Nowadays, you don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to get a pair of nice headphones.
Either you are searching for a pair of secondary headphones to put in your gym bag or you want something inexpensive that you don’t have to bother about spending a lot of money to get a new one should it get damaged; you can still get decent headphones for less than $20. Have it at the back of your mind that you won’t get an audiophile-level sound or top-notch quality at this price.
There are several options for headphones under $20 regardless of your preference for either over-ear or in-ear headphones. Headphones within this price range provide a lot of modernized performance. They also offer a variety of options when it comes to sound quality.
We chose to pull together a list of the best headphones under $20. Should you be hoping to get headphones to make use of in the gym, in your room, or out on a run, we hope this list will help you make the right choice.
Without further ado, these are the best headphones under $20 recommended for you:
1. Koss UR-20
The Koss UR-20 with an over-ear design are the best headphones under $20 according to tests carried out. These wired over-ears are quite cozy and are as light as feathers. They also have big ear cups along with soft, lush paddings. The wires are as long as 8.3 feet and they also have a retro headband modified to spread pressure evenly along the top of your head.
The sound profile is moderately balanced through the bass and mid-ranges, however, some higher-frequencies sound boring and dull, while others produce this deafening and shrill sound. Different people may not be able to get the exact quality of the seal and may get various sound reproduction due to the headphones being loose fit.
Regrettably, they appear and feel quite substandard, and the price shows on the quality of the build. They are also heavy, without a microphone, and does not stop the background noise, therefore making them inappropriate for use while commuting or at the office. Although they are not the multipurpose pair of headphones one would hope for, they are suitable for people who want neutral-sounding over-ears headphones without spending a fortune.
2. Skullcandy Jib Wireless
The Skullcandy Jib is the best earbuds under $20 that have been tested by us. These in-ear buds are connected by a thin cable and also has an in-line remote that is quite simple to use.
They are handy and stable in your ears, which means they will stay in your ears when you wear them to the gym or during a workout.
Generally, they are ideal for listening to bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and EDM because they possess a bass-heavy sound profile which provides an additional boom and punch to the mix. You can turn up the volume of your preferred tunes without disturbing the people around you as they do not let out a lot of noise. It has a very strong battery life that can last for nearly six hours.
They do not have the best design quality, so they look inferior and plasticky. Secondly, they do not keep out plenty of background noises which suggests that they may not be suitable for use while commuting or working in a rowdy environment. Nonetheless, these headphones provide moderately versatile performance and are ideal if you are shopping on a tight budget.
3. Koss KSC75
According to our tests, Koss KSC75 are the best headphones below $20 with an on-ear design. They have a distinct clip-on design that is quite lightweight and guarantees a firm, secure fit without heaping pressure across the top of your head. They are also very handy and breathable so they are very suitable if you are hoping to get something cheap to wear while working out and don’t prefer earbuds.
These low-priced on-ears have a close sound profile to the common albeit expensive Koss Porta Pro Wireless. The KSC75 has a lower bass, but they have the same overall bright, yet fairly neutral sound. This makes them perfect to be used with podcasts or audiobooks. It also has an open-back design so they sound quite spacious.
Sad to say, the ear-clip design is not comfortable. Once you have had them on for a while, the ear-hooks stops feeling invasive, although if you wear glasses, it doesn’t get any better. They do not keep out any noise from the environment. Although this may be a good thing if you are jogging in the neighborhood, they are not fit for wearing on the bus coupled with the fact that they leak a lot of sounds.
4. Vogek On-Ear Headphones
The Vogek foldable headphones are available in various colors and are a great companion for listening to music or taking calls on the go. If you would like handy headphones with an on-ear design for under 20 dollars, then get these.
The portable design is what makes them unique. They can be folded and kept safe either in your room or in your bag or pocket. They present a cozy fit with an excellent sound seal which helps to reduce outside noise so you can enjoy the music more.
They also come with in-line remote control for selecting tracks as well as a microphone for phone calls.
They give out a clear frequency response. It is fairly balanced, ideal for softer genres, such as country ballads or classical music, although, it can also produce extensive bass oomph when the need arises.
Vogek headphones are suitable for everyone, who is hoping to get inexpensive, cozy on-ear headphones with a remote and microphone. They are also suitable for children and teenagers due to the attractive design and sound quality with strong bass.
5. Panasonic RP-HT161-K
The RP-HT161-K are classic-style over-ear headphones under $20. They have a lightweight design and excellent sound quality that won’t leave you disappointed.
If you enjoy feeling comfortable and moving around while listening to music or playing games. Then you need to take a look at these headphones.
The greatest feature about them is the extra-long cord. It is so convenient to use especially when playing games or dancing to your best songs. They are very comfortable to wear due to their lightweight. Soft earpads cover the entire ear and cut off most of the background noise.
Their lifespan can also last a while if properly taken care of.
Their sound is equalized. Although the bass is deep, it suits all other ranges. These are usually OK to listen to every music genre. And yea, they cost less than 20 dollars.
The major benefit is the long cable. Otherwise, the Panasonic RP-HT161-K are made for casual home use with a great sound, comfortable design, and a fantastic price.