Tested: The 5 Best Headphones You Can Buy Under $200 

Though it costs more upfront, opting to invest a bit more for a set of decent headphones will typically save you money in the long run, helping to ensure years of reliable use through the utilization of more premium materials, construction, and componentry. Also, the higher MSRPs almost always mean more competent performance, in terms of aspects like battery life and sound quality. To help shine a light on some of the finest available offerings within this price range, we’ve tested the best headphones under $200.

How We Tested

$200 is nothing to scoff at, but when it comes to headphones, this is a great starting price if you want a pair with all the bells and whistles (ANC, long battery life, solid sound quality). For our guide, we’ve kept the picks in the $100 to $200 range, as this range covers a variety of solid headphones built for multiple situations. We first looked at our favorite audio brands, even some models that we’ve loved in the past. We looked at aesthetic, construction quality, travel friendliness, noise cancellation, battery life, and, of course, price.

After sourcing our units for testing, we got hands-on with each and every pair of headphones, listening to an array of songs across all genres, as well as podcasts. If there was an accompanying app, we looked at how the apps affected the audio quality. Other things we focused on were ANC and transparency effectiveness, comfort, usability, and how versatile the audio was, among other things. These results and more are detailed below

What to Look For

Sound Quality: In this range, you don’t have to worry too much about getting solid audio quality (good bass response, midrange, and treble performance), so you should really be focused on what you’re using the headphones for. In a professional studio setting, you want a flat sound without any added bass or other extras. For traveling, you may want headphones that can go a bit louder.

Noise Cancellation: For those traveling or working in busy environments, Active Noise Cancellation (or ANC) is extremely helpful. Even if you just enjoy an uninterrupted listening experience, it may cost extra, but it’s almost always worth it. Passive noise cancellation can also be effective and is pretty common in closed-back headphones.

Battery Life: If you’re going with wireless headphones, make sure you get a pair that has enough battery life for your needs. A good minimum to look for is ~25 hours, which most headphones in this range easily meet.

Connection: The picks in this guide will either be wired or a wireless/wired hybrid. Having a wired option is convenient because it doesn’t require charging and often gives you better audio fidelity. Some headphones may offer multipoint connection, which basically means you can connect to multiple devices at once.

Fit: This guide will be focused on over-ear and on-ear headphones, but many of these companies have earbuds for a similar price with comparable specs if you prefer that kind of fit.

JBL Tune 770NC

Best Noise Cancelling Headphones: Though Beats By Dre has admittedly developed a solid reputation for producing bass-heavy sets of headphones, JBL is definitely a brand that should be considered if you’re interested in a super deep low-end range, especially with the brand’s Pure Bass Sound technology. And while the Tune 770NC’s audio quality is a major selling point, the wireless pair of over-ear shells have a lot more going for them, such as a battery that yields an incredible 70 hours of music playback (44 hours with ANC), and state-of-the-art active noise-canceling tech with Ambient Aware and TalkThru, so vital sounds and communications can still be heard, while wind, traffic, and other ambient noises are drowned out.

The Sound

If you’re skeptical about the audio quality of these low-end headphones, don’t be. With a solid default audio profile out the gate, the Tune 770NC from JBL handles both rock and bass-heavy genres well. If those don’t do it for you, you can always use one of the preset EQ options or create your own. I preferred the “Studio” preset for rock and “Club” for hip-hop. Of course, there’s the touted “Extreme Bass” option, but I’m honestly not sure who would choose this; it’s very aggressive.

The app is great from top to bottom, with a Smart Audio (and Video) feature that you can turn on, allowing the app to automatically choose your best EQ settings for the current music you’re listening to. The app also lets you choose the volume of your own voice when making calls, set the auto power off time (30min, 1 hour, or 2 hours), and adjust the left/right sound balance –– great for those who might have uneven hearing in their ears. Also, I should mention the transparency mode is one of the best I’ve used, with both Ambient Aware and TalkThru options, depending on how “aware” you want to be. TalkThru simply amplifies the voices of those around you while lowering music, while Ambient Aware is a total transparency mode.

The Look and Feel

On top of the extended battery life, the headphone’s decently rugged construction and collapsible hinge design make the Tune 770NC an ideal choice for long-range travel. And, while it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that the 70-hour battery and bevy of audio, ANC, and transmission components would make for a rather hefty set of headshells, this JBL item manages to weigh it at a very reasonable 8.18oz. These feel really comfortable on the head and have a clicking headband for adjustment, which I personally prefer better than the increasingly common stepless adjustment of other headphones.

Unfortunately, if you’re looking for an included case, there’s not one here. The Tune 770NC is nevertheless pretty compact. I like the obvious L and R notations on the inside of the earcups, making it quicker and easier to put these on correctly. I also prefer the more tactile buttons on the cups, for play/pause, volume, and ANC toggling. These are easy to get used to and much more straightforward than any of the touch functions on other headphones.

