The best over-ear headphones provide excellent sound quality and noise isolation, making them ideal for more uses than just listening to music.
These uses include taking business calls, watching films, or simply blocking out the outside world.
A good pair of over-ear headphones can be purchased for much less than the thousands of dollars that the best models can cost.
Everything listed below is available for less than $200 and has all received excellent ratings.
While wireless Bluetooth headphones have become incredibly popular due to their convenience, wired over-ear headphones still have the best sound quality overall.
Check out our guide if you need help deciding which headphones to take.
Best Headphones Under $200
With all of the headphones listed below— the selection for the best over-ear headphones under $200—you can get features and performance, excellent sound quality, and fantastic value.
Massdrop X Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones
Reviews for the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX wired headphones are overwhelmingly positive, with praise for their excellent sound quality (though some bass is lacking).
They also look cool.
You can’t expect to drown out the espresso machine at the coffee shop with the HD 6XXs because of their open-back design, which lets background and ambient noise through.
However, a more realistic listening sensation is also offered by the same design.
Alternatively, the 6XXs are ideal for working at home or in a quiet office while listening to your favorite music.
Pros
- A great affordable open-back headphone choice.
- Outstanding midrange characteristics with natural tonality.
- Classic, attractive style, high-quality building, and a relatively good fit.
Cons
- Carry case not included.
Pricing: $199
Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless
The Soundcore Space Q45 wireless headphones from Anker don’t have the best noise cancellation or even the best sound quality.
However, they still rank highly thanks to their many features and firm performance in all critical categories.
Best of all, the Q45s sound fantastic and come with a 50-hour battery life, adaptive noise cancellation, ambient sound support, a comfy set of headphones, and a companion app featuring tonnes of extra features.
Pros
- Excellent performance in terms of noise cancellation.
- Well-made and comfortable design.
Cons
- Inadequate passive soundstage operation.
Pricing: $150
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless is a good option if sound quality is your top priority.
With a very neutral sound right out of the box, these reasonably priced wireless headphones are fabulous for listening to a wide variety of audio genres.
This results in a clear and accurate replication of lead instruments and vocals.
It is pleasing to note that the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT headphones have less bass boom than their predecessor.
If you would rather have a different sound from these cans, you can change them using the graphic EQ and presets in the companion app.
Pros
- The ability to understand speech over the phone.
- Using two devices to multi-pairing.
Cons
- Numerous options for personalization through the app.
Pricing: $149.99
JBL Live 660NC Wireless
The JBL Live 660NC Wireless is a good option if you’re looking for over-ear headphones for exercise.
The highly safe fit of these over-ears ensures that they will remain in place while you work out.
They are comfortable and robust, but they can squeeze your ears quite tightly when you listen for extended periods.
When working out outside, you can use the ‘Ambient Aware’ mode on your headphones to hear your surroundings without taking them off.
Their ANC feature will also help reduce noise from machines or background chatter at the fitness center.
Pros
- Good Noise-Cancelling
- App support
- Stable connection
- Strong battery life
Cons
- Dull highs
- Stiff fit
Pricing: $199.95
Grado Prestige SR80e
Music lovers searching for excellent sound at an affordable price have always preferred the Grado Prestige SR80e.
The exceptional audio quality of the SR80e is challenging to match for only $100.
With a somewhat large profile and a long, sturdy cable that restricts their portability, these on-ear home/studio-style headphones are designed for the audio-focused listener.
They are best suited for a quiet place where you won’t disturb your neighbors because of their open-back ear cups, which are a design decision meant to create an uncluttered soundstage rather than to block sound from streaming in or out.
Pros
- The Grado SR80e offers an adequate level of comfort.
- For an on-ear design, they are not overly tight on your head and are lightweight.
Cons
- Sadly, the earpad’s cushion-like cover is very prone to deterioration and doesn’t feel nice on the skin.
Pricing: $100
Sony WH-CH720N
The Sony WH-CH720N is a beneficial middle-range choice.
Although they have a tight clamping force to stay in place without being uncomfortable, they have a somewhat plasticky feel.
Having access to the Sony Headphones Connect, which unlocks features like listening modes, DSEE (Sony’s digital signal processing), equalizer, codec selection, and adaptive listening mode, is one of the advantages of purchasing a product from a reputable brand like Sony.
However, for less than $150, you also get a good battery life of about 40 hours, a fully functional microphone, and wired Bluetooth listening.
Pros
- An extended period of continuous battery life.
- Decently well-built and comfortable design.
Cons
- ANC finds it challenging to reduce bass-range noise.
Pricing: $148.00
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 does not force you to choose if you are unable to make up your mind.
These satisfy everyone’s needs for Bluetooth, a headphone jack, consumer-friendly sound, and studio-quality tuning.
If your goal is to consume ANC, then there’s no way around trying these cans. If not, the battery has an impressive 64 hours and 51 minutes of runtime.
Additionally, they employ AAC for Apple devices and LDAC, which is suitable for Android users. You could even occasionally appear in vibrant colors.
Pros
- Offer excellent sound quality.
