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The best budget over ear headphones
Save your cash with these great budget headphone picks.
September 26, 2025
Chase is the Managing Editor at SoundGuys, where he oversees content related to headphones, earbuds, speakers, and all things audio. As a founder of the non profit organization Music For Mental Health, Chase is also passionate in uncovering the ways music creation and listening can serve individuals and the community. You can find music he produces by searching his name on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming platforms. Chase studied Commerce and Applied Music Technology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
Finding a solid pair of over-ear headphones on a budget used to mean making big sacrifices—tinny audio, flimsy builds, and nonexistent comfort. But not anymore. Today, you can get impressive sound quality, long battery life, and even features like Bluetooth or noise cancellation without spending a fortune. We’ve tested dozens of budget-friendly over-ear headphones, and there are now several options we can easily recommend.
Whether you’re looking for a comfortable set for working from home, something durable for the gym, or just a reliable pair to enjoy your playlists without breaking the bank, we’ve got you covered. These are the best budget over-ear headphones worth your money right now, as tested in the SoundGuys lab.
Compare table
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- Compare tableProductVotes
- 12 total votes12 total votes
$80
8.3
7.2
8.1
6.7
9.5
8.0
7.5
7.7
9.9
9.5
8.5
- 4 total votes4 total votes
$100
8.2
7.1
8.0
6.5
9.0
7.5
9.0
7.0
9.8
9.0
8.0
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$80
7.9
7.2
8.0
6.0
9.5
6.0
9.0
7.0
9.9
8.5
8.0
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$85
7.8
6.0
8.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$80
7.8
6.4
7.5
6.0
9.5
7.0
7.5
7.0
9.9
8.0
8.0
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$59
7.7
6.1
7.5
6.9
9.2
6.8
7.5
7.0
9.9
6.9
8.2
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$99
7.2
3.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$99
7.2
3.0
6.0
6.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
- 1 total votes1 total votes
$86
6.9
3.0
0.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$61
6.9
6.3
7.3
5.5
8.0
5.0
8.0
7.0
9.9
7.0
5.0
- 0 total votes0 total votes
$76
6.9
2.0
0.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
- 2 total votes2 total votes
$70
6.9
6.9
7.9
6.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
0.0
8.5
8.0
Product chart
In the chart above, you can see how each of the headphones compares in terms of price and performance.
Poll
How much are you willing to spend on good headphones?
Best overall pick: JLab JBuds Lux ANC
JLab JBuds Lux ANC is our pick for best overall thanks to a strong mix of battery life, comfort, and configurable sound at a budget-friendly tier. The headphones delivered about 44 hours of runtime in our test and fold up for easy commuting, while the companion app offers a 10-band EQ and adjustable ANC modes to tailor the sound. Our MDAQS result for the JLab sits high (4.5), driven by a bass-forward presentation and good timbre that can be further smoothed with EQ. ANC is competent for the price — better at higher frequencies where the earcup seal helps — but not as strong as flagship models. The JLab also earned recognition for being Best Value, Best Sound Quality, Best Battery Life, Best Over-Ear Headphones, Best for iPhone users, and Best for Comfort.
Best Call Quality pick: Anker Soundcore Space One
Anker Soundcore Space One stands out for call clarity, with three microphones and an AI algorithm that isolates vocals so voices remain clear in street and windy conditions. The headphones pair Bluetooth 5.3 with support for LDAC on compatible Android devices and include a comprehensive Soundcore app with an eight-band EQ and HearID personalization. In our battery test the Space One ran about 43 hours with ANC on, and the app also provides adjustable ANC strength, adaptive modes, and a built-in decibel meter for safe listening. The Space One is labeled here as Best Call Quality and also earned recognition as Best for Android users.
Best ANC pick: Monoprice BT-600ANC
Monoprice BT-600ANC is our pick for best active noise cancelation, delivering roughly a 20–30dB reduction from 30Hz to 1kHz that outperforms many more expensive headphones. That level of low-frequency attenuation makes it especially effective for commuters and long trips, and the headset still offers solid passive isolation from its leatherette ear pads. The BT-600ANC supports higher-bitrate codecs like aptX HD and AAC, includes Bluetooth multipoint, and lasted about 36 hours in our battery test with ANC on. Touch controls work well once you learn them, and the headphones include an ambient mode when you need situational awareness.
Our verdict
Across budget wireless and wired headphone options under the $100 range, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC is our all-around recommendation for buyers who want long battery life, comfortable over-ear fit, and an app that can correct tonal issues — it’s the best-balanced choice among these entries. The Monoprice BT-600ANC is the one to prioritize if noise cancelation is the top priority, thanks to its exceptional low-frequency suppression and useful sound modes. The Anker Soundcore Space One is ideal for people who need clear voice calls and Android-centric features like LDAC and multipoint connectivity.
The remaining models cover different needs: the EarFun Wave Pro offers very long battery life (about 52.5 hours), LDAC support, and respectable ANC for travel but posts an average MDAQS; the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 delivers strong timbre and immersiveness with about 46.5 hours of battery life and useful app EQ options; the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a utilitarian ANC option with excellent battery life (~51.8 hours) and simple controls; and the Raycon Everyday Headphones are a straightforward, comfortable set with a 3.5mm option and around 23 hours of runtime, though their button layout can be awkward. Together, these picks and alternatives cover a range of priorities for wireless and wired headphone shoppers in the under-$100 category.
To gather information about how well each of the earbuds and headphones work, we subject each product to a number of objective tests. We use a Bruel & Kjaer 5128 acoustic measurement system to test headphones and earbuds in our SoundGuys lab. The ear canal of the artificial head was created by averaging and smoothing 3D models of individual ear canal features from the MRI scans of 40 different people.
We perform the following testing to determine the best headphones and best earbuds:
- We run sequences to determine the best fit of the headphones, and if there are any manufacturing issues with the product.
- We measure the headphones’ performance and compare the frequency response to our industry-validated SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve to give context to readers.
- To rate sound quality, we use the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics. These are virtual mean opinion scores as calculated by a powerful machine learning model based on the input of real listeners.
- We play several samples of shaped noise over loudspeakers to test noise canceling and record with our artificial head. We take samples with ANC on, ANC off, and with the headphones off the head. After subtracting the appropriate curves from each other, we can see how well the headphones block out noise.
- To evaluate microphone quality, we play pre-recorded spoken Harvard sentences from a calibrated artificial mouth in our test chamber, either with or without simulated background noises, simulated reverberant spaces, or artificial wind.
- To measure battery life, we play back music through the headphones or earbuds peaking at 75dB(SPL), a safe and realistic listening level.
In addition to objective testing, our team of audio experts uses each of the headphones and earbuds to evaluate the experience of using the product. By wearing the headphones in day-to-day use, we evaluate the comfort, noting any pain points. We also make sure to try out each of the features that the headphones have to offer, such as using the equalizer in the companion app.
Using a combination of subjective and objective testing, we score each product. To learn more about how we evaluate headphones and earbuds, check out our in-depth explainer on how we test.
Here at SoundGuys, we’ve been testing audio products for over a decade. Our team comprises audio product experts who have tested hundreds of different headphones, earbuds, and speakers. Moreover, our team comes from diverse backgrounds and a wealth of expertise, including audio engineering, film production, journalism, podcasting, music production, and even touring musicians.
Everything we recommend results from our objective measurements and great subjective experiences. Ultimately, we want you to enjoy your purchase or, at the very least, leave our site with a little more knowledge about the inner workings of audio. To see why you can trust us with your purchase decision, make sure to check out our ethics policy.
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