The best headphones 2021-2022 for any budget

Choosing good headphones for your smartphone is difficult, and recommending headphones to other people is a really risky task. The reason is simple. Each of you has different taste and hearing. The same headphones may be too bassy for one person and too soprano for another. In this rating, we recommend good and fairly cheap wireless headphones. The price range is wide, so most people will find something good for themselves. Especially for you: the best headphones 2021-2022 for any budget - from 500 to 25,000 rubles.

Are more expensive headphones always better?

The simple answer is no. Sometimes headphones for 2000 rubles can be the same or even better than headphones for 6000 or 8000 rubles. It’s the same with manufacturers - headphones from a well-known, popular company will not always be better than a lesser-known and cheaper brand . Many times we have come across little-known companies offering the best quality. They are just trying their best to stand out from the crowd.

A great example is headphones from the Japanese company Zero Audio, which often offer excellent sound quality, good workmanship, attractive appearance and even great comfort at a lower price. Of course, it often happens that one or another manufacturer offers models that are highly recommended and not very successful. That is why it is always worth knowing many different opinions not only about the pros, but also about the disadvantages of headphones.

Technical considerations such as frequency response, impedance, pickup size, pickup type, pickup number always have some effect on the sound, but more is not always better. If headphones are well designed, thought out and made correctly, they can have one relatively small driver and still sound fantastic. We strongly recommend that you try the headphones with your own ears before purchasing. But let's get to the heart of the matter, that is, the best headphones for phone and much more.

Watson KH-3121

The brand is represented in a network of hypermarkets. The packaging of the headphones and their appearance deserve high praise. Among the shortcomings, we can only note the absence of a tactile point on the left channel and the missing cable clamp. The set includes three sizes of interchangeable nozzles.

The wire of the headphones is made of good quality, however, based on the reaction to straightening, it can be assumed that reinforcing elements in the form of Kevlar or synthetic thread are not used, so the tensile strength of the cable is most likely low.

The sound of the Watson KH-3121 can be described as boom-like, with a protruding lower midrange and bright sibilance without upper treble. The sound detail of the headphones is mediocre. The sound of the headphones is exactly the opposite of the appearance and workmanship of the headphones. In a way, this model is from that category where all the money was spent exclusively on the wrapper, but little went to the content... RAA Report:
Test of the technical characteristics of the Watson KH-3121
Overall sound rating - 2. Workmanship and equipment - 5.

The best headphones 2021-2022 for any budget - from 500 to 25,000 rubles:

In-ear headphones fit easier in the ear, provide universal comfort, usually with replaceable bands
In-ear headphones can be designed to fit a specific ear shape and can be considered very comfortable
Isolation from the environment, i.e. passive noise reduction, very good when administered intrathecally
The ANC noise canceling feature, by definition, works much better in the intrathecal model
In-ear headphones sound like semi-open, intrathecal ones sound like closed

Panasonic RP-HJE125 - inexpensive in-ear headphones from 500 rubles

from: 500-1000 rub.

Inexpensive technology is always approached with great distrust, and headphones are no exception. However, with a small budget, you may come across an interesting offer, for which we consider the Panasonic RP-HJE125. These headphones don't have many competitors in their price range. They guarantee good sound quality and a large share of bass. Isolation from external noise and ergonomics are also excellent - the headphones are very comfortable to wear. The set includes 3 pairs of elastic bands in sizes S, M and L.

The most important features:

Wired connection (3.5 mm mini-jack)
No microphone
Weight 4 g
Impedance 16 Ohm
Frequency response (max) 24000 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 10 Hz

Best-in-class performance across frequency ranges from 10 to 24,000 Hz
Good sensitivity and well-developed ergonomics for placement in the auricle (hence the name Ergofit), a plus for
Reliable and long service life
Good sound insulation
Wonderful sound, you can hear all the high and low shades of music
Great price

Thin wires
Lack of volume control on headphones

Sony MDR-EX15AP - inexpensive headphones for smartphones from 500 rubles

These headphones are an absolute winner at this price point as they offer excellent value for money. They also have a lot of positive reviews because they are small, lightweight and well made. The set includes high-quality elastic bands, they do not fall out of the ears, provide good insulation and are suitable for use with a phone or smartphone. The sound is clear, with good power and volume, with clear soft bass. The cable is thin, soft, of the required length and has a built-in microphone. Of course, the biggest advantage is the low price.

