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The 6 Best Wired Headphones of 2025

Updated Jan 20, 2025 at 08:54 am
Best Wired Headphones

While it can feel like there's a general trend to move towards wireless headphones, a wired design still offers many benefits. A wired connection eliminates audio lag, which is beneficial for studio use, while an analog cable can instantly connect to devices with an AUX input like an amplifier or a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Wired headphones work passively, so you don't need to worry about running out of battery. While the gap between wired and wireless headphones is growing smaller and smaller when it comes to audio quality, you may still prefer to use a wired design to ensure you hear all the detail your audio has to offer and with devices that lack wireless connectivity.

We've tested over 820 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best wired options. If you're looking for our top picks for more specific types of wired headphones, check out our choices for the best audiophile headphones, the best headphones for studio use, and the best DJ headphones. If you want wired headphones but your device lacks an analog headphone jack, check out the best USB-C headphones.


  1. Best Wired Headphones

    The best wired headphones we've tested are the Sennheiser HD 800 S. These top-of-the-line audiophile headphones are for people looking for the best audiophile cans. Their high price point already puts them out of reach of most people, and you'll also want to consider adding a powerful amp or audio interface to drive them, which is an extra expense if you don't already have one. However, if you're prepared to shell out the money, these well-known headphones create an incredibly spacious and immersive passive soundstage thanks to their open-back design.

    They're also very comfortable, so they won't cause fatigue during long studio sessions. They have a well-balanced sound profile with a very neutral mid-range, ensuring accurate vocals and lead instruments. Because of their open-back design, they lack low-bass but still have some warmth to their sound, thanks to a small bump in the high-bass. As open-back headphones, they bleed audio by design, so it's best to use them in a quiet room.

    If you're looking for high-end open-back headphones that can reproduce more bass, try the HiFiMan Arya Stealth Magnet Version. These over-ears have planar magnetic drivers, which help improve their bass reproduction and low-frequency extension. However, the HiFiMan aren't as well-built and weigh more. Still, where it counts regarding the sound, they're a solid choice, too.

    See our review

  2. Best Upper Mid-Range Wired Headphones

    If you're looking for a premium pair of headphones but want to keep expenses under $1,000, the HiFiMan Edition XS are a good choice. Unlike the Sennheiser HD 800 S, these headphones have planar magnetic drivers instead of dynamic drivers, which helps them reproduce more bass despite their open-back design. However, their lower price means a compromise in build quality since they have plastic hinges that don't feel durable.

    Their padded headband also feels heavy on your head compared to the ski-band headband styles found on other over-ears from this manufacturer, and the headphones feel big if you have a small head. Overall, they're still well-built and fit comfortably on most people. They have a versatile sound profile that clearly reproduces vocals and instruments. Most devices can also drive them to adequate levels without a headphone amplifier.

    Although a dip in their high-mid weakens vocals and instruments, these elements are still present and detailed. Sibilants like hi-hats are also bright without being piercing. They deliver audio consistently, so you don't need to worry much about getting a different sound from use to use. Their open-back design creates an open, spacious, and natural passive soundstage, which helps make your audio more immersive.

    See our review

  3. Best Mid-Range Wired Headphones

    The Sennheiser HD 560S are our best mid-range pick for wired headphones. These cans have different strengths from the HiFiMan Edition XS despite they're both open-backs. Since the Sennheiser's drivers are dynamic rather than planar magnetic and the overall build is more plasticky, they feel less durable. They're also a bit less bulky, and with a tighter clamping force, they're more stable than the HiFiMan. Still, the HiFiMan boast a stronger low-bass response, which you may prefer. That said, the Sennheiser still provide an even sound with a good amount of boom on kick drums, a clear mid-range, and a treble response that plays back detailed harmonics of cymbals and vocals.

