I can’t put down two cheap headphones I tested this year — one’s better for budget audiophiles, one’s perfect for commuters

I've tested my fair share of contenders for the best cheap headphones list we maintain, and there are plenty more options I've tested that don't make the cut. I'm used to reviewing models which are great, but don't make their way onto the list since there are even better options out there (and few spaces on the round-up).

I've tested two such pairs of headphones already this year already, and since publishing my reviews, I've kept using both of them. These headphones have kept covering my ears even though I have even more juicy stuff to review — and I really should be getting on with that — because they each have a really useful and really distinct, advantage over each other. And so if you're on the market for new and affordable headphones (especially with the Amazon Big Spring Sale happening), they're both worth considering.

• View the full Amazon Big Spring Sale

But they're both worth considering for different kinds of buyers. So I'll run you through what we're looking at, and which of the two you should pick up. And since I gave them both equally high-rated reviews, I'll list them in that most revered of orders: alphabetical.

1. OneOdio Focus A1 Pro

The cheapest of the two pairs of headphones is the OneOdio Focus A1 Pro, at $34.99 / £43.99 (roughly AU$85). It comes from a brand that had previously impressed me with its open-style and DJ headphones, and this budget line (Focus) has already won accolades from us.

The selling point of the A1 Pro? The sound: I've tested plenty of cheap cans which have muddy or tinny audio, and these headphones actually sounded pretty good for the price. I'm not going to pretend you're getting Sennheiser-level sound, but I was impressed by the crisp audio. If you're an audiophile on a budget, you could do a lot worse.

I should note, though, that there's no app here; that'll be great news for some and annoying for others, but it means there's no equalizer. They also weren't the most comfortable cans I've ever used, and struggled in the feature department compared to my next options…

2. SoundPeats Cove Pro

The SoundPeats Cove Pro cost a little more money, at $69.99 / £69.99 (around AU$140), but that's still easily in the 'cheap' bracket. I've been really impressed with earbuds from the brand recently, so I had high expectations from these bay-named blowers.

While the audio quality didn't match the OneOdio, it was fine. However the real selling point of these headphones is the range of features they offer. You're getting a spectacular 95-hour battery life, a listening test to create your own EQ mix, and support for Bluetooth 6.0. That's a lot better than you'd usually expect for affordable models.

I also found the Cove Pro more comfortable to wear than the Focus A1, with the pads softer and larger so they didn't crush my tender little ears. If sound quality isn't your biggest concern, but you want something reliable, easy to use, and that you can wear for super-long periods in more ways than one, these are going to be the better pick for you.

More of today's best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks, Echo & tablets from $18
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods, AirTags & iPads from $17
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Easter: gifts under $50 for all ages
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Toys: 57% off Lego, Tonies & board games
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34