The 8 Best Bass Headphones - Summer 2019
Reviews

If you like bass-heavy genres like hip-hop, dubstep, or EDM, picking headphones with great bass performance can make a big difference in your listening experience. Having the right amount of thump and punch can really get you going and make you feel pumped up. However, it’s important that the bass isn’t too much and that you don’t lose detail in the rest of the mix.

We’ve tested 343 headphones and below are our recommendations for the best bass headphones to buy in 2019 that won’t sacrifice too much detail for a bass-heavy sound. It should be noted that these picks are not the ones with the highest scores in the bass category box, but rather the ones with the most enjoyable bass performance, even if their bass is over our target curve. See our recommendations for the best headphones for music, the best earbuds for bass, and the best audiophile headphones.

1. Best Bass Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless

   

   Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.3

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   7.2

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   7.8

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC Pairing

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

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   See our best recommendations

   7.2

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   7.7

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB Audio
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog Audio
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

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   5.8

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog Audio
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

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   See our best recommendations

   5.4

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

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   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best wireless bass headphones we’ve tested so far are the Sony WH-1000MX3. They are one of the best noise cancelling headphones on the market and have amazing isolation, which makes them great for daily commuting and office use. They have a more premium look and feel than the previous models and are more comfortable, too.

   These Sony headphones place more emphasis on bass than earlier generations of the series. They have deep, thumpy bass, but don’t overdo it. They’re also compatible with the Sony | Headphones Connect app that offers a graphic EQ, to get more or less bass depending on what you’re listening to and find a sound profile that suits you. They have a great 27-hour battery life with a quick 2 hours of charge time, and also have a 15-minute quick charge feature that gives you 5 hours of playback, which can be very useful.

   These headphones have a touch-sensitive control scheme that’s easy to use in most conditions but can be difficult to get the hang of if you’re not used to touch-sensitive controls. It also doesn’t work well in very cold weather. The Sony XM3 are quite expensive, but they’re very comfortable and well-built. If you can justify the price, they’re well-rounded headphones that are sure to please bass lovers with an eye for quality.

   See our review

2. Easier-To-Use Alternative: Jabra Elite 85h Wireless

   

   Jabra Elite 85h Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re not a fan of touch-sensitive control schemes and are concerned you may find the Sony WH-1000XM3 difficult to use, then consider the Jabra Elite 85h. They don’t isolate noise as well as the Sony, but they have an excellent physical control scheme that provides better feedback. They have a more neutral default sound profile that still packs quite a bit of deep, rumbling bass and they can also be EQ’d with their companion app, Jabra Sound+, on your smartphone.

   On the downside, the Jabra Elite 85h have some issues with frequency response consistency, which means that not everyone will find these headphones will sound the same all the time. Depending on whether you have glasses or long hair and how they’re positioned on your head, you may find they sound different. That said, you can always alter their sound profile to better suit your needs with the app, so if you’re a fan of their physical controls and comfortable design, they’re still worth considering.

   See our review

3. Customizable In-Ear Alternative: Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless

   

   Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you prefer in-ear headphones while running or working out and like being able to adjust your bass with an EQ, then get the Jaybird Tarah Pro. They don’t have active noise cancelling like the Sony WH-1000XM3 and they aren’t as comfortable, but they’re compatible with the Jaybird MySound app which provides access to a great parametric equalizer for you to fine-tune your bass in greater detail. Being in-ear headphones, they are also more portable and are a more stable, breathable option for sports.

   These headphones have a good battery that lasts for over 13 hours, but it doesn’t compare to the 27-hour battery life of the Sony WH-1000XM3. They also use a proprietary charging clip that some may find a bit restrictive. That said, if you like the fit of in-ear headphones and want even finer control over the way your headphones sound, these are one of the best bass Bluetooth headphones we've tested.

   See our review

4. Best Mid-Range Bass Headphones: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016

   

   Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   7.3

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   7.7

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   7.4

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC Pairing

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   7.1

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   7.5

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB Audio
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog Audio
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

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   6.2

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog Audio
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   5.9

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If the Sony WH-1000XM3 are too expensive but you still want great wireless bass-heavy headphones, get the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. Although their active noise cancelling feature isn’t as powerful, they’re geared towards bass fans and are great for genres like EDM, dubstep, or hip-hop thanks to their exciting bass-rich sound.

   They have deep, powerful bass, but it doesn’t drown out lead vocals and instruments or overpower the rest of the mix. They have physical buttons and a simple yet complete control scheme that’s efficient and easy-to-use. They also have a great battery life with 30 hours of playback and have plenty of power-saving features.

   Unfortunately, they aren’t the best-looking headphones and their style is bulky with hinges, making the ear cups stick out. They also don’t isolate as much noise as higher-end ANC headphones. However, they perform well for their price and are versatile, well-rounded headphones.

   See our review

5. Alternative With A Unique Bass Feature: Skullcandy Crusher Wireless 2016

   

   Skullcandy Crusher Wireless 2016

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for even more powerful, headbanging bass, then the Skullcandy Crusher Wireless can be a good choice. They’re less comfortable than the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 and might not have the best sound signature, but they have a unique bass slider on the left ear cup. The slider lets you adjust the amount of bass and it can get to a pretty intense level.

   These headphones don’t have an app with an EQ to customize the sound to your liking and they don’t isolate noise well, but they have a great 36-hour battery life and a great build quality that feels solid. If you enjoy the tactile feedback of deep bass but want something with lower latency for gaming, check out the Razer Nari Ultimate. They’re significantly more expensive but have a haptic feedback system that lets you feel the bass while you’re gaming.

