The best headphones for under £100

The JVC HA-S180 headphones are not perfect, but they come in at under £20, and there's still plenty to like. A surprisingly good sound is produced by 30mm drivers, with powerful bass reproduction through large bass ports. This isn't something you would normally expect to see (or, more accurately, not something you would expect to see hear) in headphones this cheap.

They also have a two-way foldable design which gives you the freedom to pack the headphones flat or compact. They actually look more expensive than they are — a contemporary design that sits alongside more expensive options.

Perhaps best of all is just how light these headphones are. At just 109 grams, they’re way lighter than other headphones on this list. If you want something cheap, easy, and reliable that you can throw on for your commute, these are perfect. They’re so light you’ll barely notice them on your head.

There are a couple of negative things to consider, which is no surprise at this price. The cable is relatively short so can be restricting, and there’s lack of cushioning which might irritate your ears after long listening sessions. But it's hard to complain when they cost so little.

You can always trust Sony to deliver a cracking set of headphones at any price point. The still-relatively-new Sony WH-CH720N headphones are designed as a more affordable version of the signature Sony WH-1000XM5. 

What the Sony WH-CH720N brings to the table — or more importantly, to your ears — is more advanced ANC. They use Dual Noise Sensor technology, which adapts and dampens environmental noise as you move. So, if you go from a quiet street to a noisy traffic jam, they’ll respond and adjust accordingly. There’s also an Ambient Sound Mode which lets you choose the outside noise you want to let in.

They’re equipped with 30mm drivers, control buttons built into the right ear cup, and voice assistant. Design-wise, they’re a classy look — a matte finish and chunky, well-padded ear cups. These are built for both style and comfort. 

The Sony WH-CH720N are also made for long-lasting performance. You’ll get 35-45 hours of battery life, though that depends on your ANC use and volume. Just 10 minutes of charge will give you almost five hours. If you are out of juice, simply connect them to your device with a regular 3.5mm jack cable. Overall, you can't go far wrong with Sony. Especially at this price.

If you thought the standard(ish) battery life of 20-odd hours on Bluetooth headphones was impressive, wait until you get an ear-load of the Jabra Elite 45h. They pretty much double the standard with up to 50 hours of runtime.  

It you have an active lifestyle you’ll likely know about Jabra already. The brand makes excellent fitness earbuds. The Jabra Elite 45h give the on-ear market a run for its money too, with the monster battery life and hi-spec features. 

As for the physical headset, it’s lightweight — these weigh up to 90 grams less than others on this list, in fact — and rest comfortably on the ears with memory foam and faux leather padding. Features include handily placed buttons on the right ear cup, a mic for taking calls, and voice assistant connectivity. There’s an app too, which can be used to control various aspects of the Jabra experience. 

If you’re worried that Jabra has put all its efforts into the runtime and spec, rather than fine-tuning the base requirement — i.e. the actual sound — cast your worries aside. These sound good — excellent even, considering the fact they costs significantly less than £100.  

But if there's a reason to buy these, it's undoubtedly the battery life. Not just long-lasting but fast too. Just 10 minutes of charging will give you 10 hours.

No roundup of best headphones would be complete with a set of JBLs. Not only has JBL emerged as one of the best brands for headphones, but the manufacturer caters for every price point and level of tech.  

The JBL Tune 760NC are wireless Bluetooth headphones that look the part, with a premium design and hard-wearing plastic. Large, over-ear cups create a comfortable seal that blocks out external sound — even without the ANC switched on. The cups swivel and fold inwards for storage and portability. 

Let’s get to the most important bit — performance. The sound is solid and packed with bass. And the ANC is as good as it gets at this price. Just one push of the button and the ANC activates. 

Location of the buttons on the right ear cup can be slightly fiddly — they're not always quite as intuitive as we’d like — but you’ll soon feel your way around. As for connectivity, they have multi-point pairing — hooking up with two devices at once. Some reviewers have noted bugs when connecting the Bluetooth (they use now-relatively-basic Bluetooth 4.2) but this listener never has a problem. 

You’ll get up to 35 hours of battery, depending on which features you have on. 

The Philips Fidelio X2HR aren’t the newest option on this list, but they're rated among the best open-back headphones within the price range. These are designed with a premium listening experience in mind. They're wired with a detachable lead, which means they’re the kind of headphones reserved for intensive listening via a solid sound system.

Philips credits the superior sound to the “open-back architecture” and high-precision 50mm drivers, which are angled specifically to align with your ears. Even for serious audiophiles, the sound will not disappoint. It’s balanced, detailed, and well-rounded. It hits the lows, mids, and highs with style.

The ventilated design means you get less sweaty as you might with closed-back headphones, which is also thanks to breathable velour cushioning on the ear cups. 

However — and as if often the case with open-backed headphones — these are best suited for indoor use. Ideally while relaxed next to your stereo and vinyl collection. If you need headphones that are better suited to the pace and volume of the modern outside world — i.e. headphones to use while on-the-move in the hustle and bustle of the city  — closed-back might work best.

Seinnheiser is well known for high-performance sound and hard-wearing quality. So, when you see a brand such as that selling a set of headphones for under £100, it’s hard to say no. Indeed, the Sennheiser HD 350BT are exceptionally good at this price.

These true wireless cans are packing some impressive software, including Bluetooth 5.0, the audio-boosting transducer tech, and the aptX Low Latency codec, which is great for keeping video streams in sync and lag-free. Sound comes in via 32mm dynamic drivers, and the Sennheiser app allows you to adjust your EQ levels. These sweet-sounding babies are surprisingly adaptable.

There's a little three-button panel for controlling the volume, playback, and call functions. They're compatible with voice assistants, too. Just click the button and you'll access Siri or Google Assistant.

Perhaps the biggest drawback it’s the lack of active noise cancellation. That’s never a guarantee on any headphones under £100, but it's a feature that you’ll find elsewhere on this list, not to mention elsewhere in Sennheiser’s audio arsenal (on the brand's higher ticket headphones though). If that's not a dealbreaker these are a fantastic option. Not least of all because Sennheiser sound is close to unbeatable in this price range.

Anker might not be the first brand you think of when it comes to top-quality headphones. But the Anker Soundcore Q30 is a contender for the best all-rounder pair on this list. Indeed, the Anker Soundcore Q30 headphones pretty much do it all.

You get Anker's signature sound and advanced noise cancellation that goes above and beyond the price point. They have ANC modes for indoors, outdoors, and transport. That’s pretty much everything covered. Using dual microphone technology, they promise to drown out 95% of background noise. You can adjust the actual sound too, with 22 EQ pre-sets and the option to customise to your own preference. This is all done via the Soundcore app.

What gives these the edge is their reliable portability. The headphones come equipped with a solid carry case, into which the headset folds neatly — perfect for storing away or taking safely on your travels.

They also have a monster 40-hour battery life. Not quite the class leader on this list, but not far off. You’ll rarely run out of juice with these beauties.