A solid pair of headphones for less than $100 isn’t impossible to come by if you know where to look. All of the best headphone sets aren’t priced far above a reasonable budget and we’ve reviewed hundreds of headphones under $100—earbuds, wired, over-ear, and wired—to prove it.
Although we’ve got recommendations for every style under $100, we think the Jabra Move Wireless headphones are the best overall.
Best wireless headphones under $100: Jabra Move Wireless
We like the Jabra Move Wireless headphones because they cover the basics by offering great sound, a one year warranty, and comfort at an affordable price. They’re the best option for those looking for over-ear wireless Bluetooth headphones and they sound 75 percent as good as luxury brand Bluetooth headphones. During testing, the mic was clear over calls and the claimed eight hours of battery life was exceeded (we measured 15 hours of listen/talk time and 12 days of standby time). The controls on these headphones are intuitive and easy to find. The Move Wireless have a padded headband and pivoting earcups which add to comfort.
Best wireless earbuds under $100: Phiaton BT 100 NC
The Phiaton BT 100 NC are the best wireless earbuds under $100. They work well for those who place noise-cancelling at the top of their features list and they’re ideal for commuting or traveling. The BT 100 NC connect via Bluetooth and offer a good balance of sound quality, comfort, and microphone integration that boosts clarity on calls. Depending on use, the BT 100 NC’s battery life will last for 7½ to 12 hours and they’ll still function while charging—a perk for long flights or workdays.
Best wired headphones under $100: Sony MDR-7506
For the best pair of wired headphones under $100, we recommend the Sony MDR-7506. In comparison to similar models that cost double, the MDR-7506 headphones offer better comfort, reliability, and overall sound. These headphones are also a great fit those who enjoy listening to podcasts, or recording music (live and in a studio). We like that sound is uniform across all frequency ranges and that you can detect music dynamics with this pick. The cord on these headphones measures 9.8 feet and it can’t be swapped out for a shorter option which is why the MDR-7506 are a favorite for audio recording. They’re durable and offer great value for their price.
Best kids headphones: Puro BT2200
Unsurprisingly, kids headphones are smaller then headphones for adults. More importantly, kids headphones often include volume-limiting features. Our pick for the best kids headphones, the Puro BT2200, offers 18 hours of listening time and volume limits that fall within safer ranges. This means kids are better protected from hearing damage. Our kid panelists loved the wireless experience, fit, and sound offered by the Puro BT2200. They’ll fit kids from 2½ to 11 years old (they also fit our grown-up headphone expert, Lauren Dragan) and they’re long-lasting. Since they’re well-built, they’ll last and continue to work as your kid grows if cared for properly. The Puro BT2200 come with a one year warranty and a 30 day money-back guarantee.
Best earbuds under $100: Marshall Mode
Our pick for the best earbuds under $100, the Marshall Mode, offer balanced and rich sound. The bass on these headphones has a slight boost so any style of music sounds great. We like that sound is clear, bass doesn’t produce a blurry quality, and the highs aren’t piercing. During testing all of our panelists found them to be comfortable as they’re made to fit ear canals of varying sizes well. They’re equipped with a single-button universal remote that skips tracks, activates voice commands, answers calls, pauses, and plays. The remote on the Marshall Mode headphones doesn’t include volume controls, but since its microphone is positioned higher on the cable and separate from the remote, your voice sounds clearer on calls.
Best noise-cancelling headphones under $100: Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b
For drowning out low-frequency sounds, perhaps in environments where plane-engine noise or motor hums persist, we recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7b headphones. The performance of the ATH-ANC7b headphones doesn’t parallel with pricier models, but they’re the best noise-cancelling headphones under $100. The ATH-ANC7b offer good sound quality and better noise cancellation than competitors. If you like bass that’s a tad boomy, you’ll get it with these headphones along with clear treble, and well over a full day of playback time.
Best workout headphones under $50: Aukey Latitude EP-B40
The Aukey Latitude EP-B40 are ideal for people who don’t want to overspend on a pair of headphones that are suitable for wearing while working up a sweat. Of all of the workout models we tested, the Latitude EP-B40 are the only headphones under $50 that offer a good balance of comfort, decent sound, and the ability to endure workout conditions. They have silicon tips and wings which keep them secured in your ear. When you aren’t listening to music, magnets in the earbuds keep them clipped around your neck for easy access. The Latitude EP-B40 offer eight hours of battery life and have a two-year warranty that protects against manufacturing defects. Their IPX4 rating means they’ll work fine after they’re splashed with sweat or water.
Best wireless earbuds under $50: Skullcandy Ink’d Bluetooth
The Skullcandy Ink’d Bluetooth are the best wireless earbuds under $50. They offer decent sound and pack a lot of bass. The Ink’d Bluetooth earbuds are a solid go-to for an inexpensive option that sounds good and is comfortable to wear over long periods of time. The included tips come in small and medium so they may not be the best fit if you have wider ear canals. Its halo/necklace is a bit flimsy, but it’s lightweight and comfortable. You’ll be able to use the Ink’d Bluetooth earbuds for eight hours before they’ll be due for a recharge.
Best wired earbuds under $50: AKG Y20U
For the best wired earbuds under $50 we recommend the AKG Y20U. Like our pick for the best earbuds under $100, they have a single-button universal remote. We like that the AKG Y20U offer comfort, and smooth sound that ranks about the Apple EarPods. They’re a great pair of backup wired earbuds that are usually priced around $30. During testing we found the AKG Y20U to offer more depth in comparison to similar models in this category. The bass boost doesn’t overpower the mids or highs. These earbuds offer the best sound performance and the highest volume levels when they’re paired with newer devices.
This guide may have been updated. To see the current recommendations or availability updates, you can read the full headphones under $100 guide here.
