The 8 best wired headphones for plugging into music, podcasts & more

Wired headphones are no longer just for the studio. More and more people are jumping on the cable trend and plugging back in to listen to their tunes. Since there are tons of brands out there, we’ve put together a list to help you narrow the selection.

Our list includes options for enjoying a podcast at home, jamming on the subway, rocking out on stage or mixing and mastering in the studio. While we don’t have any Bluetooth headphones per se, some are Bluetooth-compatible with an adapter.

Browse our top choices for the best wired headphones to find your perfect match.

Read more: Looking for noise-cancelling headphones? Shop our editor's recommendations

The best wired headphones, at a glance

Top-rated model users love

Grado SR225x

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$225 at Crutchfield

Best for noise canceling

Sony Noise-Canceling Wired On-Ear Headphones

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$39.99 at Best Buy

Best budget option

Behringer BH 470 Studio Monitoring Headphones

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$25 at Sweetwater

Best under $100

Sony MDR-7506 Headphones

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$73.88 at B&H

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Top-rated model users love

Grado SR225x

$225

$225 at Crutchfield

Specifications

• Style: On-ear

• Connectivity: 3.5 mm adapter

• Cord length: 5.6-foot

• Impedance: 38 ohms

Pros & Cons

• Comfortable ear cups

• 5.6-foot attached cord

• Lightweight, comfortable build

• Not great for noisy places

• A bit pricey

The Grado SR225x wired headphones are great for folks who take sound-quality seriously. Using Grado's new X Series drivers, the sound comes out crisp, clean and well-balanced.

The open-back design makes them good for enjoying music at home, though maybe not in noisier environments. With the 3.5mm and adapter, you can plug them into your laptop or your iPhone with a lightning connector adapter.

Additionally, Grado beefed up the cord, making it more durable though some customers have said it’s a bit too bulky. There is also extra cushioning in the headband making them more comfortable for long hours of listening.

Best for noise canceling

Sony Noise-Canceling Wired On-Ear Headphones

You save $10 (20%)

$39.99$49.99

$39.99 at Best Buy

Specifications

• Style: On-ear

• Connectivity: 3.5 mm adapter

• Cord length: 3.9-foot

• Impedance: 220 ohms

Pros & Cons

• Noise-cancelling

• Affordable

• Built-in mic

• Noise canceling is weaker than more expensive options

• Some reviewers say cable is weak

The Noise-Canceling Wired On-Ear Headphones from Sony can block out 95% of background noise with the flip of a switch. They are great options for both recording in a studio or listening to music in a crowded cafe thanks to the closed design. We’d say they’re one of the best 3.5mm headphones on our list.

The 30mm drivers and neodymium magnets give a rich, powerful sound with deep bass and clear highs. Combined with the supra-aural technology, you get dynamic clear tones as well.

They are lightweight and comfy to wear. They also have a long-lasting, 80-hour battery. Combined together with the low price and noise-canceling functionality, they make great headphones for indoor and outdoor use.

Best budget option

Behringer BH 470 Studio Monitoring Headphones

$25

$25 at Sweetwater

Specifications

• Style: On-ear

• Connectivity: 3.5 mm adapter

• Cord length: 9.8-foot

• Impedance: 38 ohms

Pros & Cons

• Closed-design helps block out noise

• Great price point

• Comfy earcups

• Some reports of muddiness in bass

• Coiled cable can easily catch on things

If you’re looking for a great pair of headphones to use in the studio without a massive price tag, then this headset is a great option. These studio monitoring headphones by Behringer have great quality playback for the price. Plus, they’re super comfy and boast a stylish retro look. 

The closed-back design and padded ear cups are great for long hours spent recording, making them the most comfortable wired headphones on our list. With 40mm dynamic drivers, you’ll get a high-resolution performance that catches every nuance of your favorite music.

Best under $100

Sony MDR-7506 Headphones

You save $16.11 (17.90%)

$73.88$89.99

$73.88 at B&H

Specifications

• Style: On-ear

• Connectivity: 3.5 mm adapter

• Cord length: 9.8-foot

• Impedance: 63 ohms

Pros & Cons

• Foldable

• Durable headphones

• Minimize background noise

• Some complained about replacing the pad often

• Some cord issues

These professional Sony headphones are a favorite on sets and in recording studios. The low impedance and closed-back design help cut down background noise and eliminate headphone bleed. They work well with MIDI workstations, cameras or other devices that have less powerful headphone amplification.

They have neodymium magnets and 40mm drivers which create a powerful, detailed sound. You’ll get a deeper bass, lower distortion and a wider dynamic range. They also have a rugged design that is compact and foldable. These headphones will survive in the toughest situations.

The headset is one of the best wired headphones our editors could find. Customers love the durable design that will last years and the quality of sound for the price.

