Wireless headphones aren’t just an easy and convenient way to listen to your favorite music and answer your Discord calls. But they are expensive; let’s not even pretend that they’re the most affordable option. But every now and again, you come across an affordable pair of wireless headphones. We have a list of the best wireless headphones under 200 USD to help you determine whether or not you’ve found the best pair.
The requirements for the best wireless headphones under 200
Before we delve into our top picks, we need to set some ground rules, a guide, if you will. There are certain factors we have to consider when looking for the best headphones under 200. Though some of these are obvious, we believe we have to explain why we chose them. Think of it like a buying guide for finding the best headphones that are wireless and go for cheap.
Audio Quality
Audio quality is THE factor to consider when looking for any headphones. You can’t have static or interference getting in the way of listening to your favorite tunes. But this is for headphones that go for 200 USD, so expect some compromises to be made for the product. It’s a matter of which aspect you want, so be pleasantly surprised when there’s one that works great all around.
Comfort
When it comes to headphones, you’re going to be wearing them for a while, so comfort is paramount. Most cheap headphones skip on the foam cushion; we won’t be recommending those kinds of headphones here. We’ll also take into account how breathable the foam is since they factor into the both the headphone’s comfort and the audio quality.
Wireless Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity might sound like an odd factor to consider, given that they’re all wireless, but hear us out. There are different ways for the headphones to wirelessly connect to other devices. The most common and reliable of which is Bluetooth. Wi-Fi also exists, but they’re not as reliable as they make them out to be.
Battery Life
Perhaps a factor that is just as, if not more, important than audio quality itself is the headphone’s battery life. The longer the battery can last on a single charge and how fast it can reach full charge, the better. But given that we’re dealing with headphones under 200 USD, this might get compromised for the sake of other aspects.
The best wireless headphones under 200 | Top 7 picks
Now that we know what the best headphones under 200 USD should have, let’s look at our top picks. For this section, we’re going to add a brief review for each entry, highlighting their pros and cons. However, which one is the top pick for you is up to you alone. Just because something is number one doesn’t automatically mean it’s the one you need.
List of the best wireless headphones you can get under $200:
- Beats Solo3
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
- SENNHEISER HD 450BT
- Soundcore by Anker Space Q45
- JBL Live 660NC
- Razer Barracuda
1) Beats Solo3
Battery Life: 40 hours
If you’re looking for the best wireless headphones under 200, then look no further than the Beats Solo3. For one, it has a long battery life and is designed to take a lot of punishment. Hence, you can take this anywhere and listen to your favorite songs as long as you want. So, the headphones feel like a dream to wear and carry, but how does it sound?
The headphone is one of the best in terms of sound design and acoustics. This is thanks to the headphones’ use of spatial audio, which adds dimension to the sounds you hear. Speaking of acoustics, the overall sound quality is well-balanced, so beat enthusiasts aren’t losing out on everything.
Pros
- 40-hour long battery life
- Durable and foldable
- On-ear controls for ease of use
- Award-winning sound design with fine-tuned acoustics
Cons
- Noise canceling is not as strong
So, is there anything that holds these headphones back? It is pretty good; there’s no questioning that, but its noise canceling leaves a lot to be desired. Not that it holds it back, just a minor inconvenience, all things considered. Regardless, it is comfortable to wear and great to listen to; nothing beats the Beats Solo3.
Qualitative Requirements:
Design: 9/10
Material: 9/10
Durability: 9/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
2) Sony Wireless WHCH710N
Battery Life: ~35 hours
Sony, being one of the most recognizable electronics brands, has made a lot of electronic appliances, including but not limited to wireless headphones. But most of their headphones, especially wireless, are pretty expensive, still being over 200 at their cheapest. This is where their Wireless WHCH710N comes in. It is both affordable and great in terms of sound quality.
How good, you ask? Well, thanks to its Dual Noise Sensor Technology, allowing audio details will never be missed. But what really elevates the headphone’s overall sound quality is its Automatic Active Noise Cancellation, which eliminates noise wherever you go. On top of that, the headphones also have a long battery life, with an impressively fast charge time.
Pros
- Dual Noise Sensor Technology for better audio details
- Automatic AINC function for effective noise cancelling
- Quick charging with a long battery life
- One touch control for ease of use
Cons
- Likely to break when dropped
So, the headphone is actually pretty good; nothing wrong with it so far unless you take durability into account. If you so much as drop this from your table, there’s a chance it will break. So make sure it’s not in a position where it will drop from too far. Otherwise, the Sony Wireless WHCH710N is one of the best wireless headphones under 200 USD.
Qualitative Requirements:
Design: 9/10
Material: 9/10
Durability: 7.5/10
Uniqueness: 9/10
3) Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Battery Life: 50 hours
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 isn’t just one of the best wireless headphones under 200; it’s pretty underrated, too. Which is a shame, given the headphones’ audio quality and functionality. It has an accurate bass response, thanks to the headphones’ large aperture drivers and amplifier, backed up with studio-quality audio.
The headphones have other neat features that make listening to music more convenient and stress-free. Perhaps the most notable of these has to be its battery life, which is the largest compared to every entry on this list. Moreover, you can even connect the headphones with a wire for less latency and better audio.
