The Greatest Headphones of 2024

The pursuit of headphone excellence — and even happiness — could be a neverending rabbit gap. Finally, discovering the most effective headphones for you is dependent upon your angle, targets, and price range. And the cans which may work nicely to your specific use case may not be ideally suited for another person’s. In any case, headphones are a really subjective and extremely contestable client electronics class.

Our consultants have written about headphones, earbuds, audio system, and different audio merchandise for over 1 / 4 century. Throughout that point, wi-fi headphones have definitely emerged as an enormous subcategory. However their conventional wired counterparts are nonetheless a lot viable, providing a mix of sound high quality, sturdiness, and relative affordability.

Particularly for this purchaser’s information, our on-line analysis and private experiences helped us determine over a dozen circumaural (over-ear) headphones ranging in value from $80 to $5,000. After cautious consideration, we narrowed down the candidates to 10 favorites that we examined in real-world situations.

Under are the most effective headphones primarily based on our testing. That will help you extra simply discover the most effective headphones to your specific wants, we’ve included a comparability chart, a purchaser’s information, and a regularly requested questions part.

The Greatest Headphones of 2024

Headphones Comparability Chart

How We Examined Headphones

Reality be advised, the GearJunkie employees rocks headphones even after we’re not working or figuring out. After all, even amongst nice headphones, completely different ones stand out for various use circumstances. So those we’d are inclined to don for lengthy listening classes whereas sunk into our favourite straightforward chair may not be the identical ones we’d toss round our neck proper earlier than heading out on a hike or commuting into the workplace.

All through weeks of auditioning varied headsets in numerous environments, we listened to a number of acquainted playlists. For the wi-fi entries, we streamed tracks proper from Qobuz and Amazon Music to our cellphone (after which wirelessly to the headphones). By connecting Khadas’ Tea — a slim, MagSafe, mixture DAC (digital-analog converter) and headphone amp with an audio jack — to the cellphone, we had been in a position to take heed to those self same streaming tracks on wired headphones.

We additionally listened to high-resolution music saved on DAPs (digital audio gamers) from Sony Music and Astell & Kern, typically by plugging the headphones immediately into the supply gadgets and different instances by including Chord Electronics’ compact, well-regarded Mojo 2 into the combo. Since that DAC/amp sports activities twin headphone outputs, it got here in actually helpful when doing stay A/B testing.

Along with sound high quality, we rated all of the entries primarily based on elements akin to fashion, adjustability, portability, and value, together with the match and luxury of the cups and headband. To maintain this useful resource as present and complete as attainable, we’ll proceed to cull and assess further headphones for future variations of this information.

Why You Can Belief Us

No offense to the serene sounds of Mom Nature, however we at GearJunkie acknowledge how nicely music can encourage us to go that additional mile on the path. Then once more, we don’t all the time wish to be that particular person blasting a Bluetooth speaker open air. And particularly at any time when we’re again at dwelling base, we’re completely content material to sit back out and concentrate on privately having fun with our tunes on no matter cans strike our fancy in the intervening time.

Our lead tester, Scott Tharler, has been writing about audio merchandise and different client electronics for over 25 years. All through that point, Tharler’s attended CES greater than two dozen instances and a number of CanJam occasions, the place he’s gotten to expertise a few of the very best headphones created. A number of the manufacturers you’ve positively heard of however lots of them you most likely haven’t, because it’s its personal little world.

In different phrases, through the years, we’ve had the chance to check out actually lots of of headphones at each possible value level. No headphones are good — and dearer ones don’t essentially equate to commensurately higher sound high quality. However we’ve been following this class for fairly a while, so you may positively belief us to supply a large, genuine perspective on what’s what on the planet of headphones.

Purchaser’s Information: How one can Select the Good Headphones

Deciding on an acceptable set of headphones will be fairly a frightening activity. In actual fact, even simply pinning down a format and magnificence can show to be fairly a problem.

Talking of which, despite the fact that technically all method of earphones — together with wired in-ear displays, wi-fi earbuds, and bone conduction headsets — are thought-about headphones, on this information, we’re specializing in the circumaural selection. In different phrases, the type of headphones with a scarf connecting cups that go over your ears. Even on this well-liked subcategory, making an knowledgeable determination to seek out the correct ones requires devoted thought and analysis.

Happily, this information packs all of the important information you’ll want to decide on the most effective headphones for you. You’ll study why you must and shouldn’t take into account specific kinds of headphones and which options matter most. Virtually talking, it’s every thing it’s essential to learn about buying headphones, it doesn’t matter what the value or type issue.

