Follow
ElectronicsMusic & AudioAudioHeadphonesMusic ProductionAudiophile

What are the best headphones around $100?

19
Options 
Considered
39
User 
Recs.
Last 
Updated
Related Questions
Activity
Have feedback or ideas?
Discord logoJoin our community
on Discord
Here’s the Deal
Slant is powered by a community that helps you make informed decisions. Tell us what you’re passionate about to get your personalized feed and help others.

19 Options Considered

19 Options ConsideredPriceWeightFrequency Response
Sony MDR 7506
230 g10 - 20.000 Hz
Grado Prestige Series SR80e
210 Grams 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
240 g ( Without Cable ) 15 Hz - 24,000 Hz
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
285g15 - 28.000 Hz
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
289 grams–
See Full List

Sony MDR 7506

Paolo
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 hig...
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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 4 more Pros & ConsSee 4 more Pros & Cons

Grado Prestige Series SR80e

Paolo
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.
Paolo
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...
Paolo
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 fee...
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
Top Con

Cable is non-removable

•••
The cable is long, thick and non-removable, which makes it quite difficult to manage.
See 9 more Pros & ConsSee 9 more Pros & Cons

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

Paolo
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 sou...
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
Top Con

Incompatible with cables from other brands

•••
Only Audio Technica cables can be used with these headphones.
See 3 more ProsSee 3 more Pros

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
Top Pro

Great for tracking guitar

•••
Paolo
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 loo...
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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 8 more Pros & ConsSee 8 more Pros & Cons

Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

Paolo
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.
Paolo
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 fr...
Paolo
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.
Paolo
Top Pro

Open-listening mode

•••
Listen to the environment via a microphone without taking off the headphones.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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 8 more Pros & ConsSee 8 more Pros & Cons

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7B

Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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 d...
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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 5 more Pros & ConsSee 5 more Pros & Cons

Samsung Level On Wireless

Paolo
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.
Paolo
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 d...
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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 4 more ProsSee 4 more Pros

Shure SRH440

Robin
Paolo
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.
Paolo
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 har...
Paolo
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.
Robin
Paolo
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 uncomfortabl...
Robin
Paolo
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.
Robin
Paolo
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 4 more Pros & ConsSee 4 more Pros & Cons

Philips CitiScape Downtown

Add Video or Image

CB3 Hush

Add Video or Image

JBL Harman E55BT

Add Video or Image

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Add Video or Image

Bose SoundTrue

Add Video or Image

Philips Fidelio M2L

Add Video or Image

Bose SoundTrue II

Add Video or Image

Sennheiser Urbanite

Add Video or Image

SoundMAGIC HP151

Add Video or Image

AKG Y50

Add Video or Image

Grado SR60e

Add Video or Image

39 Community Recommendations

Onze
Paolo
Ryan
BethLM
Callixtus
Peele
MomoIshida
MicaCeci
Izem Lavrenti
Hloja
Aubrey
+11
Request recommendations from the community
No highlighted recommendations.
I Recommend...
Help millions of people make better decisions.
Each month, over 1.7 million people use Slant to find the best products and share their knowledge. Pick the tags you’re passionate about to get a personalized feed and begin contributing your knowledge.
undefined