There is something about the best wireless headphones under 200 dollars that is unmatched by the rest in the audio world. We take a look at the best Bluetooth headphones under 200 and bring you a definitive buying guide.
As the human race collectively, our longstanding obsession with music and audio has led to tremendous progress in the technological realm. Apart from crafting musical instruments, the digital age has allowed us to organize tones and melodies together, and even about listening devices that transmit sounds in the most naturally pleasant way possible. For decades, the music industry revolved around the 3.5mm headphone jack, which not only allowed you to hook up headsets to audio devices but also let us enjoy music and entertainment on the go with our mobile phones. As the cord-cutter era is in full swing, so is the craze to take everything wirelessly, and Bluetooth audio seems to be at the forefront of it.
Back in the day when wireless headsets first made it to the market, the prices were sky high and the technology, despite being truly wireless, did not match up the seamless surround sound music experience that its wireless counterpart delivered. However, with the improvements in Bluetooth connectivity standards, and the heated competition in the audio peripheral market, there are plenty of budget headphones you can pick up, and use entirely wirelessly.
- Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless – Best Wireless Headphones under 200
- Jabra Elite 85h Wireless – Best Bluetooth Headphones under 200
- Audio-Technica ATHM50XBT – The Best Studio Headphones under 200
- Skullcandy Crusher Wireless – Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones under 200
- Sennheiser HD 4.50 – Best Surround sound Headphones under 200
- Microsoft Surface Headphones – Best Headphones under 200
- Sony WH900 – Best Over the Ear Wireless Headphones under 200
- Razer Opus – Best Gaming Headset under 200
- AKG N700NC M2 – Best Budget Gaming Headset under 200
- JBL LIVE 650BTNC – Best bass-heavy Headphones under 200
- SONY WH-1000XM3 – Best noise-cancellation Headphones under 200
- Shure AONIC 50 – Best Wireless Headphones with Mic
- Philips PH805 – Best Affordable Wireless Headphones under 200
- Bose SoundLink – Best Bluetooth Headphones under 200 with Mic
- Beats Studio3 Wireless – Best iPhone Ready Headphones under 200
Now that you have taken a look at our list of the best wireless headphones you can get under the $200 price range, let’s take a deep dive into what makes them so good in the first place.
Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wireless – Best Wireless Headphones under 200
Price: $200
The PXC 550 from Sennheiser is probably the best headphones that we tried out. It produces clear sound and has an understated look, making them feel premium and a decent pair for everyone looking to get into audiophile-grade headphones.
Design and Build
The understated all-black look comes equipped with a premium plastic body that makes the headphones durable and sturdy. With foldable hinges and an included carry case, they’re excellent for all your workloads.
Audio Quality
The 32mm drivers of the PXC 550-II delivers a nostalgic Sennheiser sound quality with low latency codecs. The active noise cancellation reduces the ambient noise around you so that you can listen to your songs without any disturbance. The profile can be adjusted to your preference with the companion app and save multiple switching profiles.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: Active Noise Cancellation
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes
- Battery Life: 25h (ANC),30h (ANC disabled)
- Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency
- Companion App: Sennheiser Smart Control
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: Yes
Pros:
- ANC performs decently with adjustable settings
- A clear sound profile
- Decent mobile app
- A foldable design with a lightweight body
Cons:
- Micro-USB connection
- Average battery life
Jabra Elite 85h Wireless – Best Bluetooth Headphones under 200
Price: $200
The Jabra headphones have always been known for their bright mid and treble-heavy audio profile, and these are no exceptions. If you like listening to pop music, then this headset is for you. The earcups are comfortable enough, and the headband is one of the best we’ve seen on the list.
Design and Build
The design looks modern and minimal, making it look premium, and the build is sturdy for daily travel. The earcups are comfortable for hours of listening and can deliver on all-day battery life. It connects to your device with a Bluetooth 5.0 connection and also supports aptX codec.
Audio Quality
The 40mm drivers produce a bright audio profile that fares well with everyday music and movies. This generally feels like a headphone designed for modern entertainment and is a joy to use. It also supports lossless formats and can deliver some of the best studio monitoring setups on the list.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: Hybrid ANC
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes
- Battery Life: 30 hours of active playback (24 hours with ANC)
- Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
- Companion App: Jabra Sound+
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: Yes
Pros:
- Excellent battery life
- A bright and detailed audio profile
- Water-resistant with a nano-coated surface
Cons:
- The noise cancellation can feel a little disorienting
Audio-Technica ATHM50XBT – The Best Studio Headphones under 200
Price: $180
Don’t go on the old age of this headphone. The M50x is still one of the best on the market as Audio Technica struck gold with the M40 and M50 lineup, and it has aged well with impressive audio quality and a bulky design that looks and feels fantastic.
