Don’t Own Wired Headphones Yet? Here’s Why You Need at Least a Set (or Three)!

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Available from multiple brands across the entire price spectrum, wireless headphones are incredibly popular with consumers, and rightfully so. These audio accessories make accessing good sound and powerful noise cancellation as easy as putting them on and pressing their power button.

However, by bringing benefits like a no-frills setup, superior durability, and higher-quality stereo sound than their similarly priced Bluetooth counterparts, wired headphones are something worth buying. Such audio accessories don’t need charging, companion apps, or going through the rounds of pairing them to your devices, to name a few activities.

Whether you are a casual user in need of a backup for your wireless cans or a longtime audio enthusiast on a quest for next-level sound, having a set of wired headphones is always a wise decision. But unless you are a longtime wired headphone enthusiast who knows what to look for, navigating the market can be overwhelming. To help kickstart your journey, I handpicked a few of the many headsets I’ve experienced over the past decade.

Best Wired Headphones

• Best Overall: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

• Best Budget: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

• Best Open-Back: Sony MDR-V1

• Best On-Ear: Grado SR60x Prestige Series

• Most Versatile: V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master

What to Consider

Spending more will likely get you a set of wired headphones with superior sound and craftsmanship than those in lower price tiers. If you are an audio aficionado looking for the best of the best, budget accordingly.

Thankfully, keeping your budget low can still get you an excellent set of wired headphones that will easily outperform many in terms of audio fidelity. For old-school stereo listening on my phone, laptop, or MP3 player, I’d take any product on this list over a Bluetooth headset.

Like all headphones, there are a few commonalities to consider: First, how they fit, and their basic design; next, their basic functionality, AKA the specs. I’ve laid them all out below.

Design and Fit

There are two distinct wired headphone designs to consider: open-back and closed-back. These relate to the design of their ear cups, and each has a few advantages over the other.

Open-back headphones deliver a more natural listening experience by allowing sound to flow more freely. Their layout is particularly beneficial if you prioritize sound accuracy over noise isolation. It will also keep you or your giftee aware of your surroundings by not blocking ambient sounds.

However, if you’re sharing the room with family, friends, or co-workers, keep in mind that wired headphones will allow them to hear what you are listening to, especially if you crank up the volume. I always reach for open-back headphones when I am alone.

By passively isolating ambient sounds, closed-back headphones are better for focusing on work or rocking out without bothering those around you. Their bass is also perceivably stronger than the output of a similar open-back set. If I had to trim my headphone rotation to a sole unit, I’d go for a closed-back one for its superior everyday-use potential.

Hardware Specs

In the simplest explanation possible, headphones have three major components that create the sound: a voice coil, a diaphragm, and a magnet. The magnet creates, yes, a magnetic field that moves the coil, and that coil disturbs the diaphragm that moves particles through the air to create waves. These waves are how we perceive sound. The design of these components and their materials affect how the headphones perform.

And while wired headphones’ spec sheets aren’t as elaborate as those of wireless sets, there are a few things to look out for. The first is impedance — the resistance the coils face when trying to create sound. Using Ohm as a unit of measurement, the latter displays the amount of power (in volts) headphone drivers need to deliver optimal acoustic performance.

Unless you plan to hook up your headphones to an external amplifier, I highly recommend looking for an impedance that’s well below 100 Ohm. Such a number will ensure any mobile device can adequately power the headphones. If you plug high-impedance headphones into your laptop without an external amp, the sound will come out quiet even if you max out the volume.

I learned the above lesson a couple of decades ago when I wrongfully thought a set of high-impedance Sony headphones I had bought was not functioning properly. Despite their large size, the cans sounded puny, because my college laptop couldn’t drive them properly.

Audio driver size is a common hardware feature you’ll encounter while sifting through products, but don’t let it be a major factor. Larger drivers don’t necessarily bring superior sound. The best-sounding, most expensive headphones on this list have smaller drivers than many cheaper ones.

