If you want to cheat the system a bit and get your hands on incredible, crisp sound from a pair of headphones under $100, we’ve got you. You no longer need to choose between a cheap pair of headphones and incredible features like active noise cancellation, Hi-Res Audio certification, and multi-device pairing.
Sure, you might be doing an IRL side eye emoji regarding the class-leading Sony WH-1000xM6 headphones — unveiled at the start of summer — but these things will cost you $450. Don’t bother dishing out that much money when you can get headphones for a fraction of the price (with much of the same functionality) or, better yet, noise-cancelling headphones that carry longer battery life and a stronger sonic punch than the AirPods Max. Speaking of which, did you know that users were previously reporting that their Apple headphones suffered “condensation death” after being exposed to moisture buildup? Fortunately, our wireless headphones suggestions are all models you can wear for lengthy stretches — without stressing about their impending expiration date.
Therefore, if you’re still #TeamApple when it comes to headphones, stick with us for a sec. You’ll soon discover that these top picks from popular budget audio brands like 1More, Anker, and JBL are giving the market’s best a run for their money. We even have a bargain entry from Sony that’s well worth a look. Frugal audiophiles rejoice.
What differentiates budget vs. higher-end headphones?
In case we weren’t clear enough before, cheaper does not mean worse by any means (and vice versa) when it comes to headphones. Not always, at least.
Yet, the general trend still stands that the “higher-end” a pair of headphones is, the more likely you are to get better sound quality (aka undistorted bass), more playtime, and state-of-the-art features like adaptive ANC.
Budget headphones are known to leak sound more often than their pricier alternatives, and they’ll likely have fewer extras, like spatial audio for immersive 3D sound and TalkThru technology (which amplifies your convo buddy’s voice while reducing music volume instantly) featured in some of JBL’s flagship headphones.
Nonetheless, we made it our mission to find headphones — both on-ear and over-ear models — that aren’t “higher-end” in price and borrow a lot of standout functionality from their more expensive counterparts.
Don’t believe it? See for yourself by reading our reviews of the best headphones under $100 below.
