11 Best Headphones & Earbuds For Under £100

14 Apr 2022, by Lydia Kah-Pavlou, min. read

No need to deny yourself quality headphones with our best buys for under £100.

If you’re looking for some new headphones but you’re on a budget, there are plenty of good quality headphones for under £100 out there.

Buying new headphones can be tricky depending on whether you need them for uni work, listening to music in your free time, Zoom calls with your family, or for DJing.

We’ve broken down where to shop the best headphones under £100 in a whole range of different styles, including wireless, wired, closed-back and over-ear, so you can find the right headphones for you.

If you’re on a budget, then check out our top noise-cancelling headphones for under £100.

Best headphones under £100

1. Stockholm Plus — Urbanista, £69

The Stockholm Plus earbuds are great value for money and have a total playtime of 20+ hours as well as being waterproof so they’re a good option for exercising or travelling. The controls on the side of the earbuds make it easy to accept or decline calls, switch between songs or turn up the volume without having to reach for your phone.

Another great thing about these earbuds is that the battery can hold up to 5 full charges when in the charging case and you can choose from 5 different colours to best match your personality; black, white, rose gold, olive or grey.

Stockholm Plus Specs

What’s in the box:

1 x earbuds
1 x charging case
1 x USB-C charging cable
1 x manual

Technical specifications:

Dimensions (earphones): Unknown
Dimensions (charging case): 59 x 52 x 22mm
Weight (earphones): 4g each
Weight (charging case without earphones): 52g
Battery life: 3.5 hours (charging case: 17.5 hours)
Charging time: 1.5 hours
Material type: Unknown
Dust and waterproof rating: Sweat & water resistant (IPX4 certified)
Bluetooth version: 5.0

Audio specifications:

Noise cancelling: No
Driver diameter: 12mm
Impendance: 32 Ohms
Sensitivity: 107 dB
Frequency: 20 – 20,000 Hz

Pros

Long-lasting battery life
Easy to use controls
A new and improved version of the original Stockholm headphones with updated features

Cons

Earbuds can get lost easily

Get a student discount at Urbanista

2. HUAWEI FreeBuds 4i — HUAWEI, £79.99

The FreeBuds are designed with comfort in mind, with a snug and ergonomic fit so you can wear them all day without them getting uncomfortable. They come with Active Noise Cancelling to reduce ambient noise and a dual-mic system to reduce wind and background noise when you’re outside and to focus on your voice when you’re speaking.

You can get 10 hours of continuous music from a single charge, and if you’re in a rush just 10 minutes of charging will give you 4 hours of battery life which is really impressive. The touch controls on the side of the earbuds make it easy to swipe through songs and accept calls, so they’re a good choice for people who travel a lot and are always outside of the house.

FreeBuds 4i Specs

What’s in the box:

1 x FreeBuds 4i
3 x silicone ear tips
1 x charging case
1 x USB-C charging cable

Technical specifications:

Dimensions (earphones): 37.5 x 23.9 x 21mm
Dimensions (charging case): 48 x 61.8 x 27.5mm
Weight (earphones): 5.5g
Weight (charging case without earphones): 36.5g
Battery life: 10 hours
Charging time: 1 hour
Material type: Plastic
Dust and waterproof rating: Water Resistant
Bluetooth version: 5.2

Audio specifications:

Noise cancelling: Yes
Driver diameter: 10mm
Impendance: 16 Ohms
Sensitivity: 22 dB
Frequency: 20 – 20,000 Hz

Pros

Can connect to the HUAWEI AI Life app to customise your listening experience
Active noise cancelling
Long battery life

Cons

Awkward design
Limited touch controls

Get a student discount at HUAWEI

3. Beats Studio Buds — EE, £99

If you want headphones because you want to enrich your audio experience, the Beats Studio Buds are designed with premium sound quality. These earbuds have Active Noise Cancelling and a specifically-engineered filter that adapts to your surroundings with two different listening modes; musical immersion and transparency mode.

