Best Studio Headphones Under $50

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get honest, usable headphones for tracking and reference. The best studio headphones under 50 dollars give you a reasonably flat sound, decent isolation for recording, and enough comfort for a session. Here’s how to choose a pair on a budget and the real models that punch above their price.

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Quick answer

At this price, the Sony MDR-7506 (often near the top of the budget bracket) and Audio-Technica ATH-M20x/M30x are the safe picks for closed-back tracking. The Samson SR850 is a popular open-back budget option for casual reference, and the AKG K72 is another solid closed-back choice.

What to expect at this price

Budget headphones won’t match high-end reference cans for detail or comfort, but the good ones are honest enough to track and rough-mix on. The most important split is open-back vs closed-back: closed-back isolate sound so it doesn’t bleed into your mic while recording, while open-back sound more natural for listening but leak. For tracking, choose closed-back. Learn the difference in open-back vs closed-back headphones and what to look for in reference headphones.

How to choose budget studio headphones

• Closed vs open back: Closed-back for recording (isolation, no bleed); open-back for relaxed listening if leakage doesn’t matter. Most budget studio buyers want closed-back.
• Tonal balance: Look for a fairly even response rather than hyped bass. Overly “fun” tuning makes mixing decisions harder.
• Comfort and clamp: You’ll wear these for hours. Check pad comfort and clamping force; replaceable ear pads extend their life — see how to clean and replace headphone ear pads.
• Cable: A detachable cable is a bonus at this price since cables are the most common failure point. Otherwise, mind how the cable exits and strain-relieves.
• Impedance: Low-impedance budget headphones are easy to drive from interfaces, laptops and phones, which is what most people plug into.

The best studio headphones under $50

Sony MDR-7506

A long-running studio standard that often sits right at the top of the budget range. Closed-back, detailed in the mids and highs, and great for spotting problems while tracking. The coiled cable and folding design are practical for everyday studio use.

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x and M30x

The entry models in Audio-Technica’s respected M-series, offering closed-back isolation and a fairly balanced sound for tracking and casual reference. Comfortable and reliable, they’re a dependable first pair for a home studio.

Samson SR850

A semi-open budget favourite known for a spacious sound that belies its low price. The open design leaks, so it’s better for listening and rough mixing than for recording near a live mic, but the value is excellent.

AKG K72 and Superlux options

The AKG K72 is a comfortable closed-back option with a smooth, easygoing tone. Superlux also makes well-regarded budget headphones in both closed and semi-open designs that mimic the feel of pricier studio cans for very little money.

How to use budget headphones well

Use closed-back pairs for tracking and check your mixes on monitors too — see studio monitors vs headphones for mixing. Reference your mix on several devices, since no single pair tells the whole story. If you outgrow them, our best budget headphones for music production guide covers the next tier up, and the monitors and headphones hub has more on building accurate monitoring.

Frequently asked questions

Can I mix on headphones that cost under $50?

You can do a lot of the work, but check the result on monitors and other devices before finalising. Budget headphones are honest enough for tracking and rough mixes, though they reveal less detail than reference-grade cans.

Open-back or closed-back for a budget pair?

Closed-back if you record with a live mic in the room, because they isolate sound and prevent bleed. Open-back sound more natural for listening but leak audio, so they’re best reserved for mixing or casual reference.

Do cheap headphones need a headphone amp?

Usually no. Most budget studio headphones are low impedance and easy to drive from an audio interface, laptop or phone. Higher-impedance models benefit from more power, but that’s rare in this price range.