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Headphones

Best EarBuds Under 20 Bucks in 2019

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People will often refer to $50 or even $80 headphones as “Budget options”. But, the reality of the situation is that many of us can’t or aren’t willing to spend that much on such things. So, how about the best earbuds under 20 bucks instead? 

We did the research for you and gathered some of the best options that we were able to find in this article. Do keep in mind that they are not ranked in any order. 

And with all of that being said, let’s dive right into it!

1:Easy KZ ZST Pro: Best Earbuds Under 20 for Neutral Sound

These earbuds generally sit around the $20 range. So, they are definitely not the cheapest option on this list. But, at the same time, they do quite possibly offer the best value. 

Best earbuds under 20

As you can see in the image above, they have an in-ear design and that can be a deal-breaker for a few people. Other than that, we’d say that they really don’t have another downside to them. 

One thing that makes them stand out compared to the other earbuds at this price range is their sound. Not only it’s extremely good (For $20), but it also has a relatively neutral audio signature to it. 

In case you don’t know, most audiophiles are actually after this kind of sound as it offers the most balanced and realistic experience. Now, we are not saying that they are audiophile-worthy headphones that can compete with $120+ options. But, what we are saying is that they sort of try to replicate that sound experience. 

The KZ ZST is also suitable as an in-ear monitor – meaning that it’s not a bad choice for musicians on a budget. 

The only downside to these earbuds and any other earbuds that are aiming towards delivering this kind of sound is that they don’t have a whole lot of bass to them. Don’t get us wrong. We’re not saying that the bass is non-existent. It’s just that compared to some other options, it definitely feels a bit lacking. 

Obviously, both musicians and audiophiles are generally not fond of headphones that are focused on base. But, if you’re just the average joe who likes blasting music at full blast with a ton of bass, you may end up feeling a bit disappointed with this purchase. 

One more huge pro to these earbuds is that the cables are removable. That makes transporting rather easier. 

Pros: 

  • Great audio quality
  • The neutral sound signature makes them a good choice for live performers and audiophiles
  • Superb value
  • Built-in microphone
  • Solid build quality

Cons: 

  • Neutral sound signature means that you’re losing a bit of base in exchange for balanced audio

2: Letscom: Best Budget Option for Sports

Once you try hitting the gym with a pair of headphones blasting music at your ears, there’s simply no going back. The problem is that lots of options are either wired or too expensive and both of these issues can be quite troublesome. 

That being said, if you need something that’s cheap and wireless, do definitely consider Letscom. As far as budget options for sports are concerned, these are the best earbuds under 20 that one can get. 

Best earbuds under 20

As you can see, they are mainly designed for sports. The hook basically guarantees that they are not going to fall off no matter what you may be doing while wearing them. 

Since they are wireless, one thing that we must keep in mind is battery life. The manufacturer has mentioned that we can expect about 8 hours of battery life, but most people have reported about 10. 

Obviously, the battery life that you can get out of them will greatly depend on things like volume and EQ settings. We assume that EQ setups that are more base focused will consume more battery. But, take that info with a grain of salt. 

Speaking of audio, don’t expect to be blown away by it. It’s decent – and that’s about it. If we were to describe it in one sentence then it’d have to be, “Good enough to get the job done”. 

Still, having a set of wireless earbuds with these features at this price point is a miracle by itself. 

The IPX7 certification means that the earbuds should be able to handle being used in the rain without an issue. And while most of us are obviously not going to run while it’s raining, sometimes, bad weather just creeps up on you. 

Pros: 

  • Wireless
  • Great for sports and working out
  • Decent battery life and audio
  • Once hooked, they cannot fall off your ears
  • Built-in mic
  • Since they are wireless, they can also work with devices that don’t offer a 3.5mm jack

Cons: 

  • May not be the most comfortable option for some (Depends a lot on your ears and personal preferences)

3: Amoner Headphones: Best Earbuds Under 20 for Budget Users

Do you feel like $20 is still too high for a set of earbuds? Do you hate the in-ear design that’s become so popular these days? If you agree with any of these, then do consider this option instead.

Just like with the KZ ZST Pro, these earbuds use a 3.5mm cable for connectivity. That used to be a very good thing. But, nowadays, many of the newer phones don’t have the necessary port to use them. 

You may still be able to use an adapter. But, still, do keep that info in mind. 

Since they actually cost less than $12, they are the cheapest option on this list. And, sure, $8 of difference isn’t that much of a big deal. But, when you are on a budget, every dollar counts. 

Despite the price being so low, we still get to enjoy a few features like the built-in mic and water resistance. The manufacturer claims that they are actually water-proof. But, we honestly wouldn’t try submerging them – even if they only cost about $11. 

The sound quality isn’t half bad either. Especially for the price. One good thing about it is that it probably has the strongest base in this list. 

Just do keep in mind that more bass isn’t always better. Especially if you’re someone who is concerned about audio accuracy and detail. 

