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The 6 Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $100 of 2025

Updated Feb 03, 2025 at 09:26 am
Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $100

If you prefer the comfort, ease of use, and sound quality of over-ear headphones, you surely know how challenging it can be to find the best bang for your buck. There are many options out there, but how do they stack up? It depends on what you're looking for—some models are more versatile, with noise cancelling and Bluetooth for added convenience while commuting. However, gamers will want something with lower latency, and audiophiles will focus most on sound quality and comfort. Fortunately, there's something for everyone, even under $100.

We've tested over 390 pairs of over-ear headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best headphones with an over-ear design under $100. If you're looking for our top picks for other over-ear headphones, check out our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones, the best wireless Bluetooth headphones, and the best over-ear headphones for working out.


  1. Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $100

    The best over-ear headphones under $100 that we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. These lightweight, well-built headphones are a good option if you're looking for all-around casual use. They have a comfortable fit and have about 44 hours of continuous battery life to get you through long flights or a few days at work. Their ANC system can be set to different modes to target different types of noise. Using 'Transport' mode, they have outstanding noise isolation that does a good job blocking out rumbling engines and background chit-chat, making them the best ANC headphones on this list.

    Out of the box, their V-shaped sound profile brings out the thump, rumble, and boom in your audio, while voices and lead instruments are bright. This sound is well-suited for genres like rock and pop and can be adjusted with a graphic EQ and presets in the headphones' companion app. Unfortunately, the ANC affects the headphones' sound quality, and when the ANC is off, the audio sounds thinner and more hollow. The headphones also leak quite a bit of audio, so if you're listening to music at the office, people nearby might hear it. If you work in a quiet place, you might prefer the Wyze Noise-Cancelling Headphones Wireless. They leak much less audio but have a shorter battery life and weaker ANC performance.

    See our review

  2. Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $100 For Low Latency

    If you use headphones to watch videos on your phone or computer, you might prefer the Razer Opus X Wireless. They have a 'Gaming Mode' that lowers their latency, especially with iOS devices and PCs, so your audio stays in sync when watching TV or playing a game. They have a sturdy design and a comfortable fit for most people. You can't use them passively when the battery dies, but they have a long continuous battery life. We measured 68 hours of playback time, far exceeding their advertised 30 hours.

    While their lime green look may not be for everyone, they also come in white and pink colorways to better suit your style. Out of the box, their sound has extra boom and punch in the bass range, but mixes can also sound muddy. They lack more robust sound customization features like an EQ, but you can choose between a few EQ presets in the companion app, which gives you some control over the sound profile. Unfortunately, their ANC feature doesn't perform nearly as well overall as the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless', and they struggle to block out bass-range noise like rumbling engines. Still, they do a good job if you want to reduce distractions like background chit-chat or a computer fan.

    See our review

  3. Best Over-Ear Headphones With LDAC Support Under $100

    If you're looking for wireless headphones that can play high-quality audio, consider the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless. They're the next generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, and although they're usually a bit more expensive than the Q30, they're worth checking out if you can spare the extra cash. Unlike their predecessor, they support LDAC, Sony's proprietary codec for Hi-Res audio. Their companion app also offers a graphic EQ and presets, so you can fine-tune their otherwise bass-heavy sound to better suit your preferences.

    These over-ears have a comfortable fit that's suitable for long listening sessions. If you want to tune out the rest of the world when listening to music, they have an ANC system that can reduce background noise. With it on, they also last over 44 hours continuously; you can even use them wired in a pinch. That said, their sound differs depending on if you're using the ANC, and when this feature is off, the audio sounds hollow and thin. They're also closed-back headphones, meaning they won't give you as immersive an audio experience as dedicated audiophile headphones.

    See our review

  4. Best Over-Ear Ηeadphones Under $100 For Calls

    The best over-ear Bluetooth headphones under $100 for calls that we've tested are the JBL Tune 760NC. These headphones fluctuate in price, but if you can find them for under $100, they offer a better microphone performance than the other options listed here. The integrated mic makes your voice clear and natural and does a decent job of separating it from ambient sound, so distractions like traffic outside your window or a humming A/C unit won't disrupt calls very much. Their onboard controls allow you to answer and end calls without pulling out your phone. Unfortunately, their ANC feature doesn't have the best performance, so if you work in a busy office, you might prefer the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, our top pick. They have a comfortable design but can feel tight, especially if you have a large head.

