SoundGrade
Over-ear · Budget ANC

The Best Budget Noise-Cancelling Headphones

Flagship ANC headphones cost $400+. These four older-generation picks — the Sony WH-CH720N, JBL Live 660NC, Sennheiser ACCENTUM, and Sony ULT WEAR — deliver most of the quiet for under $200, and they're still widely sold in 2026.

Because these are 2022–2024 models, street prices have fallen hard below list. We captured this week's numbers and put the real, sourced specs side by side.

Specs & prices checked October 11, 2026

Our picks at a glance

Best value
Sennheiser ACCENTUM

Near-flagship comfort and 50-hour battery for ~$100.

Best battery
Sony WH-CH720N

50-hour total and LDAC at a featherweight 192 g.

Most bass
Sony ULT WEAR

ULT bass button — if you want to feel it.

Best all-rounder
JBL Live 660NC

Reliable ANC, foldable, and easy app.

Side-by-side

The comparison table

Official list prices plus the street prices we captured this week. Live prices move — click through for today's number.

Compare
Sony WH-CH720N
$149.99 list · ~$88 street
JBL Live 660NC
$199.95 list · ~$174.95 street
Sennheiser ACCENTUM
$179.95 list · ~$99.95 street
Sony ULT WEAR
$199 list · ~$129.95 street
List price$149.99$199.95$179.95$199
Street price (Oct 2026)~$88~$174.95~$99.95~$129.95
Battery (ANC on)40 h40 h50 h30 h
CodecsLDACSBC, AACaptX HDLDAC
Weight192 g265 g277 g255 g
Released2023202120232024

The products, reviewed

Below are the pros, cons, and key specs for each pick, in ranked order.

Sony WH-CH720N
01

Sony WH-CH720N

Featherweight 192 g with a 50-hour battery and LDAC — the commuter's budget pick.

$149.99 list · ~$88 street
Check price on AmazonSony official site

What we like

  • 50-hour battery (40 h with ANC)
  • Very light at 192 g
  • LDAC Hi-Res Audio
  • Effective ANC for the price
  • 2-device multipoint

What could be better

  • Plasticky build with raised seams
  • Default tuning is uneven
  • Earpads warm up over time

Key specs

Battery (ANC on)
Up to 40 h (50 h off)
Bluetooth / codecs
5.2 · SBC, AAC, LDAC
Driver
30 mm dynamic
Weight
192 g
Released
2023
JBL Live 660NC
02

JBL Live 660NC

A reliable, foldable ANC workhorse with a long battery and an easy app.

$199.95 list · ~$174.95 street
Check price on AmazonJBL official site

What we like

  • 50-hour battery
  • Decent ANC for the price
  • Folds flat for travel
  • Simple, reliable app
  • Comfortable, lightweight fit

What could be better

  • Bass can be bloated
  • Microphone is mediocre
  • Ear cups run narrow

Key specs

Battery (ANC on)
Up to 40 h (50 h off)
Bluetooth
5.0 · multipoint
Driver
40 mm
Weight
265 g
Released
2021
Sennheiser ACCENTUM
03

Sennheiser ACCENTUM

Flagship comfort and a 50-hour battery at a third of the flagship price.

$179.95 list · ~$99.95 street
Check price on AmazonSennheiser official site

What we like

  • 50-hour battery with ANC on
  • aptX HD support
  • Very comfortable fit
  • Folds flat
  • Sennheiser sound tuning

What could be better

  • ANC is on the weaker side
  • Microphone doesn't reject much noise
  • No LE Audio support

Key specs

Battery (ANC on)
Up to 50 h
Bluetooth / codecs
5.2 · SBC, AAC, aptX HD
Driver
37 mm dynamic
Weight
277 g
Released
2023
Sony ULT WEAR
04

Sony ULT WEAR

Sony's bass-first budget line, with the ULT button that adds serious low end.

$199 list · ~$129.95 street
Check price on AmazonSony official site

What we like

  • Powerful, adjustable bass (ULT button)
  • Strong ANC for the price
  • LDAC support
  • Very comfortable
  • 360 Reality Audio

What could be better

  • Bass can overpower everything
  • Hinge durability reports are mixed
  • No USB audio

Key specs

Battery (ANC on)
Up to 30 h (32 h off)
Bluetooth / codecs
5.2 · SBC, AAC, LDAC
Driver
40 mm
Weight
255 g
Released
2024

Buying guide

Older models are where the value is

These are all 2021–2024 releases that have been heavily discounted. For ANC that's 'good enough' on a commute, you keep most of the benefit at a fraction of flagship cost.

ANC gets the job done, not the world

Budget ANC removes constant low noise (engines, fans) well but trails flagships on voices and wind. If you fly weekly, stretch for a flagship; for daily commutes, these are plenty.

Codecs matter on Android only

LDAC (Sony) and aptX HD (Sennheiser) only help on Android. On iPhone everything is AAC, so the codec differences disappear and comfort + battery matter more.

Check the hinge

The ULT WEAR in particular has owner reports of hinge failures. Read recent reviews before buying any budget plastic headphone, and prefer a retailer with a solid return window.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Which budget ANC headphone is best overall?

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM, for its combination of 50-hour battery, comfort, and near-flagship tuning at around $100. The Sony WH-CH720N is the lighter, LDAC-equipped alternative.

Are budget ANC headphones worth it?

For commuting and open offices, yes. They cancel the low rumble that matters most. You mainly give up wind rejection and the last word in call quality.

Do these have good microphones?

Middling. Call quality is usable but none of these are strong in noisy rooms. If calls are your priority, step up to a flagship or buy a dedicated headset.

Which has the longest battery?

The Sennheiser ACCENTUM and Sony WH-CH720N both hit 50 hours with ANC off (40 h on for the Sony). The ULT WEAR is shortest at around 30 hours with ANC on.

Can I use these wired?

The ACCENTUM and JBL Live 660NC include a 3.5 mm jack. The WH-CH720N and ULT WEAR are wireless-only (no audio over USB).

Ready to pick a winner?

Use the live Amazon links above to compare today's prices, then buy where the return policy protects you.

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