Best Over Ear Headphones Under $100

If you’re looking for the best over-ear headphones around, you can easily expect to drop a few hundred dollars. It can be a real challenge to find a top-shelf pair for under a hundred dollars, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. There are a ton of great models available in the budget range if you know where to look.

And the only place you need to look is HotRate. We’ve meticulously scoured the internet to find the best over-ear headphones under $100 and provide you with all the information you need to understand what makes them so great. If you’re looking for a great pair of over-ear headphones, keep reading to learn more.

10 Best Over Ear Headphones Under $100

1. Panasonic RP-HT161-K Over-the-Ear Headphones

Amazing Overall Performance for Next to Nothing

The RP-HT161-K is our pick for the best over-ear headphones under $100. Less than $20 gets you a pair of well-rounded headphones that cover all the basics. These aren't headphones you want to use for discerning listening, but they provide great noise cancellation and a lightweight frame that feels great over the ears even during extended listening sessions. And the sound performance here easily outperforms many significantly more expensive headphones. The great sense of balanced sound extends from the lowest bass to the highest-pitched vocals. All of this comes in a tight package with a great matte black finish and elegant design.

2. Grado SR80e Prestige Series Headphones

Audiophile-Level Open Backs on a Budget

The open-back design of the Grado SR80e means that these aren't the type of headphones you can use to block out the sound of your roommate's barking dogs, but if you want the best sound quality around, these headphones are a strong contender for the best budget option. There's a nice depth to the bass on these open-back headphones that isn't overwhelming, and you can count on some remarkable precision in both the mid and treble range. These are some of the coolest-looking headphones we've seen, too. Combine the exceptional sound quality with a delightfully retro design, and you're left with headphones that audiophiles will love.

3. COWIN E7 Wireless Headphones Over-Ear

Great Comfort with an Extensive Battery Life

The Cowin E7 headphones don't have the greatest sound quality we've heard from a pair of over-ears, but they do promise some great noise-cancelling technology and an extensive wireless range. If you want a pair of headphones to block out the sound of traffic on your daily commute or drown out the chaos at your office, this is one of the best choices available to you. You can get a full 30 hours of playtime from a single charge, and you'll easily be able to keep listening for hours at a time thanks to the comfortable protein ear pads. Syncing these headphones up via NFC or Bluetooth is made easier by the fact that these headphones also support voice commands.

4. TaoTronics SoundSurge 60 Over-Ear Headphones

A Brilliant Travel Companion

If you're specifically looking for a pair of headphones you can confidently bring with you anywhere, the SoundSurge 60 by Panasonic is one of the best pairs of headphones you'll find. The active noise cancellation technology packed into these headphones is solid, and it manages to offer that without feeling too tight on your head. Complementing the value of these headphones as a great travel pair is an incredibly quick recharge time and the inclusion of the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology for easier and more reliable connectivity. These portable headphones can fold back into themselves for more easy carrying, while the 40 mm drivers provide decently powerful performance.

5. Sennheiser HD 4.40 Around Ear Headphones

Comfortable and Customizable General-Purpose Headphones

If you want over-ear headphones you can wear all the time, then the Sennheiser HD 4.40 probably isn't the pair for you, as the noise isolation in these headphones isn't exactly the best around. However, the mix of a comfortable fit and a great sound experience makes them one of the top options if you want a pair of general-purpose headphones for under $100. The sound quality is further bolstered by some great equalizer settings that allow you to customize the sound to best suit your preferences, and the battery can last for a solid 25 hours on a single charge. And the inclusion of a 3.5 mm connector means they can connect directly to most devices.

6. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Over-Ear Headphones

Some of the Best Audio Performance for the Price

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x may come with a price tag just under $100, but they're easily some of the best over-ear headphones under $100 that we've seen. They offer arguably the best sound performance we've found in a model under $100 thanks to Audio-Technica's pristine technology, a choice solid enough to make these work as well for studio sound engineering as they do for general listening. But while they're sturdy and comfortable, they aren't going to be the best choice if you need the best noise isolation around. The cups are large enough to fit any head without clamping or overheating, and they can swivel at up to 90 degrees.

7. Sony WH-CH700N Over-Ear Headphones

Well-Equipped for the Next Generation

Are you looking for a set of over-ear headphones that's prepared for the next generation of technology? Despite being under $100, the Sony WH-CH700N employs the latest active noise cancellation technology and also includes Amazon Alexa compatibility, so you can control your music and phone calls with simple voice commands. A built-in microphone similarly offers noise dampening for clearer and cleaner calls, and artificial intelligence helps bolster the already impressive noise cancellation on offer here. These headphones are designed to last a good long time, too. You can depend on them to provide you with a solid 35 hours of performance on one charge.

