Best Headphones Under $150
Are you looking to buy the best headphones, but only have a budget of $150? In this buyer’s guide, we will present you with a wide array of options that the market has to offer. We have done the legwork searching for the highest quality products out there so you won’t have to. Each pair of headphones is suited for a different use. For example, Razor Headphones are best suited for gaming, while the Skullcandy is best for outdoor use.
In addition, we will also share some of the top buying considerations buyers should look at before making a selection. By the end of this article, you will be familiar with what to look for, including the comfort, noise isolation, connection technology, and audio quality.
Budget |
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Grado SR60e Headphones |
4.3/5.0 |
Weight: 7.8 ounces |
Warranty: 1 Year |
Good quality sound for the price. |
Check Amazon |
Best Value |
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V-MODA Crossfade M-80 |
4.8/5.0 |
Weight: 24 ounces |
Warranty: 2 Years |
Earmuffs are noise isolating. |
Check Amazon |
Top Pick |
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Razer ManO’War Wireless |
4.8/5.0 |
Weight: 21.12 ounces |
Warranty: 30 days |
Comes with HD built-in boom mic. |
Check Amazon |
Top Buying Considerations
Audio quality
Comfort
Connectivity
Noise cancelation
Comparison Table of The Top 10 Headphones Under $150
Make and Model | Weight | Wired/Wireless | Price Check |
---|---|---|---|
AKG Bluetooth Headphone | 16 ounces | Wireless | Check Price |
Razer ManO’War Wireless 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset | 21.12 Ounces | Wireless | Check Price |
V-MODA Crossfade M-80 Vocal On-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone | 24 ounces | Wired | Check Price |
Skullcandy Hesh 3 Over-Ear Headphones | 8 ounces | Wireless | Check Price |
BÖHM Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Cushioned Headphones with Active Noise Canceling | 12.2 ounces | Wireless | Check Price |
Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Closed Back Headphone | 25.76 ounces | Wired | Check Price |
Sennheiser HD 380 PRO Headphones | 16 ounces | Wired | Check Price |
Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Canceling Headphones | 6.7 ounces | Wireless | Check Price |
Sennheiser RS 160 RF Wireless Headphones | 6.7 ounces | Wireless | Check Price |
Grado SR60e Headphones | 7.8 ounces | Wired | Check Price |
1. AKG Bluetooth Headphones
Editor’s Rating: 4.9/5
AKG is one of the top electronic brands with over 1500 patents, which is a great indicator that any product you buy from them will be of high quality. The AKG Bluetooth Headphones feature legendary AKG audio thanks to their newer 40mm drivers that output amazing highs, mids, and lows.
Moreover, the AKG Headphones feature advanced Bluetooth technology that keeps the connection stable at all times. In wireless mode, the headphones bring up to 20 hours of playback time and only take a couple of hours to charge. Plus, you can take phone calls with the AKG Bluetooth Headphones, because it has a built-in microphone.
In addition, you can control the music without the need to touch your phone, since there are buttons located on the side of the headphone. These buttons allow you to skip between tracks, pause the audio when needed, and adjust the volume.
The on-ear design isn’t for everyone and can cause some strain after many hours of use, which is why we do not recommend the AKG Bluetooth Headphones as travel headphones. Also, the style doesn’t look that expensive and can be mistaken for a budget headphone.
In summary, the AKG Bluetooth Headphone features soothing bass and great highs thanks to its wide frequency response of 20 Hz – 20k Hz. The battery life lasts for 20 hours when listening to music or talking. Furthermore, you can control the audio from the headphone, which is more convenient than reaching for your smartphone.
Tech Specs |
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Weight: 16 ounces |
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20k Hz |
Wireless: Yes |
Warranty: N/A |
The Pros |
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Easy to use |
Great frequency response |
Stable connections |
The Cons |
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On-ear design is not for all people |
Can be mistaken for a budget headphone |
2. Razer ManO’War Wireless 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset
Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5
The Razer ManO’War Headphones immerse you in a world of surround sound audio that makes movies and games sound life-like. Using 50mm neodymium magnet drivers the headphones deliver outstanding audio, unlike anything you’ve heard before. The experience is further enhanced by noise isolating earmuffs.
Featuring a boom microphone you can play games and talk without the need to purchase a mic separately. Also, with quick action controls, you can adjust the volume levels, mute the headphones when needed, and adjust the microphone.
Moreover, the plush leatherette earpads are ultra-comfortable and provide long lasting durability. The headband is fully customizable and can be regulated to fit any user, plus it doesn’t apply too much pressure, unlike other gaming headphones.
However, if you are looking for an outdoor headphone then the Razer ManO’War isn’t a good choice as it has no resistance against water, sweat, or dust. The feel can be a little bit bulky when moving and the boom mic design isn’t for everyone.
