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What this list covers and how I checked prices
For most people, the best budget headphones in October 2026 are the CMF Headphone Pro at $79 ($59 on sale), with noise cancelling, LDAC, two-device multipoint and 43 hours of battery with ANC on in lab testing. If you can live without noise cancelling, the $38 Sony WH-CH520 is the cheapest pair I’d buy.
This page covers over-ear and on-ear headphones from about $33 to $150, no earbuds. Everything here is wireless except one wired pair for home listening, and the two pricier pairs further down carry an upgrade tag. I first checked every US price on Amazon and the brand stores on October 9, 2026, during Amazon’s October sale, and rechecked them on October 22, after most of those deals ended. Each card shows the typical price band too.
Lab measurements count most, I label maker claims as claims, and I capped Soundcore at two picks, though it fills the lab lists. Here’s how I judge headphones and how I earn from links.
Start with cheap picks under $50, picks under $100, or noise cancelling under $150. For a phone and laptop, check which headphones keep LDAC and multipoint on together before buying.
The best budget headphones for most people
Image: Nothing (CMF by Nothing)Long-battery ANC with LDAC on a budget
Best overall: CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro
$59–$79 typical
At $59 to $79, this is the ANC pair I'd tell most people to buy, thanks to LDAC, multipoint and a battery that runs past 40 hours.
Why I picked it
- Lab-tested at 43 h of battery with ANC on
- LDAC and AAC, plus two-device multipoint
- About 81% average noise reduction, strong for $59
Skip it if
- Folds flat only and ships with a cloth pouch, not a case
- Bass-forward stock tuning and only a 3-band custom EQ
Read the full notes
The CMF is the pair I’d tell most people to buy. It ran 43 hours 9 minutes with ANC on in SoundGuys’ test with about 81% average noise reduction, and it adds LDAC, AAC, multipoint, an IPX2 rating and twist-off cushions (Nothing US charged $25 a pair in October 2026). Its build is sturdier than the Life Q30’s, which is why RTINGS swapped it in for the Q30 as its top budget wireless pick on September 3, 2026 and named it the best durable budget noise cancelling pair. Skip it if you need a hard case or a pair that folds small, take calls in loud places (the mic is only passable), or have large ears or a squarer head, since the headband and pads can feel restrictive. Amazon US owners rated it 4.5 stars from 1,929 ratings on October 9, though Amazon’s summary rates durability mixed and mentions some units failing around six months in.
See the CMF's value receipt
- Price
- $79 ($59 on sale)
- ANC
- ~81% noise cut
- Battery
- 43 h with ANC on
- Codecs
- AAC, LDAC, multipoint
- Build
- Sturdy; owners mixed
- Case
- Cloth pouch, no fold-in
- Pay
- $79 or less
ANC and battery are lab results. The build rating draws on Amazon US owner reports too, as of October 2026.
Best cheap headphones under $50
Under $50 you choose between Sony’s pair with no noise cancelling and Soundcore’s ANC pair on sale. Both last about 50 hours per charge in lab tests.
Image: SonyLong-battery on-ears for home and office
Best under $40: Sony WH-CH520
$33–$40 typical
At $33 to $40 on clearance, I'd buy this for home and the office for its 50-plus-hour battery and multipoint, but not for a loud commute.
Why I picked it
- Lab-tested at 52 hours of continuous playback, above Sony's 50-hour claim
- Multipoint for two devices, plus Google Fast Pair and Windows Swift Pair
- Light at 147 g, with an on-ear fit that breathes better than over-ears
Skip it if
- No ANC and bad passive isolation, so bus and office noise gets in
- No 3.5 mm jack or USB-C audio, and it won't play during charging
Read the full notes
The WH-CH520 is the cheapest pair I’d buy, at about $38 new (October 22, 2026; it was $33 on October 9). It’s a 147 g on-ear pair with two-device multipoint and Google Fast Pair, and it ran 52 hours in RTINGS testing (55 hours 25 minutes in SoundGuys testing). Skip it if you ride loud transit, since it has no ANC and blocks little noise. There’s no cable backup either, as it has no headphone jack and won’t play during charging. Owners report snapped hinges and broken ear cuffs, and Amazon’s summary rates durability mixed, with some pairs breaking after about four months, so treat it gently and switch multipoint on in Sony’s app. The new WH-CH530 lists at $69.99 ($58 on sale at Sony US on October 9), and I’d keep my money on the CH520, which What Hi-Fi still rates the value buy (with no CH530 review there yet). Sony US had it at $39.99 on October 22, and Amazon’s Black listing had new stock again by then.
Image: Anker SoundcoreCheap ANC with multipoint and long battery
Best ANC under $50: Soundcore Life Q20 (2024, USB-C)
$40–$60 typical
At around $40 on sale, this is the noise cancelling pair I'd buy on a tight budget, as long as it's the USB-C version.
Why I picked it
- Excellent noise isolation, close to the pricier Space Q45
- Lab-tested at about 49 hours of continuous battery
- Connects to two devices at once (multipoint)
Skip it if
- Plastic hinges feel flimsy, and earpads can flake with heavy use
- Glasses frames break the seal, so bass and ANC drop
Read the full notes
The 2024 Life Q20 is the noise cancelling pair I’d buy under $50. It ran nearly 49 hours in RTINGS’ test, and its isolation is excellent, close to the Space Q45’s. Buy the USB-C version (the USB-C style on Amazon). The 2019 micro-USB original shares the name, the A3025 model number and the listing, but it lacks multipoint and app EQ. Skip it if you wear glasses (frames break the seal, so bass and ANC drop), take calls in loud places, or treat gear roughly, since the hinges are flimsy and the pads can flake. The $39.99 price started as a Fall Prime Day deal and was still on at soundcore.com on October 22, against $59.99 regular. At $60 I’d buy the Q30 instead, and if you’re on Android and miss the sale, look at the Edifier W80 (about $50 on October 22) in my Edifier W80 review.
