After revisiting our past articles about the best headphones available in the market, we noticed a glaring gap between the budget sections. We had only reviewed the best headphones under Rs.1,000 and Rs.2,000 before writing about the best-wired headphones in India.
Now, with more affordable and feature-rich wired headphones being introduced to the market almost daily, it became necessary to add more budget categories for a wide range of headphone choice available in the market.
As a first step to bridge this gap, we bring you the curated list of the best nine wired headphones in India priced under Rs.5000. This premium budget will offer you much more pro-quality headphones from reputed brands.
Without much further ado, let’s get started!
Best Headphones Under Rs.5,000 (Wired & Over the Head)
| 1. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x | Overall Best Pick |
| 2. Sennhieser HD 400S | Runner-up Pick |
| 3. Samson SR850 | Budget Studio Monitoring Headphone |
| 4. OneOdio Studio Pro 50 | Feature-rich Wired Headphone |
| 5. Maono AU-MH601 | Budget Wired Headphone |
| 6. Logitech G331 | Best Mid-range Gaming Headphones |
| 7. Marshall Major III | Best Build Quality |
| 8. Plantronics Blackwire 3220 | Best Headphone for VoIP Calls |
| 9. JBL Quantum 300 | Honourable Mention |
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. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Overall Best Pick
- Excellent bass-rich sound output
- Passive noise cancellation
- No microphone for voice calls
Pros
Solid build quality
Pressure-relieving earpads
No sound leakage
Cons
Feels bulky
Audio-Technica is a widely acclaimed Japanese company known for its high-quality professional amplifiers and headphones.
The ATH-M20x is an entry-level M series over the ear wired headphone from Audio-Technica which strikes the right balance between affordability and performance.
Build Quality
Made of polycarbonate material, the body of this wired headphone from Audio-Technica feels strong and durable.
There are no noticeable weak parts in the structure, making it less prone to failure in the long run.
The level of detailing that went into the design of this budget headphone is exceptional.
The plush pressure-relieving cushions are a delight to wear around the ears. The faux leather covered headband has sufficient cushioning to avoid discomfort as well.
The closed-back nature of the earpiece also provides some sort of passive noise cancellation for aiding better audibility while in a noisy environment.
Sound Quality
The Audio-Technica ATH M20x comes with a 40mm neodymium magnet powered speaker driver tuned to perfection from the factory.
These speakers offer a wide soundstage that reproduces the musical notes between 15 – 20,000 Hz in all its glory.
Given this headphone has a sensitivity of 96dB, the loudness of the sound output through the speakers is sufficient and doesn’t pose any threat when it comes to sound distortion.
The contoured ear cup offers a tight seal for the ear canal, and minimises the sound leak, resulting in excellent acoustic performance.
Miscellaneous
The Audio-Technica ATH M20x has copper-clad aluminium voice coils to improve the sound output and the sensitivity of speakers by decreasing the resistance to electrical signals.
The impedance rating of this earphone is 47ohm which is a bit higher compared to the competitors. This might cause a degraded performance when paired with budget smartphones at times.
Verdict
The Audio-Technica M20x is a studio-grade professional wired headphone with bass-rich sound output.
This wired headphone delivers excellent noise cancellation due to its closed-back design, making it suitable for music listening no matter where you are.
Specifications
| Driver Size | 40 mm |
| In-line Microphone | No |
| Frequency Range | 15Hz – 20000Hz |
| Impedance Rating | 47 Ohm |
2. Sennhieser HD 400S
Runner-up Pick
- Well balanced sound signature
- Inline remote with mic
- Closed-back design for added comfort
Pros
Good passive noise cancellation
Comfort fit headphones
Robust build quality
Cons
Not for bass heads
The Sennheiser HD 400S is a wired budget headphone with an around the ear design which aids in superior acoustic performance.
This device comes with a fully foldable headband and an inline microphone to attend voice calls on the go.
Build Quality
The Sennheiser HD 400S is made entirely of high-quality polycarbonate material. This makes the device partly flexible and lightweight.
The headband is sufficiently cushioned and has a smaller size footprint. Another fact to note about this headband is that it is completely foldable.
This makes the Sennheiser HD 400S the compact wired headphones in its price category.
