The 4 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Under $100

You don’t need to drop $400 on a pair of headphones to get decent active noise-cancellation anymore. I’ve spent the last month testing more than a dozen budget ANC headphones, and the tech that used to be exclusive to flagship Sony and Bose cans has officially trickled down to the sub-$100 price point.

Let’s be clear. None of these will completely silence a crying baby on a 10-hour flight like a top-tier pair. But for droning air conditioners, coffee shop chatter, and the rumble of a daily commute, the best cheap noise canceling headphones of 2026 are shockingly good. They’re good enough that I’ve started recommending them to friends who just want some peace without a second mortgage.

After weeks of listening, commuting, and charging, here are the four pairs that are actually worth your money.

 

 

Best Overall

Anker Soundcore Life Q35

If you have a hundred bucks and just want the best all-around experience, this is it. Anker continues its reign in the budget audio space with the Life Q35. The active noise-cancellation punches way above its price class, handily silencing the low-frequency hum of my office HVAC system and the roar of the subway.

Battery life is stellar. I consistently got around 38 hours with ANC turned on, which is enough for a full week of commuting. They support the LDAC codec for higher-quality audio over Bluetooth, and the sound profile is classic Soundcore—a bit heavy on the bass, but fun and energetic for pop and electronic music. At 260 grams, they’re comfortable enough for all-day wear.

 

 

Best for Travel

Monoprice BT-450 ANC

Monoprice nails the fundamentals for a travel-focused headphone. What makes them stand out? They’re the only pair on this list that includes a decent hard-shell case right in the box. That’s a huge win for just tossing them in a backpack.

They weigh just 225 grams, making them the lightest over-ear model I tested. The ANC is specifically tuned for engine drone, and it works wonders on planes and trains, though it’s less effective with higher-pitched sounds like conversations. Battery life is a solid 30 hours, and they fold down into a compact shape that’s perfect for a carry-on. The sound is a bit flat, but for movies and podcasts on the go, they’re perfect.

 

 

Best Sound Quality

1MORE SonoFlow SE

For the person who prioritizes music over silence, the SonoFlow SE is the easy choice. 1MORE tuned these for audio first and ANC second. With Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification and LDAC support, they deliver a level of detail I didn’t expect for $99. The sound is balanced, with clear mids and crisp highs that avoid the muddy bass of some competitors.

So what’s the catch? The noise-cancellation is just okay. It takes the edge off of constant sounds but lets in a lot more of the world than the Anker or Monoprice models. But if you’re looking for the best possible audio fidelity under $100 and just need ANC to slightly dampen your surroundings, this is the pair to get.

 

 

Best Budget Pick

EarFun Wave Pro 2

Coming in at just $69, I didn’t expect much from the EarFun Wave Pro 2, but I was wrong. These headphones are the definition of a value proposition. The build is definitely plasticky and they don’t feel premium, but they get the core job done surprisingly well.

The ANC is the weakest of this group, but it’s still noticeable and effective against low rumbles. But the battery life is just absurd—I clocked over 55 hours of playback with ANC off, and a still-great 45 with it on. If your budget is tight and you just want something that works, quiets the world a bit, and lasts forever on a charge, nothing else at this price comes close.

 

 

What to Look For in Budget ANC Headphones

I tested all these headphones in the same environments: my open-plan office, a noisy downtown coffee shop, and on my daily train commute. I listened to the same playlists, podcasts, and white noise tracks to judge both sound quality and the effectiveness of the noise-cancellation against different types of sound.

When you’re buying under $100, you have to accept some trade-offs. The Anker has the best all-around feature set, but the 1MORE sounds noticeably better. The Monoprice is built for travel with its case and low weight, while the EarFun prioritizes battery and price above all else.

Think about your main use case. If you’re a frequent flyer, a hard case and good performance against engine noise might be your priority. If you’re a music lover, look for better codec support like LDAC. At this price point in 2026, you can’t get everything, but you can absolutely get a pair of headphones that’s great for what you need most.