Open-back headphones deliver an immersive listening experience through their unique design. They can produce a wide and spacious soundstage that interacts with your surroundings and makes your listening experience more immersive. Unfortunately, they leak a lot of sound, even if you're listening to music at a reasonable level, and can distract people around you. They also struggle to reduce background noise in your environment because they aren't designed to isolate you. If you're looking for something for mixed-use, check out our recommendations for closed-back headphones. However, this is the place to be if you're seeking a great sounding experience from your headphones.
We've tested over 825 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the six best headphones with an open-back design that you can buy. If you're still looking for more headphones, look at our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones and the best headphones for music.
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Best Open-Back Headphones
Neutral Sound8.6Commute/Travel4.0Sports/Fitness5.5Office4.8Wireless Gaming4.9Wired Gaming6.9Phone Calls1.7Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoThe best open-back headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. These premium dynamic driver headphones are the best for sound but are definitely an investment. Aside from the cost of the headphones, you'll need a powerful amp or audio interface to use them, which is an extra expense if you don't already have one. However, if you want the best, these create an outstanding passive soundstage that's natural, spacious, and open. They offer an excellent build quality and a very comfortable fit for most people, so you can listen for hours without experiencing much fatigue.
Although they lack a thumpy low-bass due to their open-back design, they have a bit of extra high-bass to add warmth to the mix. Instruments and vocals sound clear and natural. Overall, they have a neutral sound profile that's suitable for a variety of genres. However, if you want more bass extension, you might want headphones with planar magnetic drivers, like the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version. Their design allows them to reproduce low-bass more accurately and improves their soundstage. The complex design of planar magnetic drivers means performance is more likely to vary between units, and they're heavier, which can feel tiresome over a long session compared to the Sennheiser.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Open-Back Headphones
Neutral Sound8.5Commute/Travel4.1Sports/Fitness5.6Office4.8Wireless Gaming4.7Wired Gaming6.8Phone Calls1.6Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoIf you want to save some cash, the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are worth checking out for a dynamic driver design that won't destroy your bank account. They aren't as well-built as our top pick, the Sennheiser HD 800 S, but the HD 490 PRO are still an excellent choice for listeners who prefer a balanced sound. They have a bit more bass than the HD 800 S and a slightly different tuning in the treble range, but vocals and instruments are still present, detailed, and clear. They're easier to drive than the HD 800 S, so you likely won't need a headphone amp with most devices.
They have consistent audio delivery, so you don't need to worry too much about their sound changing depending on the headphones' fit and positioning on your head. They also have a second set of earpads that change the sound signature a bit, meaning you have access to some extra physical customizability. Plus, if you wear glasses, the ear pads have contours meant to fit around them without negatively affecting the bass response.
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Best Mid-Range Open-Back Headphones
Neutral Sound8.3Commute/Travel3.7Sports/Fitness5.3Office4.4Wireless Gaming4.7Wired Gaming6.7Phone Calls1.6Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer Planar MagneticNoise Cancelling NoMic NoThe best mid-range open-back headphones we've tested are the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. These are a pair of planar magnetic headphones with a comfortable, sturdy design. They're quite a bit cheaper than the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, but the tradeoff is that they underdeliver in low- and mid-bass, so your audio lacks rumble and punch compared to the previous pick. That said, their high-bass response ensures your audio has warmth and fullness, and the rest of the frequency range is very well-balanced, with detailed, bright instruments that don't sound piercing.
Some listeners may prefer their stretchy headband design, which can make them quite comfortable, but they clamp harder and weigh more than the HD 490 PRO. Their accompanying accessories are a bit more sparse which can add up as extra costs, too; you only get a single set of ear pads, and the Y-cable is less convenient than the locking cable on the HD 490 PRO.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Open-Back Headphones
Neutral Sound8.2Commute/Travel3.8Sports/Fitness5.5Office4.6Wireless Gaming4.5Wired Gaming6.6Phone Calls1.6Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoAudiophile headphones tend to take a hit in performance once you get into the lower mid-range price point, but the Sennheiser HD 560S avoid that pitfall. These have a decent, albeit more plasticky, build quality and use dynamic drivers, which is typical at this price point and helps keep them fairly lightweight compared to the chunkier HiFiMan Sundara 2020. That said, the Sennheiser are more stable, so if you're an active listener, that's a bonus, and they feel comfortable for long sessions.
