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The Best Headphones Under $100 That Don’t Sacrifice Quality

Highly rated on- and over-ear headphones that won’t break the bank.

Headshot of Stefan VazharovBy Stefan Vazharov
status audio headphones against pegboard and in case
Status Audio

Believe it or not, you really can score great-quality headphones for less than a Benjamin. Today’s market is full of amazing options in various forms and sub-$100 price points, with reliable offerings from big-name audio makers starting below $10. But which ones are actually worth buying?

After weeks of research and extensive testing, we’ve put together a list of headphones under $100 for every lifestyle. Whether you’re a hi-fi fan, a frequent traveler, a workout warrior, or just someone who’s looking for a new pair of cans, we’ve selected headphones that’ll fit your needs.

The Best Headphones Under $100

  1. Best Overall: Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones
  2. Best Wireless On-Ear Headphones: Jabra Elite 45h Wireless Headphones
  3. Compact, Stylish, and Versatile: Status Core ANC Wireless On-Ear Headphones
  4. Affordable Noise-Cancellation: Sony MDR-ZX110NC Noise-Canceling Headphones
  5. Most Affordable Beats: Beats EP Wired On-Ear Headphones
  6. Best Under $50: Soundcore Life Q10 Wireless Headphones
  7. Best for Working Out: Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 Wireless Headphones
  8. Best Under $10: Sony MDR-ZX110 Wired On-Ear Headphones
  9. Most Eco-Friendly: House of Marley Positive Vibration XL Wireless Headphones
  10. Retro Design: Koss Porta Pro Wired On-Ear Headphones

What to Consider

Start your search for the best headphones under $100 by determining how you want to listen to music. Choose between wired or wireless, on- or over-ear, as well as open- or closed-back options. Each has unique advantages and shortcomings you need to know about.

  • Wired vs. wireless: Wireless headphones are undeniably more convenient than their wired siblings. However, when it comes to sound quality, wired headphones might have an edge over similarly priced Bluetooth products. Some of our top picks can deliver an equally stellar audio performance in wired and wireless mode, as well as great battery life.
  • Over-ear vs. on-ear: Choosing between over- and on-ear headphones is a matter of personal preference, though there are a few things to keep in mind. Even though they are bigger and heavier than on-ear headphones, over-ear cans are comfier and better suited for longer use, since they're designed to fit around your ears and eliminate pressure on your ears.
  • Additional features: Some of our top picks have built-in noise-canceling tech and compatibility with Hi-Res Audio content (in wired mode). Once reserved for high-priced products, app-enabled sound customization tools and clever additional features are also available at this price point.

Now that you know what to look for in a great pair of headphones under $100, find the best for your lifestyle among these thoroughly evaluated picks.

1
Best Overall

Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones by Anker

Editor’s Choice
Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones by Anker
1
Best Overall

Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones by Anker

$80 at Amazon
Pros
  • Top-tier sound and noise cancellation
  • Best-in-class companion app
  • Fantastic battery life
  • Excellent call quality
Cons
  • Blue and pink color options cost a bit more

The Soundcore Life Q30 wireless headphones by Anker are hands down the best headphones under $100. The over-ear cans have an elegant design, high-quality sound and noise cancellation with elaborate app controls, and up to a whopping 60 hours of battery life. Overall, they make a serious case for not overspending on wireless headphones.

Other key features of the Life Q30 include a comfy fit with convenient button controls, a fast and futureproof USB-C charging port, and the ability to simultaneously connect to a duo of devices. Pick from three color options: black, blue, and pink.

More: Our Review of the Soundcore Life Q30

2
Best Wireless On-Ear Headphones

Jabra Elite 45h Best-in-Class Wireless Headphones

Best Tested
Jabra Elite 45h Best-in-Class Wireless Headphones
2
Best Wireless On-Ear Headphones

Jabra Elite 45h Best-in-Class Wireless Headphones

Pros
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Good sound with elaborate app customization tools
  • Reliable performance during calls
  • Superb battery life
Cons
  • No wired playback capabilities

The Jabra Elite 45h are the best compact wireless headphones $100 can buy. They have an elegant design with exposed metal bits, a comfy fit with easy-to-access controls, and quality sound that’s customizable via a smartphone app. Jabra offers the headset in black, blue, gold, and copper black.

Equipped with high-quality microphones, the Elite 45h cans perform reliably during calls. Their 50-hour battery life is nothing short of excellent, too. Jabra has equipped the headphone with a fast USB-C connector, which can get you up to 10 hours’ worth of playback after only 15 minutes.

More: Our Review of the Jabra Elite 45h

3
Compact, Stylish, and Versatile

Status Core ANC Wireless On-Ear Headphones

On Sale
Status Core ANC Wireless On-Ear Headphones
3
Compact, Stylish, and Versatile

Status Core ANC Wireless On-Ear Headphones

Now 10% Off
Pros
  • Beautiful and superbly built
  • Entertaining sound
  • Rich retail package
Cons
  • Controls could be more intuitive

The Status Core ANC are the best compact wireless headphones for less than $100. The on-ear cans have an elegant design, impressive audio performance, reliable wireless connectivity, and excellent battery life. You can order them in dark gray, ivory, or teal.

Powered by 40-millimeter audio drivers, the Core ANC headphones deliver a surprisingly great sonic experience. The cans can last up to 30 hours between battery charges, and they rock a futureproof USB-C connector for charging.

