Noise-canceling headphones can be a godsend, especially if you’re on a crowded plane or a loud room. The flip side of that though is the cost, with some headphones having prices of $300 or more. We don’t know about you but that’s a little bit out of our price range.
We thought it might be a good idea to take a look at all of the options out there a shine a spotlight on those affordable so you can have the convenience without feeling the sting in your wallet.
Before we start though, let’s take a quick at the things you should pay attention to with any pair of headphones.
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How to choose the right Noise-Canceling Headphones
Battery Life
Having a pair of headphones with good battery life is important especially if you plan on using them on a long flight or if you’re binge-watching your favorite show in a coffee shop. While some headphones have a better battery life than others, you’ll want to pay attention to how often you’ll need to plug them in or put them on the charger based on how long you use them on a day-to-day basis.
Type
There are typically two main types of headphones: Over-ear and in-ear, otherwise known as earbuds. Which is the better of the two typically comes down to personal preference but in terms of comfort, over-ear headphones can’t be beaten while the portability of earbuds makes them a great option for anyone on the move who doesn’t want to lug around large earphones all day. While the sound quality can be great in both, over-ear headphones are not a great option if you’re an athlete or are on the move regularly.
10 Best Cheap Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Earphones
- Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC – $129 (Best Overall)
- Anker Soundcore Life 2 – $64
- Audio Technica ATH-ANC500BT – $99
- Sony WF-SP700N – $128
- Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Special Edition – $159
- Beats Studio3 Wireless – $219
- 1More E1004 Active-Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones – $39
- Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 – $84
- Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9 – $199
- JBL LIVE 650BTNC – $199
Have a few extra bucks to spend? See our list of professional earphones for 2020
Best Budget Cheap Noise-Cancelling Headphones in 2020 Compared
Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC – $129
Strong performance from a strong audio brand
Weight: 238g | Battery life: 19-25 hours | Wireless range: 32.8ft | Frequency response: 18 – 22,000 Hz
With a comfortable design, the headphones from Sennheiser provide good audio on vocals as well as other mid-range tones even though they may not hold up at high frequencies and are quite bass-heavy, which can be a bit much depending on what you’re listening to. The battery life of 19 hours or 25 when noise-canceling is turned off. Sennheiser is a well-known name in audio products and when it comes to noise-canceling headphones at an affordable price, you’re in good hands with their headphones.
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- Bluetooth 4.0 and aptX technologies to deliver exceptional wireless sound quality..Connectivity Technology: Wireless
- NoiseGard active noise cancellation to reduce ambient noise levels improving the listening experience
- Intuitive ear cup mounted controls for changing tracks and for making calls via the integrated microphone. Frequency response (Microphone) : 100 10,000 Hz
- Up to 19 hour battery life with Bluetooth and NoiseGard activated and is supplied with connecting cable for battery free listening
- 2 year warranty when purchased from an authorized Sennheiser dealer
Anker Soundcore Life 2 – $64
Great budget headphones at a great price
Weight: 268g | Cable length: 3.94ft | Battery life: 30-32 hours | Wireless range: 33ft | Frequency response: 10Hz – 22,000 Hz
The noise cancellation that the Soundcore Life 2 from Anker that is far beyond their incredibly affordable price point. While the audio quality can’t compare to some higher-end options, most users will be impressed. With 30 hours of battery life, bass boosted audio mode, and their foldable design makes these great for traveling. If you’re in the market for an ultra-affordable pair of headphones with great noise-canceling capabilities, you should try the Soundcore Life 2 headphones from Anker.
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- 【Hi-Res Audio】Enjoy your music with stunning precision and accuracy. Exclusive BassUpTM technology deepens and intensifies bass in real time.
- 【Active Noise Cancellation】Effectively reduces external noises for a purer musical experience when traveling or in loud environments.
- 【Serious playtime】30 hours of wireless ANC playtime is extended to 60 hours when you listen in wired mode. For unlimited playtime, deactivate ANC and plug in the aux cable.
- 【Exceptional Comfort】Memory-foam ear cushions encased in a soft protein leather and an adjustable headband make Life 2 suitable for all head shapes and sizes.
