A great pair of headphones can make or break the music-listening experience, but not everyone has the dough to spend on a pair of expensive cans. Thankfully, however, there are plenty of great pairs of headphones under $100.
That’s also why we’ve put together this guide — to help you find the best pairs of headphones that you can under the $100 mark. Whether you’re looking for a great pair of over-ear headphones under $100, or even a pair of true wireless headphones, there should be something for you on this list.
Best over-ear headphones under $100
If you’re looking for some of the best-sounding headphones under $100 and don’t mind the size of over-ear headphones, then the Sennheiser HD280 PRO headphones are the headphones for you. Not only are the headphones relatively well-designed, but they also feature that classic Sennheiser sound — which is great news for audiophiles on a budget.
There are a number of other things that make these headphones great. The headphones feature plenty of padding, meaning that you should be able to wear them for hours on end without them getting overly uncomfortable. The one trade-off is that these headphones perhaps aren’t the best choice for those looking for ultimate convenience, considering the fact that these aren’t wireless.
Best on-ear headphones under $100
Looking for something a little more portable and convenient? The Audio Technica ATH-S200BT headphones might be the headphones for you. Not only are these headphones on-ear, but they’re also wireless — making them an excellent choice for those wanting a pair of headphones to take on the road with them.
Of course, these headphones aren’t just about convenience. Audio Technica has built a name for itself over the years as a manufacturer of excellent-sounding headphones, and these headphones are no exception to that rule. Sure, the headphones aren’t as good as Audio Technica’s multi-hundred-dollar pairs of headphones, but for the price these are a great choice.
Best in-ear headphones under $100
Perhaps you’re more looking for a pair of great in-ear headphones — and there are some absolutely excellent in-ear headphone choices too. Like, for example, the Focal Spark headphones. Focal in general has an excellent track record when it comes to pro audio, and in recent times it has been launching great consumer-level products too.
The Focal Spark headphones in general are not only excellent-sounding, but they’re also quit comfortable for in-ear headphones, and they’re well-designed. They are wired headphones — though there is a wireless version that doesn’t have quite the high level of sound-quality. These headphones generally perform better than some in-ear headphones twice their price.
Best noise-cancelling headphones under $100
Most noise-cancelling headphones come in at well over $100, but there are a few solid noise-cancelling headphones in the sub-$100 price range. Like, for example, the Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B.
As mentioned, Audio Technica has an excellent track record when it comes to high-quality headphones, and the Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B headphones are no exception to that rule. The headphones sound pretty good for their price, plus they’re relatively comfortable. While their noise-cancellation isn’t quite as good as the likes of the Bose QuietComfort 35 headphones, it is pretty decent. Keep in mind that these headphones are wired, not wireless.
Best true wireless headphones under $100
True wireless headphones are relatively new, and most of the good ones are still pretty expensive. Thankfully, however, there are some options for those that want true wireless headphones under $100. Perhaps the best of those are the Anker Zolo Liberty headphones.
The Anker Zolo Liberty headphones are well-designed and sleek, plus they have a 24-hour battery life with the battery case. On top of that, the headphones are sweat-resistant, so they might be a good choice for those that intend to use them while they’re going running or to the gym — though if that’s you, be careful that the headphones don’t fall out and get lost.