Audio-Technica headphones are a staple in studios and are commonly used in professional settings. They also come in at a wide range of prices, so there are budget options for you even if you're just starting out. The brand has a big headphone lineup, with more than 50 different models, and we've currently tested 21 pairs of their headphones.
Updates
- 03/26/2025Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 reviewed
- 01/15/2024Audio-Technica ATH-M20x updated
- 12/05/2023Audio-Technica ATH-M50x updated
- 01/23/2023Audio-Technica ATH-R70x reviewed
- 09/16/2021Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless reviewed
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Audio-Technica Headphones
Audio Reproduction AccuracySound Profile:Raw Frequency Response:See all our test resultsComfort:The best Audio-Technica headphones we've tested are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. They have a balanced sound that's suitable for a wide variety of genres and types of content. The tuning also combines high-bass emphasis that's more prominent due to a cut in the low-mids that can cause punchy kicks to stand out more. The headphones are also sturdy and have a comfortable fit, so you can enjoy long listening sessions without feeling much fatigue.
Because of their closed-back design and faux leather pads, the headphones can accumulate heat over time. And they don't isolate you from much background noise, which can make critical listening difficult if you don't have a dedicated, quiet space. Still, they don't leak much audio, so you're less likely to bother people nearby when you turn up the volume. This also makes them useful for recording sessions, as your backing track won't leak into your microphone.
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Best Mid-Range Audio-Technica Headphones
If you're looking for cheaper headphones and are willing to compromise on build quality, check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. They're similar to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, although the smaller price tag comes with a few drawbacks. They leak more audio, making them less suitable for shared spaces like offices or recording. Still, they have a similarly versatile, balanced tuning, though there's a bit more bass on tap, which electronic or hip-hop enthusiasts might appreciate more than on our top pick.
Like the previous pick, the ATH-M40x have a closed-back design, so they'll accumulate heat and moisture in humid environments the same way. And even though they're decently well-built, the hinges feel flimsy compared to the M50x. The ear cup padding is also stiff, but they're comfortable and don't clamp onto your head very tightly.
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Best Budget Audio-Technica Headphones
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are the best budget Audio-Technica headphones that we've tested, though there are more downsides that come with the lower price. They're less comfortable and have less padding than our previous picks, but the cost savings make them a good choice for bedroom producers on a budget, thanks to their somewhat balanced tuning. Relative to the other Audio-Technica headphones so far, they have a more pronounced mid-bass hump that can cause 808s to sound thick, and some cuts in the treble can obscure vocals and lead instruments.
Still, they're decently comfortable and don't clamp onto your head too hard, so you can listen to music for hours without experiencing much fatigue. Like the previous picks, they don't block out much noise, making them less suitable for casual use when you're out and about. However, if you're looking for wallet-friendly Audio-Technica headphones for music, they're worth considering.
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Best Wireless Audio-Technica Headphones
If you prefer wireless headphones, consider the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless. These over-ears are the second generation of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT and offer versatile performance. Their name is a nod to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, though their in-app graphic EQ and presets let you customize the sound more than on their wired-only namesake.
With over 61 hours of continuous playback time, you don't have to worry about recharging them throughout your workweek. They support multi-device pairing, meaning you can stay connected to your smartphone and laptop simultaneously. Their 'Low Latency Mode' can help reduce audio lag while watching videos or playing mobile games. Unlike their wireless predecessor, they don't support the aptX codec. Instead, they support LDAC for high-quality wireless audio. You can always plug in their cable for virtually latency-free listening.
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Best Open-Back Audio-Technica Headphones
Some people prefer open-backs due to how they feel when wearing, and how they interact with their surroundings. If that's you, the best open-back Audio-Technica headphones we've tested are the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x. The headphones are firmly in the professional category of the brand's offerings, and as a result, are more expensive than our top pick. Their open design helps them create a more spacious listening experience, though it comes with the downsides of leaking a lot of audio and not blocking out much ambient noise.
Due to their design, they can't accumulate a lot of bass energy either, which gives the headphones a more mid- and treble-forward tuning suitable for picking out details or unique timbral characteristics in your mix. They'll be disappointing for you if you love the chesty feeling of thumpy rhythm sections in dance tracks, though. They're lighter and have a more comfortable fit than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x for most people.
Compared To Other Brands
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Diverse headphone lineup.
Audio-Technica's lineup is suited for a variety of listeners. While they offer professional closed-back and open-back models for audiophiles or DJs, they also have headphones with Bluetooth functionality for more casual use.
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Well-balanced sound reproduction.Audio-Technica offers headphones specifically designed to deliver accurate audio reproduction. Audiophiles, studio producers, and musicians can enjoy models like the ATH-M50x, which has a well-balanced sound.
