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 twelve best earphones priced under Rs.500 which are worth buying in India as of now which offers the best audio experience.

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 and when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

1. Redmi Earphone

Overall Best Pick

• Tonally balanced sound output
• Angled, gold plated connector
• Good quality microphone

BUY FROM AMAZON

Redmi, the popular budget arm of Xiaomi has launched its first wired earphone in India for an affordable price tag of Rs.399.

The Redmi earphone is an in-ear style wired earphone with a lightweight form factor and ergonomic comfort fit design.

Design and Build Quality

The budget entry-level Redmi earphone features a plastic-aluminium mix earpiece.

Even though the end cap of this earpiece is made from metal, it isn’t magnetic.

One thing to note is that since this earphone has a relatively larger speaker driver inside and the earpiece stem is straight, there will be issues in having a comfortable in-ear fit for those with smaller ears. 

There is a wax prevention coating on the earpiece to keep the speaker pores always clean.

The connecting wire on this in-ear wired earphone isn’t a braided one but feels decent enough in terms of durability.

The headphone connector is 90-degrees angled and has a reinforced wire to tip construction. This connector is gold plated to ensure a minimal signal loss.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The Redmi in-ear style wired earphone features a 10mm speaker driver with relatively good sound quality for its price.

The bass levels are decent, the vocals turn out to be clear and well separated from the high-end treble notes.

This earphone is hi-res audio certified by the competent Japanese authority and perhaps the only wired earphone under Rs.500 to come with one.

Hi-res audio certification makes sure that the sound signature from this earphone is tested and found out to match the expectations of an expert panel.

Even when the music is played at higher volume levels, there is no sound distortion whatsoever.

Be it EDMs, movies or vocals, the Redmi earphone delivers pleasing sound output for its asking price of just Rs.399.

Inline Remote and Microphone

The Redmi in-ear wired earphone comes with a single button remote and an integrated microphone.

The single-button remote serves multiple functions such as play/pause music, accept/reject calls and skipping the tracks forward and backwards.

The built-in microphone is of decent quality and there is no trouble with hands-free voice calls.

Even when this earphone is used for voice calls outdoors, the sound on both ends seemed to be adequately audible.

Verdict

The Redmi earphone is launched as a replacement for Xiaomi’s popular Mi basic earphones.

With hi-res certified audio playback and decent build quality, this wired in-ear earphone is worth considering for a budget under Rs.500.

2. JBL C50HI

Runner-up Pick

• Angled 3.5mm headphone jack
• One year warranty
• Signature JBL bass-rich sound output

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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 come 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. In 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 an 8.6mm custom-tuned driver from JBL for improved acoustic performance.

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

If you crank the volume way too high, some distortions do occur but, under normal listening conditions, it isn’t a deal-breaker.

In-ear Microphone and Calls

The JBL C50HI comes with 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 the JBL brand and require a budget in-ear wired earphones, the JBL C50HI perfectly suits your need for just under Rs.500.

3. Blaupunkt EM01

Value for Money Earphone

• Balanced sound output
• Media controls on inline remote works well
• Loud sound with no distortions

BUY FROM FILIPKART

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 EM-01 is the company’s entry-level wired earphone recently released in the Indian market targeting users with a strict budget under Rs.500.

Design and Build Quality

The Blaupunkt EM-01 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.500 earphone.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The Blaupunkt EM-01 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 EM-01 comes with an inline remote and a microphone for handsfree calls and media control operations.

The single-button remote supports 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 earphone, the Blaupunkt EM-01 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.500.

4. TCL ELIT200

Feature-rich Wired Earphone

• Hi-res audio certified earphone
• Good noise isolation
• Decent built-in microphone

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TCL is a Chinese consumer electronics company known for its LED TVs and air conditioners all around the world. 

The ELIT200 from TCL is a wired in-ear style hi-res audio certified earphone priced at just Rs.2999.

Build Quality

The design of this wired earphone looks very premium and classy when compared to other earphones in this price range. 

The grey silver colour paint job makes this earphone stand out from the rest of the black and dua-tone paint finish earphones. 

The earpiece casing of this earphone is semi-transparent and has an oval-shaped acoustic stem which delivers a snug fit inside the ear canal. 

The straight 3.5mm headphone connector pin is gold plated to ensure minimal signal losses during transmission. 

With the retail packaging, the TCL ELIT200 includes three different sized eartips and a carrying bag to keep the earphones the same while in transit. 

Sound Quality 

The TCL ELIT200 earphone features a 12.2mm speaker driver certified for hi-res audio output. 

This driver covers a wide frequency response range of 8-40kHz, delivering deep, rich bass and tingling higher-end treble notes with equally sharp and clean vocals. 

Be it EDMs, Rock or vocal rich music, the TCL ELIT200 nails it. This earphone can get sufficiently loud without any distortions whatsoever. 

The voice call quality via the inline microphone seems to be decent both indoors as well as outdoors.

