A great pair of headphones should feel comfortable while providing solid audio quality—all without breaking the bank. Thanks to advances in cheap wireless technology, cheaper headphones have seen significant advancement.
Keep an eye out for headphones with long battery lives, noise-canceling features and sturdy designs—we’ve rounded up our favorite options below $100 that meet those criteria.
1. Sony WH-1000XM3
Sony’s WH-1000XM3 headphones are the latest iteration of their flagship headphones, designed for maximum comfort and noise isolation. Available in several colors for everyday use or travel bags. Fold up easily for transport!
Sony’s QN1 chip, a digital-to-analogue converter and amplifier combined, makes a significant improvement to sound quality, particularly lower frequencies that help remove engine rumble and other background noises from bus engines and other sources.
Another improvement is voice recognition that works seamlessly with Siri and Google Assistant, enabling you to take calls or control music playback without touching your phone. Furthermore, microphones have been upgraded so voice calls become clearer and crisper; however, audio lag and dynamic compression caused by Bluetooth streaming could cause voice quality fluctuations from time-to-time.
The XM3s are powered by a 24-hour battery with active noise cancellation (ANC). This provides adequate protection from ambient noise during long flights or commutes. Plus, Bluetooth multipoint support lets you pair both smartphones simultaneously to your headset!
2. Sennheiser Accentum
Sennheiser Accentum over-ear headphones offer excellent comfort with long battery lives that will get you through even your longest commutes and flights. Their plush silicone earcups and custom TrueResponse transducers deliver impressive audio performance, while adaptive hybrid active noise canceling keeps music within its environment while blocking out distracting noise. They come equipped with a companion app that lets you customize their sound profile (defaulting to bass-heavy), fine-tune your experience and access additional features like EQ presets, codec selection and Sound Zones that use GPS technology to automatically change settings based on where you are.
Accentum Plus headphones boast a remarkable 50-hour playback time with active noise cancellation enabled and can be charged in 10 minutes for five hours of listening pleasure. Their controls may differ from other Sennheiser models but are still easy to use; the right earcup has a touchpad that acts as an auxiliary volume control; on the left earcup there’s a multi-functional button that activates voice assistants or audio files, mutes the microphone during phone calls, and turns headphones on/off.
The Sony WH-1000XM4’s earcups don’t fold flat like its competitors do; rather, they rotate horizontally and sit flush against one another when not being used. Their soft padding conforms well with glasses arms, and you can comfortably wear these headphones even with formal attire such as suits.
3. Skullcandy Hesh ANC
Skullcandy is a well-known brand offering affordable headphones with various features and colors to fit any taste or personal style. Their selection includes wireless, over-ear, sports and gaming headphones in different models that feature bass-heavy sound reproduction and don’t support high-quality codecs, which might make these models less suitable than their rivals for audio quality.
Hesh ANC headphones feature an attractive satin finish for casual yet elegant style. Lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for extended periods, their memory foam cushioned ear cups cover all four ears comfortably, while their flexible headband allows you to find your ideal fit.
These Bluetooth 5.0 headphones connect seamlessly with your device and feature active noise-canceling that reduces ambient noise while listening. Furthermore, their built-in microphone ensures high-quality video calls. You can pair two devices at the same time and enjoy up to 22 hours of continuous playback on a single charge; also included is a short USB-C to USB-A cable and drawstring travel pouch for convenient transporting and use.
Hesh ANC headphones deliver surprising sound quality for such an affordable pair. Their bass is deep without being overwhelming; midrange clarity is excellent with only minor peaking in low mids that could potentially cause your music to sound muddy or disjointed; while their treble boost adds brightness, which helps vocals and lead instruments stand out more clearly.
4. JBL Live Pro 2 TWS
JBL has long been known for incorporating value into its Bluetooth designs, and the Live Pro 2 TWS are no exception. Packed with 11mm drivers in an ergonomic and sweat-proof body that stays put while running or exercising, these lightweight earbuds boast up to eight hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation active and multipoint pairing support, all while also offering multipoint pairing and customizable app features.
The Live Pro 2 TWS utilizes binaural audio technology to reproduce sound in both ears, creating an enhanced sense of depth and immersion with music or podcasts. They come equipped with a maximum sound pressure level of 91 dB for dynamic yet impactful audio—Kid Laroi’s Stay stands as an example where its bass performance doesn’t suffer any distortion or loss of clarity!
JBL’s proprietary True Adaptive Noise Cancelling technology works to block out external distractions on your commute or work day. Simply touch controls on the buds or use a dashboard on their dedicated app to adjust settings. In addition, there are smart audio/video modes that optimise audio quality and lip-sync compatibility when watching videos.
The Live Pro 2 TWS are equipped with six beamforming mics designed to reduce wind and noise interference, while VoiceAware allows you to manage how much of your own voice you hear during calls. In comparison with Apple AirPods Pro, these have more neutral default sound profiles as well as more robust customization features through their app.
FAQ’S
1. What makes the Sony WH-1000XM3 stand out in terms of sound quality?
The Sony WH-1000XM3 features a QN1 chip that enhances lower frequencies and removes background noise for improved sound clarity.
2. How long does the battery last on the Sennheiser Accentum headphones?
The Sennheiser Accentum headphones offer an impressive 50-hour playback time with active noise cancellation enabled.
3. What are the key features of the Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones?
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones offer active noise cancellation, comfortable memory foam ear cups, and up to 22 hours of playback.
4. What makes the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS ideal for exercise or running?
The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS are sweat-proof, lightweight, and feature secure fit ear tips, making them perfect for exercise and running.
5. How does the noise cancellation on the JBL Live Pro 2 TWS work?
The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS uses true adaptive noise cancellation technology to block out external distractions effectively.
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