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Podcast headphones are essential, but they don’t have to break the bank. Let’s take a look at the best headphones for podcasting for all price points and all needs, from your bedroom studio to field recording.
In this article...
Headphones are essential for podcasting – they allow you to listen closely to your audio and make sure that it’s good quality for your listeners. Recording without headphones can lead to audio bleed, where your microphone picks up the sound coming out of the speakers as well as the sounds you actually want to record.
You can also hear more clearly with headphones: you’ll be able to pick up on the sounds of a noisy road or ambient noise in your house and adapt your recording to it. Hearing your voice directly in your ears will also help with your microphone technique as you’ll be able to reactively adjust your volume level.
Wired headphones plug into your laptop or recording device, while wireless headphones use Bluetooth to connect without being physically plugged in.
Generally, we would recommend opting for wired headphones if you can. The quality is just better for the price point – sound is easier to transmit through a wire than over Bluetooth – and you don’t have to worry about batteries running out.
The only time we’d recommend using wireless headphones over a wired pair is if you’re doing some field recording, such as interviews or a panel show. If you think wires will get in your way there, a Bluetooth pair will suit you better.
Budget: Audio-Technica MX20 US ($49) Audio-Technica MX20 UK (£49)
Great sound quality for the budget, the MX20s a real workhorse pair of headphones.
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Mid-Range: Sony MDR7506 US ($98.45) Sony MDR7506 UK (£89)
These Sony’s offer professional quality audio for under 100 pounds – they’re super durable, so look after them and you’ll never have to buy another pair.
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Premium: Shure SRH940 US ($299) Shure SRH940 UK (£225)
Delivering unbeatable sound quality at all frequencies along with super comfort, the SRH940s are the cream of the crop for wired headphones.
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Low Cost: Anker Soundcore Life Q20 US ($59.99) Anker Soundcore Life Q20 UK (£49.99)
These headphones offer good sound quality and noise cancellation for their price, making them a budget-friendly choice for podcasters.
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Mid-range: Edifier W820BT US (£59.99) Edifier W820BT UK (£63.99)
The W820BT offers a balanced sound profile and comfortable fit, as well as a battery that lasts up to 80 hours.
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Premium: Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless US ($359.99) Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless UK (£369)
The Momentum 3 Wireless headphones are known for their premium sound quality and unmatched comfort, with 3 different options for noise cancellation based on your surroundings.
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Build Quality and Materials: Premium headphones often use better quality materials such as metal, genuine leather, and premium plastics. This makes them more durable and luxurious.
Budget headphones tend to be more lightweight or lower quality, which can affect their overall durability and long-term comfort.
Sound Quality: Premium headphones typically offer better sound quality and more refined audio profiles. They may have larger drivers, better tuning, and advanced sound-enhancing technologies.
Comfort and Ergonomics: Premium headphones often feature ergonomic designs with adjustable headbands and plush ear cushions – basically, they’re more comfortable to wear for longer.
In-ear headphones, such as Airpods, are great for listening to podcasts or music while you’re out for a walk or a run, but they’re not so great for wearing while editing and recording.
Generally, they tend to sacrifice sound quality for portability, so unless you’re recording while on the move, stick to over-ear headphones.
Noise cancelling headphones actually work by processing the sounds they’re cancelling for you and inverting them back out – this can affect the audio you’re recording, so it’s best to opt for sound isolation instead. This just blocks out sounds rather than inverting them.
If you are using noise cancelling headphones, make sure to go for a pair that cancel the noise passively – this is where the outside noise is counteracted just through the actual components of the build, and won’t negatively affect your audio.
When purchasing headphones, there are a couple of things you need to be considering.
Budget: Your budget is perhaps the most important factor when buying headphones. Decent headphones are available at all price points – it’s just about knowing which features matter to you and how to get the most for your money.
Your Needs as a Podcaster: Think about what you actually need them for. If you’re going to be out and about recording and interviewing, wireless might be the way to go, or if you’ll be primarily recording at home then you’ll get better sound quality for your money with a wired pair.
Comfort: Comfort is crucial, especially given that you’ll be wearing them for a while at a time. Look for headphones with adjustable headbands and well-padded ear cushions to avoid getting headphone fatigue.
Durability: If you’re out on the go, you need a nice durable pair that will stand up to the odd bump or scrape. Consider build quality, materials used, and customer reviews regarding the headphones’ longevity.
Recommended reading – Podcast Equipment Essentials for Beginners and Any Budget.
Do I need special headphones for podcasting?
No, you don’t need special headphones for podcasting – a good all-round pair will do just fine. Make sure you’re considering what’s most important for you – comfort, audio quality and budget are three important factors.
What is the difference between open back and closed back headphones?
Open-back headphones have perforated ear cups that allow air and sound to pass through, resulting in a more spacious and natural soundstage but with less isolation from external noise. Closed-back headphones feature sealed ear cups that provide better noise isolation and focus on delivering a more immersive and isolated listening experience.
Are Airpods good for podcasting?
If you already have a pair, Airpods will do just fine for podcasting. If you’re choosing between Airpods and a pair of quality over ear headphones, go with the second option – you’ll get more for your money.
Should you hear yourself when recording podcasts?
You should always be able to hear yourself when recording a podcast – they make it easier to edit as you can hear more clearly. This is why it’s important to wear headphones when recording.
Can I use studio monitor speakers instead of headphones for podcasting?
Not really, no. The mic you’re recording on will pick up the sounds from the speaker as you’re recording them, leading to audio bleed and feedback.
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What’s the ideal impedance for podcasting headphones?
For podcasting, headphones with an impedance ranging from 32 to 80 ohms are generally considered ideal. This impedance range strikes a balance between being easily driven by a variety of devices (such as laptops, audio interfaces, or portable recorders) while still providing good audio quality and accuracy for monitoring and recording purposes.
What is headphone impedance?
Impedance is a specification indicating a headphone’s resistance to electrical current – it basically shows compatibility with battery-powered devices such as smartphones. Essentially, impedance helps determine if your headphones can be effectively connected to and used with these devices.
Should I prioritize comfort or sound quality when choosing headphones?
That’s entirely up to you, but provided you’re not picking a crazily uncomfortable pair, you’re better off prioritizing a better sound quality than some poor headphones with velvet ear cups.
Do I need to spend a lot of money on podcasting headphones?
No, you can pick up some great quality headphones for less than £50! Keep in mind what you want from your headphones, where you’ll be using them and read reviews of like-minded podcasters.
Reading headphone reviews can get a bit overwhelming, but there’s no need to be put off. You can get a great pair of headphones at all price points and to suit all needs – it’s just about knowing what to look for.
Always consider your budget, where you’ll be podcasting and how long you intend to wear the headphones when you’re reading reviews – there’ll be loads of podcasters who record in similar situations to you with some helpful tips.
Ben is a content writer and podcast support expert for Captivate, and has been with the team since 2021. He has a first-class degree in Journalism, and uses these skills to help new and veteran podcasters alike level up their content: reviewing tech, crafting product guides and sharing cutting edge podcasting news. Ben is always on hand to help Captivate podcasters with anything they run into, from when they first import their show to advanced questions like how to grow your audience or where to start with monetization. He loves what he does, and is committed to helping podcasters grow their show using Captivate. He’s always been a podcast fan - current favourites include Steven West’s ‘Philosophize This’ and Bob Mortimer’s ‘Athletico Mince’.
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