8. Edifier H840 Audiophile Over-the-Ear Headphones

Powerful Audio Performance with Great Comfort

Edifier isn't the most well-recognized brand name, but they're well worth your attention if you want to make the most of your $100 budget. They utilize powerful 40 mm speaker drivers for crisp performance at any volume, and their lightweight body is ergonomically designed and outfitted with soft leather earmuffs that feel good without overheating even during long listening sessions. These headphones don't come with Bluetooth connectivity, but they do offer a solid gold-plated 3.5-millimeter cable for a more reliable connection to all of your favorite devices. For just a few bucks more, you can get a version of the H840 that also includes a dedicated microphone.

9. AUSDOM Over-Ear Headphones

Solid, Comfortable, Adjustable and Affordable

AUSDOM produces some of the cheapest headphones on our list, but you don't have to worry about the quality here. While these won't match the sound performance of the most expensive headphones on the market, they are a solid choice for people operating on a tight budget. The headband here is both comfortable and highly adjustable, and the muffs are made from soft leather for a sense of both comfort and style that goes well beyond what you could expect for headphones under $20. And their compact, durable, and foldable design makes them a low-stress pair of headphones to take with you when you travel.

10. Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Over-Ear Headphones

Killer Battery Life and Audio Quality

The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is available now for $20 off its retail price, and that means you can get all the best features of modern headphones you can wear over your ears for an incredible price. The 40-hour playtime is some of the most impressive we've ever seen, and active noise cancellation technology is built right in. The frequency response here goes well beyond the range of human hearing to allow for extra bass and cleaner highs, while the built-in microphone means this can work just as well for taking calls as it will for listening to music.

Over-Ear Headphones Under $100 Buyer’s Guide

If you’re looking for the best over-ear headphones for under $100, you may want a bit of a helping hand regarding which features and specs to pay attention to. Below we’ll break down what you should pay attention to when shopping for over-ear headphones under $100 and answer some of the questions we hear most frequently on the subject.

Connectivity

Bluetooth is the most convenient connection option since it allows you to hook up your over-ear headphones to a wide variety of devices wirelessly, but this comes with three major downsides. Latency is sometimes an issue with these headphones because of the wireless connection, they both cost more than headphones with a traditional audio cable, and you have to make sure to keep them charged up. Whether or not you should go with a wireless or wired model really comes down to your budget and how frequently you’re willing to charge them.

Battery Life

If you’re looking at headphones with a cord, battery life won’t be an issue at all. If you want a Bluetooth model, though, this is one of the most important things to pay attention to. Don’t just look at the overall battery life, but also pay attention to how long they take to charge and whether or not the headphones offer a quick charge option.

Noise Cancellation

If you want to be able to listen to your music without being distracted by the outside world, you aren’t going to want to invest in open-back headphones. Best for close listening at home, open-back models create a great sound stage but don’t do a very good job of blocking external noise. The top choice for travel will be closed-back models that include an active noise cancellation mode. This specialized mode goes beyond basic noise isolation technology by creating opposite frequencies that counteract noise from outside your headphones.

Comfort

Comfort is a highly personal thing, so you’ll ideally want to take headphones out of the box and try them on in person before you commit. Weight is often a good indicator of how good headphones feel, but also pay attention to the flexibility and range of the headband and the materials that the earmuffs are constructed from. If you plan on wearing your headphones for long periods of time, comfort will be something you should pay very close attention to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Best Over-Ear Headphones for Under $100?

It’s hard to beat the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. The sound performance here is some of the best and most balanced we’ve ever seen, and these quality headphones promise excellent durability and the sort of performance that allows them to work as professional sound engineering and recording products, too.

What are the Best Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Under $100?

If you want the best Bluetooth headphones for under $100, look no further than the Sony WH-CH700N. Despite their classic look, this over-ear product provides voice control support via Amazon’s Alexa and offers great sound delivery across the board. And the fact that this pair of over-ear headphones features a great microphone as well makes this a top choice if you enjoy pro gaming.

What are the Best Cheap Noise Cancelling Earbuds?

There are a lot of models on the market, and it can be hard to pick the best from the worst. If you want noise-cancelling earbuds at a decent price range, we suggest you check out our guide to the best wireless earbuds of 2020.

What are Some Good Cheap Headphones?

If you want the most affordable audio experience around, turn your attention to our review for the RP-HT161-K over-ear headphones from Panasonic. This set of closed-back headphones is available for less than $20 and features a quality sound experience and great build quality for well under $100.

Final Thoughts

If you want to save money on over-ear headphones, you can find all the tools you need in our reviews and guide. If your budget is more flexible, check out our guide to the best closed-back headphones. And if you’re specifically looking for wireless models, take a gander at our guide to the best Bluetooth headphones under $100.