Best headphones under $100
Between $50 and $100 the extra money buys LDAC, lighter frames, a hard case or stronger low-frequency noise cancelling. The first four cover the main ways to spend it, and the fifth is a wired pair for home.
Image: Anker SoundcoreBass-heavy ANC on a tight budget
Best bass under $70: Soundcore Life Q30
$56–$68 typical
At $56 to $68, this is the bass-heavy ANC pair I'd buy, with over 44 measured hours per charge, as long as you're gentle with the headband.
Why I picked it
- Lab tests got 44.3 h and 46.6 h per charge
- ANC blocks engine rumble and does even better on office and street noise
- Bass-heavy tuning (+7 dB) with 22 EQ presets and custom EQ
Skip it if
- The headband is prone to breakage, and owners report cracked hinges
- Owners report the faux-leather pads peeling after 12-18 months
Read the full notes
The Q30 is the pair I’d buy for bass and flights under $70. It was $67.99 at soundcore.com on October 22, up from $55.99 in the October 9 sale. Its ANC keeps out airplane engine rumble, it ran 44.3 hours per charge in RTINGS testing (46 hours 35 minutes in SoundGuys testing), and the stock tuning measured about 7 dB of extra bass. It has AAC, multipoint and a 3.5 mm input too. Skip it if you’re hard on headphones, since the headband is prone to breakage. In Amazon’s review summary, 1,167 of the 1,683 durability mentions were negative on October 9, and owners report peeling pads after 12 to 18 months. The labs tested 2020 units, not the current “Upgraded” revision with Bluetooth 5.3 and a 50-hour claim, and recent buyers report a soft pouch in the box instead of the old hard case.
Image: SonyLightweight everyday ANC on a budget
Lightest ANC: Sony WH-CH720N
$65–$90 typical
Under $90, the 192 g WH-CH720N is the everyday ANC pair I'd buy if you don't fly a lot.
Why I picked it
- Weighs 192 g, Sony's lightest noise cancelling headband
- Lab-tested at 38.4 h with ANC on, above Sony's 35 h claim
- Multipoint for two devices, app EQ and a 20-level ambient mode
Skip it if
- ANC cuts airplane noise by 10.9 dB, vs 23.5 dB for the WH-1000XM4
- No carrying case, and the headband doesn't fold
Read the full notes
The WH-CH720N is the pair I’d buy if weight bothers you. At 192 g, Sony bills it as its lightest noise cancelling headband, and it ran 38.4 hours with ANC on in RTINGS testing (40 hours 11 minutes in SoundGuys testing). You get AAC, multipoint, physical buttons and a 3.5 mm cable that keeps playing when the battery dies (Sony specs). Skip it if you fly often, since on RTINGS’ older test bench it cut airplane noise by 10.9 dB, against 23.5 dB for the WH-1000XM4. It has no case and doesn’t fold, owners report cracked hinges, and two owners got repair quotes higher than what they paid for the headphones. The folding WH-CH730N successor lists at $179.99 ($148 on sale on October 9), and with no lab battery rundown yet, I’d still buy the CH720N at $90 or less. My Sony WH-CH720N review goes deeper, and the Sony CH720N vs Bose QuietComfort comparison covers the step up for flights.
Image: 1MORELong battery and LDAC under $90
Best battery: 1MORE SonoFlow Pro (HQ51)
$73–$90 typical
Under $90, this is the LDAC pair I'd buy for battery, since it runs 61 to 62 hours with ANC on, and I'd put up with the flaky app to get that.
Why I picked it
- Runs about 61 h with ANC on in reviewer tests
- 22-23 dB of ANC in bass and mids, above the average of rivals tested
- Stays comfortable through 8-hour stretches
Skip it if
- Owners report app crashes and failed connections
- Multipoint is still an experimental app setting, and switches can take 5-10 s
Read the full notes
Battery life is the SonoFlow Pro’s best trick. Three separate rundowns with ANC on agree, at 61 hours 29 minutes (Gough Lui), 61 hours 11 minutes (APH Networks) and 62.4 hours in a third hands-on rundown, which ran 37.6 hours with LDAC on. It comes with a hard case, LDAC and AAC, it stays comfortable for 8-hour stretches, and its low-frequency noise cancelling measured 21.9 dB against a 15.6 dB average for the pairs in TechGearLab’s test group. Skip it if you need a dependable app or quick device switching (owners rate the app poorly, and multipoint still sits under experimental settings), want a passive wired backup, or take calls in traffic, where your voice can sound “underwater”. 1MORE’s US store no longer lists the pair, so Amazon is the only confirmed US seller. The card’s button goes to the Black listing sold by 1MORE AUDIO ($89.99 on October 9), and an older Mocha Brown listing sold by Wanmo Direct was $72.99 the same day.
Image: JBLOn-ear ANC with very long battery
Best on-ear ANC: JBL Live 680NC
$80–$159 typical
On sale under $100, this is the on-ear ANC pair I'd buy, thanks to a 65-hour battery, as long as you don't take many calls.
