These are $79 headphones that look, feel, and sound better than their price suggests

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

PhiatonWhen buying a pair of Bluetooth headphones, you're always faced with striking a balance between aesthetics, sound quality, and price.

Phiaton sent me a pair of its new BT 390's to try, and for a pair of headphones under $100, I think the right choices were made.

First, the aesthetics. These are simple-looking headphones, but I don't mean that in a bad way.

Instead of trying to make a fashion statement, Phiaton put in effort where it counts: the right amount of padding on the earcups and headband, and easy foldability.

The materials they used aren't as fancy as some other headphones I've tried, but this pair felt solid and survived a couple of tumbles around in my full backpack without getting a scratch. My only complaint is that the earcups squeak when they're twisted or moved too much. This happens every time you take the headphones off or put them on, and while it only lasts for a couple of seconds, it's worth noting.

My favorite little design choice is the volume switch on the right earcup. Pushing it up or down changes the volume and pushing it in pauses or plays your music. It's something I ended up using a lot while walking, and it's convenient to be able to make small adjustments to what you're listening to without having to use your phone.

In terms of audio quality, the 390's held up pretty well, especially against other options in this price range. They're a little bassy, but not enough to be detrimental or distracting. That doesn't mean they're only meant for pop or hip hop like other headphones I've tried, but it's something you should know going in. I listened to a lot of music from my personal digital music collection and streaming services, and everything sounded pretty good.

The one thing you'll miss with these headphones is the added level of clarity that really high-end headphones can deliver, but that's ok because they're not directly competing with one another.

That brings me to budget. These are $79 headphones that look, feel, and sound better than their price would suggest. If you're looking for premium headphones, we have recommendations for those, but if you have a set spending limit, the 390's are a good choice.