Headphones have maintained a steady position in the market over the past couple of decades, even while trends have tended to favour the smaller and inconspicuous. Many still prefer the over-ear options as they're more comfortable and produce more accurate audio across the frequency spectrum. This greater frequency range is vital for a clear and complete listening experience, the question is – can you get all of this in the budget market?
In this article, we’ll be sticking to a maximum budget of around £100 and seeing what excellent features you can expect from even some of the bigger players in sound like Sony. From wired to wireless and noise-cancelling to frequency range, we’ll have products that cover it all whether you want them for the daily commute or when you're out running.
Quick List - Top Budget Over Ear Headphones
Mixcder
Ideal for Those Who Plan on Wearing Them to the Gym
Sony
A Budget Option From a Big Electronic Powerhouse
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Before we jump in, let’s consider what’s available on budget headphones. While a few years back the technology for features such as noise-cancellation were too expensive, nowadays you can get a lot more for your money.
The first contemplation is wired vs wireless. While you might already have a preference in mind, it’s worth having a read about them each independently and considering their advantages and disadvantages.
A few years ago, we may have tried to dissuade you from going the wireless route due to technical issues, such as being troublesome to pair and frequently dropping out. However, the advances in Bluetooth technology see that these problems rarely arise anymore. Therefore, you can expect high-quality sound without bothersome wires.
They do have one main drawback that wired headphones don’t, though. They will require charging. Most headphones last between 20 – 50 hours from one full charge, so depending on how frequently you use them will depend on how often you need to charge them.
Wired headphones have been around for a long time and are thought of as providing superior sound. This is because they receive an analogue signal which can handle more data than Bluetooth. Furthermore, they’re often ubiquitous and can connect to any audio source with a 3.5 mm input, and they never require charging.
That said, the biggest problem with wired headphones is the wire itself. If you plan on listening and sitting in one spot, such as at your desk or commuting, you should be okay. However, if you want to listen whilst exercising or cleaning the house, for example, cords can get in the way. Plus, they always seem to get tangled in a bag, even if you neatly wrap them up.
We suspect you’re getting some new headphones to listen to music primarily. Therefore, you’re going to want a pair that can perform how you wish them to, such as delivering the hard-hitting bassy lows or the high-fidelity trebles that are ultra-crisp.
For this reason, it’s important to check out the frequency range of the headphones. The industry standard is 20 Hz – 20 kHz. With this, you should find that your headphones have ample response to any frequency.
That said, if you want it to be higher or lower on either end, then some options cater towards that, even in the budget range. Sure, they’re fewer a further between, but it’s not impossible.
At the end of the day, if your headphones aren’t comfy, then you aren’t going to wear them. So, finding a pair that have padding will ensure that you haven’t wasted your money.
You can expect to find padding on the ear cups, however, finding headphones that offer additional padding on the headband can make all the difference. This all-around foam will see you capable of wearing them for hours before they begin to irritate you (if at all), which is extremely handy if you spend a lot of time travelling regularly or vigorously working out.
Another modern feature that might not have been available until recently is whether the headphones have an in-built microphone or controls. These will allow you to access features such as volume, skip track, without the need to take your phone out of your pocket every time.
Furthermore, having access to a microphone will enable you to make and receive phone calls, in addition to having access to Siri. While this may not be too important if you’re buying headphones for, say, producing music at home or gaming, for many, they can make their life much easier.
Noise cancelling is a super handy feature as it will allow you to listen to audio content without the need to turn up the volume excessively. The technology works by having microphones that pick up low-frequency noise. These then invert said noise 180-degrees, which in turn neutralises it before it reaches the ear.
As you’d expect, this can be a pretty handy feature; especially when travelling on public transport like trains and planes that have a constant rattle or buzz. Luckily, the price of the technology has come down drastically recently, and it is now found in many budget headphones.
So, if you plan to use your headphones when you’re out and about, this is a great way to ensure you get the best sound without interference.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Plantronics Backbeat Go 810 | ![]() | All the Gear and Every Idea | |
2 | Vankyo Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones|C751 | ![]() | When It's All About Cancelling the Noise | |
3 | Mixcder E9 Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Foldable Headphones | ![]() | Ideal for Those Who Plan on Wearing Them to the Gym | |
4 | Sony Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones|WH-CH700N | ![]() | A Budget Option From a Big Electronic Powerhouse | |
5 | Anker Soundcore Noise Cancelling Headphones|Q30 | ![]() | Connect to Two Devices Simultaneously | |
6 | Samsung AKG High Performance Closed-Back Monitoring Headphones|K72 | ![]() | Substance Over Style for the Practical Folks | |
7 | Samsung AKG Wireless Headphones|Y500 | ![]() | Sleek and Sophisticated With a Fast Charge Feature | |
8 | Jabra Elite 45h | ![]() | Headphones With a Mammoth Battery Life | |
9 | Edifier Audiophile Headphones|H840 | ![]() | No Bells or Whistles, Just Solid Sound | |
10 | Philips Hi-Fi Stereo Headphones|SHP9500/00 | ![]() | A Well-Balanced Mix Similar to More Expensive Models |
We had to do a double-take when we found the Plantronics Backbeat Go 810. They provide outstanding quality for the price. These headphones have the biggest frequency range of any in our ranking, which is sure to delight bass heads who want their bellies to rumble when the low-end hits.
