The 7 Best Closed Back Headphones - Spring 2020
Reviews

The best closed-back headphones for casual use that we've reviewed so far are the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. These wireless headphones are one of the most comfortable ones we've tested and they offer a well-balanced sound profile. Additionally, they're also one of the best noise cancelling headphones. They have a great 20-hour battery life that you can use throughout a few days, making them quite versatile for everywhere you go.

Their well-balanced audio reproduction lends itself well to most music genres, making them an even more versatile option. These Bluetooth headphones can also connect via NFC for a quicker and easier pairing procedure and people who like to work with headphones will love their multi-device pairing feature. You're able to connect to two devices simultaneously, like your phone and desktop, and easily switch between both. You can also use them wired with the included audio cable, even if the battery is dead, which is quite convenient.

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 these are the way to go.

If you find our main picks too expensive, check out the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, the best closed-back headphones under $200 that we've tested to date. These Bluetooth over-ear headphones look and feel quite premium, and have a good, comfortable design thanks to their well-padded ear cups and headband. The controls on each ear cup are great and give you a very easy-to-use control scheme with a ton of features, including volume control. It's worth noting that we tested the SE model, which are currently available for just under $200, but we'd expect the standard model, which are considerably cheaper, to perform very similarly.

Their sound profile is extremely well-balanced, with just a bit of extra low-bass that will give your music extra thump without sounding cluttered or overpowering. This makes them a great choice for most types of content or music, from podcasts to dubstep. Their battery lasts 30 hours, which is extremely good, so you should be able to use them for almost an entire work-week before needing a charge.

While they have a dedicated companion app for iOS and Android, unfortunately, it doesn't offer much and only allows you to see their last synced position and check their current battery-life. Also, their ANC feature doesn't do much, and they won't help much with blocking out the low rumble of bus or plane engines, and most background speech is blocked passively by having your ears physically covered. Overall, however, their premium look and feel, great controls, and very well-balanced and versatile sound profile make them a great choice of closed-back headphones that are among the best over-ear headphones 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, the best audiophile closed-back headphones. 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.

If you decide to go for these wired headphones, you won't have the freedom and convenience of a pair of Bluetooth headphones like the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Wireless 2016. They also don't focus on noise isolation even if they're closed-back, as they lack any active noise cancelling feature. You can also check out Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO for even better-built headphones, although they don't have a detachable cable and some people find them to be a bit sharp and piercing.

The best closed-back headphones for gaming that we’ve tested so far are the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. These gaming headphones are extremely versatile as they can be used in various ways. They come with a base transmitter for very low wireless latency, but they can also be used wired or even with a phone via Bluetooth. Their design is quite comfortable to wear for long gaming sessions and you're more than likely never going to run out of battery thanks to their dual-battery system, as long as you keep putting one in the charging dock.

Their audio quality is also great, which some may be surprised by considering it's labeled as a gaming headset. It has a very good audio reproduction performance, which is great for video game sound effects and soundtracks, but will also be suitable for everyday music. On top of being one of the more neutral-sounding gaming headphones, they have a very good microphone for online voice chat with friends and teammates. You can also easily mix your game audio and chat audio and the dock provides a good amount of customization and control over the headphones.

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 Wireless are a great alternative thanks to their compatibility with Xbox One, great microphone customization options, and more ergonomic fit.

The best closed-back headphones in the budget category that we've tested so far are the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless. These ANC over-ear headphones feel decently well-made and are quite comfortable. They're an upgraded version of the Anker SoundCore Life 2 Wireless, and look and feel almost identical, though their slightly smaller design should fit more people more comfortably, and their ANC is improved. Their battery life is also slightly improved and a two-hour charge will now get you just over 32 hours of battery life, which is outstanding.

They have an excited, V-shaped sound profile that will please fans of bass with quite a bit of extra thump and kick that won't overpower vocals. This results in a sound reproduction that's well-suited for a wide variety of content and genres, from EDM to classic rock. While their ANC works decently well, unfortunately, they may not be the best choice for commuting or travel as it isn't the best at blocking out the low rumble of bus or plane engines. On the upside, they do an excellent job at blocking out background chatter, making them a decent choice for the office.

Like most Bluetooth headphones, their microphone performance isn't the greatest, and the person on the other end of the line will likely have a difficult time hearing you in even moderately noisy environments, though voices recorded with the mic sound quite clear and easy to understand. Overall, these are a decent overall pair of closed-back over-ears that are good for a variety of uses and offer a good price-to-performance ratio.