Bryn De KocksThere’s no substitute for a pair of high-quality headphones, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to get clear and immersive sound. There are some remarkable gems available for under $300, many of which offer negligible differences from more expensive premium models. Say goodbye to crackling audio, stuttering wireless connections, and blown-out bass by investing in a good pair of headphones.
DROP + EPOS PC38X
The Drop + EPOS PC38X is a powerful wireless gaming headset with a wide soundstage, open-back design, high-quality microphone, comfortable headband, and premium sound.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
The ATH-M50X is a popular studio headphone with balanced sound, accurate bass, mids, and treble, and limited soundstage due to its closed-back design, but compensates with outstanding stereo imaging.
Razer Opus
The Razer Opus offers low latency, wireless connectivity, noise-canceling, auto-pause/resume, 25-hour battery life, and an affordable price.
HIFIMAN SUNDARA
The HIFIMAN Sundara offers consistent frequency response, accurate midrange, precise stereo imaging, and a wide soundstage at an affordable price.
Bose SoundSport Free
The Bose SoundSport Free is a pair of wireless earbuds that provide sweat and water resistance with an open design for situational awareness.
Don’t fall into the trap of seeing all headphones as competition to each other. It’s a common mistake for new buyers to rush into buying a pair of headphones because they saw they got great reviews, but they don’t consider how they are used and what they’re good for. Think of it this way, steak knives are great for cutting meat but not bread. Likewise, a pair of headphones may be good for working out, but not for critical listening. Knowing how you plan to use your headphones can guide your purchase in the right direction.
In this article, I will discuss everything you need to consider when buying headphones under $300, including ways your budget limitations may impact your purchase, and explain why I’ve selected each speaker as the best.
Understanding The Terminology
Since we’ll be discussing differences in how these headphones sound, we’ll be using a few terms that casual music enjoyers may be new to. To help you understand the discussion, here are some important terms being used and what they mean.
Impedance: This refers to the resistance a headphone’s drivers offer to the flow of electrical current. Higher-impedance headphones often require more power from your audio source or may even require an additional product called a DAC.
Drivers: The cone-shaped object you see in a speaker is a driver. It’s the part of the speaker, or headphone that turns the signal into sound and pushes it towards the ear.
Soundstage: This describes the perceived spatial dimensions of the sound. A wider soundstage creates a more immersive listening experience.
Frequency response: This refers to how well a headphone reproduces different frequencies (highs, mids, and lows). A balanced frequency response that each frequency is accurate and is closest to how the song was intended to sound.
Immersive Gaming Headphones
Gaming headphones have surged in popularity over the last decade, introducing new features and functionality, while also refining their design to improve on weak points. These headphones often feature built-in lighting effects or more vibrant colors that give them that ‘gamer feel’. However, more important than the aesthetic, is how they perform.
Gamers can rejoice at the fact that there are plenty of gaming headsets under $300, and if anything $300 is towards the upper end of the market.
What Makes A Great Gaming Headphone?
- Soundstage (increases immersion)
- Imaging (the ability to determine enemy positions accurately)
- Built-in mic (for team communication)
- Comfort (for long gaming sessions)
- Deep bass (for lifelike explosions)
Should You Go For Surround Sound?
You’ve probably seen virtual surround sound advertised alongside gaming headphones, but do you really need surround sound?
While surround sound isn’t necessary, it can be a cool feature to have if it can be easily toggled on and off. The biggest problem with it is that it can be consistent and varies between brands and even models. I frequently find that while at times they enhanced the experience by adding more nuance to the enemy location, glitches in their algorithm can cause problems and make it sound as though sounds are coming from locations different from which they are.
Similar benefits can be had from a regular pair of gaming headphones with good imaging. Headphones with good imaging can often portray a sound source with more accuracy than surround sound.
If you’re a competitive FPS gamer, I’d suggest avoiding any surround sound features that you can’t turn off. However, for single-player gamers who want additional immersion, but don’t rely on precise location of sound sources, quality surround sound headphones can create a greater sense of depth.
Wired vs. Wireless
Advancements in wireless technology, specifically improvements to Bluetooth latency, have shifted the market away from wired headphones. Wireless gaming headphones should always have the option to play with a wired connection, as there are few things as frustrating as engaging in a clutch battle only to lose your audio in the most crucial moments.
