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Oct 21, 2026 — 4:50 PM ET
You don’t need to spend $300 to get good noise canceling headphones. After testing hundreds of headphones at SoundGuys, I’m still impressed by how much some budget models offer for the money. I’ve used affordable headphones that I’d happily take on a long flight or wear through a full workday, and others that reminded me why hands-on testing matters. Good ANC, long battery life, and useful features are no longer reserved for expensive headphones, but you still need to know where the compromises are.
For this list, we’re sticking to headphones with an MSRP under $150, including several great options under $100. Whether you’re trying to tune out a noisy commute, get through a long flight, or concentrate at work, these are the budget noise canceling headphones I’d recommend based on our testing and experience.
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From owners2 owner reviews · 1 of 2 would buy again · owners report ~68 h per charge vs 70 h claimed
All 2 →HThumble_timpani_74Owner · 6–12 monthsWould buy again
“The ANC with airplane engine noise is exceptional the engine noise isn't totally gone but the noise was impressively lowered I found the combination of the lowered plane noise mixed with the nap mode sounds actually helped me fall asleep on the plane ride”
IMivory_marimba_76Owner · Under a monthWouldn’t buy again
“Is very comfortable for the ears, it has a lot of space inside (ear space) and my ears aren't constantly under pressure by a mesh or something like that for example.”
The Soundcore Space 2 are our top pick for budget noise canceling headphones because they get the essentials right without pushing past our $150 price ceiling. At $129.99, they offer impressive ANC, a comfortable fit, and plenty of features for the money. In our testing, they reduced outside noise by an average of 84%, making them a strong choice for commuting, traveling, or working in a busy office.
Battery life is another big reason we recommend them. The Space 2 lasted 53 hours and 21 minutes with ANC enabled in our testing, so you won’t need to charge them very often. The sound benefits from some adjustments in the companion app, but that’s a reasonable tradeoff at this price.
The Space 2 show just how much noise canceling headphones have improved at this price. Our testing found that their ANC reduces ambient noise by an average of 84%, which is particularly useful when you want to concentrate without turning up the volume. We also appreciate the comfortable design, especially for longer listening sessions.
The companion app lets you customize the experience, and we’d recommend spending a few minutes adjusting the EQ. The default sound isn’t the main reason to buy these headphones, but the available adjustments help make them more versatile.
With 84% average noise reduction and more than 53 hours of tested ANC-on battery life, the Space 2 deliver where budget headphones need to.
At $129.99 MSRP, the Space 2 offer an excellent combination of ANC, battery life, comfort, and features. They’re the headphones we’d recommend first to most people shopping under $150.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get effective noise canceling, and the JLab JBuds Lux ANC prove it. At just $79.99 MSRP, they reduced approximately 80% of perceived outside noise in our testing, making them a great value for commuting, studying, or working in a busy office. Add a comfortable fit, USB-C audio, and app-based EQ, and you’ve got an affordable pair of headphones that covers the essentials.
Battery life is another highlight. The JBuds Lux ANC lasted 44 hours and 22 minutes with ANC enabled in our testing, giving you plenty of listening time between charges.
We also appreciate the flexibility of USB-C audio, which lets you listen over a wired connection instead of Bluetooth. The companion app offers EQ adjustments, so you can customize the sound to your preferences.
The JLab JBuds Lux ANC block out approximately 80% of perceived outside noise for just $79.99.
While their ANC can’t quite match the strongest performers on this list, the JBuds Lux ANC offer an excellent balance of performance, features, and price. They’re an easy recommendation if you want capable noise canceling headphones without spending more than $100.
The EarFun Wave Pro are a great choice for frequent travelers who don’t want to spend a fortune on headphones. At $79.99, they reduced an average of 80% of outside noise in our testing, making them useful for reducing distractions during flights and commutes. They’re comfortable for extended listening sessions, fold up into an included carrying case, and lasted an impressive 52 hours and 31 minutes with ANC enabled in our battery test.
We found the Wave Pro particularly practical for travel thanks to their comfortable ear cushions, physical controls, and protective carrying case. You also get Bluetooth multipoint for switching between devices, LDAC support, and a companion app with EQ adjustments and different noise canceling modes.
Battery life is another strength. We measured 52 hours and 31 minutes with ANC turned on, while EarFun advertises up to 80 hours with ANC disabled. That’s why you might see a higher battery figure on the product card than in our testing. The headphones also support a 3.5mm wired connection, although ANC and app-based EQ aren’t available when listening this way.
With 80% average noise reduction, more than 52 hours of tested battery life, and an included carrying case, the EarFun Wave Pro are excellent travel headphones for under $80.
The Wave Pro aren’t without compromises. We found their sound acceptable for casual listening, but using the wired connection increases bass strength and reduces clarity. They also lack an IP rating and automatic play/pause detection. Still, for long flights, road trips, and daily commutes, they offer a lot of practical features for the money.
