It's the most wonderful time of the year… until you're tasked with buying headphones or earbuds for a music-lover, at which point it can almost immediately become the most stressful.
But I can help! Every single one of the products in this mini roundup is a) TechRadar tested and approved, b) has a visual flair and is something you'd be happy to give or receive on the big day, and c) doesn't cost more than $80.
Also, every option here comes with active noise cancellation baked right in. So, if your giftee is studying, commuting, or just doesn't like to be bothered while listening (unless dinner's ready), they can toggle it on and let the bubble of silence encase them for the duration.
My top picks? Well, Nothing and its sub-brand CMF by Nothing had a great 2025, so my nod goes to the Nothing Ear (a) earbuds and the CMF Headphone Pro for affordable sound-per-pound value.
That said, JLab comes in a close second, and I love the cozy design, comfort and colorway options of the JLab JBuds Lux ANC (which, perhaps confusingly, are in fact over-ear headphones). Then, there are the cheap and cheerful JLab Go Pods ANC, which are the most affordable item in this list – but they still more than pass muster as a solid listen for the money.
Sony is a trusted name in audio, so if you want them to open a class-leading brand this year, the Sony WF-C710N earbuds won't let you down – and the translucent colorway is just one way in which they'll impress.
Last on my list are the unusual but sonically gifted OneOdio Focus A6, which look and sound the absolute business – which is to say, they look far more expensive than they are.
Which should you buy? My advice is to do a little research; find out whether they prefer headphones or wireless earbuds as a starting point and then you'll be well on your way. All the best – and make sure you don't forget to treat yourself over the festive season too!
My pick of the 6 best last-minute cheap earbuds and headphones for gifts
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.
