Best Earphones Under Rs.500 (June 2020)

After analyzing all the budget earphones available in the market based on important factors like sound quality, comfort level, build quality, availability of microphone etc, we have made a comprehensive list of the best earphones under Rs.500.

All the earphones on our list sound incredibly good for the price and most of them come with decent build quality as well.

Here are the best earphones under Rs.500 which that are worth buying and offer the best audio experience.

Best Earphones Under Rs.500 (In-Ear)

Note: The price shown are the once when we reviewed the products. However, as the promotional offers changes on the given E-commerce sites, the price may vary. Bettershark is supported by it's readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

JBL C50 HI is the company’s latest budget oriented in-ear style earphones released in the Indian market for a budget under Rs.500.

JBL promises the signature custom tuned drivers will let you enjoy immersive music , no matter the genre you’re interested in.

Design and Build Quality

Speaking of the design, the JBL C50HI comes with the standard shape and size that all in-ear headphones in this price range comes with.

The construction of the earpiece shell is made of plastic, which makes this earphone one of the lightest in its segment.

Unfortunately, the 1.2m cable is not tangle free and feels fragile. At the end, there is an angled 3.5mm headphone jack, which again lacks gold coating for obvious pricing reasons.

Speakers and Sound Quality

JBL is critically acclaimed for its signature bass rich sound profile. The JBL C50HI features a 8.6mm custom tuned driver from JBL for improved acoustic performance.

The bass levels as expected are on par with its competitors. The mid and highs are clean and audible even at higher volume levels.

If you crank the volume way too higher, some distortions do occur but, under normal listening conditions, it doesn’t count.

In-ear microphone and Calls

The JBL C50HI comes a single button in-line remote with a microphone for answering calls on the go.

The single button can be pressed once to accept/reject the calls, twice to skip the track forwards and thrice to skip the track backwards.

The microphone comes with noise cancellation and the output quality of sound during calls is quite good for the price.

Verdict

If you’re a fan of JBL brand and is in need of a budget in-ear wired earphones, the JBL C50HI perfectly suits your need for just under Rs.500.

Infinity is a sub-brand of Harman, a popular American company which is famed for its audio and visual products.

The Infinity Zip 100 is a budget-oriented in-ear style earphone with an added emphasis on bass, priced under Rs.500.

Design and Build Quality

First things first, the build quality of this in-ear style earphone isn’t impressive. The earpiece casing is made from plastic, which is lightweight but feels cheap inside the ears.

The 1.2m wire is flat and tangle-free but feels fragile. The silicone ear tips are comfortable and fit inside the ear canal perfectly.

The 3.5mm jack is gold plated to ensure excellent signal transmission without any losses.

Overall, the build quality on this product is borderline decent, to say the least.

Speakers and Sound Quality

This is where the Infinity Zip 100 shines. The sound profile of this earphone is excellent with punchy bass and clean vocals.

The high-end notes perfectly complement the mid and low-end tones, delivering you one of the best sound output in the sub. Rs.500 price point.

The 9mm drivers inside output deep bass, which is best suited for listening to EDMs and rock music.

If you like that extra punch of bass in your music, this is it.

Miscellaneous

The Infinity Zip 100 features a one-button inline remote with integrated microphone for hands-free voice calls.

This earphone supports Google assistant integration, activated on a triple press.

The angled connector avoids the stress on the headphone jack when you are listening to music with the smartphone stuffed inside your pocket.

Verdict

The Infinity Zip 100 is an affordable in-ear style earphone delivering bass-heavy sound output.

If you’re ok with the average build quality, this earphone won’t disappoint you in terms of its sound output.

Muve Acoustics is an Indian company marketing audio accessories under the affordable budget segment.

The Drive in-ear style earphone from Muve Acoustics offers immersive music listening experience under the price bracket of just Rs.500.

Design and Build Quality

As expected from a budget earphone, the MuveAcoustics drive is made from plastic. However, the construction doesn’t feel too shabby, to be honest.

The 1.2m flat style cable is tangle-free and offers decent durability. The 90-degree earphone jack is very convenient if you are one of those guys who keep the phone always inside the pocket while listening to music.

This 90-degrees inclination reduces the stress on the input jack and decreases the chance of damage.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The MuveAcoustics Drive earphone has 10mm drivers inside which delivers tonally balanced sound output, apt for listening to all genres of music.