The sufficiently large earpiece has comfy pads over them to give a closed-back audio experience.
The cable on this headphone is rounded but tangle resistant.
Sound Quality
The Sennheiser HD 400S is powered by a 32mm speaker driver custom made by the company for enhanced performance.
These speakers have been carefully tuned to perfection for delivering exceptional quality music.
One of the USPs of this Sennheiser wired headphone is its 18 Ohm impedance rating. This means the driver only has to overcome the least resistance for producing sound.
The low impedance factor significantly boosts the performance of this budget headphone when used with low-end Android smartphones without a dedicated DAC.
The bass is adequate and the quality of mids and highs are very good on this device.
Inline Remote and Voice Quality
This headphone comes with a single button remote and an excellent microphone.
The mic is so sensitive to the user’s voice and somehow manages to isolate the background noise to an extent, providing you with the best possible voice quality in the segment.
Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 400S is an excellent purchase for those who are looking for a capable and affordable pro-quality headphone to use with their smartphones.
The pleasing audio output and the built quality makes it worth checking out in the sub. Rs.5,000 category.
Specifications
| Driver Size | 32 mm |
| In-line Microphone | Yes |
| Frequency Range | 18Hz – 20000Hz |
| Impedance Rating | 18 ohm |
3. Samson SR850
Budget Studio Monitoring Headphone
- Studio-grade monitoring headphone
- Comfortable open-back design
- No microphone for voice calls
Pros
Excellent bass
Comfortable fit
Minimal sound distortion
Cons
Average build quality
Samson is a brand that the majority of our readers have not heard about. For starters, they are an industry-leading audio equipment company based in New York.
Backed by two decades of industry experience, the Samson SR850 beats its competitors to the punch with its studio-quality sound reproduction and pronounced depth in the musical notes.
Build Quality
The Samson 850 is made from average quality plastics, to be honest. Mostly because of this, the headphone feels lightweight and comfortable.
The industrial design screams practicality and will not win you by the looks for sure.
The headband is quite comfortable and offers an excellent overall grip, making the earpiece stay as close to your ears.
The cushioning is minimal. This suits the humid Indian conditions where we tend to sweat a lot. With excessive cushioning, the sweat may cause discomfort while in prolonged usage.
The 1.5m cable is long and might cause some trouble dangling while travelling with this headphone.
Sound Quality
The Samson S850 comes equipped with a large 50mm driver speaker capable of providing an exceptional acoustic experience.
The wide dynamic range that covers almost all musical notes between 10 Hz and 30,000 Hz makes sure that your general listening pleasure is in no way compromised.
The bass is rich with enough power to make EDMs and hip hop lovers happy. The mids and highs beautifully complement the low notes.
The sound output loudness is on point and doesn’t create distortion even while jamming in with full volume.
Miscellaneous
The semi-open back design of the earpiece has its own merits and demerits.
The open design helps a lot of acoustics to dampen easily and more naturally. This reduces the stress on your ears significantly.
At the same time, this open design might also let background noises into the ear canal, causing problems if you are in the middle of a busy street or so.
The velour fabric ear cushioning on this wired headphone works similar to the memory foam and is very comfortable for your ears to rest on.
Verdict
If you don’t mind the lack of a mainstream brand tag, the Samson S850 is the best-wired headphone you can purchase under a budget of Rs.5,000.
Its studio-grade tuned drivers and the open back design makes listening to music as if you are inside a recording studio.
Specifications
| Driver Size | 50 mm |
| In-line Microphone | No |
| Frequency Range | 10Hz – 30000Hz |
| Impedance Rating | 32 Ohm |
4. OneOdio Studio Pro 50
Feature-rich Wired Headphone
- Excellent instrument separation
- Decent in-call audio quality
- Bass-heavy sound signature
Pros
Solid build quality
Detachable cables
Comfortable soft protein earmuffs
Cons
Bulky design
OneOdio is a relatively new entrant to the Indian headphone scene with a few affordable models that have been well received among Indian customers.
The Studio Pro 50 is the flagship wired headphone from the Studio Pro series lineup from OneOdio.
Build Quality
The design of the OneOdio Studio Pro 50 is no different from the other Studio Pro models we’ve reviewed before.
The entire body is made from high quality matte black plastic materials which feel extremely durable and sturdy.
