Let’s be real—finding quality headphones that don’t cost more than your monthly grocery bill can feel impossible. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to drop $300+ to get great sound quality, comfort, and features that actually work.
I’ve spent the last few months testing dozens of headphones under $100, and I’m excited to share the ones that genuinely impressed me. Whether you’re working from home, hitting the gym, or just trying to drown out your kids’ cartoons while you finish that report, I’ve got you covered.
Quick Answer: If you’re in a hurry, the Sony WH-CH520 takes the top spot for most people thanks to its incredible battery life, solid sound quality, and all-day comfort. But keep reading—the best choice really depends on what you need them for.
- 1 How I Tested These Headphones
- 2 The 5 Best Headphones Under $100
- 3 1. Sony WH-CH520 – Best Overall
- 4 2. Anker Soundcore Life Q20 – Best Value with ANC
- 5 3. JBL Tune 510BT – Best Budget Pick
- 6 4. Skullcandy Crusher Evo – Best for Bass Lovers
- 7 5. Beats Solo3 Wireless – Best for Apple Users
- 8 Quick Comparison Table
- 9 Buying Guide: What to Look For
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions
- 11 Final Thoughts
How I Tested These Headphones
Before we dive in, here’s how I put these through their paces:
- Daily use for 2-3 weeks each – I wore these during work calls, workouts, commutes, and while mowing the lawn
- Sound quality tests across different music genres (rock, hip-hop, classical, podcasts)
- Comfort testing for extended 4+ hour sessions
- Battery life verification with real-world use, not just manufacturer claims
- Build quality assessment – I’m not gentle with my gear, and you probably aren’t either
I focused on headphones between $50-$100 because that’s the sweet spot where you get serious value without overspending.
The 5 Best Headphones Under $100
1. Sony WH-CH520 – Best Overall
If I could only recommend one pair of headphones under $100, this would be it. Sony nailed the balance between price and performance here.
What I Loved:
- 50-hour battery life – Seriously, I charged these once in three weeks of daily use
- Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear (only 4.8 oz)
- Decent sound quality with customizable EQ through the Sony app
- Bluetooth multipoint connection – switch between your phone and laptop seamlessly
- Fast charging: 3 minutes = 1.5 hours of playback
What Could Be Better:
- No active noise cancellation (ANC) – but honestly, at this price point, I wasn’t expecting it
- Build feels a bit plasticky, though it’s held up fine for me
- Bass isn’t super punchy, but it’s balanced for most music
Best For: Remote workers, students, and anyone who needs reliable daily drivers that won’t die mid-commute.
My Take: I’ve been using these as my go-to headphones for Zoom calls and music while working. The comfort level is exceptional—I forget I’m wearing them. The sound isn’t audiophile-grade, but it’s more than good enough for $60.
2. Anker Soundcore Life Q20 – Best Value with ANC
Want active noise cancellation without breaking the bank? The Soundcore Life Q20 delivers surprisingly effective ANC for the price.
What I Loved:
- Active noise cancellation that actually works – not Bose-level, but way better than expected
- 40-hour battery life (60 hours with ANC off)
- Deep, punchy bass – great for EDM, hip-hop, and action movies
- Comfortable memory foam ear cups
- Wired option included for zero-latency gaming
What Could Be Better:
- A bit bulkier and heavier than the Sony WH-CH520
- Noise cancellation creates slight pressure feeling for some people
- Call quality is just okay—use your phone’s mic for important calls
Best For: Commuters, travelers, and bass lovers who want to block out the world without spending $200+.
My Take: I tested these on a 4-hour flight, and I was genuinely impressed. They blocked out most of the engine noise and crying babies. The bass is strong—maybe too strong if you like neutral sound, but perfect for hip-hop and electronic music.
3. JBL Tune 510BT – Best Budget Pick
Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles. If you just want solid, no-nonsense headphones that work, the JBL Tune 510BT is shockingly good for the price.
What I Loved:
- Under $40 regularly—absolute steal
- JBL’s signature sound: punchy and fun
- 40-hour battery life
- Lightweight and foldable for easy portability
- Fast charging: 5 minutes = 2 hours of playback
What Could Be Better:
- On-ear design isn’t as comfortable for extended wear (my ears got warm after 2 hours)
- No app for EQ customization
- Build quality feels basic (but it’s $30, so…)
- No noise cancellation
Best For: Students, kids, gym-goers, and anyone who wants decent headphones without overthinking it.
My Take: These are my “beater” headphones—I toss them in my gym bag and don’t worry about them. Sound quality is way better than expected for the price, and they’ve survived being stuffed in backpacks for months.
4. Skullcandy Crusher Evo – Best for Bass Lovers
If you want bass you can feel, the Crusher Evo has a built-in bass slider that lets you adjust the rumble. It’s a unique feature that bass heads will love.
What I Loved:
- Adjustable sensory bass—slide it up and feel the music vibrate
- 40-hour battery life
- Comfortable fit with plush ear cushions
- Built-in Tile tracker to find them if you lose them
- Personal Sound customization through the app
What Could Be Better:
- At $100, it’s the priciest on this list
- Bass can overpower mids and highs if you max out the slider
- Heavier than other options
- Not ideal for classical music or podcasts
Best For: EDM fans, gamers, movie watchers, and anyone who wants to feel the bass in their soul.
