Best Headphones Under $100
Consumer Reports' testers pick great-sounding headphones at midrange prices
By Thomas Germain
Buying a great pair of headphones is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your lifestyle. You don’t have to pay top dollar to get a set you’ll love, either.
There are countless cheap options on the market, but what distinguishes the models on this list of the best headphones under $100 is that they earn high marks for sound quality in Consumer Reports’ tests.
The models here not only rank among the top headphones in our ratings but also earn CR’s Best Buy designation, thanks to prices that start as low as $50. There’s something for everyone in this roundup, whether you care most about high-quality sound, the convenience of Bluetooth, the unmatched portability of true wireless earphones, or even active noise cancellation.
Consumer Reports puts dozens of headphones through a battery of tests to help you sort through the noise, and we also conduct annual member surveys to measure owner satisfaction and reliability. We buy every product we rate at the same places you might shop yourself.
Best Bluetooth Earbuds
The best deal in a true wireless model right now might be the Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW. When you think of earbuds that don’t have a cord connecting the earpieces, Apple AirPods might come to mind. But this pair sounds better, and it costs about $100 less than the latest AirPods.
These earbuds have a number of great features. They have an ambient sound mode for when you want to keep an ear on your environment, they charge over USB-C, and they use touch controls for volume and playback, and other features. The headphones also include an unusual low latency mode, which reduces the delay in playback you sometimes get with Bluetooth headphones, for better performance with games or videos. According to Audio-Technica, they have a 6.5-hour battery life and come with a charging case that stores an extra 13 hours of power.
The only potential drawback is the fit; our testers say people with smaller ears might find these headphones don’t always stay in place.
Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW
Best Wireless Over-Ear
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is a relative newcomer, but it makes a mark for providing great sound at a bargain price. The HD 250BT is an on-ear model with a sleek appearance and a price that sometimes dips below $70, making this one of the best values among Bluetooth headphones in our ratings.
It has controls for volume, calls, and playback, a smartphone app for equalizer adjustments, and an advertised 25-hour battery life. It also charges over USB-C, using the same kind of cable that powers newer Mac laptops and tons of other devices.
Sennheiser HD 250BT
Best Audio Quality
The 1MORE E1001 Triple Driver is a wired model. That could be a benefit or a drawback depending on your preferences, but one thing is for sure: You won’t find many headphones that deliver such superb audio for the price, which typically hovers around $70, though it can get up above $100. The Triple Driver has a sleek design and comes with extras, including a removable shirt clip, a carrying case, and nine varieties of earpieces to help you find a good fit.
The integrated microphone, call/connect, playback, and volume controls will play nicely with your iPhone and other devices, and the isolating design will help keep ambient noise out.
1MORE E1001 Triple Driver
Best Wired Over-Ear
In recent months, there have been times when the Grado Prestige SR60x was hard to find, and prices occasionally spiked. But you should be able to find new pairs online for about $99, and they’re worth the hunt. This pair of over-ear headphones have exceptional audio quality for the money. They’re handmade in Brooklyn, like all of Grado’s headphones, and the company has a sterling reputation for products built to last.
You can also try looking for some of Grado’s previous models, the SR60e or the SR80e. You can often find them new or used at relatively cheap prices. Just keep in mind that all of these headphones have open-back ear cups, meant to boost the clarity of the audio. They won’t muffle outside sound, and some noise will bleed out when you listen. That means they’re best used in a quiet environment where you can really focus on the music—and where you won’t irritate other people nearby.
Grado SR60x
Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds
There are lots of great choices if you’re looking for less expensive noise-canceling headphones. One of our top picks is the 1MORE ColorBuds 2, which offer great sound quality, superb noise cancellation, and all the convenience of true wireless headphones for under $100. 1MORE advertises a 6-hour battery life backed by a charging case that holds enough power for two full cycles.
They feature touch controls and an ambient sound monitoring mode that lets in noise from your surroundings on purpose. Using a free app, you can customize EQ settings to your liking, and they also have a convenient auto-pause function when you take the headphones off.
1MORE ColorBuds 2
Best Over-Ear Noise-Canceling
This over-ear wireless model from Monoprice is usually available for around $45—a steal, given the superb noise-canceling performance and decent sound quality. The BT-300ANC features integrated controls for calls, volume, and playback, and the ear cups fold in and swivel flat for easy storage and transport.
According to Monoprice, the battery will run for 8 hours between charges with Bluetooth and noise cancellation turned on. You can keep the music going even longer by switching off Bluetooth and using the detachable audio cable, which is included.
Monoprice BT-300ANC
Best Cheap Bluetooth Headphones
The Sennheiser CX 150BT is a fantastic pair of headphones for the price. Our tests show this pair’s audio quality is above average and better than some models that cost a lot more. There aren’t a ton of extra features, but Sennheiser boasts a 10-hour battery life, more than enough to get you through a gym session or a day’s commute.
Sennheiser also sells the similarly named CX 350BT, which gets the same score in our ratings but costs a bit more. Essentially, the only difference is compatibility with aptX, a digital audio format meant to improve the quality of your playback.
Want something even cheaper? The Skullcandy Dime True Wireless is a star in our ratings. There are other headphones on this list that sound better, but good luck finding another pair this good for $25.
How to Choose Headphones
With so many types of headphones, how do you know which pair is right for you? On the “Consumer 101” TV show, Consumer Reports expert Elias Arias explains everything you need to know.
More from Consumer Reports:
Top pick tires for 2016
Best used cars for $25,000 and less
7 best mattresses for couples
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.
