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ElectronicsMusic & AudioAudioHeadphonesMusic ProductionAudiophile

What are the best headphones around $100?

24

Options
Considered

63

User
Recs.

Sep 24, 2020

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

19 Options Considered

Best headphones around $100?	Price	Type	Last Updated
81 Grado Prestige Series SR80e	$99	On/Over-Ears	Aug 4, 2019
-- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x	$99	On/Over-Ears	Jan 30, 2020
-- Sony MDR 7506	$100	On/Over-Ears	Mar 23, 2019
-- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x	$140.38	On/Over-Ears	Mar 26, 2018
-- Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2	$199.99	On/Over-Ears	Mar 26, 2018

Grado Prestige Series SR80e

Top Pro

Combines a fun, detailed sound and wide soundstage at an affordable price

The SR80E's highs and lows are boosted, making the sound detailed and punchy, and should result in a fun listening experience. This is enhanced by a wide soundstage and defined imaging that other headphones in the price category cannot match. See More

Top Con

Highs can sound piercing/harsh

Some users may find the highs to be too much. This is especially true if used with music that have a lot of high frequency sounds or effects like cymbals for example. See More

Specs

Type:On/Over-Ears

Top Pro

Fun sounding with extended bass and highs along with warm mids

The highs are quite forward which brings out a lot of detail from the music. The mids, while not upfront, have nice presence and body to the music. The bass has good impact and is well-defined. The SR80e works best for rock, country or live music, but can also perform well for classical music, EDM and similar genres. See More

Top Con

Open-back design leaks a lot of sound

These headphones leak a lot of sound which means that other people near you can easily hear what you are listening to. These are not the best to use if you are in a place where silence is important. See More

Top Pro

Open back design results in good sound stage

Th ear cups sport an open-back design, with mesh as the only covering on the driver. This gives a good sound stage which, while not very wide, is enough to give a feeling that the sound is coming from some distance away instead of just from beside your ears. This gives the music a more natural feel. See More

Top Con

May feel flimsy/cheap

These sound great, but build quality might not be up to par with the sound. The headband is very thin while the ear cups are mostly made of plastic. If you are looking for headphones that look and feel premium then these may not be for you. See More

Top Pro

Very light

The headband is only a piece of leather with a very thin metal sheet inside to give it structure, along with thin metal rods as gimbals for the plastic ear cups. Not only is it light, it's also quite portable too. See More

Top Con

On ear design can be uncomfortable

The SR80e's ear cups sit on top of the user's ears with just a thin foam piece acting as cushion. This can result in an uncomfortable listening experience, especially when worn for extended periods. See More

Top Pro

Cable feels high quality

The cable is fairly long, thick and has a good weight to it. This is reassuring, as it means the cable will not break easily. See More

Top Con

Very bulky plug

The 3.5mm plug is very large, and if you use a case on your phone, you won't be able to fit it in all the way. This can make the headphones sound off, or not produce any sound at all. See More

Top Con

Cable is non-removable

The cable is long, thick and non-removable, which makes it quite difficult to manage. See More

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Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

Top Pro

Comes with two detachable cables

The headphones come with a straight cable and a coiled cable, making them useful in the studio or while walking. See More

Top Con

Incompatible with cables from other brands

Only Audio Technica cables can be used with these headphones. See More

Specs

Type:On/Over-Ears

Top Pro

These have a high quality and durable feel

The M40xs feel solid and are known to be quite durable. The plastics used in the build do not easily flex or make creaks, giving the impression that these can last quite a long time. See More

Top Pro

Fairly neutral sound signature

Sound signature is quite accurate, almost flat. Bass is much more controlled instead of boomy, while there is a slight elevation on the highs, resulting in extra energy and detail up top. These offer a nice middle ground between a fun sound and a more reference/analytical sound signature. This sound quality makes the headphones quite versatile as music enjoyment headphones or studio-use cans. See More

Top Pro

Can be used in noisy environments

The over-ear, closed back design along with the thick pleather ear pads can block out quite a lot of ambient noise, and will help users to focus in on the music. These make the headphones great for travel or for mixing/monitoring use. See More

Sony MDR 7506

Top Pro

Clean and balanced sound with smooth bass and detailed highs

The bass is just right. It may not have the deep sub-bass extension that bass heads crave for, but what is there is fast, tight and punchy. The mids are clear with a hint of warmth, which make vocals and guitars sound very clear and you can easily hear their sonic nuances . The reproduction of highs is the part that these headphones really shine. They are crystal clear and highly detailed without adding hiss or harshness to the overall sound. Cymbal crashes and pings, for example, are very close to what you would hear if they were played right in front of you. See More

Top Con

Long cable is non-removable

The headphone cable is coiled and is about 10 feet long. This is great for studios, however walking around in public with these headphones on can be awkward. The cable cannot be removed and has no remote or mic. See More

Specs

Type:On/Over-Ears

Top Pro

Solid build quality

The MDR 7506 is built outstandingly well, with high quality materials and with little to no creaks and unnecessary flex. These headphones have been around since 1991, which has given Sony a lot of time to refine the manufacturing process of these cans. See More

