By Mark, AudioComAV.co.uk
Introduction
Over-ear headphones remain the easiest way to get immersive sound and all-day comfort without going over budget. In 2025 the sweet spot for UK buyers sits between £50 and £199—enough to secure trusted brands, strong Bluetooth performance, and a reliable wired fallback for when batteries run low. To help you choose, I compared expert reviews, hundreds of real-world user comments, and brand after-sales reputation to shortlist ten models that consistently deliver.
Every pick below is from a recognisable brand, supports Bluetooth plus 3.5 mm wired, and has compelling real-world feedback. Each mini-review focuses on sound, comfort, features, battery life, and any watch-outs—then finishes with a clear manufacturer link for deeper research.
1) Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
The ATH-M50xBT2 takes the studio-famous M50x sound and makes it portable. You get a largely neutral, balanced tuning with tight bass, articulate mids, and crisp but not brittle treble—far closer to “reference” than most consumer pairs in this price range. If you swap between podcasts, acoustic, and electronic, that balance pays off. The Bluetooth implementation is stable, and the A-T Connect app adds useful tweaks: custom EQ, button remapping, and a low-latency mode that helps keep audio in sync when watching video.
Battery life lands around 50 hours per charge. Build quality mirrors the wired M50x: robust yokes, swivelling cups, foldable design, and replaceable pads available from third parties. Comfort is good for multi-hour sessions, though the oval pads can run warm and clamp is moderate by design to keep a secure seal.
Trade-offs? There’s no active noise cancelling (ANC), so the BT2 doesn’t hush aircraft roar the way ANC models can; on the flip side, you avoid the hiss and processing artefacts that some budget ANC introduces. A handful of users report idle hiss over Bluetooth on certain sources (unit variance and source device seem to play a role). If you want a fun, boosted “V-shape” the BT2 may sound polite out of the box—use EQ if you want more sub-bass energy.
Overall, for listeners who value fidelity and longevity with a wired safety net, the M50xBT2 remains a gold-standard all-rounder under £200.
Official Audio-Technica website
Buy Online @ Amazon
2) Cambridge Audio Melomania P100
Cambridge Audio’s Melomania P100 brings features normally reserved for pricier flagships into this bracket. Headline one is monster battery life: up to 100 hours (ANC off) or around 60 hours with ANC active, verified by multiple reviewers in real-world tests. If you travel or just hate charging, nothing else here quite matches it. Headline two is modern Bluetooth: aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless support, with a default tuning that’s clean, detailed, and controlled in the bass. It’s engaging rather than clinical, and the companion app’s EQ lets you nudge it warmer or brighter as taste dictates.
Build and comfort feel premium: soft memory-foam pads and a sturdy headband with metal reinforcement. The P100 is also unusually serviceable at this price—pads and even the battery are user-replaceable, which extends lifespan and boosts sustainability. ANC performance is solid for steady rumbles (train, HVAC), while Transparency mode is handy for quick conversations, if a touch “processed.”
Compromises: the cups don’t fold flat, so it’s bulkier in a bag; at ~330 g, some users notice clamp pressure on longer marathons; and while the ANC is good, it isn’t class-leading against Sony/Bose. Still, the overall package—battery, codec support, sound quality, and repairability—makes the P100 a standout sub-£200 choice.
Official Cambridge Audio website
Buy Online At Amazon
3) Anker Soundcore Q20i
Anker’s Soundcore Q20i hits the budget ANC bullseye. Its hybrid noise cancelling reliably tames low-frequency hums from buses, trains, and office HVAC, creating a calmer bubble for work and study. No, it won’t reach flagship ANC depth, but at this price it’s impressive. The Soundcore app is a big part of the appeal: you can custom EQ the Q20i away from its default bass-tilted curve to something more balanced, and save profiles for genres or podcasts.
Battery life is excellent at up to 60 hours (ANC off) or around 40 hours (ANC on). Charging is speedy over USB-C, and the 3.5 mm cable keeps the music going if you do run out. The lightweight, foldable design with plush pads makes them commuter-friendly, and the hinges collapse neatly for a backpack or handbag.
Limitations are mostly about materials and ultimate fidelity. Plastics feel budget (keep an eye on hinges over the long term), and the stock sound can be a little “closed-in” until you EQ a touch of upper-mid presence. ANC adds a faint noise floor in very quiet rooms—normal in this class. Even so, the value formula—usable ANC + long battery + EQ control + wired fallback from a brand with solid UK support—earns the Q20i its spot.