The most important features:

Sound pressure 100 dB
Wired connection (3.5 mm mini-jack)
Microphone yes
Weight 3 g
Impedance 16 Ohm
Frequency response (max.) 22000 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 8 Hz

Sound insulation from the world is excellent
The bass sounds pretty good, the high frequencies immerse you in the music
Good enough sound
Reliable
Bright (if you take pink or purple)
Lots of spare pads, if they get lost, no problem
Great price

No clip
Lack of dust removal system
The frequency range does not correspond to the declared one

Creative EP 630

One of the company’s quite popular models, made in the classic style of the Sennheiser IE 4 models and the first versions of the CX300/400/500. There are several types of colors. The headphone wire is one of the softest among the models participating in the test.

The set includes three pairs of interchangeable nozzles of different sizes. There is no lock on the cable.

The headphones are quite bassy, but somewhat inferior in the amount of bass compared to the Philips SHE 3590. On the contrary, there are more high frequencies with fairly good quality. The sound has good pressure in the upper bass. RAA Report:
Test of technical characteristics of Creative EP 630 Detailed test review of Creative EP 630
Overall sound rating - 4. Workmanship and equipment - 4.

JBL T110 - excellent headphones with a microphone from 500 rubles

The JBL T110 has been one of the most popular inexpensive telephone headsets for many years. They are small and very convenient, and at the same time combine good sound with an extremely attractive price. Another advantage is the durable cable in the form of a flat tape, which does not tangle as much as a classic round cable. The sound is so good, clear, lively and dynamic that headphones 2-3 times more expensive would not be ashamed. The meaty, bouncy low-end tones that are clearly emphasized in these headphones are commendable. High frequencies are also good and clear. Silicone seals fit well into the ear canal, providing effective isolation.

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The most important features:

Sound pressure 96 dB
Wired connection (3.5 mm mini-jack)
Microphone yes
Impedance 16 Ohm
Frequency response (max.) 20 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 20000 Hz

Bass is excellent
Thick cord
Nozzles of different sizes
Clear sound
Good sound insulation
Great button for switching tracks/answering calls
Great price

The cable, although flat, is unreliable
Fragility

Philips SHE 3590

Headphones whose appearance cannot be attributed to a certain price category. The quality of workmanship is at a high level. Like most, there is no tactile point on the left channel and a wire lock after the fork.

The equipment is standard, including three pairs of interchangeable nozzles of different sizes.

The sound of the headphones emphasizes the upper bass and has an emphasis in the high frequencies. High frequencies can be described as good for this class of headphones. Scene intelligibility is good. RAA Report:
Test of technical characteristics of Philips SHE 3590
Overall sound rating - 4. Workmanship and equipment - 4.

Audictus Explorer 2.0 - miniature headphones with excellent bass from 2000 rubles

They have a changed cable compared to version 1.0, and also differ in sound. The 2.0 cable features a clear, smooth plastic surface, a straight gold-plated plug, and a remote control with microphone and volume control that also doubles as a splitter. In terms of sound, you can hear that the Explorer 2.0 model sounds clearer and a little brighter than its predecessor. They still impress with powerful, smooth, meaty, weighted bass, especially if you get the bands to fit your ears perfectly, but in the mids and highs the bands are cleaner and better balanced, although still a little warm.

The most important features:

Sound pressure 102 dB
Wired connection (3.5 mm mini-jack)
Microphone yes
Weight 14 g
Impedance 16 Ohm
Frequency response (max.) 22000 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 20 Hz

Perfect sound
Stays well in the ears even during dynamic movements
Do not restrict movement
90 mAh battery, charged via a regular micro USB port
High quality dynamic sound
The headphones are also compatible with both iOS and Android

Thin wires

JBL T205 - in-ear headphones from 800 rubles with excellent sound quality

JBL T205 pleases the ear with good sound and the eyes with interesting aesthetics. It's worth emphasizing that these are in-ear headphones, so they don't provide good isolation from external noise. Sometimes this feature is desirable - for example, when you exercise in the city, you can hear traffic better so we can pay attention to oncoming traffic. The headphone design also provides a more spacious and balanced sound experience. These are headphones for people who prefer space, lightness and detail over powerful bass. The overall sound quality is very decent for the price and provides a good listening experience. JBL T205 is also recommended for phone calls because it has a good microphone. The kit includes a convenient soft case for safe carrying.

