Best Budget Headphones of 2024

The first one on our list is Anker Soundcore Space One. The Soundcore Space One headphones by Anker offer a compelling audio experience, standing out as a budget-friendly alternative with impressive features.

The design mirrors the sleek aesthetics of popular brands but at a fraction of the cost. Despite a slightly cheaper feel, the well-padded ear cups and comfortable headband ensure a pleasant wearing experience, making them suitable for extended use. The design includes a folding mechanism for convenient storage and portability, with a travel pouch provided for added protection.

One standout feature is the powerful active noise cancellation, delivering effective isolation from external sounds. The Soundcore app provides easy-to-use options for adjusting active noise cancellation settings, including an adaptive mode for varying environments. 

The 40-millimeter dynamic drivers provide a bass-heavy sound profile, excelling in genres that benefit from a thumping low end. While the out-of-the-box audio may not impress, the HearID function within the app allows users to customize the sound profile to their liking. The headphones support Hi-Res audio with LDAC for Android users, catering to those seeking a richer audio experience.

The headphones boast an exceptional battery life of up to 40 hours with active noise cancellation enabled, and an impressive 55 hours with it turned off. Additionally, a quick five-minute charge yields four hours of usage, adding a practical backup for users on the go. Despite wear detection issues reported during testing, the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones offer significant value. 

Overall, With an extensive feature set, including Ambient Sound, Easy Chat, EQ, Safe Volume, and more, the Anker Soundcore Space One headphones present a compelling option for those seeking high-end performance within a limited budget. 

The second one on our list is Sony WH-CH720N. The WH-CH720N by Sony offers a compelling combination of features and performance, making it a noteworthy contender in the competitive realm of headphones. 

Designed with a focus on noise cancellation, these lightweight over-ear headphones strike a balance between affordability and functionality.

In terms of build, the WH-CH720N showcases a lightweight and comfortable design, with adjustable ear cups and a secure clamping force. The controls, neatly integrated into the ear cup, provide easy access to essential functions, though they may feel somewhat budget-oriented compared to higher-end models.

Connectivity options are robust, featuring Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC, AAC, and SBC codec support, as well as multipoint functionality for seamless pairing with multiple devices. The inclusion of a headphone jack for wired listening enhances versatility.

Sound quality is a standout feature. Initially bass-heavy out of the box, a quick adjustment via the Sony Headphones app rectifies this, revealing a well-balanced audio profile. 

The Sony Headphones Connect app, though requiring account creation, offers a range of customization options, including an equalizer, adaptive listening mode, and 360 Reality Audio analysis. While the noise-canceling capabilities are not class-leading, they provide a noticeable reduction in ambient noise, enhancing the overall listening experience.

Boasting a commendable battery life of over 40 hours with active noise cancellation enabled, the WH-CH720N caters to the needs of frequent travelers and remote workers. 

The sound profile of the headphones is produced by 30-millimeter dynamic drivers. Although there are some quirks in the frequency response, they can be adjusted using the Sony Headphones Connect app.

In short, the Sony WH-CH720N stands out as a well-rounded option for those seeking a blend of comfort, functionality, and effective noise cancellation without venturing into the premium price range.

The third one on our list is 1MORE SonoFlow. The SonoFlow headphones by 1MORE present a compelling option for enthusiasts seeking a wireless, closed-back listening experience with active noise-canceling capabilities. Boasting Bluetooth 5.0 and LDAC decoding support, these headphones deliver a modern and convenient audio solution without breaking the bank.

The SonoFlow’s design showcases a closed-back over-the-ear form factor that is both lightweight and comfortable. The use of soft leather imitation materials contributes to an appealing aesthetic, while the design’s ergonomic considerations make for a comfortable fit, even during extended use. The caliper pressure is light, and plush pads enhance overall comfort, making it one of the more comfortable sets in its category.

