When you’re just starting out or working on a tight budget, finding affordable gear that’s actually worth the expense can be a challenge – and the same goes for studio headphones.
After testing a dozen low-priced options, I think the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are the best budget studio headphones. Priced around $100, they offer detailed imaging, a flat response, and the kind of comfort that matters during long recording sessions.
For those looking for an open-back option, I recommend the AKG K240 Studio. The open design lets you hear the sound of your room – a crucial detail when mixing.
Finally, if you’re looking to spend even less, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are the cheapest studio headphones I think are worth the money. While not perfect, at just around $50, they’re more than suitable.
Why you should trust me
I’ve been producing and engineering for over 15 years.
During that time, I’ve had hands-on experience with a wide array of monitoring setups – from high-end monitors and studio headphones to crappy earbuds and repurposed car speakers.
I know how to stretch a budget, and I know when a piece of gear doesn’t perform up to its asking price.
This experience, along with years of problem-solving in a variety of recording environments, has taught me what gear is worth your investment – and what isn’t.
Here’s my pick of the best budget studio headphones:
- Best at $100: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Best open-back: AKG K240 Studio
- Best for mixing: Sony MDR-7506
- Best at $50: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Check the Honorable mentions for three more inexpensive sets that I like, and that perform well in a studio setting.
Best at $100: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Frequency response: 15 Hz – 24 kHz
- Impedance: 35 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
The ATH-M40x are closed-back headphones that have a lot in common with their slightly more expensive, better performing cousin, the ATH-M50x. These headphones are decently capable of noise cancellation, and as far as their profile is concerned, are fairly well balanced.
Some of the features of these budget studio headphones include earcups that swivel 90-degrees, a folding design that allows them to be easily transportable, and the addition of two cables (one coiled and one straight).
The ATH-M40x have a frequency response of roughly 15 Hz – 24 kHz, which is rather impressive. For just around $100, you really can’t go wrong with a pair of these in your arsenal.
Read my full Audio-Technica ATH-M40x review for more details.
What I like
- Detailed imaging and fairly flat response.
- Comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Enhanced bass can be slightly muddy.
Best open-back: AKG K240 Studio
- Design: Over-ear, semi-open
- Frequency response: 15 Hz – 25 kHz
- Impedance: 55 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
As far as open-back studio headphones are concerned, the K240 Studio are most likely the best budget option you’ll find.
Their reliability in mixing, mastering, and monitoring applications is more than enough for the beginner producer. They’re also extraordinarily light, weighing about 8.5 oz.
The open-back design is quite critical when it comes to mixing, as closed-back headphones disallow you from hearing the effects of the room sound you’re working in – an important aspect of a good mix is fine tuning how it reacts within any given acoustic space.
The K240 Studio have a frequency response range of 15 Hz – 25 kHz, with ample bass presence as well as a well-balanced midrange.
Read my full AKG K240 Studio review for more details.
What I like
- Fairly neutral sound signature.
- Remarkably comfortable.
What I don’t like
- Somewhat fatiguing high end.
Best for mixing: Sony MDR-7506
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Frequency response: 10 Hz – 20 kHz
- Impedance: 63 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
The MDR-7506 are a set of closed-back headphones with a frequency response of 10 Hz – 20 kHz, an impedance of 63 ohms, and a price tag of just under $100.
They are fairly neutral in their response, although the high end may be a bit bright for some. Their detailed sound makes them a great choice for mixing, helping to highlight flaws that other headphones might gloss over.
They’re also comfortable, affordable, and overall solid in their performance. Many musicians and engineers swear by these, and so do I.
Read my full Sony MDR-7506 review for more details.
What I like
- Extremely detailed.
- Can help highlight flaws in a mix.
What I don’t like
- Slightly sibilant.
Best at $50: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
- Design: Over-ear, closed-back
- Frequency response: 15 Hz – 20 kHz
- Impedance: 47 ohms
- Connectivity: 1/8″, 1/4″ adapter
Are these the best-performing, or even the most comfortable headphones you can buy? Absolutely not. However, the ATH-M20x provide an insane value for what they’re worth.
These are the younger siblings to the ATH-M40x, and they share all of the same features and almost the same exact performance despite some more harshness in the high end. They’re just much, much cheaper.
At just around $50, the ATH-M20x are definitely worth the expense for beginners just starting out on their journey as audio engineers, and are just as great for casual listening.
Read my full Audio-Technica ATH-M20x review for more details.
What I like
- Neutral midrange.
- Great value for beginners.
What I don’t like
- Nothing to note at this price.
Honorable mentions
- Shure SRH440A. These headphones have a frequency response of 10 Hz – 22 kHz and maintain a relatively flat response curve. They also have a folding feature, which happens almost automatically when you place them down. The one drawback is that they have a decent amount of bleed at higher volumes, but besides this, they’re a great choice.
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. Since their release in 2003, the HD 280 Pro remain as one of the most popular pairs of studio headphones on the market. With a wide frequency range of 8 Hz to 25 kHz, as well as an accurate sound profile, these are great for studio monitoring on both intermediate and professional levels.
- Yamaha HPH-MT5. A solid budget choice for nearly any situation, whether that be for casual listening or for editing your live mixes. They’re also quite comfortable due to their padded headband and light weight. Having a frequency response of 20 Hz – 20 kHz, they have a fairly balanced sound profile.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it, the best budget studio headphones you can buy in 2025. While some may have more drawbacks than others, all of the sets mentioned here are well worth the price. The question is simply what your values currently align with.
Ultimately, you have to choose the headphones that will perform for your needs, not what anybody else tells you to buy. Always buy with the intention to get the most out of your headphones – whatever that may mean for you.
