Best Headphones Under $100
Noise cancelling on a budget
Our #1 pick is the Soundcore Space One. You don’t need to spend Sony XM5 money to block out a train or an office. We compared five noise cancelling headphones under $100 on Amazon, from a $30 battery champ to a hi-res pick from Nothing’s CMF.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 15, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
The best headphones under $100 for most people are the Soundcore Space One. Anker’s adaptive noise cancelling is tuned for low, steady noise like engines and air conditioners, it supports LDAC hi-res audio on Android, and it lasts about 40 hours with ANC on. It often sells well under $100, which leaves room in the budget for a case or a second pair for a partner.
If sound and style come first, the CMF Headphone Pro from Nothing adds a physical bass and treble slider, 50 hours of ANC playback and LDAC. The Sony WH-CH720N is the lightest pick, at 192g, and the easiest to wear for a full workday. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC folds flat and has Tile tracking built in, and the TOZO HT3 is the one to buy if you want 90 hours of battery for about $30.
Skip the Space One if you use an iPhone and only care about simple, natural sound: LDAC does nothing on iOS, and the Sony is lighter and more neutral. It is also not the most compact to carry. And if you need the very best noise cancelling for long flights, no pair at this price matches flagship models from Sony or Bose; see our noise cancelling guide for those.
How we picked: we compared the most popular over-ear ANC headphones under $100 on Amazon US, read what owners report after weeks of use, and checked each listing for ANC type, codecs, battery and weight. We don’t claim lab tests. Listings checked October 2026.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product | Best Overall Soundcore Space One Adaptive ANC over-ear |  Best Sound & Battery CMF Headphone Pro Adaptive ANC over-ear |  Most Comfortable Sony WH-CH720N Lightweight ANC over-ear |  Best for Travel Skullcandy Hesh ANC Foldable ANC over-ear |  Best Budget TOZO HT3 Hybrid ANC over-ear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 92 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 89 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 84 / 100 |
| Best for | Commuters and Android users | Music lovers who like to tweak | All-day wear and iPhone users | Bags, backpacks and forgetful owners | Students, kids and backup pairs |
| Typical price (checked October 15, 2026) | $40–$80 | $70–$90 | $80–$100 | $90–$100 | $30–$40 |
| ANC type | Adaptive, 5 levels in app | Adaptive, up to 40 dB | Dual noise sensor, Processor V1 | 4-mic ANC | Hybrid, up to 45 dB claimed |
| Battery (ANC on) | 40 hours (55 off) | 50 hours | Up to 35 hours | Up to 22 hours | Up to 90 hours |
| Hi-res codec | LDAC | LDAC, dual Hi-Res certified | See listing | See listing | See listing |
| Standout extra | Voice reduction tuned for engines and hums | Physical bass and treble slider | 192g, Sony’s lightest ANC headband | Built-in Tile finder | Bluetooth, AUX and USB-C audio |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Overall
Soundcore Space One
BeastScore 92 / 100Typically $40–$80 on Amazon (checked October 15, 2026)The Space One hits the sweet spot of this price range. Its adaptive noise cancelling checks for outside noise and sound leaking around the ear cups, then adjusts itself, and the listing says it is especially strong against low, steady noise like engine rumble and air conditioning. You can also set five ANC levels in the Soundcore app. LDAC support gives Android users hi-res streaming, and battery life is 40 hours with ANC on and 55 with it off. Rotating ear cups and a soft headband spread the pressure. Owners call it a big step up from older budget pairs. Voices and sharp sounds get through more than on flagships.
Pros- Adaptive ANC that is strong on engines and hums
- LDAC hi-res audio and a deep app EQ
- 40 hours of playback with ANC on
Cons- LDAC does nothing for iPhone users
- Bulkier to carry than the Sony
- Sudden sounds and voices still leak through
- 2. Best Sound & Battery
CMF Headphone Pro
BeastScore 90 / 100Typically $70–$90 on Amazon (checked October 15, 2026)CMF is Nothing’s budget brand, and the Headphone Pro shows it. The standout is a physical slider that turns bass and treble up or down without opening an app, plus a Personal Sound Profile and spatial audio in the Nothing X app. The listing claims dual Hi-Res certification with LDAC and custom 40mm drivers, and up to 40 dB of adaptive ANC with a one-press Transparency mode. Battery life is the best of the full-price picks at 50 hours with ANC on. Memory foam pads and a cap-friendly headband help comfort. Owners like the design, though the ANC is a touch weaker than the Space One on low rumble.
Pros- Hands-on bass and treble control on the ear cup
- 50 hours of ANC playback
- LDAC plus Fast Pair and Swift Pair for quick setup
Cons- ANC a little weaker than the Space One on engine noise
- Bold design will not suit everyone
- Newer brand with a shorter track record
- 3. Most Comfortable
Sony WH-CH720N
BeastScore 89 / 100Typically $80–$100 on Amazon (checked October 15, 2026)The WH-CH720N is the pair you forget you are wearing. At 192g, the listing calls it Sony’s lightest noise cancelling headband ever, and owners say it stays comfortable through long workdays and flights. It uses Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 with dual noise sensors, the same chip family as Sony’s earlier flagships, plus Adaptive Sound Control that changes settings as you move. The tuning is balanced and natural rather than bass-heavy, which suits podcasts and vocals. Battery life is up to 35 hours, and a 3-minute charge gives an hour. The trade-offs: plasticky build, no hi-res codec listed and a shorter battery than the rest.
