The pursuit of headphone excellence — or even happiness — can be a neverending rabbit hole. Ultimately, finding the best headphones for you depends on your attitude, goals, and budget. And the cans that might work well for your particular use case might not be ideal for someone else’s. After all, headphones are a very subjective and highly contestable consumer electronics category.

　　Our experts have written about headphones, earbuds, speakers, and other audio products for over a quarter century. During that time, wireless headphones have certainly emerged as a huge subcategory. But their traditional wired counterparts are still plenty viable, offering a blend of sound quality, durability, and relative affordability.

　　Specifically for this buyer’s guide, our online research and personal experiences helped us identify over a dozen circumaural (over-ear) headphones ranging in price from $80 to $5,000. After careful consideration, we narrowed down the candidates to ten favorites that we tested in real-world conditions.

　　Below are the best headphones based on our testing. To help you more easily find the best headphones for your particular needs, we’ve included a comparison chart, a buyer’s guide, and a frequently asked questions section.

　　The Best Headphones of 2024 Best Overall Headphones: Focal Utopia (2022) Best Budget Headphones: EarFun Wave Pro Most Stylish Headphones: Meze Audio 109 Pro Best Headphones for Bass: Sony Ult Wear Most Affordable Audiophile Headphones: Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Best Overall Headphones Focal Utopia (2022) Specs Weight 490 grams Frequency Range 5 Hz 50 kHz Format Open-back, Wired Accessories Included Storage box, travel case, XLR cable, 1/4-inch adapter

　　

　　

　　Pros Superior soundscape Luxurious materials Recently upgraded Cons Ultra expensive Heavy Uninspired case and accessories Scott Tharler Just as there are those who are content to call a walk in the park hiking and others who strive to beat their FKT on the PCT, there are those who consider music background noise and others who seek the pinnacle of what’s achievable in the world of personal audio through advanced technology and design. For the latter group, the French company Focal has created — and recently updated — the Utopia (2022) ($4,999).

　　Although the impedance of these penultimate headphones is a little higher than that of most run-of-the-mill cans, their sensitivity is also high. (See an explanation of those terms below in the Buyer’s Guide section.) This means that they could easily be run directly off a music player, but just as a sports car would truly be at home on the Autobahn, Utopia would best show what it can do while running through a properly paired amplifier.

　　Utopia’s soundscape is open and bright yet fairly neutral, which is to say that it’s not overly colored. It offers a nice, natural-sounding timbre. Compared to other headphones, it might appear as if a veil were lifted, exposing the notes for just your ears to hear. The physical attention to detail — with elements such as beryllium drivers and genuine lambskin leather earpads — also makes a difference in the luxurious listening experience.

　　Other than the super baller price tag, Utopia’s weight is probably its biggest detractor. At over a pound, which is a lot in the world of headphones, they feel noticeably heavy to our noggin. While the faux leather box they come in makes for an okay presentation, it seems like the travel case should be fancier than every other (Focal) case, and there should be additional accessories, such as extra earpads.

　　Believe it or not, the Focal Utopia (2022) aren’t the most expensive headphones out there. (Scroll down to the FAQ section to peek at three considerably more pricey systems.) But they’re surely out of reach for all but the most dedicated and deep-pocketed audio lovers among us. But for those willing and able to attain this audio nirvana, Utopia is quite simply the aural endgame.

　　$4,999 at Amazon Best Bargain Headphones EarFun Wave Pro Specs Weight 268 grams Frequency Range Up to 40 kHz Format Closed-back, wireless Accessories Included Carrying case, audio and charging cables

　　

　　Pros Unexpectedly clean, premium sound Fast charging and up to 80-hour battery life Nice button layout Good app with lots of options/controls Hard case with inner webbing to hold spare cords Cons Earcups may get a little warm when listening long Scott Tharler To be honest, we had low expectations when EarFun debuted the Wave Pro ($80), its first over-ear headphones, at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in January. After all, just because they’ve proven themselves adept at creating decent quality, value-driven wireless earbuds doesn’t mean that producing full-size headphones would be a slam dunk. But against all odds, they nailed it on the first try.

　　In fact, it’s tough to come up with anything scathing to say about these headphones. They’re terrific — and not just for under a hundred bucks. They can hold their own against most wireless over-ear headphones under two hundred dollars.

　　Their sound signature is a great balance of fun yet surprisingly refined. In other words, nothing seems bloated or off. The bass is present but (unlike other inexpensive options) doesn’t bleed into and overpower the mids. Throughout the rest of the frequencies, everything is crisp and pleasing. The ambient sound mode isn’t crystal clear, but certainly serviceable.

　　Plus, there’s a lot we like about their design. The Wave Pro is plenty comfortable. The buttons — with a separate volume rocker and a power button that doubles as play/pause — are laid out well and clicky in a good way. The yoke is easy to resize. We love how the companion app offers EQ, noise canceling mode, multipoint settings, and other available options.

　　Naming the EarFun Wave Pro our best bargain pick was the easiest decision related to this guide. It offers a nice, consistent sound, regardless of whether ANC is on or off. It even comes complete with a zippered hard case that labels which earcups go where and has a small webbed pouch to hold the audio and charging cables that come with it.