Like most open-back headphones, their sound lacks a little low-bass thump, but there's a bit of emphasis in the mid- to high-bass range that adds some extra warmth and boom to kick drums. The overall response is balanced though, so voices and instruments are reproduced accurately. Even so, if you prefer a slightly warmer top-end, the HiFiMan might be preferable.
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Best Budget Open-Back Headphones
Neutral Sound7.9Commute/Travel4.1Sports/Fitness5.1Office4.8Wireless Gaming4.3Wired Gaming6.2Phone Calls1.8Type Over-earEnclosure Semi-OpenWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoIf you want to dip your toes into the world of open-backs without investing too much, try the Superlux HD 681. These entry-level over-ears are semi-open-back headphones. This design means they leak less audio than their fully open counterparts, like the Sennheiser HD 560S, and block out slightly more ambient sound, although you'll still hear most noise around you. At the same time, they can create a more open, wide, and immersive soundstage than closed-back headphones.
These comfortable headphones reproduce similar amounts of low-bass as other picks on this list, though they're certainly considerably brighter overall than the Sennheiser HD 560S. While vocals and instruments are clear and natural, sibilants like hi-hats are relatively piercing. As you'd expect from budget-level cans, their build quality isn't very good, and they feel somewhat flimsy and plasticky. For more durable headphones, it's worth considering the Philips SHP9500, which are better built and fully open-back but cost a bit more.
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Best Open-Back Headphones For Gaming
Neutral Sound8.0Commute/Travel4.2Sports/Fitness5.6Office5.5Wireless Gaming5.6Wired Gaming7.6Phone Calls6.8Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesWhile you can use any of the previous picks for gaming, none come with a microphone, so if you don't have a standalone mic and want headphones with one built in, it's worth considering the Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X instead. Their great boom mic makes your voice clear and natural over team chat. They can also create a wider and more spacious-seeming passive soundstage than most closed-back gaming headsets.
They're very comfortable and come with a choice of microfiber or velour ear cup padding, which is nice if you have a preference. Their sound profile is well-balanced, with an accurate mid-range for easily parsing out dialogue. However, they lack low-bass like most open-backs, and the treble is a bit dull. Like the wired-only headphones on this list, they lack companion software with sound customization features like an EQ. If you like to fine-tune your audio using an app and value gamer-centric features like more extensive on-ear controls, consider the Turtle Beach Atlas Air. These open-backs can be used wirelessly as well as wired, which adds to their flexibility. They also have a better mic than the Drop + Sennheiser. On the other hand, the Turtle Beach aren't quite as comfortable as our pick.
Notable Mentions
- Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO:
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are lower mid-range headphones with a better build quality than the Sennheiser HD 560S and a more full-bodied sound thanks to their added high-bass, which some users may prefer. However, their passive soundstage isn't as immersive, and their audio cable isn't detachable, so if it gets damaged, you'll have to replace the entire unit.
See our review - HiFiMan Edition XS:
The HiFiMan Edition XS are a solid contender to the HiFiMan Sundara 2020. While they both use planar magnetic drivers, the Edition XS create a soundstage that feels more spacious and immersive. However, the Sundara 2020 sport a comfier fit with their flexible headband and a bit more stability for listeners that move with their music.
See our review - Philips Fidelio X2HR:
The Philips Fidelio X2HR are wired headphones with a balanced sound similar to the Sennheiser HD 560S. The Philips headphones are built better and have a wider feeling passive soundstage. However, the Sennheiser are better at controlling their sound profile, and you'll
have an easier time getting a consistent seal with them.
See our review - Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII:
The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII are premium open-backs that are a bit more robustly built than the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO. Both headphones include extra ear pads and cables, but the Beyerdynamic include a case. Still, their frequency response isn't as smooth as the Sennheiser's, and due to the peaks and dips, the Beyerdynamic can push narrow frequencies to 'pop' out a bit more, but if you like the Beyerdynamic sound, it's a refined take.
See our review - Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO:
The Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO is a gaming headset with a boom mic that compares favorably to the Drop + Sennheiser/EPOS PC38X, and it depends on your listening preferences, but the tuning has a bit more high-bass and low-mid emphasis and a brighter top-end than the PC38X. Otherwise, the headset weighs slightly more, though the main difference depends on your sound profile preference.
See our review
Recent Updates
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We've updated this article to include the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet as an alternative to the Sennheiser HD 800 S and edited the text for clarity. We've added the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO MKII and Corsair VIRTUOSO PRO to the Notable Mentions list.
