We're all being a bit more careful with our money at the moment, so you might be wondering what the best headphones under £100 are. In my list below, I've picked out a selection that deliver comfort and sound far above their price tag..
From true wireless and Bluetooth, to noise cancelling headphones, I've got a great mix of headphones - and you don't have to worry that some of them won't be up to the job as this selection deliver great audio at an affordable price.
So for some of the best headphones under £100 from the likes of JBL, Lindy, Anker, Sennheiser and more, read on. I've also some practical buying advice so you can get the most for your money.
Steve is a home entertainment technology specialist who contributes to a variety of UK websites and mags, including Louder, Yahoo UK, Trusted Reviews, T3, The Luxe Review and Home Cinema Choice. Steve began his career as a music journo, writing for legendary rock weekly Sounds, under the nom de plume Steve Keaton. His coverage of post-punk music was cited in the 2015 British Library exhibition Terror and Wonder: The Gothic Imagination, as a seminal influence on the Goth music scene.
Quick list
Our top pick in our list of the best headphones under £100 goes to the Lindy NC-60 which offer more than adequate noise cancelling for the money. Sure, they're wired but with the addition of two AAA batteries, you'll get around 72 hours of music from these bargain headphones - and that sound is clear and defined. They're also a comfortable fit.
Not far behind our top choice are the Soundcore Anker Q20 which are wireless and also offer ANC. Audio is very good indeed thanks to the 40mm drivers, while you'll get 30 hours of music with ANC engaged, and 60 hours without. That's quality in anyone's book. The Soundcore Anker Q20 are definitely worth a closer look if wireless headphones are your thing.
The lightweight JBL Tune 710BT over-ear headphones offer punchy audio and deep bass on a budget - just be aware that there's no noise cancelling tech included. They come in a variety of colour variations and the Bluetooth-enabled headphones also come with a 3.5mm lead for a bit of flexibility. They also boast 50-hours of battery from a full charge.
If earbuds are more your thing and you're looking for a great pair under £100, then I think the SoundMagic E11C are definitely worth a closer look. Audio delivery is balanced and perfect for rock and metal - and talking about metal, these in-ear headphones won't get in a tangle like so many other options thanks to the silver-plated copper cable.
You don't have to pay top dollar for a great set of Sony over-ear headphones, because for less than 100 sheets, you can nab a pair of the excellent WH-CH720N. Noise cancelling is great, audio delivery is clear and balanced, while you'll get 35 hours of music from a single charge. They don't fold though, but they still come highly recommended.
Norwegian DJ and producer Kygo has put his name on these bargain headphones and they're a top choice. Bluetooth connectivity is decent and they're lightweight and come in a variety of colour finishes. They also fold away so you can throw them in your backpack with no cause for concern. The kind of headphone you buy two of just so you've got a pair to hand.
Our top choice
Based on their wireless BNX-60 model, Lindy’s NC-60 noise cancelling headphones are a great option if you’re on a tight budget. Wired for sound, they’re ideal if you're rocking a mobile with a 3.5mm stereo audio jack. A couple of AAAs will keep you entertained for around 72 hours.
Noise cancelling at this price point clearly isn’t going to be market leading, but it's beneficial. A blue LED flashes when NC is turned on; they can be used without NC engaged, obviously.
Inside, 40mm drivers offer clarity, and spatial imaging is good – a benefit of traditional wired headphones). They also boast soft, comfortable earcups with simple on-body controls.
Shipping with a flight adapter and a hard shell carry case at this price, they’re worth buying for travel use alone.
Best for battery
When it comes to cheap but brilliant headphones, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 really are hard to beat. These headphones are enhanced with noise cancelling tech that some of the bigger and more expensive brands would be hard pressed to match – especially at these prices.
These wireless headphones boast 40mm drivers to bring out the best in your music collection, while the in-build BassUp feature does exactly what it says on the tin. Battery life is thoroughly decent too, with 30 hours of perfect playback with ANC on or a whopping 60 hours when switched off.
If you’re after a great set of headphones for less than the price of a AAA video game, then the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are definitely worth a closer look.
Read our Anker Soundcore Life Q20 review
Best for bass
These affordable over-ear headphones from JBL are a step up from their 700BT model thanks to their awesome 50 hours of battery life from a full charge. We’ve also been impressed with the 710BT’s flexibility, as they operate either wirelessly or via a generous 1.2 metre detachable cable for wired connectivity through a 3.5 mm jack.
The JBL Tune 710BT offer ground-thumping bass thanks to what JBL refer to as Pure Bass Sound and feature a multi-point connection which allows you to share a Bluetooth connection across two devices.
And while there’s no onboard noise cancelling tech, for the price we wouldn’t expect such a thing - although it’s always a bit of a disappointment as it’s a headphone feature that has become the norm over recent years.
They’re also a comfortable pair of headphones to wear and if it’s colour options you’re after, then the JBL Tune 710BT come in four flavours: black, blue, pink and white.
Best in-ears
The awesome SoundMagic E11C are the latest in the audio firm's affordable earbuds – and let's not beat around the bush: at this price point, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything better.
The SoundMagic E11C boast excellent sound, with the balance beautifully pitched: There's no heavy bass trying to take over, while the treble notes aren't too high either. There's something fun about these earbuds and when you take everything into consideration, it's hard to be too critical.
Away from the audio, the SoundMagic E11C have a silver-plated copper cable which has been introduced to reduce tangles – the Achilles heel of most wired buds – and there's a three-button remote and mic. I still can't believe they're as cheap as they are.
Read the full SoundMagic E11C review
Best noise cancelling
When it comes to noise cancelling headphones, Sony have some of the best on the market such as the over-ear WH-1000XM5 and the in-ear WF-1000XM5. However, those two examples cost way over £100, so if you're after a pair of Sonys for a great price that also offer noise cancelling, let me introduce you to the Sony WH-CH720N.
