Good headphones and earbuds are a great way to lose yourself in your favourite album or gripping podcast. But they’re also worth it for drowning out the gossip in a noisy office, negating the drone of sitting on a bus and locking in to your gym workout.
And while it’s possible to drop hundreds of pounds on an all-singing, all-dancing pair of branded cans, there’s a point of diminishing returns that serves as a placeholder for big names over superior audio quality. I posit that you can get a really recent audio product without denting your bank balance, with features like adaptive noise cancelling (ANC) and Bluetooth Multipoint connectivity.
And to prove it, I’ve put together a list of the best cheap earbuds and headphones. All bar one are under £100, with one pair of Sony headphones coming in at £30, so those on a budget can still enjoy great audio fidelity while looking after their cash.
Read more: AirPods 5 review: An honest verdict on whether you should buy them
The best cheap earbuds and headphones in 2026 are:
- Best overall – Sony WF-C710N: £84.99, Argos.co.uk
- Best for comfort – Soundcore Space 2: £109, Very.co.uk
- Best for outdoors – Shokz OpenMove: £78.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for battery life – JBL Tune 680: £89.99, Argos.co.uk
- Best for gaming – Arctis Nova 3X Wireless: £79.99, Currys.co.uk
Read more: 10 best headphones 2026, tried and tested by a tech expert
Sony WF-C710N
Best: cheap earbuds overall
Why we love it
- Fantastic sound quality
- Comfortable fit
Take note
- Case feels flimsy
These Sony WF-C710Ns represent solid quality and performance when you don’t feel like dropping three figures on earbuds. The fit is comfy and snug for earbuds of this size, though they tend to feel a touch loose when running. Still, as you might expect from a Sony product, audio quality is impressive, even for these mid-range buds verging into budget territory. Bass response is excellent and carries plenty of punch, while vocals and highs are delivered in crisp detail, with enough bounce and clarity to feel vibrant and lively. Audiophiles might bemoan the lack of high-bitrate LDAC codec compatibility though.
The case is perhaps where things drop off a touch. The translucent design won’t appeal to all, and the thin lid feels a little too plasticky and fragile. It’s also extremely smooth, so there’s the danger they could slide right out of your pocket. The buds themselves also consist of smooth plastic, so they could easily slip when taking them out in wet weather.
Key specifications
Buy now £99, Amazon.co.uk
Soundcore space 2
Best: cheap headphones for comfort
Why we love it
- Extremely light and comfy
- Excellent all-round audio performance
- 70-hour battery
Take note
- Design not for everyone
I’ve been using the Space 2 as my daily driver at the home office. Sure, it doesn't look as premium as pricier rivals, but I’ve worn headphones several times more expensive that don’t offer the same level of comfort. Importantly, they feel incredibly light, and the soft pleather feels great on the ears, even after extended listening sessions.
Audio performance is really solid, though the default settings could do with a tweak. Once you’re done, you get crisp, clear vocals and mids, while the bass response is pleasingly solid, though audiophiles might want to look up pricier alternatives for more thump. There’s also a 70-hour playback on a single charge, which reduces to 50 hours with ANC enabled, which should easily get you through a whole week. Plus, the ANC and the passive ear seal work really well, and there’s Bluetooth Multipoint for simultaneous phone and laptop tethering. Why would you want to pay any more?
Key specifications
Buy now £110, Amazon.co.uk
Sony WH-CH520
Best: ultra-budget headphones
Why we love it
- Uber simple form factor
- Excellent value
Take note
- On-ear pads press the ears after a while
This pair of on-ear headphones from Sony is ridiculously good value for money. They feel robust yet light, and that minimalist design helps conceal the scratchy plastic. There’s a generous 50-hour battery, so it’s great for travel and keeping at the office, plus Bluetooth multipoint for dual connections. At this price, there’s no ANC, but the passive seal of the pads does an okay job at helping drown out sound. Just note you’ll likely still get some background droning and murmurs in louder environments.
I found the padding generally comfortable, though my ears felt warm and pushed on after a while — one of the reasons why I prefer over-ear phones. That said, even at this price, Sony’s budget model delivers a bombastic audio performance, with rich, punchy bass that never feels strained or punches above its weight. Some mids and vocals aren’t quite up there in delivering impeccable dynamic naturalism, but really, these are probably among the best headphones you can pick up for £30.
Key specifications
Buy now £29.99, Amazon.co.uk
Shokz openmove
Best: cheap outdoor headphones
Why we love it
- Surprisingly clear audio
- Secure fit
Take note
- Sounds lacks oomph
- Battery life not great
These bone conduction headphones avoid pumping music directly into the ears. Instead, you place them over your cheekbones, where they’re held in place with a flexible loop that runs around the back of your neck. They send sounds to your ear canal using vibrations, allowing you to be fully audibly aware of your environment, whether that’s going for a nighttime run or needing to keep an ear out in the office. It’s a system that works surprisingly well, with clear vocals, though at high volumes, the headphones actually end up tickling the cheeks. And as the buds don’t end up in the ears, there’s quite a big drop in bass, and the soundstage can feel muffled at times.
Still, with no buds directly in the ears, there’s none of the sweat and ear gunk that can get caught in any earbud grills. They’re decent for exercise, have tangible function buttons that make them easy to use, and they stay fairly secure while wearing them.
