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Best Headphones Under 100 Dollars – Top 10 Cheap Headphones

While it may be true that you have to dig deep in your pocket to get a high-quality headphone, that does not mean that you cannot find a quality sounding headphone on a tight budget.

Interestingly, some of the best headphones under 100 Dollars make the list of best noise cancelling headphones in the market.  Headphones range from cheap to very expensive depending on the features, style, brand etc.

The headphone market has become quite competitive because of the rise of smartphones. The competition has made it easy for one to find headphones of different styles and colors at an affordable price. Comfort, sound quality, and protection of the ears are just some of the things that you cannot compromise when getting a headphone.

Best Headphones Under $100 for 2019

It is at times challenging to decide on the headphone to buy when you have a variety of products to choose from but we have done all the hard work for you. Our review contains the best headphone under $100 of different designs, quality and brand to suit your various needs.

1. Sennheiser HD 202 II – For Professionals

Sennheiser HD 202 II - best headphones under 100 dollarsSennheiser HD 2020 II professional headphones are best for aspiring music producers and home listeners under a tight budget.

They deliver decent sound with a low linkage that is not distracting to people around you. The headphones is good looking, lightweight and stable, so it does not slip during listening sessions.

The Sennheiser HD 202 II is best when used by an office or home listener who seeks a balance of sound and an isolation of a good amount of passive noise, and this is what makes it stand out among other headphones under $100.

Plastic makes the entire HD 202 II frame, with artificial leather padding. The leather may be a bit stiff in the beginning, but it gets comfortable with time. The long cable is best when used in homes and offices while this does not make it the best choice for traveling. The headphones have a frequency range of 18 to 18000 Hz and a neutral tonal balance that make it great regarding performance. You can use a software equalizer to tweak the neutral sound signature to make it perfect for any music genre.

Sennheiser HD 202 II headphones features removable ear cups that prevent damage to the unit and a belt clip for extra chord slack, and you can use them at work without slipping off. The ¼ adapter is good for the users because it is smart and convenient. The headphones are durable, and they can take a little abuse but nothing more than that. If you want to have them for a longer period, then you have to take care of them.

Sennheiser HD 202 II headphones cannot fold up in a more compact format and they also occupy a lot of space making it cumbersome to carry around. The long cable also make be disturbing for someone looking for a portable music listening experience. They are not good for use during physical activities such as running or use in the gym for they are likely to slip off. Do not expect any extra goodies after the purchase for they only come with a cable winder and an adapter.

Pros
  • Very affordable
  • Comfortable padding
  • Great noise isolation
  • Versatile headphones
Cons
  • Extra-long cable
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2. Cowin E-7 Noise Cancelling Headphones – Value for Money

COWIN E7 Active Noise Cancelling BluetoothCowin E7 Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth headphones is engineered to be audio and comfort friendly, and they give great results for business, gaming and casual uses.

The Bluetooth feature of the headphone makes it a preference for many. The headphones are designed to correspond with the needs of various users.

Cowin E7’s advanced technology for noise reduction quells noise from a busy office, city traffic, and cabin noise and thus you are to focus on your videos, movies, and music.

The earmuffs have a 90 degrees swivel design making it possible to adjust it to a suitable angle thus reducing the wearing pressure. The ear cups pivot and fold compactly and they are thus well protected as you travel.

The battery used to make the headphone is durable, and it is quite fast to charge, and this makes people fall in love with them. The wireless and great battery life features make the headphones traveling friendly. They come with 40mm ear cup aperture that conveys an extended frequency range for the audio. The best features of the headphones are the ability to deliver smooth, sharp and clear sound. Cowin E-7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones has an inbuilt microphone that does a good job, and they are adequate for Skype conversations.

The headphones, however, may not be recommendable for YouTubers, streamers, Team speaks, and LAN parties since the quality of the microphone may not meet the “professional” expectations. The headphones are not foldable, and some customers have complained over this feature.