    The 760NC have a long continuous battery life of more than 40 hours, which is more than enough to get you through several workdays without recharging. They also have a well-balanced sound profile, with a balanced mid-range that ensures voices are detailed and clear. That said they lack companion software and customization features. If those options are important to you, consider the JBL Tune 770NC. The 770NC function very similarly to the 760NC and have an app that lets you customize their sound with a graphic EQ and presets. Unfortunately, the 770NC's microphone is a touch worse than the 760NC's. Still, on the whole, these two pairs of headphones perform comparably.

    See our review

  5. Best Over-Ear Wireless Gaming Headphones Under $100

    If you're looking for headphones that deliver a solid wireless gaming experience at an affordable price, then the Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless could be right up your alley. These comfortable headphones have a balanced default sound that's well-aligned with our target curve. A slight boost in the high-bass allows footsteps to be clearly discerned in your in-game mix, and these headphones have a reasonably wide soundstage that helps you immerse yourself in whatever you're playing. Their built-in mic also does a solid job of rendering your voice in a natural and detailed way, so you can stay in the loop with your teammates.

    While they feature a low-latency performance using their wireless dongle, there's no option to use them wired, like with the Razer Opus X Wireless. That said, when it comes to wireless connectivity, latency is a lot lower via the Logitech's dongle than over Bluetooth with the Razer. There's no ANC feature though, so they're best used at home, where there are minimal external distractions. That's probably for the best anyway, as you can't detach the mic for a more casual look. Their 35 hours of battery life will be enough to get you through some serious marathon gaming sessions too, without constantly reaching for the charging cable.

    You can also check out our Best Budget and Cheap Gaming Headsets article, for more inexpensive, gamer-centric headphone picks.

    See our review

  6. Best Audiophile Over-Ear Headphones Under $100

    If you're looking for dedicated headphones for listening to music, look at the Philips SHP9500. These are the best audiophile headphones under $100 that we've tested, and unlike the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, they're wired and have an open-back design. As a result, they create a more spacious and immersive soundstage than closed-backs like the Anker. Of course, you lose out on the freedom wireless Bluetooth connections bring you.

    These very comfortable over-ears have a well-balanced sound, ensuring vocals and instruments are clear and natural in mixes. They lack a little thumpy, rumbly bass, but the mid and treble ranges are almost flat, vocals don't sound honky, and sibilants and cymbals aren't piercing. They're not designed to block out a lot of background noise, though. If you want headphones for music that block out a little more background sound and leak less audio, you might prefer the closed-back Sony MDR-7506. Although they're more pricy, their sound packs a bit more low-end thump, and they bleed less audio at high volumes. On the flip side, the Sony's soundstage feels less immersive, and they're not as comfortable.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless: The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless are the previous generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. Their out-of-the-box sound profile is less bass-heavy, and they have a more stable fit. However, they lack robust sound customization features, block out less ambient noise, lack any multi-device pairing capability, and don't last as long on a single charge. See our review
  • Superlux HD 681:

    The Superlux HD 681 are semi-open-back audiophile headphones that pack a bit more low-end punch than the Philips SHP9500. Their balanced sound suits most genres but shines with hip-hop and EDM. Unfortunately, their poor, plasticky build quality lets them down, and they're not as comfortable as the Philips.

    See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Feb 03, 2025:

    We've added the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless back in as our LDAC pick and added a new category: 'Best Over-Ear Wireless Gaming Headphones Under $100.' Our pick for this category is the Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless, which offers a low-latency wireless performance and balanced sound. Otherwise, we've made minor edits to the text.

  2. Nov 06, 2024:

    The Philips SHP9500 replace the Superlux HD 681 as our audiophile pick because they are back in stock and have a more immersive passive soundstage. The Superlux replace the Philips SHP9600 in our Notable Mentions. We've removed our LDAC pick as the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless are out of stock, and we haven't tested other LDAC-compatible headphones in the sub-$100 price range that are worth an entry on this list.

  3. Aug 13, 2024: We've added the JBL Tune 770NC Wireless as an alternative pick to the JBL Tune 760NC Wireless. They have a companion app that lets you customize their sound but their mic is slightly worse.

  4. May 17, 2024: We've updated our text to ensure it's up-to-date and accurate. Our recommendations have stayed the same, though.

