Headphones under $200 provide a good balance between sound quality and price. If you’re looking to listen to good quality audio but don’t want to spend a lot of money, then there are several great headphones under $200. We have different types of headphones, all under $200 on this list for you to check out.
Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $200
Razer Opus Wireless
The Razer Opus Wireless is an affordable over-ear Bluetooth headphone with active noise-cancelling. Razer is a gaming-focused company but their headphones are of great value when it comes to music and movie watching as well. The over the ear cup design makes the noise-cancelling efficient and the fit comfortable. If you need peace and quiet while listening to some tunes, the Razer Opus Wireless will do an amicable job.
This pair of headphones also have a long 40-hour battery time that will last you for days of gameplay or movie watching. Of course, the long battery life wouldn’t be good if the headphones themselves aren’t comfortable. Thankfully, the Opus Wireless has a leatherette memory foam on to cushion the ear cups. This combined with evenly distributed weight and balanced clamping force makes the headphones a joy to use. Want to listen to what’s going on around you? Just press the Quick Attention Mode button to briefly hear ambient noise.
The Razer Opus Wireless is comfortable and has great battery life. They’re active noise-cancelling headphones under $200 with great sound quality and are amazing for long gaming sessions.
Best Over-Ear Alternative for Bass
Skullcandy Crusher Evo
The Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones are designed for Bass. Period. There is even a dedicated slider that allows you to adjust bass here so you know the company means business. The Skullcandy Crusher Evo feels like it wants to crush us with deep booming bass that you can actually feel. It is a joy for music lovers who value bass and still want to retain good mids and highs with great sound quality. That doesn’t mean bass isn’t emphasized, but turning the bass slider does allow for a more balance EQ. Turning it up will result in sesory, thudding bass akin to a subwoofer.
The Skullcandy Crusher Evo has a 40-hour long battery life which is more than enough for normal day-to-day usage. A 10-minute charge will net you 4 hours of play here. There are noise isolation features that help you get immersed in your music. The foldable design is easy to handle and carry. The microphone on this unit also performed well during phone calls. Buttons on the right ear cup are used to control playback and volume. You can find more detail in out Skullcandy Crusher Evo review.
The Skullcandy Crusher Evo is made for Bass. If you want booming, thunderous bass that you can feel, these are perfect.
Other Over-Ear Headphones To Consider
SENNHEISER PXC 550-II
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II comes with adaptive noise cancelling (ANC) and stable connectivity with Bluetooth 5.0. Its battery life is also very impressive at 30 hours. It also has a voice assistant button that you can tap to access your preferred assistant. The wireless drivers inside the Sennheiser PXC 550-II produce good sound quality and frequency range. They’re worth considering if you want an all-around quality, comfortable Bluetooth headphones with ANC.
Sony WH-CH710N
Looking for a wireless headphone that’s economical and has solid noise cancellation features? We expanded on how much value the WH-CH710N provides in our review. Price-wise, they’re one of the most affordable headphones on this list. They have Dual Noise Sensor Technology that analyzes the environment around you and adjusts the sound accordingly. With the battery lasting 35 hours and quick charging, you’ll never be out of juice. At this price point, you won’t find many headphones that sound great while also providing ANC and long battery life.
Best True Wireless Earbuds Under $200
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus Truly Wireless
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are small, easy to carry, and lightweight. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be getting a great sound quality out of them. They’re truly among the best true wireless earbuds under $200. They come with passive noise isolation features and an ambient aware mode, which allows amplifies external noise.
The truly wireless earbuds provide 11 hours of battery life and the case adds 22 hours. The quick charging feature is the best thing. Only a couple of minutes of charge would provide you with hours of listening. We were surprised by how good the microphone quality is on the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, a feature that is usually neglected. You can easily pair them with Android or iOS devices and use them with Samsung’s convenient app.
The best on-the-go and workout wireless earbuds under $200, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus have superb noise-isolation features and an 11-hour runtime.
Best Alternative For ANC Earbuds
Apple Airpods Pro
Apple Airpods Pro is the market leader in wireless earbuds and there is a good reason behind that. The earbuds come with noise cancellation which is superb considering the form factor. There is also a transparency mode that allows you to hear what’s around you so you have more situational awareness. The Apple Airpods Pro also come with tapered silicone tips that are comfortable inside the ear while maintaining a strong grip.
The earbuds themselves provide 4.5 hours of listening time with an additional 24 hours with the case. The case can be charged wirelessly making it a convenient affair. If you are into running or working out, the Apple Airpods Pro are also sweat and water-resistant. The buds have an IPX4 rating that protects them against moisture, condensation, and mild weather exposure such as rain. Another great feature is the Adaptive EQ that tunes the sounds according to the shape of your ear.
Already have an Apple device like the iPhone or iPad? Getting the Apple Airpods Pro would be the best choice for you. There is great integration into Apple’s ecosystem combined with good passive noise isolation and superb sound quality.
Best Alternative For Running
Beats Powerbeats Pro
Looking for a running companion that won’t fall off during workouts? The Beats Powerbeats Pro are a great option for wireless earbuds for exercise. They come with a comfortable design that features adjustable hooks for a better, more secure fit. They also provide up to 9 hours of battery life which is increased to 24 hours with the charging case. The headphones are also IPX4 water and sweat-resistant so you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged in the elements.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro also provides full playback and volume controls on both earbuds. This means you can use a single one if you require more situational awareness during your runs and still retain full control over your music. A 5 minutes charge will give up to 1.5 hours of battery life, so even if you forget to charge them before the run, you’ll still be able to charge quickly. You can also pair 2 sets of Beats Powerbeats Pro with a single phone to enjoy listening with a friend.
