Top Wired Headphones of 2025: Uncompromised Sound Quality

Explore the best wired headphones of 2025 that deliver exceptional sound quality without sacrificing comfort.

Why Choose Wired Headphones?

If you're looking for the best sound quality you can buy within your budget, wired headphones are what you need. Of course, the convenience of wireless headphones is hard to overestimate — instead of dealing with tangled wires, you get mobility and smart features like active noise cancellation and spatial sound. It's no surprise that they are ubiquitous. However, the best wired headphones sound significantly better than Bluetooth headphones at the same price point, and they are more environmentally friendly, as they don’t run out of battery and don’t need charging. Thus, the battle between wired and wireless headphones is ongoing, and your priorities will determine the winner.

If sound quality is your top priority, this guide is for you. We're presenting only the best value wired headphones that are worth your money. We’ve selected the finest models for any budget, covering both in-ear monitors and over-ear headphones. The "How to Choose Wired Headphones" section below will help you make your selection.

Each pair has been meticulously tested by our expert reviewers, boasting over 150 years of combined experience, and they stand out in their price segment not only in sound quality but also in build quality and comfort.

Quick List

Best Overall Wired Headphones

Rode NTH-100

Regardless of whether you need analytical or entertaining headphones, the Rode NTH-100 is an outstanding pair for its price. They are the best wired headphones for most people.

Best Budget Wired Headphones

Austrian Audio Hi-X15

These lesser-known headphones look and feel more expensive than they actually are, and their performance matches this.

Best Wired Headphones for Home Use

Grado SR325x

If you’re not bothered by a bit of sound leakage from the open back, you’ll be rewarded with the cleanest, most spacious, and deep sound available at this price.

Best Comfortable Wired Headphones

Beyerdynamic Amiron

If you need a pair of headphones that you can wear for hours without discomfort, look no further than these headphones with excellent sound.

Best Wired Headphones for Audiophiles

Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation)

If you can afford them, the Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation) is a premium headphone with a fantastic pedigree.

Best Premium Wired Headphones

Shure Aonic 3

Shure headphones sound so musical that you'll forget about the convenience of wireless headphones.

Best Budget In-Ear Headphones

SoundMAGIC E11C

A great pair of budget in-ear headphones that proves you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy music. A natural upgrade from the headphones included with your phone.

Best Overall Headphones: Rode NTH-100

The Rode NTH-100 headphones are beautifully designed, well-made, and deliver outstanding sound.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Cable Length: 2.4 m
• Built-in Remote Control and Microphone: No
• Weight: 350 g
• Type: Closed-back

Pros:

• Articulate, revealing sound
• Well-built and aesthetically pleasing
• Comfortable for extended listening sessions

Cons:

• May sound analytical for some ear shapes
• Only the provided cable is very long

It’s understandable if you’ve never heard of Rode. While the company has an important place in the world of professional audio, the NTH-100, released just a couple of years ago, was its first pair of headphones and its first attempt to enter the consumer audio market. So if you’re not familiar with studio microphones or music production, this Australian brand may be as new to you as it is to many others. The key point is that you now know about Rode.

It goes without saying that the NTH-100 is a solid debut from Down Under. They offer a neutral and natural tonal balance. The bass is deep but fast and well-controlled — the attack and decay of individual sounds are very well executed, making the NTH-100 quick and punchy under the right conditions. Rhythmic expressiveness is also excellent.

At the opposite end of the frequency spectrum, they are just as rich in detail and articulated. However, the star of the show is the midrange. Our in-house reviewers used Nick Drake’s "Pink Moon" as one of the test tracks for the Rødes and remarked: "Drake's voice during this recording is quiet and natural, and it feels as though the microphone is very close to his mouth — thus, the NTH-100 conveys his singing with the intimacy and immediacy required."

At this price point, we all come to expect certain things from wired headphones — great sound and comfort for hours. But it’s safe to say that the Rode NTH-100 comfortably meets those expectations and is one of the best wired headphones we can recommend overall.