In terms of sound quality, the headphones feature a 40-millimeter dynamic driver with a DLC composite diaphragm. The SonoFlow leans towards a musical tonality, offering engaging and vibrant minds. The 1MORE Music app enhances the user experience by offering a variety of EQ presets. 

The proprietary active noise-canceling technology, named “QuietMax,” proves effective at reducing ambient noise. The inclusion of transparency mode adds versatility by allowing users to hear their surroundings without deactivating the active noise-canceling.

Battery life is a standout feature, with 1MORE claiming up to 70 hours of usage. While real-world usage may vary, the headphones support quick charging, providing several hours of playback with just a short charging session. However, call quality is satisfactory for the price range, with some background hiss noted.

Overall, The 1MORE SonoFlow impresses with its comfortable design, engaging sound, effective ANC, and remarkable battery life, making it a noteworthy wireless headphone choice.

The fourth one on our list is Edifier W820NB Plus. The W820NB Plus headphones by Edifier offer an enticing blend of affordability and impressive features. 

Boasting a sleek design with color options ranging from grey and light blue to beige, white, and black, these over-ears weigh in at a comfortable 230 grams. The closed-back design, equipped with pivoting and tilting cups, ensures flexibility in adjusting to various head shapes. While they lack the fold-up feature for compact storage, the snug fit provides stability during outdoor activities, coupled with a commendable level of external noise shielding.

One standout feature is the effective active noise cancellation (ANC) powered by five microphones with DNN technology. This translates into clear speech intelligibility during phone calls, thanks to adept noise filtering. 

In terms of sound quality, the W820NB Plus delivers a balanced and slightly warm sound. The four sound modes—Classic, Pop, Classical, and Rock—allow for customization to suit individual preferences. The mid-range is clear and well-structured, offering a pleasant listening experience across various music genres.

The headphones support Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring a stable wireless connection with a range of about 25 meters outdoors. The option to use them via USB cable on a computer adds to their versatility.

The Edifier Connect App enhances user experience, allowing adjustments to ambient mode intensity and offering a variety of “soothing sounds” for relaxation. 

Battery life is impressive, offering up to 49 hours at high volume and quick charging capabilities, providing seven hours of use with just a ten-minute charge. However, the downside includes heat build-up on the ears, particularly noticeable in warmer temperatures.

In conclusion, the Edifier W820NB Plus headphones shine with their effective noise cancellation, impressive battery life, and versatile features, making them a compelling choice for users seeking a budget-friendly option with solid performance.

The fifth one on our list is Anker Life Q30 by Soundcore. The Anker Life Q30 headphones offer a compelling combination of features that make them stand out in the budget ANC headphone category. 

In terms of design, the Life Q30 may lack aesthetic appeal, primarily due to its plastic construction and the conspicuous “active noise canceling” branding on the headband. However, their comfort is undeniable, with a lightweight build and well-fitted oval earcups that provide a comfortable over-ear seal.

Audio quality out of the box leans towards a bass-heavy profile, which may not suit all preferences. Fortunately, the comprehensive Soundcore companion app offers a solution with 22 EQ presets and an eight-band graphic equalizer, allowing users to fine-tune the sound to their liking. This level of audio customization sets the Life Q30 apart from its competitors in the budget segment.

The ANC capabilities of the Life Q30 are particularly impressive for their price range. With three distinct modes—Transport, Indoors, and Outdoors—accessible through the Anker Soundcore app, users can tailor their noise-canceling experience to different environments. The effectiveness of ANC is noteworthy, especially considering the budget-friendly nature of these headphones.

The battery life of up to 60 hours without ANC and 40 hours with ANC is outstanding, surpassing many higher-priced competitors. The inclusion of features like NFC pairing, a carrying case, and a USB-C charging cable adds to the overall value.

In summary, the Anker Life Q30 headphones by Soundcore present an attractive option for users seeking budget-friendly over-ear headphones with excellent noise-canceling capabilities, long battery life, and a customizable sound experience.