Best Earphones Under Rs.500 (November 2019)

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

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.

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

SoundMagic ES18S 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 is better than many other expensive 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 ES18S are miles ahead.

Verdict

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

With a very comfortable fit and excellent passive noise cancellation, the ES18S offers an immersive music listening experience under a strict budget.

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.

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

The bassheads 182 from boAt is a budget wired earphone offering from the company priced under Rs.500, 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 182 has a beautifully textured earpiece design which is made from plastic.

The ergonomically designed casing does allow for a better acoustic performance of this in-ear style earphones.

The secure braided cable used in this headset is tangle free and reduces the risk of damage due to dangling.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The boAt bassheads 182 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, mid 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 worlds – loudness of the sound output and minimal speaker distortion effects.

Inline Remote and Microphone

The boAt bassheads 182 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.

Verdict

The boAt bassheads 182 comes with a bit of goodness that sprawls across 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.

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.

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

Sleek Design, Comfortable Fit

The Sound One 616 comes with a dual tone colour design that looks attractive to the eyes at the first glance itself.

The vertical 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 Output and Voice Call Quality

If we’re to say a high point about the sound output from this earphone from Sound One 616, 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.

The angled earpiece design cancels background noises effectively. Also, the ear cups are comfortable enough to be used for longer duration without any irritation.

Valued Added Bonuses

The Sound One 616 comes with a lot of goodies along with the main product, ie the earphones.

There is a soft pouch included in the box for safe keeping 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.

The company also gives a carry case that can be used for long-term storage of this product while on a trip or a backpack.

Final Verdict

The Sound One 616 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 actually 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.

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 companies entry-level wired earphones 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 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 earphone, the Blaupunkt EM-01 is worth taking the 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.

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-SHE1525BK/94 is one such earphone that is popular among budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable active lifestyle wired earphone from a reputed company, priced under Rs.500.

Design and Build Quality

The Philips IN-SHE1525BK/94 has a minimal yet elegant design which looks posh and premium, despite its plastic build.

The matte 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 ear hooks on this earphone let the earpiece sit tightly inside your ears even while you’re engaged in gym sessions or other sports activities.

The tangle-free flat style cable is a boon for sports enthusiasts as well.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The Philips IN-SHE1525BK/94 features smaller 10mm 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 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 IN-SHE1525BK/94 might be a good choice.

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

Flipkart is a popular e-commerce marketplace in India selling thousands of varieties of goods from mobile phones to air-conditioners to cosmetic products.

Smartbuy is an affordable consumer electronics lineup from Flipkart mainly targeting budget-constrained consumers in India looking for a decent product.

The Smartbuy V23MM is a wired headset from Flipkart that costs just Rs.375.

Honestly, we’d say this earphone has all the features and then some that earphones priced under Rs.500 usually have.

Design and Build Quality

The casing of the speaker unit of this earphone from Flipkart is made of metal. This makes it slightly heavy but gives a pleasant feel when inserted into the ear canal.

The anti-slip eartips helps in keeping the speaker unit in place even while you are not stationary. The earbuds also have a sweat repellent silicone coating as well.

Speakers and Sound Quality

The sound is the number one priority when it comes to the purchase of an earphone. This earphone feature a 9mm driver unit with neodymium magnets inside.

The sound clarity is very good with the mids and highs getting pronounced over a wide frequency range – boring jargons aside, treble and vocals are clearly defined and is pleasant to hear.

The bass is a bit on the softer side. This might be an issue for those who need extra bass even for Carnatic music, but for no one else.

In-line Remote and Call Quality

The inline mic comes with noise cancellation that works pretty well. The mic is sensitive to our voice and picks it up easily.

One important thing to mention about the Smartbuy V23MM is its braided nylon cable. The cable is 1.2m long.

It is strong and can handle mild abuses without hampering the functionality of the earphone.

Verdict

If you have a budget of under Rs.400 and need a nice-sounding earphone, this product is well worth considering.

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 up right 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 20-20,000Hz, 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 which allows you to take 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 the 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 delivers excellent sound quality, no matter what genre of music you’re into, this is definitely one of the best in the business.

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 earphones 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.

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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