Frequency range is another stat you can avoid factoring into your decision. Human hearing might not be able to register sounds at the lowest and highest ends of the spectrum some products are capable of producing. So just because a headset has a frequency range between, say, 5 Hz and 40 kHz, it doesn’t mean you should choose it over another.

Other Bits to Consider

Unless you are shopping on a super tight budget, look for headphones with removable cables. The cords are usually among the first parts to show wear and tear, so having the option to swap them for maintenance or customization is good. The same goes for having easy-to-remove earpads. Bundled accessories and warranty coverage are also crucial, especially if you are spending big.

With the above in mind, step into high-fidelity sound, or treat someone to a fantastic gift they’ll love (and definitely use) by choosing one of the thoroughly vetted wired headphones below.

How We Chose

These are the best wired headphones that I have tested and experienced over the last 10 years. As someone who spends a significant amount of time studying speakers, headphones, and tech in general, I have combined my knowledge of audio mechanics with my love of music — and generally discriminating tech tastes — to narrow down my choices to the ones on this list. I evaluated all of them against the aforementioned specs, comfort, durability, reliability, and availability to come up with, rest assured, the very best of the best.

ATH-M50x Wired Headphones

Whether you’re looking to start building your wired headphones collection or want to treat a seasoned aficionado to a thoughtful gift, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X is a great buy. These closed-back headphones have a long track record of excellence (I experienced them for the first time almost a decade ago) and countless expert and consumer endorsements. For less than $150, they offer a mix of understated yet easily recognizable design, impeccable comfort, top-notch sound, flawless brand credentials, and outstanding value.

The ATH-M50X headphones produce a balanced sound that makes them equally great for rocking out or working. They can easily be used to edit content or while recording in a studio setting, so podcasters, this is your stop. I have spent hundreds of hours with the headphones as my work companion or as a trusty gaming headset.

I like that the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X has a removable cable and ear pads for easy maintenance and customization. Their immense popularity has resulted in a robust ecosystem of available accessories.

ATH-M20X Wired Headphones

Audio-Technica’s ATH-M20X wired headphones are among the best you can get on a $50 budget. Like the pricier ATH-M50X cans from the same maker, this iteration offers Audio Technica’s signature no-nonsense design, a comfy over-ear fit with excellent passive noise isolation, and great sound for the money.

The well-tuned 40-millimeter audio drivers of the Audio-Technica ATH-M20X overdeliver acoustically across the board. I was pleasantly surprised by the harmonious sound with stellar bass, well-presented mid-range, and vibrant treble the cans treated me to. A set of wired headphones that costs a dollar below $50 below additional discounts shouldn’t sound this good, so props to the storied audio maker for this feat.

The ATH-M20X lacks a removable cable, unlike the costlier Audio-Technica ATH-M50X headphones that have the feature. Some might find the cord too long, but the added versatility is worth it for many. The product’s retail package lacks a storage pouch, but this is not a dealbreaker.

MDR-V1 Wired Headphones

A new member of a renowned product family, the Sony MDR-MV1 wired headphones are the best, with an open-back design for most upgraders. The over-ear cans are elegant, lightweight, supremely comfortable, and capable of delivering a sonic experience that a discerning audiophile would approve of.

The expertly tuned Hi-Res Audio-cable audio drivers of the headphones have a broad frequency response range, which makes them equally suitable for critical listening and studio work. What’s more, the MDR-MV1 can also reproduce spatial sound for an even more immersive and lifelike experience.

I like the understated design of the Sony MDR-MV1 headphones, the texture of their soft ear pads, and the sizing chart integrated into their aluminum headband. The product’s retail package includes a detachable cable with sturdy metal connectors and an additional audio adapter.

SR60x Prestige Series Wired Headphones

Designed and crafted in Brooklyn, New York, the SR60x Prestige Series wired headphones by Grado are an excellent on-ear option that combines cool design, top-tier comfort, and great sound, all at an incredible price. Sporting a sub-$100 price tag, the compact cans are also a fantastic entry into the open-back headphone realm.

Sound-wise, the Grado SR60x headphones deliver a balanced and detail-rich experience that, like their design, defies their price category. The natural sound brought by their open-back design is another rarity that deserves your attention.