    Their open-backed design allows your audio to interact with your space as well, lending dimension and acoustic excitement to your music, too. One of the upsides of these headphones is that they're quite easy to drive with a variety of audio sources, thanks to their 120 ohms at 110 dB rating. It's unlikely that you'll need a headphone amp with these, meaning you can plug them into your gaming console controller as easily as your audio interface and anticipate a suitable output level. Their cable is a standard stereo 1/8" TRS to 1/4" TRS, so if it ever breaks or gets lost, you don't have to buy a proprietary replacement either.

    See our review

  4. Best Lower Mid-Range Wired Headphones

    The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are the best wired over-ear headphones in the lower mid-range that we've tested. Unlike the previous picks, they have a closed-back design and are among the best closed-back headphones we've tested. These headphones usually have a cheaper price point than their open-back counterparts and are worth considering if you want a pair of headphones that can block out some background noise and leak less audio.

    Their sound profile is generally well-balanced, so they reproduce vocals and instruments clearly and with detail. That said, their slightly bright response makes elements like cymbals or S and T sounds seem piercing. Their audio delivery is also inconsistent, so people who wear glasses or have thick hair might notice a drop in bass, as the fit isn't as predictable as more expensive options like the Sennheiser HD 560S. Because they are closed-backs, the Beyerdynamic also produce a more focused and less immersive passive soundstage than similarly priced open-backs like the Philips Fidelio X2HR. That said, the Philips are more limited in terms of where you can wear them because they don't isolate out noise, and they leak your audio.

    See our review

  5. Best Budget Wired Headphones

    For audiophiles on a shoestring budget, the best wired over-ear headphones we've tested are the Philips SHP9500. However, you'll have to make larger sacrifices to save money at this price point: their build quality isn't as premium and durable as the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. They're still worth checking out, especially as their open-back design creates a great passive soundstage that feels spacious and wide, making your listening experience more immersive. They also have a very comfortable fit for long listening sessions.

    These headphones have a very neutral sound profile that's well-suited for a variety of genres and types of content. Their mid-range is virtually flat, so instruments sound true-to-life and detailed, even in dense mixes, and their excellent treble response keeps vocals sounding detailed without ever getting piercing. As with most open-backs, their sonic limitations are found at the other end of the spectrum in their bass response.

    While these cans have plenty of warmth, their recessed low-bass means kick drums are robbed of thump. If rumbly low frequencies are important to you, the Superlux HD 681 are a great alternative to the Philips. The Superlux have a stronger bass response that reproduces basslines with a bit more punch and warmth. Unfortunately, their treble response is sharper, which makes sibilants and high percussion-like cymbals sound rather piercing, and their build quality feels cheap.

    See our review

  6. Best Wired Earbuds

    The MOONDROP Blessing 3 are the best wired earbuds we've tested. These premium in-ear monitors (IEMs) are designed for good sound quality and offer some versatility over the over-ears listed here since you can buy a cable with a mic if you want to make phone calls. They have a hybrid driver design, which utilizes dynamic drivers as well as four armature drivers for the mid and treble ranges. This arrangement helps them accurately reproduce higher frequencies and ensures a natural and detailed sound.

    Their bass response is also very neutral, so it accurately reproduces rumble, punch, and boom in mixes. They have a very sturdy design, and the audio cable is detachable, making it less likely to break if it snags on something. These headphones also have a comfortable fit. The cables loop around your ears, which helps prevent them from falling out, even if you move your head around a lot. They don't have ANC, which is normal for IEMs, but they still passively block out an impressive amount of mid-range noise, like background conversations, offering some additional utility if you want something for on-the-go that the other picks don't suit.

    That said, they aren't cheap and aren't for everyone. Consider the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED if you want solid wired earbuds at a much more affordable price. While these lack the slightly more complicated hybrid driver configuration of the MOONDROP IEMs, their dynamic drivers' performance relays a similarly balanced sound profile from the bass range through the low treble. It really only deviates notably in the mid-treble, where harmonic content of instruments like cymbals sound less open and detailed.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Sennheiser HD 490 PRO: The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are a set of open-back headphones, and their sound profile works well for critical listening. They're slightly more comfortable than the HiFiMan Edition XS, but their passive soundstage feels less immersive and spacious. See our review
  • Sennheiser HD 600:

    The Sennheiser HD 600 are well-built open-back headphones with a fairly neutral sound profile. However, they can't reproduce as much low-bass as the HiFiMan Edition XS, meaning you won't feel as much deep bass in your music.

