Wireless headphones are excellentfor listening to music on a commute, enjoying content throughout the day, and even gaming. Unfortunately, a lot of the headliner wireless headphones have a fairly high price tag, which is not reasonable for many people. Luckily, many wireless headphones offer excellent sound quality, great battery life, andfantastic ANC. So, whether people are looking for wireless over-ear headphones, on-ear headphones, or earbuds on a budget, these are some of the best.
Corsair HS55 Wireless CORE Gaming Headset
Factors for Choosing the Best Budget Wireless Headphone
Buyers should consider these factors when choosing the best budget wireless headphones:
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Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Budget Wireless Headphones in 2024
JBL Tune 510BT Headphones
The JBL Tune 510BT wireless headphones deliver the renowned JBL Pure Bass sound that can be heard in top venues worldwide. Stream wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0 and switch between two devices without missing calls. Enjoy up to 40 hours of wireless listening and recharge the battery in just 2 hours using the included USB-C cable. A quick 5-minute recharge gives an additional 2 hours of playback.Manage calls and sound with the convenient earcup buttons and activate Siri or Hey Google by pushing the multi-function button.
JBL has made a splash in the headphone scene over the past two or three years, so it’s not surprising that their Tune 510BT wireless headphones are the best budget option that users can buy. Normally priced at around $50, frequent sales bring the price down throughout the year, making them a very affordable yet powerful pair of headphones.
Available in four different colors and featuring thickly padded earcups, users will have little to complain about while wearing these wireless headphones anywhere they go. The Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity allows users to listen to audio from a wide variety of sources, including mobile devices and PCs, while the collapsible build offers excellent portability. The headphones can last up to 40 hours without a charge, and a fast-charging function gives users two hours of use after just five minutes of charging. Overall, they’re perfect for daily commuters and people who enjoy listening to music while at work or school.
A built-in mic makes it easy to answer calls or send voice texts. Meanwhile, the somewhat small 32mm JBL drivers deliver crisp audio with deep bass. One downside of the headphones is the lack of ANC, though the thick earcups and durable outer shell block a lot of sound regardless. Additionally, the drivers could be larger, but even with their smaller-than-average size, the JBL Tune 510BT wireless headphones manage to produce quality sound at a fraction of the price of other models. Along with the convenient, comfortable, and stylish design, the JBL Tune 510BT wireless headphones are the best choice for those on a budget.
Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones
The Sony WH-CH520 headphones offer an enhanced listening experience by utilizing DSEE technology to improve the sound quality of compressed music files. With a lightweight and comfortable design, these headphones are ideal for all-day use, providing a pleasant experience during extended listening sessions. The built-in microphone ensures crystal clear hands-free calling, making communication effortless while on the go.
Sony is known as the manufacturer of some of the best wireless headphones, like the WH-1000XM5 andWF-1000XM5. While these headphones are some of the best, they are certainly not affordable, so it’s nice to see that Sony is still making excellent headphones in their budget category, like the WH-CH520. These budget on-ear headphones are perfect for anyone who wants a pair of comfortable headphones that get the job done but not much else.
The WH-CH520 is a utilitarian headphone experience. The lightweight plastic is not the most premium material, but it feels nice to wear even for long periods, and even though the on-ear design does nothing for noise isolation, these headphones sound pretty good. They do fall into the trap of over-emphasizing lows and mids, which doesn’t make it the clearest listening experience, and can even make some music that has a lot of treble harsh to listen to.
However, with a 50-hour battery life, decent sound quality, and a frustration-free process of setting them up, it is hard to beat the WH-CH520, especially considering it can regularly be picked up for under $50.
Razer Barracuda X (2022)
With the Razer Barracuda X, the famous gaming peripheral maker set out to create the lightest and most comfortable wireless headset. Weighing just 250 grams, gamers can wear the Barracuda X all day and night thanks to a 50-hour battery life and not feel any discomfort. Flowknit memory foam ear cushions and a heavily padded headband will make listeners forget they have gear on their heads.Razer’s Triforce 40mm drivers on the Barracuda X result in a perfect blend of treble and bass. The included USB dongle is amazingly versatile, allowing the Barracuda X to connect to the PS4, PS5, PC, and mobile devices with Bluetooth.
