The primary reason podcasts have become so astronomically popular over the last few years is because they are first and foremost an audio based platform.
The reliance on being centered around audio means podcasts are extremely easy to listen to while we are doing literally anything from cleaning to exercising, they provide a quick and easy dose of information perfect for our current mood.
Headphones are therefore the most important equipment when it comes to starting or preparing a podcast.
Excellent audio quality is vital to encourage listeners to enjoy the sound of the podcast nice and clearly and will want them returning for more, while bad or muffled audio can really dampen the intended experience, so monitoring audio levels is incredibly important. But Why Do Podcasters Wear Headphones?
Therefore to make choosing the right headphones easier, below we have put together a list taking a look at some of the very best podcasting headphones for monitoring audio on the market right now.
#1 OneOdio Wired Over Ear Headphones – Best Podcast Headphones For Podcasting
These OneOdio headphones are not only extremely comfortable with an over ear soft padded ear cups with a cushioned design, they are also excellent for monitoring sound with their 50mm speaker unit drivers combined with neodymium magnets making for incredibly clear vocals and crips high tones in each ear.
These headphones are also equipped with 90 degree swiveling ear cups allowing for sing ear monitoring at any time, as well as the headphones being self-adjustable and having a flexible headband that can rest on your head for hours without hurting.
The coiled cord is 9.8 feet in length providing a lot of spare distance compared to other wired headphones. A standard 6.35mm plug and 3.5mm plug are also generously included as well as both being completely detachable.
These headphones are fitted with a 3.5mm or 6.35mm audio jack, and with 3 different very detailed color options to choose from, they are an excellent pair of headphones that will let you monitor audio while staying comfortable doing it.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable soft padded foldable ear cushions
- 90 degree swiveling ear cups makes single ear monitoring easy
- Great speaker unit drivers for crisp high level quality
- Excellent bass feature makes them very versatile
- Good cord length (9.8ft)
Cons
- Polymeric headband can bend after prolonged use
#2 Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Over Ear Wired Stereo Headphones
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones are well-made, long-lasting, and have a good sound. They are more flexible and have slightly better bass than the DT 990 PRO or DT 880, because of their closed back headphones design.
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But, they might not be perfect for quiet places because they let some sound out. Also, they’re a little big and awkward to carry around if you don’t have a bag.
Pros
- Robust and resilient construction.
- Excellent sound output.
- Comfortable with ample padding.
Cons
- Sound leaks at higher volumes.
- Somewhat bulky design.
- Could be too tight for some users.
#3 PHILIPS Over Ear Wired Stereo Headphones
An excellent headphone choice for their very generous price point, these PHILIPS headphones are fitted with 40mm neodymium drivers, providing incredibly clear audio that is never too loud or piercing where you can pick out smaller nuances that may be an issue.
The handy built-in volume control also makes monitoring audio on the go incredibly easy rather than having to open up a separate tab to navigate through extra audio settings.
The cushioned 90 degree swivel ear cups also rest nicely on the ear and are shaped in such a way to prevent audio leakage and to enhance bass performance.
The headphones come featured with a 6.3mm snap-on to easily connect them to any source and they are widely compatible for smartphones, computers, tablets and essentially any device using a 3.5mm or 6.3mm aux port.
For their excellent price point, these headphones offer some great quality which will still allow you to hear your podcast audio extremely clearly so you can seek out any audio disruptions.
Pros
- Very cheap price for great quality
- 40mm neodymium drivers offers great high textured audio
- 90 degree swivel ear cups for single ear monitoring
- Built-in volume system easy to use
Cons
- On ear headphones rather than over ear design
#4 TUNICAL Over-Ear Headphones – Best Sound Quality
These TUNICAL headphones are all about being as high tech and monderised as possible with an incredible isolation ear cup design that provides excellent sound isolation, ensuring no background noise can put you off while you check audio levels.
They feature extremely clear and efficient 45mm drivers and neodymium magnets along with an incredibly accurate built in tuner, allowing for rich, clear, distortion-free sounds where you can check any audio disturbances with accurate precision.
The premium faux leather construction almost makes them extremely easy over the ears as well as being light on top of the head ensuring you don’t get any ear or head aches as the podcast goes on.
