Best Earphones Under Rs.2,000 (December 2019)

Whether you’re an audiophile, music lover or a regular joe, good earphones are a must these days.

The enjoyment, entertainment and comfort they offer while listening to your favourite tracks are immense.

If you’re looking for good quality in-ear headphones that are best sounding as well as well-built, your go-to budget is Rs.2,000.

Here is the curated list of the best wired earphones under Rs.2,000 available in the market.

Best Earphones Under Rs.2,000

SoundMagic has been building some of the best budget earphones for the last few years that not only sounds great but also well built.

The PL30+C, an upgraded version of SoundMagic E10C is again a perfect example to justify that tag all thanks to its audio performance and build quality.

Design and Build Quality

The PL30+C has a solid design with tangle-free cables and aluminium earbud housing.

Its in-ear design has made sure that the earbuds sit deep inside the ear canal without any discomfort.

Provided inside the box is a carry case with enough sizes of silicone ear tips, cable adjuster, computer/mobile adapter and the earphone itself.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The SoundMagic PL30+C has a frequency response between 15Hz and 22KHz.
Because of this wider frequency range, it can output a wide variety of sound.

The sound stage is pretty good with great clarity and details.

The bass is tighter and the mid and highs are crisp to enhance the sound quality.

Miscellaneous

The Soundmagic PL30+C has a 3 button remote control to attend/disconnect calls, adjust the volume and control tracks.

This earphone is compatible with most of the devices out of the box including iPhone, Android, Laptops and PCs.

Verdict

All in all, the SoundMagic PL30+C is the best earphone under Rs. 2000. Its musical detail with powerful bass and wide sound stage is second to none in this price range.

Added to that is the build quality of tangle-free cables and the metallic housing of earbud drivers, the PL30+C is simply a cut above the rest.

RHA is a British company famous for its audiophile-grade earphones and headphones that are acclaimed for its unparalleled build and sound quality.

The RHA MA 390 is one of the entry-level earphones from the company, aiming first-time premium earphone customers who wish to own an excellent quality device at an affordable price.

Design and Build Quality

The RHA MA 390 driver casing and the related components are made of aluminium alloy which ensures structural integrity and durability to this earphone.

The brushed aluminium finish without any paint job looks stunning and offers a luxurious vibe to the device.

The aero phonic housing that has the drivers inside constitute of a hollow chamber to improve the acoustic performance of this in-ear styled earphones.

This earphone features a long 1.3m braided tangle-free cable which is a blessing for those who carelessly throw their stuff inside pockets or bags, with the additional burden of untangling the wires before use.

The gold plated connector ensures that it will remain corrosion-free even if it comes in contact with the water droplets. Gold plating also minimizes the resistance to the electrical signals, resulting in better audio quality.

RHA also provides dual density silicone ear tips that provide a comfortable and long-lasting cushion effect while wearing this earphone.

There is also a fabric carrying case available with the purchase of this earphone which is pretty useful if you are a person who cares to keep your things organised.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The RHA MA 390 has a relatively larger 13.8mm driver that provides the sound output with rich bass and detailed mids and highs.

The aero phonic housing helps this earphone to deliver deep bass but to the level that it doesn’t feel artificial to the ears.

The soundstage separation on this earphone is very distinct and you will be able to enjoy all the notes across the spectrum in crisp and clean quality.

These drivers have a sensitivity of just 89dB/mW meaning even if you listen to music at the maximum volume levels, there won’t be any noticeable distortion in the output.

The dual-density silicone eartips and the inverted trumpet-shaped driver casing provides a very good passive noise attenuation.

This helps the earphone to block most of the external noises and deliver a peaceful and immersive music listening session for you.

Inline Remote and Microphone

The RHA MA 390 is a universal earphone. This device is compatible with most of the gadgets with a 3.5mm jack in the market at present.

The inline remote has a single button to control all the functionalities such as calls and media playback without needing to touch your smartphone.

The microphone is very sensitive to pick your voice whether you are inside the house or in a busy marketplace crowded with people.

The company provides a belt clip in the box that can be used to place the inline microphone securely on your shirt for consistent audio call quality.

Verdict

The RHA MA 390 is one of the best premium earphones available under a budget of Rs.2,000 that excel in build quality and audio performance.

Precise British engineering that delivers unmatched sound quality and uncompromising durability make this earphone a compelling choice for purchase.

Sony is a highly reputed brand in consumer electronics space for its quality offerings across the spectrum.