The Razer Barracuda X gaming headset is easily one of the best budget wireless headsets currently on the market. Even though this headset has been on the market for a year, the battery life, sound quality, mic quality, and connectivity all make it hard to pass up, especially at this price point. The Barracuda X is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a gaming headset that has a stable wireless connection, as there is no worry about audio delay and fantastic mic quality to clearly communicate with teammates.
InGame Rant’s full review of the Barracuda X, we found that the detachable Hyperclear Cardioid mic audio comes through loud and clear on the other end, with no sound issues to report. Plus, there is a good amount of sound cancelation through the mic, so even in noisier environments, this headset allows gamers to effectively communicate.
Using the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle, this headset provides a stable low-latency connection that works well even for fast-paced FPS shooters. However, the bass is a bit over-emphasized, making it hard to hear footsteps when gunshots are also happening at the same time.
ZIUMIER Wireless Gaming Headset
The ZIUMIER Wireless Gaming Headset is ideal for both Switch gaming and listening to media through Bluetooth. The foldable headset comes with a detachable mic for convenient storage and portability, while two 50mm drivers deliver high-quality sound. Controls on the earcup make it easy to start, stop, or adjust the audio or the vibrant RGB lighting. With a 3-hour charge time, users can enjoy these headphones for up to 30 hours.
Ever since Nintendo announced that they would allow Bluetooth headphones, players have been happily using their favorite headphones with the platform. However, most Bluetooth devices have a ton of latency with the Switch; the few exceptions include high-priced brands like Apple. For players looking to save money by getting budget headphones that will work well with the Switch, Ziumier’s wireless gaming headset is a great choice.
Some users may not want a full-blown headset for listening to music while on the go, which makes the detachable mic on this device even more enticing. The headphones are also foldable, making them perfectly portable. These wireless headphones connect through either Bluetooth or the included wireless dongle, which is the best option for Switch users. This also makes it incredibly easy to go from listening to gameplay to listening to music, as the dongle doesn’t need to be removed to activate a Bluetooth connection with another device.
On the sound side of things, these affordable headphones are surprisingly capable. Two 50mm neodymium magnet drivers deliver deep bass as part of its even-toned audio. The noise-cancelling mic is omnidirectional, meaning that when a player speaks, they can be sure that the mic is clearly transmitting their voice while eliminating most background noise.
While there’s no fast-charging feature, the headset can be fully charged within three hours and last up to 30 hours with no RGB lighting activated, or 15 hours even when lit up. With a list price of just under $30 and frequent sales bringing it to an even lower cost, the Ziumier gaming headset is the best pair of wireless headphones that budget Switch users will get the biggest bang for their buck.
Anker Soundcore Space One Noise Cancelling Headphones
The Soundcore Space One is a pair of over-ear headphones with 40mm drivers that deliver hi-res audio and, on supported devices, LDAC audio. Paired with unparalleled noise-canceling that blocks out 98% of sound around the user, the Space Ones can make a change for anybody’s commute or music listening experience, not to mention that with ANC on, the battery lasts for 40 hours and with ANC off it last up to 55 hours.
Just like the Soundcore Life Q30, the Space One headphones from Soundcore feature best-in-class ANC. People who commute via public transit, are frequent flyers, or need some noise-canceling tech in their life will not be disappointed with the Soundcore Space One headphones.
InGame Rant’s full review of the Space One headphones, we found that Anker’s claim of being able to block up to 98% of outside noise is accurate. However, when first trying out the headphones at the highest ANC level, they can create a lot of inner-ear pressure. However, after a couple of days to get used to it, the pressure is not as noticeable.