The chrome finish trims around the earpiece housing looks very attractive and premium.
In terms of wearing comfort, the adjustable headband and the soft protein earmuffs ensure that you won’t face any trouble listening to music with these headphones.
The fully foldable design makes this headphone easy to carry around in bags and backpacks without any problems.
Sound Quality
The OneOdio Studio Pro 50 features a custom-tuned 50mm speaker driver with rich bass output accompanied with clean and crisp vocals as well as tingling highs.
The instrument separation on this wired headphone can be defined as one of the best in this price segment.
This headphone will satisfy every kind of audiophile out there – be it bassheads or purists.
The ergonomic earpad cushions ensure a tight fit around the ears, resulting in good noise isolation characteristics.
Miscellaneous
The OneOdio Studio features detachable audio cables. The company provides two
cables with this headphone – one 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable with inline mic and a 6.35mm to 3.5mm coiled cable without the mic.
You can use these cables to hook the Studio Pro 50 to a wide range of devices from guitars to smartphones to amplifiers.
Verdict
The OneOdio Studio Pro 50 is one of the affordable feature-rich wired headphones available in India priced at just Rs.3,600.
If you prefer a versatile headphone with universal compatibility with a multitude of devices, the Studio Pro 50 is one of the best choices out there.
Specifications
| Driver Size | 50 mm |
| In-line Microphone | Yes |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz – 20000Hz |
| Impedance Rating | 32 Ohm |
5. Maono AU-MH601
Budget Wired Headphone
- Robust build quality
- Well balanced sound output
- Comfortable soft protein earmuffs
Pros
Industrial design
Detachable cable system
Thick looped cable for professional use
Cons
Feels a bit bulky
Maono is a company that entered the market relatively recently with its range of high fidelity earphones and headphones.
The Maono AU-MH601 is a budget professional wired BJ headphone available for purchase in the Indian market for just Rs.3,199.
Build Quality
The Maono AU-MH601 features an industrial design that might not click with everyone, but we feel this one is designed with an emphasis on practicality and not just looks.
The single tone black colour scheme looks minimal yet unique for the most part.
Made from high-quality plastic materials all around, the quality of the construction is top-notch. Everything feels so solid and ensures a strong sense of durability.
The earpiece can be adjusted by sliding and rotating in a different direction to match the contours of your ears for the best fit.
Sound Quality
The Maono AU-MH601 offers a well-balanced sound output with equal importance given for low, mid and high notes. With this wired headphone, you will be able to enjoy almost every genre of music.
The 50mm speaker drivers cover the standard 20 – 20,000 Hz frequency response spectrum for a rich and wide soundstage.
The loudness from these speakers are on point and has very minimal distortion at maximum volume levels.
The sturdy housing and the tight fit provides superior noise isolation and helps you enjoy the music calmly and serenely.
Miscellaneous
The Maono AU-MH601 is strictly a DJ monitoring studio headphone. It doesn’t come with an integrated microphone for hands-free voice calls.
The soft protein earmuffs stay relatively comfortable while listening to music for extended periods at a stretch.
Verdict
If you are in search of strong, durable and studio monitor wired headphones with impressive tonally balanced sound output, then the Maono AU-MH601 is a great choice.
Do note that this is strictly a studio monitoring headphone and lacks a built-in microphone for voice calls.
Specifications
| Driver Size | 50mm |
| In-line Microphone | No |
| Frequency Range | 15Hz – 30000Hz |
| Impedance Rating | 32 Ohm |
6. Logitech G331
Best Mid-range Gaming Headphones
- 50mm Pro-G drivers
- Multi-platform compatibility
- 2-year warranty
Pros
Y Splitter included
Flippable microphone
Detachable ear pads
Cons
Sound lacks finer detail
The G331 is a stereo gaming headphone that is manufactured by the well-known computer peripherals company Logitech. The G331 one is entry-level stereo gaming headphones for gamers on all platforms.
The Logitech G331 gaming headphone retails for approximately Rs.4,500 in the Indian market.
Build and Design
The Logitech G331 gaming headphone features the signature square-shaped design that is generally found on their gaming headphones.
This gaming headphone sports a black colour scheme with red accents on the ear cup. The red accents give the headphones a gaming look.