The most important features:

Wired connection (3.5 mm mini-jack)
Microphone yes
Weight 14 g
Frequency response (max.) 20000 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 20 Hz

Reliable build
Great sound
Very comfortable to wear
Good design
Great price

The wire is a bit short
The headphones themselves are a little big
It would not be superfluous to have a switch not only for start/pause, but also for a volume switch
No soundproofing

Tiso i4

Miniature size is a big advantage of these headphones. They are compact in themselves, and even their box is quite small. By the way, the container does not have a lid, but thanks to the magnets the headphones are held tightly in it. At the same time, autonomy does not suffer: more than four hours on a single charge. The box is not designed to recharge other gadgets except the headphones themselves, so its capacity is relatively small - 500 mAh. The sound quality is decent, with bass and decent high frequencies, and there is enough volume reserve. There is a noise reduction option. We also note that headphones can be connected not only in pairs, but also one at a time. The modern Bluetooth 5.0 standard is used for connection; moisture protection complies with the IP X5 standard.

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Sony MDR-XB50AP - the best headphones with strong bass from 1,700 rubles

And now an offer for lovers of heavy, bass sound. The Sony XB50AP definitely stands out in this regard. After all, a frequency response starting at 4 Hz commits to something. However, it is worth emphasizing that the soft low end is not muddy, but rather springy, lively and clean. At the same time, the mids and highs are slightly distant and well controlled - they are almost never harsh or hissing. The cable has a middle microphone.

The most important features:

Sound pressure 105 dB
Wired connection (3.5 mm mini-jack)
Microphone yes
Weight 8 g
Impedance 40 ohms
Frequency response (max) 24000 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 4 Hz

Beautiful case for headphones included
Rich bass and very balanced sound
Attractive design
Quite a wide range of frequencies

Too bulky and heavy
Poor sound insulation

Nakamichi NBE-250

The second largest headphones after Angry Birds. Despite the mesh at the end of the cone, the headphones are completely closed. There is a version made in metallic color.

The headphone cable is massive, there is no wire lock. The set includes 3 types of nozzles of different sizes.

The sound of the headphones can be described as average, where, according to the manufacturer's idea, the bass effect is emphasized by the absence of high frequencies. The scene is not highly legible. At the same time, it cannot be said that the model is outright bad; it simply does not have any distinct advantages over other headphones in its class, it is kind of an average representative for its price. We can recommend them to those who are looking for neutral headphones with a minimum of high frequencies. RAA Report:
Nakamichi NBE 250 technical performance test
Overall sound rating: 3.5. Workmanship and equipment – 4.

Marshall Mode - ultra-comfortable headphones with excellent sound from 2000 rubles

Good sound, comfort, great brand, attractive design and good price. This is how you can describe Marshall Mode headphones in a nutshell. We recommend them to people who are looking for small headphones that can be worn comfortably in their ears for several hours. They sound dynamic, with fairly strong but not muffled bass, slightly lifted mids and clear, detailed highs. They are very good for listening to guitar music and generally any more complex songs. They have a good microphone for voice communication and nice elastic bands that seal well and don't fall out of your ears. This makes Marshall Mode headphones suitable for even light workouts. The combination of comfort, lightness and good sound makes them one of the most interesting headphones for a smartphone.

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The most important features:

Wired connection (3.5 mm mini-jack)
Microphone yes
Impedance 34 ohms

Great sound
Good microphone
Low and high frequencies are clearly distinguishable
There is an attachment to clothes/bags
Convenient loop on the control panel
Comfortable ear pads that are easy to put on and take off
Good sound insulation
4 sizes of ear pads included
Robust design
Convenient microphone placement

Weak cable insulation
You can't change the sound volume

Maxell Ear Bud Plugz

The workmanship is good, the only complaint is the wire. The wire is completely inelastic and bends like a wire, which in turn indicates the absence of reinforcing Kevlar or synthetic threads and raises concerns about the strength of the wire. There is no tactile point on the left earphone, but this can be compensated by the asymmetrical shape of the headphones for the left and right channels. There is no lock on the wire. The kit comes with three types of sizes of replacement nozzles.

The sound contains only mid frequencies; low frequencies can be said to be absent altogether. High frequencies are at an average level. The stage appears wide, but is not at all legible. The sound of the Maxell Ear Bud Plugz is one of the most disastrous among all test participants. RAA Report:
Technical characteristics test of Maxell Ear Bud Plugz
Overall sound rating – 1. Workmanship and equipment – 3.

FiiO FH1s - excellent headphones from 5,000 rubles with a chic design

FiiO FH1s is an evolution of the FH1 model. They use both dynamic drivers, larger than the original, and balanced armature drivers from Knowles. Interestingly, dynamic magnification had no effect on the enhancement of low tones. On the contrary, on the FH1 they are a little lighter, and the overall sound is brighter and more spacious. This is definitely an advantage for people who expect a more analytical and balanced sound. The FiiO FH1 are pleasing to the ears with very good separation, detail, clarity and wide stage. The design has a detachable cable with a 2-pin connector, is well rounded, fits the ear and provides excellent wearing comfort. Cables tucked behind your ears keep the headphones in place and prevent them from falling out of your ears. FiiO FH1 is simply a godsend for music lovers.