In summary, the Razer ManO’War Wireless 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset is an excellent choice for an indoor audio device. The sound is incredible and feels life-like thanks to the surround sound system. Also, you can adjust the volume levels and mute the headphones instantly without having to go to the desktop.
Tech Specs |
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Weight: 21.12 ounces |
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20k Hz |
Wireless: Yes |
Warranty: 30 days |
The Pros |
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Surround sound is incredible |
Earpads are ultra-soft |
Comes with HD built-in boom mic |
The Cons |
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Not suitable for outdoor use |
Boom mic design is not for everyone |
3. V-MODA Crossfade M-80 Vocal On-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone
Editor’s Rating: 4.8/5
The V-MODA Crossfade M-80 Headphones uses passive noise isolation that cuts out any ambient noises leading to a clear audio session. Also, using 40mm dual diaphragm drivers the headphones output vibrant bass, vivid mids, and amazing highs without any distortion.
Moreover, no batteries are included with this model, which means you can enjoy smooth beats without the worry if you charged the headphones. The headphones feature military-grade durability so you won’t have to worry about dropping or bending them too much.
In addition, the cable cord is replaceable – so you can get a longer wire to watch TV. The Kevlar reinforced cable can withstand up to 1 million bends and is 100 times more durable than the industry average.
However, the cable can get in the way when walking unless you tether it down your shirt. Also, the SteelFlex headband can withstand up to 10 flat bends, which means keeping these headphones around children is not ideal.
In summary, the V-MODA Crossfade M-80 Headphones is one of the best options on this list, because of its high durability and sound quality. Featuring 40mm dual diaphragm drivers the headphones can deliver soothing beats and when needed vivacious bass. In addition, the earpads help deliver a passive noise isolating experience that cuts out most ambient sounds.
Tech Specs |
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Weight: 24 ounces |
Frequency response: 5 Hz – 30k Hz |
Wireless: No |
Warranty: 2 Years |
The Pros |
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Extremely durable |
Stylish design |
Earmuffs are noise isolating |
The Cons |
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Can feel bulky when wearing |
Going in public with these headphones is not ideal |
4. Skullcandy Hesh 3 Over-Ear Headphones
Editor’s Rating: 4.7/5
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 Over-Ear Headphones is designed for any occasion whether you’re at home or traveling. The foldable design offers easy portability and the Bluetooth connectivity makes outdoor use easy. In addition, the battery life lasts for 22 hours and features rapid charge technology where 5 minutes of charge time equals to 90 minutes of audio.
Moreover, the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Headphones use memory foam ear cushions to provide a comfortable user experience. Also, the over-ear design doesn’t apply any pressure on the ears, therefore they won’t be strained. Plus, this design helps with passive noise isolation, which means you can focus solely on the music.
In addition, you can use the headphones without having to touch your smartphone making the whole process a lot easier and practical. The built-in buttons located on the side of the right earpad can be used to increase the volume, switch between songs, and pause the music altogether.
Although these headphones are good for going out there are far better options if you’re looking for a pair of indoor headphones. Furthermore, the foam ear cushions are not for everyone and if they feel uncomfortable we suggest you buy some earmuffs separately.
To summarize, the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Over-Ear Headphones is a great outdoor option, because of the fast charging feature and long battery life. Also, the earmuffs use an over-ear design that doesn’t apply pressure on the ears and helps with reducing ambient noises. Lastly, you can use the headphones without having to touch your smartphone, because there are built-in buttons located on the earpad.
Tech Specs |
---|
Weight: 8 ounces |
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20k Hz |
Wireless: Yes |
Warranty: N/A |
The Pros |
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Extremely durable |
Stylish design |
Earmuffs are noise isolating |
The Cons |
---|
Can feel bulky when wearing |
Going in public with these headphones is not ideal |
5. BÖHM Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Cushioned Headphones with Active Noise Canceling
Editor’s Rating: 4.6/5
The BÖHM Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Cushioned Headphones feature effective noise canceling technology that can be switched on and off. The ability to turn off the noise cancelation is extremely important for travel headphones because this means you can hear your surroundings in places such as train stations.
Moreover, the headphones can be used without touching your mobile phone, which is faster and convenient. With these buttons, you can turn off the noise cancelation, skip songs, and adjust the volume. Also, the battery life lasts for 16 hours and 8 hours with active noise cancelation. Plus, the charge time is lighting fast only needing 2 hours to provide audio for the whole day.
In addition, using a 40mm driver unit the BÖHM Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Cushioned Headphones output vibrant bass with amazing mids. Also, the connection range is 10 meters and uses Bluetooth version 4.0, which brings stable connections throughout the listening experience.