Wireless gaming headphones have the advantage of mobility, meaning if you need to quickly get up to go to the bathroom or grab something to drink, you can do so while keeping your cans on. Keep in mind that for competitive gamers, having the lowest latency possible is essential, and using wireless headphones can put you at a slight disadvantage.
A big benefit of wireless gaming headphones is that they’re often compatible with more than just computers. They can be paired to the Nintendo Switch, which has built-in Bluetooth, or used with an adapter to play wirelessly on a console.
The Trade-Offs of Gaming Headphones Under $300
You don’t need to make any trade-offs with a $300 budget. Most gaming headphones retail between $100 and $200, with high-end options going for between $200 and $300. Even the premium Audeze Maxwell can be purchased within your budget.
The Drop + EPOS PC38X is a wireless gaming headset with a wide soundstage that immerses the user in their gameplay. The open-back design makes it easier to locate enemy positions and its high-quality microphone ensures effective and clear communication with teammates. The soft and breathable headband gives good support for even the sweatiest of gaming sessions. Their premium sound also makes them great for music.
The affordable Logitech G733 is another reliable option, particularly if you’re after a more traditional modern style gaming headset with wireless connectivinity and built-in lighting effects.
Professional Studio Headphones For Mixing & Producing
If you’re starting your journey in music production, using a regular set of cans while you learn the ropes can work, but to get the most out of your hobby, you’ll want some studio headphones that focus on accurate and balanced sound. This is especially important when adding subtle details that traditional headphones may not properly portray when you listen to them. A good pair of studio headphones will ensure you can accurately mix your volume levels and better understand how your panning effects sound to the listener.
What Makes A Great Studio Headphone?
- Accuracy (the ability to accurately reproduce sound)
- Balance (a flat frequency response is ideal for production)
- Comfort (for long studio sessions)
- Good dynamics (to avoid distortion)
Open-Back vs Closed-Back
Studio headphones have two primary design types, open-back and closed-back. Closed-back headphones are the type you probably think of when you conjure up an image of headphones, they have closed earcups that retain sound, and channel it all towards the eardrum. Their closed design has the benefit of reducing environmental noise, offering passive noise isolation.
Open-back headphones, in contrast, have an open earcup that is designed to let soundwaves escape out the back of the earcups. This helps to reduce reflections and tends to offer a clearer sound. The open-back design also results in a more spacious sound, creating a better soundstage than most closed-back headphones. Because the earcups are open, they don’t have much isolation and you can usually hear your environment quite clearly.
The Importance of Balance & Accuracy
When producing music, it’s important to use accurate and balanced headphones. This is because an unbalanced sound where the bass is maybe emphasized or the mids recessed can cause you to incorrectly mix and master your tracks. For instance, you may hear more bass from your headphones than most listeners would from their speakers. Since most audiophile-centric speakers also have a balanced sound, it ensures your mix sounds the closest to how you heard it while working on it.
Understanding Impedance
When buying a pair of studio headphones, you should keep the impedance in mind. Impedance refers to the resistance of electrical current that powers your drivers (the object in the headphones that moves sound waves). Impedance is denoted in Ohms, with 10-70 Ohm headphones being considered low-impedance, and anything over 70 Ohms is usually considered high impedance.
A headphone’s impedance will directly influence how much power it needs to function correctly. As a rule of thumb, if the impedance is lower than 70 Ohms, you shouldn’t have problems powering them with the built-in digital-to-analog converters on computers. However, higher-impedance headphones will require a separate DAC to power them effectively. While higher-impedance studio headphones may work when plugged into the computer, they may not be adequately powered. When insufficient power is provided the headphones can sound soft or may have unusual glitches in the sound.
The Trade-Offs of Studio Headphones Under $300
With a budget of $300, there are plenty of great options to choose from and you won’t have to sacrifice much. Sure, some premium models go for over $1000, but the differences between $300 headphones and $1000 headphones are often marginal. You will get some additional clarity and detail from high-end models like the Sennheisser HD800 S, but these differences are often only noticeable to critical listeners and audiophiles.
Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50X is an extremely popular studio headphone that is built to produce balanced sound and last for years. The bass, mids, and treble are balanced and accurate, making them an affordable and effective choice for mixing, mastering, and recording. The soundstage is limited by its closed-back design, but is compensated for by its outstanding stereo imaging.
For an open-back alternative with better soundstage, the HIFIMAN Edition XS is another great option if you manage to catch it on sale. While it has a retail listing price of $499, it is sometimes on sale for as low as $299.
