I’ve owned plenty of cheap headphones and can confirm that there are plenty of good options available. But while cheap headphones are tempting, you shouldn’t compromise on certain features.
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Multiple Connection Options
Although Bluetooth is nearly universal these days, it’s still a good idea to look for headphones with multiple connection options. Yes, Bluetooth is ubiquitous—but don’t settle for headphones that only support wireless connections. Bluetooth is great and can be enough, but your headphones should also support the classic 3.5mm jack for flexibility.
A perfect scenario of when that 3.5mm jack comes in handy is when your headphones have a low battery on a long flight. If you’re lucky enough to have a phone with a headphone jack or an appropriate dongle, you can plug it in and continue enjoying your music.
Otherwise, without a wired backup, your music stops when the battery dies. A good pair of headphones should include both Bluetooth for wireless connectivity and either a 3.5mm or USB-C jack for backup or lag-free listening.
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Adjustable Sound Profiles
Every headphone manufacturer tunes their products to create a unique sound signature and stand out from the competition. Some optimize for deep, punchy bass that’s perfect for hip-hop, EDM, or pop tracks. Others prioritize crystal-clear mids and highs, ideal for acoustic music, podcasts, or classical recordings, while others aim for a balanced, neutral profile to please those who prefer their sound as close as possible to the original recording.
A sound signature is great, but it may not match your taste. That’s why being able to customize the sound to fit your sound taste or the type of content you’re listening to is invaluable.
For example, while listening to a podcast, you can boost the mids and reduce the bass for vocal clarity. And when it’s time for music, you can boost bass slightly for that extra oomph to give the songs a punchy sound without muddying mids.
3
Multi-Point Connection Support
Another must-have feature to consider when shopping for a budget pair of headphones is multi-point connections. Multi-point means your headphones stay connected to at least two devices simultaneously. This was previously exclusive to premium models, but it has now trickled down to some budget options as well. If you have multiple devices that you juggle throughout the day, like your smartphone and laptop, it’s essential to have multi-point connection support.
For instance, you might be listening to music from your laptop and then get a call on your phone. Instead of fumbling to disconnect and reconnect Bluetooth, your headphones automatically pause the music and switch to your phone for the call. Once the call ends, the music resumes on your laptop. It’s seamless and saves hassle. It also makes switching between devices much easier.
If you use more than one device daily (and most of us do), a multi-point connection makes your headphones truly versatile. It’s one of those features you’ll never want to give up once you’ve tried it.
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Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
ANC is yet another feature that was once exclusive to expensive headphones, but it’s now widely available. While cheap models don’t get the advanced ANC that you’ll find in premium options like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, it’s a feature worth having. Thick ear pads might block a bit of sound passively (also called noise isolation), but they can’t compete with ANC when it comes to shutting out background noise.
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ANC uses microphones to pick up outside sounds and produce sound waves that cancel them out. This creates a quieter experience for music or podcasts in noisy places like subways or offices.
Because the headphones are actively working to give you a quiet virtual environment in the ears, you don’t have to crank up the volume dangerously high, which helps protect your hearing. ANC comes in handy when working from a coffee shop or traveling and is a must-have feature in any headphones, even affordable models like the Anker Soundcore Q20i.
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Excellent Battery Life
Listening to music or podcasts wirelessly over Bluetooth is as convenient as it gets, but your headphones still need sufficient battery life for long listening sessions. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself spending more time charging your headphones than actually listening to them, especially with ANC enabled. Battery life is thus a non-negotiable, even if you’re buying a cheap pair of headphones.
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A good rule of thumb is to choose headphones that promise at least 30 hours of battery life without ANC. It’s the sweet spot that keeps you covered through workdays, travel, and long listening sessions without scrambling to find a charger. The Anker Soundcore Q20i, for example, offers up to 60 hours of battery life while the JBL Tune 520BT promises up to 57 hours, and both cost less than $70.
Even with a tight budget, don’t buy your next pair of headphones blindly. To get the best out of your money, ensure your headphones have great battery life, adjustable sound profiles, multi-point connection, ANC, and multi-connection options. Choose headphones with these must-have features, and you won’t regret your choice regardless of your tight budget.