My Take: These are FUN. I tested them with some heavy bass tracks, and wow—the vibration effect is wild. It’s not for everyone, but if you love bass-heavy music, these are worth every penny. Just know they’re more “fun” than “accurate.”
5. Beats Solo3 Wireless – Best for Apple Users
If you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem, the Beats Solo3 offers seamless integration and that iconic Beats sound signature.
What I Loved:
- Apple W1 chip for instant pairing with iPhone/iPad/Mac
- 40-hour battery life
- Fast Fuel charging: 5 minutes = 3 hours of playback
- Sleek design that looks premium
- Surprisingly balanced sound (Beats has improved since the old days)
What Could Be Better:
- On-ear design can get uncomfortable during long sessions
- A bit bass-heavy (though not as much as old Beats)
- No ANC or ambient sound mode
- Pricier than others on this list
Best For: iPhone users, Apple Watch owners, and anyone who values seamless tech integration.
My Take: I’m an iPhone user, and the instant pairing is chef’s kiss. These connect the moment I unfold them. The sound is better than I expected—Beats has really improved their tuning. However, the on-ear design made my ears sore after about 3 hours.
Quick Comparison Table
| Headphones | Battery Life | ANC | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-CH520 | 50 hours | No | All-around daily use |
| Anker Soundcore Life Q20 | 40 hours | Yes | Commuting & travel |
| JBL Tune 510BT | 40 hours | No | Budget-conscious buyers |
| Skullcandy Crusher Evo | 40 hours | No | Bass enthusiasts |
| Beats Solo3 | 40 hours | No | Apple ecosystem |
Buying Guide: What to Look For
Over-Ear vs On-Ear
Over-ear headphones (like the Soundcore Q20 and Sony WH-CH520) sit around your ears and generally offer better comfort for long sessions and superior noise isolation.
On-ear headphones (like the JBL Tune 510BT and Beats Solo3) sit directly on your ears. They’re lighter and more portable but can get uncomfortable after a few hours.
My recommendation: Go over-ear if you’ll wear them for 3+ hours regularly. Choose on-ear if portability matters more than extended comfort.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Under $100, ANC is rare. The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is the only option on this list with true ANC, and it’s pretty good for the price. However, if ANC is critical for you, you might want to stretch your budget to $150+ for better performance.
Sound Signature
- Balanced/Neutral: Sony WH-CH520 (great for everything)
- Bass-Heavy: Anker Q20, Skullcandy Crusher Evo, Beats Solo3
- Fun/V-Shaped: JBL Tune 510BT (boosted bass and treble)
Think about what you’ll listen to most. If it’s mostly podcasts and calls, neutral is better. Love hip-hop and EDM? Go bass-heavy.
Battery Life
All these headphones offer 40-50 hours of battery life, which is excellent. In real-world use, you’re looking at 1-3 weeks between charges depending on usage.
Pro tip: Fast charging is a game-changer. The Sony and JBL models can give you hours of playback from just a few minutes of charging.
Build Quality
Let’s be honest—you’re not getting premium materials at this price point. They’re all mostly plastic, but some feel better than others. The Beats Solo3 feels the most premium, while the JBL Tune 510BT feels the most budget.
Microphone Quality
If you take a lot of calls, know that most sub-$100 headphones have mediocre mics. The Sony WH-CH520 has the best call quality of the bunch, but for important meetings, your phone’s mic will still sound better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are wireless headphones under $100 worth it?
Absolutely. Technology has improved dramatically, and you can get excellent sound quality, comfort, and features at this price point. You won’t get every premium feature, but for most people, these are more than enough.
Q: How long do budget headphones last?
In my experience, expect 1-3 years with regular use. The battery will degrade over time, and the build quality isn’t tank-proof, but if you take reasonable care of them, they’ll serve you well.
Q: Do I need noise cancellation?
Only if you’re frequently in noisy environments (planes, trains, loud offices). For home or quiet spaces, passive noise isolation from over-ear headphones is usually enough.
Q: Can I use these for gaming?
Yes, but there will be a slight audio delay with Bluetooth. For serious gaming, use the wired connection if available (Anker Q20 includes a cable). For casual gaming, the delay is minimal on newer models.
Q: Which headphones have the best sound quality?
The Sony WH-CH520 offers the most balanced, accurate sound. The Skullcandy Crusher Evo is the most fun but less accurate. It depends on whether you want reference sound or an exciting, bass-heavy experience.
Q: Are these good for workouts?
The JBL Tune 510BT is the lightest and best for exercise. The others are fine for casual gym sessions but aren’t specifically designed for workouts (no sweat resistance ratings).
Final Thoughts
After testing all these headphones, here’s my honest take: the Sony WH-CH520 is the best choice for most people. It strikes the perfect balance between price, performance, comfort, and battery life.
But if you need ANC, grab the Anker Soundcore Life Q20. On a tight budget? The JBL Tune 510BT is incredible value. Apple user? Beats Solo3 will integrate seamlessly. Bass fanatic? Skullcandy Crusher Evo will blow your mind.
The good news? You really can’t go wrong with any of these. They’re all solid performers under $100, and any one of them will be a huge upgrade if you’re currently using cheap earbuds or worn-out old headphones.
Got questions about any of these? Drop a comment below—I love talking audio gear and I’m happy to help you find the perfect fit!
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally tested and believe in.