Beats Studio Buds are really great for anyone who loves listening to music and wants to get the best experience possible out of their headphones and deliver clear audio and sound quality regardless of the volume, or whatever’s happening in the background while you’re outside. You’ll get 8 hours of listening time with these headphones and the charging case will give you 2 extra full charges.

Beats Studio Buds Specs

What’s in the box:

1 x earbuds
3 x silicone ear tips
1 x charging case
1 x USB-C charging cable

Technical specifications:

Dimensions (earphones): 15mm
Dimensions (charging case): 26 x 72 x 51mm
Weight (earphones): 5g
Weight (charging case without earphones): 48g
Battery life: 8 hours
Charging time: 1.5 hours
Material type: 92% plant-based material
Dust and waterproof rating: Sweat & water resistant (IPX4 certified)
Bluetooth version: 5.2

Audio specifications:

Noise cancelling: Yes
Driver diameter: 8.2mm
Impedance: Unknown
Sensitivity: Unknown
Frequency: Unknown

Pros

Big focus on audio quality, so good for someone who listens to a lot of music
Active Noise Cancelling

Cons

On the more expensive side
Earbuds can be easily lost
Not the best battery time compared to other headphones on this list

Get a student discount at EE

Wireless headphones under £100

4. Seattle Wireless — Urbanista, £89

The Seattle headphones are a great wireless option if you prefer traditional over ear headphones. You can get 12 hours of playtime on a single charge. The headphones have technology on each earphone so you can swipe and control music and calls hands-free.

The Seattle headphones come in 3 different colours; black, white and rose gold so you can choose the colour that best matches your personality.

Seattle Wireless Specs

What’s in the box:

1x Seattle Urbanista headphones
1x Micro USB cable

Technical specifications:

Dimensions: 150 x 150 x 55mm
Weight: 172g
Batteries: rechargeable batteries
Battery life: 12 hours
Connector: Micro USB
Material type: memory foam & faux leather
Apple and Android compatible? Yes
Bluetooth version: 4.1
Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? Yes

Audio specifications:

Driver diameter: 40mm
Impedance: 26 Ohms
Sensitivity: 97 dB
Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Maximum power input: Unknown
Noise cancelling: No

Pros

Long battery life from a single full charge

Cons

Needs to be plugged in to charge so no charging on the go
Not noise cancelling

Get a student discount at Urbanista

5. OPPO Enco Air — EE, £76.99

If your purpose for buying new headphones is purely to listen to music and enjoy it at a high quality, these earbuds are an ideal option. You’ll get up to 24 hours of listening time and a quick charge of just 10 minutes can give you up to 8 hours of battery life, which is really impressive.

These earbuds are a good option for anyone who likes to have headphones in whenever they’re out of the house without having to worry that they’ll die on you and run out of battery after half an hour.

OPPO Enco Air Specs

What’s in the box:

1 x earbuds
1x charging case

Technical specifications:

Dimensions (earphones): 35.8 x 18.9 x 17.7 mm
Dimensions (charging case): 60 x 53.2 x 23.5mm
Weight (earphones): 3.75g (each)
Weight (charging case without earphones): 40.4g
Battery life: 4 hours
Charging time: 1.5 hours
Material type: Unkown
Dust and waterproof rating: Sweat & water resistant (IPX4 certified)
Bluetooth version: 5.2

Audio specifications:

Noise cancelling: no
Driver diameter: 12mm
Impedance: Unknown
Sensitivity: 112±1 dB
Frequency: 20 – 20,000 Hz

Pros

Long battery life
Quick charging

Cons

Not noise cancelling

Get a student discount at EE

6. Acer Go True Wireless Earbuds — Acer, £34

If you’re on a budget and you just want to keep it simple, these Acer wireless headphones are a great option and good value for money. They’re pretty basic headphones, but have a comfortable design, clear sound and they’re easily charged from the USB charging case.

You’ll get 4 hours of playback time from a single charge and up to 14 hours when you’re using the case.

