TOP 15 headphones with good bass - wireless and wired models

Cheap headphones today are not just tweeters with a microphone. Modern devices in terms of sound quality, ergonomics and even reliability are quite capable of outperforming some models from the mid-price segment. But when choosing available ears it is important:

• Focus on the manufacturer.
  The most popular among cheap “ears” are models from Xiaomi, JBL, Panasonic, HONOR and Sony. Headphones from these brands produce good sound at a reasonable price.
• Check the device carefully before purchasing.
  Defects among inexpensive headphones are the most common problem. Buying cheap “ears” looks like roulette: you may get lucky and you will become the owner of a device that is worth every ruble spent. Or it may turn out quite the opposite.
• Be clear about your preferences.
  Do you need the highest quality sound? Then the best option would be a wired model. If you need hands-free and comfort during workouts, then completely wireless headphones are more suitable for such tasks.

Don't make excessive demands on budget headphones - they won't meet your expectations. The inexpensive models presented in the rating are more designed for ordinary users than for audiophiles. The devices perform well in daily use and cope with basic needs: listen to music, answer a call or watch a movie or YouTube video.

Are expensive headphones always better than budget ones?

If you buy a headset, why not buy an expensive one?

This question is commonplace. People wonder, if they are going to buy headphones for their phone, why not choose expensive ones from a well-known brand? The answer to the question lies in the wording itself. Modern society is ready to overpay huge sums for a brand. Well-known manufacturers actually do not need to maintain the quality of their equipment so much. Moreover, companies will not lower the price. Headphones that are mediocre in sound quality and production are priced in the premium segment - and all because of the brand.

Pioneer SE-CL712T - durable and original

The SE-CL712T version is intended for everyday use by owners without complex musical needs. Playback is balanced, with emphasized mids. The ear pads tightly close the ear canals, isolating extraneous noise. For added comfort, the kit includes 2 pairs of spare nozzles of different sizes. The flat shape of the silicone-sheathed wire prevents tangling.

The device is compatible with any type of smartphone, iPhone, tablet. The control panel for the microphone and music tracks is located on the right branch of the wire.

Advantages:

• Sound power. Even at maximum volume there is no interference, including when using a microphone.
• Reliable cable. The wire is reinforced with rubber pads in the bifurcation area and near the plug. The length of 1.2 m allows you to carry the phone in a bag.
• Original design. The cord and ear pads are bright red, the accessories are black.

Flaws:

• Poor microphone placement. It is located below the level of the chin, so it often catches on clothes and pulls down the left cup.
• Poor fit in the ears. Due to the heavy cord, the headphones sometimes slip out of the ear canals.
• Muffled sound, especially at low frequencies.

11 best headphones for your phone

Marshall Major III Bluetooth

Stylish closed-back wireless on-ear headphones at a great price.

12th place in the ranking of the best headphones under $100 is occupied by the Marshall Major III Bluetooth ($83) - a wireless model of closed-type on-ear headphones.

These budget headphones have a comfortable soft design. The headphones are quite comfortable, the ear pads feel natural on the ears. The sound, typical for Marshall, is of high quality, there is bass.

How to choose headphones for a smartphone?

What are headphones for?

It's a stupid question, but it needs to be answered. Because an honest answer will help you decide on the price segment and type of headphones.

To choose headphones for your smartphone, answer the following questions:

• what kind of music we listen to, where we get it from - if you listen to the radio most often, then even the included headphones will cope with the task perfectly. The same sources include: audio recordings on social networks, SoundCloud, Google Music and other cloud services. If your music is there, there is no point in buying niche Harman Kardons for such purposes.
• where we listen to music - not all forms of headphones are equally suitable for different types of activity. Wired headphones are inconvenient in the gym; in-ear headphones (vacuum or in-ear) do not provide the same noise isolation as over-ear headphones (full-size or on-ear/over-the-ear) outdoors. For the gym we choose inexpensive wireless headphones, for the street - in/on-ear.
• Will the headphones be used for conversations ? Not all smartphone headphones are equipped with a microphone; you won’t be able to talk on the phone through such headphones. Niche headphones designed for high-quality music reproduction (Parrot ZIK) are not equipped with a microphone. They are designed only to enjoy high-quality sound.

• wired/wireless – wireless headphones for smartphones are convenient, but in the basic price segment they do not provide the required sound quality. Good wireless headphones with high-quality sound are expensive. We recommend considering Marshall Major II (approximately $150), Harman Kardon (approximately $200), Parrot ZIK ($270-400).

Damage to the wire is the main reason for the failure and purchase of new headphones for a smartphone. Wired headphones from expensive brands are equipped with detachable wires, which makes it easier to solve the problem if the cable is torn or bent.

Xiaomi Piston - convenient and inexpensive

The famous Chinese company Xiaomi aims this product at the mass buyer. In-ear headphones are convenient for use in transport, while walking and training. Playback is clear and balanced, but for music lovers the sound will not be spacious enough. There is an emphasis on bass, especially noticeable when listening from Xiaomi smartphones. The microphone and music playback are controlled using a push-button remote control.

The manufacturer uses technologies and materials that extend the life of the product. The casings of the cups are made of metal, the fabric-braided wires are reinforced with Kevlar thread, and the plug is gold-plated. The kit includes 3 pairs of spare ear pads and a carrying case.

Reviews Review

Advantages:

• Comfortable fit in the ears. Metal cases are heavy, but provide good sound insulation.
• Aesthetic packaging. The elegant box is scented from the inside, which makes the device an excellent gift option.
• Affordable price. The lower price level is 390 rubles, a number of stores on AliExpress offer lower prices.

