Your headphones are your guide to the world of lifelike music, vivid movies and games. They can be also an important part of your working day. In a word, playing such great role in your life they have to be of the highest quality. Here you can find the list of best headphones under $100 which are not only good at their performance but have also got a reasonable price.
How to choose the best headphones under $100
When it’s time to buy new headphones it’s really necessary to take into consideration all factors that can affect their future performance. The best thing you can do before your purchase is to write the list of the most crucial features your headphones must have and what to pay your attention to when choosing the cream of the crop.
Performance
What sound will your headphones produce? Can you rely on great bass response or is to too low to enjoy your favorite song? Are the mids and highs clear enough? These are the questions you should know the answers to before your final choice. Besides, don’t forget to check whether your headphones have noise cancelation or noise isolation.
Build quality
As headphones are much bigger than earbuds there may be not always enough space for them in your bag. That is why high build quality is another important feature good headphones must have. If they have a robust design then you won’t be afraid to break them every time you pack your bag to the full. By the by, moisture and sweat protection would be a great bonus as well.
Comfort
Make sure your ears won’t get tired after long hours of wearing your new headphones. Check whether all materials are soft enough and whether their construction fits the form of your head and ears. Whatever great sound headphones may deliver they won’t bring you any pleasure in case of even the slightest discomfort.
Wireless or Wired
Got tired of long cables and tangles? Then it’s better to choose wireless headphones. But in this case, remember to check the battery life and the version of Bluetooth connection. Still, you can just buy wireless headphones with an extra cord.
Best Headphones Under $100
Last update on 2022-06-27 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
The Best over-ear headphones under $100
Do you want to hear only crisp highs and deep bass? Then have a look at Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. Except for lifelike sound, these headphones can boast of comfortable circumaural design that contours around the ears. Such structure ensures excellent sound isolation in the noisiest city streets.
Apart from this, ATH-M40x headphones are made of robust professional-grade earpad and headband material to make listening to music the most comfortable process ever. Besides, there are 90° swiveling earcups for easy, one-ear monitoring.
- tuned flat
- clear lifelike sound
- comfortable in use
- stylish design
- durable
- too strong clamping force
- too floppy
- earcups can swivel at 90° only
Sony MDR7506
Perfect For Use In Broadcast & Studio
These over-ear headphones (with a closed-ear design) feature neodymium magnets and 40-millimeter drivers. This means that users are shielded from environmental noises while enjoying a powerful and well-detailed sound.
Even though they are not wireless, the 9.8 feet cord is long enough to allow free movement around the PC, laptop, or device. Also, the plug is plated with gold, which allows the headphones to work at a frequency response of 10 Hertz to 20 kHz.
The large diaphragm (40mm PET) and over-ear design provide comfort for extended periods, while the lightweight and solid frame speak of durability in the long-term. Also, the folding construction is good for traveling, as it’s easier to transport them without damaging any of the components.
- 40mm drivers & neodymium magnets
- Closed-back, over-ear design
- Comfortable to wear for a long time
- 10 Hertz to 20 kHz frequency response
- Gold-plated plug
- Wired design
- They keep your ears quite warm
OneOdio Y80B
The Perfect Budget-Friendly Studio Headphones
If you are seeking excellent quality headphones for a reasonable price, OneOdio Y80B headphones are the ideal option for you.
Sure, these headphones aren’t fancy and they don’t come from a familiar brand. However, they are bringing something more valuable, and that is excellent sound quality, with strong bass, clear vocals, and detailed mids and highs. In other words, this is one of the best headsets under $100 you can find.
Nonetheless, that isn’t all that this headset is bringing to the table. There is also the 1000mAh battery that should give you a very nice number of 110 hours of playtime, as well as both wired 3.5mm and Bluetooth connection. Moreover, its build quality is of the highest level, while the existence of the boom mic, with CVC 8.0 unidirectional noise reduction, makes every voice call a true pleasure.
