11 Best Headphones under $100 (you never heard of) in 2023

Here’s the list of the very best headphones under $100 you can get in 2023.

These headphones sound much better than you’d expect and come with the latest features, including noise cancelling, equalization, and multipoint (more under features).

We’ve included all types; over-ear, on-ear, and true wireless headphones.

Check the list:

After looking at 32 different headphones under $100 price tag, here are the best you should check out.

We included the top-rated over-ear and on-ear headphones in the $50-$100 range.

More earbuds under a budget:

• The best Bluetooth headphones under $100
• Best earbuds under $100
• Best noise cancelling headphones under $100

Best Headphones under $100: The List

Here are the best headphones under 100$. We picked the top over-ear and on-ear models in the $50-$100 range.

1. AKG Pro Audio K361

AKG K361 are the best headphones under $100 for a neutral sound experience.

AKG tuned their K361 based on the Harman target. The result is a beautifully balanced sound with nothing sticking out. Apart from natural performance, the imaging is pinpoint accurate.

The build quality is where AKG cut some corners. While K361 still feel nice in hand, they’re entirely made of plastic, weighing only 219 grams.

Over-ear rotating ear cups are big and can swivel to save space if you need to pack them for a trip. Earpads are nicely thick and should provide all-day comfort.

Big positives are a detachable cable and low impedance at 32 ohms, meaning you can drive K361 with any music device. No wonder why these are our top pick.

2. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are one of the best headphones under $100 (for most people) – Audio-Technica M40x review.

Sound quality is the best thing with Audio-Technica M40x. The overall sound signature is balanced but with a punchy, deep and accurate bass.

Get a headphone amp and make them even more fun to listen to. They’re great headphones for all kinds of music, especially if you use some equalizing to get them close to the neutral sound.

Passive noise isolation is above average as well. Since these are developed for studio use among other uses, they have very good background noise isolation.

Durability isn’t bad, either. Mostly plastic design with metal parts comes with folding hinges but that’s also their only weak point. You need to be a bit more careful with the hinges but apart from that, these are solid.

Also, Audio-Technica designed these with detachable wires that are easily replaceable.

3. 1MORE SonoFlow

Best wireless headphones under $100 – 1MORE SonoFlow review.

They have all the latest modern specs, on top of sounding excellent for under $100.

1MORE SonoFlow A/B sound test:

1MORE SonoFlow are the headphones to have if you are looking for faithful tuning with good sound quality and LDAC codec for under $100.

By downloading the 1MORE Music app, you gain access to custom EQ (you can see ours in the full review, it makes the sound better) and features like multipoint.

Furthermore, headphones pretty successfully reduce ambient noise with active noise cancellation and amplify it ambient sound mode feature.

Battery life is the most impressive, lasting more than 60 hours with ANC enabled. That, and the fact ear cups are very comfy, makes the SonoFlow an excellent travel companion.

On the other hand, they aren’t the best headphones for sports due to their relatively gentle fit. Meaning that any exaggerated head movement can make them fly off your head.

Related: Find best Bluetooth headphones under $100

4. Anker Soundcore Life Q30

Best ANC performance under $100 – Anker Soundcore Life Q30 review.

Budget headphones use to have a lot of compromises. However, the Life Q30 (successor to Life Q20) represent excellent value for the price, even offering ANC.

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 A/B sound test:

If you’re a fan of bass, the Life Q30 stock sound should suit you well. Of course, downloading the Anker app lets you fully customize the audio, from adding even more bass or making them near neutral.

The audio quality is excellent, especially for the low price.

Over-ear earpads are nicely padded with memory foam for maximum comfort. The included carrying case protects the headphone when you throw them in the backpack.

Their noise-canceling performance is superb compared to the competition. The ambient sound mode is an additional safety feature for when you want to remain aware of your surroundings.

Not many headphones have such an excellent runtime, providing 40 hours of battery life with noise cancellation turned on.

Related:

• Best noise-cancelling headphones under $100
• For even less, see the best budget noise cancelling headphones

5. Sennheiser HD 280 PRO

Splendid over-ear headphones under $100 – Sennheiser HD 280 PRO review.

A good pair of headphones that are comfortable to wear and can output better audio quality than the vast majority of the cans in this price range.

The sound quality is great. The balanced sound signature is perfect for audio professionals who need a more accurate sound reproduction or users who like natural sound.

Sound engineers will like them, but if you’re a basshead, you should see best bass headphones.

There’s a lot of expensive headphones that are better but in the sub-$100 price range, you’ll have a hard time finding them.

HD 280 PRO are comfortable with big over-ear ear cups. The earpads are made from soft faux leather and offer little resistance. The clamping force is just right, too, even if you wear glasses.

Another great feature is their background noise isolation, it’s very good since these can be used for audio professionals as well.

The build quality is solid. Plastic is of high quality and inspires confidence. Good durability is just what you’d expect from Sennheiser.

6. EarFun Free Pro 3

Truly wireless earbuds with audio quality for true audiophiles – EarFun Free Pro review.

Free Pro 3 are a great pick for an audiophile looking for an affordable truly wireless solution.

