The best cheap wireless headphones in 2021 Reviews
The best cheap wireless headphones make the convenience of cable-free listening attainable to everyone, even if they’ve only got a budget of $30 or so. Like the absolute best wireless headphones, they must marry their design with high sound quality and practical battery life, so the only models on this list are those we’ve tested ourselves.
Although keeping a tight budget means advanced features like active noise cancellation (ANC) are hard to find, the good news is you can still get a pair of headphones — whether it’s over-ear cans or earbuds — that looks, feels and performs like a much more expensive pair. To help you find the very finest, here’s our list of the best cheap wireless headphones around.
Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT Headphones
Cleer Enduro ANC
Jabra Elite 45h
Jabra Elite 65t
JLab JBuds Air
How to choose the best cheap wireless headphones for you
The market for cheap wireless headphones is massive, so to help narrow down the search, you’ll want to take several things into consideration. Let’s start with fit. Since there are several different types, including in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear, base your decision on what will feel comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Going wireless means restricted playtimes, as Bluetooth products consume a lot of power and require recharging every few days. Get a pair of wireless headphones with at least 12 hours of battery life. If you’re going with truly wireless earbuds, 5 hours should be the minimum.
Build quality is also huge, especially when investing in sports headphones. Those who are big on fitness will want a pair that offers sweat- or water-resistant protection. Otherwise, look for models with durable aesthetics (e.g. strong plastic, stainless steel).
Keep in mind that modern wireless headphones and earbuds are taking on more advanced features. Look around and you’ll find some that have active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and even sound customization via mobile apps.
How we test the best wireless cheap headphones
Tom’s Guide tests all headphones on the following criteria: design, comfort, features, performance, and value. Our staff employs a rigorous review process that compares products with similar fit, features, and price to determine the best option for you.
Every pair of cheap wireless headphones we test is worn over the course of a week for 2 hours at a time. Comfort, ease of use, and sound quality are three main categories we assess. In terms of audio performance, we test each model across a number of genres, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, classical and R&B, while also evaluating volume, clarity, and fullness.
When it comes to features, we test the effectiveness of active noise cancelling, Bluetooth range and battery life. For sports headphones, we put them through intense workouts to determine how securely they fit during exercises and how well they handle ambient noise. We test every feature for app-enabled headphones too.
