Best cheap headphones: What online customers have to say

We don't want to leave a single stone unturned when it comes to saving you money on the tech (and accessories) that have become a ...

We don't want to leave a single stone unturned when it comes to saving you money on the tech (and accessories) that have become a part of your everyday life. This time, it's all about headphones. We scoured online reviews to discover the best headphones out there that won't break the bank, all based on what online reviewers have to say.

A great pair of headphones can make your commute, while a crappy pair can practically ruin it. And don't even get us started on traveling without headphones. That's a rookie movie that we just won't stand for.
No matter what your budget, there's no excuse for you to live without a great pair of headphones, so you can effectively take your music, podcasts, and any other audio entertainment with you everywhere you go.
When searching for the best cheap headphones on the internet, we took into account user reviews, average rating, tech specs, and of course price. We found high quality wireless headphones, noise-cancelling ones, and even funky animal-shaped ones, all at a modest price point.
So without further adieu, here are the best headphones under $100:

Best noise-cancelling headphones under $100

Cowin E7 Headphones — $72.99 

Image: Cowin

The Cowin E7 headphones are the noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones you'll want to take with you on your next trip. With 30 hours of playtime and large 44mm speakers, the Cowin E7 headphones can deliver powerful sound you'll love during your entire commute, while ambient sounds simply drop away. A built-in microphone allows you to make hands-free calls while cushy ear pads will stay comfortable. These Cowin headphones are available in five great colors, including silver, red, blue, and purple in addition to the classic black.
Included is a micro USB cable to charge the headphones, plus a 3.5mm audio cable in case you run out of a charge on the go and still need to tap into those noise-cancelling capabilities. Moderately priced at $72.99, Amazon Prime members can get these with free one-day shipping.
Amazon customer Boston Kris writes:

Look, I can't compare these to Bose, because I've never tried them before - or any other $300 pair of headphones. However, these are fantastic for me. I work in an open office environment and sometimes the level of noise spikes from ambient to distracting to intolerable (you know how there's always that one person in the office louder than everybody else? I sit next to five of them). The very first day, my colleague and I looked at each other and nodded, it's time for noise cancelling headphones - so I did some research, read some reviews, and bought two Cowin E-7's for us.

Image: Cowin

Mpow 059 Bluetooth Headphones — $34.99 

Image: mpow

Mpow Bluetooth Headphones can connect to your tablet, smartphone, or TV from up 33 feet away. They have passive noise isolating capabilities, meaning they're designed to prevent outside, ambient noise from interrupting your music. Like the Cowin headphones, these have a 40mm driver to deliver the bass you want. You get 13 hours of continuous playback, which is pretty good — especially for the price.
Amazon customer Jessica Johnson writes:

Fantastic head phones! They stay charged FOREVER! I had them fully charged and used them for an hour on average 6 times a week and did not need to charge them again for a month! The only complaints I have is when doing certain exercises they tend to slide off my head a little so I have to adjust them a few times.

Image: Mpow

Kimitech Active Noise Cancelling Headphones — $59.99 

Image: kimitech

The makers of these ANC headphones claim that the ear-cans can selectively eliminate 99 percent of unwanted outside noise, like urban traffic, airplane engines, and so on. With 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, it's clear that reviewers are into these headphones.
Kimitech NB-1060 wireless headphones are engineered to deliver phenomenal sound so you can jam out to your favorite tunes and make phone calls hand-free. The Bluetooth should work from up to 33 feet away, and you can enjoy up to 30 playback before they need to be charged.
Amazon customer Sergiu writes:

I am very well surprised by the quality of these headphones. I can say these are the best bluetooth headphones I have ever owned. Sound is very clear. Good highs and lows. Noise cancelling works great and I like that it's optional. Some headphones (even high brands) have it permanently ON, I hated this about my previous headphones (a four letter high brand :) ) it gave me headache. I love that I can turn off noise cancelling when I want.

Image: Kimitech 

iDeaPLAY Headphones — $79.99 

Image: ideaplay

Use a simple button on the side of these headphones by iDeaPLAY to toggle the noise-cancelling capabilities off and on. According to the product page, these headphones can reduce outside noise by 85 percent. The headphones feature an extra-wide headband with a hand-sewn leather finish, plus oversized, ergonomically designed ear cups.
Included with purchase is a soft carrying case, plus an airline adapter so you can use these to enjoy in-flight entertainment while on a plane. They have over 25 hours of playback time, plus 40mm drivers to ensure that the sound quality is superb. With 4.6 out of 5 stars, it seems Amazon customers agree.
Amazon reviewer Susan Wolfe writes:

I love these headphones! Really nice black design with accents of red. Sound quality is awesome with plenty of bass. Noise canceling feature really cancels out outside noise well. Very easy to pair to your device. My favorite part is how soft and comfortable these headphones are to wear. Great product. Thank you!