　　$80 at Amazon Most Stylish Headphones Meze Audio 109 Pro Specs Weight 375 grams Frequency Range 5 Hz 30 kHz Format Open-back, Wired Accessories Included Carrying case, small pouch for extra audio cable and 1/4-inch adapter

　　

　　Pros Distinctive design and materials Fun sound with elevated bass and treble Self-adjusting headband Nice hard case with inner pouch for cables Cons Relatively expensive A little on the bright side Scott Tharler There’s absolutely no mistaking the 109 Pro ($799) as being from any other company than Meze Audio. This well-regarded Romanian brand has made quite a name for itself over the past several years in the world of headphones.

　　Integrating striking metallic and wooden accents with the vegan leather headband and plush velour earcups, the 109 Pro blends head-turning good looks with minimalist sensibilities. Every element serves a visual and structural purpose — or, to put it another way, they’re not unnecessarily ornate.

　　But beyond their undeniable rizz, these classy open-back cans also perform quite well. The sound signature comes across as U-shaped, meaning that the bass and treble are noticeably elevated, but the midrange remains fairly flat — in a good way. That is, vocals are still present and avoid dipping way down into the shadows, as many V-shaped headphones typically allow.

　　To top it all off, they’re super comfortable. Thanks largely to the self-adjusting headband, putting them on simply involvesputting them on. No fidgeting necessary. Just place the luxuriously soft cups over your ears, and you’ll be ready to rock.

　　Although $800 may seem pretty steep at first blush, the Meze Audio 109 Pro is actually Meze’s most affordable open-back, over-ear headphones. So, from that perspective, they’re relatively inexpensive. And the rich, warm, bright soundscape they offer is super fun.

　　$799 at Amazon Best Headphones for Bass Sony Ult Wear Specs Weight 255 grams Frequency Range 5 Hz 20 kHz Format Closed-back, Wireless Accessories Included Carrying case, audio and charging cables

　　

　　Pros Amazing bass Super lightweight and comfy Good blend of button and gesture controls Feature-rich app Fold nicely into their hard travel case Cons Bass on highest setting may be slightly bloated Scott Tharler By creating the Ult Wear ($200), Sony has departed from tradition in several ways. First, they created headphones with a simple, easy-to-remember moniker rather than a mouthful of alphabet soup. Second, they designed over-ear headphones that conveniently fold up. But aside from those noteworthy evolutions, the Ult Wear is actually pretty amazing for a bunch of other reasons as well.

　　The auditory elephant in the room is that they excel at bass. We compared them track for track with Skullcandy’s venerable Crusher EVO headphones. Both products are similarly sized and priced. Whereas the Skullcandy cans have a slider to adjust the bass incrementally, the Sony headphones use their patented Ult button to access two extra levels of low-end overdrive. It was a really close battle, but in short, where the Crushers may bring slightly more bass, the Ult Wear delivers better bass: strong, tight, impactful, and, for the most part, better controlled.

　　Beyond their bassy prowess, they’re actually great headphones for the plethora of smart features and cool options they offer. For instance, in addition to controlling the tracks and volume with touch gestures on the right earcup, palming it attenuates your music and automatically turns on the ambient sound mode. And the companion app is one of the most feature-rich we’ve ever experienced.

　　For example, the app allows you to toggle such granular settings as which sound modes it cycles through when you press the NC/AMB button — and what action happens when you double- or triple-tap it. You can choose which voice assistant to use, whether to activate the sensor that plays or pauses music when you’re wearing or remove the headphones, and enable multipoint for connecting to two devices simultaneously.

　　Sound-wise, you can choose to prioritize higher sound quality over a stable connection, have it suggest your ideal EQ setting based on your musical preferences after it plays snippets, and even make sonic adjustments based on analyzing your ear shape.

　　Even without the title of bass king, the Sony Ult Wear headphones are quite impressive. They offer adaptive noise cancellation, a ton of smart features, and excellent call quality. And in general, they’re very comfortable, the most lightweight on our list, and great sounding all around.

　　$178 at AmazonCheck Price at Sony Most Affordable Audiophile Headphones Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Specs Weight 260 grams Frequency Range 10 Hz 41 kHz Format Open-back, Wired Accessories Included 1/4-inch adapter

　　

　　Pros Very lightweight Superior midrange presentation Smooth and clear throughout the frequency range Excellent value for the performance Modular, works well with aftermarket parts Cons High impedance Tight clamping force Bass may not satisfy the masses Don’t include a case Scott Tharler It’s difficult to recall a more respected, revered, and talked-about set of headphones than the Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX ($219). Based on Sennheiser’s legendary HD 650 — yet inconceivably half the price — these fairly unassuming headphones sit unparalleled at the intersection of audiophile-grade performance and astounding value.

　　While collaborating with Sennheiser, the folks at Drop did not change the 650’s drivers or sound signature. So the 6XX maintains the same clean, tame, natural-sounding lows. They’re not necessarily lacking on the low end, but if you’re all about that bass, skip these and go for the Sony Ult Wear above. The upper range is also smooth, not too dark or too bright. But these headphones are mainly known for their midrange.

　　We haven’t heard anything comparable to the 6XX when it comes to producing pronounced vocals, acoustic guitars, pianos, or basically anything in the middle frequencies. It’s the kind of thing where you only notice what you’ve been lacking or missing when you hear what it brought forth. As much of a meme as it is, the live “Hell Freezes Over” version of Hotel California is one of the best examples of the kind of track where these headphones shine. But they do quite well with so many songs.

　　Given how light they are, it’s a mystery why the 6XX exhibits such an unnecessarily tight clamping force. Another downside is that they don’t include any kind of case, especially odd since they feature a detachable cable.

　　And while their specs do include a very high impedance (see the Buyer’s Guide section below for more on what that means), they do work well with various amps. In fact, it’s said that they possess chameleon-like qualities, taking on the sonic disposition of whatever amp is powering them.

　　Though the Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX aren’t by any means perfect, they easily earn a spot in many audiophiles’ headphones collections for all they do well. They also play well with modifications, for instance, swapping out their iconic velour earpads for ones with less textured materials. But in a way, that’s just gilding the lily.

　　$246 at Amazon Best of the Rest Urbanista Los Angeles Hugo Edition Specs Weight 325 grams Frequency Range 20 Hz 20 kHz Format Closed-back, Wireless Accessories Included Carrying case, charging cable

　　

　　Pros Virtually limitless battery life Limited edition looks stylish Nice, smooth headband adjustment mechanism Impactful bass Cool case still allows the solar panels to charge Cons High clamping force Volume rocker button a bit tricky to get used to They press on the ears and get warm No headphone jack Scott Tharler When first considering which headphones to include in this buyer’s guide, Urbanista’s solar-powered Los Angeles headphones were among the first that jumped to mind. We especially dig the snazzy red/black colorway of the slightly pricier Hugo Edition ($249).

　　Whether atop your melon or stowed in their uniquely designed open-top case, exposure to either indoor or outdoor light will recharge the Los Angeles. And while they’re not the only solar-powered headphones out there, they’re probably the most advanced, thanks to the Powerfoyle cells they employ.

　　The accompanying app sports some cool features. In addition to the usual fare, such as selecting particular sound modes and EQ settings and assigning actions to multifunction buttons, the app gives a real-time assessment of how much charge the headphones are actively receiving as compared to how much they’re draining from use. The result is a live guesstimate of how long they may last under the current conditions, with a full reserve of power reaching as high as 80 hours.

　　In terms of sound quality, these headphones are decent, especially if you like slamming, impactful bass. The noise cancellation and ambient modes aren’t tops. And we can’t give them high marks for fit or comfort, given the extent of their high clamping force, combined with the way they sat on (versus around) our ears. Also, we didn’t love having to futz with the three-way volume rocker with the combination power and play/pause button placed subtly in the middle.

　　If you tend to wear over-ears outside and want sharp-looking headphones with virtually endless battery life, the Urbanista Los Angeles Hugo Edition is a solid choice — even more so since it recently dropped 25 bucks in price. But hey, if the red/black colorway doesn’t float your boat, you can snag the regular Los Angeles version for $50 to $100 less, depending on sales.

　　Interestingly, neither version of these headphones features an audio jack. But then again, given that they’re not likely to run out of battery anytime soon, they probably don’t really need one.

　　Check Price at Urbanista Cleer Alpha Specs Weight 330 grams Frequency Range 20 Hz 40 kHz Format Closed-back, Wireless Accessories Included Carrying case, audio and charging cables, airplane adapter

　　

　　Pros Very comfortable Strong value for ANC headphones Decent touch controls Great for travel Cons Barebones app Battery life isnt great Scott Tharler When the Cleer Alpha ($250) was released a few years ago, it was a hidden gem, able to compete with Sony’s and Bose’s best but for less money. These days, Cleer Audio’s flagship wireless over-ear headphones are still a strong contender and a great value for what they offer.

　　As with all superior travel headphones, they’re super comfortable. And though their claimed 35 hours of battery life pales in comparison to the more than double that offered by the Urbanista Los Angeles, it’s still plenty of runtime to get you through any flights around the world.

　　The controls are pretty simple: a power button and gesture controls on the right cup and a dedicated sound mode button on the left cup. Compared to those from EarFun and Sony, the Cleer+ companion app is pretty sparse. You can choose a preset or custom EQ, adjust the track and volume, turn on spatial audio, and adjust the amount of transparency in ambient mode. They also offer an adaptive ANC mode, but we prefer the regular one.

　　These headphones sound good. The bass is present, but not fat (or bloated). The treble is controlled, if not a little dark. And they generally sound decent all around.

　　Cleer Alpha is simple yet highly competent. If we were recommending noise-canceling headphones to an outdoorsy friend looking to save a few shekels, they’d be at the top of our list — especially if/when they go on sale for under two hundred bucks.

　　$150 at Amazon Audeze MM-100 Specs Weight 475 grams Frequency Range 20 Hz 25 kHz Format Open-back, Wired Accessories Included Storage pouch, 1/8-inch adapter

　　

　　Pros Comfortable self-adjusting headband Extremely crisp and detailed sound Single wired connection to either earcup Affordable for planar magnetics Cons Still feel heavy A little expensive Scott Tharler With the only planar magnetic speaker drivers on our list, the Audeze MM-100 ($399) separate themselves from the crowd in a few ways, starting with how crisp and detailed they sound. They’re definitely the kind of cans that bring you into the room with the artists performing and let you hear nuances in familiar songs you might not have previously noticed.

　　The “MM” in their name refers to Grammy-winning mixer/producer Manny Marroquin, who helped sonically engineer them as a follow-up to the acclaimed MM-500 Audeze released a couple of years ago. We had the opportunity to listen to the two side-by-side in Audeze’s private suite at CES back in January. And while the MM-500 certainly trounces its little brother with a clearly richer, fuller sound, its also more than four times as expensive. So in that way, the 100s represent a strong value.

　　In fact, given the proper amplification, they’re competitive with pretty much any set of headphones on this list. Although they happen to have the lowest sensitivity on this list, at just under 100 decibels per milliwatt, they’re far from being hard to drive. In fact, we even played them directly from a DAP (digital audio player), and they sounded plenty loud.

