I can’t put down two cheap headphones I tested this year — one’s better for budget audiophiles, one’s perfect for commuters | Tech Radar

Overview

I can’t put down two cheap headphones I tested this year — one’s better for budget audiophiles, one’s perfect for commuters

Two super affordable headphones for different buyers

Details

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I've tested my fair share of contenders for the best cheap headphones list we maintain, and there are plenty more options I've tested that don't make the cut. I'm used to reviewing models which are great, but don't make their way onto the list since there are even better options out there (and few spaces on the round-up).

I've tested two such pairs of headphones already this year already, and since publishing my reviews, I've kept using both of them. These headphones have kept covering my ears even though I have even more juicy stuff to review — and I really should be getting on with that — because they each have a really useful and really distinct, advantage over each other. And so if you're on the market for new and affordable headphones (especially with the Amazon Big Spring Sale happening), they're both worth considering.

But they're both worth considering for different kinds of buyers. So I'll run you through what we're looking at, and which of the two you should pick up. And since I gave them both equally high-rated reviews, I'll list them in that most revered of orders: alphabetical.

The cheapest of the two pairs of headphones is the One Odio Focus A1 Pro, at

The selling point of the A1 Pro? The sound: I've tested plenty of cheap cans which have muddy or tinny audio, and these headphones actually sounded pretty good for the price. I'm not going to pretend you're getting Sennheiser-level sound, but I was impressed by the crisp audio. If you're an audiophile on a budget, you could do a lot worse.

I should note, though, that there's no app here; that'll be great news for some and annoying for others, but it means there's no equalizer. They also weren't the most comfortable cans I've ever used, and struggled in the feature department compared to my next options…

A $7 saving on some headphones may not sound mighty, but it's 20% off given that they're already pretty cheap. It's the first significant discount on these great-sounding cans. In the UK, they're still full price right now, but that'll change before long.

The Sound Peats Cove Pro cost a little more money, at

While the audio quality didn't match the One Odio, it was fine. However the real selling point of these headphones is the range of features they offer. You're getting a spectacular 95-hour battery life, a listening test to create your own EQ mix, and support for Bluetooth 6.0. That's a lot better than you'd usually expect for affordable models.

I also found the Cove Pro more comfortable to wear than the Focus A1, with the pads softer and larger so they didn't crush my tender little ears. If sound quality isn't your biggest concern, but you want something reliable, easy to use, and that you can wear for super-long periods in more ways than one, these are going to be the better pick for you.

A UK discounts makes these absolutely incredible value right now. These headphones are only available at full-price in the US currently, but Sound Peats offers frequent discounts on its products, so that likely won't last for long.

More of today's best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals

Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks, Echo & tablets from $18

Tom Bedford is a freelance contributor covering tech, entertainment and gaming. Beyond Tech Radar, he has bylines on sites including Games Radar, Digital Trends, Whatto Watch and BGR. From 2019 to 2022 he was on the Tech Radar team as the staff writer and then deputy editor for the mobile team.

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Key Takeaways

• I can’t put down two cheap headphones I tested this year — one’s better for budget audiophiles, one’s perfect for commuters

• Two super affordable headphones for different buyers

• When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission

• I've tested my fair share of contenders for the best cheap headphones list we maintain, and there are plenty more options I've tested that don't make the cut

• I've tested two such pairs of headphones already this year already, and since publishing my reviews, I've kept using both of them