A good set of headphones are an absolute necessity in this increasingly noisy world. There are few greater pleasures than sticking on a set of headphones and losing yourself in great-sounding tunes. Now helped by the endless playlist on your phone.
Not only is this a tried and tested method of relaxing, it's also pretty effective at blocking out everything that's going on around you.
The prospect of living in your own little sound bubble is pretty appealing, and it needn't cost a fortune. You don't need to be loaded to get access to the best tech. There are lots of great budget headphones available. If you need some help choosing a pair, here's some useful information to get you started.
What are the best headphone brands?
You can pick and choose from a wide selection of devices and a lengthy list of brands. You've almost certainly heard of Bose, Sony, and Apple, but there are lots of lesser known brands to consider as well.
Sticking to the top brands definitely has its advantages. You're taking less of a risk by investing in one of the bigger names, but that doesn't mean it's always the way to go. You can often find much better value by looking at some of the smaller brands, and you don't need to sacrifice comfort, style, or sound quality.
What features should you consider when shopping for headphones?
You might be surprised at all the features included with modern headphones — even at a budget price point. Here are some key things to consider:
Bluetooth — This allows you to connect to your phone or music-playing device wirelessly. It’s fairly standard with up-to-date headphones but usually for convenience rather than sound quality. Wired headphones are still the best for audio aficionados.
Sound quality — Serious audiophiles might want to spend a bit more to get the richest, expertly engineered sound. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get great sound for a low price. Look out for reviews that credit the lows, mids, and highs (these describe the different frequencies of music). Also, look for headphones with drivers of 50mm and under. Drivers are bits of internal tech which convert electronic signals into sound.
Microphone — It’s the age of connectivity and most headphones will connect to your phone and allow you make calls via an internal mic, built into the headset or the cable.
Manual controls — Many headphones include buttons on the headset for manually controlling the volume, playback, or making calls. Sounds simple, right? Not entirely. Be sure the controls are easy to access and are easy to differentiate from each other.
Closed-back/open-back — Closed back headphones have completely sealed ear cups, which direct sound to your ears and keeps out ambient noise. Open-back headphones let air into the ear cup but can cause sound leakage that goes both ways — both in and out. Expensive headphones sometimes have open backs for clearer, natural sound. But closed-back are the go-to choice for commuting and noisy environments.
Noise cancelling — Much like it sounds, this is a feature that cancels out ambient and surrounding noise to create a completely immersive experience. Some headphones are built to physically keep out noise. Others include specific tech that further cancels it out. That's called "active noice cancellation" (ANC).
Keep these features in mind when shopping around for your next set of headphones.
What are the most comfortable headphones?
This is down to personal preference and — of course — what best fits your head size and shape. Some headphones are designed with comfort in mind, with padded ear cups or adjustable headband for getting the fit just right. Others are made with practicality in mind, and may fold up for added portability.
What are the best headphones for under £50?
Listen up, because we've done all the hard work and tracked down some of the best very headphone options for under £50. This list includes some names you probably don't know, some budget models from the biggest brands, and everything in between. There really is something for everyone in this list. Just select the set that best fits your listening and lifestyle habits. Sounds good, right?
These are the best headphones for under £50 in 2023.
