The 4 Best On-Ear Headphones - Black Friday 2024

The Beats Solo 4 Wireless are the best on-ear headphones we've tested. They're the next generation of the Beats Solo3 2019 Wireless, our previous top pick. While they maintain much of the signature aesthetic that helped put Beats on the map, including the comfortable, stable fit, some notable tweaks make them an improvement on their predecessor.

The biggest change between this model and the previous generation is the sound profile. Beats are renowned for manufacturing bass-forward headphones that bring out the thump and rumble in genres like EDM and hip-hop, but the Solo 4 skew in favor of an almost flat bass response. The mids are balanced with a slight boost in the upper mid-range that helps emphasize vocals. The bright treble response can be fatiguing over time, though, as it adds excessive harshness to sibilants. They deliver audio very consistently, so you can achieve similar audio delivery across listening sessions.

Another positive change is the increased battery life, which is now 48 hours, making them a good fit for a variety of uses. That said, there's still no ANC, and their on-ear design doesn't provide much attenuation against ambient sound, so you'll hear sounds like engine rumble and street noise in your audio. Disappointingly, the mic recording quality is a step down from the previous generation, so your voice sounds thin and muffled when on a call.

The JBL Live 460NC Wireless are the best on-ear wireless headphones we've tested in the mid-range. Their price can fluctuate slightly, but they're a good option when you can get them for less than $100. Out of the box, these versatile headphones offer a well-balanced sound suitable for many different audio genres, and their companion app's parametric EQ and presets let you customize their sound. They also support multi-device pairing, so you can stay connected with your computer and phone simultaneously.

Unlike the Beats Solo 4 Wireless, they have an ANC system. It has trouble effectively reducing bass-range noise like rumbling bus and plane engines but does better with higher-pitched sounds like ambient chatter, which is handy if you want to focus on your work at the office or in a cafe. Their 29-hour continuous battery life is impressive, albeit not as good as the Beats' 48 hours. Still, they can easily last through a workday or long flight without a recharge. They're also well-built and decently comfortable, though their high clamping force can get fatiguing over time.

The Sony WH-CH520 Wireless are the next-best option if you want to spend less. These budget-friendly headphones have some extra features that make them worth checking out. Their price also fluctuates, and they're an especially good deal if you can get them for less than $50. They have a slightly warm sound profile out of the box that results in smooth-sounding vocals and instruments, and their companion app offers a graphic EQ and presets so that you can tailor it to your needs. They're also compatible with a virtual soundstage feature to help make your audio more immersive, and they support multi-device pairing to let you stay connected to your smartphone and PC simultaneously.

These on-ears last over 52 hours continuously, which is great for long days on the go or at your desk. They also have a decently comfortable fit and are fairly well-built. Their plastic design isn't the sturdiest, but that's normal at this price point. However, unlike the JBL Live 460NC Wireless, they lack noise cancelling and struggle to block out ambient sound. They also don't have an AUX port, so you can't use them wired. If you care about optional analog connectivity, consider the Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2, which have full audio and mic compatibility via analog and can also be used wirelessly. However, the Skullcandy aren't as well-built or comfortable as the Sony headphones.

The best wired on-ear headphones we've tested are the Audio-Technica ATH-M60x. Wired headphones are a good option if you want the lowest latency option for watching videos or care about audio quality. These come with a detachable cable and two 1/8" to 1/4" adapters, meaning you can easily plug them into a mixer, amp, phone, or computer. Their design keeps audiophiles in mind, so they don't have a mic or onboard controls like the Beats Solo 4 Wireless. As a result, you can't use them to make phone calls or easily skip a track when you're on the go.

Their sound profile is neutral and well-balanced, so they're suitable for fans of different genres and types of content. While most of the bass response is very accurate, there's some overemphasis in the high-bass range, adding a touch of extra boom and warmth to mixes. Vocals and lead instruments still sound present and clear, though you can't customize their mix since they aren't compatible with a companion app.

Fortunately, these on-ears are decently comfortable and well-built, and they come with a soft pouch to keep dust off the headphones when not in use. However, if you want an even more comfortable pair of wired on-ears, check out the Sennheiser HD 25 instead. Their ear pads aren't as cushioned, but they're still easy to wear with glasses, and their headband splits for a more stable fit. That said, their bass-heavy sound won't be ideal for everyone.