　　At over one pound, they’re the second-heaviest headphones on this list. And while the self-adjusting headband is a pleasure to use, offloading some of that ample fray, they still feel on the heavy side for longer listening sessions. However, we do like the convenience of being able to plug the nicely braided cable into either earcup.

　　The Audeze MM-100 are at an interesting crossroads: they may seem expensive to folks used to paying $150 or less for headphones, but they stand out as an excellent value relative to similarly strong audiophile-grade offerings at two to five times the price. In other words, if these are in your budget, they’re a fantastic choice.

　　$399 at AmazonCheck Price at Audeze PSB M4U 9 Specs Weight 362 grams Frequency Range 10 Hz 23 kHz Format Closed-back, Wireless Accessories Included Carrying case, extra earpads, audio and charging cables, 1/4-inch and airplane adapters

　　

　　Pros Very comfortable with spacious earcups Tactile, well-placed buttons Great sound personalization Plenty of included accessories Cons Expensive Creaky build Extra earpads can be tricky to swap out Scott Tharler While showing us some of their other headphones at an industry event, PSB gave us a quick preview of its (at the time) upcoming M4U 9 ($499), and we fell in love. The spacious earcups and well-padded headband were very comfortable. And they sounded great. So we were definitely down to audition them further for this guide.

　　When we opened the box, we were immediately struck by how many accessories were included. And by how big the hard carrying case seemed. Within the case’s generously sized, webbed inner pocket, we found audio and charging cables, 1/4-inch and airplane audio adapters, and an extra set of earpads. For comfort, we prefer the fabric earpads over their leatherette counterparts — though we found them tricky to pry off the cups and reattach.

　　We like the tactile controls on the back of the right earcup. They include separate, well-spaced rockers to control music volume and tracks—easy for a thumb to find without looking — and between them, a switch to turn the headphones on and off and activate ANC. What we didnt like was how microphonic and creaky the cups and band were, mostly when adjusting the headphones on our heads.

　　Having said all that, sound personalization is one of the big selling points for these headphones. This is where the otherwise lean app comes in handy. It led us through an audiologist-styled test, playing tones at various frequencies in each of our ears to determine their individual hearing capabilities.

　　Being able to toggle the sound personalization on and off, we easily detected a phenomenal difference. With personalization on, the music — which already sounded good — suddenly became very crisp, detailed, and bright.

　　Given how simple and effective the Cleer Alpha are at half the price, the PSB M4U 9 aren’t a great value as ANC headphones. They’re not the only headphones (from PSB or even just on this list) that feature sound personalization. And other headphones’ earpads are way easier to swap. But we still appreciate the M4U 9 for how they combine solid comfort, tactile controls, and plenty of accessories with that highly effective sound personalization.

　　$499 at Amazon Focal Bathys Specs Weight 350 grams Frequency Range 15 Hz 22 kHz Format Closed-back, Wireless Accessories Included Carrying case, audio, and charging cables

　　

　　Pros Open and bright sounding for closed-backs Features a built-in DAC Opulent styling Well-designed carrying case Cons Very expensive Scott Tharler Known for its high-end wired headphones (epitomized by the above-heralded Utopia), Focal took the headphones scene by storm a couple of years ago when it released its first wireless headphones, the Bathys ($799, pronounced “bat tees”). Bathys not only sound amazing for wireless headphones but closed-back headphones in general.

　　Although they don’t sound as great as the best open-back headphones, what they’re able to accomplish is still incredible. The soundscape is spacious, with plenty of instrument separation. They’re open and bright. And although they’re supposedly tuned close to the preference target of most consumers, we detect small bumps in the treble and bass — more the mid-bass than the sub-bass. In other words, they’re not boring. In fact, they’re a little sparkly on the high end, right on the precipice of being sibilant.

　　Along with two levels of noise cancellation, the app allows you to create and save multiple sound personalization profiles. The “Mimi” hearing test is a little different from the one offered by PSB, but the idea is similar: it tries to restore frequencies you might otherwise miss out on so that you can listen to your music at a safe, comfortable volume.

　　Among the other tricks it has up its sleeve, Bathys has a built-in digital-analog converter. Putting it into DAC mode involves sliding the power button up a notch and connecting the headphones to your phone via the included USB-C cable. We found the sound signature in this mode to be bright and enjoyable enough to forgo the personalization profile (that’s only available in Bluetooth mode).

　　At the end of the day, Focal Bathys is in a completely different league than most other Bluetooth headphones. Again, it’s a strong entry for an audiophile-worthy closed-back. Both the headphones themselves and their case are well-designed and highly functional. So, if the price tag doesn’t phase you, these are definitely worth considering.

