1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best budget
4. Best for home
5. Best for comfort
6. Best for audiophiles
7. Best premium earbuds
8. Best budget earbuds
9. How to choose
10. How we test
11. FAQ
12. Recent updates
Given almost everyone’s apparent obsession with wireless headphones these days, you’d be forgiven for thinking the days of wired models were numbered – but that simply isn't true. The best wired headphones are all about sound, delivering the best sonic experience while forgoing Bluetooth and a few smart features along the way. If you really care about sound quality, wired is still the way to go.
While wireless headphones are convenient and more typically benefit from those handy extra features like noise cancelling, wired cans have trump cards of their own: they don't need charging for a start, and they're more sustainable as they don't require a battery.
Given the ongoing popularity of the wired market for those who prioritise sound quality and/or sustainability, it's not always easy to figure out which are worth your time and which are not.
That's where we enter the picture. Below you'll find our definitive list of the best wired headphones across all budgets, spanning IEMs (in-ear monitors) and over-ear models. All headphones have been rigorously tried and tested by our in-house team of experienced reviewers – you can read more about our testing process below, or scroll down below to see our handpicked list of the best wired headphones you can buy.
- Want to go wire-free after all? Here are the best wireless headphones
I am What Hi-Fi?'s managing editor and have been reviewing and writing about headphones for over a decade. I spend most of my time listening to music at my desk or when travelling, so a good pair of wired headphones is valuable in my portable and desktop audio set up. While wireless has its conveniences, wired headphones remain unbeatable when it comes to pure music quality. Build quality and comfort over long listening hours and the length of cable provided also come into play when choosing the right wired headphone. My recommendations below cover a range of styles and budgets, and remain firm favourites for anyone looking for a great pair of wired headphones.
The quick list
Best wired headphones overall
Whether you're after analysis or fun, the Røde NTH-100 are a terrifically capable and entertaining pair for the money. The best wired headphones for most people.
Best budget headphones
These headphones look and feel pricier than they are – and they’ve got the performance to match.
Best wired headphones for home
If you don't mind an open-back design that leaks a little sound in and out, you'll be rewarded with the cleanest, most spacious and insightful sound at this price point.
Best headphones for comfort
If you’re after a pair of headphones you can wear for hours and hours on end without complaint, look no further than Beyerdynamic's Amiron.
Best headphones for audiophiles
If you can afford them, the third generation of Beyerdynamic’s T1 are top-class performers.
Best premium earbuds
Shure’s in-ears sound so musical they’ll make you forget all about the convenience of wireless buds.
Load the next product… ↓
Best budget earbuds
A great pair of budget in-ears that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune for entertaining performance. A real bargain.
Best headphones overall
Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of Røde – the company may be a big deal in the world of pro audio, but the NTH-100 are both its first pair of headphones and its first attempt to engage with the consumer audio market. So unless you are well-versed in recording studio mics or music creation, this Australian brand might be as brand new to you as it was to us.
Needless to say, the NTH-100 are solid debuts from Down Under. Tonally, they’re on the neutral and naturalistic side. What bass there is in this recording is respectably deep, yes, but it’s swift and well-controlled too – attack and decay of individual sounds are really well observed, and as a consequence, the NTH-100 are a rapid and (in the right circumstances) punchy listen. Rhythmic expression is decent, too.
At the opposite end of the frequency range, they’re similarly detail-heavy and similarly articulate. The midrange, though, is the star of the show.
At this price, there are certain expectations we all might have when it comes to wired headphones. But it's safe to say the Røde NTH-100 outperform those expectations comfortably, and they are one of the best wired pairs we can recommend overall.
Read our full Røde NTH-100 review
Best budget headphones
Austrian Audio is a Vienna-based company born out of a group of ex-AKG employees, so the team's decades of experience cannot be refuted. It shines through in the Hi-X15. The company's first-ever range of wired headphones, Hi-X, offers plenty of decent models across on-ear and over-ear designs, wired and wireless, but the wired Hi-X15 will be your first choice if you're on a tight budget.
The Hi-X15 may be affordable, but they don't once feel cheap or flimsy. The design, with proper metal hinges and soft ‘slow retention’ memory foam earpads, would put a lot of plasticky competitors to shame.
More importantly, sound quality is exceptionally good for the money. The Hi-X15 deliver consistently high detail levels yet keep the soul of a song intact – no easy feat at this end of the market. Expression and emotion are usually lost when price tags drop to this level, but the Hi-X15's ability to deal with proper weight and sentiment is remarkable.
True bargains that are well worth consideration. If you'd prefer an open-back pair for that extra spaciousness it brings, the Grado SR80x (siblings to the SR325x above) are definitely worth a look.
Read the full Austrian Audio Hi-X15 review
Best headphones for home
Grado's Prestige range has produced some of the Brooklyn-based company's finest headphones over the past 30 years. The series has evolved over time, but the latest ‘x’ generation models offer the same balance of quality and value that we've come to expect from such a likeable audio brand.
