Over ear headphones are more often than not expensive. Not all the time, but they tend to be, and the cheaper they are on average, the worse their spec sheet appears to be.
My view is that great sound quality isn’t limited to high-priced products. If you use your headphones to listen to music I’m not implying you’ll use them for mixing or at a studio, but average quality headphones will work just as well for you.
Listening to great quality tunes on a daily basis is also going to improve your mood. Just make sure you use some form of “noise canceling” feature if you have to “cope” with most of the world’s loud hummers out there.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones | Best Overall |  |
| Sony MDRZX110/BLK ZX Series Stereo Headphones | Budget Pick |  |
| GRADO SR80e Prestige Series Wired Open Back Stereo Headphones | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Pros:
- Exceptional sound quality
- Well-built and durable
- Comfortable over-ear design
- Uncommonly affordable
Conveniently priced, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones from the Japan-based company Audio-Technica are excellent value for money. Although they are a budget pair of professional headphones, the ATH-M20x’s sound quality is impressive, particularly the bass performance. If you’re a film enthusiast, this product is suitable for you weaning out for a quality pair of headphones on a limited budget.
The ATH-M20x features a 45mm large aperture drivers and neodymium magnets, which can reproduce a rich sound with excellent vocal clarity. The headband is comfortable and can be easily adjusted according to your needs.
Moreover, the over-ear cups are made from large and soft foam, which feels comfortable against your ears. The ear pads are not made from memory foam, though, so they may become unpleasant after some time. Still, guaranteed comfort is not something you would expect from a pair of cheap headphones.
2. GRADO SR80e Prestige Series Wired Open Back Stereo Headphones
Pros:
- Supreme audio quality
- Comfortable and snug fit
- Handcrafted from top-quality materials
- Available in different colors
- Easily available
Cons:
- Suitable for home use only
- Earcups can get uncomfortable after long periods of use
- Short cable
If you’re a lover of high-quality audio, then these top-of-the-range over the ear headphones are going to blow you away. We found that they offered crisp sound and a nice balance of bass.
You may be surprised by their price when you see it in light of their performance. One of the most impressive things about the GRADO SR80e is their open-back design and their ability to deliver audio with a depth you won’t find in most other headphones.
We found that the Grado SR80e’s earcups were a little too tight for us, particularly when we wore glasses. That being said, the inclusion of three sizes should allow you to find a comfortable fit.
3. JLab Audio Neon Bluetooth Folding On-Ear Headphones
Pros:
- Comfortable fit
- Good overall sound quality, especially for the price
- Great value for money at the time of writing
- Lots of positive customer feedback
- Noise cancellation feature works very well
- Durable, well engineered
- No distortion at high volume levels
Cons:
- Average sound quality
- You need to adjust the ear cups from time to time
- Bass can become a little overwhelming at times
- Better suited for casual listening than mixing or mastering
An excellent option if you want a set of reasonably priced on-ear headphones that deliver top-notch sound quality, the Jlab Audio Neon Bluetooth headphones are the way to go. We can think of a few different reasons that these headphones stand out.
4. JBL T500 On-Ear Headphone In-Ear Headphone
Pros:
- Comfortably soft earpads and headband cushion
- Comfortably cushioned earpads
- Works great with smartphones and tablets
- Adjustable headband for easy fitting
- You can adjust the length of the wire for your preference
- Foldable design makes it easy to carry in your backpacks
- The headphone’s wide earpieces fit over most ears
- The headband and earpieces are compatible with most smartphone cases
- It’s lightweight and won’t fatigue your head and ears
- It’s noise- isolation to help you enjoy your music better
5. Koss Porta Pro On Ear Headphones
Pros:
- Lightweight and adjustable headband
- The headband can also be adjusted for a smaller head
- Very comfortable on the ears and around the head
- Very durable, due to the steel-strand woven headband
- Very nice sound and bass response
- Truly, retro design that will hold up for several years to come
- Very inexpensive
Cons:
- Bass is a little heavy and muddy in the mid-range
- The over-the-ear headphones do not block out outside noise well.
Your ears will thank you for trying on a pair of these Koss Porta Pro headphones! The cushioned vinyl around the sides rubs gently against your ears, making them very comfortable. This can also block out outside noises, giving you a sanctuary from noisy public places.
These earphones have a very retro look, reminding you of some of the old-school headphones. If you have a disposable income, you may want to opt for some of the high-quality brands, but if you are looking for something inexpensive, that still sounds good, this is a great option. The headband is also adjustable, which is great for people who need to wear it on different sized heads.
A few reviewers pointed out they like how these head phones collect the audio instead of blocking it out.
6. Active Noise Cancelling Headphones
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- AMAZING sound
- Soft pads
- Versatile controls
- Full size wired option
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Powerful, crisp bass
- Great sound quality
These TaoTronics over ear Bluetooth headphones are the best cheap over the ear Bluetooth headphones in the market. TaoTronics Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Bluetooth Headphones are on-ear and noise-canceling headphones. These lightweight and comfortable Bluetooth headphones have 40 hours of battery life and are perfect for listening to music, and they have a compatibility with most Bluetooth-enabled devices. These headphones are made of high-quality and durable materials. They can be used anywhere such as flying, camping, running, walking, jogging, driving, exercising, and so on.
The headset is the ideal buy for users who are looking for quality and high-end features at a reasonable price. These headphones are not only feature packed but are also very stylish and comfortable. The headset is foldable, so you can easily carry and store them in your bag. They have a remote and microphone and can be used for calls.
