The 5 Best Noise Cancelling Headphones Under $200 - Summer 2020
Reviews

The best over-ear noise cancelling headphones under $200 that we've tested so far are the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. These versatile Bluetooth over-ear headphones are comfortable and have a decent noise isolation performance that can help reduce background noise around you, wherever you go.

They have a very accurate and well-balanced sound profile that makes them great for virtually all audio genres. The ANC feature also helps to reduce a lot of mid-range noise like chatter, which can be useful for an office setting. With a continuous battery life of around 30 hours, you can easily make it through your work day or commute without having to recharge them. They also have an auto-off timer and when the battery finally does run out, you can use them passively with an audio cable if you can't charge them right away.

On the downside, when compared to more recent noise cancelling headphones, their ANC isn't the greatest and struggles to reduce bass-range noise like the rumbles of a bus or plane engine. Some may also find their unusual design to be less-than-stylish. Still, for the best noise cancelling headphones under $200, these headphones deliver a well-balanced sound and decent noise isolation.

The Marshall MID ANC are the best ANC headphones under $200 that are on-ears that we've tested to date. If you love the look of an on-ear option, these stylish Bluetooth on-ear headphones have a retro leather look that feels well-built and comfortable.

Although they have a slightly excited V-shaped sound profile, they're very well-balanced and suitable for a variety of audio content. Fans of EDM and hip-hop can particularly enjoy the extra bass which brings thump, rumble, and punch into the mix. They also have a 17-hour battery life, which is great for long days at the office or multi-hour commutes. When their battery dies, you can even keep using them passively via their audio cable.

On the downside, their noise isolation performance is lacking, especially when compared to over-ears, and their on-ear fit doesn't completely seal around your ears, allowing some background noise to seep into your audio. That being said, they still do a good job at cutting down mid and treble range noise, which is more useful when you're trying to block out people chatting or the hum of an A/C unit.

The best noise cancelling headphones with an in-ear design that we've reviewed so far are the Amazon Echo Buds. These Alexa-enabled truly wireless earbuds have excellent battery life and are comfortable enough to wear for a while. They have touch-sensitive controls, but lack volume up and down, which might be a deal-breaker for some.

They're nicely built, and their sound profile should please most people. They can be used for a wide variety of music genres, but some may notice a small lack of bass kick. These in-ear headphones genuinely shine when it comes to noise isolation. Their in-ear tips passively block a lot of noise to begin with, but you can also enable their active noise cancellation for a little extra help. They're a good option if you often commute and need headphones that can easily fit in your pockets.

Unfortunately, they do have very high latency, which won't be ideal for watching video content during your commute, and they strongly rely on their Echo app, even for pairing. Hence, it becomes pretty much mandatory to download it if you want to use them. If you don't mind having the app, which also allows for customization via a Graphic EQ, then these are some of the best noise cancelling headphones under $200.