Top Con

Picky with audio sources

Due to how accurate sounding these are, you will be able to hear minute details from the sound, including hiss, distortion, and the like. To get the most out of these headphones for music enjoyment, you will want to have a great audio source. See More

Top Pro

Minimal sound leakage

These leak very little sound compared to other over-ear headphones. The rear side of the ear cups is fully closed, which effectively minimizes sound leakage. With these, you can fully enjoy your music without disturbing people beside you. See More

Top Con

Long cable is non-removable

The headphone cable is coiled and is about 10 feet long. This is great for studios, however walking around in public with these headphones on can be awkward. The cable cannot be removed and has no remote or mic. See More

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Top Pro

Stellar build quality

The ATH M50x is made from high quality matte plastics which are quite resistant to damage without being too heavy. The hinges move smoothly and do not have unnecessary creaks. See More

Top Con

Ear cups may be too small

The ear cups on the M50x are smaller than those on something like the 380HD or the DT 770 Pro. Your ears could end up touching the the inside of the headphones which can be uncomfortable for some. See More

Specs

Type:On/Over-Ears

Top Pro

Generally neutral sounding but with an added kick to the low end

The ATH-M50x are great sounding headphones with a sound that may fall in the neutral category, but with very slight boosts to the bass and highs; a slightly V-shaped sound. The bass is full and has a lot of power. The sub bass has a hint of elevation though, which can make the bass sound a bit loose on hip-hop or EDM tracks. The mids are fairly neutral with no elevation. The highs are also slightly elevated, which does not add harshness but instead gives the sound a shimmery and detailed feel. This sound signature of the M50x makes it versatile. It is neutral enough for monitoring use, yet also has just the right qualities to make it a great choice for enjoying music. See More

Top Con

Only passive noise cancellation

If you're looking for a headphone to keep you isolated on long plane rides, the M50x is probably not the right headphone for you. These headphones do not electronically limit exterior noises, it only blocks noise with its physical design. See More

Top Pro

Good value for your money as these headphones are feature packed for the price

You get a lot from what you pay for with these headphones. Aside from the great sound, they are also well built and come with a lot of accessories. See More

Top Pro

Detachable cables

Audio-Technica finally updated the M50's built in cable to a detachable cable. The M50x even comes with three cables, a 1.2 m - 3.0 m coiled cable, a 3.0 m straight cable, and a 1.2 m straight cable. None of the cables have in-line controls though. See More

Top Pro

Lively sounding bass

The bass of these headphones sound full with a slight boost. This makes the bass quite punchy without drowning the mids or highs. See More

Top Pro

Good passive isolation

The ear cups and pads are able to keep the sound in and block outside noise. These are suitable for a noisy office as even low volume music is enough to drown out those noisy office mates. See More

Top Pro

Can collapse to a more compact size

The ear cups can be folded into the headband, reducing its footprint. Combined with the carrying pouch and detachable cables, you can easily chuck these headphones into your bag when going out. See More

Top Pro

Great for tracking guitar

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

Top Pro

Good sound reproduction, wireless signal stability and decent noise-canceling for the price

With the BackBeat Pro 2, you get powerful yet clear sound that is comparable to higher end models but at a noticeably more affordable price. Wireless range and stability is quite good and the noise cancelling, while not the best, can reduce a good amount of external noise. See More

Top Con

Heavy

These headphones may put some strain on your head and neck due to these being quite heavy, coming in at almost 300 grams. See More

Specs

Type:On/Over-Ears

Top Pro

Clear and powerful sound

The BackBeat Pro 2’s mids and treble are not forward, yet sound clear and neutral. You may hear a bit of sharpness in the higher frequencies, but overall you’ll get a pleasant listening experience with great details from your music. The low-end is quite emphasized, so you’ll get a lot of thump from bass hits. Bass lovers will likely find these headphones to be up their alley. See More

Top Con

Bulky for traveling

These headphones may not be ideal for on-the-go use, as they are large, full-sized headphones that do not fold down to a compact size. See More

Top Pro

Music automatically pauses when taking the headphones off

You won’t need to press a button on the headphones or on your source device to pause the music when you need to remove the BackBeat Pro 2. There are sensors inside the headphones that detect this motion, so the music is automatically paused, and then resumed when you put the headphones back on. See More

Top Pro

Open-listening mode

Listen to the environment via a microphone without taking off the headphones. See More

Top Pro

Wired or wireless functionality

These headphones have Bluetooth connectivity for wireless convenience, but you can also switch to 3.5mm wired mode if the battery runs out and you cannot charge right away. See More

Top Pro

Decent noise cancelling

While the active noise canceling is not the best, it is able to reduce a good amount of noise from your surroundings. Loud engine sounds or high pitched noise may still mix in with your music though. See More

Top Pro

Good wireless range and stability

You’ll be able to hear audio even if you are around 100 feet away from your source device, provided there is a clear line of sight. Signal quality is also pretty good with minimal music cuts and drops. See More