Their brand of earphones also follows the same pattern.

The Sony MDR-XB55AP model is a compact earphone that delivers quality sound output.

Housing a 12mm Neodymium driver that can respond between 5Hz-25KHz, the frequency range of Sony MDR-XB55AP is pretty wide.

The driver size is one of the widest in this price range which will deliver better sub-bass sounds.

It has an impedance rating of 16 Ohm and the sensitivity is 106 dB/MW.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The overall sound quality of this earphone is very good.

It has an excellent sound system that provides true sound through the earpiece rather than any boosted output.

The clarity and details of output are also very good with this wired earphone.Even the voice recorded via Inline Mic was impressive.

Miscellaneous

The Sony MDR-XB55AP houses its dynamic drivers in an aluminium body. The cables have a serrated flat design to resist tangles and snags.

The inline remote control and mic have a single button to take hands-free calls and switch tracks.

There is no button to adjust volume. We felt the overall build quality is pretty average.

Verdict

If your concern is a good sounding earphone from a reputed brand, then the Sony MDR-XB55AP is a great choice under Rs. 2000.

The bass levels are satisfying for those who look for that extra punch in the music they listen to. Having an inline microphone makes it more useful than ever before for having voice calls on the go.

Sennheiser is a brand which needs no introduction to audiophiles.

They have launched some of the best audio devices in the world and pioneered this industry for decades.

The Sennheiser CX275s has been dominating the budget earphone segment for a few years now.

Build quality and design

The area where Sennheiser CX275s lags big time is build quality.

These earphones are fairly ordinary built with tangle prone cables and plastic driver housing.

The cables are built well but are very thin when compared to SoundMagic E10C or Sony MDR.

The inline remote control has just a single button and there is no volume control option there.

Sound quality

In terms of sound quality, the Sennheiser CX275s has a bass-driven stereo sound as claimed by them.

It has a frequency response of 17Hz-23KHz and an impedance of 16 Ohm.

They sound balanced than some of the other earphones in the CX line, although the bass definitely has a bit of a boost.

The midrange is clear and the treble is fairly pleasant.

They aren’t audiophile quality earphones but they perform respectably at the price point.

The microphone also performs well during calls.

Miscellaneous

The CX 275s are a pair of in-ear headphones that are designed specifically for mobile devices.

They are compatible with every Android and Apple devices.

The earphones are provided with a carry pouch and 3 pairs of rubber ear-tips inside the box.

Verdict

In conclusion, the Sennheiser CX 275s is a good headset for someone who wants a branded, average sounding earphone with good microphone functionality under Rs.2,000.

The sound is tailored to be bass heavy and if you mostly listen to EDM or other bass heavy genres without too many vocals, you may not feel the loss in the other regions of sound.

If you want something with a bit more balanced sound, consider the SoundMagic E10C.

boAt is an Indian company specialized in marketing audio related accessories such as earphones and headphones under an affordable budget.

The Nirvana Duo from boAt is a budget wired dual-driver earphone offering from the company priced around Rs.1500.

Design and Build Quality

Starting with the aesthetics, the design of this earphone’s speaker units is in line with the other products from the Nirvana lineup that features a distinct earpiece design which makes these products stand out from the rest.

The company has made some improvements in the overall hardware this time around.

The fabric material cover wire is strong enough to withstand minor abuses without compromising on the usability of this budget wired earphone.

The black and gold dual colour scheme looks very attractive and delivers a sense of premium feel under an affordable budget.

He ceramic earpiece is very tough and durable as well as offers excellent acoustic properties for improved sound output quality.

Speakers and Sound Quality

This product gives you a more balanced and soothing sound output which is perfect for listening to classical and melodious songs.

Inside the speaker, the unit is a comparatively two small 8mm driver that delivers excellent sound output with good stage separation.

If you are looking for an earphone with an upper hand in the bass, you might want to check out the bassheads lineup of earphones priced under Rs.500 from boAt.

Miscellaneous

The gold plated connector of this earphone is resistant to corrosion and passes the signal much more efficiently without any significant signal loss.

Verdict

If you are in search of a budget dual-driver wired earphone with emphasis on durability and build quality, the boAt Nirvana Duo is the choice you should go with,

One Plus bullets is a Type-C in-ear style earphones from the popular smartphone brand – One Plus.

Since the 3.5mm headphone jack is fast disappearing from the smartphones, investing in Type-C earphones or a wireless one for that matter has just become far too important than ever before.