- 【Fold and Go】Store in the protective hard-shell travel case.
Audio Technica ATH-ANC500BT – $99
A budget pair of headphones with great audio quality
Weight: 180g | Battery life: 20-42 hours | Wireless range: 30ft | Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Released in 2019, the ANC500BT from Audio Technica comes with a comfortable and foldable design, which makes them a great option for travelers. While the affordable price is the biggest draw here, the crisp, clear sound and capability of up to 42 hours of battery life should make them an option to consider. While the noise-canceling could be better, for the price, you can’t beat the quality, design, and battery life without spending three times as much.
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- Quiet point active noise-cancelling technology greatly reduces environmental noise
- Bluetooth wireless technology with mic and controls built into the ear cup for convenient handling of calls, music playback and volume adjustment
- 40 mm drivers deliver high-fidelity audio reproduction
- 1. 2 M (3. 9') cable provides a wired connection for times when wireless operation is not available or when battery power is low
- Foldable design makes headphones ideal for travel
Sony WF-SP700N – $128
Best noise-canceling headphones for the gym
Weight: 7.65g | Battery life: 3 hours | Wireless range: 30ft | Frequency response: 20 Hz–20,000 Hz
If you look at a lot of the other choices on our list, you’ll notice a trend that they have large ear cups to block out any ambient noise. The SP700N earbuds from Sony don’t have there and unfortunately, it can affect the earbuds noise cancellation effectiveness. The biggest draw is their portability as you can easily wear these during a workout or walking around doing yard work. The other big draw is their comfort and sweat-proof design. While they aren’t the best headphones on our list, they are a good option if you need them for the gym.
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- TRULY WIRELESS: Compatible with Apple or Android cell phones, sync using Bluetooth connection & NFC
- DIGITAL NOISE CANCELING: WF-SP700N headphone set minimizes distractions & noises for crisp listening
- AMBIENT SOUND MODE: Blend music & environmental sounds during fitness sessions or outdoor workouts
- SPLASHPROOF: IPX4 rated to handle sweat or rain splashes when you're at the gym or outside running
- LONG BATTERY: SP700N has up to 9 hours of playback battery life during workouts or athletic training
Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Special Edition – $159
A comfortable design with great battery life
Weight: 289g | Battery life: 24 hours | Wireless range: 330 feet | Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Many know Plantronics for their high-quality office products, but the BackBeat Pro 2 headphones provide a great listening experience and some pretty good noise-canceling as well. The headphones’ biggest draw is their battery life with up to 24 hours of use between charges and on standby, that number jumps to 180 hours. This is an amazing amount of battery life for those who fly a lot and the range is quite impressive as well.
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- Audio Quality: Immersive, high res sound, and powerful speaker drivers deliver the right balance of rich bass, crisp highs, and natural mid tones for your music
- Active Noise Cancelling Headphones (ANC):Switch on active noise canceling (ANC) to minimize ambient noise while working or traveling
- 24 Hour Streaming: Enjoy up to 24 hours of wireless music, movies and calls before choosing the cabled connection or recharging.Sensitivity (dB SPL/1mW):93.Impedance (Ohm):32
- Wireless Freedom: Stream rich, lifelike audio up to 100 meters/330 feet away from your Class 1 Bluetooth smartphone or tablet.Bluetooth v4.0
- Rigid Travel Case: Ear cups swivel flat to slip into the protective travel case ; Frequency response: 20–20,000 Hz
Beats Studio3 Wireless – $219
Great noise-canceling headphones for iOS
Weight: 261g | Battery life: 22 hours | Wireless range: 51 feet | Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz
The Studio3 headphones from Beats come with some improvements over their predecessors with mids and highs being an emphasis, helping them blend well with the signature bass profile that Beats provides. The noise cancellation has been improved as well so you can block out any ambient sounds in your environment. Thanks to the W1 chip, Apple users have the best experience with increases in battery life and range of connectivity. While they may be at the high end of being cheap, they are an affordable, high-quality option.
