Whether you're new to podcasts or a seasoned veteran, a good pair of headphones can make all the difference when recording or editing your next episode. Headphones allow you to monitor your audio during live sessions and hear tracks like your audience. They should have a comfortable fit that won't become fatiguing over long periods of use. They should also block out ambient noise and have a balanced sound profile that ensures clear and accurate dialogue reproduction.
Since many creators use a standalone mic to ensure a higher recording quality, we've mainly focused on headphones without a built-in mic. We also prioritize wired picks on this list, as a wireless Bluetooth connection can introduce additional latency that can interfere with live monitoring. To minimize the chances of your microphone picking up sound leakage, we chose closed-backs.
We've tested over 850 pairs of headphones, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best podcast headphones to buy. Also, check out our picks for the best studio headphones for mixing and recording, the best DJ headphones, and the best audiophile headphones.
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Best Headphones For Podcasting
Neutral Sound7.9Commute/Travel4.8Sports/Fitness5.5Office5.4Wireless Gaming4.3Wired Gaming6.3Phone Calls2.1Type:Over-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:NoTransducer:DynamicNoise Cancelling:NoSee all our test resultsMic:NoThe Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO are the best headphones for podcasting we've tested. If you only need a couple of pairs for your recording studio, these are a great choice due to their high-end design and build quality. These headphones also come with nice-to-haves like an extra set of ear cup pads in a leatherette finish, an extra coiled cable, and a hard case for storage. The cups are spacious and comfortable enough for long recording sessions, and they can passively cut down mid-range sounds like ventilation systems. However, they leak at higher volumes, which can impact your recordings. These headphones also have a high 250-ohm impedance, so you'll need to invest in an amp to drive them if you don't already own one, or make use of the push provided by your audio interface's headphone output.
These over-ears have a well-balanced sound profile, ensuring voices sound clear and natural. Although the upper harmonics of vocals and instruments sound slightly warm due to a dip in the treble range, sibilants like S and T sounds are bright without being piercing. They're prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery over repeated listening sessions, so it's important to take the time to adjust their fit to ensure a consistent sound. For more consistent audio delivery, consider the Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X. These have a frequency response similar to our pick. However, they're not as smooth, particularly in the treble region, and come with sparser accessories. Both Beyerdynamic options have a somewhat high clamping force, which can get tiring if you have a long day of recording with multiple guests.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Podcast Headphones
Sports And Fitness5.9Travel5.7Office Work4.1Wireless Gaming (In Development)4.3Wired Gaming (In Development)6.2Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.2Noise Isolation4.4Microphone (In Development)0.0Frequency Response Consistency6.6Bass Amount:Underemphasized (-4 dB)Treble Amount:Slightly Emphasized (1 dB)Sound Signature:BrightType:Over-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:NoTransducer:DynamicNoise Cancelling:NoSee all our test resultsMic:NoIf you have many hosts on your podcast or want something less expensive, consider the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. Even though they don't feel as well-built as the pricier Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO, they still have an analytical sound, ensuring clear and accurate speech reproduction. Their balance of treble and bass leans more toward the upper frequencies compared to the DT 1770 PRO, so sibilants like S and T sounds are piercing. You may still prefer this sound signature as it highlights imperfections in your recordings, though.
If you opt for the 250-ohm pair, consider adding an amp to get the most out of these headphones. Alternatively, you can purchase them with a lower impedance of 32 or 80 ohms, allowing for direct connection to recording devices like a laptop. Unfortunately, they're prone to audio bleed at high volumes, which can leak into your recording. If that's an issue, you'll want to check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x instead. They bleed less audio at high volumes, and their treble response is flatter and less bright. However, our pair isn't as well matched between the L/R drivers.
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Best Mid-Range Podcast Headphones
Sports And Fitness5.3Travel5.3Office Work3.8Wireless Gaming (In Development)4.0Wired Gaming (In Development)5.8Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.2Noise Isolation3.6Microphone (In Development)0.0Frequency Response Consistency8.1Bass Amount:Underemphasized (-4 dB)Treble Amount:Very Emphasized (5 dB)Sound Signature:BrightType:Over-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:NoTransducer:DynamicNoise Cancelling:NoSee all our test resultsMic:NoThe best mid-range headphones for recording that we've tested are the Sony MDR-7506. These over-ears don't passively block out ambient sound as effectively as the Beyerdynamic models, which might be an issue if you want to reduce distractions to focus on your recording. However, they leak less audio than the previous pick, which is important to reduce the risk of audio bleed ruining your take. Their bright sound profile makes voices sound clear and detailed, making imperfections in the track easier to spot.
A 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch adapter is included in the box, making it easy to connect them to your audio equipment, and their spiral cable design can help prevent tangles if you tend to move the mic around. They're decently comfortable, so a couple of hours of recording won't cause much fatigue, but they aren't as well-built as the pricier options listed here. They also aren't very well padded, and the plastic tends to creak when you put the headphones on, which can be annoying, though they were designed to be repaired for greater longevity, so you can disassemble them without breaking them. If you want the reliability of removable cables or prefer more space and a bit more padding for your ears in the ear cups, consider the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. That said, if you're mixing with your headphones, the Audio-Technica are less accurate in the bass range than the Sony.
