Audio technology is always improving, and specialized, high-quality headphones are no longer exclusive to musicians and producers. Even if your budget is relatively tight, or you just don’t want to pay an enormous price to enjoy your favorite tunes, we have prepared for you a list of the five best headphones under 100 £.
Most often than not, the price tag is directly affecting the quality that the headphones provide. The high-end models can have better engineering, better audio quality, and they can be more durable and comfortable than low-end. Still, these headphones prove that the high-quality doesn’t exclusively mean that they must have an enormous price tag attached to them. So keep reading and find out which headphones are the best headphones under 100 £.
Table of Contents
Best Headphones Under 100 on the Market in 2024
Last update on 2024-10-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. DOQAUS Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones
- [Pressure-relieving Soft Earpads & Ergonomic Design]: Memory-protein earmuffs, soft headband and 250g light weight make the DOQAUS Bluetooth headphones over-ear fit for long-time wearing. The stainless steel slider and upgraded larger diameter of ear cup allow you to find the perfect fit without constraint and provide excellent durability
- [Up to 90 Hrs & Wired Mode]: DOQAUS Bluetooth headphones over ear provide 90 hours of continuous music/talking time rather than 10 hours, triple as much as other wireless headphones. Come with 3.5mm audio cable, when the battery runs out of power DOQAUS wireless headphones can be used as a wired one so the headphones will never power off. Note: The headset button will not work in wired mode, you must adjust the volume and change songs through your phone
- [Hands-free Calling & Built-in Mic]: DOQAUS wireless headphones over ear provide a quick and stable connection with your Bluetooth enabled devices like cell phones, tablets, pc, TV within 20 meters, with a high-quality built-in noise-cancelling mic for hands-free calls
- [Unique Three EQ Mode & High Quality CSR CHIP]: DOQAUS Headphones EQ mode design, you could switch to THREE sound effect: 1.Balanced Sound (powerful bass, clear vocal and high tones are balance); 2.Extra Powerful Bass; 3.High definition(clear vocal). It comes with high quality CSR chip, dual 40mm dynamic drivers, it provides you with more stable transmission speed, lower latency and better audio output
Last update on 2024-09-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are in the market for a reliable pair of headphones with good audio quality, you should consider DOQAUS Over-Ear Bluetooth headphones. Even though their manufacturer is relatively unknown, these headphones proved that high quality doesn’t exclusively mean an enormous price.
Furthermore, DOQAUS headphones are one of the most sought-after Bluetooth headphones on the market right now. They feature a sleek and visually appealing design; they come in two versions – a black version with silver trim and a grey version with golden trim.
Key features:
- 40mm driver
- Closed-back over-ear cup design and adjustable padded head strap
- Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 connection
- Integrated controls and microphone
- Outstanding 52-hour battery life
Even though DOQAUS Over-Ear Bluetooth headphones are relatively cheap, the sound quality is exceptional. You can customize your listening experience as you see fit by choosing between three different EQ modes – normal, bass, and HD.
Normal mode features equally balanced high, mid, and lows. Bass mode, as the name suggests, provides that sweet extra kick in the low frequencies. HD mode increases the clarity of highs and mids and dampens the bass – a feature ideal when watching movies with heavy dialogue.
They are pretty lightweight (250g) and incredibly comfortable. Even if you wear them for long periods, you can never really feel them on your head, which is excellent. The headband is extendable and fully adjustable, plus the inside of the headband is well padded. Earcups are also incredibly comfortable as they can twist so you can fit them to almost every head shape.
The headphones look sturdy and resilient, and when you take them in your hands, you really have that feeling of quality, despite their relatively low price. They feature the latest Bluetooth 5.0 connection and have integrated controls and microphone. The battery is absolutely outstanding (52 hours of playback). The sliding on/off button takes a while to get used to.
Overall, DOQAUS Over-Ear Bluetooth headphones are most probably the best headphones on the market in terms of price-to-quality ratio.