Pros: 

  • Very cheap
  • Built-in mic
  • Water-resistant
  • Good audio for the price

Cons: 

  • Bass may be too strong or muddy for some people

Best Earbuds Under 20: Conclusion

Those were our top picks for now. If you still struggle to pick one, here’s what each one of them does best in a nutshell: 

  1. Easy KZ ZST Pro: Neutral sound which is a good thing for those who want an audiophile experience on the cheap, but they don’t offer the strong bass that cheaper options have
  2. Letscom: Best option for sports
  3. Amoner Headphones: Cheapest option with relatively strong bass

Headphone Ear Pads Buying Guide

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Headphone Ear Pads can massively impact both sound quality and comfiness. But, which type should you choose? There are so many to pick from. No need to worry. We’re here to help. Let’s check out the different types of ear pads and what you can expect to get from them!

A Couple of Side Notes

Before we start, let us note that ear pads will impact your sound quality. We’ve noticed that most of the negative reviews on 3rd party ear pads are talking about that and it’s amazing that so many people are not aware of this. 

Now, the amount of change that you’re going to experience in sound largely depends on what kind of ear pads you’ll get, which is what this article is about, how much distance they put between the headphones and your ears, and if you’re getting a set that is specifically made for your headphones or not. 

With that being said, let’s move on. We obviously can’t list every pair of headphones out there and that’s why we’re going to be checking out ear pads from 3rd parties. More specifically, Brainwavz. After all, they are the most popular and reliable in this niche right now. 

1: Leather And Pleather

headphone ear pads

Leatherette is one of the most common ear pads. It’s kinda like the pop culture of headphones and headsets really and there’s a good reason for that. 

Leather offers good sound isolation. Thanks to that, not only you won’t be able to hear any noises from the outside (depending on your headphones) but others won’t be able to hear what you’re listening to either. 

Other than that, thanks to the tight fit and the leather itself, you do also get more bass with balanced mids and highs. 

Well, that sounds Perfect! Right? No need to check out anything else then! Well, just hold on there a minute. Leather ear pads may be offering the best audio quality in terms of both base and balance, but they are also the most uncomfortable – at least compared to other types. 

No matter how soft, leather cannot compete with velour in terms of comfiness. No matter if we’re talking about real leather or pleather, it’s just naturally a bit tougher/harder on your ears. 

While we’re at this subject, rumor has it that real leather is far more endurable compared to pleather. So, do keep that in mind. Though, we can neither confirm or deny that. 

Pros: 

  • Decent noise isolation
  • Decent bass

Cons: 

  • A bit uncomfortable compared to other options
  • Soundstage is a bit narrow

Check out Leatherette ear pads on Amazon

 

2: Velour

headphone ear pads

As far as headphone ear pads go, velour is quite possibly the softest material that you can get for this kind of use. However, it offers poor sound isolation which can be both a positive and a negative thing depending on who you ask. 

For example, if you are looking for a more “open” feel with a wider soundstage then you can definitely take advantage of velour. After all, sound flows almost freely through it which is what gives this kind of ear pad its unique profile. 

At the same time, if sound isolation is a big deal for you, like if you’re living on a noisy environment or you don’t want to annoy others with whatever you’re listening to, then this can become quite an issue. So, it’s a matter of personal preference. 

Another negative thing is that velour ear pads almost sacrifice the low-end sounds while boosting mids and highs which can make for an almost painful experience – depending on your headphones, equalizer, and how much distance there is between the headset and your ears. 

Overall, as comfortable as they are, velour ear pads are a major turn off for numerous people because they sacrifice bass and offer poor audio isolation. 

Pros: 

  • Very comfortable
  • Can offer a wider soundstage

Cons: 

  • Poor audio isolation
  • Poor bass and audio balance (depending on headphones and equalizer)

Check out velour headphone ear pads on Amazon

 

3: Hybrid Headphone Ear Pads

headphone ear pads

Hybrids are using a combination of both velour and leather in order to offer the best of both worlds. How? You get velour on the top of the pads in order to get the comfiness of velour while the sides are covered with leather. And in that way, you get both comfiness and audio quality along with noise isolation in one package. 

However, do keep in mind that this is not as breathable as full velour and not as soundproof as full leather. The sound is closer to what stock leather gives you, though. 

Overall, hybrid ear pads are pretty close to perfection and you can hardly go wrong with them. If you want the comfiness of velour ear pads and the sound quality of leatherette, do definitely consider getting a hybrid pair. 

The only ones who are likely to be totally disappointed with this pair are those who need the soundstage that velour offers. In which case, you can always just ignore this set and go with whatever you prefer. 

One thing to keep in mind is that they are a tiny bit more expensive than a leather set. But, only for about $4 usually. So, not a big deal. Especially if you consider that you’re not going to be replacing them for a long time. 

Pros: 

  • Comfortable
  • Good audio quality and balance

Cons: 

  • Relatively narrower soundstage compared to velour
  • A tiny bit more expensive than the stock options

Check out hybrid ear pads on Amazon

 

What Headphone Ear Pads Should I get? 

  • Leather: Suitable for both music lovers and competitive gamers as it offers good audio isolation and good audio balance/quality
  • Velour: Suitable for those who want a wider soundstage and value comfort over audio quality. Also if you don’t care about noise isolation and bass all that much. 
  • Hybrids: Suitable for those who want the comfiness of velour and the sound that leather pads offer

Hopefully, that helped you find the right ear pads for you. Before buying, make sure that the ear pads will fit your headset. You can do that by either checking on the Amazon questions, description, or by taking the measurements for yourself.