Best Budget Headphones: Austrian Audio Hi-X15

An exceptional pair of wired headphones that deliver outstanding sound quality at an affordable price.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Cable Length: 1.4 m
• Built-in Remote Control and Microphone: No
• Weight: 255 g
• Type: Closed-back

Pros:

• Clear, open presentation
• Finds more detail
• Impressive sense of timing

Cons:

• Needs a lot of break-in time
• Requires pairing with suitable electronics

Austrian Audio is a Vienna-based company founded by a group of former AKG employees, so the team's years of experience are unquestionable — and it shows in the Hi-X15. The first wired headphone lineup in the company’s history offers plenty of worthy models in both over-ear and in-ear designs, both wired and wireless, but these affordable wired Hi-X15 should be your first choice if you value sound quality and have a limited budget.

The Hi-X15 may be inexpensive, but they certainly don’t feel cheap or flimsy. The design, featuring sturdy metal hinges and soft memory foam ear pads, puts many plastic competitors to shame. In our review of the Hi-X15, our experts noted, "the level of skin contact is good, the pressure is sufficient to keep the headphones from sliding around on the head," and that the ear pads "don’t get too hot."

What’s more important, the sound quality at this price point is exceptionally good. In our five-star review, we stated that they "sound so transparent and mature that it belies their relatively modest price." The Hi-X15 consistently delivers high levels of detail while retaining the song's soul — a tough task for headphones in this price segment. When the price drops to such a level, expressiveness and emotionality are usually sacrificed, but the Hi-X15's ability to convey weight and mood is remarkable.

These are real bargains worth considering. If you prefer a pair with an open back for more space, the Grado SR80x (siblings to the more expensive SR325x mentioned below) are definitely worth checking out.

Best Home Headphones: Grado SR325x

Incredibly informative and remarkably clear headphones with an open back design.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Cable Length: 1.8 m
• Built-in Remote Control and Microphone: No
• Weight: 340 g
• Type: Open-back

Pros:

• Excellent detail and dynamics
• Extremely engaging presentation
• Sturdy, durable build

Cons:

• Open-back design lets sound escape
• New ear pads may not suit everyone

Over the past 30 years, Grado, based in Brooklyn, has produced several of the best headphones in the Prestige line. Over time, the series has undergone changes, but the latest models of the "x" generation offer the same balance of quality and price we expect from such a popular audio brand.

The SR325x headphones, representing the pinnacle of the lineup, look almost identical to their predecessors, the SR325e from a few years ago, but feature flatter foam ear pads, an updated cable, and brighter stitching on the snug headband.

However, the real difference lies in the sound: the SR325x sounds noticeably cleaner and clearer than their predecessors, providing superior detail and clarity that feels more precise and deep than ever before. They lack the weight and low frequencies of closed-back headphones, but their open design (which lets sound in and out) ensures a spacious and very "breathable" soundstage that still reproduces deep, vibrant, and melodic bass.

However, you’ll want to use them with a decent sound source rather than a phone. "We would use an external DAC of equivalent quality, like the Chord Mojo 2, for a laptop and phone, and at least a high-resolution music player like the Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 if we want to hear all the capabilities of the SR325x," our reviewing team suggests.

If you’re looking for the best wired headphones in this price range and don’t mind the open design (which inherently lets a bit of sound in and out), the SR325x should be high on your list. They’re a no-brainer.

If you prefer a more traditional alternative with a closed-back (that is, sound-isolating) design at this level, you should check out the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X.

Best Comfortable Headphones: Beyerdynamic Amiron

High-quality home headphones that feel as good as they sound.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Cable Length: 3 m
• Built-in Remote Control and Microphone: No
• Weight: 340 g
• Type: Open-back

Pros:

• Pleasant bass detailing
• Clear and organized sound
• Excellent reproduction of high frequencies

Cons:

• Quite large ear pads

The first impression of the Beyerdynamic Amiron headphones is comfort. The ear cups and headband are made from two materials: Alcantara microfiber (which feels similar to suede) and microvelour. Together, they create an astonishingly luxurious and soft pair of headphones that can be worn for hours without discomfort or irritation. They truly feel like slippers for your ears.

But they're not just comfortable; they sound amazing too. We particularly love the Amiron's clean vocal reproduction in the midrange, a nice sense of rhythmic drive, and how they handle complex rhythms and beats effortlessly. They are clean, organized, and detailed, impressive across the entire frequency spectrum, even down to the lowest frequencies — even if they don't emphasize bass as closed-back headphones typically do. "The level of transparency and range that Amiron provides means that if you feed it high-quality sound, you’ll get high-quality sound," says our Amiron review.

Like the Grado headphones mentioned above, they also feature an open design that lets sound leak, so the usual caveat applies that they aren’t suited for listening on public transport. However, if you have a sufficient budget and want to buy an amazing pair of headphones for music listening at home, the Amiron will delight you regardless of your favorite music genre.

Best Headphones for Audiophiles: Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Generation)

The latest T1 headphones maintain the legacy of this model: exceptional high-end headphones.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Cable Length: 3 m
• Built-in Remote Control and Microphone: No
• Weight: 360 g
• Type: Open-back

Pros:

• Clean, balanced presentation
• Unbiased, informative nature
• Comfortable and well-made

Cons:

• Requires high-quality partner electronics

The original T1 headphones with an open back, which have been around for over ten years, serve as a benchmark for us in terms of premium headphones. The current third-generation model is the one we recommend here, and it’s all you need to know about how Beyerdynamic has managed to refine the recipe to keep these headphones at the peak of performance at this price.

The T1 3rd generation headphones have been designed to be easier to drive when used with laptops and mobile devices compared to their predecessor. The old model had an impedance of 600 Ohms, while the new one has 32 Ohms. However, they remain very transparent and still deserve a high-quality source.

As a result, the sound produced is very true to the original but cleaner and clearer, somewhat less bright, and a bit smoother in the high frequencies. Music sounds just as powerful and authoritative, with vocals coming through delicately and clearly. These aren’t the kind of wired headphones that impress on first listen, but after a few days or even weeks, it’s hard not to fall under their charm.

The updated T1 headphones are comfortable enough for extended listening thanks to their beautifully shaped headband, partly covered with Alcantara, and large velvet-finished ear pads.

If you prefer a retro style, the Grado RS1x is a very worthy alternative, and if money is no object, the Yamaha YH-5000SE is arguably the best headphones we’ve ever heard. Looking for closed-back headphones of that quality? Check out the brilliant siblings of the T1 — the Beyerdynamic T5 (3rd generation).

Best Premium Headphones: Shure Aonic 3

High-end in-ear headphones at a relatively low price.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Cable Length: 1.27 m
• Built-in Remote Control and Microphone: Yes
• Weight: 20.4 g
• Type: N/A

Pros:

• Amazing dynamics and musicality
• Deep and balanced sound
• Lightweight and comfortable

Cons:

• Reserved sound

Shure makes some of the best wired headphones, and this is evident from the moment you pick up the Aonic 3. They have a beautiful design, are convenient, and surprisingly lightweight, creating a sense of quality and elegance even before you insert them into your ears. The cable of the headphones runs over the ears, securely holding them in place, though it takes a bit of adjustment to get the rotating ear pads to sit just right.

Nine different ear tip options ensure a great seal, and the built-in remote and microphone allow you to control music and take calls. In the past, we’ve complained that competing companies offer poor options for ear tips (three is usually not enough to cover all shapes and sizes), so the variety from Shure is really a treat.

As for sound quality, the Aonic 3 excel in this area. They are dynamic, detailed, and their sense of rhythm and timing is something you need to hear to appreciate its importance. "Aonic 3 are headphones you can put on and just forget about them," reads our Aonic 3 review. "There’s not a single standout element — the bass doesn’t overpower, and the high frequencies don’t cut into your ears. Shure headphones are honest, transparent, and true to the original recording."

We can’t recall any pair of wired in-ear headphones at this price that could match the Aonic 3 in musicality and sound quality, but if your budget allows, the Aonic 5 is an even clearer next-generation model.

Best Budget Headphones: SoundMAGIC E11C

An excellent pair of budget headphones that provide an incredibly enjoyable listening experience.

Specifications

• Noise Cancellation: No
• Cable Length: 1.2 m
• Built-in Remote Control and Microphone: Yes
• Weight: 11 g
• Type: N/A

Pros:

• Engaging sound
• Remote control and microphone
• Easy to manage

Cons:

• Timing isn’t perfectly selected

The SoundMagic E11C wired headphones are award-winning successors to the five-star E10 headphones, which have been our go-to budget recommendation for in-ear headphones for many years. We’re pleased to report that this latest model remains fantastic thanks to improved dynamics and a silver-plated copper cable, making it a significant upgrade over the headphones that come with phones these days.

