If you want to invest in a pair of above-average handphones that deliver a good and reliable listening experience, you have a lot of options at your disposal. The headphones in this list are versatile, well-built, and deliver a good sound quality. They typically provide additional features like wireless Bluetooth and active noise canceling.

So far, we've tested 289 headphones and below are our recommendations for the best headphones under $200 you can buy today. See also our recommendations for the best wireless headphones, the best noise cancelling headphones under $200 and the best noise cancelling headphones.  

1. Best Over-Ear Headphones under $200: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

   

   Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.3

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.7

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.4

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.1

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.5

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.2

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.9

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : Yes
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best over ear headphones under $200 we have tested are the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They're a well-built and versatile, wireless over-ear with noise cancellation, a great, bass-rich sound quality, and excellent battery life and wireless range. They're also decently comfortable and have a tactile and efficient control scheme.

   Unfortunately, they do not have the customization options of some of the other wireless headphones we've tested in their price range, like the Sennheiser HD 4.50. Their noise cancellation feature is also not as strong so they won't be the best option for very noisy conditions. 

   Overall, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 are the best wireless headphones under $200 and the most versatile over-ears you can get at this price. 

   See our review

2. Better active noise cancellation: Skullcandy Venue

   

   Skullcandy Venue

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you need better active noise cancellation for your busy commutes than the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 can provide, get the Skullcandy Venue. They are not as well built or as durable as the Plantronics. They also have slightly worse passive isolation in the treble ranges, but less so if you can achieve a proper seal and fit around your ears. On the upside, their active noise canceling feature attenuates more noise in the lower to mid-frequency regions, which make them a good choice for canceling out the rumbling engine or ambient chatter of a busy bus ride. 

   The ANC feature is a little prone to self-noise (which is why they are getting a slightly lower score than the Plantronics), but with a bit of music playing in the background, you barely hear it. They pack a good amount of bass that will surely please fans of more bass heavy genres, and despite their powerful low-end they do not completely drown or overshadow instruments and vocals or sound too boomy. They have a great battery life of 24hrs with a fast charge time, great wireless range, and Bluetooth 5.0 support.

   The Skullcandy Crusher have a better, sturdier build quality which some may prefer. They also have an adjustable bass slider but since they are not noise canceling they do not isolate as well in noisy conditions as the Venue.

   See our review

3. Alternative for critical listening: Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

   

   Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Open-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : No

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If sound quality is the most important aspect in your headphone selection, then go for the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro instead of the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They are wired, open-back headphones that will not be as practical for every day casual use as the Plantronics. They also sound a bit too bright on some tracks and aren't the most comfortable over-ears since they're a bit tight on the head.

   On the upside, the 990 Pro have a solid metal build quality, a good and exciting bass for an open back design, and sound a lot more balanced in the mid-range than the Plantronics. They're also better padded and deliver a more spacious soundstage even if their open-back design is not as open as other similarly designed headphones. Overall, if you want a good critical listening headphone under $200, then the Beyerdynamic are a great choice.

   See our review

4. Alternative for Gaming and Home Theater: SteelSeries Arctis 7

   

   SteelSeries Arctis 7

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you want a great headset for more indoor uses like watching movies and gaming, then the SteelSeries Arctis 7 are the best option below 200$. They won't be as practical to use on the go as the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 since they will not work wirelessly with your phone and do not isolate well enough for commute or travel. They also do not sound as balanced or as spacious as the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO.

   However, for gaming and mostly indoor use, the Arctis 7 are one of the best headphones we've tested. They have incredibly low latency, they're sturdy and well-built, and they're comfortable to wear for hours. They also have multiple ports and connection options, so they will work with your phone when wired and wirelessly with your PS4, PC, and even your TV once you get the right set up with their USB dongle.

   See our review

5. Best On-Ear Headphones under $200: Bose SoundLink On-Ear

   

   Bose SoundLink On-Ear

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.0

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.5

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.9

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.1

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.1

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.2

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.9

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : On-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you find the over-ear recommendations a little too bulky and do not like the fit of in-ears, then get the Bose SoundLink On-Ear. Unlike, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, the Sounlink On-Ear are not noise-canceling headphones, so they struggle a bit more in noisy conditions. They also do not have the tight fit of other on-ears so they won't be as stable for all activities like running or working out.

   On the upside, they are considerably more portable. They're also one of the most comfortable on-ears we've tested so far with above-average sound quality on par if not better than the Bowers & Wilkins P5 Wireless and the Beats Solo3 Wireless, which are a lot more expensive. They have a great battery life that will easily last you all day and even a weekend of heavy use thanks to their great power saving feature.

   Overall, they deliver a good wireless experience that's easy to recommend especially for an on-ear under $200.  

   See our review

6. Best Earbuds under $200: Jabra Elite Active 65t

   

   Jabra Elite Active 65t

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.0

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   7.0

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.5

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   8.0

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   7.2

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.5

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.0

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : In-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Truly Wireless
   Noise-Cancelling : No
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you prefer the portability of a truly wireless design, then the Jabra Elite Active 65t are a great, versatile choice under $200. They are not the most comfortable headphones, having a somewhat typical in-ear fit with larger than average earbuds that won't be for everyone. They also do not have the best default sound, but on the upside, they come with a pretty complete companion app that gives you access to a good EQ so you can adjust their sound profile to sound the way you like.

   They have a compact case that will easily fit into your pockets and provides two additional charges for a total of 15 hours of playback if you take breaks during your listening sessions. They're a decent option for sports, thanks to their IP56 sweat-resistant design, and they provide enough passive isolation with their in-ear fit to be a good choice for travel in noisy conditions. 

   Overall, the Jabra Elite Active 65t are a versatile truly wireless design that you can use as your daily drivers. However, if you do not need the more sports-oriented features of the Active variant, then you can also get the regular Elite 65t. However, the price difference is not that big and the Active are the better option of the two. They look a little more premium, too.

   See our review

7. More customizable sound: Jaybird X4

   

   Jaybird X4

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you prefer a more traditional wireless in-ear over a truly wireless design, then the Jaybird X4 are your best option under $200. They're not as compact and portable as the Jabra Elite Active 65t and their battery life does not last as long overall. They do have a slightly longer continuous playtime, but no additional recharges. On the upside, they also have a customizable app that gives you access to a great EQ so you can really tune their sound profile to best suit what you listen to. They have a good durable design and are slightly more sweatproof than the Jaybird X3 although we do not yet have a test for sweat and water resistance.

   Unfortunately, their proprietary charging cradle is somewhat limiting. Like most Jaybird models, if you lose this charging accessory or forget to take it with you, then you won't be able to charge your headset. On the upside, if you don't mind this inconvenience, they're well balanced, good sounding headphones with enough isolation for most use cases. They're also compact enough to fit into any pocket and they're a great option for sports.

   See our review