Verdict: One of the best low-end monitors we’ve tested, the JBL 770NC sounds awesome with any genre, and at just $130. We loved the app’s features, including the user-friendly (and very useful) EQ settings, and how lightweight these headphones felt on our heads. We honestly don’t have much beef with this model. However, it oddly omits a carrying case, forcing you to come up with your own solution for travel.

Marshall Major V

Best Vintage-Style Headphones: Marshall produces some of the most iconic audio gear in existence, famously employing its distinctive old-school design language and professional-grade sound. And a modern interpretation of this formula can be seen in the British firm’s Major V headphones: a reimagined version of a vintage Marshall model that now sports a slimmer, lower-profile 3D hinge design, rebuilt ear cushions, and partially exposed wires with reinforced rubber dampers. For this fifth-gen version, Marshall has increased the battery life to a whopping 100+ hours and added a customizable “M” button along with the popular joystick control. Unlike the normal button-control setups, the multi-directional control knob can be used to adjust volume, control playback, and turn the headphones on or off. There’s also a built-in microphone for controlling a smart assistant or fielding calls.

The Sound

Compared to the outgoing model, the Major V claims an increased dynamic range and richer audio profile thanks to the higher sensitivity rating, resulting in a more pleasing experience. And after using the headphones, I will say that they sound terrific. The bass never feels too overwhelming in the default mode, although I did notice more favorability in bass-heavy music like rap and modern R&B. Of the EQ presets, I went for the “Mid Reduction” option almost every time, regardless of genre. The aforementioned M button let’s you assign 2 different EQ settings, so that you can easily toggle back and forth. You can also assign the button to voice assistant, Spotify (which also lets you skip the song), or “Do Nothing.”

The app is pretty darn simple, with an intuitive layout and menu options. You can also set your standby timeout length and turn on a battery preservation option. I also appreciated the ability to turn off interaction sounds so that it doesn’t cut out the music every time I change the EQ setting. I should also mention that there’s no noise cancelling feature on these headphones, but I didn’t mind since I hardly use ANC in the first place.

The Look and Feel

Admittedly, the on-ear style is an acquired taste, seeing that it doesn’t necessarily lock around your ears like the more common over-ear monitors would. Nevertheless, the Major V is pretty comfortable, thanks to the memory foam ear pads and lightweight build. Speaking of which, the Marshall headphones are incredibly compact, even fitting within the palm of my hand when folded up.

The headband adjustment is interesting here, allowing you to fix each ear separately. Honestly though, I didn’t love this as an option, often finding it frustrating to do a simple adjustment here and there. One side kept getting stuck. Also, just like the JBL above, these don’t come with a carrying case.

Verdict: Boasting over 100 hours of battery life, the Marshall Major V are incredibly stylish, tapping into the brand’s knack for timeless aesthetics. We admittedly preferred the monitors for more bass-heavy tunes but loved the EQ options and intuitive, user-friendly phone app. There’s also a really useful customizable button on the earcaps. Compact enough to fit in your hands, the on-ear style might be an acquired taste but these are still very comfortable to wear.

Sony WH-CH720N

Best Minimalist Headphones: Sony’s WH-CH720N is another thoroughly modern pair of headphones that pack an impressive host of features and amenities into an accessibly-priced pair of headphones. The battery offers as much as 50 hours of music playback time and is compatible with quick charging (3 minutes for an hour of playback). The WH-CH720N’s noise-canceling tech scans your surroundings to block out external noise and optimize audio, and this same tech is also called upon for calling, with the Sony gadget’s microphones also getting this feature. They’re also compatible with Amazon’s Alexa and can be used for hands-free control of the smart assistant.

The Sound

While I was able to tailor the EQ settings to make the music sound pretty good, the default setting here wasn’t great regardless of genre. I found the mids and highs to consistently be swallowed up by the bass, which is why I opted for the “Bright” preset in the app. There are plenty of preset options, and you can also customize your own. Like previous Sony headphones, voices and podcasts also sound too bassy. Fortunately, the app has a really interesting “Bass Clarity” scale, where you can adjust the bass, which I almost always used to supplement the “Bright” preset. I liked the transparency mode here, which can easily be set for different activities like home, gym, outdoors, etc.

Unfortunately, the WH-CH720N suffers from my experience with the brand’s WH-1000XM5, which is double the price but sounds better and has a cool feature that automatically pauses your music when it’s removed from your head. On the other hand, the app here is pretty barebones, but does have a cool feature where you can analyze your ear shape but this was very frustrating to use. The feature takes pictures of your head inside of a head-shaped outline and apparently helps you optimize your listening. However, it essentially wouldn’t register my head inside in the images, so I didn’t get to fully check this out. Meanwhile, the voice assistant feature was pretty useful, but could have used a dedicated button on the earcaps.