Acer Go True Wireless Specs

What’s in the box:

1 x earbuds
1 x charging case

Technical specifications

Dimensions (earphones): Unknown
Dimensions (charging case): Unknown
Weight (earphones): Unknown
Weight (charging case without earphones): Unknown
Battery life: 4 hours
Charging time: 1.5 hours
Material type: Plastic
Dust and waterproof rating: Unknown
Bluetooth version: 5.0

Audio specifications:

Noise cancelling: No
Driver diameter: Unknown
Impedance: 32 Ohms
Sensitivity: Unknown
Frequency: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz

Pros

Affordable and good value for money

Cons

Not the best battery life
Basic specs in comparison to other headphones on this list

Get a student discount at Acer

Closed-back headphones under £100

7. OneOdio Monitor 60 Professional Studio Headphones — Amazon, £69.88

If your hobbies include singing, recording or DJing you’re probably going to be looking for a pair of closed back headphones with a more advanced set of skills. If you’re on a budget and looking for headphones under £100, these OneOdio headphones are ideal for use in a studio. They have industry-leading ultra-high resolution for perfect audio and an ergonomic design for a comfortable fit.

OneOdio Monitor 60 Specs

What’s in the box:

1x Monitor 60 Headphone
1x Carrying Bag
1x User Manual
1 x 3.5mm to 3.5mm plug cable (3M)
1 x 3.5mm to 6.35mm plug coiled cable (1.5M~3M)
1 x 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable with Mic (1.2M)

Technical specifications:

Dimensions:
Weight: 310g
Batteries: N/A
Battery life: N/A
Connector: 3.5mm
Material type: faux leather
Apple and Android compatible? Yes with adapter
Bluetooth version: N/A
Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? N/A

Audio specifications:

Driver diameter: 50mm
Impedance: 38 Ohms
Sensitivity: 110dB ± 3dB
Frequency response: 20Hz-40,000 Hz
Maximum power input: 1600 mW
Noise cancelling: No

Pros

Can listen to 2 sound sources at once
3 cables provided
Suitable for studio use

Cons

Sound quality a bit flat

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

8. AKG K52 High-Performance Closed-Back Monitoring Headphones — Amazon, £27.27

These headphones are a good option for musicians or singers as the closed back design provides isolation and eliminates audio leakage. The professional sound drivers provide clear audio quality and the padding on the earphones is comfortable for wearing for long periods of time.

AKG 5K2 High-Performance Closed-Back Monitoring Specs

What’s in the box:

1 x AKG 5K2 headphones
1x 3.5mm to 1/4” screw-on adapter
1 x 3m cable

Technical specifications:

Dimensions: ‎235 x 228 x 113 mm
Weight: 200g
Batteries: N/A
Battery life: N/A
Connector: 3.5mm
Material type: plastic and faux leather
Apple and Android compatible? Yes with adapter
Bluetooth version: N/A
Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? N/A

Audio specifications:

Driver diameter: 40mm
Impedance: 32 Ohms
Sensitivity: 110 dB
Frequency response: 18 – 20,000 Hz
Maximum power input: 200 mW
Noise cancelling: Yes

Pros

Active noise cancellation
Good for musicians, singers or DJs
Great value for money

Cons

Not for you if you just want headphones for working or listening to music

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

Over-ear wired headphones under £100

9. Sony MDR V150 Headphones — Amazon, £16.95

If you prefer the classic wired headphones, the Sony MDR V150 headphones will work with the majority of smartphones and provide quick and great access to sound. The 30mm diameter drive units allow for deeper bass and the oxygen-free copper cord allows for maximum conductivity, better than conventional copper.

Sony MDR V150 Specs

What’s in the box:

1 x Sony MDR V150 headphones
1 x 6.3 mm (1/4″) stereo adapter
1x 2m cable

Technical specifications:

Dimensions: 240 x 175 x 80 mm
Weight: 120g
Batteries: N/A
Battery life: N/A
Connector: 3.5mm
Material type: plastic
Apple and Android compatible? Yes with adapter
Bluetooth version: N/A
Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? N/A

Audio specifications:

Driver diameter: 30mm
Impedance: 24 Ohms
Sensitivity: 98 dB
Frequency response: 18 – 22,000 Hz
Maximum power input: 500 mW
Noise cancelling: No

Pros

Oxygen-free copper cable
Reversible earcups
Lightweight

Cons

Can be more clunky in design than earbuds
Most smartphones won’t have a headphone jack so you’ll need an adaptor to be able to use them

Get these for less with Amazon student deals, including Prime!

