Headphones have become indispensable in everyday life. Whether you’re relaxing, watching TV, listening to your favorite podcast, working from home, working out, traveling, doing chores – just about anything – on-ear and over-ear headphones allow you to focus on the activity at hand – and some headphones have noise cancelling features to drown out outside noise, and a multi-point connection feature to effortlessly switch from devices.
Some headphones can range in price from $300 to $900, which is pretty steep. However, it’s quite possible to find excellent models for significantly less. These are the best headphones under $200, along with advice from experts on what to look for.
The List: Best Headphones Under $200 in 2024
Sony WH-CH720N Headphones
Sony makes a $400 pair of headphones – which obviously isn’t on this list – but, fortunately, the company makes another model, the Sony WH-CH720N Headphones, that’s quite impressive. In fact, these headphones have the lightest headbands of all of the company’s wireless noise-canceling headphones – and they also have a headband slider to adjust the length, along with comfortable ear cups.
Using dual noise sensor technology and an integrated processor, you can choose from 20 ambient sound levels to allow or block various types of noises.
The headphones can also let you engage in hands-free calls using the beamforming microphones. Voice assistants, like Google and Alexa, are also easily activated. The multi-device connection lets you connect to two devices (like your smartphone and laptop) at the same time. Battery life is 35 hours, and a 10-minute charge provides 4.5 hours of playback. Color choices are black, and white.
Beats Solo 3 Headphones
Further below, in the What Features to Look For section, one of our experts talks about headphones for people with big heads. If you’re in that category, the Beats Solo 3 Headphones are probably not for you. I know several people with large craniums who complain that these headphones are uncomfortable. However, the rest of us find them to be delightful. And by the way, the headphones do have an adjustable headband and cushioned ear cups.
In addition to rich, immersive sound and spatial audio, the popular headphones feature Bluetooth via the Apple W1 chip, making it easy to both setup and switch between Apple devices – although the headphones are also compatible with Android devices as well. Controls on the left earcup make it easy to increase and decrease the volume and also play, pause, rewind, and fast forward tracks. A built-in microphone lets you make phone calls and use voice assistants. Battery life is 40 hours, and a 5-minute charge provides 3 hours of playback. Color choices are red, black, silver, and rose gold.
Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 Headphones
A 65-hour battery life/50 hours in noise-cancelling mode – along with a 5-minute charge that provides 4 hours of playtime – make the Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 Headphones a great choice for people who hate to (or forget to) charge electronics. The double-layer diaphragm drivers ensure clear treble and mids, as well as bass that you can feel.
The headphones also have a noise canceling system that can block high, low, and mid-frequency noises, and adaptive noise canceling adjusts depending on your environment. The app lets you select from 5 layers of noise cancellation and transparency.
Two microphones with an AI algorithm and Talk Mode produce clear phone calls, and multipoint connections can switch between two devices. The seamless sliding design makes it easy to adjust the headphones, and the ultra-soft earcups are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time. Color choices include black, blue, and white.
Raycon The Everyday Headphones
A favorite of social media influencers, Raycon’s The Everyday Headphones will only set you back a hundred bucks as of this writing – which is impressive for what you get.
Active noise cancellation filters out ambient sound, without negatively impacting the source audio’s quality. The 40mm drivers deliver hi-res audio and deep bass. There are five microphones to not only drown out noise, but also produce clear phone calls.
Battery life is 38 hours, and a 15-minute charge provides 2 hours of playback. The wireless headphones also have a 3.5mm auxiliary cable for wired listening via an audio jack. In addition, the soft earpads can rotate, and the lightweight headband is adjustable. The headphones are available in three colors: black, white, and rose gold.
Skullcandy Crusher Evo Headphones
If you like bass, the Skullcandy Crusher Evo Headphones are known for bone-rattling bass. However, the bass slider on the earcup can be easily adjusted to decrease the intensity of the bass level. There’s even a real-time test you can take on the Skullcandy App to create a personal sound profile.
The headphones have a 40-hour battery life, and a 10-minute charge can net 4 hours of playtime. The 3.5mm cable provides a wired connection, when that’s your preference.
These headphones are also embedded with the Tile App, so you’ll always be able to locate them if they’re ever missing. The huge ear cups are thick and cushy for a comfortable experience, and color choices are black, and gray.
Marshall Major IV Headphones
You may be familiar with the iconic Marshall brand for its amplifiers onstage behind such legends as Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townshend. However, Marshall also makes a line of great headphones.
My favorite pair is the on-ear Marshall Major IV Headphones, which is what I typically use when walking on my treadmill. I tend to prefer over-head headphones, but when noise cancellation is not an issue, I reach for this pair because the headphones are light as air, and can handle mids, lows, and highs equally well.
They have soft, high-quality ear cushions (that are also replaceable), and the headphone band is easily adjustable. Unlike most headphones with touch controls on the earcups, the Marshall Major IV headphones have a multi-directional control knob that controls everything – including phone calls. Battery life is 80 hours, and a 15-minute charge provides 15 hours of playtime. A 3.5 mm audio cord is also included for wired listening.