Official Soundcore (Anker) website
4) JLab JBuds Lux ANC
JLab’s JBuds Lux ANC is for buyers who want active noise cancelling without breaking £100. Its ANC reduces steady background rumble and chatter well enough for commuting and office use, while keeping sound quality largely intact. The tuning is lively and fun out of the box—bass has punch, vocals stay forward, and treble avoids harshness. If you prefer a different flavour, the JLab app offers EQ options, including a more Balanced profile.
You’ll typically see 25–30 hours with ANC on or up to 40 hours with it off, plus a 3.5 mm wired option for flights or dead-battery emergencies. Comfort is good for a couple of hours at a stretch thanks to soft pads and modest clamp, and the foldable design slips easily into a bag. Controls are straightforward, with quick ANC and transparency toggles when you need to hear train announcements.
Where it gives ground is materials and micro-detail. The plastics keep weight and cost down but won’t feel as premium as Sennheiser or Cambridge, and long-term durability depends on gentle handling. The ANC adds a faint hiss in near-silence (common in this tier), and the soundstage is narrower than the best here. Still, taken as a whole, the Lux ANC delivers one of the most convincing budget ANC packages—fun sound, flexible EQ, strong battery, and wired safety net.
5) JBL Tune 720BT
The JBL Tune 720BT keeps things simple: a lightweight, portable over-ear with a crowd-pleasing sound signature and marathon battery life. If you like the classic JBL “Pure Bass” profile—energetic low-end with clean enough mids for vocals—the 720BT hits the brief for pop, hip-hop, rock, and YouTube. It’s not tuned for forensic detail; rather, it aims for an instantly enjoyable, fatigue-free listen.
Comfort is a highlight. The cups are soft, the clamping force is moderate, and the whole unit is easy to wear for extended sessions. At up to 50 hours per charge, you’ll be reaching for the cable mainly by choice, not necessity—though the wired jack is there when you need it. The folding/swivelling design packs flat for travel, and the plastics, while plainly “consumer,” feel tidy and well assembled for the money.
What you don’t get is ANC or advanced codecs; expect SBC/AAC rather than LDAC/aptX. In noisy environments the 720BT relies on passive isolation, so it’s less suited to long-haul flights or very loud commutes. Sonically, the bass lift can shade mid detail on busy tracks; if you want neutral, consider Audio-Technica’s BT2 instead.
For casual listeners who value comfort, battery life, and a fun signature from a household brand, the 720BT is an easy, reliable recommendation—and an especially nice upgrade from ultra-cheap no-name pairs.
6) Sennheiser HD 450BT
Sennheiser’s HD 450BT blends the company’s reputation for balanced tuning with modern portability. The sound aims for clarity over fireworks: bass is present but controlled, mids are articulate for vocals and podcasts, and treble is smooth. If you bounce between speech and music, the 450BT’s tonal balance is a big advantage over bass-heavy rivals.
Battery life sits around 30 hours, and the foldable chassis plus carry pouch keep it travel-ready. Comfort is good for many head shapes; the pads are soft and the clamp moderate, though larger heads may notice pressure after long stretches. Build is clean but plastic-led, which helps keep weight and price sensible.
Noise cancelling (on the ANC variant) is moderate—fine for droning engines and office AC, but not at premium “library quiet” levels. Wireless performance is stable, and the Sennheiser app affords sensible EQ if you want a hair more warmth or sparkle. The 3.5 mm wired input is reliable on flights or when conserving battery.
Downsides? ANC depth trails the best, and the sonic character may seem restrained if you’re used to punchy consumer tunings. That said, the 450BT’s trustworthy brand support, even-handed sound, and comfort make it a reassuring choice under £200—especially for listeners who dislike overcooked bass.
7) OneOdio A70
OneOdio’s A70 is a value wild card that punches above its price with features DJs and tinkerers appreciate. Sonically it’s a lively, fun listen with strong bass drive and clear mids; treble is kept in check to avoid fatigue. It won’t out-resolve the most neutral picks here, but for day-to-day playlists it’s very engaging, and you can easily tilt the sound via source EQ to taste.
Part of its charm is flexibility: the A70 runs Bluetooth or wired with both 3.5 mm and 6.35 mm (¼-inch) options, and it supports daisy-chain sharing—plug a second pair into your A70 to share audio with a friend. Battery life stretches to around 50 hours, build is foldable and padded, and the rotating cups make one-ear monitoring simple.
