The 5 Best Closed-Back Headphones - Spring 2021 Reviews

The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are the best closed-back headphones with a wireless connection that we've tested. These Bluetooth-enabled over-ears have a sturdy-feeling high-grade plastic construction and a comfortable fit, with ample amounts of padding and a lightweight design. They also supply upwards of 37 hours of continuous playback time on a single charge, which should be more than enough for a couple of days of use, though battery consumption can vary depending on your own usage patterns.

They have a bass-heavy sound profile out-of-the-box, which should please fans of EDM or hip-hop but can also muddy vocals and lead instruments. Fortunately, the Sony | Headphones Connect app features a couple of EQ presets as well as a graphic EQ to fine-tune your listening experience. They're also fitted with a highly effective ANC system that allows them to filter out a remarkable amount of ambient noise, from the low-rumble of bus and plane engines to the high-pitched hum of an AC unit, not to mention background chatter from people nearby.

Unfortunately, their integrated mic delivers sub-par recording quality, as it makes your voice sound thin, muffled, and lacking in overall detail. Their bulky design can also make them a bit of a hassle to carry around. Otherwise, their rich feature-set, solid build quality, and superb noise isolation capability help make them some of the best travel headphones that we've tested.

The best closed-back headphones under $200 that we've tested are the Razer Opus. These sleek over-ears have an excellent active noise cancelling (ANC) performance, which helps block out noise like bus or train engines as well as ambient chatter. They also have a great build quality and are comfortable enough for long listening sessions.

Right out-of-the-box, they have a very balanced and neutral sound profile that's versatile enough for most audio content. That said, if you prefer to tweak their sound to your liking, their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets. They also have a continuous battery life of over 32 hours, and they have an auto-off feature that helps conserve battery life when they're not in use. They've got good controls that are easy-to-use, and they come with a hard case so that you can protect your headphones when on-the-go.

Unfortunately, while their integrated microphone does an alright job of recording your voice, it struggles a lot to separate it from ambient noise around you, making them less-than-suitable for taking calls in loud or noisy environments. They also don't support multi-device pairing, so it can be a bit of a hassle if you want to quickly switch between your computer and smartphone. That said, these headphones offer a well-balanced sound and a sturdy build quality. Their ANC also outperforms most other competitors at this price point.

The best closed-back headphones for audiophiles that we've tested are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. These popular wired over-ears are very well-known amongst audio enthusiasts and sound engineers and are the best studio headphones we've tested. They're comfortable thanks to their large ear cups that easily accommodate any ear size, and they don't feel too tight on the head. They're made from dense plastic and look and feel very durable and premium, with a detachable audio cable that can easily be replaced if damaged.

Their sound profile is expertly tuned and is well-balanced and natural, but with a tiny amount of extra kick. Their response consistency is decent, though they may need some readjusting to experience their treble response the same way every time. Their soundstage isn't nearly as open and wide as open-backs like the Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee, though this is expected. On the plus side, this makes them much more versatile and more suitable for use during your daily commute or in the office.

As they're more designed for use in a studio or while at home, they lack many active features in comparison to the most popular Bluetooth options. Their audio cable doesn't feature a microphone or in-line remote, so they don't have any controls or the ability to take phone calls. On the bright side, their wired design means you don't have to worry about battery or latency issues, though you may need an adapter to use them with newer phones without a headphone jack.

The Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Wireless are the best closed-back headphones at the budget-level that we've tested. They offer over 24 hours of continuous playback time, which is impressive. They also have a fairly well-balanced and neutral sound profile, which makes them suitable for a variety of audio content.

They have thick and soft padding on the ear cups and headband. Although their build can creak while you're moving them around your head, they still feel decently dense and sturdy. They can also be paired with up to two devices at a time, which is great if you like to move between your smartphone and laptop. Although their companion app doesn't offer a lot of customization features, it has two EQ presets. You can also adjust the level of active noise cancelling (ANC) to your preferences.

Unfortunately, while their ANC does an okay overall job of isolating noise around you, it does a poor job of cutting down bass-range sound like bus or plane engines, which can be annoying during your daily commute or on long trips. Some users have also experienced their unit's headband cracking or breaking over time. Still, if you're trying to keep your expenses down, they offer a balanced sound at a budget-friendly price point.