Sennheiser HD 599 SE Headphones
When you really want to hear audio in a closed environment, the Sennheiser HD 599SE Headphones have the type of acoustic design that lets you hear every note. I can tell you from personal experience that the open-back headphones don’t provide any noise cancellation, so these aren’t the headphones that you wear out in public if you want to focus on whatever you’re listening to.
They’re wired, so battery life is not applicable. The headphones include two detachable cables: a longer cable with a 6.3mm jack for connecting to your home entertainment system, and a shorter cable with a 3.5mm jack for laptops, tablets, (some) phones, and other music sources.
The headphones are relatively lightweight, with an adjustable, padded headband and velour-covered cushions.
Shure SRH840A Headphones
Another wired option, this one with a closed-back circumaural (or over ear) design, is the Shure SRH840A Headphones. The professional studio headphones have 40mm neodymium dynamic drivers, and are designed to ensure you catch the extended highs, clear mids, and rich bass in critical listening scenarios.
With an ergonomic, padded headband and earcups, the headphones are comfortable for long periods of time.
They’re not marketed as true noise-cancelling headphones, but are designed to reduce exterior noise, just due to the shape of the ear cups. The wired headphones have a detachable cable, which also locks to keep it securely in your ear. In addition, there’s a ¼” gold-plated adapter for the cable, which allows it to be used with a variety of sound sources.
TREBLAB Z2 Headphones
Most headphones have at least an IPX4 rating, which means they’re designed to be water-resistant (from splashes) and sweatproof. Some of them can be uncomfortable to wear when working out. However, the TREBLAB Z2 Headphones have an adjustable headband that fits comfortably, yet securely, while working out or being active, and they don’t slip off. The swivel memory foam ear cups are also secure by provide a relaxed fit that doesn’t hurt your ears and doesn’t produce heat.
The headphones deliver deep bass and HD audio, and also have active noise cancellation to block unwanted sounds. There’s a built-in microphone, and the headphones can be used to make and receive phone calls, while voice assistants can also be used for hands-free operation.
Battery life is 35 hours, and a 3.5mm audio cable is also included for wired connections. Two different black versions of the headphones are available.
Edifier WH950NB Headphones
The Edifier WH950NB Headphones have an elegant design, and the 40mm dynamic drivers provide balanced hi-res audio that sounds pure. Active noise cancelling modes can be adjusted to high or low, while ambient sounds can be adjusted as well. In addition, the headphones, which can be used with the Edifier App for customization, have separate modes for music, gaming, and theatre. They can quickly pair with Android devices, and support dual device connection, and lost device detection.
The four microphones allow the headphones to provide clear phone calls, even in noisy backgrounds. Battery life is 55 hours/34 hours with active noise cancellation on, and a 10-minute charge provides 7 hours of listening time. Color choices are black, and white.
Buyer’s Guide: What Makes The Best Headphones?
Comfortable Design
Most people tend to wear headphones for hours at a time, so you want to ensure that they’re comfortable. “Look for something with good padding on the headband and comfortable ear cups,” advises Carl Prouty, a technologist at Abt Electronics in Glenview, IL. He also notes that most people prefer over-the-ear to on-the-ear models for comfort.
And just because the headphones don’t cost a ton of money doesn’t mean they can’t be quite comfortable, says Dr. Allen Conrad at the Montgomery County Chiropractic Center in North Wales, PA. But there are some factors you’ll need to keep in mind. “If the headset is too heavy, you will start to develop neck spasms with prolonged usage,” Conrad says. But on the other hand, if they’re too flimsy, he warns that repeated use may cause them to fall off your head or break. “A fine line between heavy duty and durable will help you select the right pair for you,” he tells me.
Ear cushions can also make the headphones more comfortable, and Conrad recommends plush ear cushions that provide comfort during prolonged periods.
Adjustability
You want as many adjustability features as possible. “A set of headsets for someone with an extra-large head may not fit a younger adult the same,” says Conrad. “For those adults, finding a headset with an adjustable headband can provide a more comfortable fit,” he explains. The ability to adjust the headband can also come in handy if you’re trying to fit the headphones over a hat.
Built-in Mic
A built-in microphone provides more functionality. “Look for models with a built-in microphone that allows you to take calls in addition to listening to audio,” Prouty says. And if you’re a gamer, he recommends a model with a boom mic (meaning it extends out from the earcup).
Wireless or Wired
Whether the headphones are wired or wireless is a personal preference. These are some points to keep in mind. “If you can live without Bluetooth, you tend to have better acoustics and better comfort options using wired headphones,” says Conrad. “Traditional audiophiles will say that a wired headset offers the best quality sound, so that’s something to definitely consider as well.”
Also, keep in mind that many wireless headphones include a 3.5mm headphone cable, which allows you to connect to a laptop or phone (for iPhones – you’ll need an Apple 3.5mm adapter).
In wireless models, Prouty recommends models with a long battery life. “In fact, 20 hours or more is ideal so you don’t need to charge them every time you use them,” he says.
Noise Cancellation
One popular feature in headphones is noise cancellation. This allows you to block exterior sounds, so you can hear your desired sounds instead. “Look for something with noise cancelling if you’ll be using the headphones on airplanes or other public transportation,” he advises. However, this is also a helpful feature to use at home, work, or anywhere you encounter unwanted noise.