Not everyone is willing and able to spend an exorbitant amount of money on headphones, however, $100 or less can get you nice headphones if you look in the right place.
Cool headphones don’t have to be expensive. Although more expensive models produce better sound and also gives better performance, there are still excellent low-priced headphones under $100.
Moreover, you don’t have to select a feature over the other. Standard wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds, and also noise-canceling headphones are easily obtainable for less than $100. Thinking about it feels quite wonderful.
However, the best headphones under $100 don’t stand a chance with more expensive models, but they will meet your exact needs: be brilliant headphones for those being economical.
Below is our pick of the best headphones below $100 in 2021:
1. Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT
These are the best wireless headphones for under $100. Although some innovative specs might be missing, they still sound superb for under $100.
These attractive cans have a great amount of padding within the earpads, offering wonderful comfort and proper fitting. Also, the clamping force is quite light, which is splendid news for users with glasses.
Asides from the wired mode via a 3.5 mm headphone jack, the battery can last for 25 hours. Though there is no active noise-cancellation, passive isolation is wonderful regardless.
The bottom of the earcup has some buttons on it. One can be in control of most of the important things such as adjusting the volume or answering phone calls. Latency is also kept very low, despite their support of the last-gen Bluetooth 4.0.
You get a classic Sennheiser performance, alongside balanced bass, precise midrange, as well as a rolled-off treble which might pose a challenge if you want to listen to faint details. You can also make additional changes to the sound inside the mobile app.
You will get a superb pair of headphones for less than $100. Regardless of the fact that they are rocking BT 4.0, their connection is constant, with minimal latency.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Audio-Technica ATH M40x is most preferred amongst a lot of audiophiles who are on a budget. These are almost a classic. You do not have to look further if you have been searching for a pair of headphones under $100 that is perfect for all music genres.
This “smaller sibling” of MX50 does a great job. These Japanese headphones offer a lot in terms of value in an over-ear and closed-back design.
It might not be quite comfortable initially but just for a while before the foam earpads adjust to your head shape. The headphones are quite cozy, it just takes a bit of time to get used to them.
Passive noise isolation is also topnotch because they were designed for the studio along with other uses, they have excellent noise isolation.
Consequently, they get rid of a lot of background noise so you can enjoy your music without stress.
The durability is also great. It is made mostly of plastic design with metal parts that can fold but that is also their Achilles heel. One has to be very careful with the hinges, with that out of the place, they are solid. These wires are detachable and can be readily replaced if need be.
The greatest thing about the Audio-Technica M40x is sound quality. The all-round sound quality is equalized but with a punchy, deep, and precise bass. Combining with a headphone amp makes it even more interesting to listen to. They are ideal for all music genres, especially if you use some equalizing.
3. Shure SE215
These are the best in-ear headphones under $100. Classic, but still very relevant. Shure’s beloved in-ear monitors have been around for quite a while and are still rated as one of the top headphone guides.
These wired in-ears became famous because they produce terrific sound quality, they are comfortable and fit just right, and also comes with a durable design for a reasonable price.
Let’s consider the design; you have to wear these with the wire behind your ears. This allows the weight to be distributed evenly and also lessens the cable noise which is a general problem with wired in-ears.
Their housing is available in several colors. A lot of them are transparent, so you can see the earbuds’ insides, which is quite fancy. The cable can be replaced if it gets spoiled. They can also be used while working out because they provide a little degree of sweat protection.
Even though it emanates from the Hi-Fi brand, the sound of these is somewhat bassy and warm. Treble begins to roll off quite quickly hereby producing a wonderful performance across the board.
Shure SE215 in-ear monitors are the best recommendation for every person who wants to begin their journey into the audiophile world.
4. TaoTronics TT-BH090
These are the best noise-canceling headphones under $100. Budget phones are known to always have several compromises. Nevertheless, the BH090 provides excellent value for the price and also comes with the active noise-cancellation.
Their design is fairly modest and not too attractive. The headphones are produced from hard plastic, which feels tough when touched. Their earcups can be rotated by 90° in various directions and can also be folded for extra movability.
Earpads are great and cozy which makes lengthy listening sessions very comfortable. The cups are also large enough to fit any ear sizes. The battery life is very strong as you get to use it for almost 35 hours on a single charge.
These over-ears surely come with active noise-cancellation, which works quite well in several cases, especially if you wish to get rid of constant low-end humming that comes from either bus or plane engines.
Punchy bass can go very deep and still not bleed into the midrange. The latter remains fairly clean, with a smooth treble to top it all off.
If you wish to get the optimal ANC performance under a $100 price tag, we recommend this headphone to you. They are properly built, comfortable, and also have a pleasant sound.
5. Sennheiser HD 280 PRO
Sennheiser HD 280 PRO are amongst the top headphones you can get for less than $100 presently, although these days, they are not readily available.
An appropriate blend of comfort, durability, and sound quality is all you can expect from a pair of headphones.
If you are searching for over-ear headphones under $100 then this wired model is an excellent option.
Several costly headphones are nicer but for the under $100 price, it will be tasking to get them.
HD 280 PRO has big over-ear cups which makes them very comfortable. The earpads are produced from soft faux leather and offer minor resistance. The clamping force is also accurate.
Another interesting feature they offer is their passive noise isolation which is quite effective since it is also used by audio professionals.
The design is very solid. The plastic is of premium quality and exudes confidence. Good durability is what you can expect and get from Sennheiser.
They might not look as attractive as other options but if you opt for performance over other features then these should be your most preferred in this price range.
The sound quality is also top-class. The equalized sound signature is ideal for audio professionals who prefer a more precise sound reproduction or users who enjoy the natural sound. You should pass if you are a bass head though.