We all want the best, but sometimes the top-tier choice is beyond what we budget. Thankfully, cheap Bluetooth headphones are easy to come by and with the rise of true wireless earbuds, premium headset prices have fallen dramatically. Although all of our picks are relatively affordable, none of them are inherently cheap. Whether you need active noise cancelling, a compact design, or long battery life, we’ve got something to scratch your audio itch.
Editor’s note: this list of the best Bluetooth headphones under $100 was updated on June 8, 2021, to include the Monoprice BT-600ANC.
The best cheap Bluetooth headphones are the Sennheiser HD 350BT
Sennheiser makes some of the best headphones in the market, even though its more affordable models like the Sennheiser HD 350BT continue to impress consumers. This headset boasts a wide range of high-quality Bluetooth codec support: AAC, aptX, and aptX Low Latency give the listener flexibility in how to listen and from what device to listen.
Sennheiser HD 350BT
Full Review
The large oblong ear cups are comfortable to wear for long periods of time, so long as you have average or smaller-sized ears. Those with large ears may realize these over-ears fit more like on-ears, which can be a literal pain. Buttons line the outer edge of the ear cup for volume adjustments, playback controls, and voice assistant access like Google and Siri. The headphones lack a 3.5mm input, so when the battery dies, you have to rely on the USB-C fast charging to get you through the rest of your listening session.
Bluetooth multipoint is supported, but users reported issues with stable connection strength when connected to two devices at a time. While this is a pain to deal with, it’s something that may easily be remedied in a future firmware update, which Sennheiser affords through its free app.
If you’re willing to venture beyond the $100 price cap, consider the step-up to the HD 350BT: the Sennheiser HD 450BT. It features many of the same features found on the HD 350BT but includes active noise cancellation. Its ANC performance may not stack up to the likes of Sony or Bose, however, it does a decent job at blocking out ambient noises—especially when you consider its $150 price tag.
What you should know about Bluetooth headphones under $100
High-quality Bluetooth codec support is rare
You’ll have a hard time finding cheap Bluetooth headphones that support all of these codecs.
This support is typically reserved for a more premium class of headphones, so don’t be too disappointed if your favorite headset here lacks aptX or AAC support. That said, we’ve done our best to include some picks with at least aptX support, which yields high-quality audio streaming for Android devices. iPhone users, if it’s any consolation, many of us are unable to discern a difference between high-quality codecs because our ears are either too old or too damaged to observe it.
A proper fit matters especially with cheap Bluetooth headphones
On the right side of our Bose SoundLink On-Ear Wireless unit, there is visible superglue in the right hinge, something you may find in cheaply built headphones.
Whether you’re shopping for earbuds or headphones, finding a proper fit is key to optimizing audio quality. If you can’t create a total seal separating you from the environment, external noises will make it difficult to perceive detail in your music. This phenomenon is called auditory masking: loud noises cause relatively quiet noises hard to register. To avoid this altogether, take a few moments and make adjustments to the headband. If the yokes allow for it, you can also angle the ear cups. Not only does this create a more comfortable fit, but it effectively improves passive isolation, so you can focus more on the music and less on chatty neighbors.
Are noise cancelling headphones better than non-noise cancelling ones?
The Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus ANC true wireless earphones help protect your hearing when noise cancelling is on.
It depends on what you prioritize. If you’re really scrounging for the best bargain you can find, then ANC headsets may not be an option as they tend to be pricier. That said, noise cancelling headphones are better for you than those without ANC because they can help preserve your hearing by preventing noise-induced hearing loss.
This relates back to auditory masking: not only are we less able to register music playback, but many of us thoughtlessly increase volume when we’re on a crowded train car or noisy flight. It may not seem like the music is loud at the time—again, a consequence of auditory masking—but there’s a good chance we’re damaging our stereocilia, those tiny ear hairs, when we crank the volume. Noise cancelling headphones make us less prone to doing so because, the good models, nullify or lessen external noise.
