The 6 Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $100 - Summer 2020
Reviews

The best over-ear headphones under $100 for casual use we've tested so far are the Mixcder E9. These Bluetooth headphones are quite comfortable thanks to their well-padded ear cups and lightweight design. They feature easy-to-use physical buttons that offer great feedback and allow you to control your music without needing to take out your phone, and they last over 18 hours off a single charge.

These headphones' sound profile is quite well-balanced throughout the bass range and most of the mids, providing accurate bass that isn't overpowering or thumpy. Unfortunately, they do lack a fair amount of low-treble, which causes vocals and instruments to be distant and lacking in detail, making these headphones better suited for less vocal-centric genres and content. On the bright side, they feature an active noise cancelling (ANC) feature that works quite well and does a good job of blocking out the low rumble of bus and plane engines.

Unfortunately, the low price of these headphones comes across in their build quality, and they have a plastic feel. That being said, they still look somewhat premium and higher-end than many other options at this price point. Overall, these are a decent option for a variety of uses, and their good ANC feature helps them rank among the best budget wireless headphones we've tested.

The best over-ear headphones under $100 for audiophiles we've tested so far are the Philips SHP9500. They have an outstandingly well-balanced sound profile that rivals what some of the most premium audiophile headphones have to offer. They're also remarkably comfortable, with a lightweight design that's perfect for long listening sessions.

These wired headphones deliver exceptional audio fidelity at a very reasonable price. They reproduce instruments and vocals with great detail and clarity, without sounding overly sharp or harsh. They also provide a good amount of warmth and fullness and have an open, spacious soundstage. However, like most open-back headphones, they lack quite a bit of thump and rumble, so they won't be ideal for listening to EDM or hip-hop.

While the large, spacious ear cups of these headphones give your ears lots of comfortable breathing room, their padding is covered with a rather rough material. It's unlikely to be a dealbreaker for most people, but it doesn't feel as pleasant on the skin as the velour fabric that's more common on higher-end models. That said, they still provide the best value we've seen for audiophiles on a budget, and are very easy to recommend overall.

The best over-ear headphones under $100 for gaming that we've tested so far are the Logitech G533 Wireless Gaming Headset. These wireless gaming headphones are compatible with either your PC or PS4 and will let you game from the comfort of your couch without having to worry about a long cable dragging everywhere. They feel well-built, are comfortable, and provide good value for the price.

Out-of-the-box, these headphones have a very well-balanced sound profile that lends itself well to all kinds of video game soundtracks and effects. Some people might find they lack a bit of bass by default, especially if you wear glasses, but this can be corrected with the graphic EQ in the Logitech G HUB software. You can also activate their surround sound effects, adjust mic and volume levels, and even customize their multifunction button. Their 17-hour battery life is great, and, while they take quite a while to charge, you can still use them while charging.

Unfortunately, these wireless gaming headphones don't have an audio jack, so they can't be used wired with a regular audio cable. This also means they aren't compatible with the Xbox One at all. In addition, while their mic still sounds decent, it doesn't perform as well as wired models, such as the Logitech G433 Gaming Headset. That said, the G533 still provide great value for the price, especially considering the wireless freedom they deliver.