What we like:
- Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
- Outstanding battery life
- 3 EQ modes to adjust the sounds
- Excellent value for money
What we don’t like:
- Sliding on/off button
2. Sony WH-CH710N
- AI Noise Cancelling with Dual Noise Sensor technology lets you cancel out the world tailored to your environment or choose to let it in with Ambient Sound Mode
- These long-lasting wireless bluetooth and NFC enabled headphones deliver up to 35 hours of playback
- New 30mm driver units provide the superior audio quality you'd expect of Sony headphones
- Get clear hands-free calling and Voice Control on the WH-CH710N
Last update on 2024-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sony WH-CH710N are one of the best headphones under 100 £. 30mm driver units deliver a frequency range of 7Hz to 20kHz and the superior audio quality you’d expect of Sony headphones with deep and robust bass and crisp and crystal-clear highs. The headphones are compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and support AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs, but not AptX.
Key features:
- 30mm driver units for the superior audio quality
- AI noise canceling with Dual Noise Sensor technology
- Wireless Bluetooth and NFC enabled
- Hands-free calling and voice control
- Soft oval earpads designed for all-day comfort
The heavily cushioned earpads provide a very comfortable experience for your ears. The headband fit is also quite comfortable, and despite their bulky build, they feel exceptionally lightweight, even over long listening periods.
Sony WH-CH710N feature active noise-cancellation, and if you compare them to £400 headphones, it’s not that exceptional, but for this price, it is outstanding. The headphones successfully damp down low-frequency, while for mids and highs, it’s merely decent. ANC does affect the audio slightly, but that is somewhat common for headphones in this price range.
The left earcup houses the power button, which also serves as a pairing button, and connections for the included USB-C charging cable and the 3.5mm headphone cable. Battery life is expected to last roughly 35 hours with ANC on or 45 hours with ANC off, but your results will also vary with your volume levels.
What we like:
- Incredible audio performance with deep bass and crisp highs
- Simple, sleek design
- Excellent noise-cancellation
- Can be used in passive, wired mode
What we don’t like:
- No carrying case or bag
3. Soundcore Q30 by Anker Life
- Incredible Sound Loved by 20 Million+ People
- Hi-Res Music: Hear every detail of your favorite songs thanks to Life Q30’s 40mm drivers. The highly-flexible silk diaphragms reproduce thumping bass and crisp treble that extends up to 40kHz for improved clarity.
- Advanced Noise Cancellation Technology: Maintain your focus with Life Q30’s hybrid active noise cancellation. Dual noise-detecting microphones pick up and filter out up to 95% of low-frequency ambient sound to ensure nothing distracts you from your music.
- Ultimate Noise Cancellation Experience: Customize Life Q30’s noise cancellation with 3 modes—Transport minimizes airplane engine noise, Outdoor reduces traffic and wind, and Indoor dampens the sound of busy offices with people talking in the background.
Last update on 2024-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are looking for something different, Soundcore Q30 are undoubtedly on par with the famous-brand Sony WH-CH710N. The headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified, meaning that they are capable of delivering exceptional and crystal clear sound.
Key features:
- 40mm drivers with the highly-flexible silk diaphragms
- Hybrid active noise cancellation with dual noise-detecting microphones
- Three ANC modes – transport, outdoor, indoor
- 60 hours of playtime in standard mode, 40 hours in ANC mode
- Quick-charge – a short 5-minute charge gives you 4 hours of listening
Soundcore Q30 headphones are equipped with 40mm drivers that have the highly-flexible silk diaphragms. This high-quality driver is able to reproduce thumping bass and crisp treble that extends up to 40kHz for extraordinary clarity and detail.
Besides allowing you to listen to your favorite tunes in high resolution, these headphones have superior active noise cancellation technology. Dual noise-detecting microphones pick up and filter out up to 95% of low-frequency ambient sound, which means that no matter where you are, you’ll be able to listen to music without any interruptions. You can also optimize ANC to your needs with three modes (transport, outdoor, indoor) so that you always get the perfect sound.
As far as the battery goes, the Soundcore Q30 headphones can provide about 40 hours of non-stop playtime in wireless active noise cancellation mode, but if you’re ever in a rush, you can charge these headphones for just five minutes and get four hours of listening.
Their lightweight build combined with ultra-soft protein leather ear cups with memory foam padding ensures that these headphones are super comfortable even for prolonged listening sessions.
What we like:
- Price tag
- Hi-Res Audio certificate
- Advanced hybrid noise-canceling technology
- Above-average battery life
What we don’t like:
- Maximum volume could be higher
4. OneOdio Studio Pro 10
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OneOdio Studio monitor headphones are fitted with large, 50 mm speaker unit drivers combined with neodymium magnets. The sound quality is really decent for their price. The drivers are powerful enough to deliver accurate and deep bass, clear vocals, and exceptionally good high tones.
