The 6 Best Headphones Under $200 - Fall 2020
Reviews

The best headphones under $200 with an over-ear design that we've tested so far are the Razer Opus. They offer an excellent price-to-performance ratio, with an audio profile that’s similar to more expensive headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless and the Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018. Outwardly, they have fairly intuitive physical controls and an understated, premium design that feels quite durable. Due to their relatively lightweight design and generously sized ear cups, they’re also comfortable enough to wear all day.

They feature a very well-balanced sound profile, with outstanding bass and mid accuracy. While fans of EDM or hip-hop may find their bass lacking in punch and thump, this can easily be adjusted via a graphic EQ or presets within the dedicated Razer Opus app. These headphones also have a very impressive ANC system that effectively blocks out everything from the low rumble of a bus engine to the high-pitched whine of an AC unit. Combined with their near 33-hour battery life from a single charge, they’re up for several long, loud commutes without having to worry about the hassle of plugging them in.

Unfortunately, they lack multi-device pairing, which is a handy feature if you tend to swap between using your phone and computer a lot. Their microphone doesn’t isolate your voice very well, meaning that they aren’t the best choice if you make a lot of phone calls in loud environments. Still, these are a good pair of headphones for a variety of uses thanks to their exceptionally well-balanced sound profile and surprisingly outstanding ANC, especially at this price point.

The best earbuds under $200 that we've tested to date are the Samsung Galaxy Buds+. They’re a very good choice for commuters, with a low-profile, lightweight design and a remarkable 13-hour battery life; the longest we've tested on a pair of truly wireless headphones. They’re a great gym companion as well, as they're made of dense, high-quality plastic and are rated IPX2 for basic water protection, though the latter isn't something we test for.

Their sound profile is exceedingly well-balanced and accurate out-of-the-box, making them an excellent fit for basically any audio content or genres, from podcasts to hip-hop. Suppose you like to personalize your own listening experience. In that case, the dedicated Galaxy Wearable app lets you swap between five EQ presets on the fly, so you can easily change the way your headphones sound.

On the downside, their touch-sensitive control scheme takes some getting used to and can't really be used if you’re wearing a winter hat or gloves. They also don’t block outside noise as well as competitors with ANC, such as the Amazon Echo Buds Truly Wireless. That said, the Samsung are among the best truly wireless earbuds we’ve tested so far, combining all-day comfort and battery life with very balanced audio reproduction in a durable and premium package.

The best headphones under $200 with an on-ear design that we've tested so far are the Bose SoundLink On-Ear. While many people find on-ear headphones uncomfortable, these are surprisingly comfortable thanks to their very lightweight design and soft ear cup padding. They have very easy-to-use physical buttons and look and feel well-built overall. Their slightly smaller size compared to most over-ears, soft carrying case, and 21-hour battery life makes them a decent choice for taking around with you as well.

Their sound profile is very well-balanced, making them a good choice for a wide range of content and genres. Unfortunately, they aren't quite as accurately tuned as many other Bose options, and a more trained ear may notice a slight lack of detail, while some high frequencies can be slightly piercing. Overall, this won't be too noticeable to most people.

Sadly, these headphones don't have an ANC feature, and their on-ear design means they block out very little background noise, so people next to you may hear your audio in quieter environments. They also don't have a dedicated companion app to make changes to their sound or controls. Overall, they're a decent pair of headphones among the best on-ear headphones we've tested.