For even more comfort, the padded headband is adjustable and can be fitted to any head size, as well as the incredibly comfortable ear cups being easily removable for any replacements.
Alongside some incredibly state of the art headphones, this purchase also comes with a range of additional pieces of equipment to make maintaining and using the headphones even easier including a travel pouch for great portability, a 10ft straight cable and 4ft coiled cable and a 1/4 inch TRS audio adapter.
Pros
- 45mm drivers and neodymium magnets for incredible audio
- Excellent noise reducing from combat ear cup design
- Faux leather rotatable ear cups very comfortable
- Great added additions (travel pouch, 10ft straight cable)
- Adjustable headband and removable ear cups
Cons
- Ear pads can slide and need replacing after prolonged usage
#5 Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80
If you don’t mind spending a bit more for an incredible pair of headphones that you can be sure will serve you extremely well in the long term, alongside giving you some of the clearest high resolution sound possible, these Beyerdynamic over the ear headphones are the perfect choice.
Their 80 OHMS audio capability is often used by music producers and sound technicians due to how high textured and detailed the audio is, along with their spacious reproduction which works remarkably for a pair of closed headphones.
These headphones make audio monitoring easy but also very detailed and articulate so you can track every sound that appears in the studio.
Ultra-low bass sounds are defined and reproduced crisply through these headphones while higher frequencies are translated to an analytical and clear sound which makes monitoring different parts of the audio incredibly easy and distinguishable.
This is not even touching upon the comfortability of these headphones with their robust spring steel headband that provide a tight but secure fit for the wearer with soft and adjustable ear cups making them even easier to wear.
The practical single-sided cable is 3 meters long and with a 250 OHM setting if you want to upgrade and get the very best audio quality possible, this is one of the best podcasting headphones out there.
When it comes to the best overall headsets for podcasting, there’s no denying that the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PROs is one of the best, if not the best, headset on the market.
Their versatility is unmatched by any of their competitors, which is all thanks to their fantastic analytical sound.
Recorded voices are reproduced clearly and accurately, which makes monitoring audio and tuning into conversations so simple, however there was some customer feedback that noted that sibilants could come across as slightly piercing to the ears at times.
However, on the other hand, this does make spotting imperfections in your recorded audio much easier when it comes to mixing and editing.
This headset is a closed-back, and although its passive soundstage still feels rather large, it obviously isn’t as immersive as you would find from an open-back headset.
This headset is also particularly drive-hungry, so really you’ll need to use an amp in order to fully optimize this headset, or you can simply buy this same model of headset with a lower impedance, with 32 ohms and 80 ohms options also available.
The comfort of this headset is incredible and whilst they are well-built, it is worth noting that the cable they use is integrated, so if it happens to get damaged, you’ll need to buy an entirely new headset instead.
Pros
- Perfectly clear 80 OHMS audio for high textured sounds
- Very distinguishable sound intrusions
- Well fitting and secure robust spring headband
- Upgradable to 250 OHMS for maximum audio quality
- Soft, circumaural and replaceable velour ear pads
Cons
- Quite expensive
#6 Anker Soundcore Life Q20 – Best Wireless Headphones For Podcasting
With a sleek and silky design and 40mm dynamic drivers producing extremely Hi-Res audio, the Life Q20 are active noise canceling headphones that reproduce the music with extended high frequencies that can reach up to a staggering 40 KHz in clarity and detail.
The biggest draw to these headphones is how well they center in on the actual audio, having 4 built-in ANC microphones and a digital ambient noise canceling algorithm which allows the headphones to quickly detect and cancel out any wider range frequencies that are low to mid frequency such as loud cars or trains.
These headphones are also wireless with a 40 hour run time when fully charged and utilizing Bluetooth 5 to connect to all smartphones, tablets and computers.
For an easy to set up and use pair of headphones that provide incredible isolation so you can hone in on the audio and not get distracted, the Life Q20 are an excellent choice.
Pros
- Bluetooth 5 wireless makes for ease of use
- Excellent 40mm dynamic drivers for crystal clear audio
- Digital noise canceling system negates all outside interferences
- Selection of three colors
Cons
- Slight rattling sound when wearing on the go
#8 Audio-Technica ATH-M20x – Best Budget Option
When it comes to those who are looking to podcast on a budget, we can’t recommend a better value-for-money headset than the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, the mid-range on this headset is fantastic, and this means that you can be sure that any vocals are accurate and clear to the ear too.
