Best Wired Headphones

Even though a couple of years ago, it felt like wired headphones had been delegated to just a niche group of headphone users, they are quickly making a comeback into the mainstream. Wireless headphones are not going anywhere soon, but with the number of outstanding wired headphones coming out recently and the old standbys still going strong, now is a perfect time to pick up a pair of wired headphones. There are some fantastic wired options, whether you want headphones to game with or just listen to music on your phone.

The Best Wired Headphones For 2024

A great pair of headphones means they are incredibly versatile, sound good, and comfortable. No other wired headphones are a better example of that than the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro. These headphones are fabulous for beginners and pros alike. Not to mention, they are priced reasonably enough that the barrier to entry is not too outrageous, especially with how much a premium pair of headphones can cost.

The DT 770 Pro’s sound profile is not to everyone’s liking, but few headphones are, and in Game Rant’s opinion, these headphones sound incredible whatever you throw at them, as long as you give them the proper amount of power. With 80 ohms of impedance, the DT 770 Pro is not the hardest pair of headphones to drive for PC users, but when listening to mobile devices, they can be a bit underpowered. Luckily, you can easily bump up the power using a compact Bluetooth amp like the Fiio BTR5 while on the go.

Using velour padding rather than the standard leatherette that comes on most headphones, the DT 770 Pro is incredibly comfortable for both non-glasses and glasses users. It also does a much better job of letting heat out, so even during those long-wearing sessions, your ears won’t get all sweaty. However, because of the closed-back design, the DT 770 Pro is less comfortable than open-back options like the Sennheiser HD 600 or the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro.

Budget headphones are in a weird place these days. With many options under $50, it’s hard to separate the chaff from what’s actually worth picking up. At first glance, the Koss KPH30i might not seem like a lot, but after putting them on and seeing what they are capable of, you will be shocked that they only cost $30.

When it comes to sound quality, these tiny little headphones pack quite the punch and are incredibly fun to listen to. Like the Porta Pro, the KPH30i also uses an open-back design, so there will be some sound leakage at higher volumes, and noise isolation is nonexistent. These won’t really stand up to much larger headphones like the HD600 or DT 990 Pro, but for just $30, they are a great and affordable way to get an excellent-sounding pair of headphones.

Weighing just 76 grams, some gaming mice are heavier than the KPH 30i, despite there being some very lightweight mice are out there. The on-ear design is not regarded for its comfort most of the time, but with these headphones weighing next to nothing, they are incredibly comfortable for all-day use. Plus, if you want to take it a step further, you can easily use some aftermarket earpads to increase the comfort and actually make the sound feel a bit wider.

Sennheiser is well known for being one of the best brands for people looking for incredible headphones, whether wired or wireless. They have many different options at various price points, but the Sennheiser HD 599 is a perfect choice for most people. They sound amazing, are incredibly comfortable for all-day use, and the price is very reasonable, unlike some of the more premium options.

The relatively small 38mm drivers deliver excellent sound quality depending on the source material. It’s rare to see open-back headphones with exaggerated bass, and while the HD 599 doesn’t overdo it, in some songs, the lows can overpower the mids and highs, making it hard to pick out distinct sounds in the mix. But as long as you are not analytically listening to your music, this slight over-emphasis on the lows will not ruin your listening experience. While the open-back design does make for some incredible listening, it is not great for listening in shared spaces on your commute because there is a fair amount of sound leakage.

Besides excellent sound quality, Sennheiser headphones are also known for their fantastic comfort. Using the same velour earpad as the more premium options from Sennheiser, the HD 599 is incredibly comfortable for long-wearing sessions. These headphones are breathable and light enough that there is no need to worry about sweat build-up on those hotter days. Plus, because of the open-back design, your ears will never really feel claustrophobic like they do in some over-ear headphones.

The HD 600 is a perfect example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” These headphones originally came out over 25 years ago and are still easily some of the most popular headphones in the high-end audio community. While they are certainly not the most affordable option for a pair of premium headphones, they are also not too outrageously expensive while still delivering class-leading sound quality and incredible comfort. These headphones are perfect for anyone looking to step up their listening experience, whether for music, movies, or gaming.

With their open-back design, these headphones produce an extensive sound stage, making music, especially live albums, very intimate. Unlike the HD 599, though, these headphones have a much softer bass response, so if you are a fan of heavier bass, these might not be the best option. But if the slightly lower bass response is okay with you, these headphones are an absolute treat to listen to and are incredibly accurate, and those two don’t always go hand in hand. However, to produce that power, the HD 600 does need a good amp or DAC to get the best results out of these headphones.

