Bluetooth on a Budget: Bluetooth Headphones/Earbuds Under $200
by: Delaney Czernikowski
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It seems that a necessary feature in nearly every new pair of headphones is Bluetooth capabilities. However, when a pair of headphones does have this feature, the price is incredibly high and looks unattainable. Is there a way to get affordable headphones and get all the benefits of Bluetooth?
The answer is yes. Bluetooth doesn’t automatically mean super expensive, as there are plenty of options from well-known brands that don’t cost a fortune. Below is a list of some Bluetooth models that all cost less than $200. We’ve listed out both headphones and earbuds, in case you were in one market or the other. This is not a full list of what’s available, but just of some of our top picks in this price range.
Headphones
Sennheiser ACCENTUM – $179.95
A more well-known model from Sennheiser is the MOMENTUM headphones. It’s a great sounding pair of headphones, but the $300+ prince tag is a bit daunting. That’s where the ACCENTUM steps in. The ACCENTUM is a less expensive model that has a lot of good qualities, and can provide good listening for half the cost. You get a lot of the same features and notes from the MOMENTUM but you save a bit of money. There is the ACCENTUM Plus, which offers a bit higher quality sound compared to the ACCENTUM, that is $50 more and technically over budget. If you are willing to go slightly higher than your budget, I’d highly recommend taking a look at those.
Strauss & Wagner ANCBT501 – $129.95
This brand is well known for their many adapters and cables you can get to enhance your listening; it’s a bit ironic that they end up on a list for top picks in a wireless setting. While testing the ANCBT501 myself, I enjoyed the comfort and sound signature that was applied to my go-to tracks. They have a lot to offer, and from a brand like Strauss and Wagner you know you're going to get a good product. It even offers wired listening, which is a nice feature for people who like to switch back and forth.
Final Audio UX3000 – $149.95
I am a huge fan of the sound signature from Final Audio, so it makes perfect sense for a pair from them to end up on my list. The UX3000 is an excellent pair of headphones that has very accurate imaging and an impressively wide soundstage. There's a good balance between the high and low end, which is sometimes difficult with noise cancellation. There is an earlier model, the UX2000, which also retails under $200. Upon listening to both, I prefer the sound of the UX3000. Still, either is a great option for affordable listening.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT – $79.00
Audio-Technica is a reliable brand with plenty of models for all types of listeners. People go to the M50x for DJing, and the M40x is a great choice for mixing. A lot of Audio-Technica Mx models do not come with Bluetooth, so the ATH-M20xBT is definitely one that people would want to get their hands on. You get a balanced sound signature that can be applied in many environments. These are even in the sub-$100 range, which makes them an attractive offer for people looking for a good deal.
JBL Live 770NC – $149.95
JBL is a trusted and well known brand, so recommending these is an easy choice. The 770NC comes in a few different colors, and they bring on a heavy bass for people who like a deep low end. The tight wear could be uncomfortable to some people as it was to me, but I think it's more a testament to their stability during use. They have other options in the sub $100 range, but these came out on top for me.
Earbuds
Final Audio ZE3000 – $149.00
Another Final Audio product has made the list, this time in earbuds. The ZE3000 is in the mid range of three different models. There's the ZE2000, which is the previous model and slightly cheaper. They have a similar physical design but the sound signatures have a few notable differences. Additionally, the more expensive ZE8000 comes in with an interesting stem-shaped body and has a very enhanced sound profile. To compare all three side by side, the ZE3000 is a great midpoint between the other two products. You get the smaller design of the ZE2000 with some boosted sound quality that is closer to the ZE8000. It's truly the best of both worlds!
ag TWS09R – $99.99
These are a great option for people looking more near the $100 range. The ag TWS09R is a good quality bluetooth product that does exactly what you expect. There’s no extra features to bother with, just good sound for a decent price. Their sound is precise thanks to Final Audio tuning, which makes them a reliable choice for half the cost you'd expect. You can get a variety of colors, and the small and lightweight design makes them easy to travel with. The material itself feels a bit cheap, but the sound delivers for a decent cost.
Denon PerL – $199.00
This is at the top of the budget, so it's hard to say "yes this is less than 200." Still, the Denon PerL offers a lot for 200 bucks, so it's worth taking a look at since there's a lot of good things about it. Personalized hearing profile, sensitive touch controls, and an expansive sound signature are all enticing qualities. This is the standard version of the earbuds, as there is a PerL Pro that is priced $100 more expensive. They offer even more qualities and extra features, like spatial audio and more enhanced noise cancellation. If you’re willing to look a bit over the budget, I suggest taking a look at those.
PSB M4U TWM – $199.00
PSB is known for speakers more than headphones, but their few stabs into the headphone world are quite interesting. They try to recreate the sound you would hear in a room with a pair of their high quality speakers. It’s effective and makes you listen to the tracks you love in a new light. The micro planar drivers in the M4U TWM are an interesting construction choice that makes them different from competitors. Like the Denon PerL, these come with a Personal Sound feature, this time by Audiodo™. These are also near the top of the budget, but looking at the brand it’s coming from, these are a rare find and quite the steal.
Summary
Bluetooth doesn’t have to come with a giant price tag. Be it over-ear headphones or some true wireless earbuds, finding something within your budget is possible. Staying in the low budget range may limit your options, and features on the headphones may be limited. If you want all the added features that come with those, you may want to consider upping your budget to a bit higher than $200. If you’re just looking for good sound and the features just seem in the way, there’s plenty of options available for you.
I highly suggest coming in to demo the headphones you are interested in. Not everyone listens the same way, so your top pick may be different from someone else’s. What might look good on paper might end up letting you down, and if you might walk away with something entirely different than what you had in mind!
View our selection of $200 and under headphones here.
You can demo and purchase these headphones and more at Audio46.
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