These Sennheiser headphones are the best over-ears you’ll find for under $25

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AmazonYou shouldn’t be cheap with headphones.

After testing a whole lot of these things in the past year, I can say that the more you use them, the more you see the differences in quality between good higher-end pairs and their more affordable brethren. Some people hit the point of diminishing returns sooner than others, sure, but if you can invest just a little bit more, you’ll usually get something that will feel nicer, make your music sound more alive, and, most evidently, hold up better over time.

But cash is king. And although their flaws are evident, there are at least some headphones in the sub-$50 range that do enough right to remain appealing.

The Sennheiser HD 202 II is on that list. It’s been around for the better part of a decade now, but it remains very popular, with a 4.3 rating after 3,714 user reviews on Amazon. It provides good value for a $25 headphone, even if it’s very obvious it’s a $25 headphone.

Sennheiser tends to be reliable as far as audio performance goes, and the HD 202 II bring that idea down to the ultra-budget bracket. It’s a little too thick with the bass to be considered neutral like other Sennheisers, but it doesn’t go overboard in any one direction, and it’s consistently smooth. It’s about as pleasant a sound as you’ll get for $25. And because it’s an over-ear headphone, it comes off as bigger than a comparable pair of earphones, which usually dominate this price range.

That said, it’s still $25, so it’ll always struggle to separate and catch the fine details of most music. If you pay even twice as much for something like the Beyerdynamic DTX 350p, you shouldn’t have trouble hearing the improvement.
AmazonLikewise, while it’s hard to say the HD 202 II is built well, it’s still competently put together — for the right environment. Its all-plastic frame and fake leather earpads aren’t the sturdiest or most comfortable around, but they’re light, tight-fitting, and decent at isolating outside noise. It also comes with a two-year warranty.

The only major hangup, given the price, is that the default cable is 10 feet long. Sennheiser does throw in a little belt clip around which you can wrap the cord, but that’s not what I’d call a seamless user experience. Add in the fact that it doesn’t come with a remote or mic, and it should be clear that the HD 202 II is made for the home more than the road.

But again, it’s $25; compromises are expected. Here, you’re trading mobility for an agreeable sound and a lightweight, relatively comfortable design. If that’s what you prioritize, and you’re sticking to the strictest of budgets, the HD 202 II wring as much as they can out of their super low price.

Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones, $24.99, available at Amazon.