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Best Budget Podcast Headphones
Neutral Sound7.5Commute/Travel4.5Sports/Fitness5.0Office5.1Wireless Gaming4.1Wired Gaming6.1Phone Calls1.9Type:Over-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:NoTransducer:DynamicNoise Cancelling:NoSee all our test resultsMic:NoIf you're looking for inexpensive podcast headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are a good option. Their build quality is a step down from the Sony MDR-7506 since the metal reinforcing the frame is thinner, and the design feels plasticky overall. Still, they offer a flat mid-range response that ensures voices sound clear and detailed. They have a decently comfortable, fairly breathable fit for long recording sessions. While they leak more audio than the Sony MDR-7506, it still isn't much, so audio bleed isn't a huge issue.
If you're less concerned about audio bleed during recording and want better sound for mixing and editing, you may prefer the Superlux HD 681. These over-ears have a semi-open design, which helps create a more natural-feeling soundstage compared to closed-backs. They also have a brighter treble response, which can help you spot imperfections in tracks. However, their semi-open design leaks more audio, and their sound can be sharp.
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Best In-Ear Monitors For Podcasts
Sports And Fitness6.8Travel7.5Office Work5.5Wireless Gaming (In Development)4.2Wired Gaming (In Development)6.2Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.9Noise Isolation8.0Microphone (In Development)0.0Frequency Response Consistency8.9Bass Amount:Balanced (0 dB)Treble Amount:Balanced (-1 dB)Sound Signature:BalancedType:In-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:NoTransducer:HybridNoise Cancelling:NoSee all our test resultsMic:NoIf you don't like the fit and feel of over-ear headphones, consider in-ear monitors (IEMs) like the TRUTHEAR HEXA. They're a lot lighter than over-ears without sacrificing fit or comfort. They can also block out more background noise than the similarly priced Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO. They also leak less audio at high volumes and are less prone to inconsistencies in audio delivery, so you'll get the same sound each time you use them. They come with a range of silicone and foam tips to suit all ear shapes, too, so you can isolate yourself more or less.
Their frequency response matches our target curve very well, so you can expect solid thump, rumble, and boom from the bass, while vocals and instruments sound natural and clear. That said, one of the downsides of an in-ear design is that their passive soundstage tends to sound less immersive and wider, but with voices recorded for a podcast, that's not necessarily a major detriment. Still, they have a well-built design, and their cables are swappable, which is great as connectors tend to be a weak link for most earbuds if you don't baby them. If your audio interface or amp supports a balanced connection, the CrinEar Daybreak might be worth considering. They have a similarly balanced sound to the TRUTHEAR, but with a slightly warmer tilt. They're more expensive, though.
Notable Mentions
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AKG K361:
The AKG K361 are comfortable and decently well-built headphones. However, they're prone to more inconsistencies in audio delivery than the Sony MDR-7506, so you may need to adjust them on your head each time you wear them to get a more consistent sound.
See our review -
TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED:
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED are a slightly more affordable alternative to the TRUTHEAR HEXA if you want IEMs. They're similarly comfortable to the HEXA, with a balanced sound, though they lack the HEXA's extremely detailed mid and treble ranges. They have decent passive noise isolation due to their in-ear fit, too, allowing you to focus on nailing your takes without distractions.
See our review -
Sennheiser IE 200:
The Sennheiser IE 200 have a smooth sound profile that reproduces voices clearly without unwanted distortion. The earbuds sound slightly warmer than the TRUTHEAR HEXA. If your ears are small, the Sennheiser housings may fit you better than the larger TRUTHEAR.
See our review -
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro 2016:
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro 2016 are popular over-ears for podcasting. They're similar to the Sony MDR-7506 with a duller treble response and a less consistent audio delivery over repeated sessions. Still, they isolate slightly better than the Sony, and if you prefer a deeper ear cup, they aren't as liable to press the drivers up against your ears.
See our review -
DT 1770 PRO MKII
The Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MKII are the refreshed version of our top pick, the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO. The MKII have a lower impedance of 30 ohms, making them more widely compatible with devices. Beyerdynamic also advertises the MKII's sonic performance as similar to the original, but we haven't tested them yet.
Untested - Join the discussion
Recent Updates
Dec 01, 2025:
We've ensured our picks are up to date and reflect the current market, opting to include the CrinEar Daybreak as an alternative to the TRUTHEAR HEXA.
Jun 30, 2025:
The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro 2016 and Sennheiser IE 200 have been added to Notable Mentions. While the picks remain unchanged, the text was edited for greater clarity.
Mar 05, 2025:
We've added the AKG K361 and the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 PRO MKII to our Notable Mentions and updated the text throughout for accuracy.
Dec 06, 2024:
We've updated this article to include the TRUTHEAR HEXA as out in-ear pick.
Aug 05, 2024: We've updated this article to mention the Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X as an alternative to the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro and the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x as an alternative to the Sony MDR-7506 section.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones for podcasting to buy for most people 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 our reviews for headphones that are good for neutral sound. 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.