Priced at $79.99, we've seen Amazon run sales on these for as low as $59.99.

Image: ideaplay

Best corded headphones for under $100

AmazonBasics Lightweight On-Ear Headphones — $14.99 

Image: Amazonbasics

Just because your price range tops out at $20 doesn't mean there aren't some solid headphone options for you. Escape into an affordable audio wonderland with these headphones by AmazonBasics. This lightweight pair is designed with pressure-relieving ear pads for the most comfortable fit possible. The ear cups swivel for compact storage and there's a 36mm driver to deliver high-quality sound. Keep in mind that these are on-ear headphones, not the over-the-ear kind — just something to consider when thinking about your personal preference.
Available in black, blue, and white, these $15 headphones are super lightweight at just 4.5 ounces and receive rave reviews, with some commenting on how great they are for the price.
Amazon reviewer M. Johnson writes:

These are amazing headphones. We have a 23 year old son who has the higher end Beats on-ear-headphones. When he tried these Amazon Basics he said they sounded better than his Beats. He said that's a brand name for ya. That's coming from a 23 year old. To me the sound is very close. I was expecting there to be a difference in sound level, or boxier bass sounds. Not so, these headphones are just as clear as Beats. The main difference is the build. Beats have a harder plastic head piece that slide over an aluminum piece. The Amazon Basics is mostly plastic. The Beats cushion also feels better. These headphones do not fold up. They do adjust for size of your head. They also come with a cloth carrying case, and an 'L' style adapter with a chord about 3 feet.

Honestly with the sound being the same as Beats if not better, the fact that the pieces are plastic doesn't bother me at all considering you are paying upwards to $100-$200 for Beats and $14.99 for these Amazon Basics. I was shocked at the comparison in sound between the two.

Image: AmazonBasics

Jelly Comb Foldable Corded Headphones — $12.99 

Image: Jellycomb

This pair of fun, on-ear headphones come in six different color options and have a 46-inch tangle-free cord, complete with a control button. Jelly Comb designed these headphones with a stretchable headband so they fit perfectly and securely on your head. Apparently the audio is really good on these too. With 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, customers raved about the shocking sound quality.
Verified purchaser Kimberly Storms writes:

I was really surprised buy how light weight these are and how super comfy they fit too. When I first put them on I didn't expect much from the sound quality but again, I was surprised. These are great for gaming, and being social online, but also for music and watching movies and shows. 

Image: jelly comb

Koss UR20 Full-Size Over-Ear Headphones — $29.99

Image: koss

At first glance these headphones seem pretty basic. But reviewers love them. Koss says that the UR20 are built for a long life, which is pretty sweet for a pair of cheap headphones. They have a 35mm plug on the 8-foot cord, and the ear cushions are pretty plush. Even though the stats and specs seem standard, Walmart customers love them.
One Walmart customer writes:

The reviewers were right, these are great. Very good sound; and as another reviewer mentioned, I too noticed that the sound quality improved to just the level I'd hoped for after a day or two's use. (I can't imagine why using them would change the initial quality, but it did, and I'm very happy with it because it's deep, rich, full and balanced.) Also, the volume is excellent. 

Image: Koss

JVC HARX500 Full-Size High-Quality Headphone — $23.99 

Image: jvc

For under $25 you can enjoy your favorite songs, audiobooks, and podcasts in near perfect clarity with this pair of headphones by JVC. They're specially designed with a soft cushioned headband that has a twist-action structure, allowing you to listen to music without hurting your ears like some other headphone models out there. They have a super long 11-foot cord that lets you plug into devices from across the room. Walmart customers rate them 4.4 out of 5 stars.
In the words of one Walmart reviewer:

Best headphones I've ever bought. Tried Sony on-the-ear mega bass and other nice ones, but these surpass them in all aspects. So comfy you can wear all day no problem, great sound, comes with a neat adapter if you're a musician. I had the HA-RX300's and I won't ever buy anything else than JVC now.

Image: JVC

Best earbuds under $100

Mini Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Earpiece - $39.70 

Image: Cshidworld

These wireless earbuds are practically the size of a nickel, but are said to deliver clear, powerful sound. The makers of these Bluetooth-enabled earplug style headphones say that they're engineered to stay in place during your workout.
According to the Walmart seller page, these headphones were engineered so that the nozzle of the ear tips spreads contact evenly around the inside of your ear. This helps to ensure that the earbuds conform to the shape of your ear ridge, keeping both the headphones and the sound inside. The coolest thing about these headphones, if you ask us, is the charging chase they come in. It'll keep them protected and provides two additional full charges for up to 10 hours of battery life.
Walmart customer Judy Lynnr writes:

I'm not an expert on Bluetooth wireless earbuds. However I have owned at one point or another several sets of bluetooth headphones and earbuds. I use headphones when I'm doing weight training. When I run or bike I prefer to use earbuds that are light and stay in my ear. I purchased this set because I like the tiny form factor and the charging box feature. I am happy to say that these tiny earbuds do stay put in my ear. 