Maintain realistic expectations
Although we’re presenting you with the best cheap Bluetooth headphones around, the fact remains that these are still cheap Bluetooth headphones. If you think corners have been cut, it’s because they have been. Unfortunately, you can’t have it all for less than $100 and one of the first things to go is construction quality. You’re unlikely to find a leather-wrapped headband with brushed aluminum accents on this list. However, once expectations are tempered, you’ll be amazed at how far $100 can take you when it comes to consumer audio.
Committed to noise cancelling? Get the Monoprice BT-600ANC
Monoprice provides quality audio products at a fraction of the price of the competition. With the BT-600ANC, the company has brought exceptional active noise cancellation that outperforms many headphones that are double or even triple the price.
Monoprice BT-600ANC
Full Review
Outside of outstanding passive and active noise isolation, the Monoprice BT-600ANC boasts premium features. Touch controls on the right ear cup make accepting calls and controlling music playback a breeze, while aptX HD, AAC, and SBC support ensure a great Bluetooth connection to nearly any device. The headphones can also be paired to multiple devices at the same time.
If you care about battery life these are a great option, as they lasted 36 hours, 20 minutes in our battery test with noise cancelling turned on. The headphones fold up into the included travel case, which also stores the USB-C charger and 3.5mm audio cable.
The Monoprice BT-600ANC isn’t the best sounding headphones on this list, and it doesn’t come with an app for tweaking or updates. When it comes to noise cancellation and feature performance though, the BT-600ANC smashes it out of the ballpark.
Get quality aptX sound with the Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BT Sonicfuel
This a bit of a limited-time suggestion, but sneaking in with a sale price of just under $100 USD is the Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BT Sonicfuel in the white colorway. These normally retail for $119 USD, and for good reason: they’re solid, foldable over-ear headphones with coveted aptX codec compatibility, and Audio-Technica’s deft execution.
Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BT Sonicfuel
Do I know what Sonicfuel is? Does Audio-Technica explain it anywhere? Not really, beyond stating that it’s for active, regular use, but I like these features and this cheap price. In the sub-$100 category it is unusual to find Bluetooth headphones with something more than just AAC and SBC codecs, so if that’s your main priority grab these.
With 30 hours of battery life, they are neither the longest, nor shortest lasting battery on the docket, but, they also have the dependable 3.5mm headphone jack, should you run out of juice. The ATH-AR3BT do not have active noise-cancelling, so if that’s essential for your needs, these may not be the right pair for you. However, if you’re happy with passive noise cancellation afforded by a tight over-ear seal, these could do the trick.
You may like: Best Audio-Technica headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BT doesn’t include a carrying case—which is pretty standard for sub-$200 headphones these days—and they have no IP rating, so you probably would not want to take them to the gym and keep them away from water. But if you’re looking for good all-around Bluetooth headphones that don’t compromise the resolution of your audio and will give you a strong low-end response, these will handle whatever you throw at them for a stellar price.
Listen and be heard with the Jabra Elite 45h
The Jabra Elite 45h are a pair of on-ears designed to be compact and portable enough for you to take anywhere—whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or just putting your feet up at home. The headphone’s swivel ear cups let you fold it up to shove into a backpack for easy transport.
Jabra Elite 45h
Full Review
The headphone has a relatively neutral-leaning sound signature, accurately reproducing low-to-mid frequency sounds like drums and vocals. However, the Jabra Elite 45h lacks clarity, with treble sounds like hi-hats and cymbals sounding slightly de-emphasized. None of this is helped by the headphone’s subpar isolation performance; though this is typical of on-ears due to its inability to create a proper seal.
One of the best aspects of the Jabra Elite 45h is its microphone. It reproduces voices accurately with no significant low-end roll-off, ensuring that even people will deep voices will be heard loud and clear. The microphone also does a good job at attenuating background noise and light wind, eliminating audible distractions during conference calls.
Jabra Elite 45h microphone demo:
Other features that Make the Jabra Elite 45h a worthy investment include a 50+ hour battery life, USB-C fast charging, AAC codec support (which is great for iOS users), and an included two-year warranty that covers dust and water damage.
Make every penny count with the Anker Soundcore Life Q30
Anker is lauded by budget shoppers for its reliable, low-cost products that give more expensive alternatives a run for their money. The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 is a gem as it features active noise cancelling, grants 40 hours of listening on a single charge, and a comfortable design.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 builds off the success of its predecessor: the Anker Soundcore Life Q20. This newer headset features plush memory foam padding, ensuring a comfortable listening experience during long periods. Moreover, the inclusion of a 40-hour battery means that these headphones will actually last during your daily commute or a transatlantic flight.
