The 5 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $100 - Fall 2024

The best noise cancelling headphones under $100 we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. Although they've been on the market for a while now, they're still the crème de la crème of noise cancelling in this price range. Their outstanding ANC system significantly filters out the din of city traffic and higher-pitched noises like dish clatter. You get three ANC modes designed to reduce different kinds of sound, like traffic or voices, and they outperform newer models from this manufacturer, like the Anker Soundcore Space One Wireless, although they aren't as well-built. Unfortunately, some users have reported that their units' headbands cracked or broke over time, so they may not be the most durable headphones.

Out of the box, these comfortable cans have an excited sound profile with intense thump and boom, which is great for genres like rock and pop. If you prefer a different sound, you can customize their sound to suit your tastes using their app's graphic EQ and presets. These headphones also support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected to two devices simultaneously. They also last over 44 hours continuously with their ANC on and come with a good hard carrying case to protect the headphones. However, they leak audio at high volumes, so if you like to crank up the volume to your favorite tunes, you may annoy others around you.

If you want ANC headphones with less leakage, the Razer Opus Wireless 2021 seal in more of your audio. Their competent noise cancelling is 'On or Off' only and reduces more mid-range noises like traffic but slightly fewer low rumbles than the Anker's adjustable ANC. If you watch a lot of videos or play mobile games, their app includes a Game Mode to improve audio/video lag. Their battery life is longer, and their finish is better, but they don't have multi-device pairing, take longer to charge, and have a slightly more limited app.

If you want headphones with more office-centric features, look at the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 Wireless. These headphones feature three ANC modes and attenuate low-frequency noise like the deep hum of HVAC systems, as well as other sounds like colleagues talking and keyboard clacking. While they're a newer version of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, their ANC isn't quite as adept at reducing low and high-pitched noise, although their performance is still impressive at this price point. Plus, their improved mic performance distinguishes them from their predecessor for office use. Whether you have to make calls from the office or attend online meetings from home, their integrated mic does a good job recording your voice clearly. The mic successfully separates your voice from background noise, though traffic can drown your voice out if you need to take a call on the go.

With their ANC on, they last over 44 hours continuously, so you can probably get through the workweek without a recharge unless you're cranking the volume. Out of the box, they also have a very bass-heavy sound profile that delivers intense thump, rumble, and boom, but if you prefer a different sound, their companion app provides a graphic EQ and presets. Unfortunately, their design is still prone to breakage, so they may not be the most long-lasting headphones.

If you like to play mobile apps or stream video on the go, check out the Razer Opus X Wireless. While many Bluetooth headphones can introduce audio lag into your gaming or streaming, these over-ears have a 'Gaming Mode' that helps ensure that your audio and visuals stay in sync, whether you're using your phone or other Bluetooth-compatible devices like the Nintendo Switch. However, while the headphones' latency syncs audio and video with less lag than our other picks, their ANC doesn't match the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless' performance, so that's a consideration when deciding on your needs. Unlike the Q30, their ANC struggles with reducing low-pitched noise like rumbling engines, but it's great at blocking out ambient chatter.

They have a reasonably neutral sound profile that adds extra boom and warmth to audio, so you'll hear sound effects like footsteps. Voices and instruments sound clear, accurate, and detailed. If you prefer a different sound, you'll see a few EQ presets in the Razer Audio app. The headphones are sturdy and comfortable and come in bright colors like green and pink, which is unusual for over-ears. They last for roughly 68 hours of continuous use with ANC on, which is fantastic, but you don't have the option of using them wired when the battery dies.

You'll find more in-ears and earbuds with ANC at this price point than over-ears. This kind of design has a few benefits: namely, a smaller, more portable design, though the trade-off is a shorter continuous battery life. If you're looking for earbuds, check out the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, which have an adaptive ANC system that automatically adjusts the level of noise isolation to fit your environment. They block out an outstanding amount of sound, like rumbly plane engines and people talking near you. You can also switch to manual ANC controls and set the level of noise isolation to your preferences. With their ANC on, they last over eight hours continuously, but if you need to recharge them, their carrying case supplies an extra four charges.

Beyond noise isolation, these comfortable and well-built buds have a warm sound profile that makes vocals and instruments sound cozy. Although they lack low bass, you can fine-tune their sound via the graphic EQ and presets in their companion app. In addition, they support multi-device pairing, meaning you can stay connected to your smartphone and PC simultaneously. Unfortunately, their integrated mic has poor recording quality, so your voice sounds distant and piercing.

If you want a better mic and don't mind paying more, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE Truly Wireless have a more natural-sounding mic. Their sound profile boasts a bit more low-end by default, but they only have EQ presets. While they block more high-pitched sounds like brake squeals, their ANC doesn't cancel as many low-pitched noises as the Anker buds. They're comfortable and stable, but some functions are limited to Android and Samsung devices, and their battery life is shorter.

Budget-friendly earbuds usually have fewer extra features than pricier options, but it's still possible to find earbuds with a strong noise cancelling performance. Enter the TOZO NC7 Truly Wireless: the best noise cancelling buds at the budget level that we've tested. They don't have a companion app, sound customization features, or multi-device pairing, but their ANC system gets the job done. It blocks out bass-range noise like rumbling engines very well, and although the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless handle higher-pitched sounds like voices more effectively, these buds are still good at reducing background noise at the office. They can be hard to find in stock, but luckily, they're usually available directly from the manufacturer.

Their V-shaped sound profile adds thump and rumble in the bass range and brightness to instruments and lead vocals, making them well-suited for genres like EDM, rock, and pop. However, they also sound a bit harsh. The buds last around eight hours of continuous use with ANC on, so while you'll recharge them more often than most over-ears, they can get you through a workday. Their portable case also stores some extra charges for top-ups on the go. The earbuds are decently comfortable for most people, but they have a bulky design and a deep in-ear fit, which can bother some people.

If you want a more stable fit that's not as deep-fitting, the Anker Soundcore Life A2 NC Truly Wireless include removable stabilizers to better dial in your fit. Their sound is considerably more bass-heavy and excited, although you can adjust the EQ in their app. Their battery also lasts longer than the TOZO, but they aren't as good at cancelling deep rumbling sounds, like engines, as the TOZO buds.