The Best Headphones Under $300 | New Budget Headphones for Audiophiles

11 months ago

How much would you give for music? If the answer’s around about $300, we’ve got you covered – these are the best headphones under $300 you can buy. The $300 price point is where affordability meets quality, and this bracket contains the kind of headphones that deliver top performance; whether you’re a lo-fi lover, a latin jazzster, or a Lisztomaniac. Gone are the days when outstanding audio was exclusively reserved for musicophiles (that’s Latin for ‘enjoyers of sick beats’) with deep pockets.

We’ve scoured the market to find top-tier headphones that deliver an exceptional listening experience while respecting your tight(ish) budget. Whether you’re a discerning audiophile or a gamer seeking immersive sound for eSports excellence, these headphones will satisfy your cravings for premium audio without compromising your financial limits. Get ready to elevate your sonic journey with our handpicked collection of sub-$300 headphones that redefine value for money.

Product Comparison Table: Best Headphones Under $300

TitlePriceRating (Amazon)Best in classBuy
Aftershokz Xtrainerz Bone Conduction Wireless MP3 Swimming Headphones$$$4.2 starsBest Active Amazon
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II$$4.2 starsBest Noise Cancellation Amazon
Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset$$4.3 starsBest for Gaming Amazon
Audio-Technica ATH-M60X On-Ear Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones$$$4.2 starsBest Studio-Grade Amazon
DROP + HIFIMAN HE5XX Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Open-Back Headphones$$$4.1 starsBest Planar Magnetic Amazon

Aftershokz Xtrainerz Bone Conduction Wireless MP3 Swimming Headphones

Swimming and headphones CAN mix. Active people need wireless headphones that are sweatproof, waterproof, don’t fall out and work hands-free smoothly and simply – with total situational awareness. Aftershokz’ patented bone conduction technology is the only way to achieve this. Unlike traditional headphones, bone conduction headphones comfortably transmit sound vibrations through the bones of your skull itself directly to your inner ear, leaving your ear free!

What makes the Aftershokz Xtrainerz Bone Conduction Wireless MP3 Swimming Headphones our best headphones under $300 for truly any form of exercise is that you can stay comfortable and aware of your surroundings in or out of the water! Sweat will be no match for secure headphones that are also submersible in depths up to 2 meters for 2 hours. 

Pros 

  • Patented bone conduction tech
  • IP68 Full-Immersion Waterproof
  • 8 hour battery life

Cons

  • New tech can be scary for old-fashioned people
  • Not Bluetooth compatible

Verdict

Bone conduction technology isn’t the only reason why the Aftershokz Xtrainerz Bone Conduction Wireless MP3 Swimming Headphones are our best headphones under $300 for staying active. Load your favorite audio and dive into your workout with 4GB of built-in MP3 storage, holding up to 1,200 songs for 8 continuous hours of premium audio. Splish splash.

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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

One day we’ll finish an article without recommending the Bose QuietComfort range. They’re quiet, they’re comfortable, and when it comes to noise cancellation, the new (more affordable) earbud models are by far our best headphones under $300 if you like quiet and focussed listening. That’s probably because Bose invented the tech!

The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II use an unbeatable noise-rejecting dual-microphone system to make sure that no distractions ruin your music. Because you won’t hear a thing while you’re using them, you can choose between several levels of world-class noise cancellation (or engage single-earbud listening mode) to hear if your house is burning down – and if it’s an approaching tsunami instead, the Quiet Comfort 35 IIs are IPX4 certified waterproof. Available in four colors.

Pros

  • World-beating Active Noise Cancellation
  • Bose Fit Kit included
  • Trademark premium sound quality

Cons

  • Needs Bose app for full functionality

Verdict

When it comes to noise cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II are our best headphones under $300 because Bose have made here the official world’s best noise canceling headphones overall, as of August 2022 (scientifically)! In terms of affordable comfort, the Bose Fit Kit includes three pairs of ear tips and three pairs of stability bands made from soft silicone.

