Don't Pay a Fortune for Headphones. Try These 4 Cheap Options.

If you’re in the market for some new headphone and have your heart set on the likes of the Sony 1000MX3s or the Bose QC 35 II sets but your budget completely and utterly disagrees, it’s okay. Sure, these may be top of the line headphones that are superior to the rest of the market, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t quality headphones available without spending over $300. In fact, you don’t even need to pay over $100 to find good headphones, as long as you’re okay living without a couple of features. Check out these four cheap alternatives.

Note: For the best bang for your buck (quality for the price), most of these headphones are wired. We’ll have a “best cheap wireless headphones” article in the future!

Audio-Technica ATHM40x

These Audio-Technica ATHM40x headphones are aimed toward studio/DJ use, but that in no way means they can’t be used for every day listening. If anything, you can see it as a stamp of approval for accurate audio quality. The headphones are large, comfortable, and easily foldable for when you need to stow them away. They also offer great sound isolation to zone out to your tunes and nothing else.

Sony MDR7506

The Sony MDR7506 headphones find themselves on a handful of “top” lists and the reason for that is a simple one: They’re great headphones. The closed-ear design promises great noise isolation, and a long 9.8-foot cord provides enough slack for moving about without worry. That said, the non-removable cord makes this a very indoor-only pair of headphones, but they were designed with that in mind.

Anker Soundcore Vortex

While known primarily for power banks and chargers, Anker also makes solid headphones, and the Soundcore Vortex Wireless headphones are just that. Inside are 40mm drivers to delivery high-res audio and a battery that will last 20 hours on a single charge. You’ll also get an aux cable for battery-free listening, a travel case, a micro-USB cord for charging the headphones, and an 18-month warranty.

Sennheiser HD280PRO

Rugged but comfortable, the Sennheiser HD280PRO headphones are a top-notch option for those looking for a high-quality build and equally high-quality sound. Like most other headphones of its kind, the HD280PROs can be folded to save space. The large and fluffy ear pads are made from a synthetic leatherette, which allows you to wear them for hours on end without discomfort, and they’re easily replaceable to boot.