Design and Build
The design is bulky and sturdy, but the earcups can feel warm with extended periods of use and cause you to remove them and stop listening. However, this bulky design makes it sturdy and durable so that you could take it to work every day.
Audio Quality
The significant 45mm drivers provide a fantastic flat-like sound profile that gives rise to some of the best studio monitoring options, making it the best headset for enthusiasts, professional musicians, and streamers. You also get support for aptX, but using various Amps and DACs will also support lossless audio.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: N/A
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: No
- Battery Life: 10 hours of active playback
- Supported Audio Codecs: AAC, aptX, SBC
- Companion App: N/A
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: No
Pros:
- Amazing audio quality
- Impressive build and large drivers
- Foldable and travel-friendly design
Cons:
- Bad battery life
- No Noise reduction or cancellation support
Skullcandy Crusher Wireless – Best Over-Ear Wireless Headphones under 200
Price: $150
The Crushers from Skullcandy is one of the best travel-friendly headphones set and delivers a crisp bass-heavy audio profile that is loved by many. It also offers one of the best battery life so that you could take it anywhere, and it will last you throughout the day, and when it does end up dying, you could pump it back up quickly with a fast charger.
Design and Build
These headphones come equipped with a plastic body and pleather headband, which is relatively common at this price point. The build feels sturdy and lightweight, and the sweat-resistant body makes it perfect for traveling.
Audio Quality
These headphones deliver a crisp bass-heavy profile that would be perfect for games and movies as they immensely amplify the sound effects. The frequency range of 20 – 20000Hz allows it to perform exceptionally well in well-built and compiled songs.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: N/A
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes
- Battery Life: 30 to 35 hours of active playback
- Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
- Companion App: N/A
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: Yes
Pros:
- Adjustable bass profiles
- Sweat-resistant
- Comfortable earcups and headband
Cons:
- A bass-heavy profile is terrible for professional applications
- The rubbery headband can pull on some hairs
Sennheiser HD 4.50 – Best Surround sound Headphones under 200
Price: $200
The HD 4.50 are decent headphones that bring in some of the best surround sound experience, but they can feel uncomfortable with large heads. It also features a proper noise cancellation technology and products some heavy bass audio profile.
Design and Build
The plastic and pleather build is comfortable and sturdy, which allows it to handle all kinds of situations. However, some departments still fall short as the hinges and the small headband could improve in the next generation.
Audio Quality
The Sennheiser HD 4.50 is an impressive choice for bass lovers. It features ideal Hi-Fi sound profiles with a detailed and crisp acoustic performance while also providing decent noise-cancellation with its NoiseGard™ technology.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: N/A
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes, Passive
- Battery Life: 25 hours with ANC off, 19 hours with ANC on
- Supported Audio Codecs: aptX, SBC, AAC
- Companion App: Sennheiser Smart Connect
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: No
Pros:
- Features a maximum of 30dB of noise cancellation with Hybrid ANC.
- Decent battery life with 19 hours of audio playback
- Supports XBS DEEP technology for a deep bass sound profile
- Clicky earcups mounted buttons and controls for easy navigation and calls
Cons:
- It is uncomfortable to users with large heads
- It doesn’t support aptX HD or low latency codecs
Microsoft Surface Headphones – Best Headphones under 200
Price: $120
The Surface Headphones are a decent purchase due to the price drop of about $100, making them compete with some of the best budget headphones where it crushes due to the fantastic sound and experience it provides. It comes equipped with adjustable volume and noise cancellation rings on each side, allowing it to deliver a unique experience.
Design and Build
The premium plastic design features rings on the earcups that allow it to control volume and noise cancellation on the fly. It also features a strong hinge and comfortable earcups that lead it to become a decent contender for the $200 price tag.