However, if there are obstacles in the way of the transmitted waves then unclear music can be heard. Also, water can damage the headphones so it’s best not to use them when it’s raining. This also means you can’t use them for gym use as they are not sweatproof.
In summary, the BÖHM Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Cushioned Headphones is a great option if you need an audio device for traveling. The long battery life and option to turn the active noise cancelation on and off makes them safe to use in public. Also, the 40mm drivers output vibrant beats and sound great at higher volume levels.
Tech Specs |
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Weight: 12.2 ounces |
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20k Hz |
Wireless: Yes |
Warranty: N/A |
The Pros |
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Great for traveling |
Active noise cancelation can be switched off |
Long connection range |
The Cons |
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Not resistant to water or sweat |
If obstacles are in the way music can sound distorted |
6. Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Closed Back Headphone
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5
The Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Closed Back Headphone provides impeccable sound quality and effective noise isolation. Using a closed back design, it delivers natural, detailed, and balanced audio with zero distortion. Also, the over-the ear design is super comfortable and doesn’t hurt the ears after wearing for long.
Moreover, the premium components used such as the Sennheiser engineered transducers use aluminum voice coils to deliver high-efficiency audio. Also, the build quality is long lasting thanks to the metal and plastic design.
In addition, the connection is wired making the headphones more practical to use at home, since you don’t have to worry about charging the headphones. Also, the E.A.R (Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement) technology channels audio directly into your ears producing a more room lifelike experience.
However, if you are looking for an outdoors headphone then check out the other options in this list, because the Sennheiser HD 598 Cs is more suited for home use. The headphones are not resistant to sweat or water and a small drop can damage the drivers.
In summary, the Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Closed Back Headphone is a great home audio device that can play beats at a life like level. The noise isolation improves the audio session as you don’t have to listen to what’s going on around you. Plus, the wired connectivity means you don’t have to worry about charging them before use.
Tech Specs |
---|
Weight: 25.76 ounces |
Frequency response: 10 Hz – 28k Hz |
Wireless: No |
Warranty: N/A |
The Pros |
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Great for home use |
Excellent noise isolation |
Durable cable cord |
The Cons |
---|
Not resistant to water or sweat |
Can break easily |
7. Sennheiser HD 380 PRO Headphones
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5
The Sennheiser HD 380 PRO Headphones uses a closed design for excellent passive noise reduction up to 32 dB, which means you can focus on the music and not what’s around you. Also, the over ear design keeps the experience super comfortable and the headband is padded softly to avoid pressure.
In addition, the sound is incredible, delivering soothing beats directly to your ears thanks to the E.A.R technology. The frequency response of 8 Hz – 27k Hz further enhances the audio, because it can play more notes from a track than ordinary headphones. Also, the total harmonic distortion is less than 0.1%, which means it’s very unlikely you will hear any unclear sounds when playing at full volume.
Moreover, upon purchasing these headphones you get a 2 year warranty that covers most damage. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever use it because the Sennheiser HD 380 PRO Headphones are made from ultra-durable materials that are built to last.
One big negative with the Sennheiser HD 380 PRO Headphones is that they are built for home use and not traveling. The durable design is not fitted with waterproof attributes and using them in the rain while walking can damage them beyond repair.
In conclusion, the Sennheiser HD 380 PRO Headphones is great to use at home, because of the long cable cord and noise isolating design. The wide frequency response delivers amazing beats and almost no distortion can be heard. In addition, you get a 2 year warranty upon purchasing these headphones.
Tech Specs |
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Weight: 16 ounces |
Frequency response: 8 Hz – 27k Hz |
Wireless: No |
Warranty: 2 Years |
The Pros |
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Excellent noise reduction |
Comfortable to wear |
Long cable cord |
The Cons |
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Not suitable for outdoor use |
Water or sweat can damage the drivers easily beyond repair |
8. Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Canceling Headphones
Editor’s Rating: 4.4/5
The Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Canceling Headphones is an advanced audio device that delivers incredibly life-like sounding music. Using TriPort acoustic technology the audio can be tonally balanced to output violent bass, amazing mids, and soothing highs. Also, using active equalization the headphones tune themselves to the beat making it sound extra good.
Furthermore, the headphones can be controlled without the need to touch your smartphone, because there are built-in buttons that let you skip songs, change the volume, and pause the music when needed. Also, an in-line HD microphone is included, which allows hands-free calls for Apple users.
Moreover, the advanced ear cushions use new materials in a proprietary design to establish a crucial acoustical seal that helps reduce ambient noise, while still keeping the overall experience comfortable. In addition, you can rotate the earcups 90 degrees when needed, which makes them easy to store or transport.