Why I picked it
- Lab-tested at 65 h of battery; JBL claims 50 h with ANC on
- Noise isolation on par with the Soundcore Space Q45
- LDAC and LE Audio with Auracast on Bluetooth 6.0
Skip it if
- The mic is poor, and voices sound muffled in noisy places
- Bass-heavy by default (bass +6 dB), so plan on using the EQ
Read the full notes
The Live 680NC is the on-ear pair I’d buy. It ran 65 hours in RTINGS’ test, and for an on-ear its isolation is on par with the over-ear Space Q45. It folds flat on metal hinges and adds LDAC, LE Audio with Auracast and multipoint. Skip it for calls, since the mic is poor and your voice can sound muffled or muddy, especially in loud places. If you’re on an iPhone, note that JBL’s spec sheet lists no AAC. JBL launched it in March 2026 at $159.95, it dipped to about half that in the October 9 sale, and with 68 Amazon ratings there’s no long-term owner record yet. By October 22 JBL was back at $159.95, so I’d wait for a sale under $100.
Image: PhilipsOpen-back desk listening and PC gaming
Best wired: Philips SHP9500
$85–$100 typical
This is still the budget audiophile pair I'd buy for a quiet room at home, though I'd skip it for the bus or an open office.
Why I picked it
- Flat sound profile in lab tests, a top budget audiophile pick
- 32 ohm and 111.9 dB SPL sensitivity, so a phone or laptop drives it without an amp
- Light, low-clamp fit that owners rate highly for comfort
Skip it if
- Open-back, so it blocks no outside noise and leaks sound at moderate volume
- Light bass (-6 dB) and treble that can sound sibilant
Read the full notes
The SHP9500 is the budget audiophile pair I’d buy for home listening. Its sound profile measured flat in RTINGS testing, at 32 ohms with 111.9 dB SPL sensitivity, so a phone or laptop drives it without an amp. It’s comfortable thanks to a gentle clamp, Amazon owners rate the comfort highly too, and the detachable 3.5 mm cable comes with a 6.3 mm adapter. Skip it if anyone sits near you, since the open-back cups block nothing and leak at moderate volume, or if you want a mic, deep bass (its bass measured -6 dB) or a pair that stays put when you move. Philips US lists it as discontinued, so new units come from third-party sellers, and prices vary by seller. It has sold for $54 to $85 over the years, so I’d wait for $80 or less, or buy the SHP9600, which leaks less and has boomier bass, though Amazon owners rate its durability poorly.
Best budget noise cancelling headphones under $150
Image: Soundcore (Anker)Long flights on a budget: comfort and battery
Best ANC under $150: Soundcore Space 2
$106–$130 typical
At around $106, this is the budget ANC pair I'd pack for long flights, thanks to a light, comfortable fit and 40-plus lab-tested hours with ANC on, as long as you'll spend a few minutes in the EQ.
Why I picked it
- 84% average noise reduction in SoundGuys' lab, strongest on engine rumble
- 42 to 53 hours with ANC on in lab tests (RTINGS, SoundGuys)
- Light at 264 g, with memory-foam pads reviewers rank among the comfiest at the price
Skip it if
- Default sound splits reviewers; plan on HearID or the EQ
- The memory-foam pads trap heat after about an hour
Read the full notes
The Space 2 is the pair I’d buy for long flights and long workdays under $150. Two labs have tested it: battery ran 42 hours with ANC on in RTINGS testing and 53 hours 21 minutes in SoundGuys testing, and it cut 84% of outside noise on average, the same as the Space One Pro, with the strongest effect on engine rumble. At 264 g with a low clamp and deep memory-foam pads, it ranks among the comfiest pairs at the price, and it keeps LDAC on with two devices connected. It lists at $129.99 and usually sells for less, and it took the best overall pick in SoundGuys’ budget noise cancelling guide on October 21. Skip it if you want great sound with no EQ (What Hi-Fi rated the sound 2 out of 5 and the default tuning sounds boxy, though HearID and the 8-band EQ fix most of it), need a hard case (you get a cloth pouch), or run hot, since the pads trap heat after about an hour. It’s six months old, so there’s no long-term durability record yet. My Soundcore Space 2 review has the EQ settings I’d use.
Image: SonyBass lovers who want strong ANC
Best for calls under $150: Sony ULT WEAR
$103–$148 typical
At $103 to $150, this is the ANC pair I'd buy if you love big bass, thanks to excellent noise cancelling and a 44-hour battery, as long as you can live with Sony's hinge history.
Why I picked it
- Lab-tested at 44 h with ANC on, well past Sony's 30 h claim
- Excellent ANC against plane rumble, traffic and chatter
- One of the best ANC pairs under $200 for phone calls
Skip it if
- Owners report cracked hinges; Sony fixes early serials free until Jan 2027
- Bass-heavy by default (+7 dB bass, -4 dB treble), so plan on EQ
Read the full notes
The ULT WEAR is the pair I’d buy for calls under $150, and its noise cancelling rates ahead of the Space 2’s in everyday noise in RTINGS testing. Sony US lists it at $249.99, and the deep discounts usually come from third-party sellers, so check who’s selling it before you buy. Its noise cancelling is excellent against plane rumble, traffic and chatter, and in RTINGS’ tests it ran 44 hours with ANC on against Sony’s 30-hour claim. It folds into a hard case, supports LDAC, and its 3.5 mm cable works when you switch the headphones off. The same tests found about 7 dB of extra bass by default, so plan on EQ. The hinges are its weak spot, so skip it if you keep headphones for years. Sony US runs a hinge service program for specific serial-number ranges, with coverage through January 31, 2027 (Sony notice), and owners report breaks outside those ranges. If Sony’s hinge history puts you off, the Soundcore Space One Pro ($140 in October 2026) gives you a compact fold, excellent isolation and 36.1 hours per charge. The XH1 vs Space One Pro comparison covers it.