Unlike a lot of ANC-focused headphones, the Space One does narrow down the sound stage too much. Compared to the Koss kph30i, which are open-back headphones known for their wide sound stage, the Space One’s have a comparable sound, but they do not sound quite as intimate as the Koss kph30i.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 is one of the best budget wireless headphones currently available. The 40 mm drivers produce treble up to 40kHz for full-bodied sound with excellent clarity, have effective noise cancelation, and are light enough to wear comfortably all day with little to no strain.
While not perfect, the Soundcore Life Q30 headphones are easily one of the best budget wireless headphones because of their excellent sound quality, very comfortable design, and incredibly stable wireless connection. These headphones are perfect for anyone who wants a pair of wireless headphones that will easily last all day and have enough ANC to make commuting a breeze.
At this price point, it’s not implied that headphones will even have ANC, let alone some of the best noise-cancellation on the market. Soundcore has focused on excellent ANC with a lot of their headphones recently, and it has paid off. Whether it’s their earbuds or over-ear headphones, if it’s a Soundcore product, people can expect some of the best noise cancelation available.
The Life Q30 sounds a bit muddy out of the box, but thanks to the excellent EQing options in the Soundcore app, with some fine-tuning, these headphones can sound absolutely fantastic. They won’t be able to get to a completely neutral sound profile, but for this price, it’s hard to beat how good this headphone sounds.
Sennheiser HD 250BT
Inspired by DJs, the Sennheiser HD 250BT delivers a thrilling audio experience with dynamic bass, state-of-the-art Bluetooth connectivity and durable design. Using Sennheiser’s famous transducer technology, these on-ear headphones easily punch above their weight class, with a dynamic bass and rock-solid Bluetooth connection.
This funky-looking headphone is probably not what most people think of when they picture a wireless headphone that is perfect for audiophiles, but that is just what the Sennheiser HD 250BT is. These affordable on-ear headphones deliver a solid, reliable mix of accurate lows and detailed highs, plus support for high-fidelity Bluetooth codecs like AptX and AAC.
Despite their on-ear design, the aural earcups can make quite a good seal against outside noise, unlike the Sony WH-CH520. The earcups themselves are very comfortable while not super padded; they also don’t retain a lot of heat, making them easy to wear while out and about. That being said, the appearance of these headphones is not for everyone. The odd shape and extra headband sticking through the earcups are not the most streamlined design.
Where the HD-250BT shines is in its audio performance. The bass is powerful and punchy, while not overwhelming the mids or highs, leading to a very pleasant listening experience. It’s not quite to the clinical level of the HD600 from Sennheiser, but it is still accurate enough to please most audiophiles.
VRIFOZ Sports Bluetooth Headphones
The VRIFOZ Sports Bluetooth Headphones are an excellent choice for listening to music or other audio while exercising. Using upgraded dynamic drivers and CSR chips, these headphones deliver crisp sound from Bluetooth 5.3-enabled devices. A built-in microphone makes it easy to take calls in-between sets, while the IPX7 waterproof rating protects the headphones from spills and sweat. The battery life of 16 hours means users can get their full exercise in multiple times per week before needing to recharge their headphones.
Users who just want a pair of headphones that will work as hard as they do without shelling out a bunch of money should look no further than the VRIFOZ Sports Bluetooth Headphones. This pair of wireless headphones are perfect for regular exercising, and they’re available for only $15 even without any sales!
These headphones are made to withstand a lot of activity while delivering excellent audio. The adjustable strap rests around the user’s neck, making it very difficult for the headphones to fall off. The wrap-around design offers additional security against movement. Plus, the headphones come in a variety of colors, although each color has a slightly different cost.
Users will be able to rely on these headphones through everyday exercise. The incredible battery life of 16 continuous hours and 250 standby hours means that most users can simply charge the headphones at the beginning of a week and toss them into a gym bag, never to be accidentally left at home. Plus, the IPX7 waterproof rating protects the headphones from water bottle spills and any workout sweat.
Although the dynamic drivers and CSR chips aren’t as impressive as other headphones, these exercise headphones still offer decent sound considering their super compact design. There’s also a built-in mic that makes sending audio texts a breeze. With four different sizes and an overall impressive design for active users, these wireless headphones are perfect for working out.