Speaking about the build quality, these gaming headphones are made from polycarbonate material but do have a metal frame for the headband. The headband makes use of a slider mechanism which makes it easy to adjust.
Comfortability is of utmost importance for a gaming headphone and the Logitech G331 features leatherette earpads that is quite comfortable and gives the headphone a premium feel.
You can wear these headphones for long gaming sessions without a problem.
A flippable microphone is also present on this gaming headphone. When not in use simply flip the mic up and it will be disabled.
Behind the left earcup of this gaming headphone are the volume controls. You won’t be able to see them once you put on the headphones but you will get the hang of it after some time.
This is a wired gaming headphone and terminates into a 3.5mm jack. A Y splitter is also included in the box which can be used to connect this headphone to a desktop computer.
The Logitech G331 gaming headphone is compatible with all platforms be it PC, console, or smartphones.
Sound Quality and Speakers
Let’s be honest, the Logitech G331 is not audiophile-grade headphones. These headphones are not going to provide you with the best audio quality overall and instead are gaming-oriented.
Inside the headphones are the large 50mm Pro-G drivers that provide a good bass although not the punchiest.
When it comes to detail the sound isn’t that rich, for example during loud background noise it will be hard to hear nearby footsteps unless you completely crank up the volume.
This however can be fixed with some fine-tuning but it would have been appreciated if this wasn’t the case out of the box.
Listening to music on this headphone is not recommended, the experience would be similar to entry-level gaming headphones priced around the Rs.2000 mark which is not that good.
The microphone quality on this gaming headphone on the other hand is quite sufficient, it captures your sound while speaking without picking up too much noise.
Verdict
The Logitech G331 is a gaming headphone that is ideal for someone who wants one that has a good build with overall decent sound quality. Also, this headphone features a 2-year warranty hence you can have peace of mind in case any problems arise.
Specifications
| Driver Size | 50mm |
| In-line Microphone | Yes |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz- 20,000Hz |
| Impedance Rating | 39 Ohms (passive), 5k Ohms (active) |
7. Marshall Major III
Best Build Quality
- Premium luxury headphone
- Excellent balanced sound output
- Suited for hardcore audiophiles
Pros
Build quality
Noise cancellation
Excellent sound quality
Cons
A little tight on the ears
Marshall is a UK based audio equipment manufacturer well known for its amplifiers, Bluetooth speakers and studio-grade headphones.
The Major III from Marshal is an upgrade over the original Marshall Major II headphones that was widely popular.
Build Quality
The Marshall Major III follows the classic Marshall design cues including the rounded edge square ear cup design and the leather finish.
The textured leather construction imparts a classy and luxurious feel to this wireless over the ear headphone.
The collapsible design makes it easier to keep this headphone safe and secure inside bags and suitcases.
The adjustable headband clips are made of metal and have a superior build quality that feels durable.
Sound Quality
The Marshall Major III boasts of a 40mm driver unit that is factory tuned to ensure you the best possible sound clarity.
The deeper bass and the detailed highs make the music that’s coming out of the speaker very much enjoyable, even for the hardcore audiophiles.
These headphones are the kind of product where a bass head and a purist music lover will agree with in terms of the sound output. The vocals are clear and clean without any sort of distortions.
The noise isolation feature works well as advertised. It successfully blocks out the background noises for a quieter and more immersive music listening experience.
Miscellaneous
The detachable connecting cable in itself is gold plated and with L shaped 3.5mm connector. Everything about this headphone feels luxurious so does the sound output as well.
The inline remote works impressively well which we didn’t expect from audiophile-grade headphones. The calls were surprisingly crisp and clear and the mic worked just fine as well.
Verdict
The Marshall Major III is a lifetime worth of investment if you’re into some serious hardcore music listening.
The quality of music that is delivered to your ears from the luxury headphone is on a whole new level. If you have the money in your hand, don’t look further.
Specifications
| Driver Size | 40 mm |
| In-line Microphone | Yes |
| Frequency Range | 18Hz – 22000Hz |
| Impedance Rating | 32 Ohm |
8. Plantronics Blackwire 3220
Best Headphone for VoIP Calls
- Crisp and clear vocal quality
- Noise-cancelling microphone
- USB type-A end connector
Pros
Lightweight and compact
Retractable microphone stalk
Attractive design
Cons
Not for regular music listening
Plantronics is an American brand popular for its audio equipment ranging from consumer-grade headphones to high fidelity business-grade devices.
