The 7 Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $100 - Winter 2019
Reviews

The best over-ear headphones under $100 that we've tested so far are the Mixcder E9 Wireless. They're good budget headphones that perform quite well and feel much more premium than their price would suggest. They have a great, easy-to-use control scheme and surprisingly low latency for Bluetooth headphones.

These over-ear headphones have a good, well-balanced sound with great bass that sounds thumpy and punchy without being too boomy. Unfortunately, their mid and treble ranges are a bit uneven, which may sound a little lacking in detail on vocals and lead instruments to some people. Overall, their sound is decently well-suited to a variety of genres, though they'll perform better with bass-heavy music like EDM or hip-hop.

On the downside, their noise cancellation is only decent and people looking for headphones to help block out ambient chatter or engine rumble might be better suited looking elsewhere, their 18-hour battery life is also only alright. If long battery life is very important to you, you may also want to consider the Anker SoundCore Life 2, as they are similar to the Mixcder but incredibly offer an additional 10 hours of battery life. All-in-all, the Mixcder are a decently well-rounded pair of comfortable headphones that feel and sound better than their price-point.

The best over-ear headphones under $100 for critical listening that we’ve tested so far are the Philips SHP9500. They’re very comfortable open-back headphones that feel reasonably well-made, especially for their price. They come with a detachable cable and have a simple, utilitarian aesthetic that works well overall.

They have a well-balanced, neutral sound with good bass, a nearly flawless mid-range, and great treble. Some may find they sound a bit bright, but those who like classical, jazz, or rock music may prefer this. They have a spacious soundstage and are comfortable enough to wear for hours, which is great.

Although they're balanced enough for most music genres, fans of EDM or hip-hop may find them lacking in thump and rumble due to their open-back design. The Superlux HD 681 have a semi-open design which can create a bit more bass, but they feel very cheaply made and aren’t as comfortable as the Philips. Although these headphones don’t feel as premium as some of the higher-end critical listening headphones out there, they feel better-built than the Superlux and are overall very good critical listening headphones for their price.

If you’re a PC or a PS4 gamer looking for the best over-ear headphones under $100 for gaming, then get the Logitech G533. They’re comfortable, well-built gaming headphones that utilize a USB dongle to provide a low-latency wireless experience.

These are great-sounding over-ear headphones. They do a very good job of reproducing video game soundtracks and effects accurately, which is helpful especially if you enjoy multiplayer games. These headphones are compatible with the Logitech G Hub, which provides numerous customizable features like an EQ, surround sound effects, and microphone settings. Their battery lasts for 17 hours of continuous playback and they have an auto-off timer that can be adjusted in the G Hub.

While a wireless design is great for gaming, it’s a bit disappointing they can’t be used wired. They have a decent microphone, but it doesn’t perform as well as that of the wired Logitech G433. They are also rather bulky and don’t feel like the sturdiest headphones. That said, they’re still a good choice for gamers who like to be able to customize their gaming headset and don’t mind a wireless-only design.