For busy entrepreneurs on the go, travelling light and getting around quickly. But it’s important to keep yourself in a good mood by listening to your favorite podcast or music throughout the day. That’s why we’re reviewing the best headphones under $50.
What to Look For
When buying headphones, we may rely on word of mouth. Perhaps a friend said that a specific brand was really good because he or she really likes it, or that we saw many positive reviews for the product, but what exactly makes the best headphones?
It turns out to be that there are a number of criteria that we may look at to judge the quality of headphones. The most obvious is its frequency response. That is, how low and high the bass and treble can be projected. The wider the range, the greater the frequency response, and thus the lower the distortion of sound.
Good headphones also maintain consistent sound quality at high and low volumes. There should be no ringing or tinny sounds, and the listener should hear sound extending three-dimensionally as though the music were taking place in the physical space all around. This is like surround sound on speakers, which immerses the listener in music with spatiality.
Finally, of course, it should feel comfortable to wear! While brand names and sound quality may matter in varying degrees, one can’t forget that headphones ought to sit comfortably in or over the ears and the head. Good headphones should be worn and used frequently.
Types of Headphones Under $50
There are many forms of headphones suited for different styles of music and usage, but the main kinds are: over-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, in-ear headphones, and ear buds.
Over-ear headphones consist of a head-band connected to two muffs, each covering the entire ear. On-ear headphones are pretty much the same, except that the muffs do not cover the entire ear. The wires may be built in the band and there is usually a cord extending from one of the muffs.
In-ear headphones, on the other hand, do not have a head-band; each earpiece has a cord coming off of it, and the cords fuse in extending toward the base. In-ear headphones are exactly what they sound like. They are different from ear buds in that their earpieces rest entirely in the ear, and there is no plastic extending towards the earlobe, as is common in ear buds.
For those of us who are considering buying over-ear headphones, here are two of the best over-ear headphones under $50: the Sony MDR-ZX300, and the Bluedio H+.
Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $50
For their price, the Sony MDR-ZX300 headphones have great sound quality, with exceedingly clear bass and treble. The middle range is also well balanced, with clear tones and harmonies. However, the immersive experience is not very pronounced, as is expected for its price. These headphones lend a fairly neutral tone to sounds, with no distortion.
A nice feature it has is that it has noise cancellation abilities. This means that someone could listen to music with them in a bustling crowd or street and hear reduced to no noise at all. They are also efficient, in which they can perform well without exhausting the battery life of your iPod, computer, and so on.
The muffs can be adjusted easily sliding on the headband, and thankfully there is no hassle in wearing these with glasses. The cord is thicker than usual and seems to be able to last with proper handling. It is, however, shorter than usual. As for comfort, these headphones are on the better end of the scale, with no major ear discomfort like is present with cheaper headphones, although it might get a little warm under the muffs.
2. Bluedio H+
The Bluedio H+ is perhaps lesser known than its Sony competitor, but it is not out of any buyer’s league when talking about comparability with Sony MDR-ZX300. Although there is not as great a sound quality as Sony MDR-ZX300, the difference is minuscule. Bluedio H+ also has an excellent low bass.
The Bluedio H+ also comes with Bluetooth and a micro SD slot, which allows the user to listen to music without connecting to a computer. Radio stations can be played with ease, and a built-in microphone allows for convenient Skyping or calling in a meeting. One can wear these to the gym, as they will sit quite snugly on the head and handle sweat well.
The battery life is long and promising. However, the power button may not work very well–sometimes it takes a few tries to turn it on. Apart from that, these headphones also have a tendency to leak audio, in which the sound is not contained in the muffs, resulting in people around the listener being able to hear noise. However, these headphones, like the Sony MDR-ZX300, also have the noise cancellation feature.
All in all, it has built in different specializations from that of the Sony MDR-ZX300, being better at some and less efficient in others, but it is still a good deal.
If over-ear headphones are not your thing, worry not. Here are a couple of the best in-ear headphones under $50 that could catch your fancy, both by MEElectronics: the M6 PRO and the Sport-Fi M6P.
Best In-Ear Headphones Under $50
The M6 PRO headphones are a must-have for highly detailed sound quality, in which the listener will be able to hear everything. The bass is low, the treble is gentle, and the mid range is clear. From bass to treble, the range is quite wide without compromise.
The earphones also come with a variety of tips that can sit comfortably in the ear, and two cables to go with the detachable monitors: one with a microphone attached, and another for audio only. Volume can be adjusted when connected to an iPod, iPad, etc.
Fortunately, the in-ear monitors also come with noise cancellation, which will be handy when it comes to exercising in the whirrs and clinks of the gym, or when drumming. Their sleek design adds a cool touch without overdoing it. The M6 PRO comes in a clamshell purse with included accessories, which are altogether well worth the price.
2. Sport-Fi M6P
If the M6 PRO is desirable, then the Sport-Fi M6P is unforgettable. Don’t be fooled by its appearance; it is everything and more than the Apple earphones.
The Sport-Fi M6P has exceptional sound quality, a large frequency range, clear mid range, low bass, and noise cancellation. It has a memory wire that allows it to sit over the ear without getting displaced, while water and sweat resistance make it great for workouts.
Although the cord might come a little long, the Sport-Fi M6P is still a great deal. It has a microphone and playlist remote, and like the M6 PRO, comes with six tips, with the addition of a clip. You can find more headphones specifically made for running and other sports activities, check out this post.
These are the best headphones under $50 that we were able to unearth in our investigations, good luck trying them out and finding the best pair for you!