Sound-wise, these headphones are just okay, equipped with drivers that tend to over-emphasize bass and treble frequencies. This is great for fans of bass-heavy electronic music, though the sound of guitars and other acoustic instruments may lack some clarity. They’ve also been noted to leak some sound, which may not be ideal in some settings.
Anker Soundcore products always prove to be of great value, and the Life Q30 headset is no exception.
The active noise cancelling on the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 is quite impressive, given its sub-$100 price tag. The headphones do a good job attenuating midrange sounds where ambient noise typically lies. Low-frequency noises, such as the rumbling of a jet engine, are cancelled out—though don’t expect its performance to hold a candle against higher-end ANC headphones.
The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 is currently available for just under $80 USD. If you’re looking to save just a bit of cash, the last-gen Soundcore Life Q20 can still be yours for just under $50 USD on Amazon.
Related: Best noise cancelling headphones under $100
How we chose our favorite affordable Bluetooth headphones
Every headset is put to the test, so we can keep our scoring results consistent.
We understand that shopping around for audio products can be an arduous and confusing task. Rather than sending readers off on a wild goose chase for information, we’ve chosen to consolidate the most pertinent things shoppers should know about cheap Bluetooth headphones and list out what we’re championing as the best picks around. Any headset we’ve reviewed has been subjected to a battery of objective tests to determine frequency response, isolation, microphone performance, battery life, and noise cancelling effectiveness.
Although we pride ourselves on making objective data easily accessible to our readers, we also value the subjective aspect of audio, and go to great lengths to use products as a normal consumer would. That way, we’re able to highlight the good and bad each headset, microphone, or speaker has to offer.
Best Bluetooth headphones under $100: notable mentions
The overall design of the WH-CH510 headphones is subtle, even if the build quality isn’t great overall.
- Jabra Elite 65t: The Jabra Elite 65t may not be cheap Bluetooth headphones, but they are cheap true wireless earbuds thanks to the release of the Elite 75t. These were our favorite totally wireless earphones for months on end, and remain a great value pick for listeners who want something extremely portable and reliable.
- Plantronics BackBeat Fit 600: Athletes searching for workout headphones that work just as well in the office as they do in the gym should get the Fit 600. Listeners can adjust the headband tension, and benefit from a comfortable over-ear fit. Sound quality and microphone quality are generally very pleasing with these IPX5 headphones.
- Anker Soundcore Life Q20: While now superseded by the newer Q30, the previous Q20 model is still available and often for discounted prices, with a similar sound signature as the Q30, and a respectable 32-hour charge.
- Sony WH-CH510: With the trusted Sony brand this no-frills option will run you just shy of $50 USD if you look in the right place. The WH-CH510 headphones feature 35 hours of playback and a 10-minute quick charge, lending about 90 minutes of use, but no 3.5mm audio jack. The on-ear fit can be fussy on some folks—though innately portable—and the build quality leaves something to be desired, but then again, $50 Bluetooth headphones might be ideal for some settings where you can’t get too precious with your headphones.
- Audio-Technica ATH-SR30BT: With 70 hours of battery life and a recent price drop, if you can’t find the ATH-AR3BT Sonicfuel, or don’t dig the white colorway, these are a decent Audio-Technica product with similar 40mm drivers and passive noise-cancellation. You miss out on the aptX codecs, but you get more than twice the battery life and a headphone jack.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Although both products share a similar price and sound profile, the Sennheiser HD 350BT includes a few modern additions over the HD 4.40BT, including USB-C for charging and Bluetooth 5.0 support.
Technically you can, but it doesn't necessarily mean you should. If you want to use your headphones during your workout, consider buying a pair that are rated for water resistance, to make sure that your investment lasts as long as possible.
The biggest difference between the two is that the HD450BT features active noise cancelling, while the HD350BT does not. Sound wise, the HD450BT claims to have a fuller, more detailed sound, though at a higher price point than the HD350BT.