ie8 fix

Best budget headphones

(Updated May 8, 2012 10:29 AM PDT)
Justin Yu
Justin Yu
Associate Editor

It's easy to break the bank on headphones; this seemingly innocuous gadget is often more expensive than the MP3 player with which you're pairing it. 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. All of the models below sell for $75 or less, and most cost less than $50 out the door.

Koss PortaPro Editors' Choice - Koss PortaPro

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: $37.54 - $49.99 (check prices)

4 stars

Excellent

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Koss PortaPro

MEElectronics HT-21 (Black)

You may be fooled by their featherweight design, but the MEElectronics HT-21s earn our recommendation for their ample soundstage, subtle aesthetic, and portable convenience.

Price: $23.42 - $33.23 (check prices)

4 stars

Excellent

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MEElectronics HT-21 (Black)

MEElectronics Hi-Fi Sound-Isolating In-Ear Headphones (Silver)

The MeElectronics M9 sound-isolating earphones are an exceptional value, offering solid audio, a good design, and nice extras for an ultralow price. Anyone looking for cheap replacement earbuds should consider these.

Price: $14.97 - $23.88 (check prices)

4 stars

Very good

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MEElectronics Hi-Fi Sound-Isolating In-Ear Headphones (Silver)

Yamaha EPH-30 (White)

The Yamaha EPH-30 Inner Ear Headphones are a fantastic option for anyone on a budget, offering sound quality on par with the sound of sets that cost at least twice as much.

Price: $39.95 (check prices)

4 stars

Very good

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Yamaha EPH-30 (White)

a-JAYS Three (Black)

The Jays A-Jays Three earphones look good and sound impressive for the price, but not all genres of music perform equally, and comfort will no doubt be a problem for some.

4 stars

Very good

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a-JAYS Three (Black)
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