Best Open-Back Headphones Under $300
Open-back headphones sound more spacious than closed ones, but they leak sound and block none. These four cover dynamic and planar designs from about $140 to $229, all for quiet rooms.
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Quick answer
Open-back headphones sound more spacious than closed ones, but they leak sound and block none. These four cover dynamic and planar designs from about $140 to $229, all for quiet rooms. Best overall: Sennheiser HD 560S, $139.99. Best planar: HiFiMAN Sundara, $199. Widest soundstage: HiFiMAN Edition XS, $229. Lightest and easiest to drive: Audio-Technica ATH-R50x, $169.
Last updated Prices checked Nov 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Sennheiser HD 560S | Best overall value | $139.99 at Best Buy (list $279.95) |
| Best planar | HiFiMAN Sundara | Best planar magnetic | $199 at HiFiMAN |
| Widest soundstage | HiFiMAN Edition XS | Best for a wide soundstage | $229 at HiFiMAN |
| Lightest and easiest to drive | Audio-Technica ATH-R50x | Best lightweight, easy-to-drive pick | $169 at Audio-Technica |
Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 560S is the best value if you can find it near Best Buy’s $139.99 (Sennheiser’s own store is back at its $279.95 list price). The HiFiMAN Sundara ($199) is the pick if you want planar-magnetic sound, and the Edition XS ($229) if soundstage matters most. The Audio-Technica ATH-R50x ($169, 207 g) is the lightest and easiest to drive.
Open-back headphones are for quiet rooms: for commuting or flights see best noise-cancelling headphones under $200 instead.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Model | Price (Nov 2026) | Driver | Impedance | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sennheiser HD 560S | $139.99 Best Buy; $129 Thomann; $279.95 Sennheiser list | Dynamic, open | 120 Ω | 240–280 g (Thomann / Sennheiser) | Best overall value |
| HiFiMAN Sundara (new headband) | $199 HiFiMAN | Planar magnetic, open | Not listed on store page | Not listed on store page | Best planar magnetic |
| HiFiMAN Edition XS (new headband) | $229 HiFiMAN | Planar magnetic, open | Not listed on store page | Not listed on store page | Best for a wide soundstage |
| Audio-Technica ATH-R50x | $169 Audio-Technica | 45 mm dynamic, open | 50 Ω | 207 g | Best lightweight, easy-to-drive pick |
The picks in detail
1. Sennheiser HD 560S
Best for: Best overall valueThe HD 560S is Sennheiser’s entry reference open-back: a 120-ohm dynamic driver, 6 Hz–38 kHz response and angled transducers for a speaker-like image. Sennheiser’s US store lists it at $279.95 in November 2026 (it was $179.95 on sale in October), but Best Buy lists it at $139.99 and Thomann at $129. At those prices it’s the easiest recommendation here. 120 ohms plays from most sources, though a small DAC/amp helps it reach full volume.
Price (Nov 2026): $139.99 at Best Buy (list $279.95) Source
Pros
- Neutral, reference tuning for mixing and critical listening
- Light velour-padded build
- Big street discount from list
Cons
- 120 ohms; a dongle DAC or small amp helps
- Sennheiser’s own price is back at full list
2. HiFiMAN Sundara
Best for: Best planar magneticHiFiMAN’s Sundara puts planar-magnetic drivers, usually found in pricier headphones, under $200: it’s $199 at HiFiMAN’s store for the new composite-headband version. Headphones.com calls it likely the most neutral planar headphone on the market, with a slight bass lift, but notes it may need an amp and can be a little sibilant for some listeners.
Price (Nov 2026): $199 at HiFiMAN Source
Pros
- Planar drivers under $200
- Neutral tuning (Headphones.com)
- Lighter new composite headband
Cons
- May need an amp (Headphones.com)
- HiFiMAN marks it pre-order, so check ship dates
3. HiFiMAN Edition XS
Best for: Best for a wide soundstageThe Edition XS is HiFiMAN’s larger oval-cup planar at $229 for the new-headband version. Headphones.com says it prioritizes spatial presentation over neutrality and ties for the best bass extension in its $200–$500 guide; its review found soundstage and imaging pull ahead of the Sundara, with some upper-treble glare and headband comfort that varies by head.