Pros
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Bluetooth
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Futuristic design
  • Durable battery life
Cons
  • Headphones are not foldable
  • Mic sound quality is low
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3. Avantree Wireless Bluetooth Headphones – Best Headphone with Mic

Avantree 40 hr Wireless Bluetooth 4.1The Avantree Wireless Bluetooth headphones are the most recent headphones released by Avantree with unique and uncommon features. They are one out of a few headphones that features Near Field Communication, integrated microphone, micro-USB support and Bluetooth 4.0 low energy.

The NFC is one outstanding feature in these headphones that helps the users to pair it with other devices quite fast. All you require to do is to tap the NFC enabled phone on the side of the headphone. For it to work, both of these devices need to have their NFC function switched on.

Avantree Wireless Bluetooth headphones can fit many head sizes comfortably without slipping. People with large heads should also consider the headphones. The audio quality of this wireless headphone is top notch. The bass performance is better than that of the ear headphones, and the sounds come in crisp at all volume levels without distortion.

This headphone is well compatible with all the NFC enabled devices, and the audio quality remains high irrespective of the system. They also have a degree of noise cancellation that blocks out any ambient noise when you need time for yourself. Avantree headphones has a great aesthetics and design. It is made with a pliant to touch and a feel soft design. On the left of the headphone, you will find the NFC array, Power button, microphone, and volume rocker.

The NFC signal on the downside part will only extend for a few centimeters and have a weak transmission across physical barriers. The headphone is also not recommendable for people with sensitive ears since at times they fail to provide a full ear coverage.

Pros
  • Good sound
  • Problem free pairing
  • Long battery life
  • Extra analog input
  • Built in NFC support
Cons
  • Ear cups do not swivel
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4. Skullcandy Hesh 2 – Built to Last

Skullcandy Hesh 2 Bluetooth Wireless HeadphonesSkullcandy Hesh 2 headphones have been designed and built to last.

When it comes to the question of durability, then the headphone is check. The overall sound quality of this Skullcandy headphone is topnotch, and the batteries can last to more than fifteen hours.

The 50 mm drivers make the headphones great to listen to since they are more powerful and provide perfect sound clarity compared to other standard drivers of the same price. Skull candy headphones are made more valuable by the comfortable and secure fit design. The padded foam helps to isolate unnecessary sounds so that you can enjoy your music in peace.

Skullcandy Hesh 2 headphone features an on-board microphone which you can switch to the playlist without so much effort. The soft cushion padding makes the headphone incredibly comfortable for they have a smooth feel and an excellent fit for the ears. Not make people are well informed about this brand of headphones but Skullcandy headphones are really good to buy and worth the money.

Skullcandy just like any other headphone has its downside. One is that they are large and they cannot fold, and thus they are not compact. They also have a great sound quality but it can be better, and the fit is also not ideal for everyone.

Pros
  • In-Built microphone
  • Wired and wireless options
  • Sturdy, rugged design
  • Tremendous noise cancellation
  • Superior audio Performance
  • Great battery lifespan
  • Fantastic outward appearance
Cons
  • Not compact
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5. Skullcandy Crusher – Very Stylish Headphone

Skullcandy Crusher HeadphonesSkullcandy Crusher Headphones are mainly for people that love outdoor activities like skateboarding and other sports. On top of being a fashionable headphone, the Skullcandy Crusher Headphones has a great sound quality.

They feature a sensation 55 driver that gives it a deep and vibrating deep making one feel the music. The three panel cushioning covered with a three panel cushioning makes the headphones comfortable to wear and helps to isolate sound.

The Crusher headphones series are much thicker than the predecessors making them sturdier. Other great features on the headphone are the detachable audio cable, volume control and inbuilt microphone that enables you to take a phone call and adjust volume when you pair the headphone with your phone.

