Best Headphones Under $200 in 2022

Silensys E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, the Silensys E7 headphones make a very persuasive argument. The $40 price tag is significantly less than you could expect for the sound quality on display here, and the active noise cancellation means that this is a pair of headphones that you can bring with you just about anywhere.

And if you’re looking to field calls or coordinate better with your teammates while gaming, the isolated mic provides clear and crisp voice quality even when you are in less than ideal environments. That’s also where the active noise cancellation comes in. It provides an extra layer of protection to drown out surrounding noise. Of course, that will put some extra drain on the battery life, but if you’re willing to be conservative with your energy usage, you can get a good 30 hours out of these headphones.

Sony WHCH710N Noise Cancelling Headphones

Sony Quality Without the Price Tag

The Sony WHCH710N brushes right against our price ceiling here, and while it doesn’t offer the best performance on the market, it does provide an affordable path to entry to more dedicated audiophile sound. The sound reproduction is some of the best on our list, and the sophisticated microphone system offers high definition vocal quality even when you’re in windy or otherwise loud environments.

Since this pair of headphones makes use of the latest Bluetooth protocol, you can count on it to provide you with a stable connection that can work even at a decent distance from your tethered phone. And with a battery life of up to 35 hours, you can rest assured knowing you can go several sessions without needing to charge them up again.

 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ear Earphones

Quality Engineering for a Distinct Sound Signature

Plantronics Backbeat Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

Unique Design with Killer Functionality

The Backbeat by Plantronics is a very strong contender for the title of best travel headphones at a mid-range price. These headphones employ some of the best active noise cancellation we’ve seen, and they can run for up to a full day on a single charge. And with a wireless range of 330 feet, it gives you significantly more space to work with than the average wireless headphones.

These are some pretty stylish headphones, too. The classic wood grain design looks great in contrast to the classic, textured elements, and it even comes with an understated travel sleeve. The headband looks great while maintaining a comfortable fit for long listening sessions. But form also marries functionality here. The controls are substantive and built right into the left ear cup

Sennheiser HD 560 S Audiophile Headphones

Open-Back Audiophile Paradise

Sennheiser is a brand that has well cemented a name for itself in the world of audiophile headphones. While many of their more expensive models are the favorite of many sound technicians for their well-balanced soundstage, the HD 560 S offers audiophile-level quality for a fraction of the cost. These are open-back headphones, which means they offer much greater depth than closed-back models. However, that does also mean that you won’t want to take these out and about with you, as everybody around you will easily be able to hear your audio, too.

Swiveling ear cups and a flexible, cushioned band allow for comfort contoured specifically to your head shape, which will make the most difference for those long listening sessions. These headphones are wired, meaning you won’t have to put up with charging them all the time, and that also allows them to offer the utmost quality without having to account for fitting in extra Bluetooth functionality.

Sennheiser HD 4.50 Bluetooth Headphones

Sennheiser returns with another killer model that doesn’t break the bank. Less than a hundred bucks will get you the sort of balanced sound that only a few manufacturers can produce, and the NoiseGard active noise cancellation tech here provides an absolutely pristine solution to listening to music in busier environments like the office or train.

Even with the cool extras, the Sennheiser HD 4.50 is reliably efficient. They get a battery life of right around 20 hours even with Bluetooth and NoiseGard activated, and there’s even a quality mic with additional noise isolation. And in addition to the latest version of Bluetooth, these headphones are equipped with NFC.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Headphones

Audio-Technica does not mess around, a fact well illustrated by the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. Case in point: the sound quality, which is always a highlight of Audio-Technica headphones but which offers particularly great value for the $150 asking price. The bass is lean but not underwhelming, and there’s a nice sense of balance across the entire frequency range. In fact, these can even be used as monitor headphones.

The memory foam ear cups feel great too, although the chunkier design means they’re probably better suited for the home than for travel. Three different cords are included to provide you with access even to older legacy audio sources.

Jabra Elite 85h Noise-Canceling Headphones

The Jabra Elite 85h is a premium pair of headphones for a price well below what you should expect to pay. Just keep in mind that you may need to wait for a deal to find them comfortably under $200. The active noise cancellation is pretty impressive, and the sound quality is top of the line.

And these headphones are an especially great choice if you regularly find yourself fielding calls. Combine the active noise cancellation with the crisp and crystal clear microphone, and you’re left with a solidly performing set of headphones that can provide you with great sound quality even in a busy office.

beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm Headphones

You won’t find a pair of headphones that are more comfortable than the Beyerdynamic DT 990. With their velour cushioning, these are some luxurious feeling headphones, but the sound quality is equally as rich and silky. There’s a strong sense of neutrality that really captures the full extent of the extended frequency response range and sets a great sound stage.

Speaking of that frequency response range, it’s pretty absurd for this price – proceeding to a maximum of nearly double the range of human hearing. That’s further enhanced by the fact that these are open-back headphones, making them perhaps inappropriate for your commute but one of your best choices for listening to music at home.

Skullcandy Crusher Wireless Over-Ear Headphone

Wireless connectivity isn’t a common feature of headphones in the $100 price range; and while the Skullcandy Crusher isn’t the best pair of over-ear headphones on the market, they do offer a whole lot of value for the asking price. The highs are somewhat weak, but the mids and bass here really shine – not least all because of the base slider, which will afford you unparalleled bass should you choose to use it.

And the relatively feature light design benefits the battery life. It can run for about 40 hours on a single charge, and the quick charging feature can give you a full 3 hours with only 10 minutes of downtime. There’s also a mic built-in, making these an appropriate choice for gamers.