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

The best over-ear wireless headphones under $100 that we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless. These lightweight Bluetooth headphones have a comfortable fit and a good build quality. Their ANC system blocks out an incredible amount of background noise, including the low rumble of bus and plane engines.

They support multi-device pairing, which is a bit unusual for headphones at this price, and they have a continuous battery life of roughly 44 hours, so you shouldn't need to recharge them every day. You can even use them to listen to audio passively if the battery dies. Their bass-heavy sound profile brings some extra thump and rumble to mixes, which fans of genres like EDM and hip-hop may like, but it can also be customized with a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app.

Unfortunately, their mic's recording quality is just okay and has a sub-par noise handling performance, so they may not be ideal for phone calls, especially outside quiet environments. They also leak quite a bit of sound, so if you listen to your music at a high volume, it may bother people nearby. That said, they offer a good range of features, great app support, and outstanding noise isolation. They're even among 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, and 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 the charge when not in use.

They have default a well-balanced sound profile, so sound effects in action-heavy games shouldn't 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.