Maxell Maxell Silver/Black HP-200F 3.5mm Connector Review
The Maxell HP-200F proves you can get decent sound for just $20. Just don't expect any modern comforts or features with these basic wired headphones.
The 30-Second Version
For $20, the Maxell HP-200F delivers shockingly good sound through a basic 3.5mm cable. It scores in the 92nd percentile for audio. Just don't expect comfort, features, or a great mic. Worth buying as a bare-bones backup.
Overview
The Maxell HP-200F is a $20 wired on-ear headphone. It's a simple, no-frills option that plugs in and plays. Forget Bluetooth, noise cancellation, or a fancy mic. This is about getting sound from a 3.5mm jack to your ears as cheaply as possible.
Our data shows it's surprisingly decent for sound, landing in the 92nd percentile. That means it punches above its weight for audio quality. But everything else is a trade-off. The build and comfort scores are just average, and the microphone performance is predictably bad.
Performance
The sound is the main story here. For $20, the audio quality is solid, with a decent frequency range from 20Hz to 21kHz. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's clear and gets the job done. The 32-ohm impedance and 100dB sensitivity mean it's easy to drive from a phone or laptop. The lowlights are everything else. The on-ear design can get uncomfortable after a while, and the 4-foot cord feels a bit short if you're not sitting right next to your device.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Surprisingly good sound for the price. 79th
- Lightweight and folds for portability. 70th
- Simple plug-and-play with a 3.5mm jack.
- Very affordable at around $20.
Cons
- On-ear design can cause discomfort over time. 22th
- The 4-foot cable is on the shorter side. 27th
- Microphone quality is poor. 33th
- No features like Bluetooth or noise cancellation.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | On-Ear |
Audio
| Driver Type | 30mm |
| Driver Size | 30 |
| Freq Min | 20 |
| Freq Max | 21000 |
| Impedance | 32 |
| Sensitivity | 100 |
| Codecs | Ideal for portable CD/DVD/Mp3/iPod playersDynamic sound reproduction from all sourcesAdjustable locking headband Magnet: Anisotropic FerriteRated Input: 40 mWMaximum Input: 100 mWFilm: 0.012mmCoil: 13.6mm |
Connectivity
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Cable Length | 1.22 |
Value & Pricing
For $20, it's hard to complain. You're getting functional headphones that sound better than they have any right to. If your only goal is to replace a broken pair of earbuds or have a spare set for a kid's tablet, the value is there. Just don't expect them to last forever or be super comfortable for all-day listening.
Price History
vs Competition
This is a totally different world from the top competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Apple AirPods Max. Those are $300+ wireless noise-canceling champions. The Maxell HP-200F is for people who want to spend 1/15th of that price and don't care about any modern features. Compared to other budget wired options, its sound quality score gives it an edge, but you're sacrificing comfort and a longer cable that some rivals might offer.
| Spec | Maxell Maxell Silver/Black HP-200F 3.5mm Connector | Sony Sony - WH-1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Cancelling | Apple AirPods Max Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C) - Midnight | Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear | Bose QuietComfort headphones Bose QuietComfort Wireless Over-Ear Active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | On-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | 30mm | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 30 | 30 | 40 | 37 | 40 | - |
| Impedance Ohms | 32 | 48 | 16 | - | 32 | - |
| Wireless | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | - | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 30 | 20 | 50 | 70 | 24 |
Common Questions
Q: How long is the cable?
The cable is 4 feet long, which is fine for desk use but might feel short if your device isn't right next to you.
Q: What's the sound quality like?
Our tests put the sound quality in the 92nd percentile for its category, which is excellent for the price. It handles the standard 20Hz to 21kHz range well.
Q: Do these have a microphone?
They have a basic in-line mic, but it scores very poorly in our database. Don't rely on it for clear calls.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you need wireless freedom, noise cancellation, or all-day comfort. Also, avoid them if you make a lot of calls; the microphone is terrible. For those needs, even a budget Bluetooth set is a better choice.
Verdict
Buy these if you need a dead-simple, ultra-cheap pair of headphones for casual listening on a phone, tablet, or laptop. They're perfect as a backup pair, for a child, or for a situation where you don't want to risk losing or breaking something expensive. If you have $20 to spare and just need sound, these work.