Top best cheap mic headphones

Skullcandy Dime

For most people, "cheap" wireless headphones will cost somewhere around $100, but the Skullcandy Dime delivers surprising quality despite the price tag. Besides sounding better than we expected, their compact design is fully IPX7 waterproof: something that even many high-end products don't bother with.

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Has that bothered you yet? Battery life could be much better - you only get about 3.5 hours of playback per charge - and the touch controls aren't as effective as we'd like.

JBL Tune 500 On-Ear Headphone

JBL is responsible for some of the best cheap headphones under $100, and the Tune 500 is one of its best picks. Hidden beneath the sturdy and flexible plastic chassis are JBL's patented Pure Bass drivers to deliver serious bass; thunderous bass response at high volume. JBL's configuration leans towards warm tones, which is good news for music lovers who want their sound to be more powerful. Soft padded ear and ear cushions add comfort, allowing users to enjoy music for extended periods of time.

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Sadly these headphones don't come with volume controls, so you'll have to do this manually on your smartphone or MP3 player. Thankfully, the sound doesn't distort or become hard to hear at high volume, although people around you will notice the sound coming from the headphones.

OneOdio Studio Monitor Headphone

Weighing in at 10.6 ounces, they're not light but don't hug the ear so they won't produce some discomfort after an hour of listening. The plastic design also looks more attractive in photos than it looks directly outside. However, these shortcomings do not affect the remarkable sound quality of the OneOdio Studio, which is the only thing that keeps this model from ranking high on this list.

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Powered by 50mm neodymium drivers, OneOdio Studio serves up high definition audio at an unbeatable price. The tonal, mid and high ranges are well balanced, delivering controlled bass and accurate sound reproduction. The headphones themselves sound great, though you do have the option of connecting them to other audio devices like portable amplifiers for deeper, fuller sound enjoyment. Headphones can connect them to another set of headphones and share music with others. Noise isolation is another strong point of these headphones, as the over-ear design helps to create a tight seal to block out high-frequency noise.

Monster NTune

Monster may be best remembered as the company that helped produce the first Beats headphones, but let's not forget that they launched some quality audio products in their early days. The NTune (aka Nick Cannon headphones) carry the heavy bass character found on previous Beats models, though Monster has taken more care in balancing the mids on these on-ear cans. Its 40mm drivers provide excellent instrument separation, however, depending on the song, the lows can become a bit overexposed and create distortion. That's not always the case, but you'll want to know this when scouring hip-hop or EDM playlists.

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The unique design and reimagining of the shiny cap looks good and the bracelet is solid. What's even more interesting is that Monster sells these headphones in over 20 different colors.

Plantronics BackBeat 500

The Plantronics BackBeat 500 is a great option for this price point. Battery life is its best selling point, up to 18 hours on a single charge, and there's a Deep Sleep mode that can keep the headphones on standby for six months. You'll also get some surprisingly good sound from these headphones, which can rival models in the luxury segment ($150 and up). Bass is emphasized to give listeners a warm and energetic feel on hip-hop and rock tracks.

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The sports-inspired design is lightweight and durable, but the headphones aren't the most comfortable after 60 minutes of wearing. It also lacks the sweat-resistant aesthetic of the BackBeat 500 Fit, which isn't a big deal unless you plan on working out with these on your head. They can also benefit from better isolation, as outside sounds enter the ear canal.

Audio-Technica ATH-AVC200 SonicPro

What the ATH-AVC200 SonicPro lacks in features and style, this headset definitely makes up for it in sound. The bass hits hard and blends seamlessly with the vocals for a clear sound and plenty of consonants. Drums sound accurate, while instrument separation is excellent on large orchestral recordings. Despite their large chassis, these headphones feel very light and have a great weight-to-weight ratio, keeping the They are stable on the head and avoid slipping.

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The earpads are thin, not providing the comfort and cushioning quality of other models. If you are really interested in these headphones, you should consider a third-party earpad compatible with the ATH-AVC200 SonicPro for the best experience.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 29 May 2021