Pick by how you listen
Wired or wireless, noise cancelling or not, and your top budget narrow it down fast. If you listen at a desk in a quiet room, get the wired Philips SHP9500, since everything else on this page is wireless. If you don’t need noise cancelling, get the Sony WH-CH520 for about $38 (October 2026).
Pick by budget, flights and calls
If you need ANC and have a firm ceiling, buy the Life Q20 (2024) on sale under $50. From $60 to $80, buy the CMF Headphone Pro, or the Life Q30 for bass and engine rumble. Under $100, pick the WH-CH720N for low weight, the SonoFlow Pro for battery and a hard case, or the Live 680NC on sale for an on-ear fit, and up to $150, buy the Space 2 for long trips and comfort or the ULT WEAR for calls.
Frequent flyers should get the Q30 under $70, the Space 2 or ULT WEAR under $150 and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones above that. For lots of calls, buy the ULT WEAR, or the WH-CH720N if you need to stay under $90.
CMF Headphone ProOn the bus or train
LDAC, multipoint and 43 measured hours for $79, or $59 on sale (October 2026).
Life Q20 (2024)Studying or at a desk
A cheap office pair with ANC and multipoint for about $40 on sale (October 2026).
Best budget headphones for music
For music at home, the wired Philips SHP9500 is the pair I’d buy, since its sound profile measured flat in RTINGS testing and its open-back cups sound spacious. Most budget wireless pairs ship bass-heavy instead. The Life Q30 and ULT WEAR measured about 7 dB of extra bass and the WH-CH720N about 5.4 dB, so pick a pair with an app EQ and turn the bass down. On Android, the CMF Headphone Pro, SonoFlow Pro, Live 680NC, Space 2 and ULT WEAR add LDAC for higher-bitrate streaming, which does nothing on an iPhone.
Budget wireless headphones compared
The table puts all ten picks side by side, including the wired SHP9500. Battery figures are lab measurements, with the maker’s claim in parentheses. RTINGS ran every battery test here except the CMF’s (SoundGuys) and the SonoFlow Pro’s (Gough Lui and APH Networks), and labs use different volumes and codecs, so compare within one lab.
| Pick | Best for | Type | ANC | Battery, measured (claim) | Typical price, Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMF Headphone Pro | Most people | Over-ear | Hybrid | 43 h (50 h) | $59 to $79 |
| Sony WH-CH520 | Under $40, no ANC | On-ear | None | 52 h (50 h) | $33 to $40 |
| Soundcore Life Q20 (2024) | ANC under $50 | Over-ear | Hybrid | about 49 h (40 to 50 h, Anker varies) | $40 to $60 |
| Soundcore Life Q30 | Bass, engine rumble | Over-ear | Hybrid | 44.3 h, 2020 unit (50 h) | $56 to $68 |
| Sony WH-CH720N | Light all-day wear | Over-ear | Yes | 38.4 h (35 h) | $65 to $90 |
| 1MORE SonoFlow Pro | Battery, travel | Over-ear | Hybrid | about 61 h (65 h) | $73 to $90 |
| JBL Live 680NC | On-ear ANC | On-ear | Adaptive | 65 h (50 h) | $80 to $159 |
| Philips SHP9500 | Home listening | Open-back, wired | None | No battery | $85 to $100 |
| Soundcore Space 2 | Long trips, comfort | Over-ear | Adaptive | 42 h (50 h) | $106 to $130 |
| Sony ULT WEAR | Calls, everyday ANC | Over-ear | Yes | 44 h (30 h) | $103 to $148 |
Price bands are typical US street prices across the brand stores and major retailers in October 2026, so check the live price before you buy. Codecs, multipoint, wired listening and weight sit in the compatibility table further down.
When spending more is worth it
Buy an upgrade pick only for the reason on its tag. At October 22, 2026 prices, the two below cost about three to four and a half times as much as the CMF, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) almost six times as much.
Image: BoseLong-flight comfort and Bose noise cancelling
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2023)
$169–$359 typical
I'd buy this comfortable Bose ANC pair on sale for long flights, as long as you can live without LDAC and a strong call mic.
Why I picked it
- 27 h 14 min of battery in lab tests, above Bose's 24 h claim
- Excellent noise isolation, from plane rumble to chatter
- Gentle clamp that stays comfortable, even with thick glasses
Skip it if
- Bluetooth 5.1 with SBC and AAC only, and no USB-C audio
- Mediocre mic that scores just 4.0/10 for call quality
Read the full notes
Bose’s 2023 QuietComfort Headphones are the upgrade I’d buy for flights. The isolation is excellent in lab tests, from plane rumble to chatter, and the battery ran 27 hours 14 minutes in SoundGuys’ test against Bose’s 24-hour claim. The clamp is gentle enough for thick-framed glasses, and the passive 2.5 mm cable keeps working with a dead battery. You give up LDAC (it’s SBC and AAC only), the mic is mediocre, and owners report crackles and cutouts that often ease once they switch multipoint off. On October 9 the pair was $169 at Bose in a sale that ended October 11, and by October 22 it was back at its $359 list at bose.com. At $359 it costs the same as the QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) that replaced it in August, which scored 8.4 out of 10 at Engadget but runs only 24 hours and has no wear detection, so I’d only buy the 2023 pair on sale. I weigh it in the Sony CH720N vs Bose QuietComfort comparison and in how the XH1 compares with the Bose QuietComfort Headphones.
Image: SennheiserLong battery and warm, bassy sound
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
$200–$230 typical
I'd buy this former $350 flagship on sale for its 60-hour battery and warm sound, as long as you don't need the strongest ANC.