Key features:
- 50mm neodymium drivers
- Long DJ-style 9.8-foot cord (completely detachable)
- Padded ear cushions, and adjustable and stretchable headband
- 90° swiveling design for maximum portability
OneOdio Studio Pro 10 headphones are really exceptional when it comes to bass output. As they are marketed primarily for DJ’s and music producers, OneOdio’s engineers designed cheap headphones with on-point bass accuracy. The audio is decent, lows and mids are crisp and clear, but the frequency response is up to 20kHz, so the highs can seem a bit off.
These headphones are wired-only, which means that, unfortunately, they are somewhat restrictive. They come bundled with two detachable spring cables with 3.5mm and 6.3mm plugs on each end, so you can easily connect them to many different devices (3.5mm plug for phones, tablet, computer; 6.35mm plug for AMP, keyboard, electronic drum, etc.)
Even visually, the materials that the headphones are made of look durable and comfortable. Ear cushions are made of memory foam and covered in high-quality faux leather. When you put them over your ears, they provide snugly fit, which improves noise cancelation ability. The headband is also heavily padded very adjustable. The lightweight design ensures that you don’t even feel them on your head, and you don’t even start to feel them even after prolonged use.
One more thing that makes these headphones stand out from the rest is the 90° swiveling design. You can easily fold them and safely store them in a bag or backpack.
What we like:
- Deep and accurate bass
- Crisp and clear lows and mids
- Very comfortable ear cups and heavily padded headband
- 90° swiveling design that maximizes portability
What we don’t like:
- They only support wired connection
No products found.
5. Sony WH-CH510 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
- Up to 35 hours long battery life
- 10 minutes Quick Charge for 90 minutes playback
- Sleek, swivel fold design for compact on-ear style
- Built-in microphone, enabling hands free voice calls
Last update on 2024-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sony is a reliable brand that always gives the best results, even for a fraction of the price. When you take a look at Sony WH-CH510 Wireless Bluetooth headphones, you will notice that these headphones are over-ear, not on-ear as you usually imagine the headphones.
Key features:
- Sleek, swivel fold design for compact on-ear style
- Up to 35 hours long battery life and Quick
- Built-in microphone, enabling hands-free voice calls
- Easily connects to your smartphone voice assistant
Some audiophiles may argue that on-ear headphones have many physical limitations when it comes to the sound quality, but WH-CH510 Wireless Bluetooth headphones will surely surprise you. Despite these alleged limitations, these headphones still manage to sound remarkably good. The audio profile that they provide is pretty balanced. Highs can sometimes be more dominant and mids suppressed, but the bass is always clear and present.
Sony WH-CH510 headphones feature a Bluetooth 5.0 connection, which is pretty reliable and is without noticeable lag. Battery life is average, with up to 35 hours of playtime, but they compensate that with Quick Charge technology, which provides up to 90 minutes of playback for 10 minutes of charging.
Headphones are very comfortable, although your on-ear design can be bothering you because you always feel them on your ears. The headband is padded with thick foam for added comfort. On the other hand, on-ear design gives these headphones above-average compactness, and when you combine that with their small size and insubstantial weight, you get ultra-portable pair of headphones.
What we like:
- Solid audio quality
- Great battery life
- Incredibly affordable
- Lightweight and compact
What we don’t like:
- No 3.5mm jack or USB audio
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How to Choose The Best Headphones Under 100 £ That Will Satisfy All Your Needs
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If you wonder what the most important qualities you should look for in a set of headphones are, you should definitely check out this buyer’s guide.
Audio technology has improved significantly in the past few years, and specialized headphones are no longer exclusive to musicians and producers. They’ve become available to the broader public, but there is an overwhelming amount of choice on the market, and people don’t know which ones are the best for them.
One of the first things you should look out for when choosing the best headphones is audio quality and comfort. This is the tricky part to navigate through because, to provide a cheaper and affordable choice, manufacturers often have to sacrifice one or both of these attributes.
After that, you should choose between the wired or wireless model, depending on your daily activities. The next thing you should look out for is if the headphones are over-ear, on-ear, or in-ear headphones, what material they are made from, and so on.
With that being said, the “budget” models with the less-than-hundred price tag that we highlighted in our review are close behind or even on par with few brands that are retailing for almost double the price.
