Koss Koss UR20 Over-Ear Headphones, Flexible Sling Review
The Koss UR20 headphones offer legendary comfort for under $20, but their sound and features are stuck in the past. Here's who should buy them.
The 30-Second Version
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.
Overview
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.
Performance
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.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong comfort (95th percentile) 95th
- Strong social proof (87th percentile) 87th
Cons
- Below average mic (22th percentile) 22th
- Below average sound (25th percentile) 25th
- Below average anc (31th percentile) 31th
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | Over-Ear |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.1 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | Leather |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 16 |
| Codecs | HIFI |
Connectivity
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
Features
| Touch Controls | Yes |
Value & Pricing
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.
Price History
vs Competition
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.
| Spec | Koss Koss UR20 Over-Ear Headphones, Flexible Sling | Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back | Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear | Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | — | 30 | 40 | 37 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 16 | 48 | 16 | — | 32 | 24 |
| 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 | 35 |
Common Questions
Q: Are these good for gaming?
They're okay for casual gaming because they're comfortable and the long cord helps, but the mediocre microphone score means you'll need a separate mic for chat.
Q: Can you use these with a phone?
Yes, the included 1/8-inch (3.5mm) plug works with any phone that has a headphone jack, but there's no inline microphone for calls.
Q: How is the noise isolation?
It's passive isolation from the ear cups. It blocks some ambient noise if they fit your ears well, but don't expect active noise cancellation—this is a basic wired set.
Who Should Skip This
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.
Verdict
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.