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Affordable.
Audio-Technica produces many headphones that have a good price-to-performance ratio. They're an affordable option for professional or studio use.
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Weak noise isolation.Although Audio-Technica has a series of active noise cancelling headphones, those we've tested don't reduce noise as well as other similarly priced, competing models.
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Less premium build quality.
Audio-Technica offers higher-end models that feel more premium, but most the most popular models we've tested have a plasticky and cheaper feel.
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Overlapping models.
Audio-Technica's lineup has several similarly designed headphones without clear performance differences, so it can be confusing to choose between models.
Audio-Technica vs Bose
Bose focuses primarily on casual-use wireless headphones, while Audio-Technica focuses more on wired headphones. Their headphones tend to be more expensive than Audio-Technica's and are often better for purposes like commuting, traveling, and work. The best Bose headphones usually have strong ANC performance, and as you might expect from pricier headphones, they feel sturdier too.
Audio-Technica vs Sony
Sony sells a variety of headphones, including both casual-use and professional-oriented headphones. They offer a wide range of versatile headphones with noise cancelling, customization features, and wireless designs in many cases. At the same time, audiophiles might prefer Audio-Technica for their wide selection of wired over-ears. Look at our best Sony headphones article to check out Sony's lineup.
Audio-Technica vs Sennheiser
Sennheiser makes a wide range of headphones, including audiophile models, from pricey premium options to budget-friendly options. However, some of the best Sennheiser headphones focus on open-back headphones across price ranges, while Audio-Technica might be your brand if you want closed-back audiophile headphones.
Audio-Technica vs Anker
Anker focuses more on casual-use headphones and earbuds with versatile features like noise cancelling to keep you isolated from noise. However, if you care about a balanced sound or prefer wired headphones, Audio-Technica's lineup might be more suitable for you.
Audio-Technica vs Beyerdynamic
Beyerdynamic and Audio-Technica both produce many headphones for professional use. However, Beyerdynamic headphones tend to be better built, though they can cost more. Beyerdynamic's headphones typically have a bright, trebly tuning that emphasizes details in your mix, compared to Audio-Technica's, which have more low-end punch.
Audio-Technica offers a variety of headphones for casual and professional use at affordable prices. This brand focuses on sound reproduction, especially on headphones from their popular ATH-M line, which provide solid audio quality at a comparatively low cost. While their headphones range in build quality, and their noise cancelling models don't reduce background noise especially well, they offer many different options with great audio fidelity, making them a reputable and frequently recommended brand.
Lineup
Audio-Technica offers a wide range of headphones for different purposes. The first few characters after 'ATH-' in a product's name usually indicate its features, style, or intended use.
Studio Headphones
- ATH-M: Closed-back monitor headphones.
- ATH-R: Open-back reference headphones.
Audiophile Headphones
- ATH-AD: Open-back wired headphones.
- ATH-A: Closed-back wired headphones.
- ATH-AW: Closed headphones with wooden ear cups (wired).
- ATH-W: Closed headphones with wooden ear cups (wireless).
- ATH-AP: Closed-back wired headphones.
DJ Headphones
- ATH-Pro: Monitor headphones for DJs.
Other
- ATH-ANC: Headphones with active noise cancelling (ANC).
- ATH-AVC: Marketed for movies as well as music.
- ATH-G: Gaming headsets.
- ATH-BP: Broadcast headphones.
In-Ears And Earbuds
- ATH-C: In-ears and earbuds.
- ATH-E: Professional in-ear monitors.
- ATH-CKS: True wireless earbuds.
- ATH-SQ: True wireless earbuds.
- ATH-TWX: Flagship true wireless earbuds.
Recent Updates
Sep 23, 2026:
We haven't tested any new Audio-Technica headphones since the last update, but we've updated the text for conciseness and confirmed our picks are still valid and in stock.
May 21, 2026:
We've checked that all our picks are still available online, but haven't changed them.
Jan 19, 2026:
We haven't tested any new Audio-Technica products since the last update, but we've checked that all our picks are accurate and in stock.
May 06, 2025:
We added the Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 as an alternative to the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x for audiophiles who value a detailed treble and superior distortion performance. But their extremely high price means they're not the best overall pick in their category.
Feb 07, 2025:
We've edited the text to ensure updates made as part of Test Bench 1.8 are reflected in the text, but we haven't changed our picks.
Conclusion
Audio-Technica is a well-known brand that offers affordable headphones. While they produce sound rivaling higher-end models, they tend to have less-than-stellar builds. Their noise cancelling models also fall short compared to other brands with similar features. However, these headphones are exceedingly well-balanced and offer a good price-to-performance ratio.
