Every DJ has a unique blend of equipment; some prefer a classic, old-school analog setup, while others opt for a more modern, digital approach. Whether your setup revolves around a turntable or a tablet, you always need a good pair of headphones.
A solid pair of closed-back studio headphones will generally be a decent option, though the best DJ headphones frequently have elevated bass for beatmatching. You'll want to look out for a few things, like swiveling or pivoting ear cups and flexible headbands to monitor your set from one ear and the club's mix with the other. A long, coiled cable will help you move around freely on stage, and if it's replaceable, you can swap it on the spot if it breaks during a set. You'll also want headphones with good noise isolation so that you can focus on the crowd one moment and line up your mix the next.
We've tested over 845 headphones, and below, you'll find our top headphone recommendations for DJs. Also, check out our recommendations for the best headphones for music, the best wired headphones, and the best audiophile headphones.
Quick Look
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one, so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best DJ Headphones
Peaks/Dips7.5Frequency Response Consistency5.4Comfort7.5Stability7.5Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.3See all our test resultsNoise Isolation4.7The Sennheiser HD 25 are the best DJ headphones we've tested. These on-ear headphones are designed expressly with DJs in mind and have specific features that cater to the role, including high sensitivity, allowing them to get loud enough to compete with the sound system in the room. Although they have a generally flat sound signature, the added boom in the high-bass helps you hear basslines and kick drums, which can aid beat matching when cueing up the next track for slick transitions.
If you like to dance and headbang, their unique headband design splits, so you get two contact points to distribute their already extremely lightweight and better keep them in place. Their clamping force is light, and you won't get tired from wearing them. They also have the added benefit of replaceable cabling for each driver, rather than having the wiring between ear cups enclosed and inaccessible, making them easier to fix. That said, you can only flip the right ear cup forward or backward, and they don't swivel. Flipping the ear cup forward can knock into your frames if you wear glasses. That said, these on-ears don't have the best consistency between sessions, particularly for people with glasses or long hair, so the bass can sound a bit different at times.
If you prefer an over-ear fit, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (and their optional Bluetooth variant, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless) are dependable headphones. Unlike the Sennheisers, they have a more robust build and swiveling ear cups. They also come with three cables as opposed to just one. However, they're bulkier and clamp tighter with a less balanced response. Like the Sennheiser headphones, they also supply a healthy amount of high-bass to kick drums and basslines.
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Best Budget DJ Headphones
Peaks/Dips6.6Frequency Response Consistency7.7Comfort7.0See all our test resultsStability6.0If you're a DJ on a tighter budget, check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. These relatively inexpensive headphones aren't as portable as the on-ear Sennheiser HD 25. The cable connecting the ear cups is exposed at points, which makes it easier to damage accidentally, and unlike the Sennheiser HD 25, you can't simply buy new cabling if that occurs. Still, they have a decently comfortable over-ear fit and don't put much pressure on your head.
They have a well-balanced sound profile with a neutral mid-range response, so voices and lead instruments are present, detailed, and clear. Their mostly accurate bass response ensures your audio has punch and warmth, but they lack some low bass, so your music will be a little light on thump and rumble. Sibilant sounds, like cymbals, also seem dull. Even though the 10-foot audio cable isn't detachable or coiled, it gives you plenty of room to move around. Their ear cups don't swivel or pivot, which isn't the best if you want to hear the room.
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Best Wireless DJ Headphones
Peaks/Dips7.2Frequency Response Consistency5.8Comfort7.5See all our test resultsStability7.0If you want a versatile pair of cans, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1BT can accommodate the dual duties of wired DJ and Bluetooth headphones, unlike the wired-only Sennheiser HD 25. On the way to a gig, you can listen wirelessly from your phone, and once you arrive at the venue, you can simply plug in the coiled analog cable. Even if the additional Bluetooth connectivity is a little rudimentary and lacking multi-pair, it's still nice to have and gives you playback controls with about 46 hours of battery life.