  5. Mar 21, 2024: We've check our picks for accuracy and product availability, but there hasn't been a change in what we recommend.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones under $100 with an over-ear design to buy for most people. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews of over-ear headphones under $100. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.

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Comments

  1. Recommendation

Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $100: Main Discussion

What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.


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    Thanks, we appreciate you thinking of us for buying advice!

    If you want to get the most out of your PS5 Pro then upgrading to a new monitor will definitely improve how things look. Our top PS5 Pro recommendation is the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED. Compared to your Neo G8 it displays deeper blacks, displays a wider range of colors more vividly, and has far better motion handling, so fast-moving objects look extremely crisp. It also has much better viewing angles. The only place you might notice a downgrade is that larger highlights in HDR aren’t quite as bright.

    Overall it’s a significant update over the Neo G8. You could also consider getting the MSI MPG 322URX QD-OLED. However, if you’re mainly using it to play your PS5 Pro the 321URX gives you extremely similar performance at a lower price.

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    Thank you very much for replying! I was very excited to see your opinion. As I said I value your opinion and will upgrade my monitor. 💪🏼

    I have read the official review but wanted to hear your opinion on the dell alienware aw3225qf as a substitute for the msi ( very hard to get in Slovenia)?

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    Thank you very much for replying! I was very excited to see your opinion. As I said I value your opinion and will upgrade my monitor. 💪🏼 I have read the official review but wanted to hear your opinion on the dell alienware aw3225qf as a substitute for the msi ( very hard to get in Slovenia)?

    The Dell Alienware AW3225QF is a great monitor with very comparable performance to the MSI, though it has a couple of notable differences. The Dell’s screen is curved, and it doesn’t have a headphone jack on the monitor (though it does have an eARC/ARC port). If you don’t mind those things then it’s also a great choice. There are a number of other good options that don’t have a curved screen, including the Gigabyte AORUS FO32U2P, the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM, and the Samsung Odyssey OLED G80SD S32DG80. Let me know if you’d like to discuss the Dell or any of the other monitors more.

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    Thank you again for the reply, greatly appreciated sir!

    Thank you for useful info about the headphone jack as I didn’t know that about the AW. The curve I like as the neo g8 also has it.

    Besides that, I would like to hear your personal opinion on which monitor from your suggestions: Gigabyte, Asus, Samsung and also Dell (as all of the mentioned models besides the MSI are available in my country) would you choose Mr. James for gaming primary/only for the PS5 PRO + maybe PC gaming in the future (I would like to have that option available)?

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    Thank you again for the reply, greatly appreciated sir! Thank you for useful info about the headphone jack as I didn’t know that about the AW. The curve I like as the neo g8 also has it. Besides that, I would like to hear your personal opinion on which monitor from your suggestions: Gigabyte, Asus, Samsung and also Dell (as all of the mentioned models besides the MSI are available in my country) would you choose Mr. James for gaming primary/only for the PS5 PRO + maybe PC gaming in the future (I would like to have that option available)?

    The good thing is that all of those monitors are fantastic for the PS5 Pro, and there’s not a lot of difference between them in terms of performance, so you may just want to choose whichever one you can find cheapest. However, the ASUS has higher input lag at 60Hz and 120Hz.

    That said, each one has unique extra features. For example, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G80SD S32DG80 has a remote control and a smart OS with apps, so you can use it like a TV if you want. It also has a matte screen, so it works a bit better in brighter rooms. The ASUS and the Gigabyte have a KVM switch and deliver power over USB-C (though the ASUS delivers more power). The Dell has a curved screen and an eARC/ARC port for audio and support for Dolby Vision.

    It’s also worth considering WOLEDs as well as QD-OLEDs. QD-OLEDs display a wider range of colors more vividly. However, WOLEDs display deeper blacks in brighter rooms, as QD-OLEDs look slightly purple when there’s a fair bit of ambient light. If you’re planning on gaming in a darker room the QD-OLEDs (like the ones listed above) are great. If you’re gaming in a brighter room, it’s worth considering something that displays deeper blacks in brighter rooms. The LG 32GS95UE-B and the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP are both great WOLED options. Of the two the LG has slightly lower input lag at 60Hz and 120Hz. Apart from not looking quite as vivid, the WOLEDs and the QD-OLEDs are otherwise very similar.

    Let me know if you’d like to go over any more details related to this!