Finding the right pair of headphones under Rs. 20,000 (or $250) can be challenging, especially when balancing sound quality, comfort, and features like noise cancellation (NC). While there are some options available, only a few truly stand out in terms of overall performance and value for money. To make your search easier, I’ve narrowed it down to the top four options that deliver the best combination of sound quality, comfort, and features at this price point.
One thing worth mentioning before getting into the list: I personally prefer a more balanced sound signature, so I won’t even attempt to rank these headphones purely based on audio quality or tuning preferences, since that can be highly subjective. Instead, in the spirit of highlighting some genuinely good ANC headphones in this price range, this ranking is based primarily on two factors — ANC performance and overall value for money.
Interestingly, the Bose QuietComfort is available at around ₹20,000, but no matter how compelling the Bose brand might be, this is not the headphone you should get. For the price, it’s still not as good as the top pick. Alternatively, if it drops to around ₹16,000, it becomes a more reasonable option — otherwise, it’s better to skip it.
Recent Updates
25/05/26: Removed the Sony WH-1000XM4 from the list due to unavailability, reformatted the text, and also added new recommendations.
28/05/26: Added international purchase links for easier access to global buyers.
02/07/26: Added recommendations for reliable brands offering replacement earpads.
- The following list has been compiled and ranked based on reviews, comparisons, and feedback from audiophile-focused YouTube channels (such as DHRME), along with benchmark and testing platforms (such as RTINGS).
- The ranking is based on my research from reviews, where most reviewers adjusted the equalizer settings to improve the sound quality. Because of that, you may also need to tweak the EQ settings a little if you decide to get one of these headphones.
- In the future, if you need replacement earpads for your headphones, brands such as Brainwavz, Geekria, and SoloWIT offer a wide range of options for many popular headphone models.
Note: The following are ranked based on ANC, Build & Overall Value.
1. Sony ULT WEAR
 | IPX Rating: N/A |
 | 40 mm Drivers Codec: AAC, SBC, LDAC |
 | Up to 30 Hours |
 | No audio over USB |
The Sony ULT Wear is arguably the best pair of headphones you can get at around ₹16,000 (or $160) right now. Its sound signature is somewhat similar to the flagship Sony WH-1000XM5 (at ₹24,999 or $250), while being noticeably more comfortable to wear and far easier on the wallet.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 would have easily taken the #1 spot on this list, but it’s no longer widely available through reliable sellers. (Yes, there is one listing on Flipkart, but the seller has mixed reviews online, so I wouldn’t confidently recommend it.)
2. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
| IPX Rating: N/A |
| 42 mm Drivers Codec: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX adaptive |
| Up to 60 Hours |
| Has USB-C audio |
The Momentum 4 Wireless is slightly above this budget range at around ₹25,000 (or $250) — putting it in the same price bracket as the Sony WH-1000XM5. Honestly though, I would still pick the Momentum 4 (or even the more affordable Accentum Plus) over the XM5 simply because of how comfortable they are for long listening sessions and the added flexibility of USB audio support.
While the ANC performance is still better on the XM5, the comfort on the Momentum 4 is genuinely hard to ignore. The audio quality is also excellent, making them a very sensible choice for anyone who listens to music, podcasts, or videos for hours at a time.
3. Sennheiser Accentum Plus
| IPX Rating: N/A |
| 37 mm Drivers Codec: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX adaptive |
| Up to 50 Hours |
| Has USB-C audio |
The Accentum Plus is a fairly affordable pair of ANC headphones, usually priced around ₹15,000 ($150) — putting it in a similar range as the Sony ULT Wear.
It’s not that the Accentum Plus excels in one particular area, but rather that it offers a genuinely solid overall package for the price. You get good audio quality, decent ANC performance, and a comfortable listening experience, making it an easy recommendation for casual everyday use.
4. JBL Tour One M2
| IPX Rating: N/A |
| 40 mm Drivers Codec: AAC, SBC, LC3 |
| Up to 30 Hours |
| Has USB-C audio |
The JBL Tour One M2 — and even the newer JBL Tour One M3 for that matter — are genuinely good headphones for the price, although the M3 is noticeably more expensive.
Both the M2 and M3 offer a very feature-packed experience, and the ANC performance is just excellent (way better than the Sennheiser Momentum 4).
But when it comes to sound quality, the JBL Tour One M2 and M3 don’t perform as well as expected. Don’t get me wrong — they sound good out of the box, but not exceptional. You’ll likely need to tweak the EQ a bit to get the audio sounding just right. That’s one of the main reasons they rank lower in terms of overall value.
Still, the Tour One series deserves credit for how feature-loaded it is, and the M2 in particular remains a solid option for anyone looking for a premium-looking pair of headphones under ₹20,000 ($200).
What if you just want the Best Over-Ear Headphones?
If you’re willing to stretch your budget beyond ₹20,000 (or $200), there are a few excellent options that deliver even better sound quality, comfort, and noise cancellation.
Premium models from brands like Sony, Shure, and Bose offer superior ANC performance, richer sound profiles, and longer battery life. While these options might cost more, the overall listening experience and build quality make them worth the investment if you’re looking for the absolute best over-ear headphones.
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