Best Studio Headphones Under $200 2026
Affordable studio headphones under $200 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro 250 Ohm
by
beyerdynamic
Audio Mixing
Professional Audio
Music Production
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be expensive
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro Studio HeadphonesStudio HeadphonesOpen designCircumaural designDynamicDiffuse-field...
⭐
4.5/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 106865
$164
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Fostex T50RP-Mk3 Headphone
by
Fostex
Professional Audio
Music Production
Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Industry standard reference tools
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be expensive
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
Fostex T50RP-Mk3 HeadphoneStereo HeadphonesFor mixing and monitoringSemi-open typeOrthodynamicCircumauralImpedance: 50...
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 382801
$193
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Avantone Mixphones MP-1
by
Avantone
Professional Audio
Critical Listening
Audio Mixing
Key Feature:
• Excellent build quality and durability
✓ PROS
- • Excellent build quality and durability
- • Industry standard reference tools
✗ CONS
- • May sound less exciting than consumer models
- • Utilitarian appearance
Avantone Mixphones MP-1Studio HeadphonesClosedCircumauralLarge 50 mm driverImpedance: 16 OhmSound pressure level: 113...
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 391831
$164
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Austrian Audio Hi-X50
Audio Mixing
Music Production
Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
- • Excellent build quality and durability
✗ CONS
- • Utilitarian appearance
- • May require headphone amplifier
Austrian Audio Hi-X50Studio HeadphonesClosedSupra auricularMetal hinges and temples for maximum durabilityFoldable for...
⭐
4.4/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 497412
$194
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 80 Ohm
by
beyerdynamic
Recording Monitoring
Music Production
Audio Mixing
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard reference tools
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
- • May sound less exciting than consumer models
beyerdynamic DT-770 PRO/80 OhmStudio HeadphonesClosed-backCircumaural designDynamicDiffuse-field equalisedImpedance: 80...
⭐
4.7/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 174334
$164
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Fostex T40RP-MK3 Headphone
by
Fostex
Professional Audio
Critical Listening
Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✗ CONS
- • May sound less exciting than consumer models
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
Fostex T40RP-MK3 HeadphoneHeadphonesIdeal for DJ and studio applicationsClosed-backOrthodynamicCircumauralImpedance: 50...
⭐
5.0/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 373804
$186
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Rode NTH-100 W
by
Rode
Music Production
Critical Listening
Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
- • May sound less exciting than consumer models
Rode NTH-100 WStudio HeadphonesRobust headphones ideal for musicianssound engineerspodcastersfilmmakers...
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 577592
$186
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT
Critical Listening
Audio Mixing
Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Utilitarian appearance
- • May sound less exciting than consumer models
Austrian Audio Hi-X25BTWireless Bluetooth HeadphonesClosed backCircumauralMetal hinges and headband for maximum...
⭐
4.8/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 525459
$153
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Audio-Technica ATH-M50XWH
Music Production
Audio Mixing
Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Wide frequency response
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Industry standard reference tools
✗ CONS
- • May sound less exciting than consumer models
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
Audio-Technica ATH-M50XWHStudio HeadphonesClosedCircumauralDynamic45 mm driver with neodymium magnet system and CCAW...
⭐
5.0/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 331906
$182
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
Critical Listening
Recording Monitoring
Music Production
Key Feature:
• Excellent build quality and durability
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard reference tools
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • May sound less exciting than consumer models
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
Audio-Technica ATH-R50xStudio HeadphonesCircumauralOpen-back designFrequency range: 5 Hz - 40000 HzImpedance: 50...
⭐
4.7/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606004
$186
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Rode NTH-100M
by
Rode
Professional Audio
Recording Monitoring
Music Production
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • Professional models can be expensive
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
Rode NTH-100MOver-Ear HeadsetStudio headphones Rode NTH-100 with boom microphone Rode NTH-MICRobust headphones ideal...
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 555722
$183
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro Black Edition
by
beyerdynamic
Critical Listening
Music Production
Professional Audio
Key Feature:
• Excellent build quality and durability
✓ PROS
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
- • Excellent build quality and durability
✗ CONS
- • Utilitarian appearance
- • May sound less exciting than consumer models
beyerdynamic DT-880 Pro Black EditionHigh-End Studio Headphones Limited EditionDynamicHalf openCircumauralFrequency...
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 424105
$182
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 250 Ohm
by
beyerdynamic
Professional Audio
Recording Monitoring
Critical Listening
Key Feature:
• Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✗ CONS
- • May sound less exciting than consumer models
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 250 OhmStudio HeadphonesDiffuse-field equalisedClosed-backCircumaural designDynamicImpedance:...
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 106864
$164
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
AKG K-612 Pro
by
AKG
Critical Listening
Music Production
Audio Mixing
Key Feature:
• Comfortable for extended studio sessions
✓ PROS
- • Wide frequency response
- • Accurate, uncolored sound reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Not optimized for casual entertainment
- • Professional models can be expensive
AKG K-612 ProHigh-performance Studio HeadphonesOpen-backCircumauralDynamicImpedance: 120 OhmFrequency range: 12 - 39500...
⭐
4.6/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 313094
$154
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
ADAM Audio H200
by
ADAM Audio
Critical Listening
Audio Mixing
Recording Monitoring
Key Feature:
• Industry standard reference tools
✓ PROS
- • Excellent build quality and durability
- • Wide frequency response
✗ CONS
- • May require headphone amplifier
- • Professional models can be expensive
ADAM Audio H200Studio HeadphonesCircumauralClosed-back designDynamicDriver magnet: NeodymiumDriver diameter: 40 mm...
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596450
$175
How to Choose the Best Studio 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 studio 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.
