Best Over Ear Headphones Under $200

As everyone has his own requirements for a perfect pair of headphones, there is no universal device that would appeal to anyone. However, I have tried to choose the best over ear headphones under 200 with the nicest design, the widest frequency response, and other great features. This review consists of the units made by different brands, but all of them are reliable and well-known for their high-quality products.

I have extensive experience in the music field and it’s a fantastic challenge for me to select headphones that are worth your attention. Let me explain why I collected only over ear models here. Most of them are great for passive noise isolation. So, even if you do not have an ANC function, walking along the street with the headphones on would not be a problem at all. Another thing to consider is comfort. I cannot say about all the devices on the market but usually over ear ones are extremely comfortable. Their soft padding makes it possible to wear the headphones for long-term sessions. If the unit is wireless, it’s also great for travelling and even doing sports.

Best Wireless Over Ear Headphones

Sennheiser Momentum 2 - best overall

Trying to find the best over ear headphones under $200? Take a look at this wireless device with closed back design. Their frequency response is 16 Hz - 22 kHz which is a little more than humans are able to hear. So, the sound you get with Momentum 2 is pretty detailed. Their sensitivity is 120 dB which means the audio will be amazing even at high volumes. These headphones can be connected to almost any other appliances and work great since their impedance level is 28 Ohm.

You can use Bluetooth or NFC to connect Sennheiser Momentum 2 to a phone, tablet, or laptop. The headphones come with an audio cable which means the wireless connection is not the only way to stream music from your smartphone. Anyway, let me tell you more about the battery life of the Sennheiser’s product. The first thing that has to be considered is the charging which takes 2 hours. When the device is fully charged, it can work up to 25 hours.

When it comes to portability, this appliance is definitely a winner. It weighs only 140 g/4.9 oz which is basically nothing for a decent pair of over ear headphones. Another benefit of this model is that you can fold it and carry the unit with you while travelling or commuting. By the way, you get a carry case with the headphones. Isn’t it a perfect choice?

Do you want to enjoy your favourite songs without mixing it with surrounding noises? The ANC will help a lot! Just activate this function, set up the level of noise-cancelling you need, and listen to music even in the subway or a supermarket. The nice thing is that people around you will also not hear your tracks.

Sound

The headphones support aptX which means their sound is awesome. There is energy to the way music is presented. Bass is strong but not overpowering. Mids and highs delivered by these cans are crystal clear. The sound with a brilliant fidelity you get with Sennheiser Momentum 2 is suitable for most music genres.

Skullcandy Venue

These headphones have a simple minimalist design and decent built quality. It would be a wonderful choice for mixing and critical listening. The frequency response of the mentioned model is 20 Hz - 20 kHz which is wide enough if you want to have a well-detailed sound. Speaking of sensitivity, it is 97 dB. The headphones made by Skullcandy have an average impedance of 32 Ohm.

The Venue is suitable for those who don’t like to deal with wires. They have closed back design and can be used either with a cable or without. You will soon forget that you are wearing these headphones as they are really lightweight — only 275 g/9.7 oz. The ear cups of the device swivel, which makes this model even more comfortable.

Skullcandy Venue can be connected with other gadgets only via Bluetooth. It is a pity that the appliance has no aptX support. You will find a 3.5mm jack on the headphones which means they can be used with a cable. To add, there is a 120 cm long/3.9 ft audio cable in the package. Anyway, using the device as wireless is going to be easy since its battery life is 24 hours.

Besides the built-in buttons, these Bluetooth over ear headphones have voice control. Google Assistant and Siri are always here to help. When you are listening to music and someone is calling it may be really annoying if you need to pull the headphones off in order to take the call. This problem has nothing to do with Skullcandy Venue because this unit is equipped with a microphone.

Sound

The first thing that has to be mentioned here is that the device has ANC. Even listening to classics in the city center, you will clearly hear the sound. However, ANC slightly affects the sound signature. Overall, the Venue has an exciting V-shaped sound and provides powerful audio performance with a dialed-up bass response.

Best Wired Over Ear Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Let’s see what is special about these closed back wired headphones that weigh 285 g/10 oz. I’d like to start with the frequency response because this feature influences the sound a lot. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x works in a range of 15 Hz - 28 kHz. The next characteristic you have to know about before buying the headphones is the level of sensitivity — 99 dB. With regard to the impedance, it is 38 Ohm.

The audio cable that comes with this device is detachable which means it can be replaced when needed, increasing the longevity of the headphones. Although its length is 300 cm/9.8 ft, the wire doesn’t get tangled easily. There are actually three cables that come with this model, out of which one is coiled and the other two are straight. The headphones have a 3.5mm jack but they come with a ¼ adapter (6.35mm), so taking the appliance with you on a plane will not be a problem. And another news, the ATH-M50x is foldable and comes with a carrying case. This is incredibly comfortable when you need to travel with headphones and are afraid that they can break in a backpack.

Sound

Well, the sound is detailed and crisp with good imaging. This pair of headphones is great for everyday listening. They have a decent boost to the bass but it is not overdone. The highs and mids are good and audible and there is a perfect balance to the overall sound.

Best Over Ear Headphones For Gaming

SteelSeries Arctis Pro

This amazing pair of headphones looks like a masterpiece, but instead of hanging it on the wall, put it on your head, and enjoy the incredibly detailed sound. I am absolutely convinced that these are the best wireless over ear headphones under 200 for gaming. They are suitable for anyone, no matter what head size you have and what game you are going to play. The earpads are covered with soft fabric that feels very nice even if you are playing a few hours in a row.

This model has a closed back design and weighs 425 g/15 oz. However, its headband distributes the weight over the head, so the headphones don’t feel heavy at all. The sensitivity of the appliance is 102 dB and its impedance is 32 Ohm. If you are an experienced gamer, you know that the most important feature the headphones should have is a wide frequency response. I have included SteelSeries Arctis Pro in this review because it produces sound in a range of 10 Hz - 40 kHz.

A detachable microphone you get with the headphones provides super clear audio. I also have to say a few words about the audio cable that comes with the Arctis Pro. It is 300 cm/9.8 ft long and can be replaced with another one in case of damage. For rising volume or turning the microphone on/off you can use built-in buttons or in-line control. When you just bought the device, it allows you to set it up using a special app which I find very convenient.

Sound

The Arctis Pro has a full rich, and all-encompassing audio. This appliance uses DTS Headphone:X simulated surround sound, which makes game audio sound much bigger and more dynamic than stereo channels. All sound effects come through with plenty of high-frequency finesse.