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(Dec 23, 2009)
Jasmine France
Senior Associate Editor
It's easy to break the bank on headphones--this seemingly innocuous gadget is often more expensive than the MP3 player you're pairing it with. Comfort, sound, and style are all important considerations when picking out new 'phones, but you needn't spend an arm and a leg. In fact, headphones are one of the few pieces of technology that are relatively timeless, meaning an older model can save you dough while still providing an excellent listening experience. To help you sort through the seemingly endless array of choices, we've rounded up our top budget headphones here. All of the models below sell for $75 or less, and most cost less than $50 out the door.
Koss PortaPro Headphones
Koss hit a home run with the PortaPros. Love or hate the design, there's no denying the sound quality here: they're the ideal companion for mobile audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.
Price: $31.28 - $39.00 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 22, 2008
Excellent
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V-Moda Bass Freq earphones (black)
V-Moda's Bass Freq earphones are the perfect accessory for bass-loving Creative Zen Micro owners who are on a budget. If you prefer less low end, look elsewhere.
Price: $22.49 - $29.95 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 3, 2006
Excellent
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JVC Marshmallow headphones (black)
The JVC Marshmallow headphones are an exceptional value thanks to an ultralow price tag combined with solid audio quality, noise isolation capability, and a secure fit.
Price: $9.86 - $11.99 (check prices)
Review date: Aug 20, 2009
Very good
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Radius Atomic Bass for iPhone (red)
The Radius Atomic Bass earphones for iPhone are a worthwhile upgrade from the stock set that comes with the phone; they're comfortable, stylish, and offer great sound for the money.
Price: $39.10 (check prices)
Review date: Nov 12, 2008
Very good
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Woodees Inner Ear Sound Isolating Stereo Earphones with microphone
The Woodees earphones feature a unique wooden earpiece enclosure that creates a sound more akin to that of speakers than earbuds. If you like open, natural-sounding audio, be sure to give them a listen.
Price: $42.00 - $59.00 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 10, 2009
Very good
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Koss Pro4AA Titanium
These macho headphones can rock out like pro models.
Price: $66.49 - $67.35 (check prices)
Review date: Sep 5, 2003
Very good
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Sennheiser PX100 (black)
The PX100 is a good choice for travelers seeking a compact headphone design.
Price: $62.95 (check prices)
Review date: Sep 4, 2003
Very good
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Sennheiser CX 300 headphones (silver)
If you're looking for an affordable, decent-sounding pair of earbuds, start with the Sennheiser CX 300. Sennheiser's first in-ear design sounds like a winner to us.
Price: $64.00 - $69.79 (check prices)
Review date: Feb 14, 2006
Very good
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Razer Moray (black)
The Razer Moray in-ear noise-isolating gaming headphones may not distinguish themselves all that much from their in-ear noise-isolating gaming headphones competitors, but they're a perfectly good, and affordable, set of earphones for the money.
Price: $28.99 - $33.62 (check prices)
Review date: Nov 11, 2008
Very good
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JLab JBuds Hi-Fi Noise Canceling Earphones (white)
If you're looking for an ultra-low-cost replacement for the earbuds that came standard with your MP3 player, the JLab JBuds are a good alternative.
Price: $9.95 - $17.89 (check prices)
Review date: Aug 28, 2006
Good
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Sony MDR-G57G
This headset has the athletic aesthetics of Sony's S2 Sports music players, but its performance is just average.
Price: $16.45 - $29.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jan 16, 2004
Good
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