Value and Worth

If we take away the curve-skewing Focal Utopia, the typical value of the 9 remaining headphones we examined was slightly below $400. That’s a bit excessive in comparison with what you may randomly discover within the market. As evidenced by the EarFun Wave Professional, Sony Ult Put on, and Sennheiser HD 6XX — to not point out just a few of the stable headphones that didn’t make our closing reduce for one purpose or one other — there are many nice headphones on the market for $200 or much less.

The following degree up, spending $300 to $500, usually will get you increased high quality supplies and sound. And it’s arguably diminishing returns from there on up. However in the end, you must be ok with your buy, whether or not that’s from saving or spending cash. Purpose to purchase the most effective headphones that suit your present price range. You’ll be able to all the time trade-in and improve later.

Kind Issue

As we simply alluded, headphones are available a number of type elements. Naturally, your typical use case performs an enormous half in what fashion you’ll wish to select, which in flip performs an enormous function in your total match and luxury.

Over-Ear

Generally known as circumaural, these naturally larger headphones function cups meant to encompass your ears — ideally with out touching them, relying on the cup measurement and depth. The principle profit is that they could present some passive noise isolation, however their match can even have an effect on the sound signature. As an illustration, if the cups on over-ear headphones don’t present a ok seal towards your face, you may understand an absence of bass, whereas somebody who occurs to get a tighter seal primarily based on the distinctive form of their head may not.

On-Ear

Often known as supra-aural, because the identify implies, the cups of those headphones are supposed to relaxation squarely in your ears slightly than surrounding them. The upside is that they’re normally extra compact, transportable, and cheap. However the sound additionally tends to be thinner and fewer immersive, so it’s a little bit of a tradeoff.

In actuality, many headphones are someplace in between over- and on-ear — as with the Urbanista Los Angeles Hugo Version that we examined — largely surrounding however maybe touching some components of the ears.

IEM

The time period in-ear displays is usually a elaborate means of claiming “earphones,” however with a few implications. First, they’ll are inclined to go into your ears (some additional than others), slightly than resting on the surface (like Apple’s earpods). And second, whether or not beneath twenty bucks or within the 1000’s, IEMs boast superior sound high quality. A lot in order that musicians put on customized molded variations whereas on stage, to successfully…monitor their stay performances.

Cup Format

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

Open

Since air passes via the backs of those cups, you may hear outdoors noises, and outsiders can hear your music (assuming it’s sufficiently loud and so they’re sufficiently shut). In consequence, music performed via them might sound extra spacious, breathy, and pure. The 2 apparent detractors are that noise cancellation is inconceivable, and so they’re solely ideally suited should you plan to be in a really quiet setting the place you may play your music on the desired quantity with out disturbing others.

Closed

The choice is that no air passes via the backs of the earcups, offering a extra non-public and intimate listening expertise. This fashion is utilized in most wi-fi and all lively noise-cancelling headphones. Extra finicky customers (i.e., audiophiles) might assert that these sorts of cups create a boxy, unnatural sound and/or make their ears scorching.

So take discover should you learn critiques that constantly declare a specific closed-back headphone sounds spacious and doesn’t make customers’ ears really feel too heat throughout lengthy listening classes. They’re few and much between.

Wired Format

Wired

Not all headphones are wired the identical. Cable high quality varies wildly and might enormously have an effect on the sound — not solely what’s transmitted via the cable however by it. That’s to say, some headphone cables are extra microphonic, which means that each time any a part of the wire bumps up towards one thing, it makes a noise you may hear within the headphones. So be careful for that.

It’s additionally price noting how and the place headphone cables join. Some cables solely join to 1 cup, which might really feel a bit much less cumbersome. Others might hook up with each cups with 3.5-millimeter (1/8-inch), mini-XLR or different ideas. And the cords might terminate on the opposite finish in a lot of methods, together with a 3.5- or 6.3-millimeter (1/4-inch) unbalanced or a 2.5- or 4.4-millimeter balanced connection.

Clearly, that is vital to concentrate on before you purchase the headphones because you’ll wish to match the wire termination to the jack(s) featured in your stereo, amplifier, and/or different supply machine. However from a sensible standpoint, it’s most vital to notice whether or not you’re shopping for wired headphones with a cable that detaches (for simpler portability) and locks into the earcups (for safety).