The Blackwire wired headphone from Plantronics is not your average wired headphone, but one with a USB type A connector at one end.
Build Quality
The Plantronics Blackwire 3220 headphone looks and feels way different from the other headphones available in this price bracket.
This headphone is primarily designed to caper VoIP calls from your desktop or laptops.
The Blackwire VoIP headphone is made from plastic materials that don’t feel too shabby for its asking price.
The single colour black paint job with red accents gives this wired headphone a unique aesthetic appeal.
The slim, lightweight form factor of this wired headphone makes it very much comfortable to use for longer hours at a time without any wearing fatigue.
The minimal yet comfortable earpad cushions are soft enough not to hurt your earlobes either.
Sound Quality
The Plantronics Blackwire 3220 headphone features the standard 40mm speaker drivers but is tuned way differently from a standard headphone.
This is done to emphasize the vocal clarity instead of the boomy bass and tingling treble notes that you get with other headphones.
The Plantronics Blackwire 3220 is perhaps the best headphone for voice calls in the Indian market as of now.
The noise-cancelling microphone works flawlessly to eliminate background sounds and deliver a crisp and clean audio output.
Miscellaneous
This budget wired headphone, as we mentioned earlier, comes with a USB type-A end connector and not the regular 3.5mm connector.
What this means for you is that it is not compatible with use with your smartphone, out of the box.
The inline remote on this headphone has dedicated volume control buttons and a mic mute button.
Verdict
If you’re someone who uses VoIP services such as Skype extensively on a laptop or a desktop computer, you should look no further than the Plantronics Blackwire headphone.
Specifications
| Driver Size | 40 mm |
| In-line Microphone | Yes |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz – 20000Hz |
| Impedance Rating | 32 Ohm |
9. JBL Quantum 300
Honourable Mention
- JBL quantum surround sound engine
- Best suited for PC and console gaming
- Highly customizable sound profile
Pros
Direction boom mic
Dedicated volume slider
Braided cable
Cons
Not for regular smartphone music playback
JBL Quantum series wired headphones are aimed at serious gamers who need a well-performing headphone with surround sound output.
The Quantum 300 which is priced at Rs.4,999 is the mid-range offering in the Quantum series lineup.
Design and Build Quality
The Quantum 300 headphone is made from plastic of which the quality is good. Thanks to this, this headphone weighs just around 240g and is fairly flexible.
The adjustable headband has enough cushioning for a comfortable wearing experience.
There is a volume slider on the body that can be used to adjust the volume without having to interact with the computer or the console for that matter.
The connecting wire is braided and durable. JBL also provides USB audio in the box.
The directional mic on this headphone can be easily turned off and on by flipping up and down.
The memory foam cushioning is very comfy and well-aerated so that it doesn’t induce ear fatigue when using it for a long duration.
Speakers and Sound Quality
The JBL Quantum 300 features a 50mm driver custom-tuned for gaming. The bass levels are excellent, with equally good vocal clarity.
The surround sound effect and the equalizer can be adjusted using the Quantum app on a Windows computer matching your personal preference.
The Quantum surround engine from JBL delivers exceptional spatial audio output, offering an immersive stereo surround sound experience while gaming.
Miscellaneous
The Quantum 300 is a gaming headphone best suited for PC and console gaming.
If you plan to use this headphone to listen to music on your smartphone, do not purchase this headphone.
Verdict
The JBL Quantum 300 is the best mid-range gaming headphone you can purchase for under Rs.5,000.
With the exceptional JBL surround sound engine and the large 50mm drivers, you won’t be disappointed with the audio output for sure.
Specifications
| Driver Size | 50 mm |
| In-line Microphone | Yes |
| Frequency Range | 20Hz – 20000Hz |
| Impedance Rating | 32 Ohm |
This concludes our search for the nine best wired headphones in the Indian market for a budget under Rs.5000.
In no way is this a complete and exhaustive guide, but we hope the choices we made are indeed the best and will be the same for you as well.
If you have any queries regarding this article, let us know in the comment section below and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
Thanks for your time and have a great day!