Best Budget Noise-Cancelling Headphones for Gaming & Work (Under $100 in 2025)

In today’s bustling world, finding a quiet space to focus—whether it’s for an intense gaming session, a crucial work task, or simply enjoying your music—can be a challenge. Background noise from roommates, traffic, or office chatter constantly vies for your attention, leading to distractions and fatigue. This is where noise-cancelling headphones become invaluable. They create a personal oasis of calm by actively blocking out ambient sounds, allowing you to immerse yourself fully.

While premium noise-cancelling headphones often come with a hefty price tag, in 2025, the market offers a surprising array of best budget noise-cancelling headphones under $100. This guide is dedicated to helping you discover affordable options that deliver effective noise cancellation, great sound quality, and comfort for both your gaming and work needs. We’ll explore the key features to consider and review our top picks to help you find your perfect silent companion.

Why Noise-Cancelling Headphones Are Essential

Beyond just listening to audio, active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones offer distinct advantages:

Enhanced Focus: By silencing distractions, ANC allows for deeper concentration during gaming, work, or study.
Immersive Audio: With background noise eliminated, you can hear every subtle detail in your games, music, or movies, enriching the audio experience.
Reduced Fatigue: Constant exposure to noise can be tiring. ANC reduces this fatigue, making long sessions more comfortable.
Travel Comfort: Ideal for blocking out engine hum on flights or public transport.
Improved Communication: When paired with a good mic, ANC can make calls clearer by reducing ambient noise.

Key Features to Look For in Budget Noise-Cancelling Headphones (Under $100)

When selecting noise-cancelling headphones under $100, prioritize these critical specifications:

1. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Effectiveness

ANC uses microphones to detect ambient noise and then generates an opposite sound wave to cancel it out.
At this budget, don’t expect premium-level noise cancellation, but look for headphones that effectively reduce low-frequency hums (like air conditioners, traffic rumble, airplane engines).
Some models offer different ANC modes (e.g., strong, light, ambient sound passthrough).

Diagram illustrating how active noise cancellation (ANC) works with sound waves

2. Sound Quality

While ANC is key, good audio quality is still important. Look for headphones that offer balanced sound with clear highs, present mids, and decent bass.
Driver size (e.g., 40mm) can give an indication, but reviews are more reliable.

3. Comfort & Build Quality

Over-Ear Design: Most effective for ANC. Ensure earcups are large enough to fully enclose your ears without pinching.
Padding: Plush, soft padding on earcups and headband is essential for comfort during long sessions.
Weight: Lighter headphones are generally more comfortable for extended wear.
Foldable Design: Convenient for portability.

Close-up of comfortable over-ear headphone padding and adjustable headband

4. Battery Life

ANC consumes power. Look for headphones with at least 20-30 hours of battery life with ANC on. Longer battery life means fewer interruptions.
Charging: USB-C charging is preferred for faster and universal compatibility.

5. Connectivity (Wireless & Wired)

Bluetooth: Most budget ANC headphones are wireless via Bluetooth. Look for a stable Bluetooth 5.0 or higher connection.
Wired Option: A 3.5mm audio jack is a valuable feature, allowing you to use them even when the battery dies or with devices that don’t have Bluetooth.

6. Microphone Quality (for calls/basic communication)

While not primary for gaming, a decent built-in mic for calls or voice chat is a bonus. Look for models that mention noise reduction for the microphone.

Our Top Picks: Best Budget Noise-Cancelling Headphones (Under $100 in 2025)

Here are our top recommendations for affordable noise-cancelling headphones that offer excellent performance and value for both gaming and work in 2025:

1. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 (Best Overall Value)

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 noise-cancelling headphones in black

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 continues to be an absolute powerhouse in the budget ANC segment. It offers surprisingly effective active noise cancellation, excellent sound quality (especially with custom EQ via the Soundcore app), and a phenomenal battery life of up to 40 hours with ANC on. It’s incredibly comfortable, foldable, and comes with a travel case, making it perfect for both work and immersive gaming sessions.

Pros: Highly effective ANC for the price, superb battery life, customizable sound via app, very comfortable, good value.
Cons: Plastic build can feel less premium, microphone quality is decent, not excellent.

2. Sony WH-CH720N (Reliable & Lightweight)

Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones in a minimalistic design

Sony brings its renowned audio expertise to the budget ANC market with the WH-CH720N. These headphones are remarkably lightweight and comfortable, making them ideal for long hours of wear. They offer solid active noise cancellation, good sound quality that can be tweaked via the Sony Headphones Connect app, and an impressive battery life. They are a reliable choice for consistent performance.

Pros: Very lightweight and comfortable, good ANC, reliable Sony brand, long battery life, app support.
Cons: ANC might not be as strong as the Q30, plastic build.

3. JBL Tune 760NC (Punchy Bass & Good ANC)

JBL Tune 760NC noise-cancelling headphones in a vibrant color

For those who prefer a punchier bass and vibrant sound signature, the JBL Tune 760NC is an excellent choice. It delivers effective active noise cancellation and JBL’s signature powerful sound. These headphones are comfortable, foldable, and offer good battery life, making them suitable for gaming with immersive audio and blocking out distractions during work.

Pros: Strong bass and lively sound, effective ANC, comfortable and foldable design, good battery life.
Cons: Sound profile might be too bass-heavy for some, not as customizable as Soundcore.

4. Skullcandy Hesh ANC (Stylish & Affordable)

Skullcandy Hesh ANC headphones with a focus on modern style

The Skullcandy Hesh ANC offers a stylish design and decent active noise cancellation at a very attractive price. It provides good sound quality with a clear emphasis on bass, a comfortable over-ear fit, and integrated Tile finding technology (helps locate lost headphones). It’s a great option for users who want a balance of effective ANC, good sound, and modern aesthetics on a budget.

Pros: Very affordable, decent ANC, good bass response, comfortable, Tile integration.
Cons: ANC might not be top-tier, microphone quality is basic.

How We Selected These Budget Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Our selection process for the best budget noise-cancelling headphones focused on models that offer genuinely effective Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) for their price point, combined with clear and enjoyable sound quality, and comfortable designs for extended wear. We prioritized headphones with good battery life, reliable Bluetooth connectivity, and positive user reviews for their overall performance and value in reducing distractions for both gaming and work environments.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Find Your ANC Sweet Spot: Experiment with the ANC level or mode (if available) to find what works best for your environment.
Maintain Good Seal: Ensure the earcups form a good seal around your ears; this is crucial for ANC effectiveness.
Charge Regularly: Keep your headphones charged to ensure ANC is always available when you need it.
Clean Earcups: Regularly clean earcups to maintain hygiene and comfort.
Use Wired When Possible for Gaming: For competitive online gaming, a wired connection (if available) might still offer slightly lower latency than Bluetooth, even with ANC headphones.
Adjust EQ: If your headphones have app support, use the equalizer to fine-tune the sound profile to your preference.

Conclusion

Noise-cancelling headphones are a powerful tool for anyone seeking focus and immersion in a noisy world, whether for competitive gaming, productive work, or pure entertainment. In 2025, you don’t need to spend a fortune to achieve effective silence and great audio. The Anker Soundcore Life Q30, Sony WH-CH720N, JBL Tune 760NC, and Skullcandy Hesh ANC stand out as top choices for best budget noise-cancelling headphones under $100, each offering impressive ANC, sound quality, and comfort for their price.

By choosing the right pair, you can confidently block out distractions, immerse yourself deeper into your games, and maintain focus on your tasks. Get ready to experience a new level of peace and clarity! What’s the noisiest distraction you face while trying to focus? Share your thoughts in the comments below!