7. Behringer Headphones
Pros:
- The headphones can be used by DJ and mixer units
- They are designed using a low-pressure 30mm driver
- The open-back design allows for excellent sound quality
- The headband and ear pads are made to never get sweaty
- They can be folded to form a compact carrying case
- This set of headphones is easy to operate
- They were made to be used straight out of the box
- The set comes with a 1-year warranty
Cons:
- Some users reported that this set is uncomfortable to wear because of the tight fit and the ear pads are too thick
- There were also some complaints that the headphones were not as comfortable as expected
Which Cheap Over Ear Headphones to Buy?
These are probably going to be the best headphones you can find for the price. And considering the fact that there are no companies offering headphones for less than this, it’s easy to say that they’re a steal. These headphones offer exceptional sound quality and are extremely comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. They’re designed to never get sweaty no matter how long you wear them for. The open-back design also makes them ideally suited for DJs and mixers.
8. JLab Audio JBuddies Studio Bluetooth Over-Ear Kids Headphones
Pros:
- Great quality sound
- 13 hours of battery life
- High-quality audio delivery
- Sturdy construction and well-built
- Can withstand rough handling from kids
- Has a volume limit feature
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Easy to use volume controller
- Designed for kids, but functional for adults too
- Can be adjusted for any head size
The JLab Audio JBuddies Studio Bluetooth over-ear wired headphones were made to be comfortable on small ears, but they’re also perfect for adults.
This headset is made with soft, cushioned ear cups that are ideal for long listening sessions. Plus, the rounded circumaural built of this headset makes them incredibly lightweight.
This design also means that they’d be comfortable to wear for long periods of time without causing users any discomfort. In addition, the cushions on this headset are made to minimize sound reverberations that might cause discomfort and extra noise.
9. Audio-Technica ATH-AVC200 SonicPro Over-Ear Closed-Back Dynamic Headphones
Pros:
- Budget friendly
- Lightweight
- Closed ear cups – don’t leak much on public transport
- Consistent sound quality – not too loud or quiet
- Excellent build quality – made from durable materials
- 90-degree 3.5 mm jack – doesn’t snap over time
- 3.9ft cord – can sit comfortably without a knot
- 1-year warranty – 1-year durability guarantee
Cons:
- Line can get tangled easily
- Doesn’t carry bass in the headphones
This is an excellent pair of headphones that’s comfortable to wear for a long time and it has a surprising reverb to it. The headphones have a very professional look and the only downside is that the wire sometimes gets tangled. You should be careful because there’s a high potential for breakage with the wire. Otherwise, this pair of headphones might actually be one of the best cheap ones you can find.
10. Sony MDRZX110/BLK ZX Series Stereo Headphones
Pros:
- Affordable
- Balanced sound quality
- Noise isolating
- Comfortable on-ear design
Cons:
- Build quality could be more durable
- The display stand is quite cheap
- No inline control or microphone
We continue with our list of the best budget headphones with this amazing pair from Sony.
The Sony MDRZX110/BLK is a simple on-ear model that’s perfect for everyday use. It features a collapsible design that allows for easy storage in your backpack. The headphone is lightweight, weighing just 9.8 ounces. The ear cups are comfortable and are made from a soft material that’s designed to provide extra padding for your ears.
It comes with a 3.94– wire that comes with an inline remote/microphone that you can use to answer or reject calls on your smartphone. It’s made from a braided material which helps to prevent tangling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best cheap over ear headphones?
Whether you like to listen to music while you're jogging, working out, cleaning, or commuting, you'll need a pair that are lightweight, comfortable, with a high-quality sound and best of all, cheap. When your headphones cost more than the actual music you're listening to, it can seriously hinder the number of great songs you'll end up hearing. In our opinion, the music should be the king and your headphones should be its loyal servant. If you find yourself paying more for the headphones alone, you may want to consider a few of the following cheap models.
Which headphones are the best and cheap?
Here you'll find our list of the best and cheap headphones of 2022.
While they're not as popular as phones or computers, headphones are still in high demand and use by most people.
High-quality headphones can offer experience and benefits that are superior to the sound of any phone.
To judge the best headphone, we used a combination of factors, including sound quality, design, portability and comfort.
Which over ear headphones are the best?
If you're looking for something in-ear, check out our Best Earbuds to Buy in 2022 Review.
Over-ear headphones are usually considered to be the best sounding headphones because they have excellent bass response due to the way sound waves function. They also seal out noise better due to the ear cups that comfortably surround your ears.
Over-ear headphones provide a more immersive experience because the earcups block unwanted outside sound and provide better sound isolation.
The downside of this type of headphone is the comfort. Over-ear headphones can be a bit heavier than earbuds and thus can be more uncomfortable in the long run because of perspiration. They are also usually a bit bigger and not as portable.
What are the best cheap wireless headphones?
Consider retailing 2 or 3 products with higher margins.
For more info, you can read my entry on "Create a Retail Arbitrage, Multiple Streams of Income Online Store"[Link] for more details.
Conclusion
So let’s get to it. Here’s a look at 10 of the best budget over-ear headphones. As usual, we’ll start with our winners and then follow with the others in no particular order.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones | Best Overall | |
| Sony MDRZX110/BLK ZX Series Stereo Headphones | Budget Pick | |
| GRADO SR80e Prestige Series Wired Open Back Stereo Headphones | Upgrade Pick | |