- Both Bluetooth and cabled technology.
Cons
- No noise-cancellation
Pricing: $199.00
Beats Studio 3
High-end wireless over-ear headphones with noise-cancelling features are called Beats Studio 3.
Beat Studio 3 is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and maintains a high-quality listening experience for up to 22 hours when the battery is fully charged.
Additionally, to keep you connected longer and with fewer dropouts, they are built with industry-leading Bluetooth technology as well as Apple’s W1 chip.
When the battery is low, three hours of playback are possible with a 10-minute charge.
The multifunction on-ear controls and microphone let you take calls, manage your music, and call Siri.
Pros
- Easy to store
- Longer battery life
Cons
- Difficult plastic packaging
Pricing: $199.99
With an advanced speaker diaphragm and chip for flawless sound quality, Phonicgrid’s hybrid SE7 Bluetooth headphones are noise-cancelling devices.
You can hear your music strictly as intended due to the 40mm large-aperture drivers, which flawlessly transmit every nuance of sound to your ears.
You can listen for thirty hours straight on a full charge.
Pros
- Good audio quality
- It’s very durable
- Comfortable and long-lasting
Cons
- Shorter battery life
Pricing: $59.98
The Fidelio X2HR would unquestionably become the new king. This device can withstand a great deal of misuse.
For the record, under no circumstances would we advise beating up your headphones. This set of cans is made to last, mostly from metal and genuine leather.
The Fidelio X2HR’s dependability may be precisely what you need if other headphones have disappointed you by wearing out too quickly.
As an all-around set of sturdy and trustworthy audiophile headphones, the Fidelio X2HR produces a warm sound with a dash of fun.
Pros
- A harmonious sound profile.
- Superior, long-lasting appearance.
Cons
- Bulky design
Pricing: $139.99
Skullcandy Crusher Evo
When Skullcandy called these headphones the “Crusher Evo,” they weren’t kidding around. This model is an absolute beast in terms of bass.
These headphones are going to be a dream come true for “basshead” audiophiles.
Although the Crusher Evo doesn’t have particularly great audio detail, it does have a number of features that set it apart from other devices on this list.
The Crusher Evo stands out above the rest primarily for its bass output. It creates “skull rattling” bass sounds due to separate motors devoted only to bass frequencies.
Pros
- Awesome battery life
- Long battery life
- Powerful bass
Cons
- Limited noise isolation
Pricing: $130.25
Things to Consider About Before Purchasing
Here are some of the things to consider before purchasing the headphones.
Noise cancellation: A vital feature these days is noise cancellation.
In crowded and noisy environments, passive noise cancellation may not be adequate if you frequently travel and use headphones. Noise cancellation that is adaptive or active might be necessary.
Build quality: One of the features that is frequently disregarded is this one.
Online reviews are helpful because it can be challenging to determine the build quality of a product when purchasing online.
Try to find headsets with a sturdy build when you can.
Software: For the majority of headphones and earphones you purchase these days, there is a specific app.
More so than others, some are simpler to comprehend.
You should check out the app because it gives you control over many minor but crucial features, like the equaliser and audio output.
The overall quality of the audio listening experience is greatly affected by these settings.
Tech/Design: Selecting the form factor that most closely resembles yours is the next step.
There are numerous options, such as earbuds, in-ear, over-ear, and over-ear headphones.
The next step is to decide between wired and wireless headphones or earphones.
Comfort and taste are the most important factors when it comes to style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are plenty of affordable headphones on the market that can accommodate a variety of tastes.
Because of their excellent audio quality and comfortable design, these top 11 headphones offer a great balance between performance and price.
When manufacturers promote this option, customers can enjoy a premium audio experience at an affordable price without sacrificing audio quality, whether they want noise cancellation, premium design, immersive sound, or other features.
However, what reasonably priced headphones can offer is always limited. You’re likely to find a pair that meets your needs.
FAQ’s
Q1. Can one afford to purchase JBL headphones?
JBL often makes feature-rich, harmonically sounding headphones and earbuds, most of which closely follow the Harman curve. Their building feels a little cheap despite their low cost, and their fit and design aren’t always the most comfortable.
Q2. Do inexpensive headphones have excellent sound quality?
Cheap headphones typically have subpar audio quality. They might not have balanced audio, clarity, or detail. The treble, mids, and bass may not be distinct. High-end headphones often provide superior sound quality.
Q3. Are earbuds safe for your hearing?
Because noise-canceling headphones and earbuds do not protect against occupational noise exposure, using them in place of hearing protection may result in irreversible hearing loss. Additionally distracting and potentially dangerous are noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds.
Q4. Do headphones with 100% noise cancellation exist?
No noise-cancelling gadget works perfectly every time. Active noise cancellation and passive noise reduction/isolation are the two methods that headphones can use to lessen outside noise.
Q5. What’s better, Sony or JBL?
When searching for a robust speaker that can be used outdoors or for outdoor gatherings, JBL may be a better option; on the other hand, Sony offers a broader selection of Bluetooth speakers that complement various interior design styles.
