9 Best Headphones under $200 in 2023

Here are the best headphones under $200 you can get in 2023.

In this guide, you will find the best headphones and earbuds in this price range, wired, wireless & true wireless earbuds.

Here’s a quick rundown of all models:

Are Headphones Under $200 Worth It?

To some, 200 dollars is a lot, and spending that amount can be hard to swallow. However, by buying a headphone at this price point, you get a reliable pair that will serve you for many years.

It’s a good investment that you won’t regret. And if you want to further improve your headphone’s performance, pick audio devices like amps and DACs instead.

• Great value: In headphones under $200, you can expect an excellent price-to-performance ratio. You will find one of the most popular headphones on the market. Some models are even that good they use them in professional studios.
• Improved sound quality: If you’re new to high-end audio, you’ll be diving into a whole new dimension of music.  This is where entry-level audiophile headphones start. Music sounds clearer and more detailed than before. You might end up loving your new headphone so much, they might be your last. Or, they could become a reason for discovering other, more expensive options.
• You’re getting a noticeable boost in build quality: You start seeing premium materials like aluminum and stainless steel.
• Useful technologies that make your life easier: Many wireless headphones under $200 have additional features like active noise cancellation and companion apps.

Here we compare headphones under $200 with cheaper and pricier alternatives.

The Best Headphones Under $200

1. AKG K371

Headphones very closely follow the Harman curve target, with a smidge of bass boost. As a result, they sound great and are a fine choice for most listeners. Due to the closed-back design, they’re suitable for outdoor use, as well.

If you want more affordable headphones with a more neutral presentation, pick AKG K361 instead.

The AKG K371 have a unique design with clean lines that looks very minimalistic. Thanks to foldable earcups, their portable design is suitable for commuting as well.

They’re made mostly from metal, which adds to the quality feel. Comfortable ear pads are super plush and ready for extended listening sessions, even if you wear glasses.

Like other PRO headphones in the AKG lineup, the K371 also uses a removable coiled cable with a mini-XLR port.

For a slightly higher price, you can also pick the AKG K371-BT with Bluetooth connectivity.

2. Jaybird Vista 2

Hear the Jaybird Vista 2 A/B Sound Test:

Audio quality is great out of the box, and it gets even better once you tweak it in the mobile app. You can fiddle with the EQ settings to find your perfect balance of bass, mids, and highs.

Jaybird Vista 2 true wireless earbuds provide excellent comfort and stability thanks to ear fins that latch onto your ears.

Vista 2 are also the new standard of durability. They boast an IP68 rating, meaning you can completely submerge them. The case also holds an IP54 rating. They’re one of the best waterproof Bluetooth headphones.

These are also the first true wireless earbuds that come with a MIL-STD-810G military standard, ensuring drop and shock protection.

Playtime is more reliable this time around, with an 8-hour battery life that should be enough for a lengthy workout. Another 16 hours are waiting in the Qi wireless charging case. You can further extend it using only one bud with mono mode.

Also check:

Best sport headphones

Best waterproof headphones for swimming

3. Edifier WH950NB

Hear the Edifier WH950NB A/B Sound Test:

WH950NB output a clear, balanced sound with some peaks and dips along the way. The latter will only matter to audio purists, whereas casual listeners will enjoy headphones’ ability to play all music genres equally well.

These headphones are an excellent overall package. They have above-average active noise cancellation and good ambient sound mode. It doesn’t end there.

You can activate LDAC for high-res audio support, Bluetooth 5.3 ensures robust connection, and with multipoint, they can connect to two devices simultaneously.

Furthermore, their microphone quality outshines even the best Bluetooth headphones, and they can also charge really fast with up to 7 extra hours after just 10 minutes.

4. Sennheiser HD 560 S

HD 560 S have a fairly neutral frequency response with a hint of warmness and a slightly brighter treble. They’re a great pick for studio use, too.

While that can cause some sibilance, the detail retrieval and soundstage are excellent.

They follow a similar form factor as other HD models below the $200 price point. These are mostly plastic headphones with metallic mesh to protect the drivers (headphones come in an open-back design).

The most comfortable headphones on this list have earpads that go around your entire ears, providing superb comfort for long listening sessions.

You get them in velour, which helps with breathability but can also leak some sound.

The audio cable is quite long and of decent quality. If it ever breaks, you can quickly replace it with a new one.

Find more excellent open-back headphones.

5. Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

Like the first-gen Buds Pro, the Buds2 Pro earbuds closely follow the Harman curve with a slightly boosted bass and more energy in the treble.

Overall, their tuning works wonderfully with most musical genres. They’re a good deal for everything from rock to hip-hop.

The design is modern and minimalistic, with an understated matte exterior. To get the most out of Galaxy Buds2 Pro, you have to use them with a Samsung phone. From there, you can control 360° audio, ambient sound mode, and ANC.

The latter is improved over the first gen, and it will do its job pretty well. Apart from excellent ergonomics, earbuds are also fully waterproof (IPX7 rating).

6. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2

Audio-Technica included both AAC and LDAC among the Bluetooth codec support so that you can expect excellent audio on both Android and iOS.

