Shopping for the best affordable headphones under $100 / 500 AED in the UAE? Whether you want active noise cancellation (ANC), long battery life, or lightweight comfort, this guide covers the best headphones available locally with a reliable warranty and great value.
Do keep in mind that you won’t be getting a premium headset like the recently launched Nothing Headphones 1, but all of these headphones offer tremendous bang for your Dirham.
📊 Comparison Table for Best Headphones under $100 / AED 500
| Model | Best For | ANC Support | Battery Life | Comfort & Portability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker Soundcore Q30 | Budget ANC plus long‑haul use | Yes (hybrid) | ~50–60 h (ANC on) | Plush over‑ear; slightly bulky |
| Sony WH‑CH720N | Lightweight ANC for daily travel | Yes (Sony V1) | ~35 h (ANC), ~57 h (off) | Very light, foldable, compact |
| JBL Tune 510BT | Simple commute, calls & casual use | No (passive) | ~40 h | Foldable on‑ear; ultra portable |
| Urbanista Los Angeles | Eco-friendly users & long sessions | Yes (hybrid) | ~50 h (ANC), solar top-up | Heavier, eco-focused design |
| Skullcandy Hesh Evo | Bass lovers + tracking convenience | No (passive) | ~36 h | Cushy fit; foldable, tile-ready |
Quick Summary:
- Anker Soundcore Q30: Best for full ANC and long battery life.
- Sony WH-CH720N: Lightweight with solid ANC performance.
- JBL Tune 510BT: Affordable with great portability.
- Urbanista Los Angeles: Unique solar charging for almost unlimited playback.
- Skullcandy Hesh Evo: Bass-heavy sound with tracking features.
Anker Soundcore Q30
The Soundcore Life Q30 features hybrid active noise cancellation, up to 60 hours of battery life (or 50 hours with active noise cancellation), and customizable equalisation via the companion app. Available in UAE online stores like Noon and Amazon.ae for under AED 200, with an official 1‑year global warranty.
Performance & Use
ANC features multiple modes (outdoor, transport, and indoor)—effective at reducing low-frequency hums, although not entirely effective against loud ambient noise. The 40 mm drivers deliver hi‑res certified sound with punchy bass and clear mids. Ultra‑soft memory foam earcups make them comfortable for extended use.
Specs
- Driver: 40 mm dynamic
- ANC: hybrid with transparency mode
- Battery: up to 60 h (50 h with ANC)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.x, multipoint
- Warranty: 1‑year UAE/international
- Excellent battery life
- Hybrid ANC
- Soft and comfortable cushions
- Good value
- Bulky for travel
- Micro‑USB charging
- ANC less effective than premium headphones
Sony WH‑CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N is widely available in the UAE for around AED 250 at retailers such as Sony World UAE and Amazon.ae, and includes a 1-year warranty from Sony UAE or Amazon.
Performance & Use
Known as “XM5 on a budget”, this lightweight (≈192 g) headphone offers balanced Sony sound, decent ANC, and multipoint Bluetooth switching between two devices—plus quick charge giving several hours with a few minutes recharge. ANC suppresses shared office and transport noises adequately, though road and engine din may still leak through.
Specs
- Driver: ~30 mm dynamic
- ANC: basic Sony V1‑processor ANC, ambient mode
- Battery: ~35 h ANC on (57 h ANC off)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, multipoint, 3.5 mm jack
- Warranty: 1‑year UAE/international
- Lightweight
- Effective ANC at mid‑range price
- Decent Sony sound
- Multipoint & wired option
- Fast charging
- No carrying case included
- Plastic build feels less premium
- ANC not deep like flagship models
JBL Tune 510BT
The JBL Tune 510BT is priced around AED 150 on Noon and other UAE retailers, offering up to 40 hours of battery life, Bluetooth multipoint, and pure JBL bass sound. UAE retailers offer a minimum 12-month warranty, either through JBL or the platform.
