If you have been searching for the best on ear headphones under 200, you will find the information you need in this review.
To a lot of people, a pair of on ear headphones is a nice balance between the comfort of over-ears and the portability of in-ears. They come with smaller ear cups that sit directly on your ears, hence, they offer you more compactness and breathability than over-ears without having to stick earbuds inside your ears.
On-ear headphones have a tighter fit than over-ears, so depending on the design, they tend to cause an uncomfortable degree of tension on your ears. The best on-ears under $200 give you the right kind of fit and also have a sound profile that is compatible with the kind of music you listen to. The best models even come with additional features such as Bluetooth support and active noise canceling (ANC).
We have compiled a list of our best on-ear headphone reviews. It will provide you with all the information you need as you do your research and help you find the most suitable pair of on-ear headphones under $200 to buy.
Best on ear headphones under 200 in 2021:
1. JBL Live 400BT Wireless
The JBL Live 400BT wireless is the best on-ear headphones under 200 for working out that we’ve tested. These headphones fit stably and securely and don’t fall off when you’re running. They are breathable thanks to their on-ear design, and their controls are quite simple to handle. They can be folded into a more compact size so that they don’t occupy much space in your workout bag. Their wireless design also implies that there are no cables to tangle up or get in your way.
Similar to many on-ears, the sound profile of the JBT 400BT depends on how well they fit. If the ear cups sit snugly on your ears, you will be able to enjoy a well-balanced sound with an extra touch of bass to keep you charged up while running. Their battery life is impressive at 30 hours, and there is an auto-timer feature that extends the battery life even further. The headphones can also connect to two devices at once. This comes in handy if you have another MP3 player you use while running.
The tight fit of the JBL live 400BT wireless makes them stay in place while running, but it also makes them less comfortable than some of the other on-ear options on this list. Nevertheless, if you just need headphones to wear for a casual jog around the neighborhood, these do the job well.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M60x Headphones
The Audio Technica ATH M60X is the best on-ear headphones under $200 with a wired connection that we have reviewed. They are well built, with a dense plastic frame and metal hinges. They have a lightweight and compact design. Three detachable audio cables are included in the package to give you a little more range when needed. Two 1/8″ to 1/4″ adapters are also included, in case one goes missing.
Though the M60X has a different design from the other models in the ATH-M series, they still give you a comfortable fit due to the plush padding on the ear cups. They also deliver a well-balanced sound profile. Though the low mids tend to have a small dip, the headphones are still compatible with all kinds of audio genres whether you’re a music professional working in the studio or you’re listening for recreational purposes. If you are a frequent commuter, you will find the soft pouch useful as it can help protect your headphones from dust and minor scratches.
Note that these headphones are made for the sole purpose of listening to audio. They don’t come with a microphone, controls, or a companion app. Also, they don’t do well in noise isolation, so they are not the best headphones to use at the office or while commuting daily. Nevertheless, they are an ideal product for you if you need a pair of on-ears that can give a neutral sound experience at any audio frequency.
3. Status Audio BT One Wireless
These are the best budget on-ear headphones below $200 that we have reviewed. Despite the minimalistic design of these affordable Bluetooth on-ears, they have quite a decent build quality and offer a comfortable fit. They complete a full charge in less than an hour, and the battery lasts for 22.5 hours.
The sound profile is fairly balanced, and the bass is somewhat prominent, which helps to really emphasize the thump and rumble from your favorite EDM or hip-hop tracks. However, they are still balanced enough for most other musical genres as they can reproduce clear, natural, and detailed vocals and lead instruments. The headphones also support an aptX-LL codec for low-latency wireless audio. This comes in handy to resolve sync issues while watching videos.
There is also an integrated microphone but its recording quality is unimpressive as it makes your voice sound thin and muffled. One other disadvantage is that they are poor in passive noise isolation because of their on-ear fit. You will hear any noise around you, such as bus engines or people chattering. Nevertheless, if you would be fine with their basic features, the Status Audio BT One Wireless offers you a balanced sound profile without costing a fortune.
4. Adidas RPT-01 Sport Headphones
Even if you’re a sporty person, the Adidas brand won’t be the first to come to your mind when you’re considering buying a new pair of headphones. But that doesn’t mean the Adidas RPT-01 headphones for running should be dismissed.
This product is the result of a collaboration between the Adidas brand and Zound Industries which is recognized for its work with Urbanears and Marshall to produce headphones and wireless speakers.
This is quite an impressive origin for these on-ear headphones with an eye-catching design. Though their sound quality can’t be compared with a Marshall speaker, they are a great choice as one of the best on-ear running headphones under $200.
5. Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT
The Audio Technica ATH-SR5BT are the best wired on ear headphones under $200. This product is an affordable Hi-res wireless option for anyone who wants comfort without compromising on sound quality.
To start with, the Audio Technica ATH-SR5BT is delivered in a solid box which contains the headphones, a soft carrying case, 1m/3.3ft USB charging cable, and a 1.2m/3.9ft audio cable with 3.5mm aux plug, mic, and control button. The headphone has a closed-back design and looks clean and well built. It has an extremely lightweight of 185g/6.5oz and is constructed with plastic and metal, with a matte finish and the Audio Technica logo on the back of the ear cups. The headphones fit nicely on the head and put no pressure on the ears. They are also designed to be foldable in such a way that you can wear them comfortably on your neck.
These headphones have a nice combination of specs. They contain 45mm drivers that deliver an impressive range of 5Hz to 40000Hz frequency response which complements the resistance of 45 Ohms and 103dB sensitivity to give you an excellent audio range. They also support aptX and AAC codecs. A full battery charge takes 5 hours and lasts 38 hours which is a big deal for such a compact device.
When you try out the Audio Technica ATH-SR5BT for the first time, you will wonder how the company’s engineers were able to achieve such superb sound quality in these headphones because it can really compete with bigger and costlier products.
The sound output is very detailed and features brilliant notes in the upper mid and some high ranges. The bass is balanced and punchy though it may not be emphasized enough in some genres like hip-hop or club music. However, you can have this fixed with some adjustments on the equalizer. You can also listen in the wired mode to enjoy a better sound scene quality in a dynamic range.