The 6 Best Headphones Under $200 - Summer 2021 Reviews

The Razer Opus Wireless are the best headphones under $200 with an over-ear design that we've tested. These headphones have an active noise cancelling (ANC) system that offers an outstanding noise isolation performance. They can block out a lot of bus and plane engine noise as well as ambient chatter and the high-pitched hum of an AC unit.

Their default sound profile is very neutral and accurate, which makes them well-suited for a variety of audio genres. If you prefer a different sound, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets so you can tweak them to your liking. They very feel well-built and have a comfortable as well as stable fit. They also have over 32 hours of continuous playback time and an auto-off timer to help conserve battery life when not in use.

However, their integrated mic has a hard time separating your voice from moderate ambient noise so you may not be heard clearly if you're making a call in a noisy environment. They also lack multi-device pairing so you can't connect them to more than one device at a time. Still, these headphones offer a well-rounded and versatile performance with powerful ANC at this price point.

The best earbuds under $200 that we've tested are the Samsung Galaxy Buds+. These in-ears have a compact design that's lightweight and doesn't protrude too far from your ears. They do a great job of staying in place, even when you shake your head vigorously, and they feel comfortable enough to wear for extended listening sessions. They also feel quite sturdy, with high-grade plastic construction.

These earbuds have an impressively well-balanced sound profile that makes them a good fit for listening to a wide variety of audio content, from EDM tracks to podcasts. Still, if that isn't to your liking, you can select from a couple of different audio presets in their Galaxy Wearable companion app. They provide over 13 hours of playback time on a single charge, which should be more than sufficient for a couple of days, though their charging case only supplies roughly one additional full charge.

Unfortunately, they do a terrible job of isolating you from bass-range ambient noise. Their touch-sensitive control scheme is difficult to use while wearing gloves, and it can be easy to make an accidental input. Still, their comfortable, stable fit, well-balanced sound profile, and long continuous battery life help make them some of the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds that we've tested.

The best headphones under $200 with an on-ear design that we've tested are the JBL Live 460NC Wireless. These wireless on-ears have a comfortable fit and feel well-built. They also last just over 29 hours on a single charge, which should easily last through long days at the office or on the road.

Out-of-the-box, they have a balanced, neutral sound profile with a touch of extra thump and rumble, which fans of EDM and hip-hope can enjoy. That said, they're still suitable for listening to lots of different audio content. The JBL Headphones app offers a parametric EQ and presets so you can customize their sound to your liking. You can even pair them with up to two devices at the same time, making it easy to quickly switch your audio source from your phone to your laptop.

Unfortunately, they don't have very consistent bass and treble delivery, so they may sound a bit different each time you use them. Even though they have an ANC system, they still struggle to block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines too. However, they do a much better job of cutting down ambient chatter at the office.