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The 5 Best DJ Headphones - Winter 2024 Reviews

Updated
Best DJ Headphones

Every DJ has a unique blend of equipment⁠—some prefer a classic, old-school analog setup, while others prefer 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, but you'll want to look out for a few things. The best DJ headphones have either swiveling ear cups or a flexible headband 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.

While we've yet to test some of the more popular and iconic DJ models from brands like Pioneer and Cymatics, we've still tested over 775 headphones. 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.


  1. Best DJ Headphones

    The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are the best DJ headphones we've tested. They deliver a well-balanced sound with a bit of extra boom for monitoring rhythms between song transitions. While audio still has a bit of extra warmth, it doesn't overwhelm the rest of the track, so you can still hear vocals well. Their all-black design isn't eye-catching, so they won't stand out much, even if you play at a more subdued venue. They come in limited edition color schemes if black doesn't suit your style. These headphones have a lightweight, well-padded design that'll make them comfortable to wear for long periods. Their ear cups can also swivel, which makes keeping tabs on the venue's mix easier, and the detachable audio cable allows you to quickly swap in one of the other two cables in the kit.

    Unfortunately, they have poor noise isolation performance, so they aren't ideal if you're looking for headphones to help isolate you from ambient noise, even if that's not unusual in these kinds of headphones. The AKG K371, which are similarly performing over-ears, can also be found at this price point with a slightly narrower design. You can flick their ear cups forward and back to hear the room without removing them, but they don't swivel. Their sound profile is more neutral than the Audio-Technica's if you want more accuracy, but they're more prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, especially if you wear glasses or have thick hair.

    See our review

  2. Best Mid-Range DJ Headphones

    If you're looking for something with a DJ-friendly sound that is more affordable, consider the Sony MDR-7506. Compared to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, these over-ears have a retro look you might like but feel flimsier, and their ear cup padding seems more susceptible to wear and tear with regular use. You can replace a lot of parts on them with easily accessible screws, but their cable is hardwired, unlike the top pick. Still, they're decently comfortable, and their sound profile adds a touch of extra punch to the bass while vocals and instruments are clear and present. They also deliver audio consistently, so they sound the same across different re-seats.

    They come with a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter, so they can easily connect to your audio equipment. Their coiled cable design helps you move around freely without tangles. The headphones don't block out much background noise, which is quite common for audiophile headphones, even closed-back models. Their soundstage isn't very immersive, but if you're looking for closed-backs with a more natural soundstage, try the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro 2016 instead. They aren't as comfortable, though, and are prone to larger deviations in audio delivery.

    See our review

  3. Best Budget DJ Headphones

    For those on a tighter budget, check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. These relatively inexpensive headphones aren't as well-built as the Sony MDR-7506, partly because their metal headband frame is thin and feels cheap. The cable connecting the ear cups is exposed at points, which makes it easier to damage accidentally. Still, they have a decently comfortable 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 a little low bass, so your music will sound light on thump and rumble. Sibilant sounds, like cymbals, also seem dull. Still, even though the 10-foot audio cable isn't detachable or coiled, it gives you plenty of room to move around.

    See our review

  4. Best On-Ear DJ Headphones

    The best on-ear DJ headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 25. These are great for DJs who want lightweight headphones with ample bass and low mid-range emphasis, compared to the punchy but not rumbly bass response of the Sony MDR-7506, a smaller set of over-ears. While the added thump, boom, and boxy low mids in these headphones don't make them as analytical as the Sony, for some genres like EDM, this tuning helps for rhythm matching when cueing up the next track.

    If you find yourself headbanging, these aren't perfectly stable, but their unique headband design splits, so you get two contact points for distributing their already lightweight and keeping them in place. They also have the added benefit of replaceable cabling for each driver, rather than having the wiring between ear cups enclosed and inaccessible, so they can last longer with wear and tear. You can only flip the right ear cup forward or backward, and they don't swivel. This is possibly enough, but if you want to lay the ear cups flat or fold them down smaller, you're out of luck.

    See our review

  5. Best Wireless DJ Headphones

    If our top pick appeals to you, but you need some wireless headphones too, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 can fill two roles: your Bluetooth headphones and your wired DJ headphones. They sound slightly different from the original wired-only model, with marginally more rolled-off highs, which helps avoid ear fatigue. However, when used wirelessly, you benefit from the companion app and its EQ. Plus, the wireless model uses conventional headphone cable connectors, so buying a replacement is easier. Still, it lacks the wired-only model's turn-and-push connector that safeguards against snagging the cable out of the ear cup.

    The upside of these Bluetooth headphones is that you get buttons for volume, playback, and calls, which are not essential for DJing, but these expand their utility if you go over your set on your way to the gig with your phone. For a bassier set of wireless headphones, you can also check out the V-MODA Crossfade 3 Wireless. They use metal for various parts like the yokes and are less plasticky in build with a distinctive style. However, their battery life is much shorter at 25.5 hours versus 61 hours for the Audio-Technica cans. You also can't swivel the ear cups for the V-MODA headphones if you need one ear free.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Audio-Technica ATH-M40x: The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are a cheaper alternative to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. They have a similarly comfortable fit and warm sound profile. However, they aren't as well-built and have more distortion at high volumes. They also come with one less audio cable. See our review
  • Shure SRH 440: The Shure SRH 440 have a fairly neutral sound profile and a detachable, coiled audio cable. However, they lack a thumpy low bass. Unlike the Sony MDR-7506, they're also highly prone to inconsistent bass and treble delivery. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Mar 14, 2024: This list has been updated to move the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x to the 'Best DJ Headphones' pick. The Sennheiser HD 25 have been added as the 'Best On-Ear Headphones' pick, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 were added as the 'Best Wireless Headphones' pick. Otherwise, small adjustments to the text have been made.

  2. Jan 18, 2024: We've made minor revisions to the text to improve accuracy, but our picks have stayed the same.

  3. Nov 20, 2023: Made minor updates to the text and checked that the products are in stock.

  4. Sep 22, 2023: We've added a comparison between the V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless and the Sennheiser HD 25. Even though we haven't tested the Sennheiser yet, they're a popular option in the DJ community.

  5. Jul 27, 2023: We've added the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro as an alternative to the Sony MDR-7506, which offer a better passive soundstage performance but aren't as comfortable.

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.