sounding wireless earphones we have tested. All the frequencies are nicely powered without the emphasis on one and other, this gives the overall sound a very neutral, and balanced feel.
More good things involve a rather lightweight and solid construction with a design that will stay put in your ears even when you’re in the gym or running. In addition to that, you’re also getting some other nice features such as a pretty decent battery life to begin with.
To be fairly honest, there isn’t much to complain about these earphones at all, mainly because of the price you’re paying for. Sure, if the company had slapped a premium on them, there would have been some flaws here and there, but considering the amount of money that goes into them by a consumer, the deal is pretty, pretty nice.
13. Symphonized XTC Premium Genuine Wood
Seems like designing earphones out of wood has become something of a norm, we have already seen one earphones that are made out of wood, and now we are looking at another one. However, we’re still not sure whether or not these ones will be toppling the ones we reviewed before. So, without wasting anymore time, let’s get into it.
The good thing about these earphones is the amazing price tag, and considering how you can easily get a pair just for the sake of testing is just too good. However, do keep in mind that price isn’t what we are looking at here. We are basically looking for a pair of earphones that can perform good while retaining that overall price.
The sound on these earphones is rather balanced, and while you’re not really looking at any emphasized frequency to begin with, the bass feels just a bit tinny as compared to some of the other frequencies.
However, the difference is within a delta, and can be adjusted if you have a good equalizer at hand. Overall, the sound is rather impressive, and gives you a pretty enjoyable experience to begin with.
The construction is nicely done, and the genuine wood adds a lot of premium feel to the earphones, and while there’s not much metal to begin with, you’re getting a braided cable in order to keep your mind at peace.
Last but not the least, the wood construction is super light, giving these earphones a relatively hassle free, and amazing levels of comfort, something that is normally hard to come by in cheap earphones.
Overall, the Symphonized XTC Premium Genuine Wood are basically earphones that are there to provide you the best possible sound quality, build quality, and comfort levels. Easily one of the favourite pair of earphones.
14. AYL QY8 Bluetooth 4.1
We are almost headed towards the end of our list, and right here, we have the AYL Bluetooth 4.1 earphones, and this specific model is known as QY&. For those who don’t know, AYL is relatively new in the audio industry, but they have started to make a name for themselves by providing relatively cheap, but good audio solutions.
The one we have comes highly recommended from our editors mainly because the amount of audio supremacy it provides while being under $50. Do keep in mind that these are wireless earphones, and are built for people who enjoy running, or simply working out and want something to provide them the right amount of music.
The myth that surrounds the sports earphones is that they are not really good with sound quality, and while some people do believe that, it’s simply not true. As a matter of fact, the QY8 are one of the best sounding earphones we have had the chance to test out.
The sound quality is perfectly balanced with clarity across the board regardless of the frequencies that are being played. Not once did we notice some distortions in the audio quality, simply because it was that good.
Another great thing about these earphones is the overall lightweight construction, something that is really, really important in wireless earphones, and also the weight is really low, meaning that you can simply put them on and forget about them being there at all.
The battery life is also respectable enough, and while it’s not on par with Jaybirds, considering the price to performance ratio, it’s pretty respectable in all honesty.
Overall, the AYL QY8 are decent enough earphones that will be really good for anyone who’s into running, or working out. They sound good, cost a small amount of money, and provide a lot of value for what you’re spending on them.
15. Xiaomi Hybrid Iron Ring
Best In ear headphones under 50
Xiaomi is a company known for creating some of the best sounding earphones in the market, their Piston lineup happens to be really, really successful, and the fact that their products are top of the line and offer a solid build quality.
The product we are looking at today is known as the Xiaomi Hybrid Iron Ring, and for those who don’t know, these earphones are basically the successors of the Piston series, and these ones are offering hybrid drivers instead of single ones, something that you don’t get to see a lot in this price range.
The unboxing experience is rather simple and underwhelming; the earphones come in the signature Xiaomi packaging, however, to keep the cost low, the company has removed the jewel case from the packaging.
The good thing, however, is that you’re getting amazing CNC milled aluminum housing, and braided cable that doesn’t get tangled when bent around.
Now the important part is the sound, and considering the company’s history of delivering fantastic products one after another, we’re pleased to tell you that these earphones sound every bit as better as the predecessors, and a lot more balanced as well.
Gone are the overpowered bass of Piston V2s and the overpowered treble of V3s, everything you hear through these earphones is well-balanced, and amazing to say the least. You’d be surprised how these cheap earphones can actually give most expensive earphones run for their money.
We don’t really hate anything about these earphones apart from the bare bone packaging they are supplied in, there’s no denying that Xiaomi has done a really, really wonderful job at creating some of the finest sounding earphones the market has to offer.
Pretty much everything about these earphones is on the top.
Editor’s Choice
Now this is something we don’t like going through, over the course of reviewing 15 earphones, we have found some really good ones, and some underwhelming one. However, finding the best pair of earphones, especially when you’re looking at a budget pair, is different. This is mainly because you have to tread carefully in order to find the right winner.
This list left us confused because we were tied between two amazing earphones that had a lot to offer, and the only way to finish this article off was by making sure we select both as the Editor’s Choice. So, our top favourites are listed below.
- Sennheiser CX 300 II Precision Enhanced Bass
- Symphonized NRG Premium Genuine Wood
We hope that you like our picks.
Conclusion
Now that we are done with handing out the editor’s choice, a word of advice; if you think there’s something as the perfect pair of earphones, you’re wrong. Even the ones that cost hundreds of dollars have some sort of flaw, and there’s nothing wrong with it.
The purpose of this list is to help everyone on a budget find the right pair so they can enjoy the music, after all, music isn’t a luxury that only rich can enjoy. It’s something that can be accessed by anyone, anywhere, and that is why lists like this one exists, in order to help those on budget, make the right decision.
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