Poll: Best Budget Earphones or Earbuds Under $50 in 2018

Moderators at OzBargain have decided to run yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. The polls will end once the year is over.


Question

What is the best budget earphones (under $50) for the money in 2018?

Once again we revisit this topic of "Best Budget Earphones or Earbuds Under $50" for the year 2018. The results for last year's poll shows that the Xiaomi Mi IV Hybrid took the top spot as Ozbargain's preferred cheap earphones, while the KZ ZS3 and Meizu EP51 Bluetooth Sport earphones were 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

Earbuds sit just on the outside of your ear canal, and these are usually a one-size-fits-all affair, so they may not be the most comfortable to wear for some people. Most earbuds lack cushions (such as Apple's classic earbuds) and since they do not completely cover your ear canal they will allow ambient sounds to come through.

In-ear earphones, (or In-ear Monitors) have a protrusion that lets you lock the earphones into your ear canal, allowing for near-complete sound isolation. Materials such as foam, rubber or silicone lets you block sound from the outside while allowing the music you're listening to sound more pronounced and bassy. They'll typically have several exchangeable tips of various sizes to suit differently shaped ears.

Some of the things you need to consider apart from their sound quality:

  • Wired or bluetooth
  • Built in microphones for smartphone usage
  • Active noise or passive noise isolation
  • Water resistance (for sweaty workouts)
  • iPhone or Android compatible controls

So what's your favourite sub-$50 Earphones for the year 2018? Make your suggestions below, and be sure to justify why it's the best buds for you.


  • You are allowed to change your vote.

How to Suggest a Poll option? Simply type into the textbox above your Comment box and then submit your comment. Be sure to also click on the + next to your poll option, otherwise you won't have voted!

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Poll Options

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2018. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.

Comments

  • Suggested Koss KSC-75

    Been using Koss KSC-75 for over 10 years (currently on my second pair, as the wire disintegrated on the 1st pair)

    The soundstage and depth is simply amazing for $25 phones.

    I find it super comfy (YMMV) on ear hook, i can wear it for whole day and never felt a thing, almost forgot I have it on ears.

    Having something stuck in my ear though, isn't really my thing hence i hate earbuds or IEM. (Same like having someones else finger stuck in your nose)

    • This topic is only for earphones and earbuds though…

      • it's 40mm on-ear phones :D (no headband either)

  • +1
    Suggested Meizu EP51

    Meizu EP51 as a wireless solution.
    I've tried a few and always come back to these, some have said not enough Bass in in them or they don't go loud enough, but it's not an issue I've personally experienced, maxing them out is too loud for me. I use them regularly at the gym. Call quality could be better, but it works.

    • I agree with you. Maxing these out will make you deaf. Bass is pretty great too once enclosed properly in your ear (i had to use the largest size) Battery life is great also

  • I've been using Marley headphones/earphones on and off for about 5 years now. The on-ear ones had fantastic sound quality but hurt my ears after a while, so I switched to the in-ear ones and haven't looked back.

    https://www.thehouseofmarley.com.au/headphones/in-ear-headph…

  • Xiaomi IEM Pro HD they are my first good earphones so I don't have much experience with earphones.
    The clarity is excellent, listening to FLAC I've noticed lyrics that I've never noticed before.

  • The $20 pair I got from kmart in Melbourne for the flight home when I forgot the $400 pair at home in Sydney !

  • Suggested Xiaomi IEM Pro HD

    Xiaomi IEM Pro HD they are my first good earphones so I don't have much experience with earphones.
    The clarity is excellent, listening to FLAC I've noticed lyrics that I've never noticed before.

  • Can anyone tell me if these are any good for $39.99 from Gear best? For my 13 year olds. Any advice would be really appreciated
    Bluedio T4S Noise Cancelling
    Bluetooth Headphones

  • Does anyone else reckon the xiaomi iv are better than the HD pro's? I bought the HD's hoping for an improvement over the previous version, but was a little disappointed about how flat it was compared to the iv's.

    I guess it all comes down to personal taste, but you'd expect something from the same line to follow a similar direction.

  • KZ ZS6 (quad driver) and I bought for less than $30. I have been using my UE Triple Fi's for a decade and this el cheapo IEM is seriously in the same league, if not a little bit better specially on the bass side.