The most important features:

Sound pressure 106 dB
Wired connection (3.5 mm mini-jack)
No microphone
Weight 21 g
Impedance 26 Ohm
Frequency response (max.) 40000 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 5 Hz

Wonderful appearance
Fits comfortably in the ear
The wire is long enough and does not tangle
Detailed and balanced sound, realistic bass
Replacement cable
Possibility to upgrade these headphones to TWS if desired

Poor sound insulation
Controversial behind-the-ear design
Not the most comfortable fit

Headphones or maybe TWS headphones?

You can buy both types without any problem. However, if you care about good passive isolation, which indirectly supports active noise cancellation, then in-ear headphones are the best.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that completely wireless headphones for phones comply with at least the Bluetooth 4.1 - 4.2 standard, and preferably Bluetooth 5.0 - 5.2. A very big advantage is also the support for aptX and aptX HD encoding, since this technology provides the highest sound quality. AAC support may also have a positive impact on quality. For information about supported codecs, see the headphone specifications on the manufacturer's website.

For similar or even less money you can buy excellent wired headphones for your phone. However, people looking for the right combination of portability, comfort and quality are increasingly choosing TWS headphones.

Q67

Even if in real life this device is not as elegant as in the promotional photos, it is still worthy of your attention. These headphones are interesting because of their excellent sound quality with deep bass and good detail. If necessary, each of the headphones can be used separately. There is a noise reduction function, and control is implemented in the form of touch panels on the headphone housings. Bluetooth 5.0 is used for pairing. It is convenient to monitor the charge level thanks to the small display on the box. Moisture protection complies with IP X5 standard. Another point that speaks in favor of the Q67 is the large battery capacity - 3000 mAh.

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Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 - inexpensive wireless headphones from 1000 rubles

If you need inexpensive Bluetooth headphones at an affordable price, then you can't expect miracles.

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 at such a low price is a real find. They play well enough, with plenty of punch and a fair amount of clarity, but sometimes you have to press them close to your ears to appreciate the soft low frequencies. Alternatively, you can use other, better rubber bands. They have mediocre microphone quality, but you can get along. They are light and comfortable. As for quality, there is, unfortunately, a small lottery. This model is not a leader in reliability, but remember that the price is very low. These are pretty good inexpensive Xiaomi headphones for your smartphone.

The most important features:

Bluetooth wireless connectivity
Microphone yes
Weight (2x) 4.1 g
Impedance 16 Ohm
Frequency response (max.) 20000 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 20 Hz

Famous brand
Nice appearance
Good sound quality
Clear sound without extraneous noise or sound distortion
Compact case
Great price

No case battery indicator
Not enough bass
The connection often drops
The microphone is only suitable for use in a quiet environment

Huawei FreeBuds 4i - excellent wireless headphones with excellent noise cancellation

Or maybe it's better to pay a little more and have better headphones from Huawei? Plus, they have good active noise cancellation (ANC) in this price range. They effectively eliminate the low hum of traffic outside the window, the noise of the air conditioner and provide much greater comfort when listening to music in the city, both on the street and while traveling by bus, train, etc. They are comfortable, you can easily make phone calls, even using one handset. They have a small charging case and produce solid bass, although the treble is slightly muted. Some users report minor signal interruptions, but this can depend on many factors (including your phone model). This is hardly a rule.

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The most important features:

Bluetooth wireless connectivity
Microphone yes
Weight (2x) 5.5 g
Frequency response (max.) 20000 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 20 Hz

Great build
High connection speed
Holds a charge for a long time
Comfortable
Compact
Lungs
No problems with headphone audio sync/autopause
They fit well in the ears even when moving - oh
Excellent, deep. clear sound
Decent battery life (about 9-10 hours for the headphones themselves and about 2 full charges from the case)
Great noise cancellation
Nice appearance

Poor touchpad response
Lid is a little flimsy
The first time you need to get used to taking them out of the case, because the magnets are good and the headphones are slippery

Redmi Airdots

Of course, we couldn’t ignore the Redmi brand, we love it so much among our readers. The headphones themselves are small, without protruding elements, and the box they come with is also small and light. It charges from the MicroUSB port. Bluetooth 5.0 is used for connection, the connection is stable. It takes about two hours to charge the dock, and less than an hour to charge the headphones. In playback mode, the headphones will work for about four hours. The battery capacity of the box is 350 mAh, and the battery capacity of each earphone is 40 mAh. The sound quality is very good for this price category: the sound is detailed, although not particularly bassy, there is enough volume reserve.

