The Greatest Headphones of 2024

The pursuit of headphone excellence — and even happiness — is usually a neverending rabbit gap. In the end, discovering the perfect headphones for you is determined by your perspective, targets, and funds. And the cans that may work nicely in your specific use case may not be ideally suited for another person’s. In spite of everything, 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 establish 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 circumstances.

Editor’s Be aware: For our November 26, 2024 replace, we added a Value & Worth part to point out what consumers get with completely different value factors. 

The Greatest Headphones of 2024

Headphones Comparability Chart

How We Examined Headphones

Our Testing Course of

Fact be instructed, the GearJunkie workers rocks headphones even once we’re not working or figuring out. After all, even amongst nice headphones, completely different ones stand out for various use instances. So those we’d are likely to don for lengthy listening periods 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 numerous headsets in several 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 telephone (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 telephone, we had been capable of 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 instantly into the supply gadgets and different instances by including Chord Electronics’ compact, well-regarded Mojo 2 into the combination. Since that DAC/amp sports activities twin headphone outputs, it got here in actually useful when doing dwell A/B testing.

Along with sound high quality, we rated all of the entries primarily based on elements akin to model, 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 potential, we’ll proceed to cull and assess further headphones for future variations of this information.

Our Skilled Tester

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

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 among the very best headphones created. Among the manufacturers you’ve undoubtedly heard of however lots of them you most likely haven’t, because it’s its personal little world.

In different phrases, over time, we’ve had the chance to check out actually tons of of headphones at each possible value level. No headphones are excellent — 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’ll be able to undoubtedly belief us to supply a large, genuine perspective on what’s what on the planet of headphones.

Purchaser’s Information: Methods to Select the Excellent Headphones

Choosing an acceptable set of headphones will be fairly a frightening activity. In reality, even simply pinning down a format and elegance 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 headscarf connecting cups that go over your ears. Even on this in style subcategory, making an knowledgeable resolution to seek out the suitable ones requires devoted thought and analysis.

Thankfully, this information packs all of the important data you’ll want to decide on the perfect headphones for you. You’ll be taught why it’s best to and shouldn’t think about specific forms of headphones and which options matter most. Virtually talking, it’s every thing you could find out about buying headphones, it doesn’t matter what the worth or type issue.

Kind Issue

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

Over-Ear

Typically known as circumaural, these naturally larger headphones function cups meant to encompass your ears — ideally with out touching them, relying on the cup dimension and depth. The principle profit is that they might present some passive noise isolation, however their match also can have an effect on the sound signature. As an example, if the cups on over-ear headphones don’t present a ok seal in opposition to your face, you would possibly 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

Also referred to as supra-aural, because the identify implies, the cups of those headphones are supposed to relaxation squarely in your ears reasonably than surrounding them. The upside is that they’re often extra compact, moveable, 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 — principally surrounding however maybe touching some components of the ears.

IEM

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

Cup Format

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

Open

Since air passes by means of the backs of those cups, you’ll be able to hear exterior noises, and outsiders can hear your music (assuming it’s sufficiently loud and so they’re sufficiently shut). In consequence, music performed by means of them could sound extra spacious, breathy, and pure. The 2 apparent detractors are that noise cancellation is not possible, and so they’re solely ideally suited in case you plan to be in a really quiet setting the place you’ll be able to play your music on the desired quantity with out disturbing others.

Closed

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

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

Wired Format

Wired

Not all headphones are wired the identical. Cable high quality varies wildly and may drastically have an effect on the sound — not solely what’s transmitted by means of 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 twine bumps up in opposition to one thing, it makes a noise you’ll be able to 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 at least one cup, which may really feel a bit much less cumbersome. Others could hook up with each cups with 3.5-millimeter (1/8-inch), mini-XLR or different ideas. And the cords could terminate on the opposite finish in plenty 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 essential to pay attention to before you purchase the headphones because you’ll wish to match the twine termination to the jack(s) featured in your stereo, amplifier, and/or different supply gadget. However from a sensible standpoint, it’s most essential 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, you’ll want to plug the right (left or proper) finish into the suitable cup.

Wi-fi

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

So that you don’t essentially have to fret about dropping your tunes if/when their battery runs out, although it’s best to know that headphones have a tendency to supply a special sound signature when powered on versus when unpowered and utilizing a cable.

Speaker Driver Sort

With out getting too deep into the geeky physics, various kinds of (headphone) audio system produce sounds in a different way. Listed here are the commonest ones you’re prone to encounter.

Dynamic

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

Balanced Armature

With precision and readability, these sometimes smaller, extra environment friendly drivers excel within the mid to higher frequencies. So if a headphone has a number of/hybrid drivers, the almost definitely configuration can be a dynamic driver for the low finish and at the very least one BA driver (if not a number of) for the excessive finish.

Planar Magnetic

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

Electrostatic

These drivers work on a completely 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 under within the FAQ part).

Speaker Measurement

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

Frequency Vary and Response

The most typical 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. Against this, many bookshelf and floor-standing audio system wrestle to supply bass under 100 Hz.

With headphones, don’t make the error of pondering that ones itemizing a low finish under 20 Hz are essentially higher/bassier, however they could have the ability 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 gear, as an try to show and evaluate numerous headphones’ sonic capabilities objectively. Simply needless to say graphs with squiggly strains don’t matter as a lot as your subjective opinion about what sounds good (or dangerous) to you.

Impedance and Sensitivity

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

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

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

In different phrases, in case you see headphones that checklist sensitivity lower than 90 dB, that’s a great indicator that you simply’ll want a comparatively highly effective amp to convey out their finest. 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 gained’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 street, 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 here are the 4 greatest elements in match and luxury.

