The 6 Best Headphones Under $200 - Spring 2021 Reviews

The best headphones under $200 with an over-ear design that we've tested are the Razer Opus. They offer an excellent price-to-performance ratio, with an audio profile that’s similar to more expensive models like the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. 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. They 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 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, like the rumble of bus or plane engines, though they perform quite well when it comes to filtering out background chatter or higher-pitched noises like the hum of an AC unit. 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 400BT. These wireless on-ears have a tight and stable fit on your head, making them suitable to wear while jogging. They last for over 30 hours off of a single charge, which is outstanding.

Out-of-the-box, they have a balanced, neutral sound profile that's 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, too. 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 a very consistent bass and treble delivery, so they may sound a bit different each time you use them. Also, they don't come with an ANC feature, and they struggle to block out bass-heavy background noises like bus and plane engines. On the upside, they can passively isolate against higher-frequency noises typically found in a noisy office, like the sound of coworkers talking nearby.