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Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset

Sound quality is what matters here, for quiet notifications, the sound of enemies sneaking behind you, or horror games with terrifying jumpscares. If all this is as important to you as a gamer as it should be, look no further than the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset if you want the best headphones under $300! TriForce 50mm drivers contain titanium diaphragms that clarify sound by separating it into three parts for tuning; if you’re no sound technician, that means all games sound bright, clear – and awesome. 

This combines with immersive THX 7.1 Surround capability and a crystal-clear HyperClear Supercardioid Mic to make your voice and game sound better than ever. What’s more, HyperSpeed Wireless Technology delivers lossless and industry-leading 2.4GHz wireless connection to make sure that the audio always stays synced to your game. If you decide to use the BlackShark for music listening (or want to drop out of chat), just detach the mic and you’re good to go.

Pros 

  • Strong connectivity
  • Impressive sound capabilities
  • Breathable memory foam cups

Cons

  • Not Xbox compatible (but you can always join Team PlayStation)

Verdict

Anybody who’s ever played the DOOM franchise knows how vital it is for your gaming headphones to be the best they can be. With the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset, Razer proved why they’re the number one selling gaming accessories brand in the United States – these are the very best headphones under $300 if you like to hear “gg”.

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Audio-Technica ATH-M60X On-Ear Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

There are three reasons why you’d choose studio-monitor-style headphones: one, the technically killer sound, two, the cozy comfort of headphones made for long-term listening, or three, you’re actually a professional in the studio. The Audio-Technica ATH-M60Xs deliver on all three counts, but most surprisingly on the second! Lightweight, super-breathable and padded like clouds, the ATH-M60X offers unparalleled comfort – alongside the sound quality that makes this particular Audio-Technica headphone family so renowned among professionals. 

In addition to being comfortable for 8+ hours of low-pressure wear, the adjustable ATH-M60Xs are our best headphones under $300 in the studio category because they offer the same professional-grade proprietary 45 mm large-aperture drivers used in the legendary ATH-M50x headphones, with wide frequency response, great noise isolation, and both high and low reproduction accurate enough for audio forensics.

Pros 

  • Legendary headphone lineage
  • Accurate sound reproduction (15 to 28,000Hz)
  • Lightweight and comfortable

Cons

  • Not wireless

Verdict

An improvement on an existing industry favorite, the Audio-Technica ATH-M60X On-Ear Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones are our best headphones under $300 here because they make the ATH-M family proud. Not content to produce just one pair of studio-grade headphones famous for pairing comfort with performance, Audio-Technica just had to get even better – in both technical stats and ear-feel.  

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DROP + HIFIMAN HE5XX Planar Magnetic Over-Ear Open-Back Headphones

We thought the Dyson Detect was smart, but there’s only one roomba: the best vacuum for vinyl plank floors with a mind of its own. The even-smarter iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum now features iRobot OS, allowing it to clean according to your *personal* preferences, like a little robot butler.

This smarty-pants learns and adapts to your home, avoids obstacles, and schedules multiple cleanings per day. It looks around, recognizes and avoids objects like cords, socks, and shoes using PrecisionVision Navigation; Imprint Smart Mapping lets you control and schedule cleaning by room, with customizable zones. Best of all, the powerful 3-Stage Cleaning System tackles any and all messes and adjusts to different floor types – with dedicated vinyl floor cleaning. It even empties its own bin. 

Pros 

  • Self-emptying convenience
  • Intelligent Cleaning Technology
  • Customizable cleaning

Cons

  • Price
  • Not everybody wants a robot in their house

Verdict

Our best vacuum for vinyl plank floors in the smart category – the iRobot Roomba j7+ (7550) Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum is so intelligent, it should probably be installing carpets, not cleaning them. And if you’re a pet owner training a new puppy, your worst nightmare will not become reality. With the Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P.), the j7+ either spots and avoids pet “waste” or gets replaced for free.

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