Lab tested: Summer holiday headphones for under £100

Whether you're heading abroad for a beach holiday, interrailing across Europe or planning some high-adrenaline activities, you need a decent set of headphones on which to enjoy your holiday soundtrack. And as our headphone reviews reveal, you can pick up a decent set for under £100.

Headphones can get expensive, very expensive. And while our lab tests reveal that the very best audio experience will cost you, they've also revealed some relatively more affordable sets that will do the job.

Below, we've rounded up six headphones (two of each headphone type) that should be on your shortlist. All scored reasonably well in our tests, but they have their own pros and cons, so be sure to click through to the full reviews.

We've also included our top tips on the things to look for when buying summer holiday headphones.

Best headphones for 2024: from in-ear to over-ear, discover the headphones that aced all our lab tests

Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4NC (typical price, £80)

Soundcore by Anker is becoming well known for releasing feature-filled, truly wireless in-ear headphones that won't break the bank. Noise-cancelling, four differently-sized changeable eartips and wireless charging support are all standouts here. We clocked battery life at just under 10.5 hours without noise-cancelling, 7 hours 43 minutes with. That's enough to keep you listening on a flight from London to Dubai.

For those worried about getting them wet, they have a water resistance rating of IPX4, meaning they can survive contact with light splashes of water. This is good if you want to use them poolside, but they won't be protected from full submersion in water.

Lots packed in for the price, but how does the Liberty 4NC sound? Find out in our full Soundcore by Anker Liberty 4NC review.

Skullcandy Rail True Wireless In-Ear (typical price, £60)

These Skullcandy earbuds have a lot of standout features, but one of the best is the built-in Tile support. By downloading the Tile app (free for both Android and iOS devices) and linking it to these Skullcandy headphones, you can locate lost earbuds by playing a sound on them and seeing their last known location.

They're also rated IP55, meaning they have limited protection from both water and dust, so you can confidentially listen to your favourite soundtrack, audiobook or podcast while relaxing on the beach.

They’re easy to find and aren't fazed by sandy beaches, but are they well-built? Read our full Skullcandy Rail True Wireless In-Ear review to find out the answer to this and more.

JBL Tune 670NC (typical price, £90)

Released last summer, these JBL on-ear headphones have noise-cancelling, which is uncommon for this type of headphone. Despite not covering your ears entirely, they still blocked out a good amount of background noise in our tests, and also leaked relatively little amount of sound out to your surroundings (ideal when on a quiet plane or train).

Battery life is strong, both with and without noise-cancelling active, and they also come with an audio cable, so you can keep listening even if the battery does run flat.

Like many on-ear and over-ear headphones, the earcups can be rotated when not in use. This makes them more compact and easier to store in your bag. They don't come supplied with any kind of travel case, however, so you may want to invest in one before your trip.

Is the sound and comfort up to scratch? Find out in our full JBL Tune 670NC review.

Sony WH-CH520 (typical price, £50)

These Sony on-ear headphones lack noise-cancelling but can be paired with two devices simultaneously. This could be useful if, for example, you're watching a video on your tablet but receive a call on your smartphone (the headphones will automatically redirect to your phone so you can take the call, and then reconnect with your tablet once finished). No more fumbling through bags or your pockets when sitting in the airport lounge or train terminal.

They're also Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair compatible, meaning they can connect to Android and Windows devices almost instantly. We also found them to have a stable fit and substantial 57.5 hour battery life. 

Lots of connivant features, but how do they sound and are they comfortable? Check out our full Sony WH-CH520 review for all the details.

JBL Tune 720BT (typical price, £50)

These budget-priced over-ear headphones lack noise-cancelling but impress with a decent microphone, making them ideal for calls. This makes them a versatile choice to not only listen to content with, but also make your friends and family jealous as you regale them with your holiday adventures. Additionally, a lack of noise leakage means no one will overhear your conversation (lucky for them).

They also lasted a whopping 82 hours before running flat in our battery test, and the supplied 3.5mm audio cable means you can also listen via wired connection. 

Incredible battery life but how else did they perform in the Which? labs? For our full verdict read our JBL Tune 720BT review.

Goji GTCBTNC24 (typical price, £35)

These budget-friendly over-ear headphones from Goji, a British electronics and audio company, include noise-cancelling that works even when you're listening via a wired connection with the supplied 3.5mm audio cable. This means you can block out the hustle and bustle of your surroundings and enjoy your holiday in blissful peace, no matter how you use them.

The battery lasted a respectable 21 hours with noise-cancelling, which is more than enough for a long-haul flight to Los Angeles, Tokyo or even Singapore.

Noise-cancelling and good battery life for an affordable price, but what's the sound quality like? Read our full Goji GTCBTNC24 review to find out.

This model currently has low availability, but as a fairly new set, it might be restocked in the future. They're worth tracking down if you can.

Check out our How we test headphones guide for more information on our tough lab tests

What to look for when buying summer holiday headphones

Active noise cancelling

All headphones block out a certain amount of background noise, but active noise cancelling works to neutralise the sounds around you, such as a plane’s engine noise or general beach commotion.

Find My feature

Many truly wireless headphones now include some form of location-finding feature. This helps you locate lost earbuds and, in some cases (as with the AirPods Pro 2022) the charging case, too. Apple, Bose and Samsung models have their own versions of technology, whereas brands like JLab and Skullcandy are compatible with the the third-party Tile Find My app (available for both Android and iOS devices).

Waterproofing

Planning to use your headphones by the pool? Be sure to check whether they have an IP waterproof rating. Some headphones even allow for full submersion in water, so you can wear them while swimming (read more about IP waterproof ratings).

Noise leakage

If you don't want to risk sharing your music with fellow passengers, pay particular attention to how a set of headphones performs in terms of noise leakage. Our reviews measure how much sound leaks out from your headphones.

Build quality

When travelling with headphones, you want to be sure that they can handle being transported and are able to withstand the occasional bump. We inspect the build quality of not only the headphones, but also any charging case.

Travel case

Many on-ear and over-ear headphones come with a travel case, ideal for protecting them when not in use during your trip. However, the quality of these cases can vary and some models don't come with one at all.

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