Best Budget Over Ear Headphones

Are you one of those who think that good headphones cost a fortune? Then read my review with the best over ear headphones under 50! I promise you will be surprised how great can be a device bought for a pretty low price. I find it very interesting that even super famous brands well-known for high-quality units are manufacturing such cheap headphones. One of them is Audio-Technica that makes products for real audiophiles.

If your budget is limited, it’s not a reason to give up on listening to music with decent clarity and strong bass. Usually, the manufacturers of relatively cheap headphones offer a much better price-quality ratio. What are the other benefits of low-cost devices? When such a pair of headphones gets damaged, you don’t lose much. However, I must say that the models mentioned below are quite durable, so you may not have such a problem in a few next years after buying one of them. If you need to replace some parts of cheap headphones, normally it’s also not going to be expensive.

Best Wired Over Ear Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x - best overall

Let’s start with this lightweight unit that I consider to be the best over ear headphones under $50. Why? First, they weigh only 190 g/6.7 oz which is really impressive. The next thing that makes the appliance special in my eyes is its frequency response 15 Hz - 20 kHz. This range provides great detail of a sound. Some other features that you should know about are the impedance of 47 Ohm and sensitivity of 96 dB.

The headphones are made in black and have a one-way cable connection to the left ear cup. This device can be used exclusively with a wire that is detachable. You get a pretty long cable with these headphones — 300 cm/9.8 ft. If you want to connect the ATH-M20x to your home stereo system, for example, use the ¼-inch adapter (6.35mm) that comes in the package. To add, these closed back headphones are foldable and can easily fit in your pocket. They feel sturdy and reliable, so you shouldn’t worry that Audio-Technica ATH-M20x gets damaged. The headphones have quite big and soft ear cups that block out plenty of ambient noise.

Sound

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x perfectly reproduces clean vocals, electric guitar instrumental. Even when your music is playing really loud, the headphones produce crystal clear sounds. The balance of low, middle, and high ranges is perfectly harmonious. Overall, this device offers above-average sound reproduction and is suitable for neutral listeners of most genres.

AKG K52

Looking at these headphones, it's hard to believe that they are so cheap. AKG K52 is a gorgeous closed back unit that comes with 250 cm/8.2 ft long cable as it is intended for wired use. The range of impedance offered by this manufacturer is between 18 Hz and 20 kHz. Moreover, the headphones have an impressive level of sensitivity which is 110 dB and 32 Ohm of impedance. These are suitable for mixing and have good external sound reduction.

When it comes to convenience, weight is important. The considered appliance has 200 g/7 oz which is lightweight compared to lots of other over ear models. The headphones feel durable, which is a rare thing for such a budget price. Their design is very snazzy and not garish at all. I really like how the 'L' and 'R' indicators are located in the ear cups, so you always know which way round the set goes.

The headband isn’t adjustable since there is a flexible, cushioned band that easily springs into place around your head. When you open the package with the headphones, you will find a ¼ adapter (6.35mm) there. So, you can plug the mentioned model straight into your hi-fi system.

Sound

I have tried various types of music through them and all the detail was represented. Although the bass lacks the thump, the mids and highs are quite clear and you can hear the separation of the instruments well. The headphones with clear and airy presentation exhibit a wide soundstage. They cover a perfectly adequate spectrum. Notes hit very solidly, with exactly enough detail and perfect harmonies to keep you engaged. The separation is just amazing.

Best Wireless Over Ear Headphones

Сowin E7

Even some more expensive models do not look as stunning as this unit. Its stylish closed back design combined with excellent technical features made the device one of the best over ear Bluetooth headphones under 50. First of all, I have to mention the frequency response which is 20 Hz - 20 kHz. The headphones have a decent level of sensitivity which is 85 dB. You also have to be aware of their impedance — 16 Ohm.

This wireless unit has active noise-canceling that works very well. If you need to make or take a call, it’s not a problem as the headphones are equipped with a microphone. The E7 supports Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC for connection to other devices. As for a pair of budget headphones, the battery life of 30 hours is fantastic. You have to spend only 4 hours charging the appliance and be wire-free. For those who prefer a battery-free listening mode, there is a detachable cable in the package.

The body of the unit seems to be very durable. I have dropped it on the floor a few times and, while the headphones are covered with scratches, they are still performing great. As for me, it’s a great result for an affordable pair of wireless over ear headphones. The E7 is quite breathable for an over-ear design, so you can listen to music for longer periods without being too bothered by the temperature difference.

Sound

These headphones deliver exceptionally clear vocals and crisp percussion. They provide quite strong bass and an average mid-range, however, lack a good treble performance. The soundstage is narrow for the closed back cups.