Best headphones under 500 INR

Top pick: Maxell HP-200 — a plain, honest wired pair with a 4 ft cable, 32-ohm impedance and a full 20 Hz–20 kHz range, so it works straight out of a phone or laptop jack with no charging to think about. For a very small budget it's the safest bet.

Who the others suit:

• Maxell EB-95 — the lightest-spend option if you just need something that plays; higher sensitivity means it goes loud from weak sources.
• Retro Wired Headphones — adjustable headband and soft cushioned cups if comfort matters more than specs.
• Wired Stereo Over-Ear Headphones — a simple over-ear fit for long listening sessions.

All are wired 3.5 mm, so no Bluetooth or noise cancelling at this level.