Why I picked it
- Rated for 60 h with ANC on, and it lasted 62 h in lab tests
- Warm, bass-forward tuning with a 5-band EQ in the app
- Passive 2.5 mm cable works with a dead battery, plus USB-C audio
Skip it if
- ANC trails Sony, Bose and Apple flagships, especially on low rumble
- Owners report the headband fabric peeling, often after about a year
Read the full notes
The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is the upgrade I’d buy for battery life and sound. It ran 62 hours in RTINGS’ test and has a warm sound, Sennheiser’s app adds a 5-band EQ, and the pair supports aptX Adaptive, a passive cable and USB-C audio. Its noise cancelling is weak against low rumble and trails the current Sony, Bose and Apple flagships, and owners report the headband fabric peeling, often after about a year. Sennheiser announced the newer MOMENTUM 5 in May 2026 ($399.95 at Sennheiser US on October 9), and the MOMENTUM 4 sold for $199.99 at Best Buy to $229.95 at Sennheiser US the same day (list $299.95). It lists at $299.95 and usually sells near $200. The XH1 vs Momentum 4 comparison shows what that money buys over a $100 pair.
What about the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra?
The Sony WH-1000XM4 (2020) still holds up in the lab, but I wouldn’t buy one new. Its isolation is outstanding and strongest on engine rumble, and it cut airplane noise by 23.5 dB on the same older test bench as the CH720N. On October 9, Sony’s US store was out of stock, new stock came only from third-party sellers, and Sony’s own WH-1000XM4C (the M4 2nd Gen) cost $299.99. I’d only buy an XM4 renewed or used, and should you buy a used Sony XM4 instead? walks through that trade.
I’d only buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if plane noise is your main problem. On October 22 they were back at their $449 list ($369 in the October 9 sale), almost six times the CMF’s price, and they ran 37 hours with ANC on in RTINGS testing. XH1 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) covers the gap.
How to choose budget headphones
Price sets your ceiling. After that, noise cancelling, fit, ear style, your phone, battery and a wired backup decide whether a pair suits you.
What each price gets you
Under $25, I’d skip the tier and start at the WH-CH520 (about $38 on October 22, 2026), which ran 52 hours per charge. Google’s AI Overview for this search (October 9, 2026) suggests the Onn Wireless On-Ear at about $13 to $15 and the wired Koss KPH7 at about $5 to $6, but no lab has tested either model.
What $25 to $150 gets you
Between $25 and $50 you get multipoint and about 50 hours per charge on the CH520 and Life Q20, along with plastic hinges and, at best, a soft pouch. Buy the WH-CH520 if you can do without ANC, or the Life Q20 (2024) or Edifier W80 on sale.
From $50 to $100 you reach the best headphones under $100, which on this page means the CMF, Q30, CH720N, SonoFlow Pro, Live 680NC and the wired SHP9500. The extra money buys LDAC (CMF, SonoFlow Pro, Live 680NC), a hard case (SonoFlow Pro), less weight (CH720N) and stronger low-frequency noise cancelling (Q30, SonoFlow Pro).
At $100 to $150, the Space 2 adds the most comfortable fit of my ANC picks and 42 to 53 measured hours for about $106, and the ULT WEAR adds excellent noise cancelling and is the pair under $200 I’d pick for calls. The Space One Pro ($140 in October 2026) adds a compact fold, and you can only buy the Space Q45 renewed now. Above $150, see the upgrade picks.
Noise cancelling: What the labs found
Every pick except the WH-CH520 and SHP9500 has noise cancelling, and the biggest differences show up in low rumble from engines.
Read the lab noise cancelling results
Under $70, the Q30 keeps out airplane engine rumble, and the Life Q20 (2024) comes close overall but handles low rumble a little worse. Against the CMF, the Life Q20 blocks chatter better and engine noise worse. The CMF’s noise cancelling works mostly in the bass, with little effect in the mid-range, and averages about 81% noise reduction.
The SonoFlow Pro cut 21.9 dB of low-frequency noise on TechGearLab’s rig, against 13.3 dB for the Soundcore Space One and 7.9 dB for the JLab JBuds Lux ANC (Space One review). All three ran on the same rig, so those numbers compare fairly. The CH720N is the weak pick on rumble, cutting 10.9 dB of airplane noise on the older lab bench against 23.5 dB for the WH-1000XM4. For an on-ear, the Live 680NC isolates on par with the over-ear Space Q45, and the ULT WEAR’s isolation is excellent across plane rumble, traffic and chatter.
For flights I’d buy the Q30 under $70, the Space 2 or ULT WEAR under $150 and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones above that.
Fit, clamp and glasses
The SonoFlow Pro stays comfortable with glasses and for 8-hour stretches, and the Space One’s memory foam seals around thin frames. Glasses break the Life Q20’s seal, so bass and ANC drop, and the ULT WEAR clamps hard and struggles to seal with glasses or thick hair. The CMF can feel restrictive for large ears or a squarer head, and the SHP9500 can shift or fall off when you move.