Design and Build Quality

One Plus always keeps a standard build quality and audio quality with their smartphones and it is the same with the earphones as well. The One Plus bullets are one of the top-rated earphones in the sub-2000 rupees price range.

The earpiece of this budget in-ear styled earphone is made from lightweight aluminium alloy.

The One Plus bullets feature an aluminium casing with a textured surface which makes these pair of earbuds more beautiful.

The earpiece is slightly oblique-angled to rest inside the ears naturally. This creates a passive noise cancellation effect for unhindered music listening sessions in the outdoors.

Speakers and Sound Quality

When it comes to the sound quality, the One Plus bullets is nicely balanced with clear highs and detailed mids, and good focus on the bass.

The specially designed dual-layer 10mm driver is capable of delivering some of the best quality audio experience you can get under a budget of Rs.2000.

You get clear vocals with this earphone, sub-bass is handled well and the low-end punch doesn’t get too boomy on these.

Miscellaneous

The inline microphone on this earphone works pretty well to eliminate background static while having voice calls.

Verdict

Overall, if you are the one looking for Type-C wired earphones with the best build quality and doesn’t want to compromise on sound quality, One Plus bullets are the perfect choice for you!

1MORE is a major Chinese OEM known for manufacturing earphones for major smartphone companies such as Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme etc.

The 1MORE Piston Classic is a premium in-ear styled earphone priced under Rs.2000 which boasts a metallic build.

Design and Build Quality

1MORE always keeps a standard build quality and audio quality with their earphones and the Piston Classic is one of the top-rated earphones in the sub-2000 rupees price range from them.

The earpiece of this budget in-ear styled earphone is made from lightweight aluminium alloy.

The Piston Fit features an aluminium casing with ‘CD lining’ textured surface which makes these pair of earbuds more beautiful.

The earpiece is slightly oblique-angled to rest inside the ears naturally. This creates a passive noise cancellation effect for unhindered music listening sessions in the outdoors.

Speakers and Sound Quality

When it comes to the sound quality, the 1MORE Piston classic is nicely balanced with clear highs and detailed mids, and good focus on the bass.

The specially designed dual-layer 10mm driver is capable of delivering some of the best quality audio experience you can get under a budget of Rs.2000.

You get clear vocals with Piston Classic, sub-bass is handled well and the low-end punch doesn’t get too boomy as well on these.

More than that 1MORE Piston Classic can produce better surround sound and neat vocals.

Miscellaneous

The gold plated headphone jack which is protected by quality paddings adds to the earphone’s build quality.

Furthermore, 1MORE earphone drivers are factory tuned by Grammy award-winning sound engineers to deliver you a precise studio-quality music experience.

The inline microphone on this earphone works pretty well to eliminate background static while having voice calls.

Verdict

Overall, if you are a rough user and looking for an earphone with the best build quality and doesn’t want to compromise on sound quality, 1MORE Piston Classic is the perfect choice for you!

Sony is known for a lot of things ranging from LED TVs to Bluetooth speakers to headphones.

Not only does the company has its presence in the consumer electronics industry, it does excel in it as well.

The MDR-AS410AP is an active style earphone targeted at users who wish to have a sports related feature rich earphone during their exercise sessions.

Design and build quality

The Sony MDR-AS410AP is an open ear active sports earphone designed to meet the expectations of fitness enthusiasts.

The adjustable ear clip is very lightweight and comfortable to wear around the ears.

It offers a secure grip to the earpiece that will remain in position even with intense movement such as running or climbing.

The earpiece is designed in such a way that the sound flows in and out through the back of the earcups ensuring a natural and soothing music listening experience.

The 1.2m cord is long enough to put the device in your pocket while in the gym or while jogging outside.

Sound quality

This earphone comes with a pair of 9mm drivers that lets out loud and clear sound output without any distortions even at maximum volume levels.

Covering a wide 5-22,000 Hz frequency response range, this budget earphone delivers a wide variety of notes from low to high end of the audio spectrum, generating an immersive music listening experience.

The bass as you might have already know, is very rich and for those who would love those beats with extra punch will be satisfied.

Miscellaneous

The water resistant design of this earphone prevents the water and sweat from leaking in to the earpiece compartment, making it suitable for wearing outside or while at the gym.

The serrated cord keeps the wires from getting tangled. This will save you a lot of time and provides you the convenience of keeping the earphones in your pocket as you may please.