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We've made some changes to our picks. The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO replace the HiFiMan Edition XS, as they're more stable and control their sound profile better. The Sennheiser HD 560S replace the Philips Fidelio X2HR for the same reasons. Both previous picks were migrated to the Notable Mentions section.
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Sep 18, 2024: The Turtle Beach Atlas Air Wireless are now mentioned in the 'Best Open-Back Headphones For Gaming' category because you can use them wirelessly, and they come with a companion app that lets you tailor the sound to your preferences.
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Jun 26, 2024: The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO have been added to this article as a Notable Mention. Otherwise, there are minor text edits.
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May 01, 2024: We've checked our text for accuracy and product availability, but there hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones with an open-back design for most people to buy. 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 open-back headphones. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste and preference will matter more in your selection.
Recommended Articles
Comments
Best Open-Back Headphones: Main Discussion
What do you think of our picks? Let us know below.
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- 21010
Nope.
- 21010
Thank you so much for spotting this. We’re re-testing that part and updating it with the correct information. Thanks again for letting us know!
Np… It’s also worth noting that exceeding 144Hz over HDMI isn’t possible. This monitor likely uses dynamic EDID and adapts to stay within HDMI’s 48gbps bandwidth w/o DSC. For example, it supports 4K120Hz with 12bpc but doesn’t allow 12bpc at 144Hz.
- 21010
I do not understand how Sony is fine with charging $800 for this. It really should be $500-$550 tops. You can find the AW3225QF 32" 4K QD-OLED with way better specs and size for $700-$900 during promotions. This is terrible imo.
I agree. I chose this monitor because text clarity on 32" OLEDs isn’t good enough for me. I can only recommend this monitor for someone needing a mix of office and gaming functionality and a matte display, especially if, like me, they have a window behind them. The upcoming 27" 4K QD-OLED monitors with better text clarity are all glossy so far. Given that, this and the LG 27GR95UM were the best available options in my country.
- 21010
Hi there, the monitor has DP 2.1 /HBR10/.
- 21010
I just bought this monitor. It’s impressive how they achieved such good dimming with only 96 zones. There’s no bleed or glow, and the HDR performance is amazing. I’ll test it further to see how it holds up. Hope to see RTINGS review soon.
- 21010
How is the IPS glow on this one?
- 21010
I tested the 32UQ85R-W which is the best last-gen “IPS Black”. LG called it “Nano IPS Black + ATW Polarizer” – still had glow, maybe 70-80% better than normal IPS. Going to check the new 4k 27" QD-OLEDs.
- 21010
The only issues I’ve had with local dimming is when the entire screen dims in contrast heavy games. I haven’t noticed much IPS glow or backlight bleed.
Hey thanks, a lot, I am now on LG UltraFine 32UQ85R-W which has the same polarizer and is “IPS Black” panel. Unfortunately, I still see some glow in the corners, will try to manage it somehow with LED stripes. Would you be able to check in complete dark scene YT “backlight bleed test” or something else, if you have similar? Cheers.
- 21010
Does this display support auto-switching inputs? For example, if I have a PS5 on HDMI and a PC on DP, will it switch to the active device when powered on? I’ve heard many LG monitors lack this feature and require manual input switching. On my Dell IPS, if my laptop (USB-C) goes to standby, the monitor does too. When another input (e.g., HDMI) becomes active, it automatically switches and wakes up. Many thanks.
Edited 3 months ago: addition - 21010
The Acer X32 FP, Asus PG32UQX and the ViewSonic XG321UG do also have an ATW polarizer. Such a feature is really needed for dark content on IPS panel.
Exactly. I can’t understand why they don’t include it by default, probably to keep costs down. Buying a $999 IPS monitor without it and then dealing with crappy IPS glow is a terrible decision.
- 21010
I’ve had this monitor for a few months and I’m generally happy with it. As an IPS it looks great, the best I’ve seen mainly due to very little IPS glow and fantastic color. I find local dimming in SDR to be great to just OK depending on the game, but really enjoy it compared to my old IPS with all it’s glow and no contrast. HDR looks great in brighter scenes, but can look really bad in some darker scenes. Alan Wake 2 really exposes LG’s shortcomings. That being said it is better than my old IPS even with it’s blooming.
AW2 in HDR or SDR? I am extremely sensitive to IPS glow so that is also my hope this monitor will be much better. For this price it better be, otherwise I send it back immediately. The design is stellar though.
