Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $140: Comfort and Sound Quality

Explore top over-ear headphones under $140 that deliver excellent comfort and sound quality without breaking the bank.

Finding the Perfect Balance: Over-Ear Headphones Under $140

If you're a fan of over-ear headphones, you know the struggle of finding the perfect match between comfort, ease of use, and great sound — all at a reasonable price. With countless options available, what distinguishes one pair from another? It depends on what you're after.

• Some models are versatile, featuring noise cancellation and Bluetooth for convenience during travel.
• Gamers often seek low latency.
• Audiophiles prioritize sound fidelity and comfort.

Luckily, there’s something for everyone, even if your budget is capped at around $140 (roughly 10,000 rubles).

Top Over-Ear Headphones Under $140: Detailed Overview

Overall Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $140

Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless

• Neutral Sound: 7.0
• Commuting/Travel: 7.7
• Sports/Fitness: 7.0
• Office: 7.3
• Wireless Gaming: 5.7
• Wired Gaming: 6.9
• Phone Calls: 6.8
• Type: Over-Ear Headphones
• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: Yes
• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless tops our list as the best over-ear headphones under $140 that we’ve tested. Lightweight and well-built, these headphones are perfect for everyday use.

They fit comfortably and offer around 44 hours of battery life on a single charge, ideal for long flights or several days at work. The active noise cancellation system can be toggled through different modes tailored to various noise environments. The "Transport" mode especially excels at blocking out engine hum and background noise, making these the best ANC headphones in this price range.

Their V-shaped sound signature delivers punchy bass and resonant lows, with clear vocals and lead instruments standing out. This sound profile suits genres like rock and pop perfectly. You can further tweak their sound via the headphone’s app with its equalizer and presets. However, turning off noise cancellation makes the sound somewhat hollow and dull.

One downside: these over-ear headphones leak quite a bit of sound. If you're in an office setting, others might overhear your music. For quieter offices, Wyze wireless headphones with ANC might be better as they leak less noise, though they do have shorter battery life and weaker noise cancellation.

Best Over-Ear Headphones Under $140 for Calls

JBL Tune 760NC

• Neutral Sound: 7.4
• Commuting/Travel: 6.7
• Sports/Fitness: 7.2
• Office: 6.8
• Wireless Gaming: 5.4
• Wired Gaming: 6.7
• Phone Calls: 7.1
• Type: Over-Ear Headphones
• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: Yes
• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: Yes
• Microphone: Yes

The JBL Tune 760NC is a great pick if calls are your priority and you want Bluetooth over-ear headphones under $140. While prices fluctuate, snagging them under $140 means you get superior microphone quality compared to other options here.

The built-in mic offers clear, natural voice capture and decently filters ambient noise like traffic or air conditioner hum, making conversations less distracting. The onboard controls let you answer or end calls without grabbing your phone.

However, their noise cancellation isn’t the strongest. If you're in a noisy office, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 might serve better. The headphones are comfortable but might feel tight on larger heads.

With over 40 hours of battery life, they’ll last multiple workdays without a recharge. Sonically, they offer a balanced sound with a detailed midrange that highlights vocals nicely. But they lack specialized software or customizable features, which the JBL Tune 770NC offers with its equalizer app. The 770NC has similar sound performance but a slightly worse microphone. Both models perform similarly overall.

Best Wireless Full-Size Gaming Headphones Under $140

Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless

• Neutral Sound: 7.9
• Commuting/Travel: 5.5
• Sports/Fitness: 6.0
• Office: 6.6
• Wireless Gaming: 7.5
• Wired Gaming: 6.0
• Phone Calls: 6.3
• Type: Over-Ear Headphones
• Design: Closed-back
• Wireless: Yes
• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Microphone: Yes

For gamers searching for quality wireless gaming headphones on a budget, the Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless offers great value. These comfy headphones come with a balanced sound profile, fitting well with gaming needs.

A slight boost in treble ensures you easily identify footsteps and subtle in-game sounds, while a wide soundstage immerses you fully in gameplay. The built-in mic captures your voice clearly and naturally, ideal for team communication.

Although wireless with low latency thanks to its adapter, they can't be used wired. They lack noise cancellation, so best used in a quiet, dedicated gaming space. Also, the mic is fixed and non-detachable, so wearing them casually outdoors might feel awkward.

With 35 hours of battery life, they're perfect for extended gaming marathons without frequent charging. If you need longer battery or wired use, consider Razer BlackShark V2 HyperSpeed Wireless, which lasts twice as long and supports wired USB to PC and PlayStation (but not Xbox).

Best Over-Ear Headphones for Audiophiles Under $140

Philips SHP9500

• Neutral Sound: 7.9
• Commuting/Travel: 4.0
• Sports/Fitness: 5.2
• Office: 4.7
• Wireless Gaming: 4.6
• Wired Gaming: 6.7
• Phone Calls: 1.7
• Type: Over-Ear Headphones
• Design: Open-back
• Wireless: No
• Driver Type: Dynamic
• Noise Cancellation: No
• Microphone: No

If you're after pure music listening with an audiophile touch, consider the Philips SHP9500. These are the best audiophile over-ear headphones under $140 we've tested.

Unlike the wireless Anker Soundcore Life Q30, these are wired with an open-back design, giving you a more spacious and immersive soundstage compared to closed headphones like Anker.

The Philips offer exceptional comfort and a very balanced sound where vocals and instruments come through clear and natural. They lack some bass punch and rumble but deliver smooth mids and highs—vocals aren’t raspy, and cymbals aren’t shrill.

That said, they don’t isolate much background noise. If you want better noise blocking and less sound leakage, Sony MDR-7506 headphones are a valid alternative—though pricier. Sony’s offer richer lows and leak less sound at high volumes but have a narrower soundstage and aren’t as comfy.

Also Consider

• Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless: This predecessor to the Q30 offers less bass-heavy sound, a snugger fit, fewer sound customization features, weaker ANC, no multipoint pairing, and shorter battery life.
• Superlux HD 681: Semi-open audiophile headphones with more powerful bass than Philips SHP9500, great for hip-hop and EDM lovers. However, their plastic build quality is lower, and they aren't as comfortable.

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Conclusion

Choosing the best over-ear headphones under $140 boils down to your usage and priorities. Whether you need stellar noise cancellation for commutes, crystal-clear calls, immersive gaming audio, or audiophile-grade music enjoyment, there’s a solid option that fits your budget and lifestyle.

Which feature matters most to you in your headphones: sound quality, comfort, battery life, or noise cancellation? Share your thoughts!

FAQs

• Which over-ear headphones offer the best battery life under $140?
  The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless offers about 44 hours of playback, making it a leader in battery endurance in this range.
• Are open-back headphones better for music lovers?
  Open-back designs like the Philips SHP9500 provide a more spacious soundstage and natural sound, ideal for music enjoyment, but they leak sound and don't isolate noise well.
• Can I use gaming headphones for music and calls?
  Yes, models like Logitech G535 offer balanced sound suitable for gaming, music, and calls, but specialized headphones may offer better performance in each area.
• Do all over-ear headphones under $140 support noise cancellation?
  No, noise cancellation is usually found in premium models in this price range, like Anker Soundcore Life Q30 and JBL Tune 760NC.
• Are wireless headphones better than wired?
  Wireless headphones offer freedom of movement but may compromise sound quality and battery life. Wired headphones often provide better sound fidelity and no charging worries.

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