Wired over-ear headphones under $250 (2026)
For desk listening, home recording and anyone who would rather plug in than charge a battery. Every model here is an over-ear headphone with a cable and no Bluetooth, under $250 on the maker's own US store. Ordered by store price, lowest first. None of these states a microphone, so they suit listening rather than calls. Specs and prices checked October 19, 2026.
Selection criteria
- Over-ear (cups around the ears), as the manufacturer states.
- Wired (cable, no Bluetooth).
- Price on the maker's own US store under $250 (checked October 19, 2026).
The picks
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Koss UR20
Koss labels it a full-size over-ear headphone with a 3.5mm headphone jack plug, at the lowest store price on this list.
Maker source: koss.com
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Audio-Technica describes a circumaural design that goes around the ears and a 3.0 m straight cable.
Maker source: audio-technica.com
Shure SRH240A Professional Quality Headphones
Shure states a closed-back, circumaural design that rests over the ears and reduces background noise.
Maker source: shure.com
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones
Audio-Technica states a circumaural design and a gold-plated 3.5 mm connector with strain relief.
Maker source: audio-technica.com
Shure SRH840A Professional Monitoring Headphones
Shure states a closed-back, circumaural design and a detachable locking cable.
Maker source: shure.com
beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (80 ohms)
beyerdynamic states a circumaural design and a straight cable with a 3.5 mm mini-jack plug. This entry is the 80-ohm version.
Maker source: north-america.beyerdynamic.com
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Comparison
| Model | Back | Cable as stated | Microphone | Price on the maker's store |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koss UR20 | Not stated | 3.5mm headphone jack plug | Not stated | Under $100 |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M20x | Not stated | 3.0 m straight | Not stated | Under $100 |
| Shure SRH240A | Closed | Not stated | Not stated | Under $100 |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Not stated | 3.5 mm connector | Not stated | Under $250 |
| Shure SRH840A | Closed | Detachable locking cable | Not stated | Under $250 |
| beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (80 ohms) | Not stated | 3.5 mm mini-jack, straight | Not stated | Under $250 |
"Not stated" means the maker's page does not say. Open-back headphones, which let sound in and out, are not part of this finder.
How to pick between these
- If you mostly listen at a desk → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x's long cable or Koss UR20.
- If you want to replace a worn cable later → Shure SRH840A, which Shure says has a detachable locking cable.
- If you will plug into a phone → check the plug: these use 3.5 mm plugs, so a phone with only USB-C needs an adapter. For beyerdynamic, the maker labels the 32-ohm version for mobile devices; this entry is the 80-ohm version.
- If you need a microphone for calls → none of these states one; look at wireless models or wired earbuds with a mic instead.
Didn't find a fit?
How these were chosen and sources
Of the 42 headphones we catalogued from manufacturer sites (as of October 19, 2026), 7 are wired over-ear models, and 6 of them are under $250 on the maker's store; all 6 are here. Within the finder, models that fit your answers equally are ordered by how many features their maker states, then by the lower price on the maker's own store, then by a fixed catalogue order. Commissions never affect the order.
Written with AI assistance from manufacturer specifications; reviewed and approved by the site owner. We don't test products hands-on. How we choose.
Sources:
Written with AI assistance from manufacturer specifications and reviewed before publishing in October 2026. We don't test products hands-on.