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Jabra Elite 75t - the best wireless headphones with excellent sound quality

Here you already get the best quality headphones. The Jabra Elite 75t has to be among the top candidates. These headphones sound phenomenal and can compete with even much more expensive models. They offer sensational active noise cancellation (ANC), voice calls through the microphone are clear and understandable in both directions, battery life is about 6.5-7 hours without ANC or 5-5.5 hours with ANC, and with the charging case up to 20-25 hours. They are rain and sweat resistant, suitable for running and gym workouts. They also have a great phone app. The Jabra Elite 75t are the best gaming headphones for the price.

The most important features:

Bluetooth wireless connectivity
Microphone yes
Weight 10 g
Impedance 16 Ohm
Frequency response (max.) 20000 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 20 Hz

Clear sound and deep bass
Powerful sound stream
Good signal strength, connection is stable
Relatively small dimensions
Convenient push-button control
Good noise reduction
Strong transparency mode, in which the voice is very clearly audible. It's easy and quick to turn on and off
Sits securely in the ear

Missing codec - aptx
Primitive software equalizer
Separate battery charge data for each earphone is not displayed

HBQ Q32

These headphones come with a fairly large case, which can also be used to charge other devices, such as your smartphone. For this purpose, the container body has microUSB and USB-A ports. The battery capacity here is 1500 mAh, and each earbud is 50 mAh. It takes about an hour to charge the headphones, while the battery life is approximately 4 hours in music playback mode and up to 120 hours of standby time. Each of them can work separately. This model also has an interesting advantage - a display on the box where you can see the charge of its battery. Bluetooth version 5.0, this guarantees a standard 10 meters range in open areas.

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Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro - the best sound masterpiece

In our review of the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro headphones, we wrote that this is a sound masterpiece and a masterpiece of comfort. We stand by our opinion. If you want very good sound, high build quality, waterproof design, touch controls, good ANC, phenomenal comfort, nice microphones, good battery life and a great mobile app, the Galaxy Buds Pro are worth buying. They are quite expensive, but have a lot of advantages. They also come with a wireless charging case. Two speakers in each earbud provide detailed, high-quality sound, solid bass, and good vocals. Galaxy Buds Pro are one of the best TWS headphones in 2021.

The most important features:

Bluetooth wireless connectivity
Microphone yes
Weight 12.6 g

Great sound
High quality workmanship
Convenience, technology
Voice notifications are very convenient and have no analogues among competitors
Excellent noise reduction
Ease of use and settings
Convenient case
Well implemented additional modes

False sensor alarms
It is not possible to connect to two different devices simultaneously
Heavy
Not suitable for everyone

Sony WF-1000XM4 - TWS headphones with the best active noise cancellation

If you can stomach the R25,000 price tag, the best truly wireless headphones are the Sony WF-1000XM4. The previous XM3 was (and still is) very good, and the latest XM4 is a true masterpiece. It has 40% better active noise cancellation - but that seems almost impossible! In this regard, the Sony WF-1000XM4 is superior to headphones from Samsung, Apple, Jabra and Huawei. These are simply TWS earbuds with the best ANC in the global market. They also have a phenomenal battery - up to 12 hours without ANC and about 7 hours with ANC constantly. Of course, this time can be significantly extended if you recharge the headphones in the case. In terms of sound quality, the Sony WF-1000XM4 are the best headphones for the money. By far the best TWS earphones you will ever have in your ears. They impress with dynamics, power and clarity, they have very detailed mids, they reproduce vocals beautifully, they have meaty low tones and clear, bright highs. They play great at both low and high volumes. We do not recommend listening loudly to avoid damaging your hearing, but if someone needs it, we can say that the Sony WF-1000XM4 are very, very loud. These are simply the best masterpiece headphones available today.

The most important features:

Bluetooth wireless connectivity
Microphone yes
Weight (2x) 7.3 g
Frequency response (max.) 20000 Hz
Frequency response (min.) 20 Hz

Superior sound with top-notch noise cancellation and improved call performance
The buds are completely redesigned and look more discreet
Good battery life with smaller wireless charging case
Sweatproof IPX4 (splashproof)
Transparency mode provides more natural sound

For their high price, ideally there would be multipoint pairing via Bluetooth
May be a little big for small ears
Quite expensive