Where the A70 concedes ground is polish and support. OneOdio is a smaller brand, so spare parts and warranty pathways are thinner in the UK compared with the Sennheisers of the world. Materials are sensibly chosen but obviously budget; treat hinges and headband with care. Purists may also want more linearity through the mids without EQ.
Even so, if you’re budget-minded and fancy features normally missing at this level, the A70 is a clever, flexible buy that covers commuting, casual DJ practice, and couch listening—all with a reassuring wired fallback.
8) JLab Studio Pro Wireless
The Studio Pro Wireless focuses on the core things everyday listeners care about: long battery, comfort, and simple sound controls. Expect well over 50 hours on a charge, so you can forget the cable for weeks. JLab’s EQ3 modes—Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost—let you retune quickly without diving into an app. Signature is full and friendly, Balanced tones down bass for clearer mids, and Bass Boost does what it says for gym or EDM sessions.
Comfort is a selling point thanks to plush “Cloud Foam” pads and easygoing clamp that keeps fatigue at bay over longer binges. The design folds for travel, plastics are tidy, and controls are intuitive. Bluetooth is stable for streams and calls, and the 3.5 mm jack is there when you need wired reliability or want to save battery on a long journey.
Limitations: there’s no ANC, so you rely on passive isolation in noisy spaces. Micro-detail and soundstage depth trail more premium peers; if you favour acoustic/jazz nuance, the Audio-Technica may suit better. Durability is fine for daily life, but as with most budget plastics, rough treatment will tell.
For listeners who want a comfortable, low-fuss pair with marathon stamina and quick EQ options, the Studio Pro Wireless is a dependable pick—especially at sale prices.
9) Skullcandy Hesh (360 / ANC)
Skullcandy’s Hesh line leans into the brand’s strengths: bold, bass-forward sound, lightweight comfort, and street-friendly styling. If your playlists are heavy on pop, hip-hop, and cinematic scores, the low-end weight is addictive, yet mids stay clear enough to keep vocals intelligible. The non-ANC Hesh is the simplest, while Hesh ANC adds effective suppression of steady rumbles for commuting.
Battery life is robust at roughly 30–40 hours depending on ANC use. Controls are straightforward, and the wired jack is a welcome safety net on flights or when you’ve forgotten to charge. Comfort is easygoing: soft pads, relaxed clamp, and a featherweight feel that disappears after a few minutes.
Compromises revolve around refinement and materials. The bass emphasis can mask mid detail on dense tracks; if you prefer neutral, consider Sennheiser or Audio-Technica. Treble is tuned to avoid fatigue rather than to spotlight micro-detail. Plastics keep weight down but won’t feel premium, and long-term ruggedness depends on gentle handling. ANC effectiveness is decent but not flagship-deep.
If you want a fun, fashion-aware headphone from a household name that nails casual listening and everyday comfort, the Hesh range is right on target.
10) Marshall Major IV
Marshall’s Major IV blends heritage design with marathon endurance. The textured vinyl, brass-accent logo, and tactile joystick scream guitar-amp cool, while the spec sheet backs it up with up to 80+ hours of playback and convenient wireless charging support. Sonically it aims for a warm, toe-tapping presentation: bass has body, mids carry vocals well, and treble is smooth rather than edgy—ideal for rock, pop, and daily streaming.
Comfort is good for medium-long sessions; the pads are soft and the overall weight is low, though some users do note clamp pressure building after several hours. Connectivity is fast and fuss-free, and the 3.5 mm jack provides a proper wired fallback. A neat extra: Marshall’s share port lets a friend plug in and listen through your headphones—handy on trains or at home.
Limitations are mostly about features and codecs: there’s no ANC and codec support is basic compared with Sennheiser or Cambridge. If you often fly, you may want ANC elsewhere on this list. But for everyday life, the Major IV’s combo of style, build, stamina, and simplicity is hard to beat under £200.
Official Marshall Headphones website
Conclusion
Match your pick to your priorities: choose Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 if you want balanced, studio-inspired tuning with a wired backup; Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 for unmatched battery and modern codecs; Anker Q20i or JLab JBuds Lux ANC for budget-friendly noise cancelling; JBL Tune 720BT or Skullcandy Hesh for fun, portable daily listening; Sennheiser HD 450BT for dependable neutrality; and Marshall Major IV for heritage design with huge stamina. All ten are solid, real-world-proven options with Bluetooth plus wired flexibility—so you can listen your way, anywhere.