Talking of which, with connectors going into every earcup, make sure you plug the correct (left or proper) finish into the suitable cup.

Wi-fi

Although it’s attainable to seek out open-backed Bluetooth headphones, most are closed-backs. Almost definitely as a result of they’re used for journey, the place wires are particularly annoying, and ANC is a extremely well-liked function. Having stated that, many (however not all) wi-fi headphones embrace a wire, technically making them each wi-fi and wired.

So that you don’t essentially have to fret about shedding your tunes if/when their battery runs out, although you must know that headphones have a tendency to provide a unique sound signature when powered on versus when unpowered and utilizing a cable.

Speaker Driver Sort

With out getting too deep into the geeky physics, several types of (headphone) audio system produce sounds in another way. Listed below are the most typical ones you’re more likely to encounter.

Dynamic

DDs (dynamic drivers) are by far the most well-liked type of driver sort — accounting for 9 of this information’s high 10 — recognized for his or her low value and talent to cowl your complete audible frequency vary, particularly adept in bass response.

Balanced Armature

With precision and readability, these usually smaller, extra environment friendly drivers excel within the mid to higher frequencies. So if a headphone has a number of/hybrid drivers, the probably configuration can be a dynamic driver for the low finish and no less than one BA driver (if not a number of) for the excessive finish.

Planar Magnetic

Planars push air in another way than a dynamic driver. They’re recognized for being “sooner” and offering even punchier bass and higher readability all through the midrange and treble. They are usually dearer, although inexpensive planar headphones (beneath $500) do exist.

Electrostatic

These drivers work on a wholly completely different bodily precept. They produce wonderful sound, however by design necessitate bigger, extra dear headphones requiring a specialised amplifier to drive them. The world’s costliest headphones are electrostatic (as famous beneath within the FAQ part).

Speaker Measurement

Along with the sort, you might even see the scale of audio system listed for specific headphones. A typical measurement for dynamic drivers in over-ear headphones is 40 to 50 millimeters. Planar magnetics are bigger and flatter, usually twice that measurement at 80 to 90 millimeters. And electrostatics take up much more space. However don’t put an excessive amount of inventory within the speaker measurement of headphones. The ensuing sound high quality has extra to do with the standard and development of the driving force unit than its measurement.

Frequency Vary and Response

The commonest vary of sound frequencies that headphones can produce is from 20 to twenty,000 Hz, which aligns with what we people (with out important listening to loss) are able to listening to. In contrast, many bookshelf and floor-standing audio system battle to provide bass beneath 100 Hz.

With headphones, don’t make the error of pondering that ones itemizing a low finish beneath 20 Hz are essentially higher/bassier, however they may be capable to produce cleaner bass. Likewise, with treble frequencies above 20 kHz.

Lastly, don’t confuse frequency vary with frequency response. The latter will be measured with very costly tools, as an try to show and examine varied headphones’ sonic capabilities objectively. Simply remember that graphs with squiggly traces don’t matter as a lot as your subjective opinion about what sounds good (or dangerous) to you.

Impedance and Sensitivity

Finally, these nerdy specs point out how loud headphones can get with and with out using an exterior amplifier to energy them. Impedance is measured in Ohms, normally indicated by the Greek letter Omega (Ω). The decrease the impedance, the better the headphones are to drive with out an amplifier.

As an illustration, 32Ω or much less would most likely get a lot loud plugged proper right into a supply machine, whereas triple-digit impedance implies the necessity for an amp to make them really shine. We are saying most likely, as a result of a set of headphones’ sensitivity is the opposite piece of the puzzle.

Sensitivity is basically a measure of the sound strain degree (how loud in decibels) a set of headphones will get when given a set quantity of energy to provide a specific frequency. A typical sensitivity may be round 100 to 110, plus or minus a few decibels.

In different phrases, should you see headphones that checklist sensitivity lower than 90 dB, that’s a very good indicator that you just’ll want a comparatively highly effective amp to deliver out their greatest. Hifiman’s Susvara is a traditional instance of tricky-to-drive headphones, with a 60Ω impedance (which isn’t too dangerous) however 83 dB sensitivity. They sound wonderful, however you received’t hear a lot with out plugging them right into a mighty sufficient headphone amp.

Match and Consolation

That is the place the rubber meets the highway, so to talk. How nicely your headphones match and the way snug they’re for lengthy durations determines whether or not and the way a lot you’ll use them. Listed below are the 4 largest elements in match and luxury.