Wireless Headphones For Everyday Use
Everyday headphones should be versatile and comfortable. Because they’re getting used frequently, they should also have a high standard of build quality to ensure they last for years to come. With the remarkable advances in wireless technology, there’s almost no reason not to go with a wireless headphone for frequent use. They’re supported by almost every smartphone and are versatile enough to be used for gaming, music, and movies.
What Makes A Great Everyday Wireless Headphone?
- Low-latency codecs (to avoid sync issues when watching video)
- Noise cancellation (to reduce environmental noise)
- Comfort (for extended periods of use)
- Durability (to withstand being used every day)
- Long-lasting battery life
Active & Adaptive Noise Cancellation
Modern wireless headphones often feature built-in noise cancelation. Active and adaptive noise cancellation differs from passive isolation, in that the headphones use built-in microphones to analyze the sound around you, then invert the frequencies and play them alongside your audio. By playing the reverse of the sound waves it analyzes it manages to effectively block out those frequencies and reduce the environmental noise.
ANC can reduce everything from the droning of air conditioners to the chatter of fellow commuters when taking public transport.
Battery Life Considerations
Because you’re going wireless, you need to consider battery life and how that will impact how you use your headphones. Thankfully, modern headphones have outstanding battery life, with some even having playtimes exceeding 30 hours. These new models are also extremely fast charging with many being able to provide up to 3 hours of playtime off just a 15-minute charge.
Keep in mind that playtime will vary depending on the volume and features being used. If you’re looking to preserve battery life you can turn off ANC and lower the volume to get more playtime.
Also consider using the optional aux cable when you’re sitting by a PC or laptop, as this will help preserve your battery life while also increasing the audio performance and lowering the latency slightly. With that said, latency is typically minimal with the right models, as they support highly efficient codecs (codecs are used to compress audio data and send it wirelessly from your phone to your headphones using Bluetooth).
The Trade-Offs of Wireless Headphones Under $300
With a budget of $300, you won’t have to make any sacrifices. Wireless headphones typically start at around $100 while midrange models go for between $150 and $225. For between $200 and $300 you’ll be able to purchase industry-leading flagship headphones with all the necessary features, and excellent sound quality.
While Razer is respected for their gaming headphones, the Opus features low-latency performance that makes it ideal for everyday use, especially paired with its wireless connectivity and noise-canceling features. These headphones will pause when removed from the ears and resume when placed back, ensuring you get the most out of its already impressive 25 hour battery life. Retailing at under $150, you’ll also have some spare change afterwards.
The SENNHEISER Momentum 3 is another worthwhile consideration that has outstanding latency performance, while it retails for over $300, it is frequently available on Amazon at discounted prices.
Audiophile Quality Sound For Music Lovers
Audiophiles are audio enthusiasts who seek out the highest quality sound from their headphones. The term is a little broad and subjective but one thing is for certain – audiophiles don’t settle for subpar performance. Because there is a focus on perfection, audiophile headphones can cost over $1000. Don’t feel discouraged though, as for $300 you can still dip your toes in the world of high-quality sound.
What Makes A Great Audiophile Headphone?
- Balanced sound (flat frequency response)
- Accuracy (the ability to accurately reproduce sound)
- Wide soundstage (for additional immersion)
- Detailed imaging (which helps to separate different sounds)
- Comfort (for extended listening sessions)
Why Audiophiles Chase Perfection
Audiophiles share a common interest in chasing perfection, but why? Usually, it’s because of a profound love for music, the auditory experience, or the technology that makes it possible. Casual listeners often haven’t tried using high-end equipment and they haven’t yet experienced the difference between a set of budget cans and premium ones but others may just not have an interest in the finer details of the reproduction.
For those looking to enhance their auditory experience, high-quality headphones can almost feel like a spiritual experience. The broad soundstage and precise imaging can make it feel as though they are within the music, rather than just experiencing it. This desire for immersion is what got me to buy my first pair of audiophile headphones, and since then I haven’t looked back. Once you experience music accurately reproduced and with strong immersion, it’s often difficult to go back to cheaper headphones.
A DAC May Be Required
Like studio headphones, audiophile headphones often have a high impedance and need to be powered by a separate digital-to-analog converter (DAC). That’s because built-in DACs that convert a digital signal into analog often only power headphones up to between 75 and 100 Ohms. When buying audiophile headphones, even if you’re on a budget, I strongly recommend spending an additional $100 on an affordable DAC. The Fiio E10K is a popular budget choice that will sufficiently power most headphones.