Equal emphasis on bass and treble results in a pleasant listening experience without any artificiality in the music notes.

There is no distortion in the sound output even at higher volume levels.

Miscellaneous

The soft silicone ear tips help the earphones fit snug inside the ear canal.

This tight fit also ensures excellent passive noise cancellation, offering a peaceful music listening session, even in the middle of a noisy crowd.

The inline remote has dedicated volume control buttons, which is a rarity these days.

The inline microphone performs decently with trouble-free voice clarity during hands-free calls.

Verdict

The Muveacoustics Drive is a feature-rich in-ear style earphone with the decent build quality and good sound output for the asking price.

If you want an earphone for general purpose audio listening, this one fits the bill perfectly.

SoundMagic is a Chinese electronics manufacturer who specializes in high-quality audio products.

SoundMagic ES11S offers excellent performance compared to its competitors and you will not get such great clarity in sound even from the ones which cost twice its price.

Design and Build Quality

The silicone ear tips provide very good comfort and help to seal the ears from outside noise very well.

It has an L-shaped 3.5 mm jack which is gold plated.

The cable is 1.25m, the rubber padding at each end adds up to the build quality.

The overall build quality is really good as well, it can easily survive some accidental drops and improper handling.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The sound-stage of SoundMagic E11S is better than many other similarly priced earphones out there.

Though it doesn’t have the thumping bass you get on some top picks, when it comes to the clarity of sound the ES11S is miles ahead.

The bass and treble levels are perfectly balanced to provide you with tonally rich sound output.

In-line remote and Microphone

The SoundMagic ES11S comes with a single button remote featuring a capable microphone for crystal clear calling on the go.

The single button present on the in-line remote is very tactile and responsive to the clicks. It can be used to accept/reject calls and to play or pause the media.

Verdict

These headphones from SoundMagic are one of the best sounding budget earphones you can buy under Rs. 500.

The balanced sound output and the ergonomic design makes the SoundMagic ES11S one of our preferred earphones in this price category.

the boAt is an Indian consumer electronics marketing company specialized in products such as earphones, headphones and Bluetooth speakers.

The boAt bassheads 152 is one of the latest earphones in the company’s basshead series catering people looking for best sounding budget in-ear style earphones.

Design and Build Quality

The boAt bassheads 225 has a unique design which makes it stand out from the rest of the competition.

The angled earpiece is made of metal and feels very durable and strong. It fits inside the ear canal comfortably without slipping off the ears.

The braided cable section is tough and can withstand a few minor abuses without posing damage to the earphone.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The boAt bassheads 152 comes with a 10mm sound driver with minimal impedance for the best possible sound output.

As the name suggests, this driver has been tuned for maximum bass output and it delivers on that front.

The deep bass is very clean and blends well with the mid and high pitched tones in the music.

In-line remote and Microphone

This in-ear style budget earphone features an inline remote and a mic for seamless voice calling experience.

The voice call quality from this microphone is one of the best in this class.

Verdict

If you are on a shoestring budget and requires a wired earphone with rich bass sound output, the boAt bassheads 152 is one of the best choices in the market.

Boult Audio is a marketing company just like the boAt which recently started to offer budget-priced audio related products in the Indian market.

The Boult Audio bass buds X1 is one of the cheapest in-ear style earphones with decent sound output quality.

Design and Build Quality

The Boult Audio Bassbuds X1 comes with a unique two-tone colour scheme that looks refreshing and attractive.

Even though the construction is of plastic, the overall earphone feels durable in hand.

The 1.2m cable is sufficiently thick but not a braided one nor is tangle resistant.

The straight 3.5mm headphone jack is gold plated for minimal signal loss, thereby improving the sound output through the speakers.

The earpiece also comes with an additional ear hook to keep the speakers inside the ear even during fast workout sessions or jogging.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The Boult Audio bass buds X1 feature 10mm aluminium drivers with minimal impedance for delivering high-quality sound output.

Covering the entire audible frequency spectrum, this earphone offers rich and deep bass sound output without overpowering the mid and high-end tones.

Overall the quality of the sound output from the speakers is very pleasing to the ears.

In-line remote and Microphone

The single button in-line remote on this wired earphone lets you take or end voice calls and skip tracks with ease.

