11 Best Headphones Under $100

You don’t need to drop $550 on a pair of Apple AirPods Max to get great sound in 2026. I’ve tested dozens of affordable headphones this year, and the quality you can get for under a hundred bucks is just staggering. The gap between budget and premium has never been smaller.

I’m talking about headphones with active noise cancellation that actually works, battery life that lasts for days, and audio that’s genuinely fun to listen to. I’ve spent weeks with every pair on this list—on noisy subway commutes, in quiet offices, and just chilling on my couch.

These are the best cheap headphones I’d spend my own money on. Period.

 

 

Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $100

Anker Soundcore Life Q30

Let’s just start with the default choice for most people. The Q30 has been my go-to recommendation in this price bracket for years, and the 2026 model is still a beast. The active noise cancellation punches way above its weight, easily silencing the drone of my window A/C unit and most airplane rumble.

The sound is definitely bass-forward, which is great for hip-hop and electronic music but might be a bit much for vocal-focused tracks. But with Anker’s app, you can EQ it to your liking. And with a 40-hour battery life with ANC on, I only have to charge them about once a week.

 

 

1MORE SonoFlow

If the Anker’s bass is too much for you, the 1MORE SonoFlow is your answer. These have a more balanced, clearer sound profile right out of the box. They also support the LDAC codec, which gives you higher-resolution audio from compatible Android phones. I could hear a noticeable difference in detail on tracks from Tidal.

Battery life is an incredible 50 hours with ANC on, and they feel a bit more premium in the hand than the all-plastic Q30s. The noise cancellation is a close second to Anker’s, but the superior audio quality makes these a top contender.

 

 

Sony WH-CH520

What if you don’t care about noise cancellation and just want insane battery life? Get the Sony WH-CH520. These on-ear headphones are ridiculously light at just 147 grams and last for a confirmed 50 hours on a single charge. I used them for a full work week and still had over 20% left.

There’s no ANC here, but the sound tuning is classic Sony—clear, detailed, and surprisingly punchy. They’re comfortable for hours, though the on-ear design won’t block out as much passive noise as an over-ear cup. For pure, simple listening, they’re fantastic.

 

 

Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT

The wired M20x has been a staple in recording studios for a decade. The wireless ATH-M20xBT brings that same flat, neutral sound signature to the masses. These are not for bass-heads; they’re for creators who need to hear their audio exactly as it was recorded.

I found them perfect for editing podcasts and listening to acoustic music. The build is utilitarian and mostly plastic, but the battery life is a massive 60 hours. If you value accuracy over boosted bass, these are the ones to get.

 

 

Best Earbuds Under $100

EarFun Air Pro 3

These are the Anker Q30s of the earbud world—they do everything shockingly well for the price. The ANC is good enough to make my daily commute noticeably quieter, and the sound is energetic and fun. They support the aptX Adaptive codec for better audio quality and lower latency, which I noticed while watching videos on my phone.

You get about 7 hours of playback with ANC on, with another 30 or so in the case. The case even supports wireless charging, a feature that’s still rare on affordable headphones. For an all-around package, the Air Pro 3 is almost impossible to beat.

 

 

Sony WF-C700N

If you find most earbuds to be too bulky, try these. The WF-C700N are some of the smallest and lightest ANC earbuds I’ve ever tested, making them incredibly comfortable for long sessions. They disappear in your ears.

The sound quality is a step up from the EarFuns, with that detailed and well-balanced Sony signature. The ANC is solid, though not quite as strong as the best over-ears. Battery life is the main trade-off for the small size, clocking in at around 6 hours with ANC enabled.

 

 

Jabra Elite 3

No ANC here, but the Jabra Elite 3 nails the fundamentals. The passive noise isolation from a good seal is excellent, and the microphone quality for calls is the best on this list. People I called said I sounded clear, even when I was walking on a busy street.

They also have physical buttons, which I much prefer over finicky touch controls, especially with gloves on. With 7 hours of battery and a pocket-friendly case, these are the workhorse earbuds I’d recommend for anyone who spends a lot of time on voice calls.

 

 

Shure SE215

Sometimes you just want a wired connection you can trust. The Shure SE215 are legendary IEMs (in-ear monitors) known for two things: durability and sound isolation. The thick, detachable cables are built to last, and once you get a good fit with the included foam tips, the outside world simply vanishes.

The sound is warm and smooth, with a focus on mids that makes vocals and guitars shine. They’re a favorite among musicians for on-stage monitoring, and that same reliability makes them perfect for anyone who’s tired of dead batteries and Bluetooth pairing issues.

 

 

Best Specialty Headphones Under $100

JLab Studio Pro ANC

I honestly don’t know how JLab does it. These on-ear headphones offer functional active noise cancellation for around $60. Is it as good as the Anker Q30? No. But does it reduce a significant amount of background hum? Absolutely. It’s a huge quality-of-life feature at this price point.

The build is unapologetically plastic and they don’t feel luxurious, but they’re lightweight and the sound is perfectly fine for casual listening. If your budget is tight but you really want ANC, this is the obvious pick.

 

 

Grado SR60x

These are not for your commute. The Grado SR60x are open-back, meaning the back of the earcups are perforated, letting sound move freely in and out. This creates an incredibly wide, natural soundstage that closed-back headphones can’t replicate. It feels like the music is happening around you, not just inside your head.

The downside is that everyone around you can hear your music, and you can hear everything around you. But for listening at home in a quiet room, the clarity and detail you get for under $100 is unmatched. They’re a true audiophile bargain.

 

 

Sennheiser HD 250BT

The HD 250BT are lightweight, on-ear headphones with a surprising amount of sub-bass punch. They’re tuned for modern music, with support for codecs like aptX Low Latency making them great for watching videos or mobile gaming without annoying audio lag.

They feel durable, and the 25-hour battery life is solid for an on-ear model. They don’t have ANC, but their tight clamp and on-ear design offer a decent amount of passive isolation. They’re a great no-fuss option for powerful sound on the go.

 

 

How I Pick and Test Headphones

Finding the best affordable headphones isn’t just about finding the cheapest pair. It’s about finding the ones that deliver the best experience for the money. My testing focuses on three main areas: sound, features, and comfort.

For sound, I listen to the same playlists of rock, pop, electronic, and podcasts on every pair. I’m listening for balance—is the bass muddy? Are the vocals clear? I also check for support for higher-quality codecs like aptX or LDAC, which can make a real difference.

When it comes to features, active noise cancellation is the big one. Sub-$100 ANC in 2026 is very good at handling low-frequency sounds like engines and fans. It won’t silence a crying baby, but it makes a commute much more pleasant. I also verify battery life claims with my own real-world usage.

Finally, comfort is key. If you can’t wear them for more than an hour, it doesn’t matter how good they sound. I wear every pair for multiple hours at a time to check for clamping force, weight, and earcup heat. A great pair of budget headphones has to be one you forget you’re even wearing.