The Look and Feel

A running trend with these sub-$200 models is the lack of a carrying case, and the same goes for these Sony headphones, which is a shame since I loved the case for the WH-1000XM5 model.

However, the WH-CH720N still looks fantastic as a unit, with a super minimalist design in terms of both styling and branding, even if the materials feel like a step down to the touch compared to Sony’s higher-end models. On the other hand, the material change prevents the exterior smudging that you can experience with those higher end models. The buttons were pretty easy to find on the outside and they even have a feature that the 1000XM5 doesn’t have: volume controls.

While the headband and earcups were comfortable after a long period of wear, the headphones aren’t very compact and don’t fold up very small. It’s worth pointing out that these have the lightest headband out of any over-ear Sony noise-cancelling headphones. The headband is also easy to adjust, although the L and R notations could be easier to find.

Verdict: Sporting a nice minimalist look, Sony’s WH-CH720N won’t be as favorable as its higher-end models but still gives you ample EQ options with the phone app. The on-board volume controls are nice, as is the voice assistant and adaptive sound mode. However, there was an ear analysis feature that was very difficult to use. Nevertheless, this lightweight model is easy to adjust and feels comfortable for all-day wear.

Beats Solo 4 Wireless

Best Headphones Overall: Beats refers to its Solo 4 Wireless model as its “Classic All-Day Headphones,” and for good reason. The battery powering this wireless on-ear model allows for up to 50 hours of music playback, plus it’s Fast Fuel compatible, which means after being plugged in for only ten minutes, a completely drained battery can yield a full five hours of playback. The shells and headband have been designed together to firmly grip the wearer’s head, without becoming painful or uncomfortable after prolonged periods of time (something made possible by the Solo 4’s extended battery life). Updated from the Solo 3, the Solo 4 has swapped out the dynamic drivers for better, acoustic drivers (still 40mm), which yield a more balanced listening experience.

The Sound

If you weren’t a fan of the bass-forward profile of the Solo 3s, the Solo 4 has made some big improvements with a more balanced, refined sound. This is a crucial level-up since Beats, as I’ve stated before, doesn’t have any EQ settings in the app for some reason. In fact, the app here is pretty moot. Luckily, Beats perennially has some of the most agreeable audio profile of any headphones around, with highs and lows that balance excellently, and just enough bass that it rounds out the sound instead of being too obtrusive. I also loved the intimate profile of voices and podcasts. I should also point out that there’s no noise cancellation here, which should be fine if you don’t use it much anyway. And i anything, it’ll save you some cash.

Aside from the power button, the on-board listening operation are entirely on the left side, with discreet buttons for play/pause and volume on the earcaps, making this pretty easy to get used to.

For audiophiles, there’s also the option to plug in your USB cable for listening to lossless audio, which is pretty spectacular, especially considering the price tag here. Basically, Bluetooth connectivity is great for convenience and versatility but your sound quality can only be so good compared to wired headphones. The Solo 4 gives you the option for both, which is pretty sweet.

The Look and Feel

As much as I love the sound of the Beats Studio 4, they’re possibly the least comfortable on this list. They press a bit too firmly against my ears, which might not bother certain users but is a bit cumbersome for me. However, the adjustability of the headband is pretty easy, with click steps on each side.

Best of all, the Studio 4s come with a hard-shell zippered case –– the only one on this list to do so! I love how compact these headphones are, but mostly, I love how easy it is to fold them up. There’s not some puzzle-like folding pattern to memorize; you simply bend the band at the metal hinges and stuff the unit inside the case, making these a great travel option. You can also leave the headband at your preferred fit, allowing you to just open and play without needing to take time to readjust them.

Verdict: Possibly the best-sounding headphones on this list, the Beats Solo 4 are a big step up from the predecessor, reducing the bass and leaving you with a very balanced audio that sounds great across all genres and even podcasts. We didn’t love the comfort level of the unit, with a headband that fit a bit too tight. However, these come with a zippered case and fold up easily, making them a great travel option. Best of all, you get a lossless audio option with an equipped USB cable –– a rarity in the sub-$200 range.

Soundcore Space One Pro

Best Top-End Pick: Soundcore’s position at the top end of this sub-$200 guide is rather ironic, being that the budget audio brand typically arrives at the lower end on our other guides. A subset of the innovative portable charger brand Anker, Soundcore specializes in listening devices that deliver arguably the best bang for your buck in the industry. Offering a four-stage ANC system, the $200 Space One Pro also boasts 60 hours of playback (non-ANC) and an uber-comfortable headband that relieves pressure for all-day comfort. A fantastic travel option as well, these cans fold up to be about 50% of their actual size. Oh yeah, the audio quality is pretty sweet too, featuring a triple-composite diaphragm paired with hi-res drivers.

