Great headphones don't need to cost the earth. If you're heading back to school and in need of a budget-friendly pair of cans or earbuds to help you block out distractions while you study, I'm here to help.
At TechRadar, we review dozens of pairs of headphones every year, and while we've tested some superb premium models, we've also been blown away by a few budget-friendly options. Below, I've rounded up the affordable headphones we rated most highly in our tests, and the ones we'd recommend to any student seeking maximum auditory bang for their buck.
If it's over-ears you're after, our top pick is the CMF Headphone Pro, which our tester commented "could easily cost twice as much", after being impressed with their "surprisingly zealous and bass-hungry sound quality" and "outstanding battery life". For in-ears, the Nothing Ear (a) are our #1 recommendation — they earned a perfect five stars in our tests.
Read on for more brilliant, budget buys — and hit the 'Read more' button for a rundown of what we thought of each one.
Affordable audio
Nothing Ear (a)
Pros
- Fun, zealous, expansive sound
- Vastly improved active noise cancellation
- Smaller, more pocketable case
Cons
- No wireless charging support
- No flagship sound profile curation
Pros
- Great sound balance
- Lots of detail in audio
- Effective noise cancellation
- Full of useful features
Cons
- Sound feels constrained
- Noise cancellation leaks in low sounds
- Plastic feels a little cheap
OneOdio Focus A6
Pros
- Sensational sound quality
- Extensive software features
- Comfy, quality construction
Cons
- On-ear controls are a little sensitive
- ANC is good rather than game-changing
JLab Go Pods ANC
Pros
- Solid ANC
- Lightweight build
- Truly low price
Cons
- Poor eartip fit
- Lean battery life
- Aggressive transparency mode
Huawei FreeArc
Pros
- Top-tier sound
- Competitive price
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- App download pains
- Middling battery life
- Would benefit from ANC
CMF Headphone Pro
Pros
- Excellent hearing tests; unexpected at the level
- Emotive, circumaural sound
- Exemplary battery life
Cons
- ANC isn't amazing
- Energy slider feels a tad gimmicky
- No hard carry case or USB-C charger in the box
Soundpeats Clip1
Pros
- Fantastic listening test
- Comfortable build
- Competitive value
Cons
- Low max volume
- Cheap-feeling case
- Touch control issues