Audio Quality
The audio profile is adjustable with the Surface Audio app, which helps many people adopt these as the default pair. However, it comes with a falt to a little mid-heavy audio profile out of the box, which sounds impressive, and the noise cancellation also works brilliantly to deliver a great experience on your travels and flights.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: Adjustable ANC
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes, Adjustable with the rings
- Battery Life: 10 hours of active playback with ANC
- Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
- Companion App: Surface Audio
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: Yes
Pros:
- Impressive audio quality
- It comes with a hard case for traveling
- Has impressive touch controls and rings on both sides for adjusting volume and noise cancellation
Cons:
- Bad battery life
- The earcups can get hot with extended periods of use
Sony WH900 – Best Over the Ear Wireless Headphones under 200
Price: $200
The WH900 from SONY is a decent pair of headphones that sound good and deliver a bright sound profile. Though it stands out the most with its battery capacity and battery life, it can quickly get you through two to three days of active use, which is possibly the best battery life on the list. The earcups are also comfortable, and the build feels firm enough for everyday use.
Design and Build
The headphones are built with a solid plastic body that is comfortable and easy to use. It is also expandable, making it perfect for people with larger heads and the rotatable earcups to make them compact for traveling.
Audio Quality
The WH900s delivers a crisp audio profile with decent noise cancellation that makes them perfect for flights and travel needs. They also provide a great battery life with ANC on, and aptX and aptX HD support make them ideal for low latency gaming.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: Adaptive ANC
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes
- Battery Life: 34 hours with ANC off, 28 hours with ANC on
- Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD
- Companion App: Sony | Headphones Connect
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: Yes
Pros:
- Impressive battery life with ANC
- Robust build
- Open sound profile and a large sound stage
Cons:
- It can get a little hot with extended use
- The small headband can cause some comfort issues with large head sizes
Razer Opus – Best Gaming Headset under 200
Price: $140
The Opus features a noise-canceling profile with a surprisingly balanced sound signature and a slight bump in the sub-bass to bring out details while gaming. It is also built for gaming as it includes some specific features such as positional accuracy through the Enhanced Clarity sound profile, which boosts the highs in games.
Design and Build
The design is solid, and not only is it engineered explicitly for long hours of use, but it also provides Hi-Fi optimized sound while shutting out almost all ambient noises to provide a unique gaming experience.
Audio Quality
As these Razer headphones are THX certified, they deliver a comprehensive frequency range, low distortion oh high volumes, and impressive and reliable noise cancellation. It boasts a rich, detailed audio profile with a decent sound stage and a surround sound experience, making it easier to notice different players on the map for a PVP shooter game such as Valorant and PUBG.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: Hybrid ANC
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes
- Battery Life: 20 hours of wireless playtime with ANC on
- Supported Audio Codecs: AAC, aptX, SBC
- Companion App: Opus App
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: No
Pros:
- Detailed and bass-heavy sound profile
- THX certification for better gaming effects
- Decent ANC performance
Cons:
- No equalizer support
- It doesn’t support lossless audio files
AKG N700NC M2 – Best Budget Gaming Headset under 200
Price: $130
If you’re looking for the best budget gaming ANC headphones on this list, then the AKG N700NC is an excellent choice. It brings the signature AKG audio profile and promises to deliver you a decent surround sound experience with detailed and crisp sounds while gaming.
Design and Build
The angular build of the AKG headphones provides a gamer aesthetic, and the adjustable headband fits all head sizes. It also uses Bluetooth 5.0 as its connection standard and flawlessly delivers low latency and impressive audio quality. The build is also sturdy enough for regular use but can attract many fingerprints on the glossy edges.
Audio Quality
The signature AKG audio profile defines these headphones and makes them a decent pair for all your gaming needs. The budget price tag is also appreciated as it delivers impressive bass and decent mids and highs for all the games you may play.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: Adjustable Active Noise Cancellation
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: No
- Battery Life: 20 hours of active playback
- Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD
- Companion App: N/A
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: No
Pros:
- Impressive sound stage
- Affordable price tag
- aptX and aptX HD low latency support
Cons:
- Doesn’t have support for a companion app
- Can have minor static noise issues
JBL LIVE 650BTNC – Best bass-heavy Headphones under 200
Price: $200
These JBL LIVE headphones deliver the most bass that we have seen till now. It also connects with Bluetooth 5.0, which consumes less power, making the battery life decent, which can last you for the entire day without struggle. The earcups it provides are also comfortable, but we disliked the small headband as it delivered a strong clamping force making it uncomfortable.
Design and Build
The clean build and design look beautiful and lightweight, but the headband isn’t supposed to be. The earcups are good, and the breathable fabric makes it easy to keep your ears cool while listening for extended periods.
