The 10 Best Headphones Under 200 of 2023 | Reviews by Experts

Top Picks

• Best Overall: SONY WH-1000XM3 Wireless Noise canceling Stereo Headset 

The Sony headphones benefit greatly from analog amplification, resulting in a vast soundstage, abundant realism, and improved dynamics. With enough space for each instrument and no sacrifice in clarity, the music transports you to the performance space and puts you in the thick of things. One of its handy features is an Atmospheric Pressure Optimiser, which boosts the headphones' noise-canceling abilities at a high altitude—the perfect solution for that noisy flight.

• Best Low Latency: Sennheiser HD 250BT Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless Headphone   

Sennheiser doesn't often offer a lot of wireless headphones at this price point, so we're pleased to report that these Bluetooth headphones are among the best you can buy. Despite how practical they seem, they are not your standard issue. The Smart Control app includes an equalizer and EQ settings, reminders about remaining battery life, and firmware upgrades, among other things.

• Best Bang For The Buck: AKG Pro Audio K72 Over-Ear, Closed-Back, Studio Headphones 

For the price, these closed-back wired headphones are among the finest. AKG bend tests the cable 80,000 times to ensure durability, so you know they are built to endure. The cushioning is soft, and the three-meter cable provides more than enough volume for relaxing at home while listening to music. The design of these headphones is timeless in the studio. In theory, you could get away with wearing them out in public, but they weren't actually made for that. The length of the cable is more evidence.

• Best Light and Comfortable: GRADO SR80x Prestige Series Wired Open Back Stereo Headphones 

The SR80 is the longest-running Grado model, with several iterations over the company's Prestige Series and even continuing into the brand-new Prestige X Series. Their predecessors' nimbleness, expressive, rolling dynamics, and intelligence across well-defined frequencies have all been carried over to the SR80x. The SR80x's sound also has the same punch and panache that have made the Prestige models such natural performers.

• Best Studio Headphones: AKG Pro Audio K175 On-Ear 

The AKG K175 are stylish headphones that won't break the bank and provide a powerful punch of energy. However, they aren't ideal for daily use on public transportation since they have a heavy, coiled wire rather than a standard straight cord. You'll be able to hear lots of street noise if you wear them in a busy area. These headphones, which are styled like studio monitors, give great comfort and provide a lively, engaging performance—so long as you stay away from crowded trains. The bass is deep and confident rather than boomy, and the vocals are crisp and near to the listener's ear. We also noticed some harshness in the higher midrange.