The best wired headphones you can buy in 2024
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It's now 2024, and almost everyone is sporting wireless headphones. However, there are still those of us who'd like to go for the the purest sound quality without any compression or who just don't want to be bothered with charging their headphones. Here at PhoneArena, we've reviewed many headphones throughout the years, and we can tell you this: nothing beats a wired connection when it comes to latency, reliability, and audio quality, even if Bluetooth seems more convenient.
However it's getting increasingly challenging to find a good pair of wired headphones. But worry not! To help you find the best wired headphones out there, we've created this comprehensive guide.
In this guide, we explore the different types of wired headphones available on the market, their advantages and disadvantages, and the very best wired headphones in each price range, to help you choose what's best for you!
In this guide, we explore the different types of wired headphones available on the market, their advantages and disadvantages, and the very best wired headphones in each price range, to help you choose what's best for you!
Best wired headphones you can buy in early 2024, summarized list:
Types of Wired Headphones
There are three main types of wired headphones: over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear. Each type has its own unique characteristics and advantages, as well as cons. Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each type:
Over-Ear Headphones:
- Pros: Usually offer the best sound quality and noise isolation for their price when compared with other types of headphones at the same price point. That’s because over-ear headphones come with large ear cups that enclose the ears. They are also generally regarded as the most comfortable to wear for extended periods.
- Cons: They are bulky and not very portable. Also, because they enclose the whole ear, they can make your ears quite hot during extended use.
- Pros: More portable than over-ear headphones and still offer decent sound quality and comfort.
- Cons: They don't offer the same level of noise isolation as over-ear headphones and can cause discomfort after extended use.
- Pros: The most portable and lightweight option, making them perfect for travel and workouts. They also offer good noise isolation and most of them come with a wide variety of silicone ear tips.
- Cons: Some people find them uncomfortable to wear for extended periods. Also, there is a slight chance that the silicone ear tips might not fit well in your ear canal.
Psst! If you are in the market for brand-new wired earbuds, feel free to check out our Best wired earbuds in 2023 article.
Headphones price ranges
The price range for wired headphones varies greatly, spanning from budget options to high-end models. Here's a breakdown of the different price ranges and a few examples of some of the brands and models you can expect to find in each price range:
Budget:
- Price range: up to $50
- Brands: Philips, Sony, JBL
- Examples: Philips Over Ear Studio Stereo Headphones, Sony MDR-ZX110, JBL TUNE 500
- What features to expect: You can find good-sounding headphones with a built-in microphone at this price point. But don't expect crystal clear sound quality or durability.
- Price range: $50 - $400
- Brands: Beats, Sennheiser, Shure, Audio-Technica, Bosе
- Examples: The Beats EP, Sennheiser HD 560 S, Shure SRH440A, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, Bose QuietComfort 35 II
- What features to expect: better comfort and durability, detachable cable, great sound quality
- Price range: $400+
- Brands: Sony, Focal, Audeze
- Examples: Sony MDRZ1R, Focal Celestee, Audeze LCD-2
- What features to expect: high-end audiophile-level sound quality, high-end materials, and durability
Best Budget Wired headphones
Sony MDR-ZX310AP ZX
These Sony headphones come with 30mm dynamic drivers, which support a broad frequency range. Additionally, the MDR-ZX310AP ZX headphones are lightweight and comfortable, ensuring that your ears won't experience fatigue during prolonged listening sessions. The Sony MDR-ZX310AP ZX also come equipped with a multi-function control button and an integrated microphone, which makes them suitable for even making phone calls. Their folding ear cups make them easy to carry around.
JBL Tune 500
If you are looking for wired headphones that sound amazing for a rather cheap price, we suggest you check out these bad boys. The JBL Tune 500 offer great sound quality for their budget-friendly price, accompanied by enhanced low-range sounds for deeper bass.
The JBL Tune 500 are lightweight and comfortable, and they feature a built-in remote and microphone, which you can use to access your phone's voice assistant and control music playback. The Tune 500 also have a rotatable design that makes them easy to pack in a bag and take them with you when you need to hit the road.
Panasonic RP-HT161-K Over Ear
However, we must warn you not to expect much in terms of build quality and durability here. But this is something completely normal for headphones in this price range.
Best Mid-range wired headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X
These headphones by Audio Technica are well regarded by professionals and can be enjoyed on the go and among people just as well as in the comfort of your home.
They come with three detachable cables, which are of different lengths, ending with a 3.5mm jack that can plug into your phone, tablet, or PC. You also get a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter, should you need it.
Beats Ep Wired
If you are in the market for a pair of Beats headphones but don't want to spend a fortune, you should definitely check out the Beats Ep Wired. The Beats EP Wired offer a great listening experience at a lower price tag than its cousins. Yes, they are not as bass heavy as other Beats headphones, but for their price, they are the perfect introduction to the Beats family.
Meze 99 Classics
You can easily plug these headphones into your phone or computer, but using them with an external DAC, AMP, or DAP will improve the listening experience even further. These headphones are not cheap, but they are not expensive either, and they offer top-tier sound for their price. Oh, and they're very easy to repair. Meze claims that all 99 Classics headphones are made of replaceable parts.
Best High-end wired headphones
Sony MDRZ1R
The headband of the MDRZ1R is made out of beta titanium and genuine leather, which means that it's durable and comfortable. Specifically, beta titanium ensures that the headphones will return to their original shape even when bent.
Focal Celestee
Audeze LCD-2 Classic
If you are in the market for a pair of planar magnetic headphones, then you should also check out the Audeze LCD-2 Classic. These are just perfect for studio recording or for the times when you want to escape reality. They sport 100mm planar magnetic drivers, which will give detailed sound and amazing clarity. Furthermore, because the drivers are planar magnetic, they offer less distortion and a faster response compared to standard dynamic drivers.
Audio-Technica ATH-AP2000TI Closed-Back Headphones
Sennheiser HD 660 S
The Sennheiser HD 660 S are another HiRes audiophile headphones that definitely deserve to be on your shortlist. These bad boys have a frequency response of 10 to 41,000 Hz (10 dB) and an impedance of 150 ohm and sound phenomenal.
However, we must note that the Sennheiser HD 660 S are open-back headphones, which means that sound leaks out and others can hear what you're listening to. So, if you intend to use them while commuting to work, they are not the best choice. But if you intend to use them at home, they are definitely worth considering.
Wired Headphones vs Wireless Headphones
When it comes to sound quality, wired headphones are traditionally seen as having better audio quality than their wireless cousins. Because of the way Bluetooth technology works, the sound gets compressed during the transfer from your phone or computer to your wireless headphones, which results in a slight loss in sound quality. But this problem doesn't exist when it comes to wired headphones. On top of that, wired headphones have no latency, ensuring that you will never experience any audio lag.
Additionally, because wired headphones don't need batteries to function, they are also more reliable than their wireless counterparts (and you get no surprising low battery situations). Oh, and you don't need to pair your wired headphones with your device. You just plug them in and let the music play!
However, phone manufacturers don't put headphone jacks in their high-end devices anymore, so if you want to use wired headphones, you will need to buy a dongle in order to be able to plug your wired headphones into your smartphone, so do keep that in mind.
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