    See our review
  • Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO: The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are the open-back counterpart of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. They have a well-built design and deliver a lot of bass for open-back headphones. However, they sound a bit boomy and piercing, and their passive soundstage isn't as immersive as that of other open-backs. See our review
  • Audio-Technica ATH-M20x: The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are budget-friendly closed-back headphones. Due to their closed-back design, they block out more background noise than the open-backed Philips SHP9500, but their passive soundstage isn't as immersive, and their sound profile is less well-balanced. See our review
  • Philips SHP9600:

    The Philips SHP9600 perform very similarly to the Philips SHP9500, and which you should choose for your new cans depends on availability. In particular, if you're on a tight budget, choosing one or the other makes sense based on the cost. The minor upsides are that the SHP9500 are more breathable, and their clamping force is a bit lighter.

    See our review
  • TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are wired audiophile IEMs that deliver an excited sound with a lot of bass and treble without breaking the bank. They're decently comfortable and well-built and supply a consistent sound once you find a good fit. While their sound profile isn't quite as neutral as the MOONDROP Blessing 3, EDM and hip-hop fans will appreciate their thumpy, bass-heavy sound. See our review
  • Sennheiser IE 200: The Sennheiser IE 200 are less expensive and made of less exotic materials than the MOONDROP Blessing 3. However, the housings are slightly smaller, which benefits folks with small ears. They sound similar, though the Sennheiser buds' sound profile is warmer and less detailed in the treble response than the MOONDROP. See our review
  • HiFiMan Sundara 2020:

    The HiFiMan Sundara 2020 are considered the step-down model from the HiFiMan Edition XS. You might prefer them if you have a small head due to their slightly smaller ear cups, but otherwise, they're not quite as refined as the Edition XS, and the price difference is rather narrow. So for the extra bit of bass, the Edition XS are nicer.

    See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Jan 20, 2025

    We added the HiFiMan Arya Stealth to the Sennheiser HD 800 S section as a value-driven alternative. Due to the tier and similar pricing between the HiFiMan Edition XS and HiFiMan Sundara 2020, the Sennheiser HD 560 S replaced the HiFiMan Sundara 2020 as the mid-range pick. We also added the Philips SHP9600 and HiFiMan Sundara 2020 as Notable Mentions.

  2. Sep 27, 2024 :  The Philips SHP9500 are back in stock, so they're our new budget pick. The Superlux 681 are now an alternative pick for fans of bass-heavy music. The Philips Fidelio X2HR are now mentioned in the lower mid-range category for listeners looking for open-backs.

  3. Sep 19, 2024 :  We checked that all our picks are still the best in their categories but made only minor edits to the text.

  4. Jun 26, 2024 :  This article has been checked for accuracy, without any changes to the picks and only minor edits to the text.

  5. May 31, 2024 :  The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED have replaced the MOONDROP Aria as a budget-friendly alternative to the MOONDROP Blessing 3, and the Sennheiser IE 200 have been added as a Notable Mention.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best headphones with a wired connection available for most people, depending on their needs. 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 wired 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.

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Best Wired Headphones: Main Discussion

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  1. Update: We added the HiFiMan Arya Stealth to the Sennheiser HD 800 S section as a value-driven alternative. Due to the tier and similar pricing between the HiFiMan Edition XS and HiFiMan Sundara 2020, the Sennheiser HD 560 S replaced the HiFiMan Sundara 2020 as the mid-range pick. We also added the Philips SHP9600 and HiFiMan Sundara 2020 as Notable Mentions.

    What do you think of these changes? Let us know

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