The inline microphone allows you to take calls while performing exercises and other activities.

The mic is very sensitive and comfortably picks up your voice even while moving constantly.

Verdict

The Sony MDR-AS410AP is the perfect choice if you would love to have a sports earphone to use while in the gym or even outside.

The water & splash resistant design lets you use this earphone in any weather without the fear of getting damaged.

The sound output is impressive and the additional clips securely holds the earpiece in place while doing workouts.

Skullcandy is an American company based in Utah that markets consumer-centric products such as earphones and headphones.

We have reviewed a lot of Skullcandy audio products in the past and all of them delivered good sound output but lacked the fit and finish. The build quality also sucked big time in the past.

The Smokin’ Buds 2 comes with these gripes fixed.

This budget earphone priced under Rs.1,500 delivers great audio output on a budget without compromising on the build quality.

Design and Build Quality

The Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds 2 comes with a two-tone colour option and a mesmerising transparent option that is sure to turn some heads.

The earpiece casing is made of glossy plastic and looks very nice on the ear. The design is in such a way that the earpiece fits snug inside the ear canal comfortably.

Flat ribbon-style rubber cable is tough and feels solid this time which is way better than those thin flimsy cables Skullcandy used on some of its products in the past.

There is an inline mic and remote for attending calls. The single button remote is designed to execute various functionality by the number of presses.

Speakers and Sound Quality

As expected, the Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds 2 delivers excellent quality sound through its 9mm drivers.

The sound output is less louder but more balanced this time. This is indeed a good thing because having too much loudness equates to noise.

For an audiophile, the balance between the notes is much more important than having just a loud music blaring out through the speakers.

The bass is more pronounced and those bass lovers would definitely feel at home with this earphone.

Miscellaneous

The Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds 2 comes with a 2-year global warranty. This means you can carry this product with you anywhere in the world and if something unfortunate happens, you can get it repaired right away.

The mic used in this earphone is of very good quality and picks up sound very well. The construction is of plastic and it comes with a moisture-resistant coating that will keep the sweat and water splashes away from the earpiece.

Verdict

The Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds 2 is a great choice for those who would love to have a great sounding earphone with a good quality mic for voice calls.

The one-button inline remote has some nifty tricks that serve multiple features like skipping the song, pausing the music and attending the calls. The build quality is great this time around so does the looks.

If your budget is under Rs.1500, you should definitely check out this product.

JBL Endurance run is yet another bass-oriented budget earphone offering from the company.

These in-ear style earphones come with the signature custom-tuned JBL sound drivers for excellent sound output.

Build Quality and Design

The JBL Endurance run features a metallic earpiece section with a dual-tone matte and gloss finish.

There is a bit of textured ring at the end of the chassis which imparts an elegant feel to the other bland style of this in-ear style earphones.

The 1.2m cable is rounded and isn’t tangle-free. There is a fabric-covered cable from the inline remote to the 3.5mm jack to ensure maximum strength and damage resistance.

The clever design of the earpiece ensures that it remains inside the ear canal even when you are engaged in physical exercises which involves a lot of body movement.

Speakers and Sound Quality

All the JBL earphones and headphones with custom factory tuned drivers to ensure a rewarding music listening experience.

The JBL Endurance comes with an 8.6mm driver which sounds excellent overall.

The bass from this speaker is very pronounced and deep but not as much as that it overpowers the mid and highs.

No, the bass from this earphone isn’t comparable to the likes of boAt basshead series earphones, but we feel the overall sound output quality is clean and precise.

Miscellaneous

The gold plated 3.5mm headphone jack on this earphone is optimally angled at 45 degrees to ensure comfortable usage while holding the phone in landscape mode.

The sweat-resistant silicone eartips promotes active usage while in the gym or jogging outside.

The inline remote and microphone is present and accounted for in this earphone. The remote button is very large compared to others in its segment and is easy to press.

The inline remote has integrated media controls in it and microphone lets you do hands-free voice calls.

Verdict

The JBL Endurance run is for those who would like to have a tonally balanced sound output but with a relatively deep bass touch to it.

With the fully functional inline remote and microphone integrated into the earphone, this earphone is definitely worth purchasing under Rs.1500.

This concludes our list of the best earphones under Rs.2,000 right now in India.

We will be updating this list when new products that can dethrone our top picks emerge in the market.

Until then, keep following our best lists and buying guides to stay updated with the latest and greatest gadgets. Ciao!