The decidedly old-school looks and materials used in the Grado SR60x headphones give them the appearance of a much pricier product, which is why I’d easily recommend them for showing off at an open office or gifting. Under-$100 headphones from other makers look generic in comparison.

Crossfade M-100 Master Wired Headphones

An upgraded version of a product with more than ten years of proven excellence, the V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master wired over-ear headphones are among the most versatile offerings worth your attention. They are incredibly stylish and durable. Underneath their uniquely shaped ear cups with swappable shield covers lie large audio drivers with Hi-Res Audio certification that make the M-100 Master a capable tool for audiophiles and content creators.

I’ve always liked the V-Moda headphones’ presence and tactility, and the M-100 Master is no exception. The cans have a reassuringly sturdy in-hand feel and metal hinges that fold with satisfying clicks. Another cool bit that left me with a lasting impression was having the option to connect their cord to the left or the right ear cup.

The headphones’ retail package is impressive. It includes a sturdy case with a detachable carabiner clip, a stylish braided cable with an integrated remote, and another cable with an extra output for sharing content with another user. V-Moda’s two-year warranty is another reason to invest in a pair.

Arctis Nova Pro Wired Gaming Headset

Hardcore gamers frequently gravitate toward wired headsets for their performance and seamless compatibility with any gaming platform (all you need is a device with a standard audio jack or USB port to get started). The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is the best pair out today. In addition to elegant design and top-tier comfort, the over-ear cans produce high-fidelity sound. The latter is made possible via an external quad-DAC with Hi-Res Audio capabilities.

The bundled accessory mentioned has a built-in LED display and convenient controls. It sets the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro apart from its peers, allowing the headphones to deliver immersive gameplay audio effects and a great music listening experience that’s easy to customize.

I like the low-key design of the Arctis Nova Pro. The headphones’ high-performance microphone retracts perfectly into the left ear cup, making them great for everyday use instead of just high-intensity gaming. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1 wired headset is another solid option from the brand with a similar design and a much lower price point.

Stellia Wired Headphones

The Focal Stellia closed-back headphones are among the priciest wired offerings out today, but worth it if you are looking for the absolute best in design, craftsmanship, and sound quality. Meticulously designed and crafted in France, the Stellia is the headphone equivalent of a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce — a breathtakingly excellent, thunderously expensive, probably impractical object that’s worth it to those who can afford it.

Opening the leather-wrapped box was the moment I began feeling a grand sense of occasion from interacting with the Focal Stellia. (Holding the headphones in hand is probably similar to rocking a designer handbag.) The fine leather and metal used in their making are luxurious and sturdy in equal measure.

Streaming audio from Tidal, Apple Music, or another compatible service with the Focal Stellia linked to a headphone amp is a transcendental experience second only to being present at the studio or venue live. Replaying familiar audio gear testing tracks I have listened to hundreds of times on the Stelia uncovered new, subtle details that lower-priced headsets couldn’t produce. The sound is the best I have experienced from any set of headphones.

The aptly named Utopia headphones are another money-is-no-object option from Focal with an even higher price and open-ear design.

Porta Pro Wired Headphones

The Koss Porta Pro are wired headphones to get if you prioritize portability above all else. Weighing a mere couple of ounces and featuring an open-ear design, the on-ear headset is the only option on this list I’d use while out and about.

The striking retro design of the Porta Pro dates back four decades — to the mid-1980s, actually — and, together with the lightweight build, is another reason to consider the headphones for yourself or as a gift. I like that there’s an option to adjust the clamping force depending on preference. When not in use, the headset collapses fully for easy storage in its bundled pouch.

Despite their compact size, the Koss Porta Pro headphones pump out powerful and entertaining sound that’s great for any content, be it a music playlist, a podcast, or an audiobook. To top things off, their under-$50 price tag matches their size and weight. You can snag a pair with or without an inline microphone for making calls in several finishes, each guaranteed to treat you or the giftee to a healthy dose of ’80s nostalgia.

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