The 6 Best Open Back Headphones - Summer 2018
Reviews

Open back headphones are designed to deliver an immersive listening experience by reducing the level of isolation between you and your environment. They produce a spacious soundstage and give you the impression of listening to a good speaker set up in an ideal room. However, they leak a lot so they are not the best choice if you want to use them outside, as they may distract the people around you (see our closed-back recommendations).

We've tested 32 open-back headphones and below are our recommendations for the best ones you can buy in the summer of 2018. 

Best Open-Back Headphones: Sennheiser HD 800 S

Sennheiser HD 800 S

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

✕

Test Benches: test

• 1.2: Winter 2018
• 1.1: Summer 2017
• 1.0: Winter 2017
• 0.9: Winter 2016

See changelog and how ratings work

6.2

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% Home Theater

Score distribution:

8.5

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

4.8

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
• 10% Build Quality
• 10% Battery
• 6% Wireless Range
• 4% Controls
• 4% Breathability
• 4% Leakage
• 3% Microphone
• 1% Multi-Device Pairing
• 1% NFC

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

5.5

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

5.4

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
• 3% Build Quality
• 3% Microphone
• 1% Controls
• 1% Multi-Device Pairing
• 0% USB
• 0% PC Compatible
• 0% Latency
• 0% Analog
• 0% Line In
• 0% USB Input
• 0% PC Compatible
• 0% Power Supply
• 0% Dock Charging

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

6.2

Home Theater

✕

Score components:

• 23% Sound
• 17% Comfort
• 15% Default Latency
• 10% Wireless Range
• 5% Build Quality
• 5% Breathability
• 4% Optical Input
• 4% Battery
• 3% Analog
• 3% Leakage
• 3% Noise Isolation
• 2% RCA Input
• 2% Multi-Device Pairing
• 2% Line In
• 2% Line Out
• 2% Power Supply
• 2% Dock Charging

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

6.1

Gaming

✕

Score components:

• 21% Sound
• 21% Default Latency
• 15% Comfort
• 12% Microphone
• 5% Breathability
• 5% Battery
• 5% Base/Dock
• 3% Build Quality
• 3% Wireless Range
• 3% Microphone Control
• 3% Channel Mixing
• 3% Wired
• 2% Volume Control
• 2% App Support
• 1% Bluetooth

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

Type : Over-ear

Enclosure : Open-Back

Wireless : No

Noise-Cancelling : No

Mic : No

Transducer : Dynamic

The best open back headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. They are specifically designed to deliver a comfortable and accurate listening experience. If you consider yourself a critical listener or an audiophile who refuses to compromise on sound quality, then the HD 800S will not disappoint.

They’re sturdy and comfortable headphones that deliver a well-balanced frequency response and a large and spacious soundstage. The Sennheiser HD 700 are a more affordable alternative to the HD 800 S, but their audio reproduction is not as good and will sound a bit too sharp on S and T sounds and already bright tracks.

See our review

Cheaper Alternative: HiFiMan Sundara

HiFiMan Sundara

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

Type : Over-ear

Enclosure : Open-Back

Wireless : No

Noise-Cancelling : No

Mic : No

Transducer : Planar Magnetic

If you want an excellent sounding pair of open-back headphones that are cheaper than the Sennheiser HD 800 S, then consider the HiFiMan Sundara. They're comfortable, planar magnetic headphones that deliver a well-balanced audio reproduction and a spacious soundstage. They're better-built and sound more balanced than the HiFiMan HE-400i and would also be a great alternative to the Edition X if you're on a budget.

The Sundara are easily one of the best sounding open-back headphones that we've measured, and they have a premium design with an all-metal build. Unfortunately, Hifiman's quality control is pretty poor, so some units may have defects with their drivers after a couple months of use.