One major minus with these headphones is that the earmuffs are easy to tear, which is why we recommend buying an extra pair when ordering them. Also, they are not resistant to water so using them at the beach or poolside is not ideal.
In summary, you can’t go wrong with these headphones as they feature amazing audio quality and excellent noise cancelation. The ear padding is extremely soft and made to seal the ears for extra noise isolating. In addition, the Bose QuietComfort 15 comes with an in-line microphone the can be used to take HD calls while on the go.
Tech Specs |
---|
Weight: 6.7 ounces |
Frequency response: N/A |
Wireless: Yes |
Warranty: N/A |
The Pros |
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Excellent noise reduction |
Comfortable to wear |
Long cable cord |
The Cons |
---|
Not suitable for outdoor use |
Water or sweat can damage the drivers easily beyond repair |
9. Sennheiser RS 160 RF Wireless Headphones
Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5
The connectivity technology used in the Sennheiser RS 160 RF is wireless making them ideal to use when traveling. The battery life lasts for 24 hours per charge and has a connection range up to 60 feet. In addition, the headphones can be connected with a cable cord to play music when the batteries have run out.
Moreover, the dynamic headphones are bass driven, which means that bass boosted songs go hand in hand with the Sennheiser RS 160 RF. Also, the closed circumaural design keeps the audio in and not leak out delivering a noise isolating experience.
In addition, the headphones feature a digital volume control that allows you to adjust the volume without the need to touch your smartphone. You can also skip tracks and pause the music when needed.
Although this is a wireless headphone it doesn’t use Bluetooth technology, which can be a real pain as most smartphones have built-in Bluetooth already. The only way to connect wirelessly is with a carrier frequency that ranges from 2.4 – 2.8 GHz.
In summary, the Sennheiser RS 160 RF Wireless Headphones is a good option if you don’t have a Bluetooth device. The long battery life is great when traveling and the noise isolation further enhances the enjoyment of the beat. In addition, you can control the audio without laying a finger on your phone, because it has built-in buttons.
Tech Specs |
---|
Weight: 6.7 ounces |
Frequency response: 18 Hz – 21k Hz |
Wireless: Yes |
Warranty: N/A |
The Pros |
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Delivers great noise isolating |
Nicely padded headband |
Can be connected via cable cord |
The Cons |
---|
Doesn’t use Bluetooth technology |
Earmuffs could be better quality |
10. Grado SR60e Headphones
Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5
The connection method used with the Grado SR60e Headphones is wired, which means you won’t have to worry about batteries running out. Also, wired connections are more stable than Bluetooth and bring better audio quality. That’s because the transmitted waves can’t get interrupted by objects and get sent directly to the drivers.
Moreover, the audio quality is excellent with these headphones and the wide frequency range of 20 Hz – 20k Hz further enhances the experience. The lightweight ergonomic designed earpads keep the sessions comfortable at all times and even provides a somewhat noise isolating experience.
In addition, you get a one year manufacturer’s warranty just in case something goes wrong with the headphones. However, it’s unlikely you will ever have to use it as the build quality is solid and made to last.
One of the bigger drawbacks with the headphones is that the cable cord is not easily replaceable. If the cable gets worn out then you’ll have to take them to a repair shop or use the one year warranty. Also, the foam earmuffs may not be comfortable for all users, in which case they can be replaced with separately bought pads.
To conclude, the Grado SR60e Headphones is not a bad choice if you’re looking for something not too expensive. The wide frequency response and drivers combined produce upbeat audio that sounds excellent. In addition, the wired connection means you won’t have to worry about battery life or staying in the connection zone.
Tech Specs |
---|
Weight: 7.8 ounces |
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20k Hz |
Wireless: No |
Warranty: 1 Year |
The Pros |
---|
Wired connection |
Comes with adaptor |
Somewhat noise isolating |
The Cons |
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Foam earmuffs may feel cheap |
Audio gets distorted on max volume |
Contents
- Top Buying Considerations
- Audio quality
- Comfort
- Connectivity
- Noise cancelation
- Comparison Table of The Top 10 Headphones Under $150
- 1. AKG Bluetooth Headphones
- 2. Razer ManO’War Wireless 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset
- 3. V-MODA Crossfade M-80 Vocal On-Ear Noise-Isolating Metal Headphone
- 4. Skullcandy Hesh 3 Over-Ear Headphones
- 5. BÖHM Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Cushioned Headphones with Active Noise Canceling
- 6. Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Closed Back Headphone
- 7. Sennheiser HD 380 PRO Headphones
- 8. Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Canceling Headphones
- 9. Sennheiser RS 160 RF Wireless Headphones
- 10. Grado SR60e Headphones