The 7 Best Bass Headphones - Winter 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 262 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 which got the highest scores in the bass category box, but rather the ones who have great and enjoyable bass performance, even if it is overemphasized 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

   

   Sony WH-1000XM3

   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:

   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:

   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

   Score distribution:

   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:

   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
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   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
   • 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:

   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:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : Yes
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   The best headphones for bass we’ve tested so far are the Sony WH-1000MX3. They are wireless bass-heavy headphones that are great for daily commuting thanks to their amazing isolation. They are one of the best noise canceling headphones on the market and they reduce a great amount of ambient noise. They have a more premium look and feel than the previous models. They also have a touch-sensitive control scheme on the right ear cup for on-the-fly controls.

   They have a bigger emphasis on bass than the previous generations of the lineup. They have overemphasized deep and thumpy bass, but without doing it too much. They are also compatible with the Sony Connect app that offers a good amount of customization. You can mess around with the provided EQ to get more or less bass depending on what you’re listening to and find a sound profile that suits you. 

   They do tend to sound a bit boomy to critical listeners, but you can use the EQ from the app to customize the sound to your liking. They are also quite expensive, but you are paying for quality and features. 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. 

   See our review

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

   

   Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

   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:

   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:

   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

   Score distribution:

   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:

   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
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   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
   • 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:

   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:

   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. They also have an active noise canceling feature like the XM3s, although not as powerful, and have great sound quality with exciting bass. They also have physical buttons and an easy-to-use control scheme, unlike the Sonys.

   Their bass is powerful and deep but it doesn’t overpower the rest of the mix and doesn’t drown the lead instruments and vocals. These headphones are geared towards bass fans and are great for genres like EDM, dubstep, or hip-hop.

   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. On the upside, they have great battery life with 30 hours of playback and have plenty of power saving features. They deliver excellent performance for their price range.

   See our review

3. Unique Bass Feature Alternative: Skullcandy Crusher Wireless

   

   Skullcandy Crusher Wireless

   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 might not have the best sound signature and are not as comfortable as the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, but they have a unique bass slider on the left ear cup. You have on-the-fly control over the amount of bass you get, and it can get to a pretty intense level.

   They don’t have an app and 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 the slider isn’t something you’re interested in, we suggest taking a look at the cheaper and better sounding Skullcandy Hesh 3.

   See our review

4. Open-Back Alternative: Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

   

   Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : Over-ear

   Enclosure : Open-Back

   Wireless : No

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : No

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you want open-back headphones for better soundstage with impressive bass, get the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. They have an impressive sound quality and a more open soundstage than the closed-backs on this list. They are very well-built and have a comfortable design but might be tight on the head for some.

   They aren’t wireless and don’t have any app to EQ the sound profile like the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, but they are better critical listening headphones with an impressive amount of bass for open-backs.

   See our review

5. Best Budget Bass Headphones: Bluedio T4

   

   Bluedio T4

   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

   6.3

   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:

   6.7

   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:

   See our best recommendations

   6.6

   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

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   6.5

   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:

   See our best recommendations

   6.5

   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
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Latency
   • <1% Analog
   • <1% Line In
   • <1% USB Input
   • <1% PC Compatible
   • <1% Power Supply
   • <1% Dock Charging

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations

   5.0

   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
   • 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:

   See our best recommendations

   4.5

   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:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : Over-ear
   Enclosure : Closed-Back
   Wireless : Yes
   Noise-Cancelling : Yes
   Mic : Yes
   Transducer : Dynamic

   If the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 are too expensive and you’re looking for good budget headphones that pack an exciting bass, get the Bluedio T4 Turbine; they're the best bass headphones in the budget category. Their noise cancellation and design are not as good as that of the Plantronics. They're also less intuitive to use, not as comfortable, and struggle quite a bit with latency. However, they are very affordable at around $50 and their build quality is mainly metal, which gives them a more high-end look and feel.

   They have extended low-bass, which gives a good thump and rumble that fans of bass should like. They have a decent sound quality and decent battery life with 19 hours of playback for 1.7 hours of charging time. Unfortunately, they don’t have a companion app to customize the sound to your liking.

   They also have a huge amount of latency; the highest we’ve ever measured on headphones, making them unusable for video content and might be a deal breaker for some. On the other hand, they have decent noise isolation performance and their well-padded cups are comfortable if you can get a good fit, which seems to be hard since they tend to leave a gap behind the ears.

   See our review

6. Customizable Alternative: Jaybird Tarah

   

   Jaybird Tarah

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you want to have a bit more control over your bass and prefer the isolation and compact format of in-ears then get the Jaybird Tarah. They do not have as much low-end rumble as some of the over-ears on this list and their default sound is not as bass-heavy as the Anker Soundcore Spirit X. However, unlike the Ankers the Tarah come with a great companion app that lets EQ their sound profile to your liking, so you could add even more bass if that's what you want. This makes the Tarah a bit more flexible for different listeners, genres of music, and the mood you're in since you can adjust their sound to better match what you're listening to. 

   They're also good sports headphones with an IPX7 rating for water and sweat resistance, and they're stable enough for most physical activities. They also block a decent amount of noise with their earbud-like in-ear tips, and they're compact enough to fit into your pockets which make them versatile enough for most use cases. 

   Unfortunately, they have a proprietary charging cradle that you must carry around if you want to recharge the headphones on the go, which can be a bit limiting or a deal breaker for some. You can also go for the slightly longer-lasting and better built Jaybird X4, but they're also a bit more expensive.

   See our review

7. Bass-Heavy Alternative: Anker Soundcore Spirit X

   

   Anker Soundcore Spirit X

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : In-ear

   Enclosure : Closed-Back

   Wireless : Yes

   Noise-Cancelling : No

   Mic : Yes

   Transducer : Dynamic

   If you’re looking for a more budget alternative to the Jaybird Tarah that still packs a lot of bass, then get the Anker Soundcore Spirit X. They don’t have a companion app so you can't EQ their sound profile like the Jaybird Tarah or even the more budget Jaybird Freedom. However, their default sound packs enough bass to sound exciting with most tracks especially with more bass-heavy genres, and they also have a sporty, ear-hook design that ensures a stable fit even during more demanding workouts at the gym.

   They have a 12-hour battery life, which is good for wireless in-ears and should be enough for most use cases and they have a decent wireless range and support Bluetooth 5.0. The Spirit X offer great value, only beaten by the cheaper, similarly designed Anker SoundBuds Curve. However, the Curve is not as sweatproof as the Spirit X, which could be a deciding factor depending on your workout routine. 

   See our review