See our review

Best Mid-Range Open-Back Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

✕

Test Benches: test

• 1.2: Winter 2018
• 1.1: Summer 2017
• 1.0: Winter 2017
• 0.9: Winter 2016

See changelog and how ratings work

5.9

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% Home Theater

Score distribution:

7.9

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

4.8

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
• 10% Build Quality
• 10% Battery
• 6% Wireless Range
• 4% Controls
• 4% Breathability
• 4% Leakage
• 3% Microphone
• 1% Multi-Device Pairing
• 1% NFC

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

5.7

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

5.2

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
• 3% Build Quality
• 3% Microphone
• 1% Controls
• 1% Multi-Device Pairing
• 0% USB
• 0% PC Compatible
• 0% Latency
• 0% Analog
• 0% Line In
• 0% USB Input
• 0% PC Compatible
• 0% Power Supply
• 0% Dock Charging

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

5.9

Home Theater

✕

Score components:

• 23% Sound
• 17% Comfort
• 15% Default Latency
• 10% Wireless Range
• 5% Build Quality
• 5% Breathability
• 4% Optical Input
• 4% Battery
• 3% Analog
• 3% Leakage
• 3% Noise Isolation
• 2% RCA Input
• 2% Multi-Device Pairing
• 2% Line In
• 2% Line Out
• 2% Power Supply
• 2% Dock Charging

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

5.8

Gaming

✕

Score components:

• 21% Sound
• 21% Default Latency
• 15% Comfort
• 12% Microphone
• 5% Breathability
• 5% Battery
• 5% Base/Dock
• 3% Build Quality
• 3% Wireless Range
• 3% Microphone Control
• 3% Channel Mixing
• 3% Wired
• 2% Volume Control
• 2% App Support
• 1% Bluetooth

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

Type : Over-ear

Enclosure : Open-Back

Wireless : No

Noise-Cancelling : No

Mic : No

Transducer : Dynamic

For a mid-range option, we recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. They deliver in the sound department with a well balanced and open audio reproduction that packs a decent amount of bass for an open-back headphone. 

They're incredibly well-built for their price. They also sound a bit less sharp than the higher-end DT 1990. However, they won't have an as open soundstage as the more premium model and do not come with as many accessories or replaceable parts.

On the upside, they're a great entry level recommendation for any audio enthusiast, especially if you can EQ them, and they're cheaper than some of the more popular audiophile headphones we've tested, like the Sennheiser HD 650 and the AKG K702 for an equally great if not better sound quality.

See our review

More Comfortable Alternative: AKG K702

AKG K702

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

Type : Over-ear

Enclosure : Open-Back

Wireless : No

Noise-Cancelling : No

Mic : No

Transducer : Dynamic

If you want a more comfortable pair of open headphones that sounds as good as the Beyerdynamic DT 990, then get the AKG K702 instead. These headphones are a bit more expensive than the DT 990 and have a slightly worse build quality, but they’re a lot more comfortable.

If you wear your headphones for very long listening sessions, then the AKG K702 are a better option than the Beyerdynamic. They have a well-balanced audio reproduction and a spacious and open soundstage. They're also a lot cheaper than the AKG K712 for about the same sound quality. 

See our review

Best Budget Open-Back Headphones: Philips SHP9500

Philips SHP9500

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

✕

Test Benches: test

• 1.2: Winter 2018
• 1.1: Summer 2017
• 1.0: Winter 2017
• 0.9: Winter 2016

See changelog and how ratings work

5.9

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% Home Theater

Score distribution:

7.8

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

4.6

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
• 10% Build Quality
• 10% Battery
• 6% Wireless Range
• 4% Controls
• 4% Breathability
• 4% Leakage
• 3% Microphone
• 1% Multi-Device Pairing
• 1% NFC

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

5.4

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

5.3

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
• 3% Build Quality
• 3% Microphone
• 1% Controls
• 1% Multi-Device Pairing
• 0% USB
• 0% PC Compatible
• 0% Latency
• 0% Analog
• 0% Line In
• 0% USB Input
• 0% PC Compatible
• 0% Power Supply
• 0% Dock Charging

