The 9 Best Closed Back Headphones - Fall 2019
Reviews

The best closed-back headphones for casual use that we’ve tested so far are the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. They have a very comfortable design, a well-balanced sound, and a great battery life that help make them a very versatile option, suitable for most uses.

These headphones have great audio reproduction, with a balanced sound profile that lends itself well to music of virtually all genres. They support NFC for easier Bluetooth pairing and can also connect to two devices at the same time, which is great if you often switch between your laptop and smartphone. They have a great 20-hour battery life and also feature an adjustable auto-off timer to help save power.

While these headphones used to have industry-leading noise cancelling, a recent firmware update (4.5.2) considerably worsened the ANC performance of our unit, especially in the bass and mid ranges. Consider the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 if you prefer stronger noise cancelling, but they’re more expensive and may not provide added value for everyone. Although those who like to be able to customize the way their headphones sound will be disappointed by their lack of customization options, if you’re looking for headphones with a simple, ergonomic design that deliver a well-rounded performance straight out of the box, then the QC 35 II are the way to go.

The best closed-back headphones under $200 are the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They’re well-built, comfortable wireless over-ears with active noise cancelling. They have ergonomic physical controls which makes them easy-to-use and the SE version even comes with a nice hard carrying case. They sound good, have an excellent battery, and provide very good value overall.

These headphones have an exciting, bass-rich sound profile that brings out the thump and rumble of bass-heavy genres like EDM or hip-hop but is still balanced enough for vocals and lead instruments to sound present and detailed. Their 30-hour battery life is outstanding, and they have a bunch of power-saving features to help it last even longer.

On the downside, their noise isolation isn’t as good as that of some of the more premium noise cancelling headphones we’ve reviewed, like the Sony WH-1000XM3. If you’re looking for better ANC in this price range, consider the Bose QuietComfort 25, but they’re wired and use AAA batteries. The Plantronics have better controls, leak less sound, and can be paired to 2 devices simultaneously, which along with their comfortable design and exciting sound makes them the best headphones under $200 we’ve tested so far.

If sound quality is what matters most for you and you also want a pair of audiophile-level headphones that you can also use outdoors, get the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. They're one of the better options if you're looking for headphones just for listening to music, but they have the added noise reduction of a closed-back design so you can use them outside with your phone.

These headphones have a well-balanced sound that packs a good and exciting bass, a well-balanced mid-range, and a good reproduction of higher frequencies that's not too sharp or recessed. They have a durable build that should last you years of regular use, and they're comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions.

Since these are wired headphones, they don’t have the convenient wireless range of the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They also don’t perform as well in loud environments since they’re not noise cancelling headphones. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are also great-sounding critical listening headphones that feel even better-built than the Audio-Technica, but they don’t have a detachable cable and can sound a bit sibilant to some listeners.

The best closed-back headphones for gaming that we’ve tested so far are the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. They’re very versatile headphones that support wireless connections not only with their USB base transmitter but also via Bluetooth as well. They also have a unique dual-battery system that ensures you’re never out of power as long as you always keep one battery charging.

These headphones have outstanding audio reproduction and are well-suited to not only video game soundtracks and effects, but film scores, podcasts, and audiobooks too. Their microphone performance is remarkable and you can mix audio from both wireless sources simultaneously, which is great if you like to chat on your smartphone while gaming.

On the downside, these headphones aren’t entirely wirelessly compatible with the Xbox One and don’t have mic level controls, which can be disappointing for some gamers. Their ski-goggle inspired fit can also be a bit uncomfortable for those with larger heads. The Astro A50 are a great alternative thanks to their compatibility with Xbox One, great microphone customization options, and more ergonomic fit.

The best budget closed-back headphones that we’ve tested so far are the Mpow H10. They’re not as well-built as the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, but they're even less expensive and provide very good value for their price. They’re comfortable and perform quite well for budget headphones.

These headphones have great bass, good treble, and sound decent overall. They have a surprisingly impressive battery for their price and provide over 23 hours of continuous playback on a charge. They can be used while they charge and even passively with their included audio cable. They also have an excellent 56-foot wireless range and slightly lower latency than most Bluetooth headphones.

These headphones sound better and have improved ANC performance over the less expensive Mpow H5, but the H5 feel better-built, come with a great hard carrying case, and even support multi-device pairing. The build quality of the H10 is mediocre-at-best and they make a concerning snapping sound when you bend them in half. That said, they provide a better listening experience than the other Mpow overall and are still very good budget headphones.