The 5 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100

Effective noise cancellation used to cost a small fortune, but the market has shifted dramatically. Today, shoppers can find genuinely capable active noise cancelling (ANC) headphones from established brands like Sony, JBL, and Anker’s Soundcore line without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re commuting, working from home, or just trying to carve out some quiet in a noisy café, a solid pair of noise cancelling headphones under a hundred dollars can make a real difference in your daily listening experience.

To help you choose wisely, REMOVU’s editorial team researched and compared every model in this guide by analyzing manufacturer specifications, synthesizing expert review consensus from across the audio community, and weighing verified buyer feedback from confirmed purchasers.

Our goal is to cut through marketing noise and point you toward the options that genuinely deliver on their promises at a budget-friendly price. Scroll down to see our top picks, ranked from highest to lowest REMOVU Score.

Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100 Buying Guide

Budget ANC headphones have improved enormously, but the category still has clear trade-offs worth understanding before you buy.

The guide below walks through the criteria that matter most, so you can match the right pair to your specific lifestyle and listening habits.

If your needs lean more toward travel or office use, you may also want to browse our roundups covering noise cancelling headphones for travelers and headphones built for the workplace.

ANC Performance: How Much Noise Does It Actually Block?

Active noise cancellation works by using onboard microphones to sample ambient sound and generate an opposing audio wave that neutralizes it. In the budget segment, the depth and consistency of that effect varies considerably.

Hybrid ANC designs, which place microphones both inside and outside the ear cup, tend to outperform single-mic systems because they can capture a wider range of interference frequencies.

The Soundcore Q20i, for example, uses a hybrid ANC architecture that experts consistently highlight as punching above its price tier.

Pay attention to how a headphone handles different noise types. Most budget ANC models suppress low-frequency drone, such as air conditioning hum or engine rumble, far better than they handle higher-pitched voices or irregular sounds.

If your main concern is an open-plan office rather than an airplane cabin, look for models that pair solid ANC with a transparency or ambient mode, which lets you dip in and out of your surroundings without removing the headphones entirely.

It is also worth noting that passive isolation, which comes from the physical seal of the ear cups, works alongside ANC rather than being replaced by it.

Over-ear headphones generally provide a better passive seal than on-ear designs, which is one reason over-ear noise cancelling options tend to dominate this price bracket.

Battery Life and Charging Convenience

Battery life is one of the most visible spec differences between budget and premium ANC headphones.

Flagship models from Sony and Bose often claim thirty hours or more with ANC enabled; many budget options land between twenty and forty hours depending on ANC usage.

Critically, always check the ANC-on figure rather than the marketing headline, which frequently reflects ANC-off playback at reduced volume.

Quick-charge support is a feature worth prioritizing, especially if you frequently forget to charge overnight. Sony includes a quick-charge feature on the WH-CH720N that delivers a meaningful listening session from just a few minutes plugged in.

This kind of convenience matters more than an extra ten hours of total capacity that you might never actually use.

USB-C charging has become the norm in this price range, and you should be skeptical of any model still shipping with Micro-USB. A headphone you expect to keep for two or more years should match your current cable ecosystem.

Sound Quality and Tuning Signature

Budget ANC headphones rarely offer reference-neutral tuning, and most buyers in this category actually prefer a warmer, bass-forward sound.

Brands like JBL lean into their “Pure Bass” branding, delivering a lively low end that suits pop, hip-hop, and electronic music well.

Soundcore headphones allow additional EQ customization through their companion app, which is a meaningful advantage if you prefer to dial in your own sound profile.

Codec support influences wireless audio quality as well. Many headphones in this range support SBC and AAC; some also include aptX or LDAC, which can deliver higher-resolution audio over Bluetooth when paired with a compatible source.

The JBL Tune 770NC supports Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, a newer standard that promises improved efficiency and multi-stream capability. For most casual listeners the practical difference is subtle, but it is a forward-looking feature worth noting.

Comfort and Build Quality

Comfort becomes critical during long listening sessions. Weight is a primary factor: lighter headphones cause less fatigue over several hours of wear.

The Sony WH-CH720N is particularly noteworthy here, as its ultralight design is regularly cited by long-term owners as one of its strongest selling points. Ear pad material matters too.

Memory foam pads covered in protein leather retain their shape and distribute pressure more evenly than basic sponge foam, which can compress and become uncomfortable within an hour.

Build quality in the budget segment often involves a trade-off between weight and durability. Most models use polycarbonate and plastic-heavy construction.

That is perfectly reasonable for daily commuting but worth knowing if you are looking for something to survive the rougher treatment of frequent travel or gym sessions.

Also check whether a model folds flat or collapses for compact storage, since that detail affects portability significantly.

Multipoint Connection and Device Switching

Multipoint Bluetooth pairing, which allows a headphone to stay connected to two devices simultaneously, has moved from a premium feature to a near-standard expectation even at budget price points.

If you regularly switch between a work laptop and a personal phone, multipoint capability can save you the friction of manually disconnecting and reconnecting every time.

The Sony WH-CH720N supports multipoint connection, letting it hop between two paired devices without user intervention.

Not every headphone in this price range offers this, so it is worth checking the spec sheet if seamless switching between devices is important to your workflow.

Pair this with a thoughtful setup and you have a capable headset for productivity as well as leisure, a combination also explored in our guide to the best headphones for work.

Microphone Quality for Calls

Call quality is often where budget headphones show their compromises most visibly. The microphones on most models in this range perform well enough for casual calls, but they can struggle in windy environments or noisy rooms.

