Hang on a minute… you’re still wearing wired headphones? What is this, the Stone Age? The best wireless headphones exist, people, and they’re going absolutely nowhere. It’s about time you get with it.
Over the past few years, wireless headphones have proven that cord-free Bluetooth audio makes a huge difference in every situation. From binge-watching Netflix at home to traveling the globe to working out at your local Planet Fitness, wire-free audio is not only cool, but it’s also convenient. You can stuff them in your pocket or bag without any tangling, run without the tugging of regular headphone cords, and do chores, drive, or work without holding your phone.
Still, some people are understandably hesitant to ditch their trusty cans and invest in premium wireless headphones, or can’t afford the higher prices. That’s why we searched the internet for the very best headphones under $50 so you don’t have to sell your kidney on the Black Market just so you can listen to Frank Ocean’s “Self Control” for the 86th time before crying yourself asleep again. Oh, you don’t do that? Neither do we…
You’d be surprised to figure out that great wireless headphones don’t have to cost you a pretty penny at all. There are a number of killer brands for sale with Amazon Prime shipping that will get the best wireless headphones under $50 to your door in just two days. Don’t get us wrong, we do love us an expensive wireless headphone from time to time — so much so that we named the Marshall Monitor II our favorite headphones of 2020 in last year’s SPY Man Awards, BUT, the best wireless headphones under $50 still have pertinence in this world.
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If you’re balling on a budget and simply can’t afford an expensive pair of wireless headphones, the best wireless headphones under $50 are ideal for you. From Skullcandy to Anker to brands on Amazon you’ve never heard of but won’t stop geeking over once you press the buy button, here are our 8 top pairs for 2021.
1. COWIN E7 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
BEST OVERALL
Shocked to see a brand you don’t necessarily recognize in our top spot? Once you give these a whirl, you won’t be. These are the best wireless headphones under $50 that you can find on Amazon. Period. They even have almost 50,000 global 5-star ratings to back ’em. But, what makes these affordable headphones the best? Well, these $50 headphones come with activated noise-canceling technology, something that’s so difficult to find at an affordable price. This will help you relax and zone out on noisy commutes and plane rides while helping you get into the zone at the gym. They provide a deep, accurate bass response that never feels blown out and hold 30-hours of playtime per charge. So, whether you’re bumping to Britney or wallowing in self-pity with Lana Del Rey, these are the best wireless headphones under $50 to do it with.
2. Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
RUNNER UP
Anker is a force to be reckoned with in audio for a good reason. Not only do they keep consistency across all of their headphones no matter the price, but they have features other wireless headphones simply don’t — which is why the Anker Soundcore Life Q20’s make some of the best wireless headphones under $50. Hear your favorite tunes and audio with total noise-cancellation and extraordinary clarity. Ambient noises? Never. Background noise is gone up to 90% then it would be with any other wireless headphones. These overheads are made with a 100% more accurate base and hold a charge up to 40-hours in total for constant listening. So, yeah, you can blare 100 gecs as loud as you want without any of your neighbors banging on your door again to turn it down.
Read more: The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones
3. Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphone
CLASSIC OPTION
If you grew up during the 2000s, Skullcandy was probably the first pair of headphones or earbuds you saved up for and purchased by yourself at the local Walmart. Since then, Skullcandy still provides a slew of iconic wireless headphones at cheap prices everybody can afford. The Hesh 2’s are wireless overears with supreme sound technology uncomparable to those crappy headphones you panic-purchased at the airport a few years back. They have comfortable cushions to keep your ears cozy without ever slipping off your head with a 15-hour battery life willing to take on hours upon hours of the Backstreet Boys if need be. We know they’re your guilty pleasure.
Read more: Best Open-Back Headphones
4. Zihnic Bluetooth Headphones Over-Ear
BEST COLORS
Pretty in pink? Brut in blue? Graceful in green? No matter your color preference, these Bluetooth headphones from Zihnic on Amazon are some of the best wireless headphones under $50. Each pair of headphones offers high-quality sound even at the lowest volume. You’ll get 14-hours of music time and the headphones charge in a matter of just 2 and a half hours. Ran out of battery in the middle of your at-home Lizzo concert? No worries, these wireless headphones come with an AUX cord you can plug in for those times you run out of juice and can’t go wireless.
5. LETSCOM Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
BEST PLAYTIME
Listen up: with these wireless headphones from LETSCOM, you can really listen up. On a single two-and-a-half-hour charge, you will get up to 100 full hours of playtime. One. Hundred. Let that sink in. Do you know how many hours of Kim Petras that is? So many. This amount of time honestly unparallel to some of the most expensive, sought-after wireless headphones on the market. Not only is the playtime insane, but you’ll experience deep bass, high-quality audio and HD clarity unlike any other. Does it get any better than that? We don’t think so.
Read more: Best On-Ear Headphones
6. Skullcandy Riff Wireless On-Ear Headphone
BEST CHARGE
With Skullcandy’s Riff headphones, a simple ten-minute charge will get you a whopping two hours of audio time, making these some of the best wireless headphones under $50 for those who really can’t go more than a few minutes without music. As mentioned, Skullcandy is a stellar brand we can’t do without, so don’t be too shocked that although these are priced at just $40, you’ll fall in love with these after one listen. From Creedence Clearwater Revival to Billie Eilish to Erykah Badu to Metallica, any and all genres will sound like butter coming out of these.
Read more: Best Workout Headphones
7. Anker Soundcore Life Q10 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
BEST SOUND QUALITY
While all of these wireless headphones have excellent sound quality, the Anker Soundcore Life Q10 Bluetooth headphones have a sound quality that is truly *chef’s kiss*. Audio is of the highest of definitions and delivers sound up to 40 kHz for a delicious listening experience. These wireless headphones have a playtime of up to 60-hours so you can listen to the Cheetah Girls 2 soundtrack again and again and again.
Read more: Best Bone Conduction Headphones
8. BLARO Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
MOST UNCOMMON BRAND
Though you might have never heard of BLARO, this is one of the best wireless headphones under $50 because of its tremendously affordable price, easy-to-fold qualities, memory protein earmuffs for total comfort and 72-hour music time on a single charge. Take these on the road even when your bag’s packed out the wazoo, these bad boys fold on top of themselves so they can fit in just about any size bag effortlessly. The muffs are so thick that sound rarely leaks out so others will never know what you’re listening to. Cocomelon soundtrack? Incredibly weird. We don’t recommend you do. But, if you must, then you must.
Read more: Best Waterproof Headphones