　　$699 at Amazon Headphones Comparison Chart

Headphones	Price	Weight (grams)	Frequency Range	Format	Accessories Included
Focal Utopia (2022)	$4,999	490	5 Hz 50 kHz	Open-back, Wired	Storage box, travel case, XLR cable, 1/4-inch adapter
EarFun Wave Pro	$80	268	Up to 40 kHz	Closed-back, Wireless	Carrying case, audio and charging cables
Meze Audio 109 Pro	$799	375	5 Hz 30 kHz	Open-back, Wired	Carrying case, small pouch for extra audio cable and 1/4-inch adapter
Sony Ult Wear	$200	255	5 Hz 20 kHz	Closed-back, Wireless	Carrying case, audio and charging cables
Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX	$219	260	10 Hz 41 kHz	Open-back, Wired	1/4-inch adapter
Urbanista Los Angeles Hugo Edition	$249	325	10 Hz 41 kHz	Closed-back, Wireless	Carrying case, charging cable
Cleer Alpha	$250	330	20 Hz 40 kHz	Closed-back, Wireless	Carrying case, audio and charging cables, airplane adapter
Audeze MM-100	$399	475	20 Hz 25 kHz	Open-back, Wired	Storage pouch, 1/8-inch adapter
PSB M4U 9	$499	362	10 Hz 23 kHz	Closed-back, Wireless	Carrying case, extra earpads, audio and charging cables, 1/4-inch and airplane adapters
Focal Bathys	$799	350	15 Hz 22 kHz	Closed-back, Wireless	Carrying case, audio and charging cables

How We Tested Headphones Truth be told, the GearJunkie staff rocks headphones even when we’re not running or working out. Of course, even among great headphones, different ones stand out for different use cases. So the ones we’d tend to don for long listening sessions while sunk into our favorite easy chair might not be the same ones we’d toss around our neck right before heading out on a hike or commuting into the office.

　　

　　Using a Chord Mojo 2 DAC/amp, we were able to do live A/B testing; (photo/Scott Tharler) Throughout weeks of auditioning various headsets in different environments, we listened to several familiar playlists. For the wireless entries, we streamed tracks right from Qobuz and Amazon Music to our phone (and then wirelessly to the headphones). By connecting Khadas Tea — a slim, MagSafe, combination DAC (digital-analog converter) and headphone amp with an audio jack — to the phone, we were able to listen to those same streaming tracks on wired headphones.

　　We also listened to high-resolution music stored on DAPs (digital audio players) from Sony Music and Astell Kern, sometimes by plugging the headphones directly into the source devices and other times by adding Chord Electronics’ compact, well-regarded Mojo 2 into the mix. Since that DAC/amp sports dual headphone outputs, it came in really handy when doing live A/B testing.

　　In addition to sound quality, we rated all the entries based on factors such as style, adjustability, portability, and price, along with the fit and comfort of the cups and headband. To keep this resource as current and comprehensive as possible, we’ll continue to cull and assess additional headphones for future versions of this guide.

　　Why You Can Trust Us No offense to the serene sounds of Mother Nature, but we at Gear Junkie recognize how well music can motivate us to go that extra mile on the trail. Then again, we don’t always want to be that person blasting a Bluetooth speaker outdoors. And especially whenever we’re back at home base, we’re totally content to chill out and focus on privately enjoying our tunes on whatever cans strike our fancy at the moment.

　　Our lead tester, Scott Tharler, has been writing about audio products and other consumer electronics for over 25 years. Throughout that time, Tharler’s attended CES more than two dozen times and multiple CanJam events, where he’s gotten to experience some of the very finest headphones created. Some of the brands you’ve definitely heard of but many of them you probably haven’t, since it’s its own little world.

　　In other words, over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to try out literally hundreds of headphones at every imaginable price point. No headphones are perfect — and more expensive ones don’t necessarily equate to commensurately better sound quality. But we’ve been following this category for quite some time, so you can definitely trust us to offer a wide, authentic perspective on what’s what in the world of headphones.

　　

　　We tested some of the coolest, best-designed, strongest-performing headphones on the planet; (photo/Scott Tharler) Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Headphones Selecting a suitable set of headphones can be quite a daunting task. In fact, even just pinning down a format and style can prove to be quite a challenge.

　　Speaking of which, even though technically all manner of earphones — including wired in-ear monitors, wireless earbuds, and bone conduction headsets — are considered headphones, in this guide, we’re focusing on the circumaural variety. In other words, the kind of headphones with a headband connecting cups that go over your ears. Even in this popular subcategory, making an informed decision to find the right ones requires dedicated thought and research.

　　Fortunately, this guide packs all the essential info you’ll need to choose the best headphones for you. You’ll learn why you should and shouldn’t consider particular types of headphones and which features matter most. Practically speaking, it’s everything you need to know about purchasing headphones, no matter what the price or form factor.

　　Price and Value If we remove the curve-skewing Focal Utopia, the average price of the nine remaining headphones we tested was just under $400. That’s a bit high compared to what you might randomly find in the marketplace. As evidenced by the EarFun Wave Pro, Sony Ult Wear, and Sennheiser HD 6XX — not to mention a few of the solid headphones that didn’t make our final cut for one reason or another — there are plenty of great headphones out there for $200 or less.

　　The next level up, spending $300 to $500, often gets you higher quality materials and sound. And it’s arguably diminishing returns from there on up. But ultimately, you should feel good about your purchase, whether that’s from saving or spending money. Aim to buy the best headphones that fit your current budget. You can always trade-in and upgrade later.

　　Form Factor As we just alluded, headphones come in several form factors. Naturally, your typical use case plays a big part in what style you’ll want to choose, which in turn plays a huge role in your overall fit and comfort.

　　Over-Ear Sometimes referred to as circumaural, these naturally bigger headphones feature cups meant to surround your ears — ideally without touching them, depending on the cup size and depth. The main benefit is that they may provide some passive noise isolation, but their fit can also affect the sound signature. For instance, if the cups on over-ear headphones don’t provide a good enough seal against your face, you might perceive a lack of bass, whereas someone who happens to get a tighter seal based on the unique shape of their head might not.