If you make frequent professional calls, pay particular attention to whether a model employs wind-noise reduction or beamforming mic arrays that focus on your voice and suppress surrounding sound.

Some headphones include a dedicated boom mic attachment or support voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, which can streamline hands-free interaction.

The Sony WH-CH720N, for instance, has Alexa built in, allowing voice-based control of playback, calls, and smart home devices. If you prefer earbuds for calls, our roundup of noise cancelling wireless earbuds covers alternatives in the same price neighborhood.

Why You Should Trust Us

REMOVU is an independent review platform with no brand affiliations or manufacturer relationships that influence our editorial decisions.

Every product in this guide was evaluated by our research team using a consistent, multi-source methodology: we analyze published technical specifications, synthesize expert review consensus drawn from credible audio publications and community sources, and incorporate verified buyer feedback from confirmed purchasers at major retailers.

We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback.

Each product receives a REMOVU Score on a scale of 0 to 10, reflecting its overall performance across the criteria most relevant to this category: ANC effectiveness, sound quality, comfort, battery life, connectivity features, and value for the price.

Scores are assigned consistently so you can compare models on an equal footing. For a broader look at how these picks stack up against higher-budget options, see our full guide to wireless noise cancelling headphones across every budget.

REMOVU may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page. That affiliate relationship has no bearing on which products are included, how they are ranked, or what scores they receive.

Our recommendations are driven entirely by research quality and reader value, not by commission rates.

Final Thoughts

The budget ANC headphone market is more competitive than ever, and the five picks in this guide represent the strongest options available at accessible price points.

Whether you prioritize hybrid noise cancellation, battery endurance, comfort, or pure value, there is a clear frontrunner for each use case. Here are our editorial verdicts, each tied to the REMOVU Score earned through our research process:

• Best Overall: Soundcore by Anker Q20i earns the top REMOVU Score in this group thanks to its hybrid ANC architecture, generous battery life, Hi-Res audio certification, and companion app customization, all at a budget-friendly price that is hard to argue with.
• Best Lightweight Design: Sony WH-CH720N stands out for its ultralight build, dual noise sensor technology, multipoint connection, and Alexa integration, making it the top pick for listeners who wear headphones for extended stretches and feel fatigue with heavier designs.
• Best Mid-Range Over-Ear Pick: JBL Tune 770NC delivers adaptive noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio support, and the signature JBL Pure Bass sound in a full over-ear form factor, earning a strong REMOVU Score for shoppers who want a recognizable brand with reliable performance.
• Best Value for Casual Listeners: Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones by HybridActiveNoiseCancelling offers an extraordinary claimed battery life and memory foam ear cups at an entry-level price, making it a reasonable starting point for first-time ANC buyers who want to explore the category without a large commitment.

Whichever model you choose from this list, you are getting meaningfully better noise isolation than standard wireless headphones at comparable prices.

For readers who want to explore the broader landscape of over-ear headphones beyond the ANC category, or who are curious about pairing a headset with a capable home office setup, our audio and headphones coverage has you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is active noise cancellation worth it at this price range?

Yes, for most everyday use cases. Budget ANC has improved dramatically, and models like the Soundcore Q20i demonstrate that hybrid ANC systems can suppress low-frequency noise effectively even without a premium price tag.

The main limitations versus flagship options are less precise high-frequency cancellation and occasionally more audible hiss in quiet environments. For commuting, open offices, and travel, the noise reduction offered at this price is genuinely useful.

What is the difference between on-ear and over-ear ANC headphones?

Over-ear headphones, sometimes called circumaural, have ear cups large enough to fully surround your ear. This creates a better passive seal and generally allows ANC systems to work more effectively.

On-ear headphones, like the JBL Tune 670NC, rest on top of the ear instead. They tend to be lighter and more compact when folded, but the looser seal can reduce both passive isolation and ANC effectiveness.

Our dedicated guide to over-ear noise cancelling headphones goes deeper on this distinction.

Can I use these headphones for working out?

Most of the models reviewed here are designed for everyday listening rather than exercise. None carry an IPX sweat-resistance rating that would make them reliable gym companions.

If fitness is your main use case, wireless earbuds built for workouts are a more practical choice, as they offer secure fits, sweat resistance ratings, and designs that stay in place during movement.

Does ANC affect sound quality?

On some headphones, enabling ANC introduces a subtle change in tonal balance or adds a faint hiss at very low volumes. This is more common in entry-level models with less refined ANC processing.

Higher-scoring picks in our list, including the Soundcore Q20i and Sony WH-CH720N, are noted by expert reviewers for maintaining sound quality across both ANC-on and ANC-off modes.

If you are particularly sensitive to this, look for reviews that specifically comment on the hiss floor and tonal shift when ANC is active.

How do these compare to premium noise cancelling headphones?

Premium headphones from Sony, Bose, and Apple typically offer deeper, more consistent ANC, more refined sound tuning, more durable build materials, and better call microphone performance.

If budget is not a constraint, the performance gap is real and noticeable in demanding listening environments. That said, for casual daily use, the headphones in this guide close the gap considerably.

Readers curious about the full spectrum of options regardless of price can explore our comprehensive roundup of noise cancelling headphones for every budget.

Are there good noise cancelling earbuds in this price range too?

Yes. The in-ear alternative to this category has also seen significant improvement. If you prefer a more compact form factor, our guide to noise cancelling wireless earbuds covers the top performers across a similar price range.

Earbuds generally offer a different kind of passive isolation through their silicone ear tips, which some listeners find more effective than over-ear cups in noisy environments, while others find them less comfortable for all-day wear.

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