The best cheap headphones of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

Beats refreshed its most popular headphone model and gave the headphones a much-needed facelift. It had been eight years since Beats released the Solo 3, and the Solo 4 were worth the wait. These on-ear headphones deliver a revamped, muted design, redesigned audio components, and deeper native integration with both iOS and Android devices.

Review: Beats Solo 4

The Solo 4 lack noise-canceling or transparency modes, but their passive isolation is enough for people who don't like either audio mode. However, these headphones are the first in the Solo lineup to have spatial audio. Additionally, the lack of fancy audio modes gives these headphones a lengthy 50-hour battery life, making them perfect for people who regularly forget to charge their headphones before they leave for the day.

The Solo 4 debuted with new audio technology, ditching the overly bassy sound once synonymous with the Beats brand. Of course, these headphones still have deep, boomy bass, but it's not as overwhelming as it was in previous models. 

For those with Android devices, the Solo 4 have a companion app, Google Fast Pair, Bluetooth Multipoint, and Google Find My Device. Apple users can access iCloud pairing, over-the-air software updates, Siri compatibility, Find My, and Handoff.

If you have larger ears, wear glasses, or have multiple ear piercings, the Solo 4's on-ear fit may quickly become uncomfortable. These headphones have smaller ear cups, so if you find these uncomfortable, consider over-ear headphones.

Beats Solo 4 tech specs: Form factor: On-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.3) | Battery life: 50 hours | Driver size: 40mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: No | Wired option(s): USB-C

The Monoprice BT-600ANC headphones are perfect for people looking for incredibly effective noise-canceling for a low price. These headphones can help block noises in the office, study hall, train, plane, or other public places.

The Monoprice BT-600ANC deliver a punchy, warm, bass-forward sound that most casual listeners will enjoy. Their design closely resembles Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones, offering a sturdy build, polyurethane leather accents, and large, oval ear cups.

Review: Monoprice BT-600ANC

These headphones have the best noise-canceling properties out of all the headphones I've tested in this price range. Monoprice says the BT-600ANC can cancel up to 35dB of noise, eliminating noises like a running refrigerator, low whispers nearby, and distant traffic noises. For comparison, the Apple AirPods Max can reduce up to 26 dB of external noise, and the Sony WH-1000XM5 can reduce up to 30dB of external noise.

However. the Monoprice BT-600ANC do not have a companion app, so there's no way to tweak the headphones' EQ settings. If you're someone 

Monoprice BT-600ANC tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.0) | Battery life: 40 hours (ANC off) | Driver size: 40mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): 3.5mm headphone jack

I recommend the Soundcore Space One Pro headphones for anyone looking for a solid pair of headphones to take on their daily commute or long traveling stretches. The Space One Pro will best serve anyone who wants an affordable pair of headphones that don't skimp on the features, including adaptive noise cancellation.

These headphones are the successor to the Soundcore Space One, which we loved for their affordable price and high functionality. The Space One Pro builds off everything great about the first-gen Space One.

Review: Soundcore Space One

The Space One Pro offers great noise-canceling properties for their affordable price, thanks to their upgraded design and microphones. Soundcore upgraded the Space One Pro's sound profile, offering deep, punchy bass and forward-sounding vocals. 

If comfort is your top priority, the Space One Pro won't disappoint. When ZDNET's Cesar Cadenas reviewed the headphones, he said they felt "like wearing a cloud." However, their low price means they're made from cheaper materials like plastic, which gives them a flimsy-feeling build.

Unfortunately, you still don't get a hardshell case to carry the Space One Pro for storage and protection. Instead, Soundcore packages the Space One Pro in a leatherette pouch for storage.

Soundcore Space One Pro Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.3) | Battery life: 60 hours (ANC off) | Driver size: 40mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): 3.5mm headphone jack

Sony's latest mid-range headphones are fabulous for people looking for comfortable headphones with adequate noise-canceling and a serious bass kick. These headphones feature Sony's Ult Power Sound bass, which gives anything you're listening to a significant bass boost. Sony's other headphones naturally have a bass-forward sound, so the Ult Power Sound feature may be too intense for some.

The Ult Wear headphones have comfortable, oval ear cups suitable for hours-long wear, while a lengthy 40-hour battery life can stick with you all week. The Ult Wear's noise-canceling properties are the best of Sony's mid-range headphones lineup but don't expect it to compare to the WH-1000XM5.

Review: Sony Ult Wear

Like all of Sony's other headphones, the Ult Wear are stacked with software features you can customize in the Sony Headphones app. You also get a sturdy, well-made carrying case, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a 3.5mm headphone cable with your purchase.

Overall, if you want a pair of new headphones with plenty of software features and an intense bass boost, you'll like the Ult Wear. If you enjoy a balanced and neutral sound, you won't like these.

Sony Ult Wear tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.2) | Battery life: 40 hours (ANC off) | Driver size: 40mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): 3.5mm headphone jack

The Sennheiser Accentum are great headphones for budding audiophiles on a budget. They offer clear and detailed audio, and you don't need fancy equipment and access to other Bluetooth codecs for high-quality sound. However, if you're looking for strong noise-canceling abilities, these may not be for you since the ANC is weak. 

Review: Sennheiser Accentum

The Sennheiser Accentum are an affordable sibling to the company's flagship headphones, the Sennheiser Momentum 4, which I love for their clear, detailed, and vibrant sound. The Accentum's sound quality is definitely the headphones' major selling point, as their internal audio components are almost identical to the Momentum 4.

The Sennheiser Accentum headphones may be uncomfortable for people with larger heads and ears. In my testing, I found that the headphones' small ear cups and tight fit weren't suitable for hours-long wear. Best Buy customers agree with me here; if these headphones are slightly uncomfortable at first, they'll become unbearable within a few hours.

Sennheiser Accentum tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.2) | Battery life: 50 hours (ANC off) | Driver size: 37mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): USB-C

If you've always wanted a pair of Sony's flagship WH-1000X series headphones but can't justify paying hundreds of dollars, the Sony WH-CH720N are a highly affordable alternative. These headphones borrow some of the audio and noise-canceling tech found in Sony's flagship headphones, offering a great listening experience for a lower price.

The WH-CH720N headphones are incredibly lightweight, which makes them comfortable for hours-long wear. I wore them all day without any head, neck, or ear fatigue. Despite their small frame, these headphones have a bass-forward sound and deliver a warm and full audio experience. 

Review: Sony WH-CH720N

The WH-CH720N also features Sony's DSEE technology, which enhances the quality of compressed audio files, such as those you listen to on Spotify or Apple Music. 

The WH-CH720N headphones have a plasticky build, so they do not feel like premium headphones. You're paying for what's inside the ear cups, not outside. Redditors say the build quality is the only major drawback of these headphones, but Sony can only give you so much for $100.

Sony WH-CH720N tech specs: Form factor: Over-ear | Bluetooth: Yes (5.2) | Battery life: 40 hours (ANC off) | Driver size: 30mm dynamic | Noise cancellation: Yes | Wired option(s): 3.2mm headphone jack