The Corsair HS55 Wireless is a Bluetooth, and USB-enabled wireless headset that lets users enjoy high-quality audio and up to 24 hours of battery life. It features a metal headband for rigidity and a softer movable plastic for the microphone boom. It also has a lightweight construction that weighs just 266 grams to let gamers play nonstop gaming music all day. The Corsair HS55 Wireless includes a USB-A RF dongle that can be used with gaming consoles and mobile devices.
The Corsair HS55 Wireless is a Bluetooth and USB-enabled wireless headset that lets users enjoy high-quality audio and up to 24 hours of battery life. Primarily made of plastic, the Corsair HS55 Wireless features a metal headband for rigidity and a softer movable plastic for the microphone boom.
It also has a lightweight construction that weighs just 266 grams to let gamers play nonstop gaming music all day. With its great audio quality and custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers, users can expect excellent sound delivery and hear everything in crystal-clear communication.
The Corsair HS55 Wireless includes a USB-A RF dongle for gaming consoles and mobile devices. This means the headset supports almost every gaming device, including PCs, laptops, and even PlayStation consoles. Plus, it boasts on-ear-audio controls for mute, volume, sidetone, and EQ preset adjustments.
Though it’s hard to find the best wireless headset at that price, this headset is worth checking. Besides its cheap-looking plastic construction, the Corsair HS55 offers enough features for those on a tight budget.
How To Choose The Best Budget Wireless Headset For 2024
To choose the best budget wireless headset, keep these aspects in mind.
The Most Expensive Is Not Always The Best
While it can be tempting to always go after the new and fancy headphones that everyone is raving about, the most expensive headphones are not always the best options out there. Good budget wireless headphones can rival the experience that even some of the most premium headphones can provide.
Form Factor
Choosing the best budget wireless headphones starts with selecting the correct form factor. This will not be the same answer for everyone, because one headphone that is perfect for someone will not necessarily be perfect for another. The three main form factors for headphones areover-ear,on-ear, andearbuds. Over-ear headphones typically use the largest drivers, creating a louder sound and usually having better sound isolation. On the other hand, earbuds are way more portable than over-ear headphones and have much smaller driver sizes, but most can still produce excellent sound quality. On-ear headphones are the middle ground between the two.
Comfort
Going hand in hand with form factor is the comfort of a headphone. Regardless of what form factor works best, they need to be comfortable. Nothing is worse than wearing a headphone that strains the user’s ears to the point where listening to music for more than a few hours is painful. Headphones can offer the best sound in the world, but if they’re uncomfortable, it will be a pain to listen to music. Headphones that have soft ear cups and a padded headband are usually more comfortable than those without them. Also, on-ear headphones are less comfortable than over-the-ear headphones.
Sound Quality
Finally, the audio quality of a headphone is what takes it from being okay to being one of the best budget wireless headphones. Not everyone needs a headset that is studio quality and can produce an accurate profile that can be used to mix and master, but having a muddy and unintelligible headset will not make for an enjoyable listening experience. Finding that perfect middle ground, especially in the budget range, will allow for price-to-performance that will not leave the user wanting more. Good budget wireless headphones should have a balanced sound with clear lows, mids, and highs. For users who like a heavy bass sound, headphones with a good bass response will be ideal.
Budget
Like everything else, headset costs may vary depending on the technology that went into making them. Compared to wired, wireless headsets tend to be expensive. However, users can still get a decent pair of high-quality headphones.
FAQ
Q: Are wireless headphones worth it?
Wireless headphones are worth it. The freedom they provide over wired headphones is exceptional, especially for those who like to listen to music while they work or commute.
Q: Is $200 a lot for headphones?
In some circles, $200 might be nothing for a good pair of headphones, but for most people, a $200 headset should have exceptional sound quality, ANC, and comfort. A reasonable budget wireless headset should probably cost within the range of $75 to $150.
