Which ANC Headphones Under $100: SonoFlow or W820NB Plus?
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Quick answer: You no longer need $300 for real active noise cancelling. Under $100, four models dominate: the 1More SonoFlow, Edifier W820NB Plus, Haylou S35/S40, and the Baseus Bowie series. All four are worth buying for the right person — and all four have flaws the marketing won't mention. The best pick depends on what matters most for daily wear: this guide compares drivers, battery life with ANC on, and real-world comfort so you can match the right headphone to your priorities.
You don't need to spend $300 to get real active noise cancelling anymore. Under $100, four headphones come up again and again: the 1More SonoFlow, Edifier W820NB Plus, Haylou S35 (and its newer sibling, the S40), and the Baseus Bowie series. All four are worth buying for the right person — and all four have flaws the marketing pages won't tell you about. Here's the honest breakdown, based on what actually matters when you wear these every day.
Quick Comparison: 1More SonoFlow, Edifier W820NB Plus, Haylou S35/S40, Baseus Bowie
| Model | Driver | Battery (ANC on, claimed) | Bluetooth | Hi-res codec | Multipoint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1More SonoFlow | 40mm dynamic | Up to 50 hrs (70 ANC off) | 5.0 | LDAC | Yes |
| Edifier W820NB Plus | 40mm dynamic | Up to 33 hrs (49 ANC off) | 5.2 | LDAC | No |
| Haylou S35 | 40mm dynamic | Up to 40 hrs (60 ANC off) | 5.2 | No (SBC/AAC) | No |
| Baseus Bowie H1 | 40mm dynamic | Up to 40 hrs (70 ANC off) | 5.2 | No (SBC/AAC) | Yes |
Specs above are manufacturer figures; real-world battery life is usually lower, especially at high volume with LDAC active.
1More SonoFlow — The Safe Pick
If you only read one section, read this one. The SonoFlow is the most complete package here: LDAC support, genuinely long battery life, multipoint connection, a decent app with EQ presets, and a warm, bass-forward tuning that most people enjoy out of the box.
- Strengths: Best overall sound of the group, strong ANC for the price, folds flat with a hard case included, multipoint that actually works.
- Weaknesses: The stock tuning is noticeably bass-heavy and the treble can sound uneven on some tracks — you'll want to spend five minutes in the app EQ. Clamp force is on the lighter side, which is comfortable but means a weaker seal (and weaker perceived ANC) if you have a smaller head. Call quality in wind is mediocre.
Who it's for: anyone who wants the fewest compromises and plans to use the app. See the 1More SonoFlow product page for current pricing.
Edifier W820NB Plus — Best Neutral-ish Sound, Weakest Case Situation
Edifier tunes closer to neutral than anyone else in this bracket. The W820NB Plus sounds balanced and clean, with LDAC on board and one of the more comfortable lightweight designs here (about 220g).
- Strengths: The most natural, least "boomy" tuning of the four; good ANC in the low frequencies (engines, HVAC hum); very light and comfortable for long sessions.
- Weaknesses: No multipoint, which is a real annoyance if you switch between laptop and phone all day. The earcups don't fold and no case is included — this is a headphone that lives on your desk, not in your bag. ANC against voices and mid-frequency noise is average at best.
Who it's for: home and office listeners who care about tonal balance more than portability. Details on the Edifier W820NB Plus product page.
Haylou S35 and S40 — The Budget Floor Done Right
Haylou's pitch is simple: most of the essential features at the lowest price in this group. The S35 has a 40mm driver, respectable ANC depth on paper, and a V-shaped, fun tuning. The newer S40 refines the fit and ANC tuning modestly — if the price gap is small, get the S40; if the S35 is heavily discounted, it's still the value king.
- Strengths: Price. You're often paying 40-50% less than a SonoFlow. Battery life is genuinely good, and the bass response is fun for hip-hop and EDM.
- Weaknesses: No LDAC or aptX — you're on SBC/AAC only. Build quality is clearly a step down: more plastic creak, thinner padding, and the headband can press on larger heads after a couple of hours. The app is bare-bones. ANC is fine on a bus, but noticeably behind the SonoFlow in offices with chatter.
Who it's for: students, gym bags, second pairs, or anyone who'd rather spend $50 than $90. Compare both on the Haylou S35 product page.
Baseus Bowie — Feature-Packed, Tuning Is the Gamble
The Bowie line (the H1 is the one most people mean) reads great on a spec sheet: multipoint, long battery, fast charging, and aggressive pricing. In practice it's the most inconsistent of the four.
- Strengths: Multipoint at a Haylou-level price is rare. Battery life and quick-charge performance are legitimately strong. ANC depth on low rumble is better than you'd expect.
- Weaknesses: The default tuning is very bass-heavy with recessed mids — vocals can sound distant, and the app EQ only partially fixes it. ANC introduces audible hiss in quiet rooms on some units. Firmware and app polish lag behind 1More and Edifier.
Who it's for: bass lovers who need multipoint on a tight budget and don't mind tinkering. See the Baseus Bowie H1 product page.
So Which One Should You Buy?
- Best overall: 1More SonoFlow. Fewest compromises, best sound after EQ.
- Best for balanced sound at home: Edifier W820NB Plus — as long as you don't need multipoint or a case.
- Best cheap pick: Haylou S35 (or S40 if the price gap is small).
- Best for multipoint on a shoestring: Baseus Bowie H1, if you can live with the tuning.
None of these will embarrass a $350 flagship in ANC depth or refinement — that gap is real. But for commutes, offices, and travel, all four get you 80% of the experience for a third of the money. Browse the full lineup in our ANC headphones collection to compare current prices side by side.
Whichever way you go, buying from TonePier means free US shipping on every order, a 45-day return window if the fit or sound isn't right for you, and full manufacturer warranty coverage — we're an authorized retailer for every brand we carry, so no gray-market gambles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sub-$100 ANC actually good enough for flights and commutes?
Yes, for most people. Budget ANC from the 1More SonoFlow, Edifier W820NB Plus, Haylou S35/S40, and Baseus Bowie meaningfully cuts engine rumble and commute drone. It won't match a $300 Sony or Bose flagship, especially with voices and sudden noises, but for daily commuting the difference is smaller than the price gap suggests.
Which one should I pick if battery life matters most?
The 1More SonoFlow is the battery champion of this group, claiming up to 50 hours with ANC on and around 70 with it off. That comfortably covers a week or more of daily commuting per charge. If you hate charging headphones, the SonoFlow is the safe pick; the others are decent but not in the same class.
Do these support multipoint and hi-res codecs?
It varies by model — that's exactly what the comparison table covers. Some in this group offer multipoint pairing and hi-res codecs like LDAC, others cut one or both to hit the price. If you switch between laptop and phone all day, check the multipoint column before buying rather than assuming every budget ANC headphone includes it.
What am I giving up versus $300 headphones?
Mainly refinement: weaker ANC against voices, less premium materials, simpler apps, and less consistent call quality. Sound is genuinely good but less detailed. All four budget picks have flaws marketing pages omit, which this article details. If you're price-sensitive, the gap rarely justifies 3x the money; if headphones are your daily essential tool, flagships still earn their premium.