Miscellaneous 

The single button inline remote can accept/reject calls, skip tracks but features no volume control. 

Thanks to the secure in-ear fit, the passive noise isolation works well to block some of the ambient outside noise from getting inside the ears while listening to your favourite music. 

Verdict

The TCL ELIT200 is a feature-rich in-ear wired earphone with hi-res audio certification for superior audio quality.

5. Infinity Zip 100

Lightweight Earphone

• Bass rich sound signature
• Angled, gold plated connector
• Tangle-free flat cable

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Infinity is a sub-brand of Harman, a popular American company that 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 outputs 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 an integrated microphone for hands-free voice calls.

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

The slightly angled connector minimises the stress on the3.5mm pin 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.

boAt is a popular 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 to people looking for the best sounding budget in-ear style earphone.

Design and Build Quality

The boAt bassheads 152 has a unique design which makes it stand out from the rest of the competition.

The angled earpiece housing 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 a single-button inline remote and a mic for a 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 require a wired earphone with rich bass sound output, the boAt bassheads 152 is one of the best choices in the market.

7. Philips Upbeat

No-frills Budget Earphone

• Good wearing comfort
• Balanced sound output
• Lightweight

BUY FROM AMAZON

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 Upbeat 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 Upbeat 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 Upbeat features 10mm speakers similar to most of its competitors in this price segment.

These drivers 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 20-20,000 Hz in the 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 Upbeat 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.

8. boAt Bassheads 220

Budget All-rounder

• Bass-heavy sound signature
• Decent voice call quality
• 90-degrees angled headphone jack

BUY FROM FLIPKART

boAt 220 is one of the evergreen products from the company’s Bassheads series of budget wired earphones. 

The Bassheads 220 was launched way back in 2018 and remains one of the popular choices as an affordable wired in-ear earphone. 

Design and Build Quality

The Bassheads 220 earphone has a peculiar design that makes it stand out from the rest of the competitors. 

The chamfered earpiece case with metallic coating on top looks and feels premium for a budget earphone. 

The tangle-free flat cable won’t intertwine even if you stuff this earphone inside your pocket carelessly. 

That said, the flat cable is adequately thick and the quality seems just fine. The 90-degree angled jack is gold plated and reinforced with rubber to stay intact without fail. 

Speaker and Sound Quality

boAt advertises the Bassheads 220 as an earphone with thumping bass. Honestly, the bass is rich and the vocals as well as the treble notes remain clean without any distortions.

The 10mm drivers holds up decently with good stage separation and clarity. At times it feels like the bass overpowers the vocals but nothing as that of a deal-breaker. 

If you’re someone who loves bass, definitely the boAt Bassheads 220 will satisfy you. 

Inline Remote and Microphone

The Bassheads 220 features a single-button inline remote accompanied by a microphone for hands-free voice calls.

Unfortunately, there is no volume control function available with this remote, so you will have to use your smartphone to increase or decrease the playback volume. 

Verdict

If you are a bass enthusiast on a tight budget looking for an in-ear wired earphone, then the boAt Bassheads 220 is a great choice.

9.   Boult Audio Bassbuds Loop

Best Earphone for Outdoor Use

• IPX5 water and sweat resistance
• Bass-heavy sound output
• Decent inline microphone

BUY FROM AMAZON

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 bud Loop is 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 single 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.

The IPX5 water and sweat resistance along with the kevlar reinforced cable make this an all-weather usage friendly earphone.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The Boult Audio bass buds Loop feature 12mm 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 multi-function 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 Loop offers 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.

10. Realme Classic

Semi In-ear Wired Earphone

• Loud and clear sound output
• Good quality HD microphone
• Surprisingly rich bass notes

BUY FROM AMAZON

Realme recently launched their Classic semi-in ear style wired earphone in the Indian market with a price tag of Rs.399.

Is this earphone worth the asking price or should you skip purchasing it for some other earphones? Let’s take a deep look and come to a conclusion.

Design and Build Quality

The Realme Classic semi in-ear style earphone is made completely from plastic material and thanks to this, it is extremely lightweight.

With the total earphone including the cable weighing just 14g, you won’t even notice that this device is in your ears.

The connecting cable is not braided but has a lined texture and feels quite durable.

Realme has also included a cable organiser with this earphone that can be used to wrap around the cable after use, thereby eliminating the chance of tangling.

The Realme Classic earphone has a straight 3.5mm headphone connector, which isn’t gold-plated.

Speaker and Sound Quality

The Realme Classic features a large 14.2mm speaker driver to ensure the best possible sound quality in this price segment.

As expected, the sound output is very loud and clear, even at maximum volume levels.

Surprisingly, the bass levels turn out to be quite deep and clean and the overall sound signature has decent stage separation.

In-line Remote and Microphone

The Realme Classic wired earphone comes with a single button remote and integrated microphone for hands-free voice calls.

Clicking the multi-function button on the remote once will play/pause the song or accept/reject the calls. Double-tapping the button will skip the forward, press and hold will trigger the Google voice assistant on your Android smartphone.