In addition, there is also a foldable headband and volume control button on the headset, as well as a great value for the money. In other words, if you want the best of the best, for the price, this is it!
- Great audio
- Strong bass
- Excellent battery life
- Foldable headband
- No active noise cancellation
- Not the most comfortable headset available
Skullcandy Hesh Evo
Plain and Simple, yet Great-Performing Budget-Friendly Headphones
Skullcandy Hesh Evo are well-made headphones stripped of additional features, offering only the basics. However, they are good at creating an impressive audio performance that rightfully positions them among the best headphones in the class.
To be exact, its audio is sculpted, well-balanced, with rich lows and crisp highs, as well as strong bass. In other words, they offer great performance; nonetheless, other of its characteristics are rather limited.
There is no active noise cancellation, no dedicated app, while Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity is limited to only SBC Bluetooth codec. On the other hand, there is a decent 36-hour battery life, USB C connection, as well as a central multifunction button and plus/minus buttons, for easier navigation and management.
In other words, there are only essentials. Therefore, if you are seeking headphones meant only for a true audio experience, they are great, but in every other scenario, some other models might come as better options.
- Comfortable
- Flat-folding
- Affordable
- Solid audio performance
- Attractive looking
- A limited number of features
- No AAC and AptX codec support
- No active noise cancellation
Jabra Move Style Edition
Created For Music On The Move
Jabra created a beautiful pair of wireless BT headphones that blend nicely with an active lifestyle. The long battery life, ultra-light design, and dual connectivity (BT and wired) are only some of the features that make these Jabra Move headphones so popular!
In order to deliver impeccable sound quality, the headphones are fitted with their proprietary DSP (Digital Signal Processing) module, which means that music, movies, and other audio formats have depth and clarity. In addition, the headphones have buttons to control the music and take calls without even touching the phone.
While the design supports durability, it’s also comfortable and lightweight. This means you can have them on your head all day long and your ears won’t get tired. Also, the style is simple and clean, which makes them a great fit for both the gym and the office.
Lastly, the 14h playtime (on one charge) makes the dream of listening to your favorite audiobook/playlist on the move a reality. Of course, if you run out of battery, simply stick the 3.5mm cable in and keep on listening!
- Wired & wireless (BT) connectivity
- Ultra-light fit & durable frame
- Up to 14h battery life
- Impressive sound quality
- Pairing with a Windows 7 PC can be difficult
- The headband material attracts & captures hair
Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO
The Best studio headphones under $100
Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO are the best professional headphones under $100 which are perfect for monitoring and recording. Its compact design hides hefty transducers that will suit any studio and mobile application. These studio headphones deliver precise sound and provide powerful noise isolation. They are also aimed at minimal sound leakage.
Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO will be a great option for filmmakers or podcasters who need high audio quality. Besides, these studio headphones have an attractive compact design that is also important. In addition, spring steel headband, aluminum yokes and reinforced cable make Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO one of the most reliable headphones under $100.
- high quality
- great sound
- good passive noise isolation
- compact and durable design
- replaceable parts
- bass response
- needs a harder case for better protection
JBL E55BT
The Best compact headphones under $100
These headphones will be a perfect option for those who value comfort most of all. JBL E55BT have soft leather earpads that come together with a cloth upper headband. Its controls are very easy to use what adds another point to comfort list. These headphones have a long-lasting battery which guarantees up to 20 hours of wireless playback.
As to the audio quality, the 50 mm dynamic driver delivers a wide range of frequency response with clear and precise sound. JBL E55BT are among the most compact headphones under $100 but if you want something even smaller we recommend checking our list of the best earbuds.
- powerful performance
- very comfortable
- includes cable for passive wired listening
- lightweight and ultra-compact design
- no carrying case or pouch
- remote control needs some improvement
- no Siri, aptX, or aptX HD support
Sennheiser HD 4.40
Good headphones under $100 with balanced sound
Sennheiser HD 4.40 are wireless headphones with reliable Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity and aptX technologies. These headphones are great for enduring use as their battery life reaches 25 hours. By the by, there is also a connecting cable for battery-free listening.