More: Our Favorite Wireless Earbuds in Every Price Point

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4
Affordable Noise Cancellation

Sony MDR-ZX110NC Noise-Canceling Headphones

On Sale
Sony MDR-ZX110NC Noise-Canceling Headphones
4
Affordable Noise Cancellation

Sony MDR-ZX110NC Noise-Canceling Headphones

Pros
  • Good audio performance
  • Lightweight and comfy
  • Easily replaceable AAA battery
Cons
  • Retail package lacks a carrying case

The compact Sony MDR-ZX110NC headphones will tune out your surroundings reasonably well at an incredibly low price point. The wired cans have an on-ear design and an entertaining, slightly bass-heavy sound signature. The latter comes courtesy of 30-millimeter neodymium audio drivers.

Powered by a removable AAA battery, the headset can deliver up to 80 hours of distraction-free sound between replacements. Overall, if $50 is all you want to spend on noise-canceling headphones, these are impossible to pass up.

5
Most Affordable Beats

Beats EP Wired On-Ear Headphones

Beats EP Wired On-Ear Headphones
5
Most Affordable Beats

Beats EP Wired On-Ear Headphones

Pros
  • Cool design and comfy fit
  • Signature Beats sound
  • Convenient wired playback controls
Cons
  • Retail package lacks a carrying case

Believe it or not, you can even find a pair of cheap headphones from Beats for less than $100! The Beats EP wired on-ear headphones have a cool design and a comfortable fit. And, of course, they deliver the brand’s signature sound at an amazing price point.

Lightweight and built solid, the Beats EP headphones have a three-button remote control and a standard audio jack. They're available in black, white, blue, and red.

6
Best Under $50

Soundcore Life Q10 Wireless Headphones

Soundcore Life Q10 Wireless Headphones
6
Best Under $50

Soundcore Life Q10 Wireless Headphones

Pros
  • Cool design and impressive build quality
  • Fantastic audio quality
  • Insane battery life
Cons
  • Retail package lacks a carrying case

It's hard to believe that the Soundcore Life Q10 wireless headphones cost under $50. They surprised me with their cool design, entertaining sound, and epic battery life of up to 60 hours between charges. I also tip my hat to Anker for equipping the headphones with a USB-C charging port.

The sonic capabilities of the Q10 are as impressive as their battery endurance. The headphones have a dedicated button for enhancing the bass, as well as the ability to play Hi-Res Audio content in wired mode. You can order them in black, black with red accents, or blue.

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7
Best for Working Out

Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 Wireless Headphones

Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 Wireless Headphones
7
Best for Working Out

Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 Wireless Headphones

Pros
  • Comfortable and reliable fit
  • Rugged design
  • Powerful sound with rich bass
Cons
  • The onboard microUSB connector is dated

The Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 on-ear headphones are the best sub-$100 option for exercising. They have a cool design, a comfy and secure fit, a water- and sweat-resistant build with an official IPX5 rating, and convenient tap controls with an easy-to-access awareness mode.

Powered by 40-millimeter audio drivers, the bass-heavy sound of the BackBeat FIT 6100 is the perfect fuel for workouts. The headphones can deliver up to 24 hours of wireless playback between charges. We only wish they had a more up-to-date charging connector than microUSB.

More: We Tested the Best Sports Headphones and Earbuds

8
Best Under $10

Sony MDR-ZX110 Wired On-Ear Headphones

Sony MDR-ZX110  Wired On-Ear Headphones
8
Best Under $10

Sony MDR-ZX110 Wired On-Ear Headphones

Pros
  • Insanely affordable
  • Comfy fit and foldable design
  • Solid audio quality
Cons
  • Some might find the bass a tad too powerful

The Sony MDR-ZX110 wired on-ear headphones are the best option for buyers looking to rock out on a really tight budget. For less than $10, they offer a surprisingly stellar sonic experience, courtesy of 30-millimeter audio drivers. You can order them in black, white, or pink.

The headphones are incredibly lightweight and comfy, and I like their foldable design for effortless storage. Overall, considering their brand’s impeccable audio credentials, the MDR-ZX110 cans are worth every penny of their impulse-buy price tag. Sony offers a variant of the headphones with a built-in microphone as well.

9
Most Eco-Friendly

House of Marley Positive Vibration XL Wireless Headphones

House of Marley Positive Vibration XL Wireless Headphones
9
Most Eco-Friendly

House of Marley Positive Vibration XL Wireless Headphones

Pros
  • Characterful design
  • Eco-friendly build
  • Fun sound with an enhanced bass
Cons
  • Battery life could be better

The Positive Vibration XL wireless over-ear headphones by House of Marley impressed me by offering a cool design, a high-quality sound, and sustainable craftsmanship. The cans are made using recyclable aluminum, eco-friendly REWIND fabric, and FSC-certified wood from responsibly managed forests. You can order them with a black, blue, or copper finish.

And the sound of the headphones is just as characterful as their looks. Equipped with 40-millimeter audio drivers, the Positive Vibration XL will entertain you with a pleasantly mellow bass. The cans can deliver up to 24 hours of wireless playback between charges.

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10
Retro Design

Koss Porta Pro Wired On-Ear Headphones

On Sale
Koss Porta Pro Wired On-Ear Headphones
10
Retro Design

Koss Porta Pro Wired On-Ear Headphones

Now 26% Off
Pros
  • Memorable design
  • Lightweight and easily adjustable
  • Crisp and entertaining sound
  • Amazing warranty
Cons
  • Noise isolation isn't great

The Koss Porta Pro wired on-ear headphones have a glorious retro design that goes back to the early 1980s. Their bass-heavy sound is also impressive for the price point, but you should be mindful that their noise isolation is far from great. You might be hearing external noises while using the headphones, as well as bother people around you with your tunes.

The Porta Pro headphones have an open-air design, which allows them to deliver a crisp and clear sound. Plus, they're incredibly lightweight and highly adjustable. Koss even backs the product with an excellent lifetime warranty.

Headshot of Stefan Vazharov
Stefan Vazharov
Senior Technology Editor

Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.

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