Rugged, secure, and comfortable with amazing sound quality, the Beats Powerbeats Pro are the ultimate running earbuds.
Other True Wireless Earbuds Under $200 To Consider
Jaybird Vista 2
The Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds come with noise cancellation and wind guarded microphones. They are also some of the best headphones is durability is a priority. They have IP68 for dust and water resistance. Even the charging case is rated IP54. With premium 6 mm milled drivers and customizable EQ profiles, you’ll be getting a premium sound experience during your workouts. The earbuds have 8 hours of battery life and an additional 16 in the charging case. All of this makes the Jaybird Vista 2 a top choice for those who want durable earbuds.
Sony WF-XB700
Need some extra bass? The Sony WF-XB700 has a lot of it. With their 9 hour battery and IPX4 water resistance, the Sony headphones are practical and easy to use. Great Bluetooth connectivity, extra deep bass, and a design that fits any ear snugly make them one of the most amazing headphones under $200 to enjoy music on the go.
Best On-Ear Headphones Under $200
Beats Solo Pro
Looking for something with a bit of personality? The Beats Solo Pro comes in 3 eye-catching colors. this pair of headphones have a lightweight design and are comfortable on the head even during extended usage. It’s not all looks though. The on-ear headphones have active noise isolation along with a transparency mode that allows you to hear ambient noise. The headset has the Apple H1 headphone chip and Class I Bluetooth for a more stable connection.
This pair of ANC headphones also feature 22 hours of battery life. There is also a built-in microphone that allows you to chat with friends online or receive calls directly from your phone. Charging the Beats Solo Pro for 10 minutes will net you 3 hours of playback time. We also really like the automatic turn-off when you fold the headphones.
Its eye-catching design, lightweight nature, and good sound quality make it one of the best on-ear headphones available.
Best Wired Headphones Under $200
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X are professional-quality studio monitor headphones that are praised by audio engineers and critics alike. These are wired headphones under $200 that deliver studio-level performance straight to your ears. This also means that while the Audio-Technica ATH don’t offer as much freedom as wireless headphones, they also eliminate the need for any battery charging.
The Audio-Technica also has superb clarity when it comes to sound. If you want to hear music just as the creators intended, this is one of the greatest headphones under $200. The build quality is excellent, and the proprietary 45 mm approach drivers produce a balanced sound profile. We also like that the cables are detachable and the Audio-Technica comes with a carrying case.
Studio-level sound quality without a studio-level asking price. The Audio-Technica has an almost magically balanced sound profile.
Considerations For Purchasing Headphones
When Will You Mostly Use Your Headphones?
Working Out
You’re getting the headphones under $200 to work out, there are several things you need to consider for that. Working out means that you’ll make sudden moves quickly and the headphones must remain secure. There is nothing worse than going for a run and losing one of your earbuds on the track. Headphones for working out should also be lightweight so you don’t feel the pressure inside the ear or over the head. Another important feature to consider is water resistance. If you’re working out, you’ll sweat and require headphones that can withstand that.
Commuting to Work
Using headphones during the commute to work? Then you will definitely appreciate one with active noise cancelling. You don’t want to hear people talking early in the morning, especially before you have your coffee. Nor do you want to hear a screaming baby when you’re returning from a long day at work. Speaking of long, long battery life will go a long way, pun intended. ANC won’t completely remove these noises. They can greatly reduce noises though and make listening at low volumes more tolerable.
Outdoors
Working or camping outdoors? Headphones that have water resistance and ambient mode will help you navigate the outdoors more easily base on situation. Dust and water resistance will protect it against the elements removing fear of malfunction. Light headphones will also be ideal comfort-wise.
Work
For work, you need a good microphone. You cannot have bad quality audio when talking to your colleagues on a zoom call. Bluetooth multipoint capability is also beneficial in the workplace. If it gets noisy around your office, ANC would also be a great feature to have. Apple Airpod Pro would be a good fit in a professional environment.
FAQs: Headphones Under $200:
What is the difference between active and passive noise cancelling?
Passive noise isolation is dependent on hardware design, like earcups or rubber tips that seal your ear. Active noise cancelling (ANC) uses software and microphones to detect noises in the environment and create a frequency that cancels them out. ANC for headphones is more effective and requires power, while passive noise reduction doesn’t impact battery life at all.
Should I choose over-ear headphones or true wireless earbuds?
Over-ear headphones usually have better sound quality but they lack the portability factor of true wireless earbuds. If you value sound quality over convenience, over-ear headphones are the way to go. But if you want to go for a run or simply want an easier-to-carry device, the true wireless earbuds may be the best headphones for you.
What is a Bluetooth multipoint connection?
Bluetooth multipoint allows you to connect headphones to multiple devices. For example, you could connect a Bluetooth headphones to your iPad and smartphone and seamlessly switch between them without reconnecting. The best headphones for remote work have Bluetooth multipoint capabaility.
What is an IPX rating?
An IPX rating let you know a device’s ability to protect against the elements. Higher IPX ratings mean more resistance against against water and dust. Focus on IPX rating if you’re specifically looking for the best headphones for outdoors or exercise.
Keith Collins has been writing for over 15 years for various publications. He’s a lover of music, home theater, and excellent sound quality. His fondness for technology in addition to his non-stop curiosity fuels his writing ventures.