If you keep reading, you will find out why each of these qualities can benefit your satisfaction.
Audio Quality
Even though the audio quality is somewhat subjective, it is imperative when it comes to picking out the best headphones for you.
When it comes to audio quality, the general rule of thumb for low-end over-ear headphones is “bigger is better.” Larger drivers and diaphragms often have better performance and response than their smaller counterparts because they have bigger vibrating cones, and they provide a larger magnetic field to disturb. Hence, the larger the headphone, the better the audio quality.
For high-end headphones, size is less relevant, and their audio quality actually depends on how well they are engineered. But some manufacturers manage to provide high-quality engineering without putting a high price tag.
Wired or Wireless
The next thing you should look out for is if the headphones are wired or wireless because the headphones’ type of connection will primarily affect your day-to-day activities. Both connections do have other advantages and disadvantages, and here are some of them.
Wired headphones use cables to connect them to a compatible audio source, usually via a 3.5mm jack. Because they are physically attached to the audio source, they are also connected to the power source. This means that they do not need to be charged; thus, you don’t have to worry about batteries running out.
The big plus for wired headphones is that they are often cheaper than wireless ones, but they pack the same punch. Every primary feature that wireless headphones have, wired headphones have it too. Also, they are comfortable and convenient to use because of their plug-and-play compatibility. Also, a wired connection is more stable and reliable in a data transfer than a wireless option.
One of the downsides of wired headphones is that they are infinitely more prone to tangling than wireless headphones. Tangled cable is often hindering your ability to use them properly, and there is a high chance of damaging the cable/headphones. Wire also means that you have restricted reach.
Image Courtesy of Pexels
Wireless headphones do not require the use of cables or wires. Instead, they are establishing a connection via Bluetooth. Their most significant advantage over wired headphones is that they have little to no restrictions, which means they can be used during any activity. The trade-off usually comes in the form of battery life, so you’ll have to remember to charge your wireless headphones every once in a while.
If you are leaning towards wireless headphones, then you should pay attention to the type of Bluetooth connection they have. Classic Bluetooth connection allows you to connect to one device in a very short range. The pricier single-range upgrade enables a more extended range, and the dual-range upgrade will allow you to connect to more than one device.
Comfort, Build Quality, and Aesthetics
After you have settled on a wired or wireless type of headphones, you need to look at the comfort level each headphone provides. But how to know which features make headphones for music more or less comfortable?
First, you have to choose between an over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear option. As the name suggests, over-ear headphones create a little dome over your ear, significantly contributing to comfort. On-ear and in-ear headphones deliver sound straight to your ear canal, which can offer a better sound.
Secondly, headband and ear cups should not be too tight or too loose; they must provide a comfortable fit. If the headband and earcups are too tight, they might restrict blood flow, leading to headaches and fatigue. Both the headband and earcups should be made of comfortable and breathable materials. A big plus is if they are filled with memory foam, which allows them to conform to your head’s shape for added comfort.
The weight also plays a massive part in comfort. You want to choose a lightweight pair of headphones, not an enormous pair that will weigh your head down. Bulkier headphones are not suitable for extensive use because they are more likely to cause headaches and fatigue.
Noise Cancellation
The noise-cancellation feature is what makes a difference between mediocre and fantastic listening experience—hearing music or sounds from every other source than your song can break the immersion and ruin your experience.
When you choose the best headphones, you should also look for headphones with good noise-cancellation ability. There are two different ways in which headphones block external audio sources, active and passive noise cancellation.
Passive noise cancellation is a term used to describe headphones that block sound from external sources with its physical design (e.g., tight fit around head and ears). Active noise cancellation is a term that describes headphones that detect background noises and then digitally counter the signal for a crystal-clear and high-quality audio experience.
Image Courtesy of Pexels
If we had to choose the best headphones under 100 £, then we would select DOQAUS Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones. These headphones proved that high quality doesn’t exclusively mean an enormous price, and they undoubtedly have the best quality-to-price ratio.
With that being said, all of the other headphones we reviewed are also excellent choices, and you are guaranteed to be satisfied with any of them. Models that Sony manufactures are easily on par with the much pricier headphones on the market, but they are in the near-hundred price range.
OneOdio’s and Anker Life’s models are much more affordable, but in the end, it’s up to you to choose which headphones will satisfy you the most.
