6 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100

23 May 2022, by Danielle Slauter, min. read

Let your headphones tune the world out for you.

While headphones may be the universal sign of “please don’t talk to me,” sometime you really want to just mute everything that’s going on around you. Whether you’re trying to study, attempting to enjoy your commute a little more, or just want to really vibe to your favorite playlist, noise cancelling headphones are the best way to do it. Unfortunately, all that extra noise cancelling usually means a higher price tag.

With more and more brands offering great noise cancelling headphones, it can be a bit tricky when it comes to finding the right pair for you, especially if you don’t want to totally drain your bank account. We’ve picked the top six pairs of noise cancelling headphones for under $100, each for whatever you want to use them for the most—we’re talking the best airplane headphones, for under $100, budget ANC headphones, and everything in between. The best part? Each pair of these headphones is eligible for a Student Beans discount!

Our Pick

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 — $79.99

Considering these noise cancelling headphones are under $100 (an absolute bargain, especially if you want solid noise cancelling headphones), the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 really pulls its weight. They deliver incredible sound quality with a solid battery life, and they even boast some of the best noise cancelling features on the market.

An impressive 60 hours battery life (yep, 6-0) means you won’t be wasting time charging these noise cancelling headphones. And the charge time itself is only two hours, which is comparable to most other headphones on the market with significantly worse play time. The only con is they’re AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) only, meaning if you’re not using an Apple product to play your music, your sound quality will dip a bit.

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Specs

What’s In The Box

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 headphones
USB-C charging cable
Manual

Technical Specs

Battery life: 60 hours
Compatibility: Apple & Android
Charging time: 2 hours
Bluetooth version: 5.0

Audio Specs

Driver diameter: 6 millimeters
Impedance: 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 100.5 dB SPL
Frequency response: 20-20,000 Hz
Noise cancelling: Yes

Pros

Noise cancelling
Battery life

Cons

AAC only

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The Portable Pick

Beats Studio Buds — $7.90 per month

The Beats Studio Buds easily slip into your pocket, so if you’re looking for a pair of noise cancelling headphones for under $100 that deliver solid noise cancelation without being bulky (or traditional over ear headphones, for that matter), this is the pair to get. They’re even a great option for working out, if you want noise cancelling while you’re at the gym.

Most noise cancelling headphones don’t offer much in terms of water resistance, but the Beats Studio Buds boast an impressive IPX4 rating, which is perfect if you’re sweating in them (or just happen to get caught in the rain while you’re walking around campus). The fit is also some of the most secure when it comes to earbuds, which is always a plus. The only low point is that there’s no wireless charging available.

Beats Studio Buds Specs

What’s In The Box

Beats Studio Buds headphones
Charging case
USB-C charging cable

Technical Specs

Bluetooth version: 5.0
Water resistance: IPX4

Audio Specs

Noise cancelling: Yes

Pros

High sound quality
Secure fit

Cons

No wireless charging

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The Budget Pick

Sony WH-1000XM4 — $9.90 per month

While Sony headphones usually don’t count as a budget option, Grover allows you to rent your tech at a much lower cost than buying your headphones brand-new. This ensures that you can get one of the consistently highest-rated pairs of headphones on the market, all without breaking your budget. So yes, this really is the best pair of noise cancelling headphones for under $100.

Sony really is the cream of the crop when it comes to noise cancelling headphones. If you demand the best (and why shouldn’t you?), but don’t want to pay hundreds of dollars, rent the Sony WH-1000XM4 from Grover for a little under $10 per month. These noise cancelling headphones are incredibly comfortable, making them the best option for long-term wear (hello best airplane headphones for under $100!), and the battery life is solid, too.

Sony WH-1000 XM4 Specs

What’s in the Box

Sony WH-1000 XM4 headphones
Hard-shell carrying case
3.5mm jack cable
USB-C charing cable
Travel adapter

Technical Specifications

Weight: 8.96 ounces
Battery life: 28 hours
Material type:
Compatibility: Apple & Android
Bluetooth version: 5.0

Audio Specifications

Driver diameter: 40mm
Frequency response: 4-40.000 Hz
Noise cancelling: Yes

Pros

Outstanding noise cancelling
Great battery life
Super comfortable

Cons

Speak-to-chat feature is a let-down
Voice Priority mode doesn’t work well

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The Over-Ear Pick

JLab Audio Studio ANC — $59.00

These over-ear headphones from JLab straddle a nice balance between quality and cost. They offer a solid overall performance, and you can’t really argue with a price tag that’s under $60. This is a great choice if you’re curious about getting your first pair of noise cancelling headphones, but aren’t sure if you want (or need) to spend a lot.

