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The best headphones under 100 euros 2026: 6 picks for bass, commuting, workouts and tight budgets
Updated 25 October 2026
Short answer
For most people, the best over-ear headphones under 100 euros are the Sony ULT Wear: Computer Bild's test winner (1.9) with strong ANC and long battery life. For balanced sound, go for the new Sony WH-CH730N; the budget pick is the Creative Zen Hybrid Pro. Among in-ears, the soundcore Liberty 4 Pro leads (Computer Bild 1.6), the Sony WF-C510 is the cheapest, and the soundcore Sport X20 suits workouts.
How we chose
For this list we analysed independent tests: Computer Bild's over-ear and in-ear comparisons (issue 15/2026), individual reviews by hifi.de, What Hi-Fi?, inside digital, Notebookcheck and Basic Tutorials, and the freely available information from Stiftung Warentest. Prices come from testberichte.de and testsieger.de. We only included models sold in Germany in 2026 for around 100 euros or less. We did not test the headphones ourselves. Stiftung Warentest's individual grades are paywalled, so we do not quote them.
What to look for: over-ear or in-ear
Over-ear headphones enclose your ears, block a lot of noise even without electronics and usually last longer per charge. In-ears are small, fit in any pocket and work better for sport. Think about where you listen most: on the train, in the office or on a run.
What to look for: how good the ANC really is
Active noise cancelling is now available under 100 euros. Most models handle steady hum from engines or fans well, but voices and sudden sounds much less so, as the reviews of the Sony WH-CH730N and Nothing Ear (3a) show.
What to look for: battery life with ANC on
Manufacturer figures often apply with ANC off. Check the figure with ANC on: for the Sony ULT Wear it is 30 instead of 50 hours. With in-ears, also look at how many top-ups the charging case provides.
What to look for: sound tuning
Many affordable headphones push the bass hard. That is fun for pop and electronic music but can mask vocals. An app with an equaliser lets you adjust the sound.
What to look for: codecs and multipoint
iPhones use AAC, while many Android phones also support LDAC for higher bitrates. Multipoint lets you stay connected to your phone and laptop at once, which matters more day to day than an exotic codec.
What to look for: fit and water resistance for sport
For workouts you need a secure fit, for example from ear hooks, and protection against sweat. IPX4 covers splashes, IP68 also covers dust and submersion.
Frequently asked questions
Are there good noise-cancelling headphones under 100 euros?
Yes. In Computer Bild's over-ear comparison (issue 15/2026), seven of eight models cost around 100 euros or less, and all were rated 'good'. The Sony ULT Wear and soundcore Space 2 share first place with 1.9. Expect the ANC to handle voices less well than on premium models, though.
What does Stiftung Warentest recommend among cheap headphones?
Stiftung Warentest tests Bluetooth headphones on an ongoing basis, recently for example the JBL Endurance Peak 4 (published 25 June 2026, average price around 85 euros according to test.de). Grades are only in the paid section of test.de, so we do not quote them here.
Are over-ear or in-ear headphones better?
It depends on how you listen. Over-ears like the Sony ULT Wear usually offer longer battery life and more quiet but are bulkier. In-ears like the soundcore Liberty 4 Pro are more compact, and for sport, models with ear hooks such as the soundcore Sport X20 are the better choice.
Which in-ears under 100 euros work well with iPhone and Android?
Every model on this list works with both via Bluetooth and the AAC codec. With an Android phone you can also use LDAC on the soundcore Liberty 4 Pro and the Nothing Ear (3a). According to Notebookcheck, however, the Nothing Ear (3a) lasts only about 4.5 hours with LDAC and ANC on.
Are headphones without ANC good enough?
If you mostly listen at home or in quiet places, yes. The Sony WF-C510 has no ANC, but hifi.de found its sound natural and detailed, and it costs only about 35 to 40 euros. For trains, planes or open-plan offices, a model with ANC is worth it.