The voice call quality is decent with the integrated microphone, even when used amidst noisy background.

Verdict

The Boult Audio bass buds X1 offer excellent sound output under a reasonable price range.

This in-ear earphone is suited for use during your workout sessions to enjoy music on the go.

Realme is one of the leading smartphone brands in the country offering smartphones as well as smartphone accessories such as earphones and earbuds.

The Realme Earbuds is the entry-level wired earphone offering from the company, priced just under Rs.500.

Design and Build Quality

The Realme Buds is one of the earphones, if not with the best build quality under the Rs.500 price category.

Made from a combination of metal and plastic, the Realme buds offer exceptional fit and finish.

Since the earpiece is magnetic, you can attach both after listening, helping in better cable management.

The cable too is braided for the most part and can withstand minor abuses with no trouble. The rubber section of the cable is thick enough to feel secure and durable as well.

The earpiece stem has a 45-degree angle for better fit and sound isolation.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The Realme buds feature an 11mm speaker driver inside, which is bigger than most others in this price point.

The sound signature is more bass-oriented, with decent mids and clean highs.

The stage separation is not that great but you can still hear vocals and treble without any overlap for the most part.

The secure fit of the earpiece inside the ears ensures good sound sealing.

Miscellaneous

The inline remote has three buttons including dedicated volume controls. The buttons themselves are a tad bit hard initially, but over time it feels quite ok.

The inline mic performs reasonably well with voice calls. There are no noticeable sound distortions on both sides.

Verdict

If build quality and durability is your priority along with a decent sound output, Realme buds offer the same without any compromise.

Xiaomi doesn’t need any introduction to the Indian market.

With the introduction of best quality affordable smartphones, they have captured the hearts of millions of people in India and here they are, with a new accessory to their wide product catalogue – the Mi Basic earphones.

Design and Build Quality

There was a time when we all considered that the Chinese products had the cheap build quality and that’s why they are priced less.

But Xiaomi has changed that perspective with their products and with these earphones, they are taking it to the next level.

The design of this earphone is minimal at best. But at first glance, we noticed the level of detailing Xiaomi has done in designing this product.

From the unique shaped earpiece to the attractive button on the in-line mic, the Mi Basic earphone has exceeded our expectations.

The silicone eartips are comfortable to wear and don’t easily slip away from the ears.

The mic and the button is of excellent quality and lets you operate the phone handsfree for listening to music and attending voice calls.

The gold-plated angled earphone jack provides minimal resistance to the signal and plays a significant role in clean and clear sound output.

Speaker and Sound Quality

The Mi Basic comes with a 10mm neodymium driver inside that sounds loud and clear with distinct vocal clarity.
The level of bass is OK to say the best and it doesn’t overshadow the mids and highs in genres of music such as EDMs and hip hops.

However, if you’re a die-hard bass head, we advise you to consider other models listed in this article.

The in-line mic works well and delivers HD quality voice calls.

With the combination of neodymium drivers and a wider frequency response range, the details in the music are pronounced and a treat to listen to.

The aluminium alloy sound chamber inside the earpiece amplifies the sound further and enhances the sound output.

Miscellaneous

Xiaomi has designed this earphone with the consumers in mind.

The high-quality silicone earbuds are soft and very comfortable to wear for longer durations.

Also, they are gentle to the skin and doesn’t cause any pain or rashes on prolonged use.

The angled main earpiece body is very well designed to fit inside the ear canal without slipping out even during intense movement of your head.

Verdict

Ye, you should. If you’re looking for a budget earphone that sounds decent and is comfortable for your ears for longer listening sessions, the Mi Basic is an apt choice.

Also, the built quality of this product is impeccable and for the price at which this product is retailing, there are only a few models that can match this.

Audio-Technica is a Japanese company who is one of the most sought-after brands when it comes to audio equipment such as professional headphones and earphones.

The Audio-Technica ATH-CLR100BK, their offering under Rs.500 is one of the top earphones at this price thanks to the detailed sound clarity it offers.

Design and Build Quality

The ear pods on this earphone are designed to stand out from the rest of the competitors in the market.

It is very sleek and stylish, providing a premium feel even though with an all-plastic build.

The quality of wires though is mediocre and feels very flimsy.