The range-topping SR325x headphones look much like their predecessors, the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning SR325e, albeit with flatter foam earpads, an updated cable and lighter-coloured stitching on the firmly padded headband.
The difference is in the listening: the SR325x sound notably cleaner and clearer than their predecessors, offering a superbly detailed and articulate performance that comes across more precisely and insightfully than ever.
If you're looking for the best wired headphones in the game around this price, and don't mind an open-back design (which inherently leaks a little sound in and out), the SR325x should be top of your list. They're unbeatable value.
For a more traditional closed-back (i.e. non-leaky) alternative, the excellent Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X should be your go-to at this level.
Read the full Grado SR325x review
Open-back or closed-back? If you'll mostly be using wired headphones to listen to music at home, then an open-back model could be the long-term winner. In my experience, open-back models from Grado and Beyerdynamic are much less fatiguing to listen to over longer hours: the lack of a driver enclosure means they to tend be lighter (and therefore put less pressure on your ears and head), the open design allows more air pressure to flow around your ears, and they sound less direct. While I often need a break after an hour or so when listening to closed-back cans, I can comfortably go several hours straight with open designs.
Best for comfort
Our first impression of Beyerdynamic’s Amiron headphones is one of comfort. The earcups and headband are made of two materials: one is Alcantara microfibers (whose texture is similar to suede), and the other is microvelour – combined, this delivers a wonderfully luxurious and plush pair of headphones that you can wear for many hours without feeling discomfort or irritation.
They are not just comfortable, they sound fabulous too. We particularly like the Amiron's clear midrange vocals, tight sense of rhythmic drive and the way that they handle challengingly rhythms and beats without breaking a sweat.
Like the Grado headphones in the number one spot, they're open-backed and leak sound like a sieve, so the usual disclaimer about not listening on public transport applies. Still, if you have a healthy budget and want a stunning pair of headphones for listening at home, the Amiron will keep you happy no matter what your favourite music genre.
Read the full Beyerdynamic Amiron review
Best for audiophiles
The original T1 open-back headphones – now over a decade old – are something of a touchstone for us as far as premium headphones go. The current third-general model is the one we're recommending here, and it is designed to be easier to drive when used with laptops and mobile devices, compared with its predecessor.
The result is a sound that is very similar to the originals but cleaner and clearer, slightly less bright and a little smoother when it comes to treble. There's that same delivery of music with a palpable sense of power and authority, and vocals come through with nuance and clarity, too. These aren’t the kind of wired headphones that impress on a short listen but given a few days or even weeks, it’s hard not to fall under their spell.
The updated T1 are comfortable enough for long listening sessions thanks to a nicely shaped, partially Alcantara-covered headband and generous velour-trimmed earpads.
If you'd prefer a retro look, the Grado RS1x are very solid alternatives, and if money is truly no object then the Yamaha YH-5000SE are arguably the best headphones we've ever heard. Want closed-backs at this level instead? Check out the T1's brilliant siblings, the Beyerdynamic T5 (3rd Gen).
Read the full Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) review
Best premium earbuds
Shure makes some of the best wired earbuds around, something that becomes apparent the moment you pick up the Aonic 3. They're beautifully designed, comfy and surprisingly lightweight, lending a feeling of quality and elegance before you've even popped them into your lugs. The headphone cable hooks over the top of your ears and keeps them secure at all times, although there is a slight knack to getting the swivelling buds to sit perfectly in place.
Nine different eartip choices allow for excellent isolation, while an in-line remote and mic can control your tunes and answer calls. We've griped about rival companies giving poor choices of eartips in the past (three is not enough to cover all shapes and sizes), so Shure's range of options is truly welcome.
When it comes to sound quality, the Aonic 3 absolutely nail it. They're dynamic, detailed and their toe-tapping sense of rhythm and timing needs to be heard as a matter of importance.
We can't think of any pair of in-ear wired headphones at this price that comes close t to the Aonic 3's musicality and insight, but if your budget stretches further the even more transparent Aonic 5 are your best bet.
Read the full Shure Aonic 3 review
Best budget earbuds
The SoundMagic E11C wired earbuds are the Award-winning successors to the five-star E10 that were our go-to budget in-ear recommendation for years. We're happy to report that this latest model is still pretty magic thanks to an improved driver and a silver-plated copper cable.
The better driver brings gains in sound quality, but it still remains recognisably SoundMagic in character. Bass is ample, with plenty of warmth and depth to keep you enveloped, while the top-end isn't compromised or lessened. The midrange has decent clarity, displaying great energy and control, pulling everything together into a satisfying, cohesive musical package.
When you consider the affordable price, these wired buds are nothing short of a miracle. If you're on a budget, make no mistake that these are solid buys and significant upgrades for the buds bundled with phones these days.
