How cheap?
Budget active noise-canceling headphones tend to range in price from $50 to $100. The question you’ll have to ask yourself is whether you’re looking for the cheapest ANC headphones, or are you willing to spend closer to $100? There usually is a significant difference between a set of ANC cans that cost $50 to $60 and ones that cost $80 to $100, particularly when it comes to build quality. If you’re looking for a step-up in audio performance, your best bet is to stick to the higher end of a budget price range.
Design
Budget headphones tend to be a little bulkier than more premium models and can also look and feel a little, well, cheap. All our picks on this list offer a reasonably good design (at a minimum), but some are more appealing than others. Finding a design that’s appealing to you is obviously important.
Fit
It’s key that the headphones you buy fit your head well. The key to good noise canceling headphones is the fit of the ear cups around your head, so the best pair should offer a comfortable fit that’s snug, yet not too snug. Ideally, you want headphones you can wear over a day with minimal breaks. Budget headphones can offer a comfortable fit, but more premium headphones tend to feature better memory foam and more ergonomic designs.
Durability
You want headphones that hold up well over time, so look for models that we note have sturdy build quality. Even budget models can come equipped with excellent resiliency in several tougher conditions.
Maximize performance and features for your budget
You want the best-sounding headphones with the best noise canceling, call quality and features like wireless charging for whatever you’re able to spend. Be sure to pack in as many features as you think you’ll need when choosing a set of headphones, even on a budget.
Return policy
It’s critical to buy your headphones at a retailer that has a good return policy, in case you have buyer’s remorse. Some people who are having trouble deciding between two models sometimes buy both, try them out for a few days, and then return one.
