Best headphones under $50 for everyday listening

Top pick: Sony WH-CH520. For everyday listening it's the safest all-rounder — light on-ear Bluetooth with a mic for calls, a comfortable fit for long stretches, and a sound that's easy to live with. It's also the cheapest of the big-name options here.

Who the others suit:

• JBL Tune 520BT — if battery life matters most; it runs for days between charges.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x — wired, for plugging into a laptop or interface and getting clean, honest sound.
• Koss Porta Pro — the classic for people who want a warm, fun sound and don't mind a cable.
• JLab GO Air Pop — if you'd rather have pocketable earbuds than a headband.
• E7 ANC over-ear — if you want over-ear cups and noise cancelling on a tight budget.
• KVIDIO over-ear — for marathon battery and a big comfy cup, no frills.

Skip the kids' JBuddies unless it's for a child.