Sennheiser HD 4.40 are very compatible and have an option of instant pairing via NFC. There are also included intuitive ear-cup mounted controls that allow you to adjust volume, change tracks or receive calls fast and easily via the integrated mic.
Though Sennheiser HD 4.40 are made of plastic, they don’t look cheap. The main drawback of these headphones is the absence of noise cancelation, so if you really need this option then check our list of noise-cancelling headphones.
- good sound quality
- 25-hour battery life
- NFC
- inconvenient control buttons
- poor noise isolation
Soundcore by Anker Life Q30
Everything You Need from Affordable Headphones
Anker Life Q30 are exceptional headphones that deliver an unmatched value for the money, and more importantly, excellent sound. They offer a great level of customization and a long list of features that make their use an amazing experience.
These headphones come with a hybrid active noise cancellation that is doing an amazing job and is available in three different setups/modes: Transport mode that reduces the airplane noise, Outdoor mode that minimizes wind and traffic noise, as well as Indoor mode that is adapted for office use.
In addition, they also bring a solid 40-hour battery life, offer both Bluetooth 5.0 and analog 3.5mm connectivity, and feature the Soundcore App that brings an excellent level of customization, including 22 predefined presets. Moreover, Anker Life Q30 is available in black, blue, and pink colors, and has many advanced functionalities. To be exact, there are NFC pairing, Multi-Point Connection, as well as dual noise-detecting microphones that do a fine job in minimizing the ambient noise.
Anker Life Q30 headset weighs only 260 grams and offers a comfortable fit due to the combination of soft leather earpads and memory foam padding.
In other words, everything needed for true music enjoyment is there. For that reason, if you want the best headphones under $100, Anker Life Q30 comes as a pretty great choice.
- Travel case included in the package
- Good battery life
- Good dedicated software
- Hybrid active noise cancellation
- NFC Pairing
- Highly customizable sound
- Not that attractive
- No aptX-HD codec support
GRADO SR60x
The Best Headphones There Are
GRADO SR60x are simple, yet amazing headphones that don’t come with a ton of features, yet focus on the audio quality, which is, truth be told, utterly incredible. Their sound is clean and very detailed, while offering an expressive and dynamic feeling. The bass is punchy, while the vocals bring a level of sensuality, as no other headphones available. In other words, their performance is flawless.
To make things even better, they are comfortable to wear, even for long periods, while the existence of both 3.5mm and 6.3mm connections makes them an exceptional deal for true audiophiles. Above all, they are exceptionally built, offering great durability. They are fitted with 44mm drivers, and they offer an adjustable padded headband that is another reason for their great comfort.
All in all, they are great. However, they aren’t for the masses, but for the people who truly appreciate great sound, when they hear it.
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Punchy sound
- 6.3mm adapter
- Leaky audio delivery
Jabra Elite 45h
One of the Best Headsets
Jabra Elite 45h is an affordable, good-performing headset that brings an excellent ratio of price and value. This is a well-built product, with a compact and lightweight construction and equally importantly, foldable design that helps with its portability.
Above all, this headset brings a clear and detailed, energetic sound, perfect for a wide variety of users. On top of that, there is also a very good battery, which should give you some 50 hours of playtime, as well as a dual microphone.
Moreover, Jabra Elite 45h is compatible with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, and it features Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and USB-C charging capability. In addition, it features rain-resistant characteristics and offers intuitive controls for easy control.
In other words, it offers quite a good overall package, as should be the case with one of the best headsets under $100 out there.
- Very good battery life
- Well-balanced sound
- Very good app
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- A bit leaky sound
Summary
Ideal headphones can be different. Some prefer wireless headphones while others rely only on tangle-free cables. One cannot imagine listening to music without noise-cancelation while for others it’s important to have easy controls. Find something that will be a perfect fit personally for you.