Read the full SoundMagic E11C review
How to choose the best wired headphones for you
If you've decided on wired headphones over wireless models, you either prioritise sound quality, like having a cable connection or are thinking about sustainability. Or all three.
The first and most obvious consideration when it comes to deciding on a pair to buy is whether you want an in-ear or on/over-ear design. If it's the latter, your next question is closed-back or open-back? Open-back designs 'leak' sound in and out but do tend to produce a more expansive, natural sound, while closed-backs are more common and seal sound far more effectively, making them the pick for out-and-about use.
In-ears are more straightforward in that they don't tend to vary in style, though you should note that feature sets aren't always similar – do they come with an in-line remote and mic for taking calls, for example? Are the earpieces detachable from the cable for easy replacement?
Comfort should be high on your list too. In-ear headphones are great for on-the-go listening due to their compact and portable form factor, though a pair of well-padded over-ears that aren't as sonically or physically intrusive are better suited to all-day home listening.
Active noise cancellation used to be a common feature of wired headphones, but they're becoming a rare breed now, primarily because noise-cancelling is associated with portability and thus going hand-in-hand with Bluetooth connectivity for convenient-first listening.
Nearly all wired headphones come with a 3.5mm cable, though if you're looking for a pair for home use with your desktop or hi-fi system, you might want to look out for wired headphones with bundled accessories such as a longer second cable or 6.3mm adapter. And if you have a DAC or headphone amplifier you wish to use them with (recommended for all but budget pairs), picking a model that is a good sonic match for them is key.
How we test wired headphones
We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London and Reading, where our team of experienced, in-house reviewers sample the majority of hi-fi and AV kit that passes through our door.
Of course, testing headphones doesn't always require advanced facilities (though we do often try the more premium audiophile headphones in our reference hi-fi system). What is important in our wired headphones reviewing process is that each pair is compared to the best in its price and style class – whether that's one standout pair or a few we favour the highest among the 100+ models we listen to each year for reviews and What Hi-Fi? Awards judging. What Hi-Fi? is all about comparative testing, and we keep class-leading products in our stockrooms so we can always compare new products to ones we know and love.
We are always impartial and do our best to make sure we're hearing every pair of headphones at its very best, so we'll try plenty of different music genres and give them plenty of listening time (and time to run each pair in), while the wired headphones that warrant being used with a DAC (the majority of them) are tested with a price-suitable one. It's not just about sound quality, of course. We use wired headphones for weeks during testing and so get a firm idea of their fit, how comfortable and durable they are for long periods of listening.
What's more, all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team rather than an individual reviewer to eliminate any personal preference and to ensure we're being as thorough as possible, too. There's no input from PR companies or our sales team when it comes to the verdict, with What Hi-Fi? proud of having delivered honest, unbiased reviews for decades.
FAQ
Are wired or wireless headphones better?
If getting the absolute best sound quality you can for your budget is your priority, then wired headphones still have a considerable edge over wireless models when it comes to audio performance. Wired headphones are also more sustainable, as they don't require batteries that need replacing and aren't made obsolete when new Bluetooth or wireless technology emerges.
However, wireless performance is getting better every year and there are certain features (such as active noise cancellation) that are now only found in Bluetooth headphones, while features such as spatial audio (for 3D immersive sound) and smart or touch controls are only seen on wireless types. Their cable-free design can be more portable and more convenient when you're regularly on the go, too.
Ultimately, which type you should buy comes down to your priorities: go wired if sound quality is all you care about; go wireless if you want convenience and next-gen headphone features.
A more detailed comparison can be found in our wired vs wireless headphones guide.
Should you choose headphones or earbuds?
Generally speaking, 'headphones' refer to on-ear and over-ear designs where the earpads are placed on or around your ears, while 'earbuds' refer to in-ear models whose eartips bury into your ear canal. Which type you choose will depend on personal style preferences, where you'll be listening to them (at home or on the move?), and what level of performance you're expecting.
Earbud designs are better for exercise and portable listening as they're discreet and fit more securely than a bulkier on/over-ear design. As they shoot music straight into your ear canal, they tend to sound more direct too. They're smaller, of course, and so easier to carry around with you, and there's a much wider choice at the budget end of the market below around £50/$50/AU$80, where on/over-ear designs are harder to come by.
On the other hand, on/over-ear designs are the ones to go for if you want the best sound you can buy, as earbuds (especially wireless models) don't reach the same performance levels at the highest end of their market. Since there's more space between your inner ear and the headphone driver, they are more comfortable to wear for long periods without your ears getting sore.
For more detail, check out our headphones vs earbuds guide.
Recent updates
- February 2024: Added a top tip, added FAQ section to help with buying decisions and most frequency asked questions, and updated our testing process.
- November 2023: What Hi-Fi? Award winners labelled after the 2023 Awards Best Buys and Product of the Year announcements.
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