Performance & Use
With its foldable, on‑ear design, these are perfect for commuters and casual users. The sound is bass-forward, and the microphone performance for calls is surprisingly good. Battery life meets the spec, and pairing is stable and simple. The device is light and compact, although the on—ear fit may cause discomfort for glasses wearers or lead to ear fatigue over long sessions
Specs
- Driver: ~32 mm dynamic
- ANC: none (passive isolation)
- Battery: ~40 h with fast charge
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, multipoint, voice assistant
- Warranty: ~12 months UAE/international
- Highly affordable
- Excellent battery life
- Multipoint pairing
- Foldable and portable
- Solid microphone
- No ANC
- On‑ear design may cause discomfort
- Plastic construction
Urbanista Los Angeles
The Urbanista Los Angeles over-ear headphones utilise Powerfoyle solar‑cell technology in the headband to continuously harvest light—both sunlight and indoor illumination—to maintain battery levels. This results in virtually unlimited playback, especially in sunny environments like the UAE. Available locally via Sharaf DG, Virgin Megastore, Amazon.ae, and other retailers, typically priced at around AED 400, and include a 1-year UAE manufacturer’s warranty.
Performance & Use
Battery life is exceptional: up to 80 hours without ANC, or 50 hours with it enabled. ANC works well against low-frequency noise, though speech and high-pitch sounds are less fully blocked. The sound signature emphasises deep bass with energetic highs; mids may feel less pronounced, making it fun for pop, EDM, or bass-heavy tracks.
Specs
- Driver: 40 mm dynamic moving‑coil
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 (SBC, AAC), USB‑C
- ANC: hybrid noise cancelling + ambient mode
- Battery: ~50 h ANC on; ~80 h ANC off; self‑charging via Powerfoyle
- Features: on‑ear detection, voice assistant controls, companion app
- Warranty: 1‑year UAE manufacturer warranty
- Near‑infinite battery life via solar charging
- Strong bass response
- Effective hybrid ANC
- UAE warranty and availability
- Bass can overpower mids
- ANC less effective on speech/high tones
- No 3.5 mm jack
- Heavier and less portable
Skullcandy Hesh Evo Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
The Skullcandy Hesh Evo offers rich sound, plush comfort, and tile-tracking support—making it a solid all-rounder for under AED 500. Available on Amazon.ae for approximately AED 250, these headphones are backed by a 1-year Skullcandy UAE warranty.
Performance & Use
The Hesh Evo features 40 mm drivers tuned for a bass-heavy signature typical of Skullcandy. There’s no ANC here, but the passive isolation from the thick ear cushions does an admirable job in cutting out ambient noise. Tile app integration allows you to track your headphones if they are misplaced. Battery life hits up to 36 hours, with rapid charging giving 3 hours of playtime in just 10 minutes.
Specs
- Driver: 40 mm dynamic
- ANC: None (passive noise isolation)
- Battery: up to 36 h, with rapid charge
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Tile tracking, USB‑C
- Warranty: 1‑year UAE Skullcandy warranty
- Bold bass sound
- Tile tracking
- Long battery life
- Comfortable ear cushions
- Voice assistant support
- No ANC
- Fit may be tight for some
- No multipoint Bluetooth
✅ Conclusion
Under 500 AED, these five headphones offer compelling value for UAE buyers:
- Soundcore Life Q30: Balanced performance with ANC and extended battery.
- Sony WH‑CH720N: Ultra-light and reliable ANC from a trusted brand.
- JBL Tune 510BT: Budget champ with excellent portability and battery.
- Urbanista Los Angeles: Solar-charging innovation with exceptional endurance.
- Skullcandy Hesh Evo: Big sound and tracking features for style-conscious users.
All models are available via UAE‑based retailers, include valid UAE warranties, and support local after‑sales service. Choose based on your priority: ANC, battery life, eco-friendliness, portability, or innovative features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are these headphones available with UAE warranty?
Yes, all the headphones listed come with valid warranties from UAE-based retailers or official distributors.
Which headphone has the best battery life?
The Urbanista Los Angeles offers up to 80 hours without ANC and self-charging solar technology.
Do these headphones support active noise cancellation (ANC)?
Some models like Anker Soundcore Q30 and Sony WH-CH720N have hybrid or basic ANC features.
Can these headphones connect to multiple devices?
Models like Anker Soundcore Q30 and Sony WH-CH720N support multipoint Bluetooth connectivity.
