DJ headphones help you cue, beatmatch, and monitor tracks in loud rooms. A solid pair of closed-back or studio headphones will generally be a decent option, though the best DJ headphones frequently have elevated bass, which emphasizes kick drums, making it easier to beatmatch. That kind of colored sound profile can be useful behind the decks, but it also makes it worth checking how smooth the headphones' frequency response is. Our peaks and dips tests shows where headphones' response jumps above or falls below its own average tuning; fewer and smaller deviations usually mean a more natural, consistent sound. Apart from sound, you'll also want practical features like swiveling or pivoting ear cups, flexible headbands, a long coiled cable so you can move around on stage, and good noise isolation so you can focus on the crowd one moment and line up your mix the next.
We've tested over 890 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.
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/DipsFrequency Response ConsistencyComfortStabilityAudio Reproduction AccuracySee all our test resultsNoise IsolationThe Sennheiser HD 25 are the best DJ headphones we've tested. These on-ear headphones are designed expressly for DJs, with features that cater to the role, including high sensitivity, which allows them to get loud enough to compete with the room's sound system. Although they have a generally flat sound signature, the added boom in the high bass helps you hear bass lines 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, giving you two contact points to better distribute their already extremely lightweight frame and keep them in place. Their clamping force is also fairly mild, and you won't get tired from wearing them. They 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 also knock your glasses off if you wear them.
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 Sennheiser, they have a more robust build and swiveling ear cups. They also come with three cables instead of just one. However, they're bulkier, clamp tighter, and have a less balanced response. Like the Sennheiser headphones, they also supply a healthy amount of boom to kick drums and basslines.
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Best Budget DJ Headphones
If 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 accidentally damage. And, unlike the Sennheiser, you can't simply buy new cabling if that happens. 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 flat mid-range response, so voices and lead instruments are present, detailed, and clear. Their bass response ensures there's enough punch to clearly hear kick drums, but they lack some low bass, so your music will be a little light on thump and rumble. High-pitched 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 ideal if you want to hear the room, though.
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Best Wireless DJ Headphones
If you want a more versatile pair of cans, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1BT can work double duty as both wired DJ cans and portable Bluetooth headphones. Unlike the wired-only Sennheiser HD 25, you can use these to listen wirelessly to audio from your phone, and once you arrive at the venue, you can simply plug in the coiled analog cable. The additional Bluetooth connectivity is a little rudimentary since it lacks multi-device pairing, but you still get playback controls and about 46 hours of battery life.
Their sound is pretty bass-heavy, so kick drums stand out in the mix, which is handy for getting the perfect sync between tunes. And their mid-range and highs are well-balanced, so the rest of the mix is presented pretty accurately, without any annoying harshness. These headphones fold into a smaller footprint, and the ear cups swivel, so you can hear the room. While not quite as stable as the Sennheiser's split headband, the Pioneer's is more cushioned. As a result, they feel pretty comfortable for on-ear headphones. However, thick hair or glasses can break the seal, which can make bass sound weaker and consistent from one use to the next, so take care when placing them on.
Alternatively, the V-MODA Crossfade 3 are a pricier option for DJs that you can use wired or over Bluetooth. These have a darker sound than the Pioneer DJ, with a softer treble, but some DJs find that less fatiguing over long sets. Their battery life is also about 20 hours shorter than the Pioneer DJ's. Finally, the V-MODA'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/DipsFrequency Response ConsistencyComfortStabilityAudio Reproduction AccuracySee all our test resultsNoise IsolationIf the Sennheiser HD 25 don't give you enough low-end emphasis, the AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ are a more bass-forward alternative. All the picks above already add some bass compared to a sound profile like our target curve, but these push the mid and high-bass even further, which can make kick drums and basslines easier to lock onto when beatmatching. The trade-off is that they strongly de-emphasize treble, so some listeners might find they sound too boomy and cluttered for casual music listening, with a muffled top end. It's really a question of preference, but if you tend to find yourself wishing for more bass, these are a great pick.
If their sound profile doesn't quite work for your tastes, you can buy new components from the manufacturer and swap out different drivers or other parts for an alternate sound and fit. This modular design costs extra, but it makes the headphones more versatile by letting you change their frequency response. In their stock configuration, these on-ear headphones have a sleek, 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, their ear cups can't pivot or swivel. That 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 frequency response that's closer to the Harman target curve than the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, but still want 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 bright 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
Jun 04, 2026:
We have checked that all our picks are accurate and in stock, and have rewritten parts of the text to clarify the trade-offs between the different picks.
Mar 11, 2026:
We edited the text for clarity but haven't changed our picks.
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.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones for DJs for different needs and budgets. 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'd 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 and listening habits will matter more in your selection.