The Best Affordable Wireless Headphones in 2022

How Can You Choose The Best Affordable Wireless Headphones in 2020?

With so many different styles, features, and options available, it can be extremely difficult to figure out what the best affordable wireless headphones are right now. 

These reviews are going to talk about a few of the most affordable and popular options at the moment, so you can compare and figure out which set suits your needs. I am also going to give you some useful advice on considerations to make before purchasing your headphones, so you can be sure you’re going to be delighted with your purchase. Whether you want your headphones for gaming, travelling, or general music listening, these reviews have you covered! 

Sennheiser PXC 550

The Sennheiser PXC 550 can be expensive, but you may be able to find a deal to make this purchase a little more tempting. With this model you can enjoy voice prompts, touch controls, NFC pairing, smart pause and automatic on/off. This means you don’t have to think or fiddle much while you use the headphones, which makes them a good choice for those who want minimal hassle. 

The Sennheiser PXC 550 has been tailored specifically for the discerning business traveller, so if you’re constantly attending business trips, they could be right for you. They need 3 hours of charging time, after which they have 30 hours of battery life. They also have OK noise cancellation – not spectacular in comparison to other models, but beneficial in certain situations. 

Pros

• Ideal for travel 
• Stylish 
• Noise cancellation 
• Intuitive user control and convenience
• 30 hour Battery life 
• Connect to multiple devices at a time 

Cons

• Can be expensive 
• Take a little longer to charge 
• Occasionally notice white noise
• Some users have noticed buggy firmware

Although the Sennheiser PXC 550 model could work really well for some people, I would say that there are potentially too many issues for the price. As you’re expected to fork out a decent chunk on these headphones, it’s disappointing when they won’t even completely block out noise on a flight. 

V-MODA Crossfade

The V-MODA Crossfade headphones come in a choice of colors, and the award-winning signature sound has won 50+ editors' choice awards. After charging, you can enjoy 14 or more hours of continuous music, entertainment and calls. Wearing the V-MODA Crossfade is extremely comfortable, and they are crafted in luxurious steel and vegan leather. They both look good and feel good on the ear (providing you have the right sized cushions). 

One issue I have found with the V-MODA Crossfade, is that you may need to purchase the XL cushions if you don’t have tiny ears. For those who have small ears, they are a brilliant choice. However, as I have slightly larger ears, I had to purchase the XL ear cushions. Once they were on, they were much better. However, I did resent having to fork out even more just so I could use these headphones! 

Pro

• Charges in just 100 minutes 
• Wired mode for gamers/musicians/Djs
• Vegan leather – no animals were harmed in the making of these headphones 

Con

• Occasionally a lack of sub bass 
• Ear pads may be too small for some 
• May not be the most comfortable to wear 

The V-MODA Crossfade sound is decent, and they have a number of uses, making them a good choice for somebody who wants a great, all round headphone. That being said, it’s super annoying that you may have to buy your own XL earpads, so that’s something to bear in mind. 

Cowin E7 PRO

The Cowin E7 Pro Headphones are actually very affordable – they won’t break the bank if you’re looking to find a great pair for a decent price. The headphones are perfect for music, movies, and videos, as well as ideal for travelers, as the noise cancelling function will dull the roar and background noise of your flight. I used these on a plane and the noise cancelling was quite good – however, it wasn’t a particularly noisy flight. I can see what some reviewers mean when they report the noise cancelling feature not being as powerful as other models. The 30 hour playback was a dream come true, however, and I managed to listen to plenty of playlists and watch films on the flight without issue. 

I have even used these headphones in a busy office, and I found that they manage to bring out subtle details in music that you may never have noticed. They are truly excellent in sound quality for the price – I just wouldn’t buy them if noise cancellation is your main need. 

Pro

• Won’t cost a fortune 
• Various colors available 
• Noise cancelling technology 
• 30 hour play time per full charge 

Con

• Potentially easy to break due to the way the joints rotate 
• Many users report their model falling apart within 6-12 months 
• Noise cancelling not as effective as other headphones
• Bulky 

A fair pair of headphones for the price – buyers just need to beware that the build quality may not be that good. 

Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II are a premium feeling model that even come with an app! Yep, there really is an app for everything these days. 

The app is truly a great feature, as you are able to completely customize your listening experience. You can use it to adjust the level of noise cancellation, unlock Bose AR, enable music sharing, manage Bluetooth connections and access software updates. Your listening experience is entirely your own for this reason. They also come with a back-up audio cable so you can use them on your on flight entertainment systems if you need to.

Something I really enjoyed was the very loud and impressive bass, which I made the most of when I used these headphones in the gym. I even came to the conclusion that they are lighter, easier to live with, and more roomy than the Sony’s! Make of that what you will if you’re a fan of the Sony brand. 