Audio reproduction is good too, but does vary depending on how good the fit and seal of this headset are on your ears.
Many people regard their passive soundstage as closed-off, but this is to be expected from a headset with a closed-back, so ultimately it sounds natural.
In terms of comfort, customers often find them rather comfortable, but it must be said that in comparison to headsets like the Beyerdynamic DT770s, these feel slightly cheap in comparison, and certainly much less robust.
#9 MOONDROP Aria – Best In-Ear Monitors
If you’re someone who is looking for the best headset to help monitor the audio during a live session, then you should definitely consider taking a look at the MOONDROP Aria headset, as the design helps to remove some of the background noise and chatter during a conversation, and is also geared towards preventing any serious audio leakage too, combined with a neutral sound profile, and you can be sure that each and every conversation is going to be super clear in your ears.
If you’ve never used an IEM before, just keep in mind that it sounds much more like the voices are coming from inside your head as opposed to coming from speakers, which means that it will generally sound much less immersive.
When it comes to the fit, these IEMs are extremely comfortable to wear for long durations, and even come with multiple different foam tips, so you can adjust the fit of them to your preference, and the build quality on them is also great, so you can rest assured that they’ll last!
#10 Sony MDR-7506 – Best For Recording
Trying to find a good headset to record with can feel like something of an impossible task, especially because audio leakage ruins so many great headsets.
However, one headset stands above the rest, and that’s the Sony MDR-7506s. Since they have a closed-back, the audio leakage is minimized, but they aren’t so good at reducing ambient noise however.
Vocals will sound crisp and bright using this headset, which is great for spotting any potential imperfections that may occur throughout the audio, and the inclusion of different adapters makes accommodating them into your current setup incredibly easy.
Although some may complain about the slightly cheap build quality, these headphones are extremely comfortable and don’t feel too heavy whilst you wear them either.
#11 Superlux HD 681 – Best For Mixing
For mixing, we found that the Superlux HD 681s were the best headset available, mainly thanks to their semi-open enclosure, which although means they leak more audio, but also means that they create a more passive soundstage that sounds much more natural, which ultimately makes it much easier to mix.
Mixing for long periods should be easy thanks to their lightweight construction, but the lack of noise cancellation might make working in a noisy environment difficult!
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Best Overall: Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
When it comes to the best overall headsets for podcasting, there’s no denying that the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PROs is one of the best, if not the best, headset on the market.
Their versatility is unmatched by any of their competitors, which is all thanks to their fantastic analytical sound.
Recorded voices are reproduced clearly and accurately (accurate sound reproduction), which makes monitoring audio and tuning into conversations so simple, however there was some customer feedback that noted that sibilants could come across as slightly piercing to the ears at times.
However, on the other hand, this does make spotting imperfections in your recorded audio much easier when it comes to mixing and editing.
This headset is a closed-back, and although its passive soundstage still feels rather large, it obviously isn’t as immersive as you would find from an open-back headset.
This headset is also particularly drive-hungry, so really you’ll need to use an amp in order to fully optimize this headset, or you can simply buy this same model of headset with a lower impedance, with 32 ohms and 80 ohms options also available.
The comfort of this headset is incredible and whilst they are well-built, it is worth noting that the cable they use is integrated, so if it happens to get damaged, you’ll need to buy an entirely new headset instead.
Best Budget Option: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
When it comes to those who are looking to podcast on a budget, we can’t recommend a better value-for-money headset than the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, the mid-range on this headset is fantastic, and this means that you can be sure that any vocals are accurate and clear to the ear too.
Audio reproduction is good too, but does vary depending on how good the fit and seal of this headset are on your ears.
Many people regard their passive soundstage as closed-off, but this is to be expected from a headset with a closed-back, so ultimately it sounds natural.
In terms of comfort, customers often find them rather comfortable, but it must be said that in comparison to headsets like the Beyerdynamic DT770s, these feel slightly cheap in comparison, and certainly much less robust.