Just like the HD 599, the HD 600 is incredibly comfortable. With the reasonably lightweight design, velour earpads, and open grills on the earcups that allow your ears to breathe, these headphones can easily be used all day with minimal discomfort.

The higher price tag can seem like a bit of an investment, but these headphones are made to last, and that is no better exemplified than by the amount of replaceable parts you can get for the HD 600. With proper care and treatment, these headphones can easily last you for 20+ years.

In-ear headphones have nearly been relegated to wireless options except for high-fidelity listeners and in-ear monitors. Thankfully, the Sennheiser IE 200 aims to bridge the gap between consumer and audiophile wired earbuds. With a no-frills design that produces incredible sound and highly accurate audio, these earbuds are perfect for anyone looking to upgrade their wired earbud performance.

Sennheiser has firmly established itself as a go-to source for quality audio equipment. While the IE 200 in-ear headphones don’t carry the same weight as the DT 900 Pro, these earbuds produce fantastic sound quality. The bass is a bit less emphasized than other earbuds, and while that might be a dealbreaker for some, it makes listening to various genres a lot easier. The frequency response looks relatively similar to the HD 600 from Sennheiser, so if you are looking for accurate listening that you can use to edit audio and enjoy some music, it’s hard to go wrong with the IE 200.

In-ear headphones tend to be a bit more straining to wear for extended periods than over-ear and even on-ear headphones, but the IE 200 is very comfortable once you figure out the right ear tip size. Finding proper-fitting ear tips helps with comfort and goes a long way with passive isolation. The IE 200 is not quite at earplug level like some in-ear, but with proper fitting ear tips and music playing, it is very easy to tune out the world and focus on just the audio coming through the headphones.

In this day and age, it is strange to see a pair of headphones that is entirely put together in New York, but since 1958, Grado Labs has been doing just that. Unlike some other niche headphone brands, the SR80x won’t cost you an arm and a leg. The on-ear design is not for everyone, but unlike most other on-ear headphones, the Grado SR80X is incredibly comfortable and has a super fun sound quality that will keep you coming back to these headphones time and time again.

The SR80x is a pleasure to listen to. They are not the most accurate headphones out there and, on paper, the frequency response graph can seem less than ideal, but after putting them on, you quickly see why they are best described as fun instead of accurate. Drums and low-end sounds are sharp and snappy while also delivering a fair amount of power, and the mids and highs dazzle with a bit of sparkle for vocals and higher-pitched instruments like guitars. They might be a bit too sharp for some, but after getting used to their sound, people tend to gravitate back towards the SR80x more and more.

These are not the lightest on-ear headphones by any means. That title would probably go to the Koss KP30i, but after getting the proper fitting, the Grado SR80x is pretty hard to notice on your head. Because of their retro design, instead of marked adjustment points, the SR80x uses a friction pole to change the sizing. At first, it can be a bit annoying, but once you get used to what feels right, it is pretty easy to dial in a comfortable fit every time you put them on.

Key Factors For Choosing The Best Wired Headphones

• Sound Quality: Most wired headphones are not jam-packed with features like some wireless ones, where there is not as much to worry about besides the headphones’ sound quality and overall comfort. Sound quality, to a degree, can be subjective, but for the most part, you should look for headphones that have a reasonably balanced frequency response so the lows don’t overpower the mids and highs, and vice versa.
• Comfort: Regardless of whether you are looking for wired or wireless headphones, comfort is king. A good way to narrow down the comfort category is to look for the type of headphones you find most comfortable; this can be over-ear, on-ear, or in-ear.

FAQ

Q: Should I still use wired headphones?

While it feels like the whole world is converting to wireless headphones, wired headphones still have their use cases. Whether a wireless connection is not an option depending on the device you are using, or you enjoy the simplicity of using wired headphones, they are an excellent option and, most of the time, can be picked up for lower prices than their wireless counterparts.

Q: Are wired headphones better?

It’s hard to call wired headphones better than wireless headphones, but the sound quality usually tends to be a bit better with wired headphones. It’s not really noticeable when streaming music over Spotify, but if you like to listen to Hi-Fidelity recordings, the sound quality difference will be much more apparent.

Q: Why is everyone using wired headphones again?

The ease of use is probably the biggest reason many people are converting back to using wired headphones. Even though many mobile devices do not include headphone jacks anymore, using headphones on your PC, laptop, or gaming devices is incredibly simple with wired headphones. There is no need to try to remember the pairing button when you want to use a new device. Just plug it in, and you are ready to go.