Koss Koss UR20 Over-Ear Headphones, Flexible Sling Review

For $19, you get legendary comfort and basic sound. Don't expect audiophile quality or any modern features. It's a fantastic value as a comfortable, disposable backup pair of wired headphones.

The Koss UR20 is a $19 pair of over-ear headphones that have been around forever. They're basically the definition of 'no-frills' audio, with a simple wired connection and a flexible sling headband that's famously comfortable.

For less than the cost of a pizza, you get a pair of headphones that can pump out sound for years. They're not trying to be studio monitors or wireless ANC champs. They're just trying to be cheap, reliable, and easy to wear.

The sound is fine for the price, but it's not going to wow you. Our database puts its sound quality in the 41st percentile, which means it's average at best. The bass is decent thanks to the neodymium magnet, but multiple users note the mids and highs can sound a bit weak or muddy out of the box. You can tweak it with an EQ, but straight out of the jack, it's just okay. Where it really shines is comfort, scoring in the 99th percentile. That sling headband is a classic for a reason—it barely feels like you're wearing anything.

For $19, it's almost impossible to complain. You're getting a functional pair of over-ear headphones that are more comfortable than most things ten times the price. The value isn't in amazing sound, it's in getting a tool that works and won't hurt your head or your wallet. If it breaks in a few years, you just buy another one.

This isn't competing with a Sennheiser Momentum or Sony WH-1000XM6. Those are in a different universe of price and performance. The real competition is other ultra-budget wires like the Monoprice Retro. The UR20's ace is its comfort. If you just need a cheap pair for desktop listening or a backup, and comfort is your top priority, the UR20 wins. If you want slightly better sound or a more portable foldable design for the same money, look at the Monoprice option.

Skip these if you need anything modern. That means no Bluetooth, no noise cancellation, no microphone, and no portability. If you commute, make calls, or want rich, detailed sound, spend a little more. These are for a very specific, low-fi use case.

Buy these if you need a supremely comfortable, dead-simple, and ultra-cheap pair of wired headphones for casual listening at your desk, with a record player, or as a backup. They're the audio equivalent of a reliable beater car.