Not only that, but they provide padding where one would like it and comes with a wide array of controls, features and a handy app. They are a little on the fragile side due to being made of plastic, but for all the features packed inside, it's hard to complain. If you're truly looking to stick to a budget, then these are our number one choice!
The standout feature of these headphones is their noise cancellation, which the company claims can keep out up to 90% of surrounding sounds. This makes these headphones ideal for commuting, working from home, zoom meetings or online classes. Not to mention when you want to find the nuances in the track.
Vankyo uses two 40 mm driver units to produce rich and powerful soundscapes that have everything from pounding bass to cutting trebles. These have a respectable 30 hours playtime, but again they utilise fast charging, but this time providing a whopping two hours from a ten-minute zap.
While these Mixcder E9's have many favourable features, there is something a little different about these that we want to bring up - the fact that there's hardly any audio leakage. This means that you won't have to feel as conscious about the volume you have on your headphones in public.
In addition to this, many users found that these headphones do a great job of staying in place when moving your head around, making them ideal for those that are looking for a set that they are going to use frequently at the gym.
Sony is a Japanese company known for creating a whole range of quality electronics, and we're grateful they cater towards the budget market too. Here, we have their WH-CH700N headphones that come in just under £100, so they're at the top end of our budget. However, they do seem to have it all.
For instance, they have a respectable frequency range that is perfect for all kinds of music and a built-in mic allows you to make phone calls and connect with your phone's assistant. Not only that, but you'll get 35 hours from one charge, and these too have a fast charge option which gives you 60 minutes from a ten-minute charge.
Anker has recently come on the scene producing many different mobile peripherals, however, it's their work with speakers, and now headphones that have many people talking. These are well-built, over-ear, wireless headphones that are equipped with noise-cancelling technology, allowing you to filter out any of the sounds you'd prefer not to be hearing.
Not only that, they provide 44 hours of playtime when they've been fully charged. There's also one unique feature that isn't often found in this price range, the headphones can pair with two devices simultaneously, which is handy if you often jump between devices.
While these headphones might be from the same company as the previous ranking, they look like they're from two completely different brands. Although they might not be as pleasing aesthetically, they have some great features, such as a padded headband for additional comfort.
Moreover, they have a better frequency range and a noise-cancelling function that should see you get a cleaner sound, even at lower volumes. They're also wired, so this will no doubt be an advantage or disadvantage depending on what you want from your headphones. That said, we believe these are excellent value for money considering the company and the quality.
The first point we'd like to mention about the wireless Y500's is that they have a super sleek and sophisticated look, unlike other options that can sometimes come across as a bit clunky and mechanical. With these, you'll get around 3 hours from a full charge which may or may not work for your listening preferences.
However, they also have a fast-charging system that will give you a good hour of playtime from only five minutes of charge, this is ideal for those that might need just a little top-up for their commute. They do have a smaller frequency range at the lower end, but nothing too drastic that should see the music become tinny.
Here we have the Jabra Elite 45h. These wireless headphones come with plenty of different controls found as physical push buttons on the ear cups. However, that's not all. Thanks to the microphone, you can also access virtual assistants such as Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.
The muffs are covered with memory foam and faux leather for maximum comfort, and the battery power lasts an impressive 50 hours when fully charged. Sadly, we were unable to find the full frequency range, but if you're more of a casual listener and want a set that will last without the constant worry of running out of battery, then these are a wise choice.
With two 40 mm driver units fitted to either ear, you can expect the industry-standard frequency range from the Edifier H840's. These provide professional-like sound quality, as well as being fitted with leather earmuffs for comfortable extended use. Plus, you get a two-years free warranty, which is always nice if you're a little clumsy.
Unfortunately, the headphones don't come with any bells or whistles, so no additional controls or microphone, plus no noise cancelling. However, they're right at the bottom end price-wise, so could be a solid option if you're not looking to splash too much cash.
Just about managing to sneak into our budget headphone article, we have the Philips SHP9500/00. These have a perfectly balanced mix which very similar to that of more expensive alternatives. Furthermore, they're supremely comfortable, so you've no worries about wearing them for hours at a time.
Unfortunately, we were unable to learn the exact frequency range, but some users have found they lack a little at the lower end, so if you're a fan of bass-heavy music, such as EDM hip-hop, these might not be for you.
No. 1: Plantronics|Backbeat Go 810
No. 2: Vankyo|Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones|C751
No. 3: Mixcder|E9 Wireless Active Noise Cancelling Foldable Headphones
No. 4: Sony|Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones|WH-CH700N
No. 5: Anker|Soundcore Noise Cancelling Headphones|Q30
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