   See our review

6. Best Budget Bass Headphones: Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless

   

   Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2017
   • 0.9: Winter 2016

   See changelog and how ratings work

   6.9

   Mixed Usage

   What it is: This is the combination of the different use cases to evaluate how versatile the headphones are. Therefore an everyday headphone should be well-rounded enough to adapt to most situations and environments without significant losses in sound quality, design ergonomics or isolation.

   Score components:

   • 25% Critical Listening
   • 25% Office
   • 25% Commute/Travel
   • 10% Sports/Fitness
   • 9% Gaming
   • 6% TV

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   7.3

   Critical Listening

   What it is: The level of audio fidelity a headphone can reproduce. Therefore a balanced and true representation of bass, mids, treble, soundstage and imaging, as well as a comfortable listening experience, is essential for critical listening.

   Score components:

   • 80% Sound
   • 10% Build Quality
   • 7% Comfort
   • 3% Breathability

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   6.8

   Commute/Travel

   What it is: How well the headphones handle the loud environments involved in commuting or traveling. Therefore your listening experience should be comfortable, hassle-free and as isolated from noise as possible.

   Score components:

   • 24% Noise Isolation
   • 14% Sound
   • 11% Portability
   • 10% Comfort
   • 9% Build Quality
   • 9% Battery
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 4% Controls
   • 4% Breathability
   • 4% Leakage
   • 3% Microphone
   • 1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 1% NFC Pairing

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   6.8

   Sports/Fitness

   What it is: How well-adapted the headphones are, to use while doing sports or strenuous exercise. Therefore the headphones should not be too cumbersome and deliver a stable and comfortable listening experience.

   Score components:

   • 24% Stability
   • 23% Portability
   • 11% Sound
   • 10% Breathability
   • 8% Comfort
   • 6% Wireless Range
   • 5% Controls
   • 5% Battery
   • 4% Noise Isolation
   • 4% Leakage

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   7.1

   Office

   What it is: How well the headphones can deliver a comfortable and isolated listening experience in an office-like environment. They should not leak much and should block the noise of a busy office.

   Score components:

   • 24% Comfort
   • 21% Sound
   • 16% Noise Isolation
   • 8% Leakage
   • 7% Battery
   • 7% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 4% Build Quality
   • 4% Microphone
   • 2% Controls
   • <1% Multi-Device Pairing
   • <1% USB Audio
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog Audio
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   6.1

   TV

   Score components:

   • 22% Sound
   • 17% Comfort
   • 15% Default Latency
   • 10% Wireless Range
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Build Quality
   • 4% Optical Input
   • 3% Battery
   • 3% Analog Audio
   • 3% Leakage
   • 2% Noise Isolation
   • 2% RCA Input
   • 2% Multi-Device Pairing
   • 2% Line In
   • 2% Line Out
   • 2% Power Supply
   • 1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations

   5.8

   Gaming

   Score components:

   • 20% Sound
   • 20% Default Latency
   • 15% Comfort
   • 12% Microphone
   • 5% Breathability
   • 5% Battery
   • 5% Base/Dock
   • 3% Build Quality
   • 3% Wireless Range
   • 3% Microphone Control
   • 2% Channel Mixing
   • 2% Wired
   • 2% Volume Control
   • 2% App Support
   • 1% Bluetooth

   Score distribution:

   - SAMPLE -

   Become an Insider to see distribution charts

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : Yes

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for headphones with great thumping bass that won’t break the bank, then get the Anker SoundCore Life 2. They’re not as feature-packed as the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, but they perform quite well for their price, especially for fans of bass. They’re comfortable, fairly well-built, and even come with a great hard carrying case so you can protect them on the go.

   By default, they have very good bass that packs lots of thump and rumble to bring out the excitement of bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and EDM. They also feature a bass boost function that you can trigger to add even more bass to your mix. With over 28 hours of battery life, these headphones will last long enough for you to listen to your favorite albums for at least a couple days before needing to charge them.

   Unfortunately, their noise cancelling is mediocre. They also don’t have an auto-off timer, so although their battery life is great, the battery will continue draining unless you remember to turn them off when not in use. Thankfully, they support passive playback, so you can always use them with the provided audio cable when the battery runs out, just without ANC.

   See our review

7. Cheaper Earbud Alternative: Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless

   

   Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re a fan of bass-heavy music but don’t want to spend a lot of money on headphones, get the Anker SoundBuds Curve. Their battery doesn’t last quite as long as that of the Anker SoundCore Life 2, but they’re surprisingly comfortable for wireless in-ear headphones and deliver the deep thump and rumble that bass-lovers crave.

   Though they have a durable, sporty look, they’re not designed as being water or sweat resistant. If you do a lot of sports or want budget headphones to wear at the gym, in particular, check out the slightly more expensive Anker SoundCore Spirit X. They’re very similar to the SoundBuds Curve, but they’re built with a more sweatproof design. However, we can't confirm how sweatproof they are as we don’t yet test this internally.

   See our review

8. Truly Wireless Alternative: SoundPeats TrueFree/True Wireless

   

   SoundPeats TrueFree/True Wireless

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Truly Wireless

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you prefer the unbeatable portability of truly wireless headphones, get the SoundPeats TrueFree. They don’t sound as good as the Anker SoundBuds Curve overall, but they still pack deep, thumpy bass.

   They have very powerful bass, but some may find it slightly overpowering. Their battery also only lasts about 3 hours, which is disappointing even for truly wireless headphones. Thankfully, their charging case holds a couple of extra charges, so you can get up to 15 hours of playback if you take breaks to charge them throughout the day. Overall, these are decent truly wireless earbuds with a bass-heavy sound.

   See our review