Skullcandy Crusher headphones fold easily and lay flat on the backpack making them easy to carry around. Nylon covers the detachable audio cable which makes it resistant to tangling and thus easy for storage. The headphones are available in different colors that include bright red, striped tan and navy, white and the basic black.

If you want to buy something that feels and looks expensive, then this is not the headphone for you.

The multi-functional buttons on the headphones could have been placed more conveniently making it easy to access and use. The bass slider cut off point is also too high, and this can make it impossible to listen to when the voice is too high.

Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Fun for bass fans
  • Affordable
  • Durable frame
  • Powerful audio output
Cons
  • Poorly designed controls
  • Bass slider lacks nuance
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6. Audio-Technica ATH-M30x – Studio Ready Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-M30xAre you interested in mixing and recording audio tracks? If yes, this is a great choice for you. Audio-Technica ATH-M30x headphones produces a high-quality sound and are good for all types of music.

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is better suited when you use them with high fidelity systems such as mixing consoles and home theaters but can also be used by portable devices.

The headphones weigh 7.4 ounces, and thus they are light and comfortable to wear. They have a powerful driver that enables them to handle any music genre without undue strain or stress to the speakers. The closed back design helps then in noise isolation where the sounds you want to hear stays inside the ear cups, and the ambient sound stays outside.

The extra padding and large ear cups make the headphones quite comfortable to wear for extended hours and the long cables are convenient for a studio setting. The headphones come with a carrying pouch that protects them from minor bumps, scratches, and scrapes.

They fold quite easily making them convenient to carry around and also easy to store. Audio-Technica ATH-M30x headphones feature a ¼ inch adapter allows you to use stereo and professional equipment with the headphone.

The screw on adapter lets you have a stable connection between the adapter and your audio cable.  On the other hand, the earphones will build a little warmth when you wear it for many hours. The warmth is bearable, but it is something to consider before the purchase.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x can also be a little uncomfortable when bringing them around the neck for they can be a little tight.

Pros
  • Foldable and ultra-portable design
  • Above average noise isolation
  • Snug yet comfortable fit
  • Balanced and neutral sound characteristic
  • Nice pleather padding
Cons
  • Non-detachable cord
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7. AKG K 240 – Open Studio Headphone

AKG K 240 Semi-Open Studio HeadphonesLightweight frames and solid construction make the AKG K-Series an excellent choice for comfortable long listening sessions. They produce high definition and excellent sound quality. The headphones produce clear and almost flawless treble irrespective of the semi open design.

AKG K 240 Semi-Open Studio Headphones weigh around 8.5 ounces which make them light and comfortable to wear even for long sessions. Soft velvet covers the headset giving someone quite a good feeling. This velvet covers also absorb the moisture that may come from the ears during warm weather.

Being an updated version of the AKG 240 monitor, the XXL transducers are more advanced, and their increased size allows for realistic and large audio. With this headphone, you can be sure to get exceptional audio irrespective of the device you are listening from.

The AKG K 240 headphones feature an adjustable headband to give it a perfect fit. The steel frame of the headphone is quite strong and enables the headphone adjustability without straining. The headband is durable and is built to resist any twisting during on stage use or when traveling.

It also features a detachable and replicable 3m OFC screw type cable which is such a great feature.

While the product has so many fantastic features, it also has its downsides. The structure is not foldable, and this makes it difficult to travel with and to store. The headphone may also fail to offer some of the features that users might be seeking for due to its semi-open design. These factors may appear to be minor, but could be quite important to some users.

Pros
  • It is cheap and affordable
  • The input cables are replaceable
  • Easy to use
  • It is lightweight
  • Excellent audio quality
  • Self-adjusting headband
Cons
  • A little bulky in size
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8. Sennheiser HD 558 – Very Attractive

Sennheiser HD 558 HeadphonesSennheiser HD 558 Headphones are affordable high-quality headphones that have a great sounding. The headphones have a great design and offer the user a lot of comforts. Sennheiser is one of the most known companies for making quality headphones so you can be sure that the Sennheiser HD 558 headphones will not disappoint you.