Top Pro

Very good battery life

These headphones can last up to 24 hours of playback from a full charge, and this with moderate volumes in wireless mode with noise cancelling activated. This is very good battery life, considering other wireless headphones at the price range only have around half the battery life on average. See More

Samsung Level On Wireless

Top Pro

Offers a good mix of sound performance and noise cancelling along with wireless connectivity at a reasonable price

The Level On Wireless headphones deliver very good sound quality which is unusual for wireless headphones at this price range. Noise cancelling is also quite good, and can block out a good bit of noise from mixing in with the music. See More

Top Con

Bass boost from noise canceling may be too much

If you prefer a detailed sound, then the bass boost that is introduced when noise cancelling is on may be a drawback. The effect is quite prominent, and does take a way a bit of the detail from the sound. See More

Specs

Type:On/Over-Ears

Top Pro

Above average noise-cancelling

The Level On Wireless does a pretty good job of reducing the ambient noise that may mix in with the music. A good chunk of high frequency noise is canceled, but you may still hear some loud, low-frequency rumbles like engine noise for example. See More

Top Pro

Noise canceling a bass boost effect on the sound

When noise canceling is activated, the Level On's low-end performance is also increased. Bass hits sound fuller and have a bit more boom. This effect is great for bass lovers who want extra thump out of their music. See More

Top Pro

Great highs with decent mids and bass

The Level On Wireless delivers a very good level of detail for Bluetooth, noise-cancelling headphones. The highs are forward and quite detailed so you should be able to hear the nuances of your music that you won't get from many other wireless options in the price range. The mids and bass are decent providing good punch and warmth. Your music won't sound tinny with these headphones. See More

Top Pro

Comfortable even when worn for extended periods of time

You won't have too much issue wearing these headphones for a number of hours straight. The Level On's earpads are fairly large for on-ear headphones and are quite soft as well. Clamping force is just right, and helps keep the headphones in place without compromising comfort. See More

Shure SRH440

Top Pro

Superb sound isolation

The closed back, over the ear design blocks out a significant amount of noise, allowing users to easily focus on the audio. Sound leak is also kept to a minimum. These are great for tracking and monitoring, and are also great choices for use in quiet environments like a library. See More

Top Con

Ear pads are not the most comfortable

Pleather is used on the surface of the ear pads which traps heat and can make the area around the ears warm up fast. Also, while the ear pads are large and soft, they are also quite thin. People with larger ears may experience their ears rubbing against the driver housing, which can be uncomfortable. See More

Specs

Type:On/Over-Ears

Top Pro

Reference quality sound which can be fun to listen to

Sound signature is fairly neutral, with slight elevations to the bass, mids and highs. Bass has a nice fullness to it, with some extra depth which gives the sound a lot of body. The mids are neutral but slightly forward, making the vocals sound really clear. Aggressive guitars can sound a bit harsh because of this though. Treble has good extension, and the added peak on the highest frequencies add more sparkle to the sound. Overall, these headphones can be used both for critical listening and for casual music enjoyment as well. See More

Top Con

Thin headband padding

There is minimal cushioning on the headband, so the plastic may dig into your head when using the headphones for long periods. See More

Top Pro

Headphone cable is detachable

You can easily remove the cable when these are not in use, making them easy to store. This also makes the cable easy to replace when needed. See More

Top Con

Build quality is rather poor

The overall build is quite plasticky, with a lot of rattles. While it is not fragile by any means, the build quality certainly does not inspire confidence. See More

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B

Top Pro

Exceptional mic

The microphone has good clarity and can actually be used for tasks other than talking on the phone - like recording podcasts on the go for example. See More

Top Con

Can get uncomfortable for people with larger ears

The ear cups of these headphones are quite compact, and may rub against the ears of some users, which can get quite uncomfortable. See More

Specs

Type:On/Over-Ears

Top Pro

Comes with two different cords

One cord comes with an inline mic and with controls, and the other cord is your standard audio cable. This inclusion not only allows you to pick a cable to best suit your use-case for the headphone, but this also ensures that you have a spare cable should one get damaged. See More

Top Con

Requires an amp for optimal volume/sound quality

If you really want to get the best sound quality as well as volume from these headphones then you will need a decent headphone amp. The impedance of these headphones is quite high at 300 Ohms, so these require a good bit of power to function optimally. See More

Top Pro

Good bass reproduction, warm mids and smooth highs

The bass of these headphones is pretty good. Bass drum hits have good power to them, yet they do not muddy up the sound. The mids are warm and forward, and should present vocals and mid-range sounds quite well. The highs do not have a lot of sparkle, but they are clear and present a good level of detail. See More

Top Pro

Can effectively cancel out noise

With these headphones it will be much easier for you to focus on your music, or whatever it is that you are listening to. Combined with the closed back design, airplane/train/bus engine noises are effectively cancelled out. See More

Top Pro

A good number of accessories are included

Along with the two headphone cables, you get a carrying case, an airline adapter and a 6.3mm plug. These should help make the headphones easier to transport and also make them compatible with a wider range of audio sources. See More

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Type:On/Over-Ears

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