Another pair of noise cancelling headphones for under $100 that offer a great playtime (34 hours), the JLab Audio Studio ANC also give you a decent sound quality. The charging time is a bit longer coming in at three hours, and they aren’t the best suited for long-term wear.

JLab Audio Studio Specs

What’s in the Box

JLab Audio Studio headphones
Micro USB charging cable
3.5 millimeter AUX cable
Travel bag
JLab two-year warranty

Technical Specifications

Weight: 141 grams
Battery life: 34 hours
Compatibility: Apple & Android
Charging time: 3 hours
Bluetooth version: 5.0

Audio Specifications

Driver diameter: 40 millimeters
Noise cancelling: Yes

Pros

Decent sound
Great battery life

Cons

Not the most comfortable

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The In-Ear Pick

Sony WF-1000XM4 — $9.90 per month

Again, Sony is one the frontrunners when it comes to providing amazing sound quality. The best part is that the WF-1000XM4 noise cancelling headphones are super portable, making them the optimal choice if having quiet time on the go is a must-have. If over-ear headphones aren’t your style, this is the pair of noise cancelling headphones for under $100 for you.

Luckily, Grover knows you want the best, even while you’re on a budget. For a little under $10 every month, you can have your hands on the best noise cancelling earbuds on the market. And if you totally fall in love with the Sony WF-1000XM4 while renting them, Grover will help you budget enough to buy them and make them your own!

Sony WF-1000XM4 Specs

What’s in the Box

Sony WF-1000XM4 headphones
Ear tips in 3 different sizes
USB-C charging cable

Technical Specs

Weight: 1.45 ounces
Battery life: 8 hours
Bluetooth version: 5.2
Charging time: 1.5 hours
Water resistance: IPX4

Audio Specs

Noise cancelling: Yes
Driver diameter: 6 millimeters
Frequency: 20 Hz–20,000 Hz

Pros

Excellent isolation and noise cancelling
Comfortable ear tips

Cons

Price

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The Comfortable Pick

Philips PH805 — $84.98

Another relatively affordable choice, the Philips PH805 comes with a lot of extra features, even though they’re under $100. The most comfortable pair on the list, these were designed for longer, all day wear. If you’re constantly reaching for your headphones, these are worth checking out.

A 30 hour battery life will keep you going between charges, and the touch controls and voice integration are incredibly intuitive. Unfortunately, heat does build in the ear cups after longer wear times, and they only charge with a Micro-USB cable. But for a pair of noise cancelling headphones for under $100? They’re minor flaws that can easily be overlooked (And are outweighed by all the other cool features on the Philips PH805).

Philips PH805 Specs

What’s in the Box

Philips PH805 headphones
Micro-USB charging cable

Technical Specifications

Weight: 9.8 ounces
Battery life: 30 hours
Compatibility: Apple & Android

Audio Specifications

Driver diameter: 40 millimeters
Noise cancelling: Yes

Pros

Incredibly comfortable
Touch controls
Voice assistant integration

Cons

Micro-USB charging
Heat build up in ear cups

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Guide To Buying Headphones For Under $100

It might seem impossible to find a solid pair of headphones for under $100, but our list has proven it can be done, although you’re going to have to do your research. Here’s a quick guide to help you find a pair on a budget that still gets the job done.

What’s the Bluetooth version? The newer the features, the higher the cost. If you don’t need to have Bluetooth 5.2, don’t pay for it. Find a pair that works with whatever version you have.
Look at the charging time and battery life. If you can afford to sacrifice on your battery, the cost will drop. Sure, you might have to charge your headphones more frequently, but if you’re on a tight budget, it will be worth it.
Do you really need all the extra bells and whistles? Your headphones might come with a lot of cool add-ons, but ask yourself if you’re really going to use them. If not, opt for a simpler pair—it will help bring down the cost.