The best cheap over-ear headphones

At less than $25, the Tascam TH-02 are an unbeatable value for a pair of solidly built over-ear headphones that sound great and isolate sound well with a closed-back design.

Most pairs of headphones you'll find for less than $50 feature an open-back or semi-open-back design, meaning that they aren't made to isolate sound. Open-back headphones leak sound out as well as let ambient noise in, making them less than ideal if you're using them in a busier environment with other people around (think co-workers or roommates). The closed-back over-ear Tascam TH-02 headphones stand out as a clear exception to this rule, and are a shining example of the value that headphone makers are offering today.

I've been personally using a pair of Tascam TH-02 for about three years now. I initially intended to use them as "beater" headphones that I wouldn't have to be too fussy about, but I found the sound quality more than good enough for music and gaming (bass, mids, and highs all come through smoothly and cleanly), and they quickly became one of my workhorses, especially when I'm traveling and don't want to risk losing or breaking a more expensive set.

They've proven to be very durable as well, although the vinyl covering of the padded headband eventually started to peel after a couple years. The peeling proved to be no big deal, as I simply pulled it all off to reveal the soft cloth pad underneath and it's held up perfectly fine. More importantly, the pleather ear cup covers have remained intact with minimal wear despite years of regular use for hours at a time.

They're also very comfortable. The rotating cups don't make my ears ache after a few hours of wear like other headphones I've used. They don't get sweaty considering I use them inside my air-conditioned home, but if you run hot or you're in a stuffy room, this might become a problem after a while. This is going to be the case with the vast majority of over-ear headphones, however, given that they're designed to completely surround your ears.

At $20 to $27 per pair, you simply can't go wrong with these. If all you need is a no-frills, no-nonsense set of over-ear closed-back headphones that are comfortable, well-made, and sound nice, then the Tascam TH-02 has you covered at roughly half the price of other cans on our roundup.

Pros: Solid construction, good sound quality, they're comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, and the closed-back design isolates sound well

Cons: The pleather ear cups aren't that breathable, and the vinyl covering on the padded headband is prone to peeling after a while