As you might know, the three basic types of headphones are semi-open, closed-back, and open-back. As the names suggest, the design for the ear cup is the main difference between headphones. Semi-open headphones’ cups are partially open. They certainly leak less sound and block more background noises, but they will not solve these problems perfectly. Open-back headphones’ ear cups are open. They have a netting design in the front and, most of the time, you will be able to see the speakers. These headphones will leak a lot of sound, and they will let a lot of background noise through. Closed-back designs will solve almost all of these problems. They’re not perfect, but they will manage to isolate most of the ambient noise and will leak a lot less sound compared to the other types of headphones.
Closed-back designs are the most popular for their noise-isolating benefits. They make the best sellers on the market and also produce the best sound. Besides that, closed-back headphones’ specific design offers you the privacy to let to what you want while others around you the benefit of not hearing it.
The open and semi-open designs will deliver a sound that will make you feel like you are listening to music in a room. The music will cause less harm to your ears, and it is also a little bit distant. Some people like that, but we don’t recommend using these types of headphones in places full of people since they will leak a lot of sound, and the people around you probably don’t need to/don’t even want to be aware of your musical tastes.
Here are the best 12 headphones you can buy for less than $100.
Mpow 059 Bluetooth Headphones
This product comes with one USB charging cable, a carrying bag, a 3.5mm audio cable, and a user manual. One of the reasons why so many people like these headphones is the huge color choice that they come in. You can get them in green, gray, silver, pink, blue, red, or black. The design is modern, and the colors are attractive.
The Mpow 059 is designed to be Bluetooth headphones, but if you ever run out of battery, you can always connect the audio cable and continue using them. All of the controls and the microphone are located on the right ear cup. The control buttons are arranged nicely, and they are quite large. The bigger circle controls the volume, and it has buttons for skipping tracks. The smaller circle has one button used to answer calls, play or pause the music, and pair the device. A ring that separates the two circles is a status indicator that shows you if your headphones are on and if the headphones are paired with a device.
The product weighs approximately 9 ounces. They have closed-back ear cups and an adjustable headband. To provide you with the best noise isolation possible, ear cushions will seal nicely around your ears. They are also quite soft and enjoyable. The ear cups are movable and adjustable, which gives you the ability to adjust them to your needs for a more comfortable fit.
Considering the price, the sound quality is pretty decent. You won’t experience a strong and deep bass, but it will be enough if you are a casual listener. The highs and mids are also admirable.
Cowin E7 Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones
The E7 comes in an elegant box. The foam in the box protects the headphones during transport. Besides the headphones, you will also get 3.9ft cable for audio, a charging cable, a carrying case, a warranty card, and the user manual.
There are many praise-worthy features of this products. The design is interesting, and the company made an improvement when they introduced more colors to the mono black selection. Now, you can order them in black, blue, and purple color. But you will have to pay a little more for the colorful versions.
The E7 is Bluetooth headphones, but the company will send you an audio cable that you can wire your headphones with if your battery ever runs out. The port is located on the right ear cup, where there are also controls for turning the headphones on/off, volume controls, the Bluetooth button, and a microphone. The USB charging port is located on the left ear cup. These headphones also support NFC pairing.
A flexible headband, adjustable pads, and rotating ear cups are the reasons why the E7 is so comfortable. Soft and thick ear cushions and deep holes will provide your ears with great comfort. These headphones won’t put a lot of pressure on your head, either.
The sound quality is pretty decent. The distinctive highs and mids are quite satisfying, but they are nothing special. The E7 headphones are not meant to be used for strong bass, but the normal range of bass is present and quite good.
These headphones’ battery can last up to 30 hours, and since they support quick charging, you won’t waste a lot of time recharging the battery. You can take with you for a weekend with you and know that they’ll last until you get back home.
Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones
In the box, Sony will deliver only the basic stuff – the headphones, a protective bag, and a plug adapter.
These headphones have a very retro style, and some people find that quite pleasant. They stand out from the bulky, modern designs for sure. Numerous buyers report that the effectiveness and the simplicity of these headphones are the reasons why they buy them.
There is only one color choice: black with red and blue marks above the cups. The left side is colored blue, and the right side is colored red. The audio cable is located on the left side. You can fold the headphones, and the ear cups can spin, which makes these headphones pretty portable. The adjustable headband will help you to position the headphones on your head however you desire. The closed-back design of the ear cups is great, and they have a soft, thick cushion that you can replace if it wears out or gets too sweaty.