Speaking of the microphone, the voice quality on either end of the call is decent when used both indoors as well as outdoors.

Miscellaneous

This is a semi in-ear type wired earphone. This design may not be the best for you if you have smaller ears.

But for someone who prefers to have an ear-monitor type of device, this wired earphone from Realme is a perfect choice.

Verdict

The Realme Classic semi in-ear wired earphone is a surprisingly good sounding budget earphone with an inbuilt mic that houses an HD microphone.

Considering the build and the audio quality, the Realme Classic is worth the asking price of just Rs.399.

11. boAt Bassheads 242

Comfort-fit Wired Earphone

• Bass rich sound output
• IPX4 water resistance
• Decent in-line mic

BUY FROM AMAZON

boAt bassheads series has already gained a lot of popularity among the Indian youth with its bass-heavy sound profile at dirt cheap prices when compared to other established brands.

The bassheads 242 is one of the recent entrants to this collection, which targets those who want an all-weather earphone that can be used outdoors without any issues.

Design and Build Quality

The boAt bassheads 242 stands out from the rest of the products in this list owing to its peculiar design.

The earpiece is designed in such a way that it rests inside the ear canal comfortably and snugly.  

This earpiece comes with ear hooks for extra support to keep them intact even while doing strenuous physical activities.

The red and black dual colour scheme looks aggressive and stylish to the eyes.

This wired earphone comes with IPX4 water and sweat resistance for outdoor use in all weather conditions.

The twisted-pair wire is very durable and can withstand minor abuses without any issues. The twisted pair design also prevents the cable from dangling.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The boAt bassheads 242 comes with a large 10mm speaker driver which is tuned for bass-heavy sound output.

Those who like to listen to EDMs and similar bass-rich music will feel right at home with this earphone.

The vocals and the high-end notes are very much clear and audible but lack stage separation at times.

These speakers can get very loud inside the ears with little to no distortion whatsoever.

Inline remote and Microphone

The boAt bassheads 242 features an inline remote with a microphone for hands-free voice calls.

The inline remote has three buttons – a multifunction button and a dedicated volume control button which lets you adjust the volume without touching the smartphone.

The inline microphone sounds clear during voice calls – both indoors and outdoors.

Verdict

If you are the type of person who likes adventures a lot and uses earphones outdoors to listen to music on the go, the boAt basshead 242 is the right choice for you.
This IPX4 rated wired earphone has a bass-heavy sound output with the added benefit of robust build quality that will ensure break free music wherever you are.

12. Artis E400M

Honourable Mention

• Bass-heavy sound output
• Decent hands-free voice call quality
• Angled connector

BUY FROM AMAZON

Artis is a Mumbai based IT peripherals marketing company which deals with a whole array of budget-friendly products ranging from Bluetooth speakers to power banks.

The Artis E400M is a popular in-ear style earphone priced under Rs.500 which offers excellent audio and commendable build quality.

Design and Build Quality

Made of high-quality ABS plastic, the outer casing of this earphone has a glossy finish that adds to the overall aesthetic appeal.

The two-tone black and red colour combination blends well with the design and makes it look like a premium product when worn in your ears.

The ergonomic tube design along with the soft silicone ear tips makes wearing this device a comfortable and rewarding experience.

Speaking of the cable, the Artis E400M features a comparatively long 1.5m braided double-layered cable that can withstand abuses like a champ.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The Artis E400M, although a relatively unknown brand, stacks upright against the established players in the market.

This in-ear wired earphone has large 15mm speaker drivers which deliver exceptional sound clarity and dynamic stereo output consistently across various genres of music.

With the frequency response range covering the spectrum anywhere between 20-20,000 Hz, every bit of detail in your favourite music is captured and reproduced gracefully.

For you bass lovers, the large drivers and the snug fit inside the ears provides a treat, when it comes to listening to EDMs and hip hop music.

The mids and highs are clear and clean, allowing you to enjoy vocals and light music in its entirety.

In-line Microphone and Voice Calls

The Artis E400M comes equipped with a decent quality in-line remote and a microphone that allows you to make voice calls on the go without much hassle.

The microphone captures sound pretty well even when you’re speaking in the middle of a crowd. The quality of voice on the receiver’s end is all good and clean, and downright OK for the price.

Since the length of the cable is longer, the remote tends to tangle too much and cause slight discomfort while attending calls on a ride.

Verdict

If you’re in search of a good quality in-ear earphone with the top of line sound and build quality for a budget under Rs.500, we’d like to suggest you try out the Artis E400M.

Equipped with large 15mm drivers which deliver excellent sound quality, no matter what genre of music you’re into, this is one of the best in the business.

That sums up our list of the twelve best earphones under Rs.500 available for purchase in India right now. We have put together some of the 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 as well.

If you have any suggestions or queries, let us know in the comments section below. As always thank you for visiting our website and have a great day!