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

6.0

Home Theater

✕

Score components:

• 23% Sound
• 17% Comfort
• 15% Default Latency
• 10% Wireless Range
• 5% Build Quality
• 5% Breathability
• 4% Optical Input
• 4% Battery
• 3% Analog
• 3% Leakage
• 3% Noise Isolation
• 2% RCA Input
• 2% Multi-Device Pairing
• 2% Line In
• 2% Line Out
• 2% Power Supply
• 2% Dock Charging

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

6.0

Gaming

✕

Score components:

• 21% Sound
• 21% Default Latency
• 15% Comfort
• 12% Microphone
• 5% Breathability
• 5% Battery
• 5% Base/Dock
• 3% Build Quality
• 3% Wireless Range
• 3% Microphone Control
• 3% Channel Mixing
• 3% Wired
• 2% Volume Control
• 2% App Support
• 1% Bluetooth

Score distribution:

See our best recommendations

Type : Over-ear

Enclosure : Open-Back

Wireless : No

Noise-Cancelling : No

Mic : No

Transducer : Dynamic

The Philips SHP 9500 are the best budget, open-back headphones that we've tested so far. They’re not made from the fanciest or sturdiest of materials, but they feel durable enough that you would not worry if you dropped them by accident.

They’re also comfortable, have an excellent soundstage and a great audio reproduction that delivers an immersive experience that's rare at this price range. If you want a great sounding pair of headphones that are also comfortable enough for long listening sessions, then the Philips SHP9500 are an excellent and affordable option.

See our review

Cheaper Alternative: Superlux HD 681

Superlux HD 681

SEE PRICE

Amazon.com

Type : Over-ear

Enclosure : Semi-Open

Wireless : No

Noise-Cancelling : No

Mic : No

Transducer : Dynamic

Like the Philips SHP9500, the Superlux HD 681 deliver a surprisingly well-balanced audio reproduction for their price range. If you're looking for a good audiophile quality headphone but are on a tight budget, then they should be your go-to option. 

They're cheaper and more comfortable than the Superlux HD 668B, which are already pretty affordable headphones but they do not come with a detachable audio cable. They're also not as comfortable or as well built as the Philips, but within their price range, they're very difficult to beat.

See our review

Notable Mentions

• Beyerdynamic DT 1990. A well-crafted and premium-looking open-back headphone with a good sound. Can sound a bit too sharp and piercing for some. See our review
• Sennheiser HD 700. Good, open sound and a spacious soundstage. They're a viable and cheaper alternative to the HiFiMan Sundara. See our review
• Sennheiser HD 599. Open sound and a spacious soundstage. Comfortable lightweight design. Not as well built as the Sennheiser HD 700 but cheaper than the HD 650 for a similar sound. See our review
• AKG K712 Pro. Comfortable design and excellent sound quality. Comes with more accessories than the AKG K702 but they're considerably more expensive. See our review
• Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X. Above average sound and unique design. They look and feel a bit cheap for their price. See our review
• Bose SoundSport In-Ear. Comfortable and open in-ear fit. Lightweight and stable headphones for sports use, but they lack a lot of bass. See our review
• Grado SR80e. Good-sounding on-ear headphones with a unique design. However, they're not very durable and may sound a little sharp. See our review
• Koss Porta Pro. A compact and portable on-ear headphone with a good sound but a flimsy build quality. See our review
• Apple Airpods. Versatile mixed usage headphone with a sleek and well-designed build quality. But a mediocre sound and limited availability. See our review
• Sennheiser Game One. A gaming headset with an open and well-balanced sound. A bit pricey for what they have to offer. See our review
• HiFiMan HE-400i.  They perform similarly to the Hifiman Sundara but have a weaker build quality and a slightly sharper sound. However, they are cheaper which could be a good option for some. See our review

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best open-back headphones to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (a cheaper headphone wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for open-back headphones. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste and preference will matter more in your selection.