The 6 Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $100 - Spring 2021 Reviews

The best over-ear headphones under $100 for casual use that we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. These well-built Bluetooth-enabled over-ears are equipped with a highly effective three-level ANC system that enables them to filter ambient noise to a remarkable degree. This ranges from the low rumble of bus engines to the high-pitched hum of an AC unit, not to mention ambient chatter from nearby coworkers.

They supply over 44 hours of continuous runtime on a single charge, so you shouldn't need to worry about charging them too often. Unusually for a pair of headphones in this price bracket, they're capable of pairing with two devices simultaneously, allowing you to chat with friends through your phone while remaining connected to your computer. While their default sound profile is very bass-heavy and could be overwhelming to some listeners, this can be adjusted to your liking via the graphic EQ in their companion app.

Unfortunately, they leak quite a bit of audio, which could annoy people nearby if you like to listen to content at a high volume. They're also quite bulky, which could make them a nuisance to carry around when not in use, though they do come with a fairly sturdy carrying case. Otherwise, their superb noise isolation performance and wide feature set help make them some of the best noise cancelling headphones that we've tested.

The best over-ear headphones under $100 for audiophiles we've tested are the Philips SHP9500. They offer a well-balanced, very neutral listening experience similar to that of more expensive alternatives, with an expansive passive soundstage that should allow you to immerse yourself in your music. They're also comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time, with a lightweight design, spacious ear cups, and generous amounts of padding.

While they have a somewhat underemphasized low-bass response that robs some EDM and hip-hop tracks of thump and rumble, the majority of their sound profile is very well-balanced, with clear, detailed vocals and lead instruments as well as bright, present sibilants. They're decently well-built for the price, with a mostly dense plastic construction and detachable, replaceable audio cable.

Unfortunately, they leak quite a bit of audio, even by the standards of other open-back headphones. The fabric used to line their headband and ear cups also feels somewhat thin and fragile and could tear or show obvious signs of wear following prolonged use. Still, considering their expansive passive soundstage and well-balanced sound profile, these are a great choice for audiophiles on a relatively tight budget.

The best over-ear headphones under $100 for gaming that we've tested are the ROCCAT Elo 7.1 Air Wireless. These wireless gaming headphones come with a USB-A dongle that allows for low-latency transmission audio, so you shouldn't miss a crucial audio cue while you're gaming. They also supply roughly 16 hours of playback time on a single charge, which should be enough for a couple of long gaming sessions, and have an auto-off timer to help conserve charge when not in use.

They have default a well-balanced sound profile, so sound effects in action-heavy games shouldn't totally overwhelm dialogue or music. If you aren't a fan of the way they sound out-of-the-box, you can choose between a couple of EQ presets or fine-tune their audio reproduction via a graphic EQ in their Roccat Swarm companion software, which also features configuration options for their boom mic, including voice modification and voice clarity. That said, their boom mic does a good job of making your voice sound full-bodied, detailed, and mostly clear of background noise without any adjustment.

 Unfortunately, they do a poor job of blocking out background noise, which could be annoying if you're gaming in a noisy environment. Their audio reproduction is also highly sensitive to their fit, seal, and positioning on your head, and their adjustable headband can loosen very easily. Otherwise, their low wireless latency and wide range of configuration features help make them one of the best wireless gaming headsets that we've tested.