Pros
- Accurate bass response
- The longest battery life, with fast charging
- Professional, studio-quality audio
- Optional wired connection
Cons
- The app is underwhelming
So, these headphones are pretty good overall, but there is one thing that hits a major snag for these pairs. The headphones come with an app, one that lacks reliable Bluetooth support. This means that other Bluetooth devices can end up interfering, and you have to go wired. Of all the best Audio Technica Headphones out there, this is the best one that goes for under 200 bucks.
Qualitative Requirements:
Design: 9/10
Material: 9/10
Durability: 9/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
4) SENNHEISER HD 450BT
Battery Life: 30 hours
If you’re looking for high quality music suited for you, then look no further than the SENNHEISER HD 450BT. Backed up with a dynamic base, the audio quality never fails to add a punch or an oomph to any music. And with Active Noise Cancelling Technology, nothing will get in the way of immersing yourself in your favorite tunes.
Another cool thing about these headphones is how easy they are to use with digital apps. What also helps is that you can pair these Sennheiser Headphones to different devices, so they’re affordable and widely compatible. Moreover, the headphones’ companion app allows for a customizable listening experience, thanks to their equalizer options.
Pros
- Superior sound with a dynamic base
- ANC technology for better audio immersion
- Compatible with Siri and Google Assistant
- Sennheiser App for equalizer options, Podcast Mode, etc.
Cons
- Padding deflates over extensive use
So, the headphones are pretty good, with great audio quality to boot; so why is it only 4th place? Well, the headphones have ear cup padding, which is pretty decent. Over time, the padding will deflate, removing any comfort it had when you bought it. Despite this setback, the SENNHEISER HD 450BT earned its place as one of the best wireless headphones under 200 USD.
Qualitative Requirements:
Design: 9/10
Material: 8/10
Durability: 8/10
Uniqueness: 9/10
5) Soundcore by Anker Space Q45
Battery Life: 50 hours
Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 is one of the best wireless headphones under 200, so why is it so underrated? With 50 hours of battery life, you can enjoy listening to your music for as long as you want. And with an ergonomic design, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your music with no discomfort.
But what puts the Anker Space Q45 on this list is its bass quality. Thanks to the headphones’ LDAC Hi-Res Wireless Audio, the pair sports some of the most intense bass and crisp treble we’ve heard. Moreover, it can block out unnecessary noises wherever you are, with the help of Adaptive Noise Cancelling, no doubt.
Pros
- Blocks out noise for better immersion
- Adaptive noise cancelling
- Intense bass and crisp treble for an excellent audio
- Ergonomic and comfortable design
Cons
- Controls can take some getting used to
So, with features and build design like this, why are these headphones so underrated? For that, we need to look at the controls. Yes, these headphones have on-device controls, and they can get confusing and difficult to get used to without a manual. But once you get used to the controls, then Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 is the wireless headphone for you.
Qualitative Requirements:
Design: 8/10
Material: 9/10
Durability: 8/10
Uniqueness: 9/10
6) JBL Live 660NC
Battery Life: ~40 hours
JBL Live 660NC isn’t just cheap, but it’s one of the best wireless headphones under 200, and for good reason. With Adaptive Noise Cancelling and a well-balanced sound profile, you can enjoy your favorite tunes uninterrupted. And you don’t have to worry about stopping to charge your earphones because these pair can last a long while.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Cancels out noise with Adaptive Noise Cancelling
- Well-balanced sound profile
Cons
- Lacks sound customization features
If there is one thing that knocks these otherwise decent headphones down, it would be the lack of sound customization. It has no built-in equalizer, let alone an app to help with the process. So, you might need a third-party app if you want to use an equalizer. But equalizer or not, the JBL Live 660NC is one of the wireless headsets for under 200.
Qualitative Requirements:
Design: 9/10
Material: 8/10
Durability: 8/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
7) Razer Barracuda
Battery Life: 40 hours
When it comes to audio quality and battery life, the Razer Barracuda is the best wireless. Remember when we mentioned that there were two entries on this list with a long battery life? This is the second one, and it goes for around 50 hours at best, too. Couple that with some excellent audio fidelity and a very comfortable design, and you have the perfect wireless headset.
If you frequently use voice chat in video games, then these headphones have something else you’ll like to pick up. The headphone’s microphones come equipped with integrated beamforming noise-canceling, which collects environmental sounds to cancel them out from the audio. So, anytime you use voice chat, anything you speak is heard loud and clear.
Pros
- Top of the notch sound quality
- Comfortable to wear
- The longest battery life
Cons
- Lacks ANC
So, with all of that said, what is holding this headphone back? Well, the headphones sadly lack Active Noise Cancelling, so it’s clearly an indoor-type headset. Take it outside at your own risk because you won’t just hear the music; you’ll hear every noise around you as well. Not that it stops it from being one of the best wireless headphones under 200 USD.
Qualitative Requirements:
Design: 8/10
Material: 8/10
Durability: 8/10
Uniqueness: 8/10
Enjoying music at a discount
If you want to enjoy music, you are given the option to choose how based on what experience you want. We know now what the best wireless headphones should have and the top picks that appeal to anyone it benefits. With the best wireless headphones for under 200 USD, you can enjoy your favorite music without breaking the bank.
If you found this list helpful, check out our list of the best planar magnetic headphones. If you’re looking for the best headphones for streamers as well, we have a list for that, too.