The build of the headphone is of high quality material and very solid as this assures you that they will stay for a long period. The design is comfortable to the user, and with it’s lightweight you can wear it for a such a long time.

Sennheiser headphones feature a warm and conventional sound, and thus you can set back and relax. It also comes with a 12mm, 3.5 cords which you can use when working on your desk. The headphone will bring life to your collection of music and give you a whole new experience as you listen to your favorite songs.

One thing that people have criticized the headphone about is the lack of volume control. Some can say that you cannot use the headphone with the amp, yet it is one thing that most users prefer to have in a headphone.

Pros
  • Detailed sound
  • Detachable cable
  • Great sound stage
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Very comfortable
  • Balanced and straight forward sound signature
Cons
  • No volume control
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9. SOL REPUBLIC Tracks HD Headphones

SOL REPUBLIC Tracks HD On-Ear HeadphonesThe SOL REPUBLIC has come up with some earphones and headphones, and the SOL REPUBLIC tracks on ear headphones are one of their great brands.

These headphones enable the user to modify both the sound and the feature and this makes it such a great feature to the users.

They feature a modern and sleek design with a mounted V8 sound engine that makes the headphone a great choice. SOL Republic tracks are REMIX and HD compatible, and thus you can swap easily with different cables and headbands.

The sound engines speakers are V10 high definition are loaded entirely with crisp vocals, higher vocal clarity, and deeper bass. They also feature a music control and a three button microphone.

The SOL REPUBLIC track headphones are compatible with various gadgets including Windows, Android, and Apple devices and you can use the available 3.5 mm jack to connect. The band is durable, and you can content it, fold it, twist it and still get to the original shape without any dent, crack or scratch.

People that love traveling prefers to buy a headphone that is compact for easy traveling and storage. This headphone is not foldable and this makes it not the easiest to pack. It, however, comes with its carry case that you can use to carry it around.

Pros
  • Inline remote control for mobile devices
  • Inline microphone
  • Replaceable cables and ear cups
  • Powerful audio
  • Comfortable fit
Cons
  • Ear pads tend to get hot when used for a long time
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10. Monster DNA On-Ear Headphones

Monster DNA On-Ear HeadphonesMonster DNA headphones help you to jam to your best tunes without experiencing any disruptions. The advanced noise isolating feature assists in eliminating extraneous noise and the pillow soft cushions and lightweight on the ear design gives ultimate comfort.

The headphones are durable and portable and thus are easy to store in a bag without taking too much space. The headphones are made with the newest technology and designed with an iconic, bold and new look.

Monster DNA headphones features a pure and monster sound, and with this, you do not have to choose between crystal details and a deep bass. DNA will offer you both features and tune you to a live music experience that you will love for sure. It also features pillow soft isolating cushions that make the headphone comfortable to wear for long and also keeps your music from disturbing others.

Monster DNA headphones have a dual audio input jerks that you can use to share music with the MusicShare. Once you plugin then you can enjoy the music together with friends. On top of this, all the DNA headphones are made solid with ultra-light yet quite durable materials.

Despite the many top features, you get from the headphone, but some critical reviews state that they vibrate and distort when the bass is at high volumes. The headphone can, however, be said to perform well at moderate levels.

Pros
  • Removable cable
  • Good sound performance
  • Affordable
  • Customizable appearance
  • Futuristic design
Cons
  • Not great when listening to high volumes
  • Have comfort issues
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Wrap-Up

Being on a tight budget does not necessarily mean that you need to compromise the sound quality and other great features of a headphone. The above discussed are some of the best headphones under 100 that you can consider without compromising on quality.

The headphones satisfy your need for high sound quality, reliability, and comfort. These headphones will give you the same features that you can get with more expensive headphones, yet they are quite affordable.