Speaking of audio, these headphones are V-shaped, with punchy low frequencies and crispy highs. They’re enjoyable to listen to while also packing a lot of details.

The plastic build doesn’t scream rigidness, but it can survive quite a bit of abuse. These closed-back headphones are made for the studio, where they get tossed around a lot.

However, the new wireless Bluetooth headphones support wireless connection and are more suitable for commuters and office workers who don’t like wires. The battery can hold up to 40 hours of playtime.

More similar guides:

Best open-back headphones

Best audiophile headphones

Best studio headphones

Check the best bass headphones for more options.

7. Razer Opus

Opus active noise-cancelling headphones have a surprisingly balanced sound signature with a slight bump in the sub-bass to bring out the rumble. 

For better positional accuracy, you can activate the Enhanced Clarity sound profile, which boosts the highs and in-game details.

Opus pack some exciting features. One of which is active noise cancelling, which works pretty well at blocking background noise.

Razer also includes EQ presets that they made in collaboration with THX. These presets are geared toward gaming since they amplify specific sounds like speech, footsteps, and game effects.

If you plan to commute with these, you can also enable Ambient Awareness to amplify your surroundings. You can connect the headphones wirelessly or wired.

Also, the built-in microphone performs quite well for phone calls, even in louder environments. For easier transport, there’s an included carrying case in the box.

For noise cancellation for a lower price, the best budget noise cancelling headphones are worth checking out.

8. TOZO Golden X1

Hear the TOZO Golden X1 A/B Sound Test:

TOZO Golden X1 have a U-shaped sound that’s still pretty faithful to the original. By lowering the bass and treble, you get a very balanced sound that any audio lover will enjoy.

Inside the app, you can customize controls, sound, and even ANC. The latter is overall decent and works best with lower frequencies. Even ambient sound mode isn’t mindblowing, but it does the job.

Earbuds have an IPX6 rating, which means you can theoretically take them under the shower. While they have some weight, which makes them a poor pick for stability, they remain comfy during longer listening sessions.

Battery life is about average as it can only endure around 5 hours on a single charge and have extra 24 hours inside the Qi wireless and fast charging case.

To ensure the best fit, earbuds come with 6 different sizes of ear tips.

Looking for something bassier instead? Check best bass earbuds.

9. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

With this great pair of headphones, it’s all about detail and how to recognize flaws in the audio content. Their studio-quality sound is suitable for both casual and professional use.

Thanks to the boosted treble, they have a wide stereo image. The latter does introduce some sibilance.

Over-ear headphones are made of hard plastic earcups and a leather-padded steel-reinforced headband.

To ensure optimal comfort for long sessions in studio, over-ear design earpads have a thick layer of velour-covered foam. The latter also provides breathability, preventing any heat from staying trapped in the ear cup.

If you plan to use these in the studio, you’ll be happy to know that while the cable is non-removable, it’s thick and durable.

Honorable Mentions

Jabra Elite 7 Pro

Sennheiser HD 599

Philips Fidelio X2HR

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus

V-MODA Crossfade LP2

Skullcandy Crusher Evo

Want more options for less money? Check the best cheap headphones.

What Are The Best Headphones For Everyday Use?

That highly depends on your preferences. In general, if you’re solely listening to music, anyone will do, as long as they’re closed-back. This type of headphones can offer:

• Isolation is much better due to closed ear cups. There is much less ambient noise coming inside, which lets you fully concentrate on your music. Also, headphones sound leakage is kept in check.
• Active noise canceling can’t work with open-back ear cups, meaning that this technology only makes sense on closed headphones.
• Deeper bass is something that a specific user base looks for in headphones. The latter is easier to achieve when you have a closed space for frequencies to resonate.

If you don’t mind the lack of noise cancelation, or even passive noise isolation itself, and just want to enjoy long listening sessions in the comfort of your home, open-back headphones might be a better idea. You get:

• Bigger soundstage is a result of an open back that doesn’t trap the sound inside an ear cup. It pushes the sound further away from your head to create a truly unique experience.
• Better sound quality due to open design, which prevents distortion and makes the sound more airy and natural. there is a reason why the best headphones don’t have closed-ear cups.
• Mixing with open studio headphones is delightful, especially if you pick a truly neutral pair. The lack of distortion helps you to find small errors in the mix that would otherwise pass through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Wireless

• Codecs don’t matter anymore. Some might argue that wireless headphones, using Bluetooth codecs, can’t play frequencies over 16kHz, therefore ruining the listening experience. While that is true for AAC, in reality, this isn’t as perceivable as you might think. Also, the majority of codecs support frequency ranges up to 20kHz and can offer high bitrate speeds that excel the ones from audio codecs like mp3.
• They’re perfect for commuting since you don’t have to bother with dangling wires. Too often the cable gets stuck on a door handle or armrest, violently pulling headphones off your ears. That worries are gone if there are no cables to being with.

Wired

• On the other hand, wired ones are fool-proof and work every time.
• Their performance highly depends on the source. By upgrading the source quality, you can also upgrade the audio quality, which is a real beauty of wired headphones.

Considering affordable earbuds?

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