10. Bopmen Over Ear Headphones — Amazon, £23

For musicians, these headphones deliver intense and immersive sound, but they’re also perfect for long calls, gaming and listening to music in your spare time. They have an ergonomic swivel design which allows you to store them away conveniently when they’re not being used.

These headphones can be connected to multiple devices and are designed with comfort in mind, so you can wear them all day without experiencing any kind of discomfort.

Bopmen Over Ear Specs

What’s in the box:

1 x Bopmen Over Ear headphones
1 x 3.5mm cable
1 x 6.5mm cable

Technical specifications:

Dimensions: ‎159.8 x 169.9 x 69.9 mm
Weight: 379.8g
Batteries: N/A
Battery life: N/A
Connector: 3.5mm/6.5mm
Material type: Unknown
Apple and Android compatible? Yes with adapter
Bluetooth version: N/A
Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? N/A

Audio specifications:

Driver diameter: 40mm
Impedance: Unknown
Sensitivity: Unknown
Frequency response: Unknown
Maximum power input: Unknown
Noise cancelling: No

Pros

Ergonomic and foldable design
Great for musicians
Impressive specs for the cost and good value for money

Cons

Most smartphones won’t have a headphone jack so you’ll need an adapter to be able to use them which can be more complicated than connecting via bluetooth

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

11. Sony MDR-ZX110 Overhead Headphones — Amazon, £15

These headphones are perfect for anyone on a budget who still wants to enjoy rich audio without having to compromise on the quality. They come with a swivelling earcup design for easy storage so they’re a good option for travelling.

Considering the price, these headphones still have a fairly impressive range of specs including a wide frequency range and clear quality audio, so definitely don’t think that because they’re cheap you won’t be getting a good listening experience.

Sony MDR-ZX110 Specs

What’s in the box:

1 x Sony MDR-ZX110 headphones
1 x warranty card
1 x instructions

Technical specifications:

Dimensions: ‎200 x 150 x 35 mm
Weight: 120g
Batteries: N/A
Battery life: N/A
Connector: 3.5mm
Material type: plastic & faux leather
Apple and Android compatible? Yes with adapter
Bluetooth version: N/A
Compatible with all Bluetooth devices? N/A

Audio specifications:

Driver diameter: 30mm
Impedance: 24 Ohms
Sensitivity: 117.36 dB
Frequency response: 12-22,000 Hz
Maximum power input: Unknown
Noise cancelling: Yes

Pros

Cheap and affordable
Impressive specs considering the price
Foldable and good for travelling

Cons

Most smartphones won’t have a headphone jack so you’ll need an adaptor to be able to use them
While the specs are good for the price, these are still very cheap headphones so a more expensive model might be more reliable in the long term

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

As you can see, there’s plenty of options when it comes to good-quality headphones under £100. Take time to think about what you want to use them for and how much you’re willing to spend to help you make the best purchase possible for you.

What are closed-back headphones?

Closed-back headphones are completely closed off, or sealed, around the back which means that sound only comes out where it can reach your ear and making them great at isolating noise. This means that external noise is pretty well blocked out, making closed-back headphones ideal for listening in noisy public places.

Open back vs closed back headphones

While closed back headphones isolate noise and allow for a more “in your head” experience when it comes to listening, due to blocking out external sound, open-back headphones have openings that allow you to still hear what’s going on around you. They also allow for air flow to your ears which can make them preferable for exercising to prevent hot ears.

What are the best headphone brands?

This is subjective of course due to your own personal taste and what you’re going to be using your headphones for, but the top five most renowned and popular brands are: