The 6 Best Headphones Under $200 - Black Friday 2024

The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless are the best headphones under $200 that we've tested. Anker dominates the mid-range headphones market, and these are the pinnacle of premium performance without the price tag. Their adaptive ANC system performs nearly as well as pricier headphones, like the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, and can easily block out a wide range of background noise. They have a continuous battery life of nearly 28 hours with ANC on, meaning they'll last through a couple of workdays without recharging.

Thanks to their excited, V-shaped sound profile, these headphones deliver extra bass and treble for a punchy, sparkling sound. Vocals and lead instruments aren't as detailed, so they're better suited for modern rock and pop music. Still, their companion app has a graphic EQ and presets, so you can always change their sound. Unfortunately, these headphones have a high noise floor while the ANC is on, meaning you may hear an audible hiss or impurities in the audio. It may not be as noticeable for everyone, but it's worth considering if you have sensitive ears.

They're also not the sturdiest headphones, with some owners remarking that the headband can crack. If build quality is important to you, consider the Sony ULT WEAR Wireless. These sturdy headphones have comparable ANC performance to the Anker and a better microphone. The downside is they're more expensive and have a niche sound profile that won't suit everyone, with a recessed treble that dulls vocals and instruments. 

If sound quality is most important, you'll want to check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless. These headphones don't have an ANC system like the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, but you may not need this feature, especially if you plan to listen to your music in a quieter environment. They're the wireless variant of the popular wired studio headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, but with the added benefits of playback controls and a built-in mic.

They have a very neutral sound right out of the box, making them suitable for listening to many different audio genres. Vocals and lead instruments are reproduced with clarity and accuracy as a result. Unlike the ATH-M50x, you can customize these cans using the graphic EQ and presets in their companion app if you prefer a different sound. Plus, these headphones come with some extra sound-focused features—in their app, you can choose between a couple of different codes, including LDAC and AAC, which are designed for streaming higher-resolution audio over Bluetooth. Add a continuous battery life of over 60 hours, and you have a great pair of headphones for listening to all your favorite albums.

The Beats Studio Pro Wireless are a capable workout companion, and the brand is a mainstay choice found in gyms. These over-ears feel pretty comfortable and have a long battery life, so you won't get caught without your tunes. Their sound is pretty neutral, with a good amount of bass for boom and rumble, natural-sounding mids, and a bright treble register allowing you to hear great detail, but it can get a bit shrill if you're sensitive to high frequencies. If you have an iOS device, you can enable Apple's 'Spatial Audio' to get a more immersive soundtrack to your workout. The headphones' listening modes include ANC and a transparency mode to either reduce distractions in the gym or stay aware of environmental dangers if you're exercising outside.

These don't have an IP rating to protect against water, so don't dump water over your head while wearing them during a marathon. They're also decently stable, but like most over-ears, they're not as stable as dedicated fitness-oriented earbuds, but you can perform weight lifting without issues. They also fold down smaller and come with a case you can stow in your gym bag for convenience. Unfortunately, they don't have any EQ options available in their companion app, so the only way to access a different sound profile is by using their USB-C connection and cycling through the factory EQ presets accessible through the headphones' physical controls.

If you want more control over the sound of your headphones and a slightly more stable fit, try the JBL Live 660NC Wireless. Although these lack virtual surround sound and USB-C audio connectivity, their app has a customizable equalizer, and they stay put a little better so you can focus without readjusting the cans. They don't cut quite as much noise as the Beats. If you're still unsure, most of the headphones recommended in our best over-ears for working out article are also available for under $200.

If you don't want to break the bank on a pair of audiophile headphones, consider the Philips Fidelio X2HR. These headphones have an open-back design, which helps them create an open, spacious, and natural passive soundstage, making for a more immersive audio experience. Although they lack a bit of low bass due to this design, these well-built over-ears have a very neutral sound profile, so vocals and lead instruments accurately reproduce. Once you achieve a good fit, you'll also receive consistent audio delivery.

The headphones are comfortable for most people, with an automatically adjusting headband and large, well-padded ear cups. However, their open-back design makes them less versatile than closed-back wired headphones like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO since, by design, they leak noise and let in ambient sound. Closed-backs like the Beyerdynamic are worth considering instead if you want headphones to use in a shared space. Their soundstage doesn't seem as spacious, and sound seems to come from inside your head, but they leak much less audio and reduce some ambient sound. However, they come in 250 ohm and 32 ohm variants. The 250-ohm headphones require an amp to properly power, which is an added expense if you don't already have one.

The best wireless headphones under $200 with an on-ear design are the JBL Live 670NC Wireless, which offer a lot of boom for your bucks. If you like the smaller size of on-ears, these have decently comfortable padding and a not-too-tight clamping force. However, their hinges and yokes can be stiff. Their button controls have a distinctive feel to differentiate them, so you won't accidentally misfire a command. While their noise cancelling isn't the best, it still tempers sounds like traffic din. The battery is advertised to last 65 hours, and in testing, they lasted a staggering 88 hours, so you won't get caught without audio. In addition, you get multi-device pairing.

If you're a fan of very bassy and bright music, you're in luck because these deliver an intense amount of low-end thump and boom with a bright high-end, although the mids are narrowly scooped, producing a very excited sound. If that's not your preferred tuning, you can use the companion app's EQ to adjust to your tastes. If you're unsure about their very excited sound profile, the JBL Live 460NC Wireless are a good alternative. These boast a more neutral frequency response, EQ, and similar ANC performance, but their padding is a bit less plush, and they have a notably shorter battery life of about 30 hours.

You have plenty of options if you're looking for great casual-use earbuds for under $200. Earbuds are usually cheaper than over-ears, so the $200 price point offers many choices. The best we've tested are the Jabra Elite 10 True Wireless. They offer a comfortable fit and a fairly neutral default sound profile that, while not as thumpy and rumbly as more powerful over-ear headphones, is still well-suited for bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop. Vocals and lead instruments sound clear and detailed. A peak in the mid-treble can make sibilants sound piercing, but you can adjust the sound with the companion app's graphic EQ and presets.

These headphones come with Jabra's powerful adaptive ANC system, which does an impressive job cutting out the low rumble of subway cars and bus engines, chatter from commuters, and the loud clicks and clacks from a coworker's keyboard. They have over seven hours of continuous battery life with three extra charges in their case. If you'd like a slightly longer battery life to get you through a full workday or want to spend less money without compromising too much on quality, consider the Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless. These usually retail for a fraction of the cost of the Jabras and perform almost as well. They have over eight hours of continuous battery life with four extra charges in their case. That said, their microphone isn't as good as the Jabra's, and their default sound isn't as balanced. 

If you want more variety, our list of the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds includes many buds for less than $200.