　　On-Ear Also known as supra-aural, as the name implies, the cups of these headphones are meant to rest squarely on your ears rather than surrounding them. The upside is that they are usually more compact, portable, and inexpensive. But the sound also tends to be thinner and less immersive, so it’s a bit of a tradeoff.

　　In reality, many headphones are somewhere in between over- and on-ear — as with the Urbanista Los Angeles Hugo Edition that we tested — mostly surrounding but perhaps touching some parts of the ears.

　　IEM The term in-ear monitors is mostly a fancy way of saying “earphones,” but with a couple of implications. First, they’ll tend to go into your ears (some further than others), rather than resting on the outside (like Apple’s earpods). And second, whether under twenty bucks or in the thousands, IEMs boast superior sound quality. So much so that musicians wear custom molded versions while on stage, to effectivelymonitor their live performances.

　　Cup Format This refers to whether the backs of the earcups are open or closed, which has huge repercussions on the headphones’ sound signature.

　　Open Since air passes through the backs of these cups, you can hear outside noises, and outsiders can hear your music (assuming it’s sufficiently loud and they’re sufficiently close). As a result, music played through them may sound more spacious, breathy, and natural. The two obvious detractors are that noise cancellation is impossible, and they’re only ideal if you plan to be in a very quiet environment where you can play your music at the desired volume without disturbing others.

　　

　　Open-back headphones add an air of spaciousness, great if you’re listening in a quiet environment; (photo/Scott Tharler) Closed The alternative is that no air passes through the backs of the earcups, providing a more private and intimate listening experience. This style is used in most wireless and all active noise-cancelling headphones. More finicky users (i.e., audiophiles) may assert that these kinds of cups create a boxy, unnatural sound and/or make their ears hot.

　　So take notice if you read reviews that consistently claim a particular closed-back headphone sounds spacious and doesnt make users’ ears feel too warm during long listening sessions. They’re few and far between.

　　Wired Format Wired Not all headphones are wired the same. Cable quality varies wildly and can greatly affect the sound — not only what’s transmitted through the cable but by it. That is to say, some headphone cables are more microphonic, meaning that every time any part of the cord bumps up against something, it makes a noise you can hear in the headphones. So watch out for that.

　　

　　Before you buy headphones, know what kind of cord termination you’re looking for; (photo/Scott Tharler) It’s also worth noting how and where headphone cables connect. Some cables only connect to one cup, which can feel a bit less cumbersome. Others may connect to both cups with 3.5-millimeter (1/8-inch), mini-XLR or other tips. And the cords may terminate on the other end in a number of ways, including a 3.5- or 6.3-millimeter (1/4-inch) unbalanced or a 2.5- or 4.4-millimeter balanced connection.

　　Obviously, this is important to be aware of before you buy the headphones since you’ll want to match the cord termination to the jack(s) featured in your stereo, amplifier, and/or other source device. But from a practical standpoint, it’s most important to note whether you’re buying wired headphones with a cable that detaches (for easier portability) and locks into the earcups (for security).

　　Speaking of which, with connectors going into each earcup, be sure to plug the proper (left or right) end into the appropriate cup.

　　

　　Focal’s Bathys may be the best Bluetooth headphones, but they also work in USB-C DAC mode; (photo/Scott Tharler) Wireless Though it’s possible to find open-backed Bluetooth headphones, most are closed-backs. Most likely because they’re used for travel, where wires are especially annoying, and ANC is a highly popular feature. Having said that, many (but not all) wireless headphones include a cord, technically making them both wireless and wired.

　　So you don’t necessarily have to worry about losing your tunes if/when their battery runs out, though you should know that headphones tend to produce a different sound signature when powered on versus when unpowered and using a cable.

　　

　　Three compact wireless headphones that fold and have ANC/transparency modes are great for travel; (photo/Scott Tharler) Speaker Driver Type Without getting too deep into the geeky physics, different types of (headphone) speakers produce sounds differently. Here are the most common ones you’re likely to encounter.

　　Dynamic DDs (dynamic drivers) are by far the most popular kind of driver type — accounting for 9 of this guide’s top 10 — known for their low price and ability to cover the entire audible frequency range, especially adept in bass response.

　　Balanced Armature With precision and clarity, these typically smaller, more efficient drivers excel in the mid to upper frequencies. So if a headphone has multiple/hybrid drivers, the most likely configuration would be a dynamic driver for the low end and at least one BA driver (if not multiple) for the high end.

　　

　　Audeze’s MM-100 use planar magnetic speaker drivers for a fast response time and clear frequencies throughout; (photo/Scott Tharler) Planar Magnetic Planars push air differently than a dynamic driver. They’re known for being “faster” and providing even punchier bass and better clarity throughout the midrange and treble. They tend to be more expensive, though affordable planar headphones (under $500) do exist.

　　Electrostatic These drivers work on an entirely different physical principle. They produce amazing sound, but by design necessitate larger, more pricey headphones requiring a specialized amplifier to drive them. The world’s most expensive headphones are electrostatic (as noted below in the FAQ section).

　　Speaker Size In addition to the type, you may see the size of speakers listed for particular headphones. A typical size for dynamic drivers in over-ear headphones is 40 to 50 millimeters. Planar magnetics are larger and flatter, typically twice that size at 80 to 90 millimeters. And electrostatics take up even more area. But don’t put too much stock in the speaker size of headphones. The resulting sound quality has more to do with the quality and construction of the driver unit than its size.

　　Frequency Range and Response The most common range of sound frequencies that headphones can produce is from 20 to 20,000 Hz, which aligns with what we humans (without significant hearing loss) are capable of hearing. By contrast, many bookshelf and floor-standing speakers struggle to produce bass below 100 Hz.