Key specifications
Buy now £78.99, Amazon.co.uk
JBL tune 680
Best: cheap headphones for battery life
Why we love it
- Solid audio performance
- Great value for money
Take note
- Not the most comfortable
I was pleasantly surprised by these compact, lightweight phones from JBL. They might not look as nice as rivals, but they deliver a decent audio performance across the board. Highs and mids are noticeably clear, and while vocals didn’t grab me like pricier models, there is good separation across the soundstage, even at higher volumes. Notably, the bass is pleasingly thumpy, as I found out with some choice tracks from Linkin Park. Plus, the sound leakage is negligible, so you won’t annoy your coworkers.
The padded sections of the muffs create an effective passive seal directly on the ears, as opposed to cupping them, enhancing the decent noise cancellation. Battery life is also outstanding, where you’ll get up to 76 hours of playback without ANC. That said, the headphones tend to clamp a little on the ears, so it’s not as comfortable to wear for longer listening sessions.
Key specifications
Buy now £89.99, Amazon.co.uk
SteelSeries arctis nova 3X wireless
Best: cheap headphones for gaming
Why we love it
- Robust design
- Light and comfy
Take note
- No Bluetooth multipoint
These cans from gaming headset stalwarts SteelSeries are lightweight and comfortable to wear. The adjustable headband offers extra comfort and keeps your head cool during intense gaming sessions. The over-ear pads also grip the head with just about the right level of firmness. And despite the more affordable price tag, the headset is nicely designed and feels chunky and robust, even if some of the plastic feels a little scratchy.
Battery life is also excellent, with a full charge netting up to 40 hours of play. The best bit? Once you’re out of juice, just 15 minutes of fast charging is good for 9 hours’ playtime. The pre-developed sound profiles for games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 let you better hear noises like reloads and footsteps, which’ll give you the tactical edge.
Audio is also really solid, with SteelSeries focusing on crisp clarity over thumping bass, so jaw rattlers might want to look elsewhere. Still, for gamers, this is a solid mid-ranger.
Key specifications
Buy now £84.99, Amazon.co.uk
JBL endurance peak 4
Best: cheap earbuds for sports
Why we love it
- Secure, comfy fit
- Decent bass response
Take note
- Case is massive
- ANC could be better
The first thing that struck me in testing the Peak 4 was the large case. It’s about the size of a detangle brush, making it much bigger than earbud cases I’ve seen, and would definitely create unsightly bulges in all but the cavernous pockets.
The over-the-ear sport earbuds, which actually feel very comfortable and natural when in place, feature soft silicone tips that create a passive noise seal in the ear canal. They didn’t fall out or jostle about during my sprint tests. They’re also fully dustproof and waterproof, so they can handle everything from your sweat to a dip in the sand or pool.
What’s particularly impressive is the punchy synth bass, which I enjoyed courtesy of Prodigy’s Breathe. That said, sometimes I feel vocals and mids can feel a little lost or lack dynamism, even if they’re adequately clear. ANC is also not quite as effective as others on this list. Nevertheless, you’re likely using these for the gym or sport over audio nitpicking, so in these cases, these are a winner.
Key specifications
Buy now £79, Amazon.co.uk
Soundcore liberty 5
Best: cheap earbuds for call quality
Why we love it
- Plenty of features
- Superb bass
Take note
- Fiddly touch controls
These earbuds feature a modern stem design with a compact, sliding case. I don’t love the opening mechanism — it feels fragile when open, and the lid edges are sharp, but at least the plastic gives off a quality matte finish.
These are also rammed with features and settings, including a profile quiz that can ascertain your preferred EQ settings, Dolby 3D audio, wind reduction mode, and a control sensitivity adjuster. I found the ANC effective at drowning out office chatter and bus engines (but it won’t fully quiet your commute), while it’s great at delivering clarity during calls and Zoom meetings. The bass response is also impressive for earbuds in this price bracket, and though I’ve heard better instrument separation and engaging vocals with rival models, everything at least sounds crisp and clear.
If you can stretch to the Pro model, I recommend plumping a little extra for the upgraded ANC, smart display case and AI-enhanced noise cancellation. The base Liberty 5s are respectable buds, though you can find better performers in this price range.
Key specifications
Buy now £99.99, Amazon.co.uk
What are the best cheap earbuds and headphones?
I’ve been blown away by the unassuming Sony WF-C710N earbuds. They feel secure in the ears and deliver an excellent listening experience, with a punchy but controlled bass and rich, clear vocals and highs. If you prefer headphones, then I absolutely adore the Soundcore space 2, which are comfy and have great audio.
Earbuds vs headphones: Which do I need?
If you want something comfy at home, the office, or for long listening sessions, I’d fully recommend over-ear headphones like the Soundcore Space 2. They provide optimal comfort and less ear irritation. They also tend to offer better noise cancellation, so consider these if you’re a frequent flyer.
For convenience and light travel, earbuds provide a compact, discreet experience that you can slip in or out of a pocket quickly. And if you need some for exercise or running, consider bone conduction or hooked earphones, which allow for a more secure fit.
Is ANC worth it?
Absolutely, if you can’t stand the din of a loud commute or busy office. They help reduce your sensory load, letting you focus. However, if you’re lucky enough to tend to spend your days in quiet spaces, you can probably overlook this feature.
How I tested the best cheap earbuds and headphones
I’m a tech writer with more than 15 years of experience, but I’m also a huge Spotify and YouTube user, so I’m well placed to but the earbuds and headphones through their paces. I tested each product for at least three days, while considering the following criteria.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
IndyBest is The Independent’s reviews section, where experts test products to find out if they're worth your time and money. Matt Ng is a writer specialising in tech, having reviewed the best wireless chargers, best sleep earphones,best VR headsets and more. For this review, he tested each audio product for at least three days, assessing them on their performance and functionality, to bring you his honest verdict.
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