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- WHATS IN THE BOX: Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones | Carrying Case | (NOT Included: microUSB Cable and Remote Talk Cable)
1More E1004 Active-Noise Cancelling In-Ear Headphones – $39
The best budget-friendly headphones with quality noise cancellation
Weight: 22g | Battery life: N/A | Wireless range: N/A | Frequency response: 5 – 30,000Hz
While they are nice, Apple AirPods can be expensive. This doesn’t mean that you can’t get the same performance without spending a ton of money. The E1004 in-ear headphones from 1More come with excellent audio performance and noise cancellation. The control module can be a bit heavy and keeps the earbuds from ever having a tight seal. While the E1004 may have their shortcomings, they are affordable enough to give them a try.
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- Lightning digital Audio technology presents high-definition listening experience
- In-house R&D active noise reduction technology that is suitable for various scenario
- Japan Audio society Hi-Res Audio Certified
- Tuned by Grammy Award Winning Sound Engineer - Luca Bignardi
Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 – $84
Modest noise cancellation with bold sound
Weight: 290g | Battery life: 25 hours | Wireless range: 30 feet | Frequency response: 50 – 20,000Hz
If you’re looking for dependable noise cancellation from your new headphones but you’re not ready to max out your credit card, you might want to consider the BackBeat Go 810 from Plantronics. With lows that are prominent and responsive, the headphones provide an extra boost to any bass-heavy content. As with many products from Plantronics, the battery life is impressive with an average of 25 hours depending on the mode you’re using.
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- PLANTRONICS SIGNATURE AUDIO: Over ear headphones equipped with 40 mm drivers that deliver rich, detailed audio so you can enjoy every note.
- NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES: Accessible through the BackBeat FIT app, dual-mode active noise canceling provides clear audio in high- and low-noise environments.
- LONG LASTING BATTERY: Bluetooth headphones have up to 22 hours of wireless listening with ANC and up to 28 hours of wireless listening without ANC.
- EQ PRESETS: Customize the sound of your music with balanced and bright EQ presets, available through the Plantronics BackBeat app.
- COMFORTABLE DESIGN: Slim, over ear headphones feature memory foam for long-lasting comfort.
Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9 – $199
High-quality noise cancelation without any frills
Weight: 290g | Battery life: 35 hours | Wireless range: N/A | Frequency response: 10 – 40,000Hz
Audio-Technica is a well-known name in the audio equipment realm and the ANC9 is no different. While they may be the oldest release on our list, that doesn’t mean that they still don’t offer a great experience. Memory foam in the ear cups makes them extremely comfortable. While the sound quality is fairly balanced, the biggest downside to the ANC9 headphones is that they are powered by AAA battery rather than having a rechargeable battery inside.
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- Frequency Response - 10 – 40,000 Hz and Impedance - 16 ohms
JBL LIVE 650BTNC – $199
Decent noise cancelation with personalized sound
Weight: 0.57lbs | Battery life: 30 hours | Wireless range: 30 feet | Frequency response: 20 – 20,000Hz
Capable of producing rich sounds, the JBL LIVE 650BTNC headphones are a superb choice for noise cancellation. However, there are issues with the 650BTNC that are noticeable. The positives are that the mids and bass are both well balanced and powerful, providing a boost in clarity to low-fi recordings. With the JBL Headphones app, you can personalize your audio by creating a sound profile so the music sounds just the way you want. The downside is that without noise-canceling on, you barely notice the bass and overall the noise-canceling technology doesn’t do well with high-frequency sounds. Despite these issues, the 650BTNC headphones from JBL LIVE are a good mid-tier option for anyone looking for noise-canceling headphones.
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- JBL Signature Sound
- 30 Hours Battery Life; 2 Hours Recharging Time
- Bluetooth technology.Bluetooth version: V4.2
- Active Noise Cancellation
- Ambient Aware and TalkThru Technology
Best cheap noise-canceling headphones in 2020
Cheap can have a negative meaning when it comes to products such as noise-canceling headphones. Just because something is cheap, it doesn’t mean that it’s cheap in terms of quality and we hope that with our list of the Best cheap noise-canceling headphones & earphones (in-ear & over-ear) in 2020, we’ve put a few good options into the spotlight so you can choose exactly what fits your needs.
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