One thing to be aware of, however: the noise cancelling feature disappeared after the firmware update – I found this very disappointing for the price, although customer service was fairly quick to help me out. 

Pro

• A choice of colors 
• An app to completely customize your listening experience 
• Great bass

Con

• Expensive 
• Noise cancelling disappeared after firmware update 

I did love using these headphones, the only downside being the slight disappointment I experienced. This, paired with the price means I felt let down by Bose. 

DOQAUS Bluetooth Headphones

The DOQAUS bluetooth headphones are without question the most affordable on the list – especially if you can find a good deal. I found myself very impressed with the sound quality of the headphones, which is truly outstanding for the price. I felt like I was using a pair of headphones almost 10 times the price tag! Honestly, these headphones are better than many of the premium brands out there. Why pay more when these do the job just fine? 

Pro

• Extremely affordable 
• Look great 
• Memory protein ear muffs 
• 52 hours of continuous music 
• Amazing sound quality 

Con

• Plastic heavy 
• Sound can escape – not ideal in quiet areas 

Of course, there are a few small setbacks with this set. I did feel that they were plastic heavy, but that doesn’t necessarily impact the way they look too much. I did find, though, that the sound can escape. I didn’t always feel comfortable using them at work and in the library for this reason. 

Conclusion: Which Wireless Headphones Win? 

Ok, so now we’re going to name the winner of the roundup! For me personally, the DOQUAS are the clear winner on the list. Although they may be made of plastic and allow sound to escape, I simply could not believe the sound quality for the price. That, paired with 52 hours of continuous music blew me away! 

While other models on the list may look a little more pleasing to the eye or be made from more high end materials, the sound quality does not come close to that of the DOQUAS. 

How To Choose The Best Wireless Headphones 

You now have an idea of some of the best wireless headphones around, but how do you even begin to decide which set is right for you?

Ultimately, choosing the best wireless headphones means asking yourself a few important questions:

• How do I plan on using these headphones most? 
• What is the main feature/features I want from these headphones?
• What is my price range? 

If you plan on using your headphones for blocking out noise in the office, you’re going to be more bothered about a feature like noise cancellation than you would if you were planning on using them in the gym. Having a good idea of the features you’d like will help you to narrow down your options. 

Of course, your price range is also an extremely important factor. You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a decent set of headphones! 

What Are The Advantages Of Wireless Headphones? 

Why go for wireless headphones over wired versions? Well, for a start, you’re able to move freely without worrying about yanking out cables or things getting in the way. This may not matter so much to you if you sit pretty still while using your headphones, but it’s going to be a concern if you wear them while using the gym, running, or doing any sort of errand. There’s nothing more annoying than yanking out your cable and having to stop what you’re doing to plug it back in. 

You also don’t have to worry about losing your cable – there are less parts to a wireless headphone, and for this reason you can just grab them and go. All you need is the headphones and the device you plan on listening with. 

Things To Look For 

There are many things you can look for in a set of wireless headphones, but again, it all depends on how you’d like to use them. Doing plenty of your own research beforehand is key, as you may not even realize that you want/need a feature until you know that it exists. The video below is extremely informative and can help you to make sense of some of the confusing numbers found on boxes and in product descriptions. 

As well as taking into consideration the above video, you may also want to look for:

• Headphones that can easily fold away for travel
• The option to plug the wireless headphones in for low battery days 
• Larger earpads for comfortable wear 

How Should You Use Wireless Headphones? 

How you use your wireless headphones is largely down to you, but you should carefully read the instructions that come with yours to ensure you’re not going to void the warranty by using your particular set incorrectly. For example, you shouldn't go swimming wearing them! 

Many people enjoy wearing their wireless headphones to the gym, but again, if you sweat a lot it might be a bad idea. Wireless headphones are usually most effective for travel and work, as many of them cancel out background noise. 

Are Wireless Headphones Better Than Wireless Earphones/buds? 

This one is all down to personal preference. Some people find that when they wear their over ear headphones they are able to block out the world and get focused, which is why they go for this style over in-ear buds and earphones. However, some people do find the latter more comfortable and easier to fit into their ear, no matter the shape or size. 

You won’t find certain features with in-ear buds though, so bear this in mind. Noise cancelling is strictly a feature of over-ear headphones. 

Things To Be Aware Of Before Using Wireless Headphones 

You must stay mindful while using your wireless headphones. While they can be hugely beneficial on a plane or in the office, wearing noise cancelling headphones while walking down the street can actually be dangerous. The sounds of traffic and people nearby often help to alert us to danger. It’s also worth noting that you will need to have your device fairly close by, but many models have various distances they can work from, so you’ll need to check this out. 

You may not be able to leave your phone upstairs and listen downstairs without interruptions in your sound, for example.