The MDRV6 model is very lightweight at approximately 10 ounces. As comfortable as they are, you can wear them for a long time without experiencing discomfort or pain. The headphones are also quite durable. If you replace the ear cushions occasionally, you will be able to use them for more than 10 years, and the headphones will still work great.
There best description of the sound quality is “excellent.” It is crisp and very clear. The highs and mids are distinct, and even the bass is present. If you love the natural sound of your recordings, consider taking a look at these headphones as they can be a quality part of your audio equipment, and will serve you well.
Avantree 40 Hour Wireless/Wired Bluetooth Headphones
In the box, you will find the headphones, audio and charging cables, a warranty card, and a user manual.
These headphones look exceptionally better than most of the other products in this price range. They are, however, available only in the black color with a couple of red details. One of the features users like about them is the matte finish, which gives this model a bit of elegance as they will never show fingerprints like headphones with a glossy finish would.
You will find the controls on the left side of the headphones. It has an on/off button for controlling your headphones, a mini microphone, a charging port, and volume controls. There is also a port for an audio cable that you can connect if you don’t want to use the Bluetooth mode or if your battery dies.
These headphones by Avantree are lightweight and pleasingly comfortable. The weight of the headphones is approximately 6 ounces. The clamping force is not noticeable on your head, and the soft, thick ear cushions will enable you to wear them for a long time without causing any problems. If you ever find the ear cushions uncomfortable, you can buy replacements.
With surprisingly good sound quality consisting of clear mids and highs, and a very strong bass, you’ll enjoy your listening experience with these. The noise isolation technology will block almost all of the ambient noise, and the headphones themselves can get pretty loud.
The battery can last as long as 40 hours on a single charge, giving you ample time to get back to an outlet every couple of days.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Professional Monitor Headphones
With the headphones, you will get a carrying bag, a plug adapter, two long cables, and a user guide.
These headphones are made of metal and plastic, which means that they are pretty durable. Besides being durable, they are also quite comfortable. The headphones weigh 6.7 ounces, and considering their light weight and other specifications, you will be able to wear them for a long time without any discomfort.
The headband is made from metal and is both adjustable and extendable, meaning you can flex them to fit the size of your head. The headphones are padded decently so they won’t put a lot of pressure on the top of your head. The headphones are foldable, and you can always spin the ear cups, meaning that transporting them is easy, especially when you consider that you will also get a carrying bag for them. The think, large ear cushions are covered with leather, making them comfortable for almost all ear sizes.
This model doesn’t support Bluetooth, and you will have to plug in the headphones. The port is located on the left ear cup. As you get two separate cables for the headphones, you can use them for different purposes. Also, if one of your cables stops working, you will be able to plug the second one in to continue with your listening session.
Exceptional sound comes from these headphones, as much as with any M series headphones. Crisp highs, great lows, and clear vocals describe the natural sound of this product. The closed cups mean that you will get great isolation from any ambient noise.
Skullcandy Crusher Headphones
The headphones come packed in a very interesting box with an audio cable, carrying bag, and a bonus AA battery.
Skullcandy is a company that offers their products in plenty of interesting colors, and the Crusher is no exception. With 15 different prints and colors, ranging from white and black models to military prints, flowers, and stripes, you can find a style that suits you.
The aux cable is detachable, which is a positive feature as these are the wired headphones. Since you can detach the cable whenever you want to, changing it in case of damage is an easy task. The port for the audio cable is located at the left ear cup, where you will also find a control button for bass and a spot for the battery.
This model is comfortable in general, even though it weighs 10 ounces and is made from plastic. There is not much pressure, and they feel light when you’re wearing them. The holes are deep and your ears will be decently isolated. The thick, soft cushions are also a plus. They’re also a very portable pair of headphones due to their foldability.
This product is made with an intention to be used with phones and music players. However, an AA battery is required if you want to experience a strong and deep bass. You can get 40 hours of use on a single battery, which is pretty decent, and even if your battery runs out, you will still be able to listen to music, just without the heavy bass.
Symphonized Wired Headphones
When you open the box, you will find, of course, the headphones, but also a cotton carrying bag and two nylon cables. One of the cables has a microphone that you can use for answering calls.
There are many things that customers like about this product. The sound quality, the good looks, and its durability are positive features that excite and surprise users.
Symphonized makes some very unique and specific headphones. This product is one of them. Large, pivoting ear cups are just a start. Both ear cushions have prints that mark the ear cushion. A cable inserts into the plug that is located on the bottom. Since the cups have a closed-back design, they manage to isolate you from background noises very well. The front side of the headphones is made, as mentioned above, from wood. The colors depend on the wood, so it’s up to you to choose what you like. You can choose between walnut, cherry, and maple.