The Sound

I’ve become really impressed by Soundcore’s products in recent months, and the Space One Pro is no exception. However, the brand’s Achilles heel is still their default sound quality. But this might just come down to personal preference. For me, the audio is a bit too bass-heavy regardless of genre and the higher ends often get swallowed by the lows. I’d love for a more blended sound like you’ll find with higher-end models. On the other hand, some listeners might desire bassy audio.

On the other hand, Soundcore’s in-app EQing is some of the best I’ve seen, with a really cool HearID Sound feature that creates a personalized audio profile after you take a thorough hearing and sound preference tests. On top of the excellent EQ controls, the app itself is one of the most user-friendly, easy to navigate and operate. Listening modes are easy to toggle between –– be it ANC, transparency, or normal –– and the EQ is easy to figure out, even for beginners. There’s the ability to customize these settings, although I mostly stuck with the presets, which were perfectly fine. This significantly improved the sound, although the clarity could’ve been slightly better. There’s also a Dolby Audio feature intended to provide better immersion. However, I didn’t notice a huge improvement in the sound.

The Look and Feel

In terms of saving space, the Space One Pro is one of the best we’ve used, even landing it on our Best Travel Headphones guide. Folding up impossibly small, the unit doesn’t have to be perfectly folded in order to pack them away –– something that can get quite annoying with other headphones. Saving space is even easier with the carrying case, with Soundcore opting for a drawstring bag instead of a hard-shell case.

However, in terms of comfort, these sat rather wide on my head. As attractive as the headphones are –– I do really love the visual appeal of the monitors –– they’re not the most discreet and could be much slimmer. I should also mention that the size adjustments aren’t that wide-ranging. I had my headband all the way open and it still felt constricting at times. This might not be as good for bigger heads.

Again, these look really nice. We got hands-on with the white colorway with metallic trim, which make these feel much pricier than they actually are. As an aside, I do love the “L” and “R” indicators on the inside of the ear caps, rather largely so you can’t miss them and don’t have to go searching for a small marker on the outside. While the Space One Pro doesn’t have a hard-shell case, the softer drawstring bag is still a plus here.

Verdict: Great for traveling and utilizing one of the most user-friendly apps around, the Soundcore Space One Pro is a solid upper-end budget option for both looks and sound. We felt the physical profile could’ve been a bit slimmer and the fit was a bit tight for larger heads, however, the perceived value here is pretty high. Not the best-sounding headphones out of the box but you can easily optimize the headphones with the Soundcore app, featuring some of the most user-friendly yet wide-ranging EQ controls in the game.

Sub-$200 Headphones Comparison Chart

What to Expect from $200 Headphones

Two hundred dollars is something of the perfect Goldilocks amount when shopping for headphones. The price point allows for some truly exceptional, high-end models that afford the latest and greatest in features, comfort, performance, and sound quality, without requiring you to invest an arm and a leg. Access to offerings from some of the world’s most elite brands can also be had for this number, which is particularly noteworthy considering many of these sub-$200 models hugely benefit from cutting-edge hardware and tech that’s trickled down from even more top-shelf models from these same companies.

Honorable Mentions

The epitome of a brand who won’t sacrifice quality for a lower price tag yet also finding ways to cut costs to bring great products to a larger market, Audio-Technica really specializes in this middle tier. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get hands-on with the brand’s ATH-M50xBT2 headphones but have heard nothing but great things, especially considering their high-fidelity 45mm drivers (made of rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire) providing a high-resolution frequency response range.

Sennheiser’s HD599 headphones have luxe details that make them look more expensive than they are. However, audio-wise, people seem to either love or hate the profile, depending on which type of music they prefer.

JBL has a lot of great mid-tier options, including this Live 660NC is pricier than the Tune 770NCs above but is built with better materials and JBL’s Signature Sound.

There’s a big jump between the $200 mark and the next tier (~$400+), but if you’re willing to spend slightly more than $200 on a pair of headphones, the Cambridge Melomania P100 are well-reviewed and have a sleek appearance.

More for studio use than the others in this guide, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 are a popular choice for those who don’t mind corded headphones.

Just like its home speakers, Edifier offers a wide range of prices for their headphones, and even has some models in the $50 range. While the WH950NB are well-liked, we couldn’t justify them over the others above.

Tested: The Best Wireless Earbuds Under $100

If $200 is still a little much for you and you’re perfectly fine with in-ear monitors, check out our latest guide where we cover the best earbuds under $100.