Speakers and Sound Quality

High Acoustic Resolution technology ensures the sound output from this neat little piece of hardware is refined and up to the mark.

These in-ear earphones come with an 8.5mm driver that delivers great clarity audio with a well-balanced punch.

The mids and highs are distinct thanks to the frequency response that ranges between 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz.

Miscellaneous

Weighing only about 34g, this earphone is very lightweight and comfortable to wear.

The silicone ear-tips are very soft and fit snug inside the ear canals preventing any possible sound leak to the outside.

The company has included a cord-wrap in the box so that after listening to the music, the wires can be kept securely without getting tangled.

Verdict

Audio Technica earphones deliver the best sound clarity among this bunch. The lows, mids and highs are perfectly balanced when it comes out of the drivers.

If you are the one who likes to listen to a lot of vocals, this might be a good investment.

Philips releases a plethora of budget in-ear earphones in India which combines excellent build quality and decent sound quality under an affordable price range.

The Philips IN-SHE1515BK/94 is one such earphone that is popular among budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable earphone from a reputed company, priced under Rs.500.

Design and Build Quality

The Philips IN-SHE1515BK/94 has a minimal yet elegant design that looks posh and premium, despite its plastic build.

The black and metallic silver paint job masks the average build quality of this device to an extent that you won’t notice it much.

The soft silicone tip and the earpiece tube fits snug inside the ear canal and offers a sort of passive noise cancellation effect. The only major downside of this earphone is that the 3.5mm jack is neither gold plated nor angled.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The Philips IN-SHE1515BK/94 features smaller 8.6mm speakers, compared to most of its competitors in this price segment.

The drivers, though small deliver decent quality sound output with perfectly natural bass and equally audible mids and highs.

If you are the kind of guy, who loves listening to vocals and light music, this earphone will suit you the most.

The frequency response range between 10-20,000 Hz in a paper should equate to deep bass, but with this earphone, you shouldn’t expect anything spectacular.

Maybe the non-gold plated jack dampens the signals, thereby reducing the effect of low pitch sounds in the final output.

In-line Microphone and Voice Quality

This in-ear style earphone comes equipped with an in-line remote which has a single button to accept/reject incoming voice calls.

The quality of the remote is in conjunction with the overall build quality of this earphone, which is just OK for the price.

The microphone inside picks up voices quite well, and there is no sound distortion on the other end of the call.

Verdict

If you would love to spend your hard-earned money on an earphone from a reliable brand, the Philips IN-SHE1515BK/94 might be a good choice.

Perfect for listening to vocals and light music, this earphone offers clean and crisp mids and highs that will satiate the true music lover in you.

Envent is an Indian company known for its affordable audio related accessories such as earphones, headphones and Bluetooth speakers.

The Envent Beatz 307 is an affordable wired in-ear style earphone priced under Rs.1000 which offers excellent value for money proposition in its segment.

Design and Build Quality

The Envent Beatz 307 features a black and tinted red colour scheme which imparts the earphone a refreshing and unique feel to look at.

The earpiece is made from metallic aluminium alloy and feels decent enough for the price.

The silicone eartips are skin-friendly and very comfortable to wear. It doesn’t cause any sort of skin irritation if worn for a longer period.

The flat style tangle-free cable is made from pure copper for better electrical signal conductivity.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The Envent Beatz 307 features a 10mm speaker driver inside covering the basic frequency response range of 20-20000 Hz.

The level of bass is adequate and beautifully compliments the vocals and high pitched tones.

This in-ear styled wired earphone has minimal distortion in the sound output even when the volume level is cranked to the maximum.

Inline Remote and Microphone Quality

The Envent Beatz 307 does feature an inline microphone and remote for hands-free voice calling and media controls.

The microphone is very sensitive and picks up voices very well. The inline remote button supports multiple presses for various functions such as play/pause and skipping tracks.

Verdict

The Beatz 307 from Envent is an ultra-cheap wired in-ear style earphones which offer excellent features at a very affordable price.

With the decent build quality and elegant design, this is one of the best-wired earphones available in the sub. Rs.1000 price point.

That sums up our list of the best earphones under Rs.500.

We have put together some incredible value for money earphones here.

We hope that we have helped you pick the right product. If you can extend your budget, do check out our best picks under Rs.2,000 and Rs.1,000 here.

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