Best In-Ear Monitors: MOONDROP Aria
If you’re someone who is looking for the best headset to help monitor the audio during a live session, then you should definitely consider taking a look at the MOONDROP Aria headset, as the design helps to remove some of the background noise and chatter during a conversation, and is also geared towards preventing any serious audio leakage too, combined with a neutral sound profile, and you can be sure that each and every conversation is going to be super clear in your ears.
If you’ve never used an IEM before, just keep in mind that it sounds much more like the voices are coming from inside your head as opposed to coming from speakers, which means that it will generally sound much less immersive.
When it comes to the fit, these IEMs are extremely comfortable to wear for long durations, and even come with multiple different foam tips, so you can adjust the fit of them to your preference, and the build quality on them is also great, so you can rest assured that they’ll last!
Best For Recording: Sony MDR-7506
Trying to find a good headset to record with can feel like something of an impossible task, especially because audio leakage ruins so many great headsets.
However, one headset stands above the rest, and that’s the Sony MDR-7506s. Since they have a closed-back, the audio leakage is minimized, but they aren’t so good at reducing ambient noise however.
Vocals will sound crisp and bright using this headset, which is great for spotting any potential imperfections that may occur throughout the audio, and the inclusion of different adapters makes accommodating them into your current setup incredibly easy.
Although some may complain about the slightly cheap build quality, these headphones are extremely comfortable and don’t feel too heavy whilst you wear them either.
Best For Mixing: Superlux HD 681
For mixing, we found that the Superlux HD 681s were the best headset available, mainly thanks to their semi-open enclosure, which although means they leak more audio, but also means that they create a more passive soundstage that sounds much more natural, which ultimately makes it much easier to mix.
Mixing for long periods should be easy thanks to their lightweight construction, but the lack of noise cancellation might make working in a noisy environment difficult!
Buyer’s Guide
When picking up some audio headphones for a podcast, there are a few details to always consider so you can make the right purchasing choice for your situation and audio preference.
Headphone Driver Size
Headphone drivers are the built-in mechanisms that convert electrical energy from the headphones into acoustic elements which is the music that we hear.
The size of the headphone drivers really depends on quality. Bigger drivers provide more pressure and a wider frequency range of sound while smaller drivers can have greater physical limitations that will prevent them from vibrating sounds beyond a specific amount.
35mm drivers and upwards are often a good quality to clearly hear voice and background quality in podcasts with 45 to 50mm providing state of the art audio quality where you can clearly distinguish each sound omitted from the frequencies.
Podcasts can often take a bit of time not only to record, but also within the editing process with each episode usually taking a few hours to put together.
Ambient Noise
When choosing podcast headphones with ambient noise in mind, focus on noise cancellation capabilities, the closed-back design, fit and comfort, and sound quality.
Noise-cancelling headphones minimize environmental distractions. Closed-back headphones provide better noise isolation.
A well-fitting pair can naturally block out noise, and excellent sound quality ensures accurate audio monitoring. These factors contribute to a more efficient control of your podcast’s sound.
Comfortability
As a result, you will definitely want a pair of headphones that feel good and comfortable to wear, otherwise it can very easily result in ear aches or even migraines and headaches if the headband is too tight or made of a tough material .
Softly cupped ear pads along with a headband made of a lighter material padding material can work great. Additionally, it makes this much easier when the headband is adjustable so you can set it to the position that fits your head most comfortably.
Replaceable Ear Pads
No matter how high grade a pair of headphones are, a lot of them can be prone to having their ear pads slide off which can damage their overall durability.
It is therefore always a worthwhile idea to check if the headphones allow for easily replaceable ear pads not only so you can make sure the headphones last you for as long as possible, but also in case you find some comfier ear pads in the future and want to attach them to your new headphones.
Noise Canceling
Noise canceling is specifically important for monitoring the audio of a podcast as unwanted background noise can easily confuse us on what we are actually listening to.
It can be easy to think the background external noise of a car is actually in the audio recording, and sometimes it can be hard to record at all when the neighbors are being noisy or you live on a busy street.
Headphones that have a compact design in mind and provide great ambient noise cancellation are therefore perfect for monitoring podcast audio.
Check Out What The Pros Are Using:
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Final Thoughts
In short, finding a good headset for your podcast is very important. There are many choices in the market, and our guide can help you pick the best one. Good sound is key to a good podcast, so headphones matter a lot. Try different ones to find what works best for you.of the most.