See the weight chart
On-ear or over-ear
On-ears weigh less and pack smaller (the WH-CH520 weighs 147 g and the Live 680NC 231 g), and the CH520’s fit is more breathable than an over-ear’s. The trade is pressure on your ears. The CH520 can bring on a slight ache near the end of two hours, and the Live 680NC splits opinion, pressing on the top of the head over long sessions for some and feeling snug but not painful for others. Without ANC, an on-ear seals poorly too, which is why the CH520 blocks so little noise. If you wear headphones for whole workdays, I’d go over-ear.
iPhone, Android and multipoint
See codecs, multipoint and wired listening for every pick
On Android, the CMF, SonoFlow Pro, Live 680NC, Space 2 and ULT WEAR support LDAC. The Space 2 keeps LDAC on with two devices connected in both SoundGuys and RTINGS testing. On the SonoFlow Pro you switch it on in the 1MORE app, and Gough Lui couldn’t get it working on two Android phones. LDAC limited the ULT WEAR to one connected device in 2024 testing. Every wireless pick connects to two devices at once, though you turn multipoint on in Sony’s app for the WH-CH520, and 1MORE still labels it experimental on the SonoFlow Pro.
| Pick | iPhone codec | Android hi-res | Multipoint | Wired listening | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMF Headphone Pro | AAC | LDAC | 2 devices | 3.5 mm, needs power | 283 g |
| Sony WH-CH520 | AAC | None | 2 (turn on in app) | None | 147 g |
| Life Q20 (2024) | AAC | None | 2 devices | 3.5 mm, ANC off | 255 g |
| Life Q30 | AAC | None | 2 devices | 3.5 mm, ANC off | 260 g |
| Sony WH-CH720N | AAC | None | 2 devices | 3.5 mm, works with dead battery | 192 g |
| SonoFlow Pro | AAC | LDAC (turn on in app) | 2 (experimental) | 2.5 mm jack, needs power | 246 g |
| JBL Live 680NC | JBL lists none | LDAC | 2 devices | USB-C to 3.5 mm, needs power | 231 g |
| Philips SHP9500 | Wired only | Wired only | n/a | 3.5 mm, 6.3 mm adapter | 320 g |
| Soundcore Space 2 | AAC | LDAC (works with 2 devices) | 2 devices | 3.5 mm, needs power | 264 g |
| Sony ULT WEAR | AAC | LDAC (one device, 2024 test) | 2 devices | 3.5 mm, works powered off | 255 g |
Weights and codec lists come from the makers’ specs and product pages. Sony’s ULT WEAR help guide confirms that LDAC cannot run with its two-device setting on. My LDAC and multipoint compatibility table also covers the XH1, Q45, Space One, Space One Pro and original XM4.
Battery claims vs measurements
Maker battery figures assume ideal settings, so I go by lab rundowns. Several picks beat their claims, with the ULT WEAR at 44 hours against Sony’s 30, the Live 680NC at 65 against JBL’s 50 and the WH-CH520 at 52 against Sony’s 50. The CMF fell short at 43 hours against Nothing’s 50, and the Space 2 ran 42 hours in RTINGS testing against Soundcore’s 50 (53 hours 21 minutes in SoundGuys testing). Codec choice matters too, and in one rundown the SonoFlow Pro ran 62.4 hours without LDAC and 37.6 hours with it. Anker’s own pages list different claims for the Life Q20 and Q30, so I use the lab figures for both. The Baseus Inspire XH1’s 65-hour claim has no lab rundown yet, which is a big reason it sits in the notable mentions instead of the picks.
See the battery chart
Wired listening, gaming and calls
A cable is your backup when the battery dies, and the picks differ a lot here. The CH720N and ULT WEAR play over their 3.5 mm cables even when you switch them off. The CMF, SonoFlow Pro, Space 2 and Live 680NC need power to play wired, the Life Q20 and Q30 turn ANC off on the cable, and the WH-CH520 has no wired option at all.
Gaming and calls
For gaming, Bluetooth latency is too high on the CMF, Life Q20, Q30, CH720N, Space 2 and ULT WEAR, so plug in the cable. The SHP9500 only works wired, which suits a desk and PC games, and if your phone has no headphone jack, you’ll need a USB-C dongle for it.
For calls, I’d pick the ULT WEAR, and the CH720N’s mic is quite good for a built-in mic. I’d avoid the Live 680NC for meetings, since its mic is poor, and the Q30, whose mic is passable but weak at handling background noise.
More buying guides
- Soundcore Q30 Upgraded vs original: check the revision, NFC, wired ANC and included case.
- Soundcore Q20 2024 vs Q20i: choose the right model and avoid the old micro-USB version.
- CMF Headphone Pro vs Baseus Inspire XH1: decide whether the XH1 earns its higher price.
Generation guide: Don’t buy the wrong model
Model names in this price range overlap, and Amazon listings often mix generations. This table lists the exact model to buy and the ones people confuse with it.
See the model table for all 13 pairs
| Buy this | Released | Don’t confuse it with |
|---|---|---|
| CMF Headphone Pro (B175) | 2025 | Nothing Headphone (1), Nothing Headphone (a) |
| Sony WH-CH520 | 2023 | WH-CH510 (older), WH-CH530 (Sept 2026; $69.99 list), WH-CH720N (over-ear ANC) |
| Soundcore Life Q20, USB-C (A3025) | 2024 refresh | The micro-USB Life Q20 (same A3025) on the same Amazon listing, Q20i (A3004), Life Q20+ (A3045) |
| Soundcore Life Q30 (A3028) | 2020; Anker now sells the “Upgraded” revision | Life Q35 (2021 step-up), Q31i (fall 2026 successor with LDAC and adaptive ANC, $79.99 to $89.99 in the US, no lab review yet) |
| Sony WH-CH720N | 2023 | WH-CH730N (Sept 2026 successor, folds, $179.99 list), WH-CH710N |
| 1MORE SonoFlow Pro (HQ51) | 2024 | Original SonoFlow (2022), SonoFlow SE (HQ31), SonoFlow Max (HQ60) |
| JBL Live 680NC (on-ear) | 2026 | Live 670NC (2024), Tune 680NC, Live 780NC (over-ear) |
| Philips SHP9500 (SHP9500/00) | about 2014 | SHP9600 (successor), the SHP9500CY listing on Amazon (relation unverified) |
| Soundcore Space 2 (D1402) | April 2026 | Space 2 Pro (D1406, a separate $199.99 model), Space One (A3035), Space One Pro (A3062), Space Q45 (A3040) |
| Sony ULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N) | 2024 | WH-XB910N (predecessor) |
| Soundcore Space One (A3035) | 2023 | Space One Pro (A3062), Space 2 (D1402), Space Q45 (A3040), Space 2 Pro |
| Bose QuietComfort Headphones | 2023 | QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen, Aug 2026), QuietComfort Ultra (1st or 2nd Gen), QC45 |
| Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless | 2022 | MOMENTUM 5 (May 2026, $399.95 in Oct 2026) |
| Sony WH-1000XM4 | 2020 | WH-1000XM4C (M4 2nd Gen, 2026), WH-1000XM5, WH-1000XM6 |
What I’d skip and why
I’d skip the micro-USB Life Q20, the 2019 original that Amazon sells on the same listing as the 2024 refresh. It lacks multipoint and app EQ, and the 49-hour lab result comes from the USB-C version. If you wear glasses, pass on any Life Q20, since frames break the seal and bass and ANC drop.