Audio Quality
The bass-heavy profile isn’t for everyone, but if you like the extra punch you get from games and movies, this is the way to go. The significant drivers provide a decent sound stage, and the increased distance from the driver makes the surround sound experience that better.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: N/A
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: No
- Battery Life: 25 hours of active playback
- Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD
- Companion App: JBL Portable
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: No
Pros:
- Supports for various codecs
- Bluetooth 5.0 low power connection
- Breathable fabric for extended music listening sessions
Cons:
- A small headband makes it a little uncomfortable
- The battery life is just average
SONY WH-1000XM3 – Best noise-cancellation Headphones under 200
Price: $150
The SONY WH-1000XM3 or just the XM3s are a year or two old but are still one of the best headphones for under 200 dollars. It has the best noise cancellation that we’ve ever heard, and the build is on point. However, we miss the rotatable ear cups and touch controls that the competitor, the Surface Headphones, provide, but Sony’s comfort levels and battery life easily take the win.
Design and Build
These headphones are designed exceptionally well and connect with a strong Bluetooth 5.0 connection. The inclusion of USB Type C is also welcomed, making it future proof and the impressive body is durable for all day-to-day uses.
Audio Quality
These provide an excellent flat audio profile with just a bass hint that makes them exceptionally good for all tasks. Whether it may be gaming, streaming, or professional studio monitoring, these can do it all. However, if you do end up using the XM3s for studio monitoring, make sure to get a decent DAC and Amp to power this to improve the media experience to its max.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: Adjustable ANC
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes, Adjustable
- Battery Life: 30 hours of active playback (25 hours with ANC)
- Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
- Companion App: Sony | Headphones Connect
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: Yes
Pros:
- Amazing audio profile
- Clean build with USB Type C
- Various adjustments through the companion app
Cons:
- The earcups only rotate to a specific direction and not on both sides, making it annoying for packing
Shure AONIC 50 – Best Wireless Headphones with Mic
Price: $200
The Shure AONIC 50 is a pair that provides you with a decent experience throughout everything you listen to. Blues are beautiful on this, Rocks are punchy, and Pop is as defining as ever. The ear cups feature breathable fabric to keep your ear cold, and the variety of mics help keep noise out and makes your audio experience much better.
Design and Build
It features a standard design with a plastic body and metal hinges to make the headphones durable and comfortable. Shure has taken the safe approach of if it’s not broken, don’t fix it and went ahead making this headphone as it’s impressive at all it does. The headphones connect with Bluetooth 5.0 and have a low latency connection.
Audio Quality
The balanced audio profile delivers a crisp audio experience and offers some of the best balance among the mids, highs, and lows. Anything that you listen to on this would sound beautiful, and the ANC does an impressive job of mitigating ambient noise.
Specifications
- Noise Cancellation: Hybrid ANC
- Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes
- Battery Life: 25 hours without ANC
- Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD
- Companion App: ShurePlus Play
- Voice Assistant Incorporated: Yes
Pros:
- Amazing ANC
- Equalizer support from the companion app
- Comfortable, sturdy build
Cons:
- Bulky design and a little heavy
Philips PH805 – Best Affordable Wireless Headphones under 200
Price: $120
If you’re in the market for a decent pair of budget headphones, then Philips has struck gold with the PH805 headphones. It has crucial features such as good battery life with quick charging, a lightweight design and build, and impressive sound output.
Design and Build
With an average of 20 hours of audio playback, impressive touch controls, a foldable compact design, and decent ANC, these headphones are built strong and can quickly get you through the day without any hassle.
Audio Quality
The audio quality is good, but it doesn’t compete with the top players. You get what you pay for, and these deliver a decent balance between highs and mids, but the lows are pumped, and the bass amplifies everything in your game or movie. The Bluetooth connection can also sometimes feel a little janky with a slow connection process.
Specifications
Noise Cancellation: Hybrid ANC
Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes
Battery Life: 20 hours with ANC off, 18 hours with ANC on
Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC
Companion App: N/A
Voice Assistant Incorporated: Yes
Pros:
- Quick charging
- Decent ANC
- Impressive build quality
Cons:
- Average sound quality
Bose SoundLink – Best Premium Bluetooth Headphones under 200
Price: $200
The SoundLink is an impressive offering from Bose and delivers some of the best comfort and noise cancellation. Well, it’s not as good as the QC25. However, it still competes with the bigger, better counterpart. the connection is Bluetooth 5.0, and it delivers a decent low latency connection with impressive battery life.