Their sound is pretty bass-heavy, focusing on the low rumbles of sub-bass synths through to the boom of kick drums. While their mid-range and highs sound fairly neutral, somewhat neutralizing their slightly muddy sound, the boosted bass is still prominent enough for beatmatching. They fold into a smaller footprint, and the ear cups swivel, so you can hear the room. While they're not quite as stable as the Sennheiser's split headband, they offer some added benefits, such as more ample cushioning. As a result, they feel pretty comfortable for on-ear headphones. However, if you have thick hair or wear glasses, it can alter the consistency of the bass sound, so take care when placing them on.
Alternatively, the V-MODA Crossfade 3 are a pricier Bluetooth or wired option for DJs with a nicer build. These have a darker sound than the Pioneer DJ, with a notable de-emphasis on the treble, focusing on bass and mids, which can be more polarizing depending on your taste. Their battery life is also about 20 hours shorter than the Pioneer DJ's. Fit is also somewhat variable, as people with larger ears may find the unique hexagonal earpads constrict their ears.
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Best Bass DJ Headphones
Peaks/Dips7.8Frequency Response Consistency6.0Comfort7.0Stability7.0Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.3See all our test resultsNoise Isolation4.8If our top pick isn't warm enough for you, the AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ may be the solution. These headphones strongly de-emphasize treble frequencies and boost the mid and high-bass. For most music fans, they sound quite boomy and cluttered with a rather muffled treble. However, if you're a DJ, this is the kind of tuning you might prefer. Their prominent bass tuning translates to basslines and kick drums that sound full and present in the mix.
If you take the plunge and their sound profile doesn't quite work for your tastes, these headphones are unique because you can buy new components from the manufacturer. This means you can change their sound by swapping out different drivers (or other parts, for that matter) for an alternate sound and fit. While doing so results in increased expenditure, this modular design expands the usefulness of the headphones so you don't get stuck with one frequency response. As is, these on-ear headphones have a sleek and modern look with a detachable, coiled cable. However, their headband isn't very comfortable and can catch on your hair. Unlike our top pick, the Sennheiser HD 25, and our wireless pick, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1BT, you can't pivot or swivel the ear cups, which means you'll need to remove them completely or pull one side off of your ear to hear the room and music simultaneously.
Notable Mentions
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AKG K371:
The AKG K371 are a good option if you prefer a more Harman target curve-based frequency response than the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, but still enjoy an over-ear fit. They're quite comfortable and have ear cups that can flip forward like the Sennheiser HD 25, but their build isn't as tough.
See our review - Audio-Technica ATH-M40x: The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are an upgraded alternative to the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. They have a comfortable fit with swiveling ear cups, a bassier sound profile, and two cables to choose from. However, they're often double the price of the budget pick. See our review
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Sony MDR-7506:
The Sony MDR-7506 are reliable over-ears with a relatively flat sound and a repairable design. Unlike the Sennheiser HD 25, these over-ears lack articulating ear cups or detachable cabling, but their tuning delivers detailed audio.
See our review
Recent Updates
Nov 20, 2025:
This article was updated to update formatting and to make the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1BT the wireless pick. The V-MODA Crossfade 3 were added as an alternative to the Pioneer DJ. The Notable Mentions have been updated in response to test bench update findings and recent reviews, with the AKG K371 replacing the AKG K361, and the addition of the Sony MDR-7506 to the Notable Mentions. Text updates have been made throughout for accuracy.
May 01, 2025:
We edited this text to reflect changes made as part of our Test Bench 2.0 update to headphone sound testing.
Feb 03, 2025:
We've added the AKG K361 as a Notable Mention due to their balanced but bass-forward sound and solid ergonomics. Otherwise, we've made no updates to the text.
Nov 06, 2024:
We updated some of the text to align with changes made as part of Test Bench 1.8 but didn't change our picks.
Aug 05, 2024: We made some edits to the text for clarity and conciseness but didn't change any of our picks.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones for DJs in each price range. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones 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 closed-back headphones. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection.