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REVIEWS
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Koss UR20 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£35Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Koss UR20 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Koss UR20
6.0/10

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 63% of models
Score components

80%

5.2

Technical score

20%

8.9

User score

â–¼Worse than 63% of headphones
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 59%
5.2

Technical score

Technical score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
Score components

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.5

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 86%
8.9

User score

User score
8.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 91% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

9.8

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
★Better than 91%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Koss UR20

Technical score
Technical score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 86% of models
Score components:

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

5.5

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.2
User score
User score
8.9/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 91% of models
Score components

70%

8.6

User ratings

30%

9.8

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.9
Popularity
Popularity
9.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 91% of models
Popularity:
Koss UR20 has a popularity score of 9.8 points, which is higher than that of 90.6% of products in this category.
9.8
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
30 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 30 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 98.9% of headphones and equal to 0.4% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Koss
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
283 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 283 g, heavier than 75.2% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Koss UR20 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 1.2 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.4 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.4 m vs 1.2 m
  • 11.6% higher user score
    User score
    8.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Koss UR20
    the average pair of headphones
    Koss UR20 has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (8.93 vs 8).
    8.93 vs 8
  • 66.1% more popular
    Koss UR20 is more popular than the average pair of headphones (9.75 vs 5.9).
    9.75 vs 5.87
  • 2.57x cheaper
    Koss UR20 is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£35 vs £90).
    £35 vs £90
  • 11.6% higher user score
    User score
    8.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Koss UR20
    the average pair of headphones
    Koss UR20 has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (8.93 vs 8).
    8.93 vs 8
  • 66.1% more popular
    Koss UR20 is more popular than the average pair of headphones (9.75 vs 5.9).
    9.75 vs 5.87
  • 2.57x cheaper
    Koss UR20 is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£35 vs £90).
    £35 vs £90
  • 1.2 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (2.4 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    2.4 m vs 1.2 m
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 29.8% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (283 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    283 g vs 218 g
  • 12 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    30 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 5 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 22 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (38 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    38 mm vs 60 mm
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 29.8% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (283 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    283 g vs 218 g
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 22 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (38 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    38 mm vs 60 mm
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 12 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    30 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 5 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    97 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 13 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (97 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    97 dB vs 110 dB
  • 6 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (97 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    97 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 17 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (1999 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    October 1999
    1999 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

10
theman7431
✓ explicit
16/10/2015
Unboxing and first listen · loud playback test
Verdict
The Koss UR20 is smooth, loud and durable at a price that can't be beaten.
Shop video
Not graded
Not graded yet
Not graded yet

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

R
rtings.com
26/04/2016
Summary of the review
Koss UR20 Headphones Review RTINGS.com
X
xander51.medium.com
27/03/2019
Summary of the review
Koss UR20 Headphones Review - A budget mix of surprising greatness and muddy sound

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Koss UR20

  • Exceptional value for the extremely low budget price point
  • High level of comfort for long listening sessions due to large, plush ear cushions
  • Decent and deep bass response, especially suited for genres like hip-hop
  • Durable and flexible headband construction despite being mostly plastic
  • Extra-long 8-foot cable provides good mobility
  • Lightweight over-ear design that accommodates larger head sizes and glasses
  • Responds well to EQ adjustments to improve stock sound signature

What customers don't like about Koss UR20

  • Muffled and muddy midrange and treble lacking in overall clarity
  • Bulky and oversized design that is cumbersome to carry around
  • Poor noise isolation and significant sound leakage in quiet environments
  • Cheap plastic build quality can feel fragile or 'flimsy' to some users
  • Lacks a carrying case, detachable cable, or integrated audio controls
  • Bass can sometimes be overpowering and detract from other audio details
  • Limited soundstage due to the closed-back design

Verdict

The Koss UR20 are budget-friendly, closed-back over-ear headphones designed for home studio monitoring, DJ use, and casual listening, featuring 32 Ohm impedance, 30-20,000 Hz frequency response, and an extra-long 2.4-meter (8-foot) straight cable. Their main characteristics include large, comfortable leatherette ear cushions for passive noise isolation and a lightweight, highly flexible, self-adjusting headband, making them durable enough for daily use. Pros include excellent value for money, deep bass response, and a comfortable, secure fit even for glasses wearers. Main cons are a lack of inline volume control, a bulky design that is not foldable, and a somewhat muddy, warm sound signature that may lack high-end detail for discerning listeners.

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