Design and Build
The small headband can be a little uncomfortable. Still, the impressive earcups make up for it by providing a decent clamping force and comfortable breathing for longer music and gaming sessions.
Audio Quality
The balanced audio profile and the impressive bass adjustment make the SoundLink a fantastic pair of headphones. The 40mm driver produces a decent surround sound effect for movies, making this an excellent option for the regular Joe.
Specifications
Noise Cancellation: Hybrid ANC
Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes
Battery Life: Up to 24 hours with ANC
Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX
Companion App: Bose Connect
Voice Assistant Incorporated: Yes
Pros:
- Low latency connection
- Impressive sound quality
- Comfortable earcups
Cons:
- Tiny headband making it uncomfortable for larger heads
Beats Studio3 Wireless – Best iPhone Ready Headphones under 200
Price: $180
The Beats Studio 3 are designed with Apple devices in mind, and if you’re looking for a wireless headphone for your iPhone or iPad, this is the choice. With the built-in W1 chip, these connect immediately with the iPhone and don’t provide any latency.
Design and Build
The beats feature a clean build with some comfortable earpads and a decent headband. The all-black body also makes this look minimal, which looks excellent and doesn’t stand out as much, making it a great everyday device.
Audio Quality
Studio 3 produces a bass-heavy sound profile with clear mids and highs. We did the Hotel California test on it, and it delivered on all aspects. The background was rich and punchy, and the foreground was impressive to listen to. The mids were sometimes lacking but seeing as these are Beats, we could leave that out of the picture.
Specifications
Noise Cancellation: Hybrid ANC
Ambient Sound Passthrough: Yes
Battery Life: 22 hours of active playback
Supported Audio Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC
Companion App: N/A
Voice Assistant Incorporated: Yes
Pros:
- Apple W1 chip for instant connection
- Impressive bass-heavy profile
- aptX and lossless audio codec support
Cons:
- Average battery life
- It doesn’t connect as fast with Android devices
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Ohms mean on headphones?
Depending on the wireless headphones you buy, there will be a marking of the frequency on it in Ohms, which signifies the impedance of the listening device. Generally speaking, low impedance headphones (under 50 ohm) tend to deliver a decent audio experience when used indoors and for mobile devices, which is why the majority of wireless headphones follow the low-impedance path. However, if you are planning to use the wireless headphones in an outdoor environment, we would recommend the high-impedance (300-ohm to 600-ohm) wireless headphones.
Which is the best headphones brand?
Even if you are not a brand freak who tends to make their purchases based on the labels, audio tech is a space where you will do best when sticking to the known players. Since there is no real way of knowing how good a pair of wireless headsets are without getting a hands-on experience, we recommend that you choose audio devices from one of the better-known companies. In the premium audio department, Sennheiser, Bose, Sony, and Beats by Dre seem to fare well, while JBL, Skullcandy, Audio-Technica, and Jabra seem to offer some excellent budget offerings.
What is the best noise cancelling headphones under 200 dollars?
For those who are looking to enjoy a surreal audio experience, with the best gaming features to support that fast-paced lifestyle, Razer has come up with the Opus Wireless Headphones, which qualify as the cheapest noise cancellation headsets you will find in the best wireless headphones under 200 dollars price range. Offering a well-balance sound profile with a dedicated graphic EQ to fine-tune the audio experience, the Razer Opus come with a surprisingly long 30+ hours battery life and ANC baked right into it, making it perfect for gaming and entertainment too.
Are cheap best wireless headphones under 200 worth the money?
Most true audiophiles prefer wired headphones over wireless for latency issues, but ever since the latest standard of Bluetooth 5.0 audio has come out, this issue has been largely solved. One complaint that some budget wireless audio headset owners do have, is the lack of heavy bass that the uber-premium counterparts offer. However, considering the fact that there is a sizeable price gap between the two contenders, makes the budget wireless headphones we have listed above, worth the money.
Final Words
Each and every budget Bluetooth headset under 200 dollars that we have handpicked for the list above, has made the final cut after serious tries and testing. We have paid close attention to the word of the buyers, who have shared their personal experience using these wireless listening devices. While premium features such as ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and custom EQ might be missing from most, there are going to be some corner-cutting when you are looking for premium audio quality on a budget.
We’d like to know your thoughts on what makes a pair of $200 wireless headphones worth buying, and which product you would personally put your money into from the list above.