　　With headphones, don’t make the mistake of thinking that ones listing a low end below 20 Hz are necessarily better/bassier, but they might be able to produce cleaner bass. Likewise, with treble frequencies above 20 kHz.

　　Lastly, don’t confuse frequency range with frequency response. The latter can be measured with very expensive equipment, as an attempt to display and compare various headphones’ sonic capabilities objectively. Just keep in mind that graphs with squiggly lines don’t matter as much as your subjective opinion about what sounds good (or bad) to you.

　　Impedance and Sensitivity Ultimately, these nerdy specifications indicate how loud headphones can get with and without the use of an external amplifier to power them. Impedance is measured in Ohms, usually indicated by the Greek letter Omega (Ω). The lower the impedance, the easier the headphones are to drive without an amplifier.

　　For instance, 32Ω or less would probably get plenty loud plugged right into a source device, whereas triple-digit impedance implies the need for an amp to make them truly shine. We say probably, because a set of headphones’ sensitivity is the other piece of the puzzle.

　　Sensitivity is essentially a measure of the sound pressure level (how loud in decibels) a set of headphones gets when given a set amount of power to produce a particular frequency. A typical sensitivity might be around 100 to 110, plus or minus a couple of decibels.

　　In other words, if you see headphones that list sensitivity less than 90 dB, that’s a good indicator that you’ll need a relatively powerful amp to bring out their best. Hifiman’sSusvarais a classic example of tricky-to-drive headphones, with a 60Ω impedance (which isn’t too bad) but 83 dB sensitivity. They sound amazing, but you won’t hear much without plugging them into a mighty enough headphone amp.

　　Fit and Comfort This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. How well your headphones fit and how comfortable they are for long durations determines whether and how much you’ll use them. Here are the four biggest factors in fit and comfort.

　　Earpads An entire buying guide could be written just about earpads. It’s an endless topic of discussion on Discord, where folks constantly banter about which stock and aftermarket earpads are best with which headphones. Although cushiness is nice, most headphone earpads feature fairly similar memory foam inside. It’s more about the shape, width, and depth of the padding.

　　For instance, your ideal earcups might be oval with thinner padding that doesn’t touch your ears, or you might prefer larger circular earcups with thicker earpads that touch your ears a little. Different earpad configurations will affect not only how comfortable your ears are in terms of pressure and temperature but also the headphones’ sound signature.

　　Also, to that end, you should be aware of the differences various earpad materials make. For example, a more textured material like velour might feel nice but lead to a less bassy sound than the same headphones with a less textured (fake) leather earpad. That’s why some headphones, such as PSB’s M4U 9, come with extra earpads.

　　

　　Meze Audio designs not only beautiful (and great sounding) headphones but stylish packaging as well; (photo/Scott Tharler) Adjustability This seems so fundamental, and yet so many headphones get it wrong. In a basic sense, it can be difficult to manipulate the adjustment mechanism one-handed on each side while wearing the headphones. Or perhaps they’re too clicky — or not clicky enough.

　　Some earcups only swivel back and forth on one axis, which compromises their ability to accommodate more head sizes and shapes. Then again, certain stellar headphones — such as Audeze’s MM-100 and Meze Audio’s 109 Pro — sport a self-adjusting headband that lets you place them directly on your head with absolutely no fussing necessary.

　　Weight Similar to backpacking tents, every ounce counts with headphones. Even more so, headphones’ weights are often measured in grams. The average for our ten tested headphones was about 350 grams. For reference, one pound is 454 grams. It may not seem like a ton of weight, but over time (i.e., listening for hours on end), it can literally add up to a pain in the neck. As you glance at various headphones’ specifications, keep in mind that roughly 300 to 400 grams is average.

　　

　　Focal’s Utopia are truly a masterpiece of amazing materials and audio finesse; (photo/Scott Tharler) Clamping Force Working in tandem with the above three factors, how loosely or tightly the headphones’ yolk squeezes against your head is huge in determining your long-term comfort. But it’s a delicate balance. More clamping force can make heavier headphones seem lighter, but they can also feel uncomfortable on the sides of your head.

　　Conversely, less clamping force can make the headphones so loose that they annoyingly shift around during use. Again, Audeze’s MM-100 is a great example of finding that balance since they weigh only half an ounce less than Focal’s Utopia yet feel way lighter.

　　Ease of Use This is more of a factor with powered headphones, operated with a combination of button and touch controls. Once the headphones are paired to your phone, it’s nice to be able to adjust the volume and tracks with an intuitive tap or gesture right on the cans, rather than having to fumble around or even take them off your head.

　　So button design and layout matters. Likewise, for ANC headphones, it’s convenient to have a dedicated button to cycle through the “normal” (passive noise isolation), active noise cancellation, and transparency modes.

　　

　　Gesture controls are nice, but there’s something to be said for well-laid-out buttons; (photo/Scott Tharler) Sound Qualities If you get the chance to audition headphones before purchasing them, here are some sound attributes to pay attention to.

　　Clarity and Distortion Headphones exhibit different sound signatures at different volumes. For instance, at lower volumes, headphones may sound not only clearer but also relatively tame in terms of their bass and treble. On the opposite end of the spectrum, at higher volumes, they may sound distorted and unpleasant. So, it’s good to test out headphones at a variety of volumes, listening for changes in sound signature and clarity.