The Trade-Offs of Audiophiles Headphones Under $300
There are trade-offs to be made when you’re limited to $300 because many high-end headphones cost between $500 and $1000. The good news is that unless you’ve already owned several expensive headphones, the upgrade is going to be very noticeable and you don’t necessarily need a pair of Sennheisser HD 800 S when getting started. You will lose out on some of the more high-end materials, such as the use of planar magnetic drivers found in high-end models. However, there is a much larger improvement between regular headphones and $300 audiophile headphones than there is between them and an $800 pair.
HIFIMAN is a favorite for budding audiophiles looking to explore the process of critical listening. They have a consistent frequency response with outstanding accuracy and midrange neutrality that rivals even the most expensive headphones. Combined with its precise stereo imaging and wide soundstage, there’s no going wrong with the Sundara. Especially at under $300.
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is another great alternative for budget audiophile sound, with a wide soundstage, precise imaging, and balanced frequency response. I’ve used these personally as my daily driver for the last 3 years.
Headphones For Gym & Sports
Music is an incredible way to increase your performance when working out. Pounding bass and aggressive riffs can keep you motivated and keep your mind off the muscle pain you may be feeling. But for sports and gymming, one needs a stable audio solution that’s not going to fall out when you exercise. For this reason, I recommend using earbuds instead of over-ear headphones. Not only are they going to stay in place better during working out but they’re also going to stand out less, so you don’t need to worry that large and bulky headphones may cause unwanted attention.
What Makes A Great Workout Headphone?
- Stability (so they don’t fall off while exercising)
- Noise cancellation (to reduce the amount of ambient noise, ideal for gyms)
- Sufficient volume (getting pumped up works best with some power)
- Wireless connectivity (to prevent wires from getting in the way while working out)
- Comfort (for long gym sessions)
In-Ear vs Over-Ear Headphones
In-ear headphones are more commonly known as earbuds, and they have some significant advantages over traditional over-ear headphones when it comes to exercising and sports. Over-ear headphones are often bulky and their weight can cause them to slide around or even fall off during quick, aggressive motions.
Earbuds on the other hand, fit into the ear canal and are available in designs that excel in retaining stability, ensuring you can go about your workouts as you normally would, without having to worry about them falling off your head.
There are some sacrifices one needs to make in audio quality when going with in-ear instead of over-ear, but there’s no shortage of outstanding earbuds on the market these days. The most noticeable sacrifice is that earbuds aren’t able to produce the same deep bass as large headphones. There are also some limitations to soundstage and imaging from the smaller drivers.
Waterproofing / Sweat-Resistance
Earbuds have the benefit of often featuring sweat resistance or waterproofing, something that’s not commonly found on over-ear headphones. This is important, as excessive sweat can work its way into the earbuds if they’re not protected from it, resulting in potential damage.
Additionally, if you’re someone who enjoys running outdoors and frequently does so in rainy conditions, having additional water resistance is important. Typically an IPX5 or IPX6 rating is enough to protect the earbuds, but IPX7 and IP67 protection is more comprehensive and ensures no amount of rain will damage your earbuds.
The Trade-Offs of Exercise Headphones Under $300
A budget of $300 is more than enough for any quality pair of earbuds on the market. You’ll get high-quality sound, efficient Bluetooth connectivity, noise-canceling features, and comprehensive water resistance in this price range.
Stable, waterproof, and wireless, the Bose SoundSport Free is designed especially for working out. They have an IPX4 rating, which will protect them from damage in light rain and during sweaty workout sessions. They provide up to 5 hours of playtime and an additional 10 hours with the charging case. A really cool feature of the SoundSport Free is the ability to track down a missing earbud by using the Bose mobile app. Their semi-open design is ideal for road runners who want to remain aware of their environments, or gym-goers who want to be able to communicate with their buddies during exercise.
If you’d prefer more isolation from environmental noise, consider the Jabra Elite 10 which has effective noise-canceling features.
Conclusion
With a $300 budget, there are plenty of great headphones to choose from. But it’s important to consider how you plan to use them and how that will impact the features you should look for. Over the years, I’ve found that the best way to buy headphones is to find someone who’s already done the hard work. That’s why I’ve used my own experience to draft together these recommendations, providing you with the best headphones under $300 for just about every purpose.
