The Best Wired Headphones for Music & More
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Wired headphones are back! Not that they ever truly left, but with so many wireless headphones and earbuds flooding the market, it’s not always easy to go against the grain.
More from Billboard
For the rebellious, nostalgia-loving techies who would trade the convenience of Bluetooth for the comfort of being tethered to a preferred listening device, we’ve rounded up a list of the best wired headphones that you can buy online. The headphones below are great for personal listening sessions, but they’re also useful for listening to podcasts and watching movies, TV and music videos from your smart phone, laptop, notebook or tablet. Below, find a list of seven of the best wired headphones to buy right now.
Philips SHP9600 Wired, Over-Ear, Headphones, Comfort Fit, Open-Back 50 mm Neodymium Drivers (SHP9600/00) – Black
Exceptional sound at a great price. These Phillips SHP9600 Hi-Fi Wired Headphones serve up a blend of quality and comfort. Outfitted with finely tuned 50mm drivers, these open-back, over-ear headphones deliver powerful sound and exception bass making them perfect for immersing yourself in your favorite songs. The headphones include a detachable cable that measures three meters long.
Sennheiser HD 559
With its attractive contemporary design, Sennheiser’s HD 559 wired headphones offer an optimal mix of performance and durability. The HD 500 series headphones features Sennheiser’s proprietary transducer technology, which includes the “Ergonomic acoustic refinement” (E.A.R.) design that delivers sound directly to your ears. A detachable 3m cable with a 6.3-mm plug are included with the headphones. Sennheiser’s HD 5602 wired headphones are on sale at Best Buy.
Sony MDR1AM2 Wired High Resolution Audio Overhead Headphones, Black (MDR-1AM2/B)
You can’t miss with Sony. The MDR-1AM2 wired headphones deliver studio-quality, full-precision sound and high-resolution audio. Couple that with a lightweight design and soft cushioned ear pads to listen to music, watch movies and more for hours on end. Want an even cheaper option? Check out the Sony ZX Wired on-Ear Headphones for $10, or the MDR ZX11ONC Over-Ear Headphones ($49.99). If you’re willing to go even pricier, try Sony’s MDR-Z1R Signature Series Premium Over Ear Headphones ($1,549).
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black, Professional Grade, Critically Acclaimed, with Detachable Cable
You may have spotted Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) wearing Audio Technica headphones on And Just Like That. Equipped with a detachable cable and comfortable ear cushions, the Audio Technica’s M50X wired headphones offer fantastic sound clarity (throughout an extended frequency range) with deep, accurate bass response, and superb sound isolation.
Denon AH1-D1200
These artfully designed, wired headphones are similar to options from Sony and Sennheiser, Available in black and white (pictured), Denon’s AH0D-1200 headphones feature an ergonomic construction with memory foam ear cups with a faux leather headband, 50mm drivers and a 5-40,00 Hz frequency response. And if you need more convincing, they’re currently on sale for $99 (regular $150).
JVC HAS180 Lightweight Powerful Bass Headphones – Black
If you’re looking for something ultra–cheap, you can get a decent pair of JVC wired headphones for just $15. These headphones are also good for kids since they’re so affordable. Looking for another budget-friendly alternative at the same price point? Test out these JLab Audio Studio Wired On-Ear Headphones ($15.99).
Skullcandy Riff Wired On-Ear Headphones with Mic
Skullcandy’s Riff Wired On-Ear Headphones won’t break your budget, plus they come highly recommended according to hundreds of customer reviews. No need to worry about charging of course, the wired headphones are compatible with any device with a 3.5mm audio jack. Lightweight with ultra-soft, padded ear cups, these headphones great for extended listening sessions. And the foldable design means that they’re perfect for traveling. There’ also a one-touch option that lets you switch from listening to music to answering the phone and you can get them in several colors including black, blue and green. If you’d rather have earbuds, Apple’s Earbuds and JLab Audio Neon’s headphones are a safe bet for under $20. If you’re not interested in Apple, check out these Sony Wired Extra Bass in-Ear Headphones, the Phillips Wired Earbuds ($20) or 1More Triple Driver Wired in-Ear Headphones ($79.99).