On the hunt for the best affordable headphones? We understand. You want something that is reasonable and fits within your budget, but you also want them to sound well, feel comfortable, and, ideally, include features like Bluetooth and noise cancellation.
Headphones are often regarded as miniature works of art. True connoisseurs may be able to spend a fortune on them and place a premium on high-end features and design. Budget models, on the other hand, function just as well for most individuals, and you might not notice much of a difference.
We’ve created a reputation at TechRadar for covering technology of all shapes, sizes, and price points. But, after countless hours of testing high-end gear, we’ve discovered that we still like finding amazing products at a reasonable price – and there’s no shortage of options when it comes to the best inexpensive headphones.
You could only be able to buy a set of budget wireless earbuds, or you’re seeking a second pair of inexpensive gym headphones. Whatever your reason, we’ve got you covered with the best headphones for under $100 / £100 in every category.
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For $100 / £100 / around AU$168 (and generally less now that they’re a little older), it’s hard to conceive of a better-sounding and built headphone than the 1MORE Triple Driver. However, at twice the price, the 1MORE Quad Drivers are still a bargain if you want just a little more smoothness and luxury materials.
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The Earfun Air Pro buds are capable on their own, but they stand out against the competition at this price point. They stand out among a sea of similarly priced efforts on Amazon because of their superior design and superb audio skills, as well as a high degree of competency in practically every other aspect. These would have our full approval if it weren’t for the little fiddly gesture controls and – at least in our experience – a slightly uncomfortable fit.
As it stands, these wireless earbuds are a solid pick for most, offering a blend of useful features and strong performance that should make them popular with commuters in particular.
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The SoundMagic E11BTs are a very capable pair of wireless in-ear earbuds and given their low price, it’s tough to criticize them — the audio quality is excellent, and they have a really nice appearance.
They’re easy to wear thanks to ergonomically-designed ear tips and a flat neckband that won’t irritate you while you’re running or working out, and they’re sweat-resistant thanks to an IPX4 rating.
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We were blown away when we initially examined the Lypertek PurePlay Z3 truly wireless earphones (formerly known as the Lypertek Tevi). Their successors are the Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 truly wireless earbuds. They’re pretty identical to the originals, with a few major upgrades, and they’re still available for the same low price – $99 / £99 – as the originals.
This adds wireless charging, a powerful new LDX Audio mode, improved app functionality, and a hear through ambient mode to everything we loved about the original PurePlay Z3 (detailed balanced sound, a whopping 80 hours total battery life from its petite USB-C charging case, and a comfortably fitting bud with physical buttons).
Our own complaint is that app connectivity is spotty at best, and the ambient hear-through mode is practically useless in comparison to the noise-canceling WF-1000XM4 from Sony.
Nonetheless, with the price remaining so cheap and nothing to detract from the excellent standard the originals established, they remain must-have earbuds, more than a match for headphones two or three times the price, with a few significant upgrades.
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When you look at the Sony WH-CH510, it’s hard to believe that wireless on-ear headphones can be this affordable, let alone a set with decent sound, a USB-C connector, and 35 hours of battery life.
If you’re looking for headphones at this budget point, you’re likely already willing to make a few sacrifices. Thankfully, the WH-concessions CH510s hasn’t been too significant — the elimination of analog input parallels the loss of the 3.5mm connector on most recent smartphones, while the lightweight, plastic design increases mobility and comfort.
While they don’t have the same level of clarity, balance, or sense of space as their WH-1000XM4 brothers, the sound produced by these on-ear headphones defies their size and cost. Most genres sound good here, while records with low mids and boosted treble may seem uncomfortably overdone.
The Grado SR60e, which is a little more expensive but offers remarkable audio accuracy, is also worth looking into.
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These headphones are award-winners, earning a coveted 5-star rating from TechRadar. They’re an even better buy now that the price has dropped significantly. The noise cancellation is excellent, and the bass is robust and solid without overpowering the middle and treble, as with previous AKG headphones. They’re also comfortable, which is vital if you’re going to use them on the road.
The battery life is adequate for a pair of low-cost noise-canceling headphones, with 15 hours of Bluetooth listening. If you merely want full noise cancellation, you’ll be fine for 30 hours of peace and quiet before needing to find a charger.
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JBL is a well-known brand in the realm of headphones and Bluetooth speakers. Consumers can rely on the brand since they know what to expect from it: good sound quality at a reasonable price.
Last year, we discovered this with the JBL Live 650BTNC – and now, the JBL Tune 750BTNC, a superior successor to the 650BTNC’s as a high-spec and reasonably priced set of over-ear headphones, is ready to take its place.
The JBL Tune 750BTNC speakers sound fantastic, look great, and are comfortable to wear. Waterproofing and a few other features aren’t included, but at this price, it seems ridiculous to complain.
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Beyerdynamic produces a lot of gear for audiophiles and pros, and some of it is quite expensive. The Beyerdynamic DT 240 Pro headphones, on the other hand, hit a sweet spot, providing professional quality and a high design standard at a cheaper price point.
The DT 240 Pro headphones are less expensive than a lot of other studio monitor headphones, at $99 (£89, AU$139). This pricing puts them in direct competition with some of Audio-cans, Technica’s such as the well-received ATH-M40X or the wireless ATH-SR5BT, both of which are available for the same price as the DT 240 Pro.
With the DT 240 Pro, Beyerdynamic shines in terms of performance. The sound produced by these studio monitor headphones isn’t particularly vibrant, but that’s precisely how it should be. All of the audio is crystal clear and perfectly balanced.
The bass is easy to hear without being thumpy, although it does have a subtle punch at higher volumes. All of the sounds blend together nicely, from the bass to the high end, with the DT 240 Pros not favoring one register over the other.
They’re neutral, great for recording, and most importantly, inexpensive.
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Cambridge Audio is best renowned for its high-end audio equipment, but the British business has expanded into the field of true wireless earbuds in recent years.
The Melomania 1 is the company’s first product, and it’s one of the best wireless earbuds you can buy, thanks to its excellent sound quality. The new Cambridge Music Melomania 1 Plus, on the other hand, is a worthy improvement, outperforming many other earbuds in terms of audio quality, battery life, and ease of use.
While the Melomania 1 Plus’s look isn’t all that different from its predecessors, the audio performance is noticeably better, with levels of detail and clarity that rival some of the greatest over-ear headphones.
We enjoy them even more now that they have a handy app, simple controls, and superb connectivity. The only drawback is that no active noise canceling is available. However, we doubt you’ll notice much of a difference using these earbuds.
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If audio quality is the most crucial factor for you in in-ear headphones, Sennheiser’s affordable wireless earbuds could be a great option.
The Sennheiser CX Sport Bluetooth earphones can greatly boost your workout just by sound quality alone, with a dynamic, bass-heavy presentation and a comfortable fit.
The CX Sports offer an IPX4 splash-proof rating, which is ideal for runners. This implies they should be able to handle a sweaty workout (though you shouldn’t take them into the shower with you afterward).
They have a six-hour battery life, so whether you’re wearing them on your commute or going for a jog, they’ll keep you going all day – and their low price won’t break the bank.