Price (Nov 2026): $229 at HiFiMAN Source
Pros
- Very open, spacious presentation
- Deep bass extension for an open-back
- Still well under $300
Cons
- Treble-forward; less forgiving of poor recordings
- Large cups; fit and headband comfort vary
4. Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
Best for: Best lightweight, easy-to-drive pickAudio-Technica’s ATH-R50x is a fully open reference headphone at $169 with 45 mm drivers, a 50-ohm rating, 93.3 dB/mW sensitivity and a 207 g weight. It comes with two detachable cables (3.0 m and 1.2 m) and replaceable earpads, which makes it a practical pick for laptops, audio interfaces and long sessions.
Price (Nov 2026): $169 at Audio-Technica Source
Pros
- Lightest here at 207 g
- 50 ohms; easy to drive
- Two cables and replaceable pads included
Cons
- Fewer independent reviews than the HD 560S or Sundara
- No planar option at this price
Also considered
Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X: 48-ohm studio open-back, 345 g, now $319.99 at Beyerdynamic, so it’s over this budget unless it goes on sale. Sennheiser HD 550: $349.95 at Sennheiser, 150 ohms, 237 g. Sennheiser HD 600: the classic 300-ohm reference, now $499.95 at Sennheiser and needs an amp. Headphones.com’s under-$300 list also includes the FiiO FT1 Pro and Sennheiser HD 6XX, which we haven’t priced here.
Verdict
Buy the HD 560S if you can get it near $140; it’s the most accurate, comfortable all-rounder for the money. If it’s at its $279.95 list price where you shop, the Sundara at $199 is better value and gives you planar sound. Choose the Edition XS for the biggest soundstage, and the ATH-R50x if you want something light that runs from a laptop or interface without extra gear.
Open-back vs closed-back
Open-back earcups let air and sound pass through, which tends to sound more natural and spacious. Audio-Technica puts it simply: open-backs suit mixing and listening in a private space, while closed-backs isolate you from outside noise. For travel, pick closed noise-cancelling models: see best headphones for travel. For gaming with a built-in mic, see best gaming headsets under $100.
Do you need an amp?
Lower-impedance headphones such as the 50-ohm ATH-R50x are easy to drive from laptops and audio interfaces. The 120-ohm HD 560S benefits from a dongle DAC or small amp, and Headphones.com notes the Sundara may need one too. Higher-impedance models such as the 300-ohm HD 600 need more power. See best DAC/amps for headphones.
Who should skip this
Skip open-backs entirely if you listen on a commute, in an open office or near someone sleeping: they leak sound both ways. Get noise-cancelling headphones instead (our picks under $200). Skip the HiFiMAN models if you only have a phone or laptop jack and don’t want to buy a DAC/amp. Skip the HD 560S if you can only find it at full $279.95 list price. Skip all four if you need a microphone for calls or gaming without extra gear.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best open-back headphones under $300?
Is the Sennheiser HD 560S still on sale?
Can I use open-back headphones in an office?
Who should skip open-back headphones?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Nov 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Sennheiser: HD 560S ($279.95, checked November 2026) (us.sennheiser-hearing.com)
- Best Buy: Sennheiser HD 560S ($139.99, checked November 2026) (bestbuy.com)
- Thomann: Sennheiser HD 560S ($129, checked November 2026) (thomannmusic.com)
- HiFiMAN: Sundara, new headband ($199) (store.hifiman.com)
- HiFiMAN: Edition XS, new headband ($229) (store.hifiman.com)
- Audio-Technica: ATH-R50x ($169) (audio-technica.com)
- Beyerdynamic: DT 900 PRO X ($319.99) (beyerdynamic.com)
- Sennheiser: HD 550 ($349.95) (us.sennheiser-hearing.com)
- Sennheiser: HD 600 ($499.95) (us.sennheiser-hearing.com)
- Headphones.com: Open-back headphone buying guide, $200–500 (headphones.com)
- Headphones.com: HiFiMAN Edition XS review vs Sundara and Ananda (headphones.com)
Related
Best DAC/amps for open-back headphones
A 300-ohm Sennheiser HD 600 or a planar like the HiFiMAN Sundara sounds better with a proper amp. $130–$300 buys plenty of clean power; you don’t need more for most open-backs.
comparisonSennheiser HD 600 vs HiFiMAN Sundara
Two of the most recommended open-backs. The HD 600 is a light, 300-ohm dynamic reference headphone; the Sundara is a cheaper planar magnetic. Both sound best with a desktop amp.
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