Pros- Very light at 192g for all-day comfort
- Natural, balanced Sony sound
- Clear calls and a solid Sony app
Cons- Shortest battery life of the five
- Plastic build feels cheaper than the price
- ANC is good, not class-leading
- 4. Best for Travel
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
BeastScore 86 / 100Typically $90–$100 on Amazon (checked October 15, 2026)The Hesh ANC earns its place with two practical extras. It has Tile finding built in, so you can ring or locate lost headphones from the Tile app, and it folds flat and collapses to slip into a backpack. Noise cancelling uses four microphones, and Skullcandy’s tuning leans warm and punchy for pop and hip hop. Rapid Charge gives three hours of play from 10 minutes, and simple buttons handle calls, tracks and volume. Owners like the fit. The downsides are a 22-hour battery, ANC that is a step behind the Space One, and a price at the top of the budget.
Pros- Tile tracking helps find lost headphones
- Folds flat and compact for travel
- Fast 10-minute Rapid Charge
Cons- 22 hours is the shortest battery among the bigger brands here
- ANC is weaker than Soundcore and CMF
- Close to $100, with no hi-res codec listed
- 5. Best Budget
TOZO HT3
BeastScore 84 / 100Typically $30–$40 on Amazon (checked October 15, 2026)For around $30, the TOZO HT3 gets you real hybrid noise cancelling and a battery that barely needs charging. The listing claims up to 90 hours of playback, and a 10-minute charge adds about nine more. It uses four microphones for hybrid ANC (TOZO claims up to 45 dB) and a separate call mic, and you can connect over Bluetooth, a 3.5mm AUX cable or USB-C, which helps on planes and older laptops. Dual-device pairing and a low-latency game mode are included, and the ear pads are replaceable. Owners rate it highly for the price, but expect softer ANC and less detailed sound than the pricier picks.
Pros- About a third of the price of the other picks
- Up to 90 hours of battery life
- Wired AUX and USB-C options plus replaceable pads
Cons- ANC is noticeably weaker than the Space One
- Sound is less detailed than CMF or Sony
- Lesser-known brand for long-term support
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with Soundcore Space One. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Noise cancellingSoundcore Space One · 9.0/10
- SoundCMF Headphone Pro · 9.2/10
- ComfortSony WH-CH720N · 9.6/10
- BatteryTOZO HT3 · 9.8/10
- CallsTie
- ValueTOZO HT3 · 9.8/10
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
- You commute on trains, buses or planes
- You use Android and want LDAC
- You like to tweak bass and treble
- You want the longest battery from a big brand
- You wear headphones all day
- You use an iPhone and want natural sound
- You travel a lot and lose things
- You want a flat-folding pair
- You want ANC for about $30
- You need a backup or student pair
Soundcore Space One
Strong adaptive ANC, LDAC hi-res audio and 40 hours of playback, well under $100.
- Adaptive ANC, 5 levels
- LDAC support
- 40 hours with ANC on
Quick tips before you buy
ANC works best when the cups seal around your ears. Glasses and hats can break the seal, so adjust the headband.
LDAC is an Android feature. On an iPhone, all of these play over AAC, so comfort and ANC matter more.
Brands often quote battery with ANC off. Compare the ANC-on number, since that is how you will use them.
Comfort is personal. Wear new headphones for an hour in the first week so you can return them inside the window.
Quick answers
Are noise cancelling headphones under $100 worth it?+
Yes. Budget ANC is now good at cutting steady noise like engines, fans and traffic. It is less effective against voices and sudden sounds than $300+ flagships, but the gap is smaller than the price gap.
Soundcore Space One vs Sony WH-CH720N: which is better?+
The Space One has stronger, adaptive ANC, LDAC and a longer battery. The Sony is lighter, more comfortable over long days and has a more natural sound. Pick Soundcore for commuting and Sony for comfort.
What are the best noise cancelling headphones under $50?+
The TOZO HT3 usually sells for about $30 and offers hybrid ANC with up to 90 hours of battery. The Soundcore Space One also often drops below $50, which makes it the better buy when it does.
Do cheap noise cancelling headphones work on planes?+
Yes, low engine drone is exactly what budget ANC handles best. The Space One is the strongest here for flights, and the TOZO and Skullcandy include wired options for seat-back screens.
Which headphones under $100 are best for iPhone?+
The Sony WH-CH720N, because its strengths (light weight, natural sound and clear calls) do not rely on Android-only codecs. The CMF Headphone Pro is a good second choice with its physical EQ slider.
Can I use these headphones for gaming?+
For casual play, yes. Bluetooth adds some lag, though the TOZO has a low-latency mode and an AUX cable option. For competitive gaming with voice chat, a dedicated gaming headset is better.
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