Current testing methodology is v1.2
It’s always a daunting task to think of the best gifts to give your loved ones and with the holidays fast approaching, there’s added pressure to make sure that you give them something thoughtful. So why not give the gift of good quality sound?
With its long battery life, solid build quality, a great ANC feature, and great sound quality, getting the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 is a no-brainer if you’re looking for the best budget wireless headphones. The best part is that it retails for only around $80.
A great gift idea would be wireless headphones – they’re practical and functional, and well, everyone listens to music, so who wouldn’t appreciate them?
However, with all the available options out there, things can get confusing quickly which can lead to impulsive purchases. This is why I made this list of the best budget wireless headphones. These headphones are all under $100, which goes to show that good value and performance don’t have to come with hefty price tags.
If you’re looking for a great pair of headphones to give your loved ones, or even as a gift for yourself, then here are some excellent recommendations.
| Headphone Model | Frequency Range | ANC | Battery Life | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker Soundcore Life Q30 | 16 – 40,000 Hz | Yes | 40h (ANC) / 60h | $ |
| Anker Soundcore Life Q20+ | 16 – 40,000 Hz | Yes | 40h (ANC) / 60h | $ |
| JBL Tune 760NC | 20 – 20,000 Hz | Yes | 35h (ANC) / 50h | $ |
| Sennheiser HD 350BT | 18 – 22,000 Hz | No | 30h | $ |
| Sony WH-CH520 | 20 – 20,000 Hz | No | 40h | $ |
Best Budget Wireless Headphones Reviewed
Anker Soundcore Life Q30
The Download
The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 comes on top of this list of the best budget wireless headphones as they check off most of the things you should be looking for in budget wireless headphones.
It comes with a healthy battery life that can go on for up to 40 hours of playtime with the active noise canceling feature on. With ANC off, you can bump it up to 60 hours. Also, the ANC feature performs phenomenally and it has different modes that come in handy in various scenarios.
The build quality is excellent for the price. The shell and the headband are made of a hard plastic material that feels sturdy and rigid. Although they may not be comparable to higher-end models, they’re impressive, considering they cost just around $80. The headband has a decent amount of cushioning for added comfort, and the earpads are also very comfortable. Even after using them for about 6 hours straight, I didn’t experience any discomfort or fatigue.
I’ve ranked the Life Q30 as the best overall because it gives excellent value for its price. It has a long battery life, decent build quality for the price, a great ANC feature, and excellent sound quality, even though it sounds pretty bass-heavy by default.
The Specs
- Type: Over-ear headphones
- Driver Siz: 40 mm
- Frequency Range: 16 – 40,000 Hz
- Impedance: 16 Ω
- Battery Life: 40 hours (ANC on), 60 hours (ANC off)
- Charging Time: 2 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.0
- Noise Canceling: Yes
- Mic: Yes
Stuff I like
- Great noise isolation
- Excellent sound quality
- Well-designed and very comfortable to wear
Stuff I like less
- Sound leakage can sometimes occur when playing at higher volumes
Where to get it
Anker Soundcore Life Q20+
The Download
Coming up next is another offering from Soundcore by Anker which is the Life Q20+. With its form and function, it’s a pretty straightforward pair of headphones. The best way to describe it is that it provides performance with no fuss.
Even though it may not have the latest or the flashiest features in the market, it does a decent job of providing decent sound quality without sacrificing other features, such as ANC. The Q20+ has a long battery life with hours of playtime with up to 40 hours of playtime with ANC on and up to 50 hours with ANC off.
If you’re looking for something that doesn’t cost much but still has decent sound quality with all the essential features, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20+ is a great option.
The Specs
- Type: Over-ear headphones
- Driver Size: 40 mm
- Frequency Range:: 16 – 40,000 Hz
- Impedance: 16 Ω
- Battery Life: 40 hours (ANC on), 60 hours (ANC off)
- Charging Time: 3 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.0
- Noise Canceling: Yes
- Mic: Yes
Stuff I like
- Great ANC
- Comfortable fit
- Good noise isolation
Stuff I like less
- No Bluetooth multi-pairing
Where to get it
JBL Tune 760NC
The Download
For just around $80, the JBL Tune 760 NC is one of the best budget wireless headphones you can get in the market.
It has the right mixture of everything – the sound quality is excellent, the build is sturdy despite it being lightweight, the ear pads are well cushioned, and the features, such as the button layouts and active noise canceling, are well executed.
It isn’t perfect though. According to some reviews, there are times when the ANC feature doesn’t filter noise that well. Even with this tiny issue, it’s still a great option as it’s well-rounded and has all the essentials you’d need for wireless headphones for an affordable price.
