Intro
Under $100 in late September 2026, true wireless ANC earbuds finally deliver commute-ready silence, multipoint Bluetooth, and all-day battery without flagship pricing.
This shortlist sticks to real US Amazon ASINs you can buy today: Anker’s value king Liberty 4 NC, codec-rich EarFun Air Pro 4, Sony’s comfort-first WF-C710N, and bargain TOZO NC20. Specs come from manufacturer pages and live Amazon listings; street prices move with sales.
What to expect under $100
- Hybrid ANC that kills HVAC and subway drone; weaker on sharp voices and wind
- AAC/SBC everywhere; LDAC / Snapdragon Sound on some Android-friendly models
- 30–50+ hour total battery claims with the case — verify in the companion app
- IPX4–IPX5 sweat resistance suitable for walks and light gym use
- Fit is everything: tip seal drives both bass and ANC more than the brand logo
Spec table
| Model | ANC | Battery (claim) | Codecs / extras | Approx. street |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| soundcore Liberty 4 NC | Adaptive ANC 2.0 (up to 98.5% claim) | ~8 hrs buds / ~40 hrs w/ case (ANC on); 50 hrs ANC off claim | LDAC, HearID 2.0, wireless charging, multipoint BT 5.3 | ~$80 (from $99.99) |
| EarFun Air Pro 4 | Adaptive hybrid up to ~50 dB claim | Up to ~11 hrs / 52 hrs total | Snapdragon Sound, aptX Lossless, LDAC, BT 5.4 multipoint | ~$63 |
| Sony WF-C710N | Sony dual-sensor ANC | Up to ~30 hrs total class | Sony Sound Connect app; IPX4; multipoint | Often ~$100–$120 (watch sales) |
| TOZO NC20 | Active noise cancelling | Long case playtime (brand marketing ~80 hrs class) | LDAC on many configs; 6-mic calls claim | ~$30–$45 |
Confirm Sony street pricing before you buy — list price can sit just over the $100 cap when not on promo.
Best overall under $100: soundcore Liberty 4 NC
Buy this if you want the safest all-rounder: adaptive ANC, long battery, wireless charging, and a mature app.
Anker’s Liberty 4 NC still punches above its street price. LDAC helps Android listeners; HearID EQ helps everyone else. ANC is strong for the tier on planes and open offices. Tip fit varies — use the return window if the stock tips won’t seal.
Best codecs / calls: EarFun Air Pro 4
Buy this if you want Snapdragon Sound / aptX Lossless / LDAC and strong call mics under ~$65.
CNET and other late-2020s roundups keep naming Air Pro 4 for feature density. Multipoint Bluetooth 5.4 and a long case rating make it a workhorse. Firmware updates via the EarFun app matter — reset after upgrades if pairing acts weird.
Best comfort / Sony app: Sony WF-C710N
Buy this if clamp-free fit and Sony’s Sound Connect ecosystem matter more than shaving $20.
The WF-C710N succeeds the popular C700N with better ANC consistency for many commuters. It’s the pick when Liberty’s tip geometry doesn’t work for your ears. Watch for sales that bring it fully under $100; otherwise treat it as a near-budget stretch.
Best under ~$45: TOZO NC20
Buy this if you want disposable-price ANC and LDAC experiments without risking $80.
TOZO’s budget ANC line remains noisy on Amazon sales charts. Expect more variable QC and bass-forward tuning than Anker/Sony. Fine as a secondary pair or kid/travel backup — not your forever daily driver.
Ranking criteria
- Real-world ANC on transit / HVAC
- Seal comfort past one hour
- App EQ + firmware support
- Multipoint reliability
- Return policy at large US retailers
Verdict
| Use case | Pick |
|---|---|
| Best under $100 | soundcore Liberty 4 NC |
| Best codecs / Android | EarFun Air Pro 4 |
| Best Sony comfort | Sony WF-C710N (on sale) |
| Best cheap backup | TOZO NC20 |
| Stretch if… | You fly weekly — WF-1000XM5/XM6 still win on fatigue reduction |
Skip: no-name “120-hour / 99% ANC” listings with vague brands and thin warranty trails.
FAQ
Over-ear vs buds under $100?
Over-ears (see our under-$200 ANC guide) usually ANC harder. Buds win for gym heat and pockets.
Is LDAC worth enabling?
On Android, yes when multipoint is off and your phone supports it. iPhone stays on AAC either way.
Will these work on a plane?
Yes for ANC; bring a wired backup for seatback IFE if you need a 3.5 mm jack — most buds are wireless-only.