They are an excellent option for recapturing the studio headphone feel that has been missing since the late ’90s, as they are lightweight, compact, and deliver punchy, balanced tones directly into your skull. Headphone technology has advanced dramatically in recent years, and audiophiles are now spoiled for choice when it comes to what to put on our ears.
Here is the list of Best On-Ear Headphones
Jabra Elite 45H
Jabra’s Sound+ control app even guides you through a quick hearing test to determine how the EQs should be adjusted to best suit your ears. The Elite 45h are feature-rich by the standards of reasonably priced headphones. Who can argue with 50 hours of battery life on a single charge? There are few headphones available at any price that can compete with that figure – and the Jabras will last another 10 hours after only 15 minutes of USB-C charging.
Beats Solo Pro
The Solo Pro is the first Beats on-ear headphone with active noise cancellation, as well as the first full-size Beats wireless headphone with Lightning charging. It employs Beats’ Pure Adaptive Noise Canceling (Pure ANC) headphones, which are “derived from the over-ear Studio3 Wireless, with updated tuning to accommodate the on-ear form factor.”
You can turn off the noise cancellation to save battery life, or press the button again to enter an audio transparency mode, which allows you to hear the outside world and ambient sound as well as the music you’re listening to. The noise-canceling headphone comes in various colours and is outfitted with six microphones, both beamforming mics designed to focus on your voice when you’re making calls or talking to your voice assistant (Apple’s H1 chip is on board for always-on Siri). These wireless earphones have a smooth and well-balanced sound, with punchy bass that doesn’t make music sound boomy.
JBL Live 460NC
Easily one of the best On-Ear Headphones available on the market, The JBL Live 460NC are the best on-ear wireless headphones we’ve tested in the mid-range. These are significantly less expensive than our top pick, which is due in part to the fact that on-ears aren’t very popular, and many manufacturers have discontinued them. Nonetheless, these are a good value at the low end of the mid-range. They have a fairly neutral sound profile that is versatile enough for most genres and types of content out of the box. If you prefer a different sound, you can tweak it with the companion app’s parametric EQ and presets. Their approximately 29-hour continuous battery life is ideal for long flights or workdays, and if the battery dies, they can be used wired with the included 1/8″ TRS cable. They also have active noise cancellation (ANC), which, while it does a poor job of blocking out low-frequency traffic noise, performs better when dealing with mid-range noise such as office chatter. They also support multi-device pairing, so you can keep your phone and laptop connected at the same time.
HiFiMan Ananda
The Grado GS1000 headphones were the last to receive this honour in 2007. Before you get too excited about the top rating, keep in mind that the HiFiMan Ananda headphones reviewed here cost $999. That’s right, three 9s. Their planar magnetic drivers and open design provide an excellent sense of space and detail across the frequency spectrum. Everything feels luxurious from the moment you open the cardboard shipping box, befitting the high price. The box itself is a work of art, with grain leather covering and white stitching around the edges. When you open the lid and push the included paperwork aside, you’ll find the headphones sitting in black satin-covered stabilising cushions.
Samsung AKG Y400
The wireless Y400 is small and foldable, and it comes with a cable with in-line controls and a microphone for when you don’t want to drain the battery with a wireless connection. They’re also eye-catching, with shimmery pink, green, blue, and goldish-yellow finishes. There is no noise cancellation, but we wouldn’t expect it at this price. However, there is an Ambient Aware mode that allows in outside noise such as dogs barking and car engines – useful if you want to avoid being bitten or run over. They detect when you remove them and pause the music, saving you valuable battery life. There’s a lot to like about the sound. It’s both large and three-dimensional. The timing is impeccable throughout, and the headphones deliver plenty of bass weight and power. It’s zealous to the point where some might prefer a slightly leaner listen, but in our opinion (and at this level), the Y400s strike the right balance. Thus, this product is one of the best On-Ear Headphones available right now.
Sony WH-CH510
Looking at the Sony WH-CH510, it’s incredible that wireless on-ear headphones can cost so little, let alone one with decent sound, a USB-C port, and 35 hours of battery backup. If you are searching for headphones at this price, you’re probably already willing to make some compromises. Fortunately, the majority of Sony’s compromises with the WH-CH510 aren’t too significant – the lack of analogue input mirrors the loss of the 3.5mm port on most modern smartphones, while the lightweight, plastic construction improves portability and comfort. While they lack the WH-1000XM4’s superior clarity, balance, and sense of space, the sound produced by these on-ear headphones belies their size and price. Most genres will fare well here, though tracks with low mids and bumped treble may become uncomfortably exaggerated.
JBL Tune 510BT
The JBL Tune 510BT Wireless are the best on-ear headphones we’ve tested. Despite their simple design, these headphones have over 38 hours of continuous battery life, making them ideal for long days on the go. They also support multi-device pairing, which means you can connect to your smartphone and PC simultaneously. While they lack sound customization options, their slightly v-shaped sound profile adds warmth and kick to tracks, while vocals and lead instruments are bright and detailed. They also have an easy-to-use control scheme and a decent recording quality, ensuring that your voice sounds clear and natural. Their reasonably comfortable fit has a wide range of articulation to accommodate different head sizes. Unfortunately, their design is mostly plasticky and does not feel very sturdy. They also have poor noise isolation and will not block out low rumbles from bus and plane engines or ambient chatter.
Sennheiser HD 250BT
The HD 250BT lacks luxury flourishes, but they’re a good-sounding, durable, and likeable pair of budget on-ears. That’s not to say the specification is empty. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX Low Latency, a 25-hour battery life, app support, and Sennheiser’s well-known transducer technology are among the features. The construction is black plastic, but it is functional and solid, with the company’s traditional S-in-a-rectangle white branding on each ear cup. Although the headband is not padded, the ear cups are. In terms of sound, the HD 250BT is far more musically detailed, agile, and rhythmically gifted across all frequencies than one might expect given the exorbitant price tag. Overall, the HD 250BT are an excellent value – and a great way to see what Sennheiser is capable of without breaking the bank. Currently, this is one of the best on-Ear Headphones that you can buy right now.
Final Words
Our recommendations above are what we believe are the best on-ear headphones and on-ear wired headphones for the majority of people to buy right now. We consider the price, visitor feedback, and availability. If you want to make your own decision, here is a list of all our on-ear headphones reviews. Take care not to get bogged down in the details. There are no such things as perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will be more important in your choice.
