Best Earphones Under Rs.500 (March 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)

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.

Ant Audio is a UK based audio equipment manufacturer popular for its audiophile-grade speakers and earphones.

The Wave 702 from Ant Audio is one of the entry-level earphones that the company has recently introduced in the Indian market.

Design and Build Quality

The build quality is another area where the Ant Audio shows its prowess.

The 1.2m cable, though non-braided, is flat and does offer a sturdy feel. The wire inside is made using pure copper without oxygen resulting in near-zero resistance to the signals.

The wire is tangle-free and can be easily kept inside the supplied pouch without the fear of having to untie the knot every time you want to listen to the music.

Speaker and Sound Quality

The Ant audio Wave features a 10mm neodymium magnet driver which outputs the best possible sound output for a price under Rs.500.

There is no distortion in sound even at maximum volume levels. The bass effect is on point without overpowering the vocals at all.

This will let the earphone deliver clean hi-fidelity audio.

Miscellaneous

The in-line remote works well and has all the features such as music controls and in-call functions, as you would expect from an earphone at this price range.

Verdict

The Ant Audio Wave 702 is a highly versatile in-ear style earphone for a price tag of just under Rs.500.

Be it an indoor listener or a travel junkie, this earphone will convince you with the great audio output it delivers.

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.

Sound One is an Indian company popular for its affordably priced earphones and headphones that became popular among the masses with its fine build quality and attractive designs.

The Sound One E10 is a budget in-ear earphone priced under Rs.500 that promises to deliver a full spectrum sound out for enjoyable music listening experience.

Design and Build Quality

The Sound One E10 comes with a dual-tone colour design that looks attractive to the eyes at first glance itself.

The vertical metallic in-ear earpieces are cleverly designed at an angle to sit flush in the ear canal, providing a sort of passive noise cancellation.

The 1.2m wire is sufficiently thick but the rubber support at the ends of connections are absent. This makes it highly fragile even with a slight pull.

The in-line remote button feels a bit excess plasticky but works well with the controls.

Sound and Speaker Quality

If we’re to say a high point about the sound output from this earphone from Sound One E10, it will be about the bass.

The bass reproduction is light but very much enjoyable. It won’t make your eardrums vibrate, but certainly, enough for an average joey to get satisfied with.

The mids and highs are distinct and listening to vocal rich songs is a breeze.

The light bass in the background compensates with the wide frequency range that distinctly delivers notes from either end of the spectrum.

Voice call clarity is one area where this earphone trumps others in this list comfortably.

The voice on either side was crisp and crystal clear, to begin with. There were no distortions in between the calls as well.

Miscellaneous

The Sound One E10 comes with a lot of goodies along with the main product, ie the earphones.

There is a soft pouch included in the box for safekeeping the product inside when not in use.

It is a nice gesture for companies to do this as most of us throw our earphones in the bag carelessly and easily damaging them while doing so.

Verdict

The Sound One E10 is a very good choice for those who want a good quality earphone for voice calls.

This earphone also delivers a decent sound quality that is pretty good for the price.

The attractive colour options and sleek design makes this earphone look like a product worth a lot more than just Rs.500.

Portronics has been in the market for a while with its popular Bluetooth speakers as other electronic peripherals.

The Conch 204 from Portronics is an entry-level in-ear styled earphone with a mic that’s priced just under Rs.500.

Design and Build Quality

Design-wise, this earphone beats the other competitors on this list by a great margin.

The minimalistic yet sleek finish instils a sense of premium quality at the first look.

The flat style cable feels strong and sturdy and is tangle resistant.

Speakers and Sound Quality

Equipped with two speaker drivers of 8 mm each, the Portronics Conch 204 delivers clear mids and decent bass.

The bass output is not overpowering as some of the bass fanatics may wish, but the earphone produces an overall pleasant sound output.

This in-ear earphone comes with an inline remote for attending calls.

Miscellaneous

The remote has a volume rocker as well so that there is no need to reach up to the phone to adjust the volume levels.

With an impedance rate of 16 ohms, this earphone produces neat sound covering the entire frequency spectrum ranging from 20 – 20,000 Hz.

This earphone comes with a 6 months domestic as well as an international warranty that gets you covered even while you are in continuous transit around the world.

Verdict

The Portronics Conch 204 is more like a fashion statement than a normal earphone.

This earphone does deliver decent sound quality for the price.