Don’t pay the Life Q30’s $79.99 list price. soundcore.com still lists it there, but it often sells for less, and at $80 the CMF (also $79) or the WH-CH720N is the better buy. The Soundcore Space One at its full $99.99 is the same story. At $85 it’s a fine buy, but at full price compare the newer Space 2 (list $129.99, often less). A new Sony WH-1000XM4 from a third-party seller cost $298 to $399 on October 22, no less than Sony’s own WH-1000XM4C at $299.99, so buy one renewed or not at all.
For a loud commute I’d skip the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, whose low-frequency cancelling measured 7.9 dB, about a third of the SonoFlow Pro’s 21.9 dB. And I wouldn’t take any of these to the gym. None has a real sweat rating, the CMF’s IPX2 covers light splashes but the pair isn’t stable enough for running, and the Live 680NC can fall off during vigorous activity. For the gym I’d add a cheap open-ear pair like the $52.99 JLab JBuds Open Sport 2.
Notable mentions
These six missed the list for one clear reason each, and a few are good buys at the right price.
The Soundcore Space One (A3035) keeps its ANC working over the cable for seatback screens, and it ran 42 hours 57 minutes in SoundGuys testing. Reviews split on how strong that ANC is. In Wirecutter’s tests (updated September 11, 2026) it beat pairs costing two to three times as much, but its low-frequency cancelling measured weaker than the group average in TechGearLab testing. It was $99.99 at soundcore.com on October 22, and owners report cracks on the left hinge, so I’d buy it at $85 or less. Buy now
For about $50 on sale, the Edifier W80 brings hybrid ANC, LDAC and multipoint, and Edifier claims 40 hours with ANC on. No lab has measured it, and Edifier’s spec pages disagree on AAC. My Edifier W80 review goes deeper. Buy now
The Baseus Inspire XH1 sells for about $100 in October 2026 (list $149.99), and Baseus claims 65 hours with ANC on, but no lab has run it down yet. Owners like the comfort, with 46 of 50 Amazon comfort mentions positive on October 9, and most tests and several owners rate its ANC middle of the pack. Read my Baseus Inspire XH1 review and XH1 vs Soundcore Space Q45.
With the 85 dB volume limiter in the JLab app, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC makes a good pair for kids. It ran 44 hours 22 minutes in SoundGuys’ test and plays wired audio over USB-C, but its low-frequency ANC is weak (7.9 dB), and owners report creaking hinges and hairline cracks. Buy it at $60 or less. Sage and Navy were $59.99 and Graphite $79.99 on October 9, but on October 22 Sage was $79.99 and Mauve $84.99, so wait for a sale. The button opens the Graphite listing, so check the color options. Buy now
At $139.99 at soundcore.com in October 2026, the Soundcore Space One Pro gets you 36.1 hours in RTINGS testing, excellent isolation and a fold Soundcore claims is 50% smaller, though turning on LDAC switches multipoint off. See the XH1 vs Space One Pro comparison.
The Soundcore Space Q45 is still one of the best budget noise cancelling pairs, but new US stock is gone. Only renewed units remain, and owners report headband cracks near the hinge. Read my Soundcore Space Q45 review.
Sony’s WH-CH530 and WH-CH730N (both September 2026), the Nothing Headphone (a) and the over-ear JBL Live 780NC aren’t ranked yet. The CH730N has five reviews (7.8 out of 10 at SoundGuys, and What Hi-Fi’s top budget ANC pick), yet it has no lab battery rundown and lists at $179.99, about twice the CH720N. My WH-CH720N vs WH-CH730N comparison explains why I’d still buy the older pair. The CH530 lists at $69.99, and its SoundGuys battery test isn’t finished. On October 9, the Headphone (a) and the Live 780NC were both on sale well under list.
You’ll find every full review in all my reviews and the head-to-heads in all my headphone comparisons.
How I pick budget headphones
Every pair on this page has to clear the same four checks. Noise cancelling and battery life come from lab measurements by RTINGS, SoundGuys and TechGearLab, and maker figures appear only as labeled claims, since this page’s picks beat or missed their battery claims by up to 15 hours. Prices are US prices from Amazon and the brand’s own store, each with the date I checked it, plus the typical band for sale weeks. Every pick names its exact model and generation, because several budget names cover two or three different products. Owner reports on hinges, pads, mics and apps set each “skip it if” line, since those faults show up after months of use rather than on a test bench. More on my standards on the about page.
Update log
See every update since October 9, 2026
- October 9, 2026: First publication, with nine picks and two upgrade picks. I checked every price on Amazon US and the brand stores that day.