Earpads

A complete shopping for information may very well be written nearly earpads. It’s an infinite subject of dialogue on Discord, the place of us continuously banter about which inventory and aftermarket earpads are greatest with which headphones. Though cushiness is good, most headphone earpads function pretty comparable reminiscence foam inside. It’s extra concerning the form, width, and depth of the padding.

As an illustration, your ideally suited earcups may be oval with thinner padding that doesn’t contact your ears, otherwise you may choose bigger round earcups with thicker earpads that contact your ears slightly. Completely different earpad configurations will have an effect on not solely how snug your ears are when it comes to strain and temperature but in addition the headphones’ sound signature.

Additionally, to that finish, you need to be conscious of the variations varied earpad supplies make. For instance, a extra textured materials like velour may really feel good however result in a much less bassy sound than the identical headphones with a much less textured (faux) leather-based earpad. That’s why some headphones, akin to PSB’s M4U 9, include additional earpads.

Adjustability

This appears so basic, and but so many headphones get it flawed. In a fundamental sense, it may be troublesome to control the adjustment mechanism one-handed on both sides whereas sporting the headphones. Or maybe they’re too clicky — or not clicky sufficient.

Some earcups solely swivel backwards and forwards on one axis, which compromises their potential to accommodate extra head dimensions and shapes. Then once more, sure stellar headphones — akin to Audeze’s MM-100 and Meze Audio’s 109 Professional — sport a self-adjusting headband that permits you to place them immediately in your head with completely no fussing obligatory.

Weight

Just like backpacking tents, each ounce counts with headphones. Much more so, headphones’ weights are sometimes measured in grams. The typical for our ten examined headphones was about 350 grams. For reference, one pound is 454 grams. It might not appear to be a ton of weight, however over time (i.e., listening for hours on finish), it might probably actually add as much as a ache within the neck. As you look at varied headphones’ specs, remember that roughly 300 to 400 grams is common.

Clamping Pressure 

Working in tandem with the above three elements, how loosely or tightly the headphones’ yolk squeezes towards your head is large in figuring out your long-term consolation. But it surely’s a fragile stability. Extra clamping pressure could make heavier headphones appear lighter, however they’ll additionally really feel uncomfortable on the edges of your head.

Conversely, much less clamping pressure could make the headphones so free that they annoyingly shift round throughout use. Once more, Audeze’s MM-100 is a superb instance of discovering that stability since they weigh solely half an oz. lower than Focal’s Utopia but really feel means lighter.

Ease of Use

That is extra of an element with powered headphones, operated with a mixture of button and contact controls. As soon as the headphones are paired to your cellphone, it’s good to have the ability to modify the amount and tracks with an intuitive faucet or gesture proper on the cans, slightly than having to fumble round and even take them off your head.

So button design and structure issues. Likewise, for ANC headphones, it’s handy to have a devoted button to cycle via the “regular” (passive noise isolation), lively noise cancellation, and transparency modes.

Sound Qualities

When you get the possibility to audition headphones earlier than buying them, listed here are some sound attributes to concentrate to.

Readability and Distortion

Headphones exhibit completely different sound signatures at completely different volumes. As an illustration, at decrease volumes, headphones might sound not solely clearer but in addition comparatively tame when it comes to their bass and treble. On the other finish of the spectrum, at increased volumes, they could sound distorted and ugly. So, it’s good to check out headphones at a wide range of volumes, listening for adjustments in sound signature and readability.

Influence and Element

Relying in your use case, you might have considered trying extra slam or finesse. When you’re on the gymnasium battling a wide range of exterior sounds, you could choose extra impression. Whereas simply chilling at dwelling together with your tunes, you may delight within the element that feels prefer it brings you into the room of a stay efficiency. Discover the interaction between these two qualities when listening to the sorts of songs you usually get pleasure from — ideally the place you usually get pleasure from them.

Brightness and Darkness

Brightness describes a way of each readability and element within the higher frequencies (i.e. treble). To say headphones are vibrant signifies that they’re in a position to retrieve and produce clear, open excessive notes. “Sparkly” is correct on the precipice of being an excessive amount of element.

And for most folk, “sizzle” means it goes too far, portraying high-end frequencies in a means that comes off as sibilant and harsh. Conversely, if headphones are darkish, they lack openness and element — just like how you’ll sound should you cupped your fingers over your mouth whereas speaking.