Hear the EarFun Free Pro 3 A/B Sound Test:

Earbuds start to shine after some extensive EQ changes that completely change their sound. They become more dynamic and controlled than ever, delivering the best performance under $100.

Furthermore, these in-ear headphones sit gently in your ear canal, ensuring you barely feel them even during long listening sessions. Despite using ear fins, we don’t recommend them for sports activities due to unstable fit.

On the flip side, we recommend using ambient sound mode, which naturally boosts surrounding noise, so you don’t need to take the earbuds off to speak to someone.

Moreover, earbuds support Bluetooth multipoint, which enables you to pair them to two devices simultaneously. That is great if you’re a multitasker.

Want cheap headphones alternative?

Best cheap earbuds

7. EarFun Air Pro 3

Best truly wireless earbuds with noise cancellation under $100 – EarFun Air Pro 3 review.

The EarFun Air Pro 3 earbuds show that even cheaper truly wireless tech gets you a lot of quality features.

Hear the EarFun Air Pro 3 A/B Sound Test:

There’s very little that EarFun Air Pro 3 lack. Firstly, earbuds sound really good, especially when you play around with the custom EQ inside the app.

Furthermore, the EarFun app gives you access to control customizer, customizable equalizer, multipoint, and Game mode.

The ambient sound mode works well for boosting outside noises, whereas active noise cancelling does an outstanding job of reducing those noises. Even better so than many premium earbuds like Sony WF-1000XM4.

No wonder they’re among the best noise-cancelling earbuds on the market.

Earbuds can play music for around 8 hours per charge, which is among the highest results we got in the last few years of testing. The case holds another 36 hours of battery life and supports fast charging and Qi wireless charging.

Air Pro 3 support the latest LC3 and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codecs.

Related:

• Best bass earbuds
• Best wireless earbuds under $100

8. Jabra Elite 45h

Best wireless on-ear headphones under $100.

The Elite 45h are superb on-ears with style.

Small headphones, big sound. They’re fun to listen to, with punchy bass and an ever-so-slight emphasis on highs.

The elevation in the low end doesn’t overtake the midrange, which stays very natural. You can further customize the sound in the Jabra app.

The on-ear design has a bad reputation for causing discomfort. Elite 45h are different, providing just enough padding inside earpads and a headband for hours of uninterrupted listening sessions.

Even though they’re lightweight, they pack a big battery. There are around 50 hours of juice inside them on a single charge, which is more than enough for at least a week of use. Also, fast charging gives you extra 10 hours of playtime in just 15 minutes.

9. Philips SHP9500

Best open-back headphones under $100.

The Philips SHP9500 open-back headphones are comfortable and deliver a clear, wide soundstage.

The clear and balanced sound signature makes these great for producing and mixing music as well as critical listening. The frequency response is 12-35 000Hz, and the open-back, comfortable design means hours of enjoying music without discomfort.

The breathable, double-layered, plush ear cups are great for listening for long periods of time. The open-backs are known for a more open soundstage compared to enclosed ones. As a result, there’s less noise isolation but makes for better sound.

Philips SHP9500 have great build quality and gold-plated connectors along with a long 1.5m removable cable. You can use a shorter audio cable if you wish.

10. Sony MDR-7506

Best classic pair of headphones under $100 – Sony MDR-7506 review.

The sound quality is where the MDR 7506 shine. The almost neutral sound signature is very balanced. You’ll hear the music the way it’s supposed to sound while still enjoying its clarity and detail. A great choice for any professional or casual listener.

Passive noise isolation is above average. The closed design helps these studio headphones to do their job well. Listen and monitor the sound without distractions.

The build quality is solid too. These foldable headphones might not have the modern weak point fortifications but should serve you long enough to justify the price.

The coiled cable design itself is very long so these might be only useful for studio monitoring or home use, not so much on the go.

11. Status Audio CB-1

Best studio headphones under $100 – Status Audio CB-1 review.

The sound reproduction is very accurate and flat, with a more subtle bass reproduction.

The flat/balanced sound signature is perfect for any kind of audio work. These are great DJ headphones. But it can also be a lot of fun for regular music listening.

While professional studio headphones usually cost more than $100 they don’t have to. If you’re just starting your professional audio career and need some affordable gear, the Status Audio CB-1 are a great choice.

These foldable headphones are big and bulky but also very comfortable to wear. Their deep ear cushions fit securely, even the biggest ears. You can easily wear them for hours without discomfort.

Outside noise isolation is good due to the closed design and tight-fitting ear pads. After all, these are studio headphones where distractions are unacceptable.

Honorable Mentions

Edifier W820NB Plus

Sennheiser HD 559

TaoTronics TT-BH22

House of Marley Positive Vibration XL

EarFun Free Pro 2

Shure SE215 PRO

Grado SR80e

Read more:

• The best earbuds under $100

Here’s more on what you can expect from headphones under $100. Their strengths and weakness compared to more expensive headphones. The budget is enough for good quality headphones with the latest tech. But they aren’t top of the line. Read more in the article.