If you hate constantly charging your headphones, the 1MORE SonoFlow are worth a look. They lasted an incredible 56 hours and 51 minutes with ANC enabled in our testing, beating every other pick on this list. At $99.99 MSRP, you also get comfortable ear cushions, a foldable design, and an included travel case. Our testing gave their noise canceling a score of 66%, so ANC isn’t their biggest strength, but the battery life makes them an excellent choice for anyone who prioritizes listening time between charges.
We found the SonoFlow comfortable for extended listening thanks to their well-padded ear cups. Their ANC also helped reduce bus rumble and distractions from nearby appliances during everyday use. The headphones support LDAC, and the 1MORE Music app offers EQ presets and custom adjustments to help you find your preferred sound.
Battery life is where they really shine. Our 56-hour, 51-minute result actually exceeds 1MORE’s advertised 50 hours with ANC on. The company also claims a five-minute charge provides up to five hours of listening, which is handy when you forget to charge before heading out.
The 1MORE SonoFlow lasted nearly 57 hours with ANC enabled in our testing, making them our battery-life champions under $150.
There are a few compromises. We found the headband somewhat heavy, and the relatively low clamping force may not suit everyone. There’s also no IP rating, and ANC doesn’t work when you use the included wired audio cable. Still, if your biggest priority is going as long as possible between charges, the SonoFlow are hard to beat for the price.
The OneOdio Focus A6 pack an impressive amount of technology into headphones costing just $69.99. They were the first Bluetooth 6.0 headphones we tested, and they also support LDAC, Bluetooth multipoint, and a customizable companion app. In our testing, they reduced an average of 79% of outside noise, which is impressive at this price. We also found them lightweight and comfortable enough for everyday listening, making them a great option if you want modern features without spending much.
Bluetooth 6.0 is the headline feature, although its potential benefits aren’t all available yet. For example, the standard supports more precise device location tracking, but OneOdio hasn’t implemented that feature in its app. What you can use right now is LDAC for compatible Android devices, multipoint connectivity, and a seven-band EQ for adjusting the sound.
We found the Focus A6 comfortable during travel thanks to their lightweight 240g design and memory foam ear cushions. The companion app is another highlight, offering multiple ANC modes, a Find My Headphones feature, and useful extras like a volume limiter. The sound has some extra bass strength and reduced midrange presence, but you can make adjustments using the EQ.
With Bluetooth 6.0, LDAC, and 79% average noise reduction, the OneOdio Focus A6 offer an impressive feature set for just $69.99.
OneOdio advertises up to 40 hours of battery life with ANC enabled, or 75 hours with it off, although our battery testing is still ongoing. The plastic construction can creak, and there’s no carrying case or wired playback option. Still, if connectivity and customization matter most to you, the Focus A6 offer plenty for the money.
From owners3 owner reviews · 3 of 3 would buy again · 1 photo-verified · owners report ~85 h per charge vs 100 h claimed
All 3 →MQmaroon_quasar_10Signed-in owner. This member signed in to publish, so their reviews count for points and show on their profile.Owner · 6–12 monthsWould buy again
“The sub-bass has a strong presence, with decent solidity.”
DEdeep_elm_96Signed-in owner. This member signed in to publish, so their reviews count for points and show on their profile.Owner · 1–6 monthsWould buy again
“For me, the bass is too low from the default eq so it needs a little bit of fine tuning before using it. Other than that battery life is astonishing it somehow lasts nearly 2 weeks with me using it every day at the subway and at home while studying.”
IMivory_meteor_61Signed-in owner. This member signed in to publish, so their reviews count for points and show on their profile.Owner · 1–2 yearsWould buy again
“They've actually updated the firmware and the device has gotten better over time”
The CMF Headphone Pro stand out from other budget noise canceling headphones thanks to their customizable design. For $99, you get swappable ear cushions in different colors, physical controls, and a companion app that lets you personalize your listening experience. Our testing shows they reduce an average of 81% of outside noise, while their 43 hours and 9 minutes of battery life with ANC enabled means you won’t be reaching for the charger very often. Add LDAC support and Bluetooth multipoint, and there’s plenty to like for the price.
The swappable ear cushions are the main attraction here. You can mix and match colors to give the headphones a different look, although additional cushions cost $25 per pair. We also appreciate the personal sound profiling feature in the Nothing X app, which adjusts the sound based on a short hearing test.
There are a few other ways to customize the experience, including a three-band EQ and an Energy Slider that adjusts bass or treble strength. However, we found the slider more gimmicky than useful, since increasing the bass strength can make music sound boomy. The small, closely spaced controls also take some getting used to.
With swappable ear cushions, 81% average noise reduction, and more than 43 hours of tested battery life, the CMF Headphone Pro offer plenty of personality for $99.