If you don’t mind the lack of thumping bass in your music sessions, the Portronics Conch 2014 is a product worth considering.

boAt, as you might have already known, is a serious contender in the Indian consumer audio electronics industry.

The bassheads 225 from boAt is a budget wired earphone offering from the company priced under Rs.500 mark, specifically catering people who have an affinity for bass-rich sound output.

Design and Build Quality

Starting with the aesthetics, the bassheads series earphones from boAt comes with unique earpiece designs which stand completely out of the loop when compared with the traditional design of its competitors.

The boAt bassheads 225 has a beautifully textured earpiece design which is, in fact, a metal casing rather than the conventional plastic one.

The metal casing does allow in for a better acoustic performance of this in-ear style earphone.

The flat “memory wire” used in this headset is tangle free and reduces the risk of damage due to dangling.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The boAt bassheads 225 comes equipped with a respectable 10 mm speaker driver inside.

The sound profile in favour for those who would like thumbing bass, hence the name bassheads.

The bass produced by this earphone is so clean and deep, which will satisfy a hardcore bass fanatic.

Even with the thundering bass, the mids and highs remain perfectly audible and makes for an excellent all-around performer.

This headset has a sensitivity level around 100 dB/mW which offers the best of both the worlds – loudness of the sound output and minimal speaker distortion effects.

Inline Remote and Microphone

The boAt bassheads 225 comes with an inline remote and mic for voice calling purposes.

The microphone quality is average and works best if you are indoors. The button is a bit recessed and you might find it a bit difficult at times to accept and reject the call.

Miscellaneous

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

Since the design of the driver case units is in tune with the grooves of the human ear, it fits snug inside the ear canal offering a natural noise cancellation effect.

The boAt bassheads 225 comes in a hard protective case that you can use to keep the earphone safe while in transit.

Verdict

The boAt bassheads 225 comes with a bit of goodness that sprawls multiple sections such as build quality, sound output and even with supplied accessories.

This earphone does sound excellent for the price and the clever design of the earpiece lets you enjoy the music in peace.

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.

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 are one of the cheapest in-ear style earphones with decent sound output quality.

Design and Build Quality

The Boult Audio Bassbuds Loop 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 Loop 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 three-buttons in-line remote on this wired earphone lets to 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 Loop 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.

Blaupunkt is a German electronics equipment manufacturer known for its car audio systems around the world.

The company has been recently seen spreading its product portfolio including LED TVs and other white goods.

The Blaupunkt EM10 is the companies entry-level wired earphones recently released in the Indian market targeting users with a strict budget under Rs.1000.

Design and Build Quality

The Blaupunkt EM10 is entirely made from plastic. However, the quality doesn’t feel cheap and the use of plastic has made the earphones feel very light and comfortable.

The right angle in-ear style canal phone arrangement perfectly fits inside the ear without any wobbling.

The silicone ear tips are sweat-resistant and offer a noise tight fit. It also contributes towards a passive noise cancellation effect which is indeed a welcome addition to the feature list of a sub- Rs.1000 earphone.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The Blaupunkt EM10 comes equipped with a 10mm speaker driver.

The sound quality is excellent with this speaker as it offers a more balanced tonal output rich in bass and supporting treble.

This speaker covers the standard 20 – 20,000 Hz frequency response range and ensures you don’t miss any significant notes on the music you’re listening to.

With a sensitivity level of 102 dB/mW, this in-ear style budget earphone offers loud sound output but without any distortions even while listening to maximum volume levels.

Inline Remote and Microphone

The Blaupunkt EM10 comes with an inline remote and microphone for handsfree calls and media control operations.

The single-button remote support multiple click operations such as clicking once for play/pause the track, twice for skipping to the next track and thrice for the previous track.

The microphone is of decent quality and picks up the voice well to give a pleasant hands-free calling experience.

Miscellaneous

This earphone has a normal 1.2m cable which isn’t the tangle-free type.

If you carelessly keep the earphone in your pocket or backpack, expect to spend some time unwinding the chords.

The 3.5mm jack is gold plated and isn’t angled. Also, the company provides a one-year warranty on this earphone,

Verdict

If you are looking for an allround performing budget in-ear style earphones, the Blaupunkt EM10 is worth taking a look at.

The powerful sound quality and the decent quality microphone is all that you might need under such a tight budget of Rs.1000.

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.

Please subscribe to our newsletter for more such informative content. Cheers!