Earpads

A complete shopping for information could possibly be written nearly earpads. It’s an limitless matter of debate on Discord, the place of us always banter about which inventory and aftermarket earpads are finest with which headphones. Though cushiness is sweet, most headphone earpads function pretty comparable reminiscence foam inside. It’s extra in regards to the form, width, and depth of the padding.

As an example, your ideally suited earcups is perhaps oval with thinner padding that doesn’t contact your ears, otherwise you would possibly choose bigger round earcups with thicker earpads that contact your ears a bit. 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 have to be conscious of the variations numerous earpad supplies make. For instance, a extra textured materials like velour would possibly 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 further earpads.

Adjustability

This appears so elementary, and but so many headphones get it incorrect. In a primary sense, it may be tough to control the adjustment mechanism one-handed on all 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 means to accommodate extra head configurations and dimensions. 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 instantly in your head with completely no fussing needed.

Weight

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

Clamping Power 

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

Conversely, much less clamping drive 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 steadiness since they weigh solely half an oz lower than Focal’s Utopia but really feel manner lighter.

Ease of Use

That is extra of an element with powered headphones, operated with a mix of button and contact controls. As soon as the headphones are paired to your telephone, it’s good to have the ability to regulate the amount and tracks with an intuitive faucet or gesture proper on the cans, reasonably 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 by means of the “regular” (passive noise isolation), lively noise cancellation, and transparency modes.

Sound Qualities

Should you get the prospect 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 example, at decrease volumes, headphones could 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 larger volumes, they might sound distorted and unsightly. So, it’s good to check out headphones at quite a lot of volumes, listening for modifications in sound signature and readability.

Influence and Element

Relying in your use case, you might have considered trying extra slam or finesse. Should you’re on the health club battling quite a lot of exterior sounds, you might choose extra impression. Whereas simply chilling at dwelling along with your tunes, you would possibly delight within the element that feels prefer it brings you into the room of a dwell efficiency. Discover the interaction between these two qualities when listening to the sorts of songs you sometimes get pleasure from — ideally the place you sometimes 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 brilliant signifies that they’re capable of 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 manner that comes off as sibilant and harsh. Conversely, if headphones are darkish, they lack openness and element — just like how you’ll sound in case you cupped your palms 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 would possibly 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 individual is perhaps not practically sufficient for the subsequent individual. The hot button is to know what to hear for, which comes with expertise and familiarity.

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

All that to say, everybody has their very own needs, tolerances, and skills to listen to numerous 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 would possibly say that you simply get pleasure from a heat, impactful bass, pronounced mids, or a transparent, brilliant treble. That sounds extra exactly like a sound signature that would doubtlessly match your tastes to a shortlist of headphones, particularly when mixed with a specific value level.

Assortment Measurement and Finances

One assumption we would make is that you simply’re solely out there for one set of headphones. However that’s not completely practical. As an example, you might 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 funds, think about whether or not a number of units would possibly give you the results you want. 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

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

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

Value & Worth

If we take away the curve-skewing Focal Utopia, the common value of the 9 remaining headphones we examined was slightly below $400. That’s a bit excessive in comparison with what you would possibly randomly discover within the market. However you don’t have to spend that to discover a stable pair of headphones.

Finances

As evidenced by the EarFun Wave Professional ($80), Sony Ult Put on ($200), and Sennheiser HD 6XX ($219)— to not point out just a few of the stable headphones that didn’t make our ultimate reduce for one motive or one other — there are many nice headphones on the market for $200 or much less. The EarFun Wave Professional, for instance, delivers clear, balanced sound, a cushty match, and user-friendly controls. You gained’t get premium supplies and top-tier sound, however this class ought to present greater than sufficient for the informal listener.

Mid-Tier

The following stage up, spending $300 to $500, usually will get you larger high quality supplies and sound. The Audeze MM-100 ($399) sits proper in the midst of this value vary and is a wonderful instance of what you get in your cash. These headphones provide wealthy, full sound that may compete with headphones in nearly any value vary. And whereas they’re pretty heavy at over a pound, they ship sound that audiophiles will certainly recognize.

Premium

If cash isn’t any object, the sky’s the restrict in relation to value. The priciest choice on this checklist, the Meze Audio 109 Professional ($799), is made up of gorgeous metallic and wood entry with a vegan leather-based headband and bougie velour earcups. The sound is completely balanced, with bass and treble taking precedence over the superbly flat midrange. Plus, they is perhaps probably the most snug headphones on this checklist.

In the end, although, it’s best to be ok with your buy, whether or not that’s from saving or spending cash. Intention to purchase the perfect headphones that suit your present funds and what you need out of a pair of headphones. You may all the time trade-in and improve later.

Regularly 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 potential in private audio gear. Incorporating premium supplies, these three extremely costly programs every embody 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 at the very least considered one of these headphones programs is the “finest” — or at the very least in a category by themselves.

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

In a number of methods, sure. First, reasonably than requiring a pairing course of, utilizing wired headphones is as straightforward as plugging them right into a supply gadget 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 often can’t get replaced, wired headphones will are likely to final and be related longer.

By way of the sound high quality, naturally that’s a subjective matter. However as a common rule, wired headphones have a tendency to supply higher high quality for the cash. That’s as a result of the wires are capable of transmit the next high quality sign with none lack of audio information.

Or to place it one other manner, wi-fi headphones can provide enough 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.

By way of 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 tough time discovering earbuds that match nicely or really feel good of their ears. Others are delicate to the burden and clamping drive of on- and over-ear headphones — plus how they’ll make their ears heat throughout lengthy listening periods.

So, what’s higher for you takes under consideration what issues most to you relating to portability, match, and really feel. That can assist you decide that, think about the place and for a way lengthy you propose to take heed to music.