Flaws:

• Background noise. Touching the wire to clothing causes interference, including when talking through a microphone.
• Weakness of the wire in the plug area. After a few months, the cord often frays.
• The remote control is incompatible with Samsung devices.

Recommendations: Making your own simple headphones and a headset with a microphone

9 Best Vacuum Headphones

How to make a microphone from headphones

The best inexpensive headphones under $100

Rating of the best budget headphones 2021

HUAWEI FreeBuds Studio

Review of HUAWEI FreeBuds Studio - full-size headphones of 2021 for a smartphone!

Huawei FreeBuds Studio ($350) is a new stylish model from Huawei; the headphones are perfect for your phone. Here you will find effective noise reduction, good sound and high-quality voice transmission. The design is cute and the functionality is varied. The headband and ear pads are pleasant to the touch, fit well and do not put pressure on the ears. The upholstery is made of high quality artificial leather, as is the plastic on the headphone body. The bowls of the device can rotate, but they cannot be folded.

Main characteristics

• Design: Full-size closed headphones
• Emitter type: dynamic
• Membrane diameter: 40 mm
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
• Working radius: 10 m
• Noise cancellation: active (ANC), 3 modes, transparency mode
• Controls: touch, button, smart pause
• Battery capacity: 410 mAh
• Operating time: 24h (up to 20h with ANC)
• Charging time: 60-70 minutes
• Quick charge: 10 minutes for 5 hours of operation
• Charging connector: USB Type-C
• Weight: 260 g

Equipment

• HUAWEI FreeBuds Studio headphones
• USB Type-C charging cable
• Hard case
• Documentation

Video review

• Good sound
• Comfortable fit
• Reliable assembly and stylish design
• Good battery life and fast charging
• Ergonomics and functionality
• Voice quality

• High price
• Can't connect via wire
• The structure does not fold
• No aptX support or iOS app

Sony WH-CH510

The best on-ear headphones for people on a budget.

Looking at the Sony WH-CH510 ($40), it's surprising that wireless on-ear headphones can cost so little, not to mention the benefits of decent sound, a USB-C port, and 35 hours of battery life.

Main characteristics

• Device type: overhead, closed, rotary bowls
• Microphone: built-in
• Technology: dynamic
• Connection type: wireless
• Bluetooth v5.0
• Frequency range: 20 – 20000 Hz
• Range: 10 m
• Codec support: AAC
• Charging port: USB C
• Working time: 30 h
• Charging time: 4.5h
• Weight: 132 g

Video review

• Affordable price.
• Good sound quality.
• Working hours.
• Compactness.
• Lungs.

• Ears may sweat.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Inexpensive over-ear headphones for listening to music.

The TOP 10 best inexpensive headphones are occupied by Audio-Technica ATH-M20x ($55) - inexpensive on-ear headphones for listening to music.

For the price, they sound incredibly clear, balanced and powerful, and give you the most bang for your buck. There are other options, but professionals will immediately choose the M20x.

Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2

Good inexpensive vacuum headphones for your phone.

The third place in our TOP of inexpensive headphones is occupied by one of the most budget models - perhaps the best sound among wired headphones under $25.

Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro 2 is a very interesting offer from Xiaomi, with hybrid sound without any special drawbacks for $25.

Main characteristics

• Type: in-ear
• Weight: 14 g.
• Frequency range: 20 – 20000 Hz.
• Cable: 1.25 m.
• Remote control: volume +/- and start/pause
• Price: from 25$

Video review

• Sound. This model can compete with more expensive competitors in terms of sound quality. The headset has a clear midrange and comfortable highs. Powerful bass, which does not “overshadow” other sound frequencies and, in general, there is no feeling that the sound falls into a “monotonous mess” - an excellent indicator.
• Price. From $25 - “modest and tasteful.” If we compare this price category, these are perhaps the best budget headphones for a phone or any other device.
• Comfortable fit. Xiaomi Mi Pro 2 fits comfortably in the ear. These headphones make it easy and comfortable to listen to music for a long time.
• Landing. Thanks to the ergonomic shape and a large selection of ear pads, the headphones sit comfortably and firmly in the ears.

• Equipment. The headphone package looks like a typical model from “budget China”. The box looks very simple and cheap, there is no bag for carrying the headphones.
• Compatibility. On iOS devices, the remote control works very strangely (only the start/pause button works). There are no such problems on Android devices.
• Modest design. The headphones are very similar to a plastic craft (although they are not).

QCY T1C

Excellent inexpensive TWS headphones from Aliexpress.

The TOP 13 best budget headphones under $100 are occupied by QCY T1C ($14) - one of the best inexpensive TWS headphones from Aliexpress.

The QCY T1C is one of the most affordable truly wireless in-ear (TWS) headphones that gives the user true freedom of movement.

Main characteristics

• Type: in-ear
• Technology: dynamic
• Frequency range: 20 – 20000 Hz
• Impedance: 32 Ohm
• Bluetooth: 5.0
• Work profile support: Handsfree, A2DP, Headset, AVRCP
• Range: 10 m
• Battery type: proprietary Li-Ion
• Standby time: 120h
• Talk time: 4 hours
• Charging time: 2h
• Battery life in case: 20 hours
• Case charging connector: micro USB
• Case battery capacity: 380 mAh

Video review

• Sound.
• Value for money.
• Convenience. The set includes ear pads for ears of any size.
• Autonomy.

• Microphone.
• Quality of materials. Cheap plastic, typical of China.
• Lack of instructions in Russian.