As you would expect from a Sony product, audio delivery through these over-ear headphones is well-balanced and clean - and to make things even better, they're 360 Reality Audio certified. And if you want to make things more to your tastes, the WH-CH720N are fully integrated with the official Sony headphone app where you can tweak your EQ settings to hit your personal sweet spot.
We can't quibble about the sound of these headphones, and we also can't criticise their comfort level. Their lightweight design and soft earcups ensure long listening sessions are possible, while the 35-hour battery life with noise cancellation activated is just amazing.
A seriously awesome set up headphones under £100 - and you can even find them on sale occasionally as they still tend to fly a bit under the radar.
Best for travel
If you want to show your love for the likes of Arcturus and Kvelertak, then these on-ears from Norwegian audio specialist X by Kygo are well worth a closer look.
Kygo, FYI, is a Norwegian DJ, and record producer who has worked with the likes of U and Imagine Dragons. Fashionable looks and a lightweight design belie the entry-level price tag, making them an intriguing alternative choice to some of the more recognisable Hi-Fi brands. Bluetooth is basic v4.2, but that 23 hour battery life isn’t to be sniffed at.
A foldable design makes for easy storage in the supplied carry pouch, and the ear cups use forgiving memory foam cushions. Available in white, black or grey finishes, the A3/600 ship with an audio cable colour matched to the headphones. Attention to detail is everything.
FAQ
What features can I get for less than £100?
When working to a budget, you’ll inevitably have to cherry-pick when it comes to feature niceties. Increasingly, you’ll find headphones with Active Noise Cancelling on budget models that sell for £100 or less. If you’re planning to commute with your headphones, this is a feature worth having.
Look for a level of water resistance, IPX5 or higher. This means you’ll be able to wear your headphones out and about without anxiety when the heavens open.
Battery life is also important, so take this into consideration when choosing the right pair of headphones under £100 for you.
Which brands make the best headphones for under £100?
There are a number of obscure brands specialising in the budget market, and rarely offer anything priced to rival the bigger players like Beats and Bose. However, you will find top names at affordable prices, such as Sony, JVC and JBL. Check out our reviews for the current best buys.
Generally avoid those companies you’ve never heard of that seem to offer everything for not much… unless you can try before you buy.
Are wired or wireless headphones better?
For pure convenience, you can't get better than wireless headphones or earbuds. However, there’s a case to be made for wired (if your smartphone has a smartphone jack and you have one of the best phones music). For one thing, you’ll not need to constantly recharge passive wired headphones, as they’re always good to go.
Generally, the best case scenario are wireless Bluetooth headphones that offer a wired 3.5mm connection option. This is particularly useful when travelling.
While wireless headphones top most people’s wants list these days, if you’re planning to take your headphones on holiday, check that they come with a 3.5mm cable, so you can plug them into any in-flight entertainment system.
Should I choose over-ear or in-ear headphones?
This very much depends on how you want to listen to music, be it on the move or at home. ln-ear headphones will take up less space in your pocket or bag when out and about, and offer better sonic isolation if you get a good fit. However on-ears will boast a higher level of comfort, allowing for longer listening periods. On-ears will also, in all probability, offer better bass performance, because they’ll use larger dynamic drivers.
That said, comfort isn’t always a given at the cheaper end of the market. If you’re buying on or over-ear headphones take a good look at the headphone band itself. Is it padded? Lightweight? You’ll want to listen to hard rock, not wear one.
Can I get noise cancelling for under £100?
While noise cancelling isn’t a given when you’re buying at the more affordable end of the market, canny shoppers will find good models that offer the feature.
Often just referred to as ANC, Active Noise Cancelling can be found on True Wireless buds, as well as on-ear and over-ears, and it works in much the same way across the board.
How does noise cancelling work?
Tiny microphones are located on the outside of the headphones, monitoring external noise. You may be concentrating on Trivium, but these mics are more interested in the level of chatter and hubbub in the world around. The headphones then sum this noise together and generate an exact match inside your cans, which cancels the extraneous noise out.
Listen carefully and you’ll hear the headphones take a few moments to make the calculation and generate their noise, before the unwanted background noise melts away.
More expensive headphones are able to deploy more monitoring microphones and have greater processing power, but even inexpensive offerings can be quite effective.
It’s worth remembering that noise cancelling doesn’t totally mute the outside world. There will still be an element of cacophony breaking though – look for brands that quote a high percentage efficiency for their ANC.
Do noise cancelling headphones sound better?
Not necessarily. You don’t actually need noise cancelling headphones for a great listening experience. If your earbuds fit snugly, or those over-ears seal off your lugholes, then isolation does most of the work and will dampen any exterior interruptions.
The trick is to ensure you get maximum isolation from ambient noise from the buds themselves. Experiment with the memory foam and silicon tips supplied, in order to find the best fit.
Fit, comfort and materials used for ear cups also have a huge impact.
The most obvious advantage of not having or using noise cancelling is that there’s less drain on the headphone’s battery life, so your wireless headphones will last longer.
How we test headphones
When we put headphones through their paces, we hook them up to a variety of musical genres at various volumes from the comfort of our homes and when out and about. We do this to give an accurate representation of how you'll find them when using them. Sure, testing headphones in a controlled environment such as a studio has benefits, but by doing things our way, we believe we can better report on how they perform out in the real world.
We also test to see how comfortable the headphones are and if they stand up to every day wear and tear. If the products have Active Noise Cancelling, we test this too - usually when walking or running on busy roads, in the gym or even at home when the TV is on. Battery life is also important to us and we'll always tell you how much playtime you'll get when fully charged.
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You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.
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