The headphones are mostly made of metal and wood, which makes them very durable. The leather is used for padding and ear cushions. The headband is completely made out of metal and the ear cups from wood, which gives them stability and durableness.
The Symphonized headphones also provide great sound quality. The powerful, deep bass and distinctive highs and mids are these headphones’ big pluses. Customers report that the sound is even better after constant usage, which is another benefit of the wood construction.
AKG K240STUDIO Semi-Open Studio Headphones
The product comes in a box with all the specifications printed in different languages. Besides that, you also get a plug adapter and a detachable cable.
These are pretty good looking headphones even though they’re not the most stylish. Users like the matte black color, rounded ear cups, and their general shape. The big ear cushions provide comfort even for big ears, and they are also large enough to fit on big heads. The headband is adjustable and pretty thin. Some people find that the headband is too thin, though, and they don’t usually prefer headbands without padding. Still, this product is quite comfortable.
You can detach the audio cable at any time, which is a big plus. The model seems quite durable, and the overall quality of the build is very good, considering that they are made completely out of plastic. The headphones weigh only 8.5 ounces, making them light enough not to put much pressure on your head. The clamping force is also nearly unnoticeable, so if you wear them for a long time, you won’t experience any discomfort.
Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones
The headphones are packed in a simplistic box, and you get a cable winder and a plug adapter with them.
This model has a very minimalistic and unusual design. There are almost no details, but they offer things that every good headphone should offer – amazing sound quality and a high-end comfort level. However, these headphones do have their flaws, which is to be expected at this price range.
They’re very light, weighing only 4.5 ounces. And not only are they light, but they are also very thin. The adjustable headband is pretty decently designed. All you have to do is to put them on your head, and it will fit the headphones perfectly. The soft and thick padding is what extends the comfort of these headphones. The closed ear cups have soft and thick cushions that can isolate you from any background noise pretty well.
Considering the quality of the sound, Sennheiser doesn’t disappoint their users. Very clear and natural sound is delivered with these headphones as much as with any other Sennheiser product. The sound quality is enhanced even more with powerful and deep bass. As these headphones don’t require a power supply, you can use them with any portable device.
Skullcandy Hesh 2 Bluetooth Headphones
They come in a very interesting box with a charging cable, a carrying bag, and an aux cable that’s detachable and replaceable.
The design is the first thing that people notice when it comes to Skullcandy products. This wireless model is currently available in three different colors: silver, blue, and black. The modern design is very appealing to a lot of users. You can use this model however you like – wired or wireless. This means that if your battery runs out, you can attach the audio cable and you are ready to continue enjoying your music. The audio cable and charging ports are located on the left ear cup. All of the other controls are located on the right ear cup, including the microphone and volume controls.
An adjustable and flexible headband is always a plus, and these headphones have those features. It is made almost entirely of plastic, but it is very durable. Customers report almost no complaints about the durability. You can spin the cups however you like, and they have very soft, thick foam, which is covered in leather to increase your comfort even more. Because the ear pads are so thick, they can isolate a lot of background noise to give you a better listening experience.
JVC HARX300 Full-Size Headphones
You don’t get a lot of equipment with these JVCs. The only thing you get with them is a plug adapter.
Customers usually like the design of the model, which is surprising for some people. They have a very simple design, and the only color available is black. The finishing lines and the shape itself is appealing though. The headband is thin, and is also made of plastic. The fact that these headphones are not padded might concern some potential customers, but they are comfortable even without padding. Their light weight of 7 ounces is the primary reason for this. The headphones are also quite big, so you can be sure that your ears will have enough room. The downfall of this product is that it is not foldable. You can, however, spin the cups and adjust them to fit your needs.
Many users report that the headphones are pretty durable even though they are completely made of plastic. Some users also report that their headphones cracked at the hinges. Still, if used properly, these headphones can last for a long time.
Sennheiser HD 201 Lightweight Headphones
The only thing you will find in the box beside the headphones is a plug adapter.
The feel and the sound quality is much better than some previous Sennheiser models. The headphones weigh roughly 6 ounces and are made completely out of plastic. These materials make these headphones quite durable, but not indestructible.
When compared to other headphones, these are very thin but also very comfortable. They also don’t look bulky at all. The headband is adjustable, flexible, and covered with soft padding. The oval shape of the cups and their size can cover almost any ear size and also isolate much of the ambient noise. You can also spin the cups and adjust them to fit your needs.