Best Wireless Headphones Under $100: 5 Budget Picks That Sound Great
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You do not need to spend flagship money to get good wireless headphones. In the last few years, budget models have picked up features that used to be reserved for premium pairs: active noise cancelling, multipoint Bluetooth, companion apps with adjustable EQ and battery life measured in days rather than hours.
This guide compares five popular over-ear models that usually sell for under $100. We looked at the published specifications, the features each one offers and the trade-offs you should know about before buying.
Quick Comparison
Soundcore by Anker Space One
Adaptive noise cancelling, up to 40 hours with ANC on (55 hours off), LDAC support, app EQ
Sony WH-CH720N
Noise cancelling, about 35 hours of battery, roughly 192 g, multipoint Bluetooth
JBL Tune 770NC
Adaptive noise cancelling, up to 70 hours with ANC off (about 44 hours on), foldable, multipoint
Soundcore by Anker Life Q30
Hybrid noise cancelling with three modes, about 40 hours with ANC on (60 hours off), NFC pairing
EarFun Wave Pro
Hybrid noise cancelling, up to 80 hours of playback with ANC off, LDAC, multipoint
Our Picks in Detail
1. Soundcore by Anker Space One – Best Overall
The Space One is the most complete package in this price range. Its adaptive noise cancelling handles engine rumble and office hum well, it supports the higher-quality LDAC codec on compatible Android phones, and the Soundcore app lets you tune the sound to your taste.
Choose the Space One if you want one pair for commuting, office work and flights and you are happy to spend a few minutes in the app. It suits Android users in particular, because LDAC gives them a higher-quality connection than the standard Bluetooth codecs.
Check the current price of the Soundcore by Anker Space One on Amazon
2. Sony WH-CH720N – Lightest Pick
At around 192 g, the WH-CH720N is one of the lightest noise-cancelling headphones you can buy, which makes it easy to wear for a whole workday. Sony includes its DSEE upscaling, multipoint connection and support for the Sony Headphones app.
The WH-CH720N is for listeners who find most headphones heavy or tight. Students, remote workers and anyone who wears headphones for six or more hours a day will appreciate the low weight more than any extra feature.
Check the current price of the Sony WH-CH720N on Amazon
3. JBL Tune 770NC – Longest Battery With a Foldable Design
The Tune 770NC folds down small and lasts a very long time between charges. JBL tunes it with its familiar punchy bass, and the JBL Headphones app adds EQ presets and ambient modes.
Pick the Tune 770NC if you travel often and want something that folds into a small bag and rarely needs charging. It also suits people who like stronger bass without touching an equaliser.
Check the current price of the JBL Tune 770NC on Amazon
4. Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 – Best Value
The Life Q30 has been a budget favourite for years because it does the basics well at a low price. You get three noise-cancelling modes for transport, indoor and outdoor use, soft memory-foam ear pads and an app with a large library of EQ presets.
The Life Q30 makes sense when price matters most. It is a sensible first pair of noise-cancelling headphones, a good gift, or a spare pair to keep in an office drawer.
Check the current price of the Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 on Amazon
5. EarFun Wave Pro – Best for Marathon Listening
If you hate charging, the Wave Pro is the one to look at. EarFun rates it for up to 80 hours with noise cancelling switched off, and it still includes LDAC, multipoint and a hard carrying case.
The Wave Pro is aimed at long-haul travellers and people who forget to charge. If you regularly go a week or more between charges, or want a hard case included in the box, it is the obvious pick.
Check the current price of the EarFun Wave Pro on Amazon
How We Chose These Headphones
We compared manufacturer specifications, feature sets and typical selling prices, and gave priority to headphones from established brands with a long track record and easy access to spare parts or support. We have not listed prices because they change often; use the links to see what each model costs today. Where a newer generation exists, we say so, because the previous model is often the better value.
How to Choose Wireless Headphones on a Budget
When every pair on the shelf promises great sound, these four points separate the good buys from the regrets.
- Noise cancelling: budget ANC reduces low, steady noise such as engines and air conditioning far better than voices. If you mainly listen at home, you may not need it at all.
- Battery life: anything over 30 hours with ANC on is plenty. Fast charging matters more than the headline number if you often forget to plug in.
- Comfort: weight and clamping force matter more than driver size. If you wear glasses, look for softer, deeper ear pads.
- Codecs and multipoint: LDAC helps on Android, iPhones use AAC regardless. Multipoint is worth having if you switch between a laptop and a phone.
Finally, check that a 3.5 mm cable is included. A wired connection is handy on flights and when the battery runs out.
Bluetooth Codecs and Multipoint Explained
All five models connect over Bluetooth and also accept a 3.5 mm cable. Bluetooth audio is compressed by a codec. SBC is the universal default, AAC is what iPhones use, and LDAC and aptX are higher-bitrate options found on many Android phones. In practice, the tuning of the headphones and the fit on your head affect the sound far more than the codec, so do not pay extra for a codec your phone cannot use.
Multipoint is more useful day to day. It keeps the headphones connected to two devices at once, so a call on your phone can interrupt music from your laptop without any re-pairing. If you work at a computer, put multipoint near the top of your list.
Common Mistakes When Buying Budget Headphones
- Buying on battery numbers alone: the headline figure is usually measured with noise cancelling off and at moderate volume.
- Ignoring comfort: a pair that pinches after an hour will stay in a drawer, however good it sounds.
- Expecting flagship noise cancelling: budget models reduce rumble well but let more voices and sudden sounds through.
- Skipping the app: most budget headphones sound noticeably better after a small EQ adjustment and a firmware update.
How to Get Better Sound From Affordable Headphones
Start with fit. The ear pads should sit fully around your ears, and glasses with thick arms can break the seal and reduce bass. Next, open the companion app and lower the bass by two or three decibels if voices sound muffled, or pick a balanced preset. Turn noise cancelling off in quiet rooms to extend battery life, and keep the supplied cable in your bag: a wired connection works even when the battery is empty and avoids Bluetooth delay when you watch video on older devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are headphones under $100 good enough for travel?
Yes. Budget noise cancelling will not silence a cabin the way a flagship pair does, but it takes the edge off engine noise and makes long journeys noticeably less tiring.
Is LDAC worth caring about?
Only if you use an Android phone that supports it and listen to high-quality streams. On an iPhone the headphones fall back to AAC, which still sounds good.
How long do budget wireless headphones last?
With normal use, expect several years. Battery capacity slowly declines over time, and ear pads are usually the first part to wear out; replacement pads are inexpensive for most popular models.
Can I use these headphones for phone and video calls?
Yes. All five have built-in microphones. They are fine for calls in quiet rooms, but a headset with a boom microphone is clearer in noisy places.
Do budget headphones work with a TV or games console?
They work with any TV or device that supports Bluetooth audio. Most consoles do not accept Bluetooth headphones directly, so use the 3.5 mm cable plugged into the controller instead.
Final Thoughts
For most people, the Soundcore Space One offers the best mix of noise cancelling, battery life and features. Choose the Sony WH-CH720N if comfort is your priority, and the EarFun Wave Pro if you want to charge as rarely as possible.
Related guides: Best Headphones for Working From Home | Open-Back vs Closed-Back Headphones | Best Noise-Cancelling Earbuds
Specifications are taken from manufacturer information and can change between production runs. Prices and availability vary, so check the current listing before you buy.
