The 5 Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones - Spring 2021 Reviews

The TaoTronics SoundLiberty 94 are the best cheap noise cancelling headphones we've tested. Their ANC can significantly reduce bass-range noise like bus and plane engines, which is great when you're on-the-go. They're also rated IPX5 for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this.

Although their ANC system performs similarly to their passive noise isolation capabilities in the mid to treble-range, they can cut down ambient chatter as well as the hum of an AC unit. They also have an overall boomy, warm sound profile that fans of EDM and hip-hop can enjoy. Their stable in-ear fit should stay in place during moderate physical activities.

Unfortunately, they lack sound customization features so you can't tweak their sound to your liking. They also have a short continuous battery life with their ANC on. Luckily, there are around three additional charges in the case, which makes it easy to top them up throughout the day.

The EarFun Air Pro are the best budget noise cancelling headphones under $100 that we've tested. These truly wireless in-ears have a highly effective ANC system that enables them to block out an impressive amount of background noise, ranging from the low rumble of bus engines to the high-pitched hum of an AC unit. While battery life can vary drastically in the real world, even with their noise cancelling function turned on, they supply over nine hours of battery life on a single charge and come with a case that supplies enough over for over 32 hours of total runtime.

These in-ears also have a comfortable, stable fit that doesn't enter your ear too deeply. They feel quite well-made, with sturdy plastic construction. Their sound profile is quite well balanced, making them suitable for a wide range of musical genres, though their slightly overemphasized bass range does give a bit of extra thump and punch to EDM and hip-hop tracks. They also have very low latency on mobile Android and iOS devices, which is good if you like to watch videos on your way into the office or to class, though different apps and devices compensate for audio latency to varying degrees.

Unfortunately, they lack sound adjustment features and don't have a companion app. Their touch-sensitive control scheme is also sometimes slow to respond to inputs. Still, if you're looking for relatively affordable in-ears with a great ANC performance, these are a good option.

The Razer Opus are the best budget noise cancelling headphones under $150 that we've tested. While they're regularly more expensive, they can currently be found on sale at this price point. They offer an excellent price-to-performance ratio, and their ANC does a fantastic job of isolating noise in all ranges. Its noise isolation abilities are even comparable to higher-end models like the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018.

These very comfortable and well-built over-ears have a well-balanced sound profile that's suitable for a variety of audio genres. Although they lack a touch of bass, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets so that you can customize their sound profile to your liking. They also have a long-lasting continuous battery life of over 32 hours with their ANC on. They can be used wired with their 1/8" TRRS cable if you want to use them passively.

Unfortunately, you can't connect them to more than one device at a time. Their integrated microphone also struggles to separate your voice from moderately loud environments. That said, their ANC significantly reduces noise around you, and they have a well-balanced but customizable sound profile, which makes them versatile enough for most uses.