You don't need to spend much for headphones with real noise canceling, multi-day batteries, and app EQs. These six picks, mostly chosen from RTINGS' lab tests and all sold new on Amazon, cover commuting, casual listening, home recording, and earbuds.
The best headphones under $100 are the CMF Headphone Pro (~$79): impressive noise canceling, LDAC, multipoint, and up to about 46 hours of battery, with replaceable earpads.
For comfort, get the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 (~$80). For the lowest price, the Anker Soundcore Q20i (~$45) still have noise canceling. For wired music, get the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x (~$59).
You don't need to spend much for good headphones anymore. Under $100, you can get real noise canceling, batteries that last days, multi-device pairing, and app EQs that used to be flagship features. The trade-offs are usually build quality, cases, and microphones.
Our picks are mostly based on RTINGS' lab tests of headphones under $100, and every pick is sold new on Amazon. We left out the Philips SHP9500, a popular budget audiophile pick, because it's frequently returned on Amazon. Prices change often, and some picks dip under $100 only on sale.
| Headphones | Type | Noise canceling | Battery (RTINGS) | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMF Headphone Pro | Wireless over-ear | Yes, impressive | About 37 to 46 hours | Most people | ~$79 |
| Anker Soundcore Life Q30 | Wireless over-ear | Yes, outstanding | Over 44 hours | Comfort, travel | ~$80 |
| Anker Soundcore Q20i | Wireless over-ear | Yes (hybrid) | Up to 40 hours (Soundcore) | Lowest price | ~$45 |
| Sony WH-CH520 | Wireless on-ear | No | About 53 hours | Light, cool fit | ~$70 |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M20x | Wired over-ear | No | None needed | Music, studio | ~$59 |
| Anker Soundcore Space A40 | Wireless earbuds | Yes, excellent | About 8 hours, plus case | Earbuds | ~$60 |
RTINGS' top wireless headphones under $100. From Nothing's budget CMF brand, they have noise canceling that punches above their price, reducing office clatter, chatter, and airplane engine rumble. Battery life runs from about 37 hours with LDAC to 46 hours with AAC, they pair with two devices at once, and they also work with a cable for in-flight entertainment. Stainless steel hinges, replaceable earpads, and splash resistance point to a longer life than most budget headphones.
Worth knowing: they're not the most comfortable for larger heads and ears, and they come with only a soft pouch. In wired mode they need to be charged and switched on, and the mic doesn't work.
Check Headphone Pro price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.RTINGS' best over-ear headphones under $100. They're lightweight, comfortable, and well-built, and their noise canceling does a great job on rumbling engines and background chatter, with three modes to suit where you are. The battery lasts over 44 hours, and they connect to two devices at once.
Worth knowing: they're a bit bulky, leak sound at high volumes, and the mic is mediocre. Anker has released the Life Q35 as a successor.
Check Life Q30 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Real noise canceling for the price of basic earbuds. The hybrid system uses microphones inside and outside the earcups to cut steady sounds like engine rumble and air-conditioner hum, and Soundcore rates the battery at up to 40 hours with noise canceling on. They connect to two devices, fold up for travel, and keep playing over a cable if the battery dies.
Worth knowing: don't expect premium noise canceling, and the call mic is basic. RTINGS hasn't tested the Q20i, so this pick is based on Soundcore's specs and independent reviews.
Check Q20i price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.Light, simple, and long-lasting. These on-ears sit on your ears rather than around them, so they're more breathable than over-ears and easy to wear around the house. RTINGS measured nearly 53 hours of battery, they pair with two devices at once, and their fairly balanced sound suits most music, with a graphic EQ in Sony's app.
Worth knowing: there's no noise canceling, and the on-ear fit blocks very little noise. They don't fold and don't come with a case.
Check WH-CH520 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.The best budget wired headphones for music and home recording. Their warm, punchy sound keeps vocals clear, the closed-back design keeps your music private, and at 47 ohms they play loudly from any phone, laptop, or audio interface. With no battery, they'll keep working for years.
Worth knowing: the cable isn't detachable, and USB-C phones need a dongle. For more wired picks, see our best closed-back headphones.
Check ATH-M20x price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.RTINGS' best wireless earbuds under $100. Their noise isolation is outstanding for the price, comparable to budget over-ears, and the fit is comfortable and fairly secure. The wireless charging case holds about four extra charges, and they connect to your phone and computer at the same time.
Worth knowing: the mic is weak for calls, and they can be loose in hard-to-fit ears. For more earbuds, see our best noise-canceling headphones and earbuds.
Check Space A40 price on Amazon Prices change often — check Amazon for the current price.