For something cheap and workout-friendly, these are the headphones you should buy

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AmazonThe quest for good headphones is never-ending. That pair of on-ears may sound nice, but they’re too bulky. Those full-sizers may look good, but they lack Bluetooth. Those earphones hit the right price, but they don’t fit right. And on and on it goes. Recommending one headphone for everyone is impossible, so the best we can do is look at each block of users and find the things that might suit their fancy.

In that spirit, today we’re highlighting a pair of in-ear headphones that should work well for anyone who wants something cheap and workout-friendly: the MEE Audio M7P. They’re a spiritual successor to MEE’s popular Sport-Fi M6 earphones, and at $40, represent one of the better exercise-focused options on the budget side of the market.

Much of that is due to their build. For the money, the M7P are very well-featured: A mic, one-button remote, universal volume rocker, and shirt clip all come attached to its sturdy, well-sized cable, which itself is entirely detachable if worse comes to worst. You get four sets of soft eartips in the box, and the included carrying case is nice and compact. The whole thing is sweatproof, too, as you'd want from an exercise earphone.

Talking about fit is notoriously subjective with something like this, but we were able to get an impressively tight seal out of the M7P. That, combined with its thin over-the-ear hooks, kept everything in place while we were on the move. Digging so deep into the ear canal meant they weren't the most comfortable to wear over extended listening sessions, but for a few hours of activity, they should be fine. They also block out lots of outside noise.

As far as sound goes, the M7P are good. Not great, but above-average next to most $40 earphones. Most of their emphasis is on the bass and low-mids, with generally clear yet comparatively recessed mids, and treble that can get a bit too harsh when stressed. They opt for the "fun" side of things over the balanced or natural-sounding one, but that's acceptable given that they're made to be used while you're getting pumped up. The lows aren't huge, and they can get a little sloppy when pushed to their limits, but that tight seal makes them robust and lively most of the time. The separation and soundstage are pretty good, too.

While you'll always have to accept some compromises with budget in-ears, the M7P get enough right to be worth recommending. Especially when it comes to price. Go with the RHA S500 if you want crisper, more nuanced sound in this range, but for fitness junkies who can't break the bank, these are a solid choice.

MEE Audio M7P (Black), $39.99, available at Amazon.