The higher-quality driver enhances sound quality while maintaining the recognizable SoundMagic character. The bass is rich, with enough warmth and depth to envelop you, while the high frequencies remain uncompromised and undiminished. The midrange offers decent clarity, demonstrating significant energy and control, bringing everything together in a pleasing, cohesive musical package.

It’s also worth noting that the sensitivity rating of 112 dB is quite high, so the E11C provides ample volume while consuming less power from your device at moderate listening levels.

As our experts concluded in their E11C review, they "continue the glorious legacy of their predecessors, delivering exciting, clean sound along with a remote control and microphone." If you’re on a budget, rest assured this is a reliable purchase.

If you plan to use headphones only with USB-C power sources, we would confidently recommend the newer E80D headphones from SoundMagic (in our "Also Consider" list below), which are priced similarly and are an excellent option — they simply have a USB-C connector instead of a 3.5 mm.

Also Consider

• High-quality alternatives: Austrian Audio The Composer. If your budget allows you to consider something beyond the models in this list, there are plenty of excellent headphones for audiophiles, including these open-back newcomers that sound as balanced and insightful as anything we’ve heard at this level.
• Premium alternatives: Beyerdynamic T1 Focal Clear Mg. Focal produces many excellent high-end headphone pairs, including the flagship Utopia and Stellia. The Clear Mg headphones are cheaper but no less impressive for their level. They look fantastic and sound even better.
• Alternatives to Grado SR325x: Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X. If you don’t like Grado’s somewhat controversial look, these gorgeous Beyerdynamic are another open-back model at a similar price that’s worth its salt. Their closed-back siblings, the DT 900 Pro X, are also outstanding.
• More expensive alternatives: Aonic 5. If you’re lucky enough to have a little extra money to splurge on wired in-ear headphones, these Shure headphones cost more than their Aonic 3 counterparts. For an even better option, check out the more expensive Sennheiser IE900.
• Affordable open-back full-size headphones: Sennheiser HD 505. If your budget is roughly in line with the asking price for Austrian Audio and Rode, but you prefer open-back headphones instead of closed ones, these brand-new Sennheiser headphones offer pleasant smoothness and detail, though they are not the end-all in sound.
• Budget headphones with USB-C connection: SoundMAGIC E80D. Similar in price, design, and sound to the SoundMAGIC E11 on this list, but they feature a USB-C connector instead of a 3.5 mm.

How to Choose the Best Wired Headphones?

If you've chosen wired headphones over wireless, you either value sound quality, don’t want the hassle of charging headphones, or care about environmental factors. Or perhaps all of the above.

The first and most obvious consideration when deciding which pair of headphones to buy is whether you need in-ear monitors or full-size headphones. If you chose the latter, the next question you'll ask is open or closed? Open-back headphones allow sound in and out, but typically produce a more spacious and natural sound, while closed-back headphones are more common and much better at isolating sound, making them more suitable for use outside the home.

In-ear monitors are easier to manage since they're usually less distinctive in style, although it’s worth noting that the range of features isn’t always the same. For instance, do they have a built-in remote and microphone for taking calls? Do the headphones detach from the cable for easy replacement? How many sizes of ear tips are included?

Comfort should also be a priority. In-ear monitors are great for on-the-go listening due to their compact and portable form factor, while full-size headphones with good sound isolation that don’t press too hard on the ears are better suited for all-day home listening.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) used to be a common feature in wired headphones, but now wired models with ANC are rare (one such pair is the Lindy BNX-60). This is primarily because noise-canceling is more commonly associated with portability and thus goes hand in hand with Bluetooth connectivity for convenient listening.

Almost all wired headphones come with a 3.5 mm cable, but if you’re looking for a pair for home use with a desktop computer or Hi-Fi system, you should look for wired headphones with additional accessories like a longer second cable or a 6.3 mm adapter. And if you have a DAC or headphone amplifier you want to use them with (recommended for all pairs except budget ones), choosing a model that pairs well with them in sound is also a key factor.

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