Best Budget ANC Headphones Under $100 in 2024

High-quality audio does not have to cost a fortune. While premium models from Bose and Apple dominate the headlines, the budget audio market has seen massive improvements in 2024. Active Noise Canceling (ANC) technology that used to be exclusive to $350 headphones is now available in headsets costing less than a third of that price. If you want silence and high-fidelity sound without emptying your wallet, Soundcore and Sony are leading the charge.

The King of Features: Anker Soundcore Space One

If your strict budget is $100, the Anker Soundcore Space One is currently difficult to beat. Anker has aggressively targeted this price bracket, and the Space One is their latest effort to democratize premium features.

Adaptive Noise Cancellation

Most budget headphones offer static ANC. This means it applies the same level of noise reduction regardless of where you are. The Space One, however, utilizes adaptive ANC. This system detects external sounds and sound leakage (based on how the cups fit your ears) to auto-calibrate the suppression level. In testing, it effectively dampens the low roar of airplane engines and city traffic.

Audio Quality and Codecs

The Space One supports LDAC technology. This is a coding technology from Sony that allows for three times more data transmission than standard Bluetooth codecs. If you have an Android device, this means you can stream high-resolution audio. The 40mm dynamic drivers produce a bass-forward sound profile, which is typical for Soundcore, but it can be easily adjusted via their app.

Key Specs:

  • Price: Approximately $99.99
  • Battery Life: 40 hours (ANC On) / 55 hours (ANC Off)
  • Multipoint Connection: Yes (Connect two devices simultaneously)
  • Wearing Detection: Yes (Pauses music when you remove them)

The Value Pick from a Big Brand: Sony WH-CH720N

It is rare to find a mainline Sony product in the budget category, but the WH-CH720N often dips just below the $100 mark during sales. Even at its standard price of around $129, it is frequently discounted to compete directly with Soundcore.

The Integrated Processor V1

The strongest selling point for the CH720N is the chip inside. It uses Sony’s Integrated Processor V1. This is the exact same chip found in the flagship WH-1000XM5, which costs nearly $400. While the microphones and drivers are different, having that processing power allows for excellent noise processing and stability.

Lightweight Comfort

These are some of the lightest noise-canceling headphones on the market, weighing in at just 192 grams. If you find that heavy headphones cause neck strain or clamping pressure during long listening sessions, the CH720N is a superior choice.

Key Specs:

  • Price: $129 MSRP (often on sale for $98)
  • Battery Life: 35 hours (ANC On)
  • Upscaling: DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) restores high-frequency sound lost in compression
  • Quick Charge: 3 minutes of charge gives 60 minutes of playback

The Battery Marathon Runner: 1More SonoFlow

If you hate charging your devices, the 1More SonoFlow is the standout winner in 2024. While Soundcore and Sony offer great battery life, 1More pushes the limits.

70 Hours of Playtime

The SonoFlow offers an impressive 70 hours of playback with ANC off, and 50 hours with ANC on. For travelers taking international flights, this means you could fly from New York to Tokyo and back without ever needing to find a USB-C cable.

Sound Profile

Like the Soundcore Space One, the SonoFlow supports LDAC for high-res wireless audio. The out-of-the-box sound is balanced, but the 1More Music app offers 12 studio-grade EQ presets. This allows you to switch from a “Bass Booster” profile for gym sessions to a “Vocal” profile for podcasts instantly.

Key Specs:

  • Price: Approximately $79.99
  • Driver: 40mm DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) dynamic driver
  • Charge Time: 5 minutes for 5 hours of playback
  • Design: Foldable with a hard carrying case included

What Do You Sacrifice for the Price?

It is important to have realistic expectations when buying sub-$100 headphones. While the audio and ANC are surprisingly close to premium models, manufacturers cut costs in other areas to keep the price down.

Build Materials: You will not find aluminum or leather here. The Soundcore Space One, Sony WH-CH720N, and 1More SonoFlow are constructed almost entirely of plastic. While durable, they lack the luxurious feel of the Apple AirPods Max or Sennheiser Momentum 4.

Microphone Quality: Budget headphones often struggle in windy environments. While all the models listed above have microphones for calls, they generally perform poorly if you are walking outside on a breezy day. For indoor Zoom calls, however, they are perfectly adequate.

Transparency Mode: Transparency mode (which lets you hear your surroundings without taking the headphones off) is often where budget headphones lag behind. The audio can sound robotic or hiss-heavy compared to the natural pass-through of premium models.

How to Choose: Soundcore vs. Sony

If you are torn between the two main competitors in this article, here is how to decide:

  1. Choose the Soundcore Space One if: You want the most features. The inclusion of wearing sensors (auto-pause) and a slightly more modern design makes it feel more premium than it is. The Soundcore app is also arguably the best in the industry for customizing EQ.
  2. Choose the Sony WH-CH720N if: You prioritize brand reliability and noise processing. The V1 chip provides a very clean ANC experience, and Sony’s DSEE upscaling makes low-quality Spotify streams sound significantly better.

Making the Final Decision

In 2024, the gap between “budget” and “premium” has narrowed significantly. You no longer need to tolerate static hiss or uncomfortable ear pads just to save money.

For most users, the Soundcore Space One represents the best overall package under $100 due to its adaptive ANC and robust app support. However, if you can catch the Sony WH-CH720N on sale, you are getting flagship-level processing for a fraction of the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does budget ANC actually work on airplanes? Yes. While they may not block out the crying baby two rows back as well as a $400 pair would, budget ANC headphones like the Soundcore Space One are excellent at removing the low-frequency drone of the airplane engine. This significantly reduces fatigue on long flights.

Do these headphones work with iPhones and Androids? Yes. All headphones listed connect via Bluetooth to both iOS and Android devices. However, the LDAC high-resolution codec mentioned for Soundcore and 1More is currently only available on Android devices. iPhone users will default to the AAC codec, which still sounds great.

Can I use these for gaming? You can, but there may be latency (lag) with Bluetooth connections. If you are a competitive gamer, look for headphones that include a 3.5mm aux cable. The Soundcore Space One and 1More SonoFlow both include a cable in the box for a lag-free wired connection.

Are these headphones water-resistant? Generally, no. Most over-ear ANC headphones in this price range do not carry an official IP (Ingress Protection) rating. You should avoid wearing them in heavy rain or during extremely sweaty workouts.