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Can you believe you no longer need to drop $200+ to get a reliable set of noise-canceling headphones? Over the past few years, the product category has evolved from a premium-only space to a vast expanse full of options. Those include many noise-canceling headphones under $100, bringing better sound and fewer ambient distractions within reach for many more prospective buyers.
Honestly, it's very easy to snag an amazing pair of noise-canceling headphones when you have a big upgrade budget. All you have to do is choose between the AirPods Max and many Bose, Beats by Dre, Sony, and other high-priced headsets, knowing you'll get immersive sound and strong noise cancellation.
However, choosing a good set with a two-digit price tag can be understandably overwhelming because the big-name brands mentioned above don't have under-$100 products with this desirable functionality. To help you navigate today's abundance of affordable choices, I spent a few weeks testing cheap noise-canceling headphones that cost as little as $50.
The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones Under $100
Best Overall: Soundcore Space One by Anker
Best Value: EarFun Wave Pro
Best On-Ear: JBL Tune 670 NC
Most Affordable: Edifier WH700NB
What to Consider
Set Your Expectations Right
Expensive noise-canceling headphones provide a real-world alternative to a mute button, but that's not the case for cheaper ones. Therefore, I highly recommend you set your expectations accordingly, especially if you are shopping to replace an old set of top-shelf cans from any maker.
Noise cancellation requires an elaborate setup with microphones and a dedicated chip to transform the external noise into quiet. Stronger noise cancellation inevitably ups the product's price, so dropping closer to $100 will get you better results than spending less than $50. And $50 is basically the minimum budget for getting a dependable pair of noise-canceling headphones unless you encounter a can't-miss deal on a costlier option.
Some cheap noise-canceling headphones, while plenty good, don't come bundled with additional accessories like a storage case. That's usually not a dealbreaker, but look for a bundled one if the accessory is important to you. Otherwise, you might have to spend an extra $5-10 to get a third-party case.
Ear Cup Style
When it comes to cheap noise-canceling headphones, go for an over-ear set instead of a compact on-ear option unless you prioritize on-the-move use and portability above everything else. The enhanced passive noise isolation that the larger ear cups offer is crucial in affordable sets. It offsets the less-sophisticated noise cancellation these products have compared to pricier options.
Connectivity
Up-to-date Bluetooth wireless connectivity is available on all new wireless headphones nowadays, including cheap ones. The futureproof functionality will even allow you or the gift recipient to simultaneously link the cans to, say, your phone and laptop. Such convenience is helpful for taking phone calls while using your computer.
To get an additional layer of versatility from your purchase, look for headphones that can deliver playback with noise cancellation over a wired connection. The latter can utilize a standard 3.5-millimeter audio cable or USB-C.
Battery Life
Don't settle for less than 40 hours of battery life with noise cancellation when parsing through the specs of any pair of noise-canceling headphones, including budget buys. These manufacturers' claims all but guarantee you will get days' worth of use without charging anxiety from your purchase.
Turning the noise-canceling feature off will significantly extend the battery life of any headset — budget-friendly or not. Fast-charging USB-C tech is also essential, and it's now standard for this product realm.
Additional Features
A companion app with tools for customizing the sound and (where available) the noise cancellation strength is another handy feature to keep an eye out for while shopping. Cheap wireless headphones didn't used to have app controls, but that's no longer the case.
Available for iPhone and Android, the companion apps will also allow you to keep the headphones up to date via firmware updates. Some even offer selections of soothing sounds for relaxing or unwinding.
Check out our picks below, and read on to find out how we selected these headphones.
Space One Wireless Headphones
Anker’s Soundcore Space One wireless headphones are my favorite overall at this price, and their excellent noise cancellation is one of the many reasons why. In addition to tuning out ambient noise distractions surprisingly well, the product also impressed me with top-tier sound with lossless audio support during wired and wireless playback, flawless ergonomics, and long battery life.
The sound of the Space One allows the headphones to compete with pricier sets. By producing a discernible balance between strong bass, lively mid-range, and crisp treble, the headphones vastly exceeded my expectations for any noise canceling headphones under $100. The same goes for the elaborate set of sound customization tools their companion app has.
The Soundcore app is also packed with tools for customizing the noise cancellation. Remarkably, the former has an adaptive mode that adjusts its intensity based on your surroundings, as well as manual controls with five levels of intensity. Maxing it out helped me stay focused during many hours-long writing sessions.
The headphones’ transparency mode worked as expected, and a recent update brought more options to activate the feature instead of just pressing a button. I liked being able to tune into my surroundings by touching and holding the left ear cup or speaking. Dubbed easy chat, the last-mentioned beta feature reminded me of Sony headphones that cost several times more.
Anker sells the Soundcore Space One in black, white, and blue. Each set comes with matching, supremely cushioned ear pads and a storage bag.
Wave Pro Wireless Headphones
The EarFun Wave Pro wireless noise-canceling headphones have been a product category standout since their debut at CES 2024. For $80 and frequently available for even less via a direct discount or an easy-to-apply coupon on Amazon, the over-ear cans deliver audio performance and battery life that should put many pricier competitors on notice. If you are looking to keep your upgrade or gift budget well below $100, the Wave Pro should be on your shortlist.
The headphones’ noise cancellation is solid, considering their price category. Over weeks of testing, the Wave Pro successfully reduced the traffic noise underneath my living room, allowing me to focus on work. The noise-canceling intensity is adjustable via the EarFun mobile app, but I wish the core feature also worked during wired playback. Plugging in the bundled audio cable transforms the Wave Pro into a basic set of wired headphones, unlike most rivals in this price range.