- Recheck after October 12, 2026: The Life Q20’s $39.99 Fall Prime Day price, the Space One’s $84.99 deal (ends October 12) and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones’ $169 at bose.com (ends October 11).
- October 20, 2026: Added a section on the best budget headphones for music and this “How I pick” section, and labeled each pick with its category.
- October 22, 2026: Rechecked every price after Amazon’s October sale ended. The CMF went back to $79, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones to $359, the Live 680NC to its $159.95 list and the Life Q30 to $67.99, while the ULT WEAR’s deepest discounts came from third-party sellers. I renamed the Q30’s tag to “Best bass under $70”, updated the price table and notes, and added new reviews of the Soundcore Space 2, Sony WH-CH730N and Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen).
- October 23, 2026: Published a full Soundcore Space 2 review now that RTINGS has tested it alongside SoundGuys, and a WH-CH720N vs WH-CH730N comparison.
- October 23, 2026 (later): Ranked the Soundcore Space 2 as pick #9, “Best ANC under $150”, now that two labs have tested it, and relabeled the ULT WEAR “Best for calls under $150”, since its under-$150 Amazon price came from a third-party seller.
- Next revisit: Lab battery results for the WH-CH530, the WH-CH730N or the Life Q30’s Upgraded revision.
Questions people ask
What are the best budget headphones to buy right now?
The CMF Headphone Pro at $79 (October 22, 2026; $59 on sale) is the pair I'd tell most people to buy, and it lasted 43 hours with noise cancelling on in lab testing. If you don't need noise cancelling, the Sony WH-CH520 costs about $38 and lasted 52 hours.
What is the best budget headphone brand?
No single brand wins at every price. Soundcore fills the most lab-list spots under $70 and holds three of my picks (the Life Q20, Life Q30 and Space 2), Sony makes the cheapest pair I'd buy (WH-CH520) and the lightest noise cancelling pair on this page (WH-CH720N), and CMF's first over-ear pair is my top pick overall.
Which budget headphones work best with an iPhone?
Pick a pair that lists AAC. The CMF Headphone Pro, Life Q30, Life Q20 (2024), WH-CH720N, WH-CH520, SonoFlow Pro, Space 2 and ULT WEAR all do. LDAC never works on an iPhone, JBL lists no AAC for the Live 680NC, and Edifier's own spec pages disagree on AAC for the W80.
Are cheap noise cancelling headphones good enough for flights?
Some are. Under $60 I'd take the Life Q30 (about $68 on October 22, 2026), which keeps out airplane engine rumble. The WH-CH720N cut airplane noise by only 10.9 dB on an older lab test bench, against 23.5 dB for the WH-1000XM4. If you fly often, look at the Soundcore Space 2 ($106 in October 2026, with 42 to 53 measured hours of ANC), the Sony ULT WEAR ($103 to $150) or the Bose QuietComfort Headphones on sale.
Is the Sony WH-CH520 still worth it now that the WH-CH530 is out?
At about $38 (October 22, 2026), yes. Sony claims 55 hours for the WH-CH530 and adds AI noise reduction for calls, but it lists at $69.99, it scored 6.7 out of 10 at SoundGuys, and its battery test still isn't finished. The CH520 lasted 52 hours in lab testing, so I'd save the money.
Do I need an amp for the Philips SHP9500?
No. At 32 ohms with 111.9 dB SPL sensitivity, it runs fine from a phone or laptop. You only need a USB-C dongle if your phone has no headphone jack.
Sources and further reading
Prices and specs checked October 26, 2026.
- RTINGS: The 5 Best Budget And Cheap Headphones (updated 2026-09-24)
- RTINGS: The 5 Best Budget Wireless Headphones (updated 2026-09-03)
- RTINGS: The 4 Best Budget Noise Cancelling Headphones (updated 2026-09-24)
- RTINGS: The 5 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $200 (updated 2026-08-12)
- RTINGS: The 4 Best On-Ear Headphones (updated 2026-08-31)
- RTINGS: Sony WH-CH720N review (archived 2025-04-14, test bench 1.8)
- SoundGuys: CMF Headphone Pro review
- SoundGuys: Best budget noise canceling headphones (updated 2026-10-21)
- Wirecutter: The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones (updated 2026-09-11)
- Tom's Guide: The best cheap headphones (updated 2026-07-29)
- TechGearLab: 1More SonoFlow Pro review
- Gough's Tech Zone: 1MORE SonoFlow Pro (HQ51) review and battery test
- What Hi-Fi?: The Sony WH-CH530 look great, but their five-star predecessors are half the price (2026-09-16)
- Sony Electronics: WH-1000XM4C, WH-CH730N and WH-CH530 announcement (PR Newswire, 2026-09-07)
- SoundGuys: Sony WH-CH730N review (September 2026)
- What Hi-Fi?: Sony WH-CH730N review
- Engadget: Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd gen) review
- Sony US: Service program for WH-ULT900N ULT WEAR headphones
- RTINGS: The 5 Best Bass Headphones (updated 2026-09-17)
- RTINGS: Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024 review
- RTINGS: JBL Live 680NC review
- RTINGS: Philips SHP9500 review
- SoundGuys: The best headphones (updated 2026-09-17)
- TechGearLab: Soundcore Space One review
- Sony WH-CH720N help guide: specifications
- soundcore US: Life Q20 (A3025)
Written by Marius
Audio enthusiast. I've worn a lot of headphones, and I tell you which pair is worth your money and which one isn't.
I check every verdict against lab measurements and long-term owner feedback, and I update pages when prices or models change. How I judge headphones.