- 21010
Hey, we actually found that the video doesn’t well represent what it looks like in real content - in the final review you will see links to examples of real content, and the text will also explain why it’s scored so low. Basically, there’s a ton of blooming and black crush, and it really doesn’t look good at all.
Thanks for the review. Hopefully, it will motivate someone at LG to improve the FW. I will have this monitor on Monday, if someone is interested in mini-review let me know.
- 21010
I’m surprised it only scored 5.0 in local dimming, considering the video demonstrates decent dimming performance. The ATW polarizer should eliminate IPS glow at night, at least that’s what Reddit is saying. That polarizer is the main reason I’d like to test this monitor.
Edited 3 months ago: addition - 21010
Potential focus points for VPN reviews:
- VPN endpoints available in how many countries?
- Client software avaiable on how many platforms?
- Possible to use 3rd party (OSS) VPN client e.g. WireGuard
- Possibility to pay with Bitcoin and remain completely anonymous
- SOCKS / HTTP proxy available for use as well together with VPN client
- DNS servers provided by the VPN provider as well
- 2102-1
Yeah, it varies from game to game, but I typically keep the Black Stabilizer at 35 or 40.
- From the monitor’s settings, Windows 11 HDR calibration,Nvidia brightness, contrast, gama, and vibrance, and finally Nvidia RTX HDR (which I know is separate from Windows Auto HDR, which I turned off, and I’m guessing it negates the Windows HDR calibration?), I’ve finally found a picture I can be happy with for HDR Gamer Profile 2 (that no longer dims constantly). It should not have been so hard though!
- I persevered through that and L.G.‘s lies to me about “DCR” because there’s just something about their Nano IPS displays that I love. They are so sharp and clear compared to the myriad of other 4K IPS displays I’ve used over the years. The 27GP950p was my daily driver for a while before the OLED and Mini-Led floods started.
@serpentine78 thanks for the update. The HDR gaming is fine for you now? Would you mind sharing the full steps you’ve done to improve it?
Edited 3 months ago: typo - From the monitor’s settings, Windows 11 HDR calibration,Nvidia brightness, contrast, gama, and vibrance, and finally Nvidia RTX HDR (which I know is separate from Windows Auto HDR, which I turned off, and I’m guessing it negates the Windows HDR calibration?), I’ve finally found a picture I can be happy with for HDR Gamer Profile 2 (that no longer dims constantly). It should not have been so hard though!
- 21010
How bright is your room?
- 21010
Asus M4 Air.
- 21010
Turning on peak brightness may cause SDR content to appear less accurate. Are you doing it because the content is too dark?
- 21010
C3 and G3 also great.
- 21010
Samsung is missing DTS codec and Dolby Vision, go for Sony.
- 21010
I was considering the two as well, but landed on S2722QC, as needed it for office work mainly. Mine also has the 25% haze light coating like the other two. It’s great. Very good picture quality.
- 32120
Your response appreciated.
- 21010
Completely disappearing.
- 32120
I had two OLEDs, and for me the burn-in risk and whole discussion is severely overblown. Of course, for PC monitor, needs to have black background, black theme, hide bottom bar in Windows, set screensaver after 5 minutes etc.
- 32120
Hi there, I am looking similarly for a new display. I think you need to decide if you want OLED or not, and if you want built-in USB-C hub functionality. In case the monitor has an USB-C you can connect your laptop just with one cable. AW3423DW IMHO is the best display on the market, currently. It will look much better than the IPS LG. Also, AW is glossy and it looks much better than matte, Studio Display is also glossy. Consider also AW3423DWF which is $200 cheaper and is almost the same.
- 21010
Hi Dylan, I think it should be pointed out somewhere with higher visibility. Samsung should stop fighting HDR format wars, because they clearly lost it. It reminds me of VHS/Betamax situation. BTW: Similar thing happened with missing DTS codec on LG C1. I think these are important details for the consumers, and sometimes it’s too late realizing that the TV is not supporting something important.
- 21010
It’s better to just connect the soundbar via eARC and not use pass-through.
- 21010
I tried it, it takes some time to boot, maybe 10 seconds additionally. Decided to stick with 100Mbps.
- 21010
Are you planning to use the soundbar for video pass-through? Or just for sound from TV via eARC?
- 10-11-1
If the monitor supports HDMI VRR the PS5 will support it.
- 21010
Is there any TV with 1Gbps on the market?