Sonically, the Wave Pro headphones deserve your attention for producing a harmonious sound with strong bass, vibrant treble, and clear vocals. In addition to relying on a graphic equalizer, I customized the sound by selecting from a vast selection of presets in the EarFun app, presented via an interactive carousel layout. In tandem with an Android phone, the headset can even stream Hi-Res Audio for an audiophile-grade listening experience.
The 55-hour battery life with noise cancellation of the Wave Pro belies its price, and so does the product’s USB-C charging speed. I could get an entire day’s worth of use after only 10-15 minutes of charging.
You can snag the EarFun Wave Pro in black or oat white colors. Impressively, the retail package includes a decidedly premium hardshell storage case with a zipper closure.
TUNE 670NC Wireless Headphones
On-ear headphones with onboard noise cancellation are rare in any price category, making this JBL set particularly noteworthy. For less than $100 before additional discounts, the Tune 670NC wireless headphones bring a mixture of pleasantly understated design, comfy fit with convenient button controls, enjoyable sound, reliable noise cancellation, and fantastic battery life to go with big-name brand credentials.
The low-key looks and intuitive button controls made the JBL Tune 670 NC my favorite set for use on the move (e.g., while commuting, taking walks, etc.) among the products on this list. I’ve always considered over-ear headphones as a bit too bulky for use on the go and the JBL cans reminded me of the good ol’ days when I rocked similarly-sized wired headphones alongside my MP3 player.
Out of the box, the Tune 670 NC headphones treated me to a bass-forward sound that’s typical for JBL headphones in this price category. JBL’s companion app has a robust selection of tools for customizing the sonic experience, so toning down the bass and other similar changes was easy during my testing.
The headphones’ noise cancellation is stellar, if not equal to that of over-ear offerings with similar price tags. The compact on-ear fit of the Tune 670 NC doesn’t provide the same passive noise isolation as an over-ear set. Translation? You or the giftee might occasionally hear external sounds even with noise cancellation switched on.
With up to 44 hours of battery life with noise cancellation (70 hours without) between charges, the JBL Tune 670 NC exceeded my expectations set by its form factor and price category. I could spend several days with the headphones without thinking about recharging. The headset’s battery performance is yet another reason why on-the-go personalities should consider it.
You can order the JBL Tune 670 NC in black, white, blue, and purple colors. The retail package lacks a storage case, but that’s not a dealbreaker.
WH700NB Wireless Headphones
The Edifier WH700NB wireless headphones are the most affordable on this list. Starting at a penny below $50, the cans deliver all the basics for this product category — reliable noise cancellation, customizable sound, and long battery life — in an over-ear package with no-nonsense design and a comfy fit.
The lightweight build and supremely padded ear cushions of the WH700NB headphones captured my attention the moment I put them on. Such levels of comfort are rare for sets at any price point, so being able to rock out all day with an under-$50 without feeling any fatigue exceeded my toned-down expectations by a mile. In addition, encountering metal reinforcements in the headset’s headband and rotating ear cups alleviated my durability concerns brought about by its low price.
Sound-wise, the Edifier WH700NB headphones performed well for a cheap pair. Their 40-millimeter audio drivers delivered my go-to tracks for testing audio gear with a slightly elevated bass, just as I expected. The mid-range and treble lacked the vibrance of pricier headsets, but that’s common in impulse-buy territory. Edifier’s companion app has several presets for various music styles, but it lacks a graphic equalizer for creating your own.
A dedicated gaming mode that reduces latency for perfect sync between the headphones and the onscreen action on the connected is another reason to consider Edifier WH700NB. I liked that I could activate the feature in the app or by double-pressing a button on the headset’s right earcup.
It’s important to note that the headphones are not capable of wired audio playback. You or the giftee can only count on a Bluetooth connection, and that’s okay. I had no trouble simultaneously linking the WH700NB to a laptop and a phone during my testing.
You can order the Edifier WH700NB in black, ivory, gray, and navy colors. In a manner befitting their price, the headphones’ retail package only includes a USB-C charging cable.
How We Selected
Testing headphones has been part of my workflow since the early 2010s. I have put hundreds of products with onboard noise cancellation for the past decade, ranging from premium sets that cost north of $500 to budget-friendly options with two-digit stickers. For this guide, I focused on noise-canceling headphones that start below $100 before additional discounts.
I zeroed in my research on headphone brands with an established track record of more than a few product releases in this space and price category. After handpicking the products, I began testing them in real life. My testing routine included playing an eclectic selection of music (from classical concertos to jazz, all the way to downtempo tracks), podcasts, and audiobooks. I also made calls on each headset to ensure its microphones performed reliably.
I put the noise cancellation of each pair of headphones through its paces while working in my large open office, where we have constant din from street traffic and the ventilation system. I also used them to work from home and during train rides.
I used the companion app on every set of headphones to adjust their sound and noise cancellation. I looked for additional available app features, too.
Regarding battery life, I made sure every headset performed close to its manufacturer’s claims with noise cancellation on. I got days of use from each set on this list, so I can confirm you can rely on it for long flights and workdays, among other scenarios.
With all the above tips and suggestions in mind, find a pair of affordable noise-canceling headphones among the extensively tested picks below. Each set of this list is also an excellent tech gift option.
Why Trust Us
I have been testing electronics and tech gear for well over a decade, becoming an expert in all things headphones, especially. In my experience, I have spoken with manufacturers, other audio experts, and everyday people to learn about not only what goes into making these headphones, but how people use them, what they are expecting, and how they perform. I am constantly learning more with each new improvement that hits the market, and it's truly a passion in my everyday life.
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