Best HiFi Headphones Under $200 2026
Affordable hifi headphones under $200 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Sennheiser HD 560S
by
Sennheiser
Home Audio Systems
High-End Sources
Critical Music Enjoyment
Key Feature:
• Premium materials and construction
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • May require headphone amplifier
Sennheiser HD 560SOver-Ear HeadphonesCircumauralOpenFrequency range: 6 - 38000 HzMaximum level: 110 dB SPL (1...
⭐
4.7/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 501912
$175
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Meze Audio Alba
by
Meze Audio
High-End Sources
Audiophile Listening
Home Audio Systems
Key Feature:
• Premium materials and construction
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • Revealing of poor source quality
Meze Audio AlbaHi-Fi In-Ear HeadphonesWired headphonesDynamicFrequency range: 15 Hz - 25000 HzImpdeance: 32 OhmMax....
⭐
5.0/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 616654
$175
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha HPH-MT5
by
Yamaha
Critical Music Enjoyment
Home Audio Systems
Audiophile Listening
Key Feature:
• Exceptional audio quality and detail
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Comfortable for extended listening
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • Very expensive for quality models
Yamaha HPH-MT5Studio Monitor HeadphonesSuitable for studiosfor music production and for listening to...
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 403844
$122
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
beyerdynamic TYGR 300 R
by
beyerdynamic
Home Audio Systems
High-End Sources
Audiophile Listening
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Premium materials and construction
✗ CONS
- • May require headphone amplifier
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
beyerdynamic TYGR 300 RGaming HeadphonesWiredCircumauralOpen-backDynamicFrequency range: 5 - 35000 HzImpedance: 32...
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 542084
$175
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
HIFIMAN SUNDARA Closed Back
by
HIFIMAN
Critical Music Enjoyment
Audiophile Listening
Home Audio Systems
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable for extended listening
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
HIFIMAN SUNDARA Closed BackHi-Fi HeadphonesCircumauralOpenMagnetostaticFrequency range: 6 - 50000 HzImpedance: 20...
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 563578
$153
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Shure AONIC 215-CL
by
Shure
Audiophile Listening
Critical Music Enjoyment
High-End Sources
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended listening
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
- • Comfortable for extended listening
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive for quality models
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
Shure SE215-CL UNIDynamic In-Ear EarphonesComes with RMCE-UNI cable with remote control and microphone1-Way...
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 500431
$120
#7
⭐
4.4/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha HPH-MT5W
by
Yamaha
High-End Sources
Audiophile Listening
Critical Music Enjoyment
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended listening
✓ PROS
- • Premium materials and construction
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive for quality models
- • Revealing of poor source quality
Yamaha HPH-MT5WStudio Monitor HeadphonesSuitable for studiosfor music production and for listening to...
⭐
4.4/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 403849
$131
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sennheiser HD 599
by
Sennheiser
Home Audio Systems
Audiophile Listening
High-End Sources
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Comfortable for extended listening
✗ CONS
- • May require headphone amplifier
- • Very expensive for quality models
Sennheiser HD 599Over-Ear HeadphonesCircumauralOpen-backCable attached on one sideMax. SPL: 106 dB SPL @ 1 kHz1 V...
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 458313
$164
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Shure AONIC 215-BL
by
Shure
High-End Sources
Home Audio Systems
Critical Music Enjoyment
Key Feature:
• Exceptional audio quality and detail
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • Revealing of poor source quality
Shure AONIC 215-BLDynamic In-Ear EarphonesComes with RMCE-UNI cable with remote control and microphone1-Way...
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 505728
$120
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Kawai SH-9
by
Kawai
Audiophile Listening
High-End Sources
Critical Music Enjoyment
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Premium materials and construction
✗ CONS
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
- • Revealing of poor source quality
Kawai SH-9HeadphonesSemi-open designCircumauralDrivers: 40 mmFrequency response: 20 - 20000 HzMax. input power: 1000...
⭐
5.0/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 492056
$109
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Shure AONIC 215-W
by
Shure
High-End Sources
Critical Music Enjoyment
Home Audio Systems
Key Feature:
• Exceptional audio quality and detail
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Comfortable for extended listening
✗ CONS
- • Revealing of poor source quality
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
Shure AONIC 215-WDynamic In-Ear EarphonesComes with RMCE-UNI cable with remote control and microphone1-Way...
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 505730
$120
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Shure AONIC 215-BK
by
Shure
Home Audio Systems
Critical Music Enjoyment
High-End Sources
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive for quality models
- • May require headphone amplifier
Shure AONIC 215-BKDynamic In-Ear EarphonesComes with RMCE-UNI cable with remote control and microphone1-Way...
⭐
4.7/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 505729
$120
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Dexibell DX HF7
by
Dexibell
High-End Sources
Audiophile Listening
Critical Music Enjoyment
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended listening
✓ PROS
- • Premium materials and construction
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • May lack excitement for casual listening
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
Dexibell DX HF7Over-ear headphonesCircumauralClosed-backDrivers: 45 mmImpedance: 40 ohmMaximum sound pressure level...
⭐
5.0/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 414187
$116
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
AKG K-702
by
AKG
High-End Sources
Home Audio Systems
Audiophile Listening
Key Feature:
• Exceptional audio quality and detail
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Exceptional audio quality and detail
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive for quality models
- • Revealing of poor source quality
AKG K-702High End Reference HeadphonesFlat-wire voice coil technologyVarimotion two-layer diaphragm guarantees...
⭐
4.6/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 217575
$153
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sennheiser HD 569
by
Sennheiser
Critical Music Enjoyment
Audiophile Listening
Home Audio Systems
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive for quality models
- • Not portable or practical for mobile use
Sennheiser HD 569Over-Ear HeadphonesCircumauralClosedCable attached on one sideMax. SPL: 115 dB SPL @ 1 kHz1 V...
⭐
4.7/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 458311
$127
How to Choose the Best HiFi Headphones
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced hifi headphones typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
