The 5 Best Closed-Back Headphones - Summer 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 active noise cancelling (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 Razer Opus Wireless are the best closed-back headphones under $200 that we've tested. These over-ear headphones have an ANC system that does an outstanding job of blocking out ambient noise like the low rumble of bus or plane engines and ambient chatter. They also have a very comfortable fit, so you can wear them for long periods of time without feeling too much fatigue.

These well-built headphones have a very well-balanced and neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which makes them versatile enough for a variety of audio content. However, if you prefer a different sound, their companion app has a graphic EQ as well as presets to help you really customize them. They also deliver over 32 hours of continuous playback time, which should get you through long days at the office or on the road without a recharge, and can even be used passively when you've run out of battery life.

Unfortunately, their integrated microphone has some trouble separating your voice from ambient noise around you. They also lack multi-device pairing, so it can be a bit more of a hassle if you want to switch between your laptop and smartphone. However, these headphones deliver a very versatile performance, especially at this price point, and they're even among the best noise cancelling headphones that we've tested.

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 Anker Soundcore life Q20 Wireless are the best budget closed-back headphones that we've tested. While they're the older generation of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, they're still available and offer a decent overall price-to-performance ratio. They have a very good active noise cancelling (ANC) feature, and while they have a harder time blocking out bass-range noise like the rumble of a bus or plane engine, they do a much better job of cutting down mid-range sounds like ambient chatter.

These headphones have a very excited sound profile that adds a lot of extra boom and punch to your mixes. They have decent build quality, with a thin metal sheet to help reinforce their headband, and are quite lightweight, which makes them comfortable to wear for a couple of hours at a time. Thanks to their over 32 hours of continuous battery life, they should last through long days at the office or on commutes.

Unfortunately, they lack sound enhancement features like an EQ or presets to help customize their sound to your liking. They also don't come with a hard case, and their basic fabric pouch won't protect your headphones from anything but dust and slight water damage. That said, if you're looking for a wallet-friendly pair of closed-back headphones, they're a suitable choice.