Whether you’re commuting to the office or trying to block out some of the people in the office, noise canceling headphones are a great tool to have. The problem is that if you want some of the best noise cancelling headphones around, you’re going to have to break open your piggy bank and start counting pennies. But that isn’t always the case. There are plenty of solid noise cancelling headphones under $100 that might be worth picking up if you’re in the market for a new pair of cans.
Editor’s note: this list was updated on September 11, 2021, to replace the Sony WH-CH700N with the Sennheiser HD 350BT, and the Plantronics BackBeat FIT 6100 with the Philips PH805.
Related: Best noise cancelling earbuds
Most people should get the Anker Soundcore Life Q30
Anker continues to redefine the budget audio market with the update to its popular budget noise cancelling headphones: the Soundcore Life Q30.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
Similar to its predecessor, the Soundcore Life Q30 features a lightweight constructions with plush ear cups, making these headphones very comfortable to wear during long playback sessions. Like the Soundcore Life Q20, this updated version is touted to deliver up to 40 hours of playback with ANC on, making battery life a non-issue.
Start here: Ultimate headphone buying guide
The Soundcore Life Q30 also features improved active noise cancellation. Though its performance can’t hold a candle to the likes of Sony or Bose, it’s better than nothing. Sound quality is what you’d expect from a pair of sub-$100 headphones: it’s consumer-friendly with amplified bass notes.
What you should know about the best noise cancelling headphones under $100
For commuting to school or elsewhere, noise cancelling headphones are a great choice for auditory health — but are no replacement for dedicated hearing protection.
- Generally speaking, noise cancelling headphones are more expensive than their non-noise cancelling counterparts. That’s because there are more components packed into ANC cans, like extra microphones, to enable the technology.
- Unfortunately, the old adage, “you get what you pay for” applies to noise cancelling headphones under $100. While you’re still benefiting from the technology, the effectiveness of it can’t compare to the cream of the crop.
- Noise cancelling headphones use destructive interference to attenuate external noise, so droning sounds will be cancelled—while incidental noise like conversations, children being loud, and disorganized sounds will come through clear as a bell.
- Bluetooth audio quality still hasn’t caught up with wired audio quality, and that’s fine. Most of use prefer Bluetooth for its convenience and are fine with the drop in audio quality when on the go.
For the best on-the-go headphones, get the Sennheiser HD 450BT
You can always rely on Sennheiser to prioritize great sound quality, and that holds true with the Sennheiser HD 450BT. While this headset doesn’t quite fit the budget if you buy it new, you can find it renewed for a lower price and it will work just as well. For people who are constantly on-the-go the HD 450BT offers affordable active noise cancelling, which is perfect for drowning out the world on your way to work. It also has a portable design with ear cups that fold inward for compact travel. The headband could stand to be a little more comfortable as it does have a really strong clamping force, but it should loosen up over time.
Sennheiser HD 450BT (Renewed)
Full Review
The sound quality of the HD 450BT is very good, delivering a relatively neutral frequency response that accurately reproduces mid-to-high frequency sounds like strings and vocals. Bass and upper-midrange frequencies are very subtly emphasized in a way that makes most genres sound pleasant.
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Active noise cancelling is decent, muting low-frequency noises to about half their regular volume, and the passive isolation is quite effective. However, its ANC performance is not as impressive as higher-end headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Apple AirPods Max.
Redefine budget ANC with the Monoprice BT-600ANC
If you prioritize ANC above everything else, including things like EQ customization, consider the Monoprice BT-600ANC. We gave this headset an Editor’s Choice Award because of its excellent (for any price) ANC performance. The lone frequency response is very “consumer friendly”, and you can’t adjust it. For instance, you might experience significant auditory masking in the under-emphasized mids.
Monoprice BT-600ANC
Full Review
The BT-600ANC does not have any obnoxious logos or outlandish colorways, making it discrete and surprisingly expensive looking. You get the aptX HD Bluetooth codec for a better wireless audio experience than the standard fare AAC and SBC, though it’ll support that too. Headphones costing hundreds more don’t necessarily have high-res codecs like that.
We got an impressive 36 hours and 20 minutes on a single charge during testing. Monoprice does not include a quick charge option, however, you can connect with an audio cable if your battery dies. For a hair under $100 the BT-600ANC does basically everything.
Not looking to spend too much? Then look to the JLab Audio Studio ANC
Priced at just under $60 USD, the JLAB Audio Studio ANC are a great pair of headphones for anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of active noise cancelling without spending a whole lot. Design wise, these headphones are rather middle of the road. Its design does have some redeeming qualities, featuring a sleek, minimalist aesthetic and a lightweight construction.
JLab Audio Studio ANC
The noise cancelling on these headphones will be effective enough, but again, you’re typically not going to get life changing ANC with a $100 budget. These headphones are a prime example of the old adage: “you get what you pay for”. For less than $60, you get a pair of on-ears with serviceable sound quality, noise cancelling performance, and design.
The Philips PH805 has the best features
When it comes to Bluetooth headphones, there aren’t many options if you want to spend less than $100. It’s even harder to find budget headphones with features like voice assistant integration, High-Res audio certification, touch controls, and active noise cancelling. The Philips PH805 has all of these bells and whistles and stays within our $100 budget.
Philips PH805
The headset has a dedicated smart assistant button for accessing Siri or Google Assistant. If you need to send a text or set a reminder without reaching for your phone, the PH805 is there for you. Its High-Res audio certification means that if you connect the 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable to a High-Res audio source you can listen to lossless audio. The headphones’ sound quality emphasizes bass for a consumer-friendly sound but not so much that it detracts from the rest of the frequencies.
The Philips PH805 has a built-in microphone with echo cancellation. The ear cups can fold inwards or lie flat for easy storage and transportation. You can use the touch controls to toggle volume as well as activate ANC and Awareness Mode which has the opposite function of ANC. This is definitely a headset for the budget-minded shopper to consider.
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Best noise cancelling headphones under $100: notable mentions
- AKG N700NC M2: These are the successor to AKG’s original entry-level noise cancelling headphones. Although it’s currently priced above $100, these cans are still worthy of your consideration thanks to its overall balanced sound signature and competitive noise-cancelling performance—all at a price tag that is still much lower than Sony or Bose’s offerings.
- Sony MDRZX110NC: Want a wired ANC experience? You get a high resolution audio experience by using a headphone jack, but the ANC needs a AAA battery.
- Tribit QuietPlus Active Noise Cancelling Headphones: Featuring hybrid active noise cancelling technology, aptX support, and a 30-hour battery life, these are perfect for budget-conscious listeners looking for affordable noise cancelling headphones.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is not compatible with the app.