Image: Cshidworld

AOKII Wired Earbuds Earphones — $15.99

Image: Aokii

These earbuds are tangle-free and are built with an HD microphone so you can make phone calls without taking your smartphone out of your pocket. The Ergonomic design means they should stay in your ears while you work out and customers seem to really enjoy the sound quality.
Verified Amazon purchaser Terry Thompson writes:

We go through tons of headphones at our house. It always seems like a pair are missing, broken or are starting to create a crackling sound that doesn't sound good. These are nice. The cord is nicely weighted and they feel very substantial. The sound quality is good, and they fit into my ears really well, which is not always an easy fit. The controls are easy to use and figure out. There is a reason these are Amazon Choice products

The Wired Earbuds by Aokii have a 4.5 average out of 5 stars on Amazon.

Image: aokii

Mpow Flame IPX7 — $19.98 

Image: Mpow

If you're looking for a pair of earbuds to take to the gym with you, then the IPX7 earphones by Mpow might be the best choice. Mpow built the IPX7 earbuds with a water-resistant nano-coating to protect the insides from sweat. These earbuds pair with your phone via Bluetooth and you can enjoy up to 9 hours of listening time before they need to recharge.
Amazon seller Eman writes:

I can not just wait to post a review about this Headphones. the Sound quality is great. if you’re looking for something like this and you do not want to pay more money. I highly recommend this Headphone. I love music a lot. so this Headphones makes me want to play music everyday

Image: mpow

TREBLAB XR800 Bluetooth Headphones — $39.97 

Image: trelab

Here's another pair of earbuds that are great for sports. The Treblab XR800 heaphones are Bluetooth enabled with ear-hooks that aim to give you extra comfort. The makers say the earbuds won't fall out, even on your wildest runs. These lightweight headphones have passive noise-cancelling technology so you won't hear as much outside noise as you otherwise would. And the battery should last you 9 hours before you have to recharge.
With a signal range of 38 feet and a charge time of just two hours, these headphones have racked up a 5-star rating from each of the four people to write reviews on Walmart. Here's what one has to say:

Excellent build quality. Easy to set up with phone and control music and calls from the headset. Sound quality is great! I can hear sounds on my music I've never heard before like the change in tone on a stand up bass in jazz music or something being said in the background of another song. Very pleased with these headphones thus far. In addition, not only do they have various sized adapters for different ear sizes, they also have 2 different types for each size. One is the traditional silicon type. The other is a memory foam type that I'm currently using. Both have great comfort and high sound quality.

Image: treblab

Bluetooth Wireless Headphones — $16.99

Image: AgP tek

Walmart also sells this pair of highly rated noise cancelling Bluetooth earbuds for only $16.99. This wireless headphone set is sweat proof so you can workout or run in the rain and it should be totally fine. You can enjoy up to 8 ours of continuous talking or playtime and up to 240 hours of standby on a single charge, which isn't too bad. You can choose between pretty standard ear tips sizes for a more secure fit.
Walmart shopper Richard writes:

I bought these for my husband and now I need one for myself! These headphones fit comfortably in the ear and when you're not using them the stay nicely around your neck which makes them easy for all day use especially if you have an active job and lifestyle. The sound quality is great. Both music and phone calls have a nice crisp and clear sound quality.

Image: AGPtek

Best novelty headphones for under $100

Jamsonic LED Light Up Cat Ear Headphones — $16.98

Image: jamsonic

Inject a bit of whimsy into your daily commute with these cat ear headphones by Jamsonic. You can make the LED lights blink or stay on continuously as you move through you day. These headphones come in various color options, including pink, blue, purple, and yellow, so you can have a pair to match your personality. The cable is about 5 feet long, the sound quality is standard, and the compliments you'll get on them will be endless.

Image: jamsonic

APIE Corded in-ear Headphones Earbuds — $39.99

Image: apie

These earbuds are almost totally transparent and have two 6mm driver units, so the sound should be really good. Practically everyone who left reviews online mentioned how good the sound quality is, with 50 percent of Amazon customers awarding them 5-stars. The ones who don't like them said the enjoyment was short lived because of mic issues.  But if you're more into them for the aesthetics and the thought of talking on the phone makes your skin crawl, then these could be good for you.
Amazon reviewer Patrick Edelin writes:

I'll preface this by saying that I was really impressed with the performance of active noise cancelling Taotronics earbuds (stepped on them getting out of a cab) but went with these due to the look and reviews. I like them. The look is good, the fit is good, the sound is solid. It's early days with these but it appears that there's an issue with the mic. I can hear perfectly fine but folks on the other end complain of hearing an echo when they speak. 

Image: apie