Updated: May 5th, 2020
With a great pair of studio headphones, you can hear every detail while mixing, tracking, recording tracks, laying down beats on your electronic drum kit without disturbing the neighbors, or just listening to your favorite music. The best headphones under $100 might not be on par with professional studio headphones, but they’re far better than cheap models in terms of comfort, materials, and sound.
Best Studio Headphones Under $100 Reviewed
Best Bang For Your Buck  | Best Bang For Your Buck | AKG K240STUDIO Semi-Open Over-Ear Professional Studio Headphones |
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Best For The Money  | Best For The Money | Audio-Technica ATHM40x Professional Monitor Headphones |
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Best for Speed  | Best for Speed | OneOdio Adapter-Free Closed Back Over-Ear DJ Stereo Monitor Headphones |
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Best Direct Drive Double Pedal  | Best Direct Drive Double Pedal | Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphones |
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What to Look for In Good Studio Headphones Under $100?
- Back Style:If you’re playing an electronic drum kit or working on your mixes, you’re probably going to like the natural sound that open back studio headphones provide. Closed back headphones can work well for this too while isolating outside sound, but keep in mind that as the level of isolation increases, sound quality tends to decrease. Closed back headphones with very high isolation levels can also contribute to ear fatigue so if your sessions tend to last for hours, this is something that you’ll want to keep in mind. Both types of studio headphones have their advantages, so choose whatever will work best for you. If you plan to work on recording and mixing in equal measure, you might want to try a pair of “hybrid” or semi-open studio headphones that pair features found in open and closed back models.
- Cord Style:Many of the best studio headphones feature detachable cords, or cords that can be replaced if they become damaged. This feature is nice to have but not necessary, particularly if you’re planning to upgrade later and you don’t really care about keeping your headphones for years on end. Detachable and replaceable cords can be hard to find in sets under $100, but the good news is that there are a few options out there. There are also a few cordless studio headsets in the under $100 category, but none of them made it onto our top 5 list.
- Cord Length:Most quality studio headphones feature cords that are at least a few meters long. It’s OK to choose a set with a shorter cord if you’re not planning to move around much, or if you don’t mind using an audio extension cable.
- Comfort:If your headphones aren’t comfortable, you won’t feel like wearing them. This is a very personal issue – some people like the way a certain set of headphones feels, while others hate it. We made every attempt to find sets that feel great to most people.
- Appearance: This is probably the least important factor to consider when choosing studio headphones, but it does count toward how much you enjoy the set you choose!
With all of these factors plus affordable pricing in mind, we’ve curated this list of 5 top studio headphones under $100.
AKG K240STUDIO Semi-Open Over-Ear Professional Studio Headphones
AKG K240 semi-open studio headphones feature a comfortable design with a wide, padded headband that helps improve wearability during longer sessions. A replaceable 3-meter cable offers mobility, and includes a ¼” screw on adapter. With cushioned cirucmnaural ear pads, XXL transducers for accurate listening, and plenty of volume, these are designed to offer compatibility with studio gear as well as instruments such as electronic drum machines, keyboards, and more.
Pros
- Lifelike, 3-dimensional sound quality
- Self adjusting headband conforms to head comfortably, easy to wear for hours
- Modular components including a detachable, replaceable cable
- Versatile design – Great for listening as well as mixing/tracking
Cons
- Cable wire is a little thin, but is easy to replace with several compatible options
These studio headphones bridge the gap between open and closed styles, offering the best of both worlds in an affordable model. Whether you record, mix, or do a bit of both, it’s likely that these will deliver the best bang for the buck. It’s the closest we could come to finding a quality pair of open back studio headphones in this price range – there are some cheaper ones that are OK but not great, and plenty of quality options over $100. Note that there’s less bass here and that’s intentional, and sound isolation isn’t fantastic but again, it’s part of the design’s versatility.
Audio-Technica ATHM40x Professional Monitor Headphones
Audio-Technica ATHM40x studio headphones are tuned flat for accurate sound monitoring. With 40mm drivers, rare earth magnets, and a contoured circumnaural design for sound isolation in loud environments up to 90 decibels, these headphones feature a professional-grade headband and quality earpads for a combination of comfort and durability. The design is collapsible, the earcups swivel 90 degrees, and two detachable cables (1.2 meter and 3 meter lengths) are included. These headphones come with a protective pouch and a ¼” screw-on adapter.