Warmness and Coolness

Heat refers to how “wealthy,” “beefy,” or “enjoyable” a specific set of headphones sounds. Conversely, a cool sound may in any other case be described as “flat,” “pale,” or “anemic.” In the long run, these temperature-minded phrases are simply an try to explain whether or not headphones produce a fuller or thinner sound.

Lows, Mids, and Highs

Spoiler alert: It’s all about what places a smile in your face — or makes you cringe. What’s an excessive amount of bass or treble for one particular person may be not practically sufficient for the following particular person. The secret is to know what to hear for, which comes with expertise and familiarity.

As an illustration, with bass, you may choose extra sub-bass rumble or the tight, impactful slam of a kick drum. When you take heed to music that closely options pianos, trumpets, acoustic guitars, and/or vocalists, mid-level frequencies are vital to you. (The Sennheiser HD 6XX reigns supreme in that area.) And lastly, a crisply rattling excessive hat may sound pleasant or torturous to you.

All that to say, everybody has their very own needs, tolerances, and talents to listen to varied frequencies. So it’s far more instructive and descriptive to use some mixture of the above phrases when expressing what you want/need.

For instance, you may say that you just get pleasure from a heat, impactful bass, pronounced mids, or a transparent, vibrant treble. That sounds extra exactly like a sound signature that would probably match your tastes to a shortlist of headphones, particularly when mixed with a specific value level.

Assortment Measurement and Price range

One assumption we’d make is that you just’re solely out there for one set of headphones. However that’s not solely real looking. As an illustration, you may need a set of bone conduction headphones for mountain biking, wi-fi earbuds for the workplace, and a set of nicer over-ears for dwelling use.

When placing collectively your headphones price range, take into account whether or not a number of units may be just right for you. Even when they’re for a similar use case, completely different headphones provide completely different listening experiences. So, perhaps you low cost out on one set and splurge on the opposite one.

Portability

On the whole, most headphones are fairly transportable. For over-ears, the massive issue is whether or not they fold and/or have a case. That’ll decide should you’re assured about tossing them into your backpack whenever you journey — particularly if it’s a tough case versus a mere smooth pouch.

Talking of which, we like circumstances with internal compartments, both a detachable smooth pouch to go contained in the onerous case (like with the Meze 109 Professional) and even just a bit webbing to retailer additional cords and adapters (like with the EarFun Wave Professional).

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

The legendary Warwick Acoustics Aperio ($36,000), Hifiman Shangri-La ($50,000), and Sennheiser HE 1 ($59,000) every push the boundaries of what’s technologically attainable in private audio tools. Incorporating premium supplies, these three extremely costly techniques every embrace a set of extremely superior electrostatic headphones paired to a proprietary amplifier.

And whereas five-figure value tags don’t essentially assure superiority, many audiophiles would argue that no less than one in all these headphones techniques is the “greatest” — or no less than in a category by themselves.

Headphones present a really private listening setting. So whereas the audio produced by audio system is enormously affected by the acoustics of the room by which they’re positioned, headphone audio tends to ship a extra constant, intimate expertise. Moreover, some songs are combined in a means that performs off of enjoyable stereo and spatial results which are simpler and extra sensible to copy with headphones.

In a number of methods, sure. First, slightly than requiring a pairing course of, utilizing wired headphones is as straightforward as plugging them right into a supply machine with an audio jack. Second, as a result of they don’t want/use their very own batteries, you don’t want to fret about how lengthy you’re listening. And since wi-fi headphones work off rechargeable batteries that’ll degrade over time and normally can’t get replaced, wired headphones will are inclined to final and be related longer.

When it comes to the sound high quality, naturally that’s a subjective matter. However as a normal rule, wired headphones have a tendency to supply higher high quality for the cash. That’s as a result of the wires are in a position to transmit a better high quality sign with none lack of audio information.

Or to place it one other means, wi-fi headphones can provide ample to wonderful sound high quality — at the same time as in contrast with even just a few years in the past — however there’s all the time a value to pay for the comfort of untethered audio.

When it comes to portability, in-ear headphones will all the time take up much less area than their on- and over-ear counterparts. However match and really feel are fully subjective. Some of us have a troublesome time discovering earbuds that match nicely or really feel good of their ears. Others are delicate to the burden and clamping pressure of on- and over-ear headphones — plus how they’ll make their ears heat throughout lengthy listening classes.

So, what’s higher for you takes into consideration what issues most to you relating to portability, match, and really feel. That will help you decide that, take into account the place and for a way lengthy you intend to take heed to music.