The biggest compromises are the plastic construction and comfort over longer sessions. We noticed some creaking in the build, and the headband can become uncomfortable after extended listening. The headphones also don’t fold, making them less convenient for travel than the EarFun Wave Pro. Still, if you want affordable ANC headphones that you can personalize, the CMF Headphone Pro are worth considering.
Edifier W830NB: The W830NB are a strong alternative to the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, particularly if you want more control over your sound. Our testing shows they reduce an average of 76% of outside noise, and we liked their comfortable fit, LDAC support, USB-C audio, and excellent four-band parametric EQ. The biggest drawbacks are the lack of a carrying case and plastic that scratches easily.
From owners2 owner reviews · 0 of 2 would buy again · 2 photo-verified
All 2 →BPbrisk_piccolo_88Owner · Over 2 yearsWouldn’t buy again
“I bought these planning to EQ them. You can, but it's an imperfect solution and shows depending on genre. Overall comfortable, the ANC is very good, build quality & case are decent, and battery life is plenty. The cans are slightly unwieldy. My unit had a manufacturing defect.”
NBnimble_birch_87Signed-in owner. This member signed in to publish, so their reviews count for points and show on their profile.Owner · 6–12 monthsWouldn’t buy again
“The hinge design is severely flawed, and many other reviews online corroborate this. Not enough people, particularly reviewers discuss this point of failure.”
Sony ULT WEAR: These headphones fall outside our $150 MSRP limit, but they’re worth considering when discounted below $150. We measured 84% average noise reduction, and they lasted 32 hours and 35 minutes in our battery test. They’re comfortable and offer plenty of features, although their excessive bass strength won’t appeal to everyone.
Nothing Headphone (a): Another option to watch for sales below $150. The Headphone (a) earned an 83% ANC score in our testing and offer distinctive physical controls, LDAC support, and extensive app features. Their sound needs some EQ adjustment, however, and their regular price puts them well above our budget ceiling.
Anker Soundcore Space One: The predecessor to our Best Overall pick remains worth considering if you want to spend less. Our testing gave the Space One an 80% ANC score, and we measured nearly 43 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. They also offer LDAC, multipoint connectivity, and a customizable EQ. Their default sound has elevated bass and treble strength, but the app gives you ways to adjust it.
You don’t need to spend $300 to get effective noise canceling, but not all budget headphones deliver the same experience. We’ve tested plenty of affordable models that look impressive on paper, only to find that their ANC struggles with everyday noise, their controls are frustrating, or their battery life falls short of the manufacturer’s claims.
Prioritize effective noise canceling, a comfortable fit, and independently tested battery life over impressive-looking specifications.
The best budget noise canceling headphones balance effective ANC with comfort, sound quality, and practical features. We’d rather have headphones that consistently reduce the rumble of a bus and stay comfortable for a full workday than a pair loaded with features we rarely use.
Here are the 10 things we’d pay attention to before buying:
At SoundGuys, we’ve tested hundreds of headphones across every price range. One thing I’ve learned is that spending more doesn’t always mean getting a better experience. I’ve been impressed by affordable headphones that outperform expectations, and disappointed by expensive models that struggle with the basics. That’s why I focus on real-world performance rather than marketing claims.
Our team uses standardized tests to measure ANC, sound quality, battery life, and microphone performance. I use those results alongside our hands-on experience to judge comfort, controls, and everyday usability. After all, impressive specifications don’t mean much if headphones become uncomfortable after an hour.
I've learned that the best budget headphones aren't necessarily the ones with the most features, but the ones that get the essentials right.
Battery life is a great example. The 1MORE SonoFlow lasted 56 hours and 51 minutes with ANC enabled in our testing, exceeding the manufacturer’s 50-hour claim. That’s why I distinguish between independently tested results and advertised figures.
For this guide, I’ve limited our main picks to headphones with an MSRP below $150. I’ve also considered the compromises, from missing carrying cases to awkward controls and microphone performance. My goal is to help you find headphones that fit your needs without paying for features you won’t use.
Noise canceling technology has become more affordable as manufacturers improve their designs and production processes. Budget headphones can now offer effective ANC without the premium materials or extra features found on more expensive models. Our testing shows that several headphones under $100 reduce around 80% of perceived outside noise.
Yes. The JLab JBuds Lux ANC cost $79.99 and reduced approximately 80% of outside noise in our testing. You may have to compromise on build quality, accessories, or certain features, but affordable headphones can still deliver effective ANC, comfortable designs, and useful battery life.
You can wear noise canceling headphones for extended periods, provided they’re comfortable and you keep the volume at a safe level. Take occasional breaks if you experience discomfort, and use transparency mode or remove your headphones when you need to stay aware of your surroundings.
ANC works best against steady, low-frequency sounds, such as engine rumble or ventilation noise. Voices, sudden sounds, and some higher-frequency noises can still get through. Even the best noise canceling headphones won’t eliminate every sound around you.
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