Best sounding wired headphones

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 ohm Closed-back Studio Mixing Headphones

$159

$159 at Sweetwater

Specifications

• Style: On-ear

• Connectivity: 3.5 mm adapter

• Cord length: 9.8-foot

• Impedance: 250 ohms

Pros & Cons

• Passive Noise Isolating

• Durable

• Professional quality sound

• The 3.5mm plug is a bit fragile

• Some reported cable issues

These closed-back headphones by Beyerdynamic are some of the best cabled headphones on the market. They are hardy, comfortable and have professional-quality sound. They were made for sound monitoring in an open environment, whether it’s a studio or concert hall.

These are a favorite of music producers, sound engineers and broadcasters. The 9-foot-long cable gives you a wide work range. They can also plug into a variety of equipment including phones, tablets, studio applications and mixers.

The wired audio headset has a spring steel headband and large, padded ear cups, making them comfortable for long listening sessions. They are also highly rugged and built to last. Even better, all of the parts are easily replaceable should they eventually wear down.

Best model with mic

Sennheiser IE 100 Pro — Clear

$149.95

$149.95 at Sennheiser

Specifications

• Style: In-ear

• Connectivity: 3.5 mm adapter

• Cord length: 4.25-foot

• Impedance: 20 ohms

Pros & Cons

• Noise-canceling in loud environments

• Bluetooth compatible 

• Ergonomic earmold design

• The cable is a little short

• Can take a while to figure earfit

These in-ear wired headphones by Sennheiser were made for the stage with their patent-pending internal cable duct that keeps you and the headphones protected. They also have Sennheiser’s signature high-quality sound thanks to the dynamic broadband transducers and diaphragm.

You’ll get a warm sound that is both powerful and rich in detail, whether you’re in a loud arena or walking around the neighborhood. They are truly audiophile headphones.

The ergonomic earmold design is both comfortable and snug. They come with three sets of silicone ear adapters and one foam to make sure you have the right fit. Unlike the other headsets on our list, the cable is detachable. These headphones also connect to the IE Pro BT connector, essentially making them Bluetooth earphones.

Best for gaming

Logitech G PRO X Gaming Headset (2nd Generation)

$84.50

$84.50 at Walmart

Specifications

• Style: On-ear

• Connectivity: 3.5 mm adapter

• Cord length: 2 m for PC and 1.5 m for mobile

• Impedance: 35 ohms

Pros & Cons

• Detachable mic

• Comes with protective travel bag

• Memory foam ear cups

• No mute button on headset

• Have to download EQ settings

This is the best wired headset for gamers on our list. The Logitech G Pro X comes with Blue VO!CE technology which will give you a choice of real-time voice filters. These can block out background noise for a more professional sound. You can also download audio EQ settings and save them to the USB sound card.

The headset has next-generation surround sound with a new level of distance awareness. This comes in handy when locating enemies for avid gamers. The PRO G drivers also help deliver incredibly clear sound. You’ll hear environmental cues and footsteps with more clarity.

The ear cups are memory foam wrapped in premium leatherette or velour for ultimate comfort during long playing hours. It’s also compatible with PCs, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Nintendo Switch.

Best in-ear wired headphones

Shure SE425 Sound Isolating Earphones — Clear

$269

$269 at Sweetwater

Specifications

• Style: In-ear

• Connectivity: 3.5 mm adapter

• Cord length: 5.3-foot

• Impedance: 22 ohms

Pros & Cons

• Durable

• Tons of sleeve options

• Easily replaced detachable cord

• Cable is short

• Not the best for bass monitoring

These earbuds by Shure are great options for use on stage. The detachable and moldable cables make sure they stay on while moving around. The sound-isolating sleeves also keep them comfortably in your ear while making sure you only hear your music and yourself.

The earbuds come with dual high-definition MicroDrivers to give you accurate, natural sound that has higher definition than other comparable sets. They also come with an assortment of sleeves so you can find the perfect fit for your ear.

They come with a detachable cable for easy replacement when it wears out. The earbuds also come with a two-year warranty and are built to withstand the rigors of constantly being on stage.

Which wired headphones get our vote?

We’ve given you a pretty broad spectrum of headphones to fit every budget, though they’re all solid selections. However, if we really had to choose, these would be our top picks:

• Logitech G PRO X Gaming Headset: Even if you’re not a gamer, you can appreciate the sound quality on these headphones. They were made for Zoom and the value fits the price.

• Behringer BH 470 Studio Monitoring Headphones: Out of all the headphones on our list, these are certainly the best-looking pair. Plus you get great quality sound for a low price. They’re also comfy and block a good amount of background noise. 

Whatever headphones you choose, have fun plugging in and immersing yourself in your favorite band or the latest podcast.

Prices updated on 01/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.