  • Suggested S6 Wireless Stereo Bluetooth Earbuds

    S6 Wireless Stereo Bluetooth Earbuds with for $3 with silicone covers which you can buy for another $1-2 have been great for running.
    Great value.
    Call quality acceptable.
    Not greatest audio. OK for podcasts which is what I mainly listen to, music sounds OK but in all honesty when I go running on road external noises will affect quality to point you won't really appreciate quality headphones.

    I even accidentally put it in washing machine and it survived.

    • my s6 broke.
      gg

  • Suggested Phaiser BHS 760

    PHAISER BHS 760

    Bought these on Amazon and they had really good reviews. I'll vouch for them they are awesome. Good loud volume for bluetooth headphones but also good bass. Came with allot of extras in ear tips including the foam tips which you never see come with any. Costs anywhere between 35 and 55. I got it I sale for 35 delivered to sydney. Try it out you won't regret it

  • Suggested KZ ZS6

    I'd say these are the best budget ones currently - KZ ZS6

  • I love my S6 Wireless Stereo Bluetooth Earbuds. I've changed my old S6 for a while, but the headphone still worked very well.

  • More people voted for the Meizu compared to the ZS6. I've had another KZ earphones which really impressed me. Is the Meizu really better?

  • the xiaomi piston with the dual drivers are superior to these poor selections and they were only $30aud on ebay last year.
    dual drivers are better than a single driver.
    My advice is to stay away from $6 earbuds from Hong Kong.

  • Tin Audio T2 is A$50 if you mention "audiobudget" in your order on aliexpress from a certain seller

  • Aldi Bauhn Bluetooth headphones. I've compared these to expensive headphones are couldn't tell a huge amount of difference. The new model is no good unfortunately but I have seen some stores with the older model.

  • Best chifi earphones?

    My bose sport are on there last legs.
    I have a pair of anker wireless for the gym
    Sony wh1000xm2 for work

    The only real time i use my earphones is driving my bike and walking around at work.

    I cant use a headset as im on my ls
    Anyone have any recommendations?
    Preferably wireless or semi wireless
    They have to be flush to the ear cant be sticking out
    And have remote buttons for skipping

  • I bought Mivi Thunder Beats (here - https://technovolume.com/product/mivi-thunder-beats/) after seeing a review by NDTV. I use them everyday. Totally recommend to go for ThunderBeats and Mivi in general. This is the only Bluetooth earphones at this price range that has apex codec. That itself if a winner for me.

    I use Sony MDX wired headphones and my wife uses Bose Quiet comfort. The sound quality is almost as good as these. Obviously, wired earphones will have better sound, but i am very impressed that Thunder Beats has comparable quality. No other brands produce that at this price point.

    And the mic is quite up to the mark. I don't use it much for calls. But for whenever i used, faced no problem.

    Just have to say this for the brand. I also have their cable and charger too and this is the only Indian brand giving International quality products and customer service.

    I recommend adding $ 10 and buy this earphones

  • Whats with all the necro bumps?

    On the off chance that anyone is still reading this : Yuin pk2s. Can be gotten for $55 off ebay, no amp needed, one of the best earbuds at this price range. Neutral sound. Well known at audiophile forums/sites.

  • The KZ ZSN's came out recently and are just under 20aud
    They're vibrant and punchy, good range and nice bass
    build quality is superb for the price, the cable is braided and has a plastic casing so it won't rub against your shirt and send the sound to your eaprhones
    The default tips might be rubber xiaomi's and 3 sizes of its original star shaped tips are included

    If you want in on the chifi scene this is a good entry-level pair

    • Got a link? Looking for good deal.

      • Morning.

        https://www.gearbest.com/kz-zsn-_gear/
        They used to be 13usd but resellers realized that these IEMs are worth way more than that and are increasing the price gradually. I believe they're 19usd on KZ's Aliexpress official store

  • Suggested Anker Soundbuds Curve

    Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless Headphones, Bluetooth 4.1 Sports Earphones, 14 Hour Battery, CVC Noise Cancellation - Black and also supports AptX codec. The battery life is really that long.

    And it only costs $37 plus delivery. See it at Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless Headphones, Bluetooth 4.1 Sports Earphones, 14 Hour Battery, CVC Noise Cancellation - Black: Amazon.com.au: Electronics

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