The Specs
- Type: Over-ear headphones
- Driver Size: 40 mm
- Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ω
- Battery Life: 35 hours (ANC on), 50 hours (ANC off)
- Charging Time: 2 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.0
- Noise Canceling: Yes
- Mic: Yes
Stuff I like
- Great fit and comfort
- Excellent design and button layout
Stuff I like less
- Sound isolation isn’t that good
- ANC doesn’t perform well at times
Where to get it
Sennheiser HD 350BT
The Download
The Sennheiser HD 350BT is one of the best-sounding options on this list. While it doesn’t have all the cool features that you’ll find in other models, it makes up for it with its excellent sound quality, coming from a reputable brand.
One of the features that it doesn’t have is active noise canceling, which can be a deal-breaker for some people. Also, its battery life isn’t the best with just around 30 hours of playtime.
If excellent sound quality is what you’re after and you don’t mind the lack of features, then the Sennheiser HD 350BT is the way to go. Retailing for around $80, it’s simply one of the best budget wireless headphones out there in terms of sound.
The Specs
- Type: Over-ear headphones
- Driver Size: 32 mm
- Frequency Response: 18 – 22,000 Hz
- Impedance: 30 Ω
- Battery Life: 30 hours
- Charging Time: 2 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.0
- Noise Canceling: No
- Mic: Yes
Stuff I like
- Great sound quality
- Light and compact form factor
- Wider audio codec support
Stuff I like less
- Lack of wired connectivity option
- No active noise cancelation
Where to get it
Sony WH-CH520
The Download
If you want something compact and stylish, then look no further than the Sony WH CH520. This mighty pair of on-ear wireless headphones is one of the brand’s entry-level headphones, retailing for around $60.
The main selling point of the WH-CH520 is its connectivity feature. You can connect it to up to two devices simultaneously, allowing for a seamless transition from one device to another. With the Sony mobile app, you can adjust its EQ settings on the fly, which comes really handy at times. It has an impressive battery life with up to 40 hours of playtime.
Sadly, it doesn’t have active noise cancelation and its sound quality isn’t the best compared to the other models on this list. Even with no ANC, it’s still a great option if you’re on the market for the best budget wireless headphones, with its decent sound, sleek design, long battery life, and awesome connectivity feature at a very affordable price.
The Specs
- Type: On-ear headphones
- Driver Size: 30 mm
- Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ω
- Battery Life: 40 hours
- Charging Time: 3 hours
- Bluetooth Version: 5.0
- Noise Canceling: No
- Mic: Yes
Stuff I like
- In-app customization
- Great battery life
- Multi-point pairing
- Well-balanced sound
Stuff I like less
- Doesn’t come with 3.5mm headphone jack
- Poor noise isolation
Where to get it
What to look for in a wireless headphones?
Shopping for wireless headphones can be overwhelming with the numerous options out there coming from many different brands. So what exactly should you look for in wireless headphones? To help you find the best pair, here are some things to consider.
Battery Life
One of the most essential things to consider when buying wireless headphones is the battery life. You don’t want to run out of battery when you’re using it so it’s essential to take a quick look at the spec sheet and how long its playtime is.
Nowadays, it’s quite rare to find wireless headphones with less than 20 hours of playtime. I made sure that all the models in this list of the best budget wireless headphones have more than 20 hours of playtime so you can enjoy longer sessions of music listening.
Fit and Comfort
Fit and comfort are just as important as they contribute to your overall listening experience. Better fit and comfort means that you can use your headphones for more hours.
While it’s good to check reviews on how they fit and how comfortable they feel, it’s worth noting that the fit and comfort may vary with different head sizes. It’s always best to try on the headphones and see how they feel before buying them.
Build Quality
Some brands often cut costs on the quality of materials so that they can add all the flashy features and knick-knacks. But this shouldn’t be the case. A good pair of headphones must have decent sound quality and features without sacrificing build quality.
You may often come across cheap pairs of headphones with poor build quality, especially when you are on a limited budget, so make sure to research and check user reviews.
Sound
Now, the most important of it all is sound. Sound quality separates a bad pair of headphones from a good one. So what factors can help you distinguish which is which?
One thing that’s always easy to pinpoint is the clarity and detail a pair of headphones can produce. Another is the amount of frequencies it can put out, which, in simpler terms, is the amount of bass, mids, and highs.
Remember that better sound quality can always give you a better listening experience.
Final Thoughts
The wireless headphone market has improved over the past years with big brands and even the not-so-popular ones releasing decent headphone models at competitive prices. I honestly had a hard time compiling this list of the best budget wireless headphones as there’s an overwhelming amount of options to choose from.
If you’re looking for the perfect pair of wireless headphones for you or as a gift for a loved one, then I hope you find this post helpful. Happy shopping and happy holidays!
A man of many interests, Querho is passionate about discovering new things that stimulate the mind. When he is not writing about the things he is passionate about, Querho can be found making music at his home studio.
This post was last updated on 2025-01-15 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.