The 7 Best Headphones Under $200 - Fall 2019
Reviews

If you want to stay under $200 but want something with more accurate sound reproduction, go with the Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee. They aren't as versatile as the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016 since they're wired, open-back headphones, but they're a better choice for critical listening. They're a little difficult to find as they can only be purchased through the Drop website, but they have great bass, especially for open-back headphones, and an overall well-balanced sound. They aren't great for casual use like commuting to work, however, as they are open-back and leak quite a bit of sound and don't isolate any background noise. If you’re looking for critical listening headphones that are a bit better for casual use as well, you may want to consider the closed-back Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, but they still aren’t as good for commuting as the Plantronics.

Get the BackBeat Pro 2 if you're looking for something more casual as they're wireless and have ANC, but if you care about sound quality above all else and do your music listening at home, go with the HD 58X Jubilee.

If you want great gaming headphones under $200, then get the SteelSeries Arctis 7 2019 Edition. They don’t support Bluetooth, so you can’t use them wirelessly on-the-go like you can with the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016, but they’re great for gaming. They sound very good and have a great microphone for multiplayer games. You can customize them with the SteelSeries Engine on PC and their wireless USB dongle is compatible with the PS4 and most home theatre systems. They provide channel mixing control right at your fingertips, but if you prefer even more controls, consider the Logitech G933. They have 3 programmable buttons on the ear cups that you can map on PC to trigger virtually any function you desire, but they’re not as well-built.

Get the Plantronics if you want to be able to use your headphones wirelessly with your smartphone, but if you care more about gaming performance, then get the SteelSeries.

If you like the compact design of on-ear headphones but find them uncomfortable, get the Bose SoundLink On-Ear Wireless. They don't have ANC like the Marshall MID ANC, but they're the most comfortable wireless on-ears we’ve tested so far. They are well-built and have a comfortable light-weight design that doesn't feel too tight on the head. They have a well-balanced sound profile that should be well-suited to a variety of genres, though they aren't as consistent across multiple people as the Marshalls, so different people may experience the sound profile differently. They have a great 21-hour battery life with an auto-off timer meaning you should have no problem getting through a few full days without needing to charge them.

Get the Marshall if you want a pair of on-ears to help block out background noise during your noisy commutes, but if you generally don't like the feel of on-ears and want something extra comfortable, go for the Bose.

If you prefer the ultra portability of truly wireless earbuds, then get the Samsung Galaxy Buds. Their control scheme isn't as comprehensive as the Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless and they don't feel quite as well-built, but they are even more comfortable and charge using micro-USB instead of a proprietary charger. They are well-designed truly wireless headphones that are very lightweight with small tips that don't enter too deeply in the ear canal, making them quite comfortable for most people. They are compatible with the Samsung Wearable app which allows you to choose from several equalizer presets, though those with Apple devices will be stuck with the default sound profile, as the app isn't available on iOS. Luckily, they sound fairly well-balanced out-of-the-box with a versatile sound that is well-suited for a variety of genres, though they are a little bass-light which may not be great for fans of EDM or hip-hop.

Get the Jaybird Tarah if you want well-built all-around wireless earbuds with an excellent companion app, but if you want the freedom of truly wireless earbuds, go with the Samsung Galaxy Buds.