The 5 Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones - Summer 2020
Reviews

The best cheap noise cancelling headphones that we've tested so far are the Mpow H10. These wireless over-ears are quite comfortable, with liberal use of plush padding around the spacious ear cups and headband, which does a good job of distributing their weight across the head. They also feature an intuitive physical control scheme with clicky buttons for all major functions.

Their ANC performance is very good, especially for the price, as the system is effective in reducing the volume of everything from the low rumble of bus engines to the chatter of pedestrians on a sidewalk. They deliver a somewhat bass-heavy listening experience that’ll please EDM and hip-hop fans without sounding too boomy. Their 23-hour battery life, meanwhile, should be more than sufficient to get you through a couple of long days at the office.

As you might expect at this price, they don’t feel especially premium. The ear cup hinges produce a discomforting snapping sound when you fold them in but don’t seem to cause any actual damage. They also leak quite a bit of audio, so you might annoy coworkers or commuters if you listen to your music very loud. Overall, however, these are a reasonably versatile pair of headphones that offer great bang-for-the-buck when it comes to noise cancelling performance.

The best budget noise cancelling headphones under $100 that we've tested so far are the Anker Soundcore Life Q20. These Bluetooth over-ear headphones are quite comfortable thanks to their well-padded headband and ear cups and aren't too big, so they should fit well even if you have a small head. Their physical controls give a good amount of functionality, including volume control, and are decently easy-to-use.

They have an excited, V-shaped sound profile that provides a good amount of extra bass that isn't overpowering, making them well-suited to most genres from EDM to rock. Their ANC does an excellent job of blocking out background chatter as well as the high-frequency sounds from an AC unit or fan, making them well-suited for use in the office. They also don't leak too much audio, so you can turn up your music without bothering coworkers sitting close by.

Unfortunately, like with most budget options, their ANC doesn't work nearly as well at blocking the low rumble of bus or plane engines. That being said, it still works decently well in this regard and will help give you a bit of peace during long flights, especially since they have an outstanding 32-hour battery, which is among the longest we've ever tested. Overall, they're a decent pair of over-ears that are versatile enough for most uses without breaking the bank.

The best budget noise cancelling headphones under $150 that we've tested so far are the Amazon Echo Buds. These truly wireless in-ears feel well-built, with dense plastic construction and an IPX4 rating for water resistance, although we don’t test for this. They’re a great option for taking out on a run or to the gym, as their lightweight, compact design allows them to maintain a consistently secure fit. Their 5.3-hour battery life, in conjunction with a case that carries an additional five charges, should be more than able to see you through the daily grind.

Their noise isolation performance is very good, even without activating their ANC system. The latter’s effectiveness is most noticeable in the bass range, where it helps block out quite a bit of the low rumble of sounds like bus engines, which is handy if you frequently use public transit. They deliver a pretty well-balanced listening experience across the board, although you can adjust their sound profile with a graphic EQ in the dedicated Amazon Alexa app.

Unfortunately, the Alexa app is needed for the headphones to even function, so if you don’t want to download any more apps on your phone, you may want to look elsewhere. While their touch-sensitive control scheme can be remapped in the Alexa app, it's finicky to use and lacking in functionality regardless of configuration. Still, these are a solid choice if you’re looking for some peace without compromising on portability.