Audio-Technica is a brand that manufactures a wide array of sound-related products, as the company name alludes too, but some of their headphone lines are particularly stellar, especially in and around the $100 price bracket. The model we’ve opted for as our top selection is the ATH-M40x as it’s just under that all-important $100 budget yet still offers similar features and specs of more pricier options.

The drivers Audio-Technica have opted for here are of a 40mm nature which are certainly large enough to produce some high-quality sound as well as one that will satisfy your high volume needs. Moreover, in their construction, the drivers are made with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils which truly points to the premium build quality Audio-Technica puts into their products.

Not only is the sound quality excellent, these headphones are comfortable too. The circumaural design of the ear cups allows for not only isolated audio but extreme comfort, shaping around your ears. Additionally, thanks to the professional-grade ear pad and headband material, you should never really feel fatigued from wearing the ATH-M40xs for extended periods of time.

In terms of the actual design of these headphones, they’re not exactly mind-blowing but they’re sleek and stylish enough to get by. The ear cups are designed with a 90-degree rotation in mind which is a nice feature and one that many would be pleased about, especially those in the music industry.

The Jabra Elite Active 45e are the only in-ear headphones to make the cut on the best headphones under $100 which means they must be pretty special if they’re beating out other over the ear picks.

With in-ear headphones you know you’re getting a little more versatility over something like over the ear due to their much smaller form factor and removing the cumbersome feel. This makes them ideal for sporting activities or for those wanting a more subtler look. The Jabra Elite Active 45eare certainly that offering up a small rectangular design hooked together through a wire. But, this is where the wires end and they are in fact wireless thanks to the Bluetooth tech built-in. This is obviously a big plus for those wanting a bit of freedom from those cables that always seem to get tangled.

Looking at the audio quality, you’ll be receiving a rich and detailed sound thanks to the care and attention Jabra has put into crafting the headphones. Moreover, thank’s to their in-ear nature, they’re very good at noise isolation and keeping you immersed in whatever you’re listening to. If you want to fine-tune that sound further, there’s a handy accompanying app that you can use to customize all aspects of these headphones, making them perfectly tailored to your liking.

Finally, in terms of durability, you’d be hard pushed to break these headphones due to the sweat, dust, and waterproofing build. This is more than useful if you’re out and about while using them and almost essential if you’re using the Jabras for working out.

GRADO flies under the radar a little when searching for the best headphones around but they have seriously stellar choices that blow some of the competition out of the water. One such model is the SR80e which boasts top-tier sound quality and the looks to match.

The audio that comes out of these headphones is pretty astounding considering the cost, beating out options that are double the price and from the more named brands. They’re also open back which you might think would lead to inferior volume vs an ear cup but this is simply not the case and something that we’re sure you’ll agree with.

They have an ‘amp’ look about them when considering design which fits right into any audiophile’s idea of well-designed headphones, meaning they not only boast great audio quality, they look pretty fantastic too.

The only real drawback to these headphones is that they lack a little comfort in the headband department with no real cushioning. This means that you might experience a little bit of fatigue if you’re wearing for long periods of time but don’t get us wrong, they’re not uncomfortable and still offer some support.

If you weren’t satisfied with us not providing the ‘big named’ brands, here’s one for you; Sony. As we’re sure you’re aware, Sony produces high-quality products no matter what market they’re entering, and headphones are no different.

The headphones on show here that make the best headphones under $100 cut are the MDR7506. Now, these headphones are sporting that retro look which some might find off-putting but dont fret, the audio that comes out of these things is certainly not retro.

This model utilizes 40mm drivers for powerful, detailed sound with Neodymium magnets that provide performance exceeding the requirements of digital audio sources. They also sport a closed-ear design that allows for comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises, keeping that sound well and truly encased.

As you can see from the product image, these are a set of wired headphones giving you that reliability and removing any worries that you’ll lose connection. The wire itself is a little different than what you’d traditionally expect with its coiled nature. While this might look a little strange at first, there’s a bunch of benefits to a wire of this ilk such as providing more length while not getting tangled and in your way.

We’ve already mentioned that the aesthetics are a little retro but they also have a few features that more than enhance durability and portability. You can fold the MDR7506s up into a smaller package which is great for those traveling as well as being made with a rugged construction so you know that they’re not flimsy.