　　Impact and Detail Depending on your use case, you may want more slam or finesse. If you’re at the gym battling a variety of external sounds, you may prefer more impact. Whereas just chilling at home with your tunes, you might delight in the detail that feels like it brings you into the room of a live performance. Notice the interplay between these two qualities when listening to the kinds of songs you typically enjoy — ideally where you typically enjoy them.

　　Brightness and Darkness Brightness describes a sense of both clarity and detail in the upper frequencies (i.e. treble). To say headphones are bright means that they’re able to retrieve and produce clear, open high notes. “Sparkly” is right at the precipice of being too much detail.

　　And for most folks, “sizzle” means it goes too far, portraying high-end frequencies in a way that comes off as sibilant and harsh. Conversely, if headphones are dark, they lack openness and detail — similar to how you would sound if you cupped your hands over your mouth while talking.

　　Warmness and Coolness Warm refers to how “rich,” “beefy,” or “fun” a particular set of headphones sounds. Conversely, a cool sound might otherwise be described as “flat,” “pale,” or “anemic.” In the end, these temperature-minded terms are just an attempt to describe whether headphones produce a fuller or thinner sound.

　　Lows, Mids, and Highs Spoiler alert: It’s all about what puts a smile on your face — or makes you cringe. What’s too much bass or treble for one person might be not nearly enough for the next person. The key is to know what to listen for, which comes with experience and familiarity.

　　For instance, with bass, you might prefer more sub-bass rumble or the tight, impactful slam of a kick drum. If you listen to music that heavily features pianos, trumpets, acoustic guitars, and/or vocalists, mid-level frequencies are important to you. (The Sennheiser HD 6XX reigns supreme in that region.) And lastly, a crisply rattling high hat might sound delightful or torturous to you.

　　All that to say, everyone has their own desires, tolerances, and abilities to hear various frequencies. So it’s way more instructive and descriptive to apply some combination of the above terms when expressing what you like/want.

　　For example, you might say that you enjoy a warm, impactful bass, pronounced mids, or a clear, bright treble. That sounds more precisely like a sound signature that could potentially match your tastes to a shortlist of headphones, especially when combined with a particular price point.

　　Collection Size and Budget One assumption we might make is that you’re only in the market for one set of headphones. But that’s not entirely realistic. For instance, you might have a set of bone conduction headphones for mountain biking, wireless earbuds for the office, and a set of nicer over-ears for home use.

　　When putting together your headphones budget, consider whether multiple sets might work for you. Even if they’re for the same use case, different headphones offer different listening experiences. So, maybe you cheap out on one set and splurge on the other one.

　　

　　Clearly, one of these headphone cases will take up way more space in your bag; (photo/Scott Tharler) Portability In general, most headphones are pretty portable. For over-ears, the big factor is whether they fold and/or have a case. That’ll determine if you’re confident about tossing them into your backpack when you travel — especially if it’s a hard case versus a mere soft pouch.

　　Speaking of which, we like cases with inner compartments, either a removable soft pouch to go inside the hard case (like with the Meze 109 Pro) or even just a little webbing to store extra cords and adapters (like with the EarFun Wave Pro).

　　

　　Urbanista Los Angeles’ unique case lets them solar charge on the go (photo/Scott Tharler) Frequently Asked Questions What are the best headphones in the world? The legendary Warwick Acoustics Aperio ($36,000), Hifiman Shangri-La ($50,000), and Sennheiser HE 1 ($59,000) each push the boundaries of what’s technologically possible in personal audio equipment. Incorporating premium materials, these three ultra expensive systems each include a set of highly advanced electrostatic headphones paired to a proprietary amplifier.

　　And while five-figure price tags don’t necessarily guarantee superiority, many audiophiles would argue that at least one of these headphones systems is the “best” — or at least in a class by themselves.

　　Why do some songs sound better with headphones? Headphones provide a very personal listening environment. So whereas the audio produced by speakers is greatly affected by the acoustics of the room in which they’re placed, headphone audio tends to deliver a more consistent, intimate experience. Additionally, some songs are mixed in a way that plays off of fun stereo and spatial effects that are easier and more practical to replicate with headphones.

　　

　　Focal’s Utopia and Bathys are great examples of what’s possible in wired and wireless headphones; (photo/Scott Tharler) Are wired headphones better than wireless? In several ways, yes. First, rather than requiring a pairing process, using wired headphones is as easy as plugging them into a source device with an audio jack. Second, because they don’t need/use their own batteries, you don’t need to worry about how long you’re listening. And since wireless headphones work off rechargeable batteries that’ll degrade over time and usually can’t be replaced, wired headphones will tend to last and be relevant longer.

　　In terms of the sound quality, naturally that’s a subjective matter. But as a general rule, wired headphones tend to offer better quality for the money. That’s because the wires are able to transmit a higher quality signal without any loss of audio data.

　　Or to put it another way, wireless headphones can offer adequate to amazing sound quality — even as compared with even a few years ago — but there’s always a price to pay for the convenience of untethered audio.

　　Is it better to get headphones or earbuds? In terms of portability, in-ear headphones will always take up less space than their on- and over-ear counterparts. But fit and feel are completely subjective. Some folks have a difficult time finding earbuds that fit well or feel good in their ears. Others are sensitive to the weight and clamping force of on- and over-ear headphones — plus how they can make their ears warm during long listening sessions.

　　So, what’s better for you takes into account what matters most to you regarding portability, fit, and feel. To help you determine that, consider where and for how long you plan to listen to music.

　　

　　

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