Pros
- Excellent sound isolation in environments up to 90 decibels
- Comes with 2 detachable cables
- Very comfortable, well-made design
- Swappable earpads
Cons
- Can feel a bit hot when worn for extended periods
- Some people find these too tight, not a great choice for wearing with glasses
Audio-Technica is well-known for producing quality products, and these headphones tend to receive high ratings for their usefulness in the studio as well as with audiophiles who aren’t concerned about having a punchy bass line. The replaceable and swappable components are a nice touch, and like most other studio headphones, these tend to improve as time passes. It’s worth noting that many people noted that these headphones clamp down very tightly. This is important for sealing sound out and it’s part of the reason why this set works beautifully in very loud environments. If you’re not concerned about this and you want a more forgiving fit, you’re probably going to like a different option better.
OneOdio Adapter-Free Closed Back Over-Ear DJ Stereo Monitor Headphones
Robust noise isolation and 50mm driver units make OneOdio Adapter-Free Closed Back Over-Ear DJ Stereo Monitor Headphones a solid choice for mixing and listening alike. This set features a removable 9.8 foot dual-duty cable with gold plugs. At one end, you’ll find a 3.5mm plug. At the other, there’s a 6.3mm plug. Corresponding ports are found on opposite sides of the headphones, so you never need to worry about fiddling with or losing an adapter. Just swap cord ends to listen. These headphones feature well-padded earcups that swivel 90 degrees for single-sided monitoring, plus they are foldable or easy storage and transport. The adjustable headband is well-padded for comfort. A protective pouch is included, along with a 3.5mm 4-foot cable with a built in microphone. A 12-month warranty inspires confidence in the manufacturer.
Pros
- Flexible headband with ample padding, more comfortable than some other options
- 2 removable cables in different lengths
- Earcups rotate 90 degrees, easy single-sided monitoring
- Less heat buildup than some other headphones
- 12-month warranty
Cons
- Some reports of defects, however manufacturer is quick to honor warranty
If you’re looking for a great-sounding, comfortable pair of studio headphones under $100, you’re probably going to want to take a look at these. Not only are they pretty easy on the budget, they’re also great-looking, with unique features including a daisy chain share port. The warranty is a nice touch, and there are many reports of replacements being received quickly when components don’t perform as expected.
Sennheiser HD280PRO Headphones
Sennheiser HD280 studio headphones feature a dynamic, closed-ear design with circumnaural ear coupling in a lightweight design that’s meant for comfort. The ear cups off ups to 32 decibels of attenuation of outside sound for excellent noise isolation. Ear cups swivel fully, and the set collapses for easy transport. The headband is well-padded for comfort, and the 9.8-foot coiled cord lets you move freely.
Pros
- Excellent value from a professional brand
- Good passive isolation
- Very comfortable fit for extended wear
- Sturdy, replaceable cord
- Great for monitoring while recording
Cons
- A few reported issues with quality control
Sennheiser has an incredible reputation for building some of the best studio headphones on the market, with some models coming in at well over the $1,000 mark. This pair is obviously far more basic than the brand’s top quality set, but with replaceable components including cord and ear pads, a warm, beautiful sound that gets better over time, and a comfortable fit, it’s clear that Sennheiser’s engineers did a fantastic job with this design. Be sure to break these headphones in for at least a few days – the sound improves drastically over time and reaches its zenith after about 500 hours of play time.
Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone
Designed for lightweight comfort even during long sessions, Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones weigh just 8.1 ounces. These headphones are specifically designed for use in studio and broadcasting environments. With neodymium magnets to assure quality sound, they feature 40mm PET diaphragms, a noise-reducing closed back design, and a padded headband, plus folding construction for easier storage. Gold connectors and a 9.8-foot OFC cord are included.
Pros
- Excellent quality overall for the price
- Stereo UniMatch plug works for 1/8 or 1/4 inch applications
- Comfortable, lightweight feel
- Convenient foldable design
- Robust cord design
Cons
- Faux leather on ear pads wears out over time
- Cord isn’t removable
These headphones are suitable for any environment where close sound monitoring is a must, and sound leakage is minimal so you enjoy outstanding isolation. The neodymium magnets and 40-millimeter drivers provide outstanding sound quality through high, mid, and low ends. There’s plenty of padding on this headset, so you stay comfortable even during long studio sessions. The long cord is a great touch, and there’s a ¼” adapter so you can plug in anywhere.
With a great pair of studio headphones, you can practice and produce as well as listen to the music you love. Our top picks offer reliable durability, good functionality, and of course, a price tag that fits into your budget for the time being. There’s a little something for everyone on this list, and with just a bit of comparison shopping, we hope we’ve made it easier for you to find the best studio headphones for your specific needs.
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