Best Headphones for Podcasting in 2023 (Prices and Recommendations)
-Dave Lawson
-Dave Lawson
The best headphones for podcasting combine comfort, sound quality, and noise isolation. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is a popular wired option, while Sony WH-1000XM4 is a top wireless choice. Both models provide a great listening experience for podcasts, catering to different preferences in terms of connectivity.
Understanding Key Headphone Features for Podcasting
Choosing the perfect headphones for podcasting can be a daunting task, as there are many factors to consider. To make your decision-making process easier, we've created a simple list (and chart) breaking down the key concepts related to headphones. Use this information as a quick reference guide to understand essential features and make the best choice for your podcasting needs.
When looking for the best headphones for podcasting, there are a few things you should consider:
Comfort: You'll be wearing the headphones for a long time, so you want something that feels good on your ears. Look for headphones with soft ear padding and an adjustable headband.
Sound Quality: For podcasting, you want clear and balanced sound. This means you can hear the voices and background music at the right volume, without distortion or noise.
Noise Isolation: This refers to how well the headphones block outside noise. Good noise isolation helps you focus on the podcast and not get distracted by the sounds around you.
Wired or Wireless: Wired headphones use a cable to connect to your device, while wireless headphones use Bluetooth technology. Wireless headphones are more convenient because you don't have to deal with tangled wires, but they may have a slightly lower sound quality compared to wired ones.
Budget: Headphones come in a wide range of prices, so it's essential to find a pair that fits your budget while still offering good sound quality and comfort.
Top Podcasting Headphones for Every Budget and Need
Get ready to explore our curated selection of podcasting headphones, designed to cater to all budgets and preferences. In the sections below, you'll find headphones that offer excellent sound quality, comfort, and unique features tailored for various podcasting scenarios. Whether you're looking for headphones with built-in microphones, studio recording, or headset microphones, we've got you covered.
Under $100:
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x: $49 - Affordable, great sound quality, and durable construction.
AKG K72: $44 - Comfortable fit, accurate sound reproduction, and an over-ear design for noise isolation.
Sony MDR-7506: $99 - Professional sound quality, foldable design, and a closed-back design for noise reduction.
Between $100 - $200:
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO: $159 - Exceptional comfort, accurate sound reproduction, and rugged build quality.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: $149 - Balanced audio performance, comfortable fit, and detachable cable.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro: $99 - Excellent noise isolation, accurate audio reproduction, and a collapsible design for portability.
$200 and over:
Shure SRH1540: $499 - Premium build quality, rich audio performance, and a comfortable fit.
Sennheiser HD 660 S: $499 - Natural sound reproduction, lightweight design, and an open-back design for a spacious soundstage.
Audeze LCD-1: $399 - Planar magnetic drivers for high-quality audio, collapsible design, and lightweight construction.
$400 and above:
Focal Clear Professional: $1,499 - Exceptional audio detail, comfortable design, and a high-quality build.
Neumann NDH 20: $499 - Closed-back design for isolation, accurate sound reproduction, and a durable construction.
Audeze LCD-X: $1,199 - Planar magnetic technology, an open-back design for an expansive soundstage, and premium build quality.
Best headphones with in-built mic:
Logitech G Pro X: $129 - Detachable microphone, comfortable fit, and customizable sound profiles.
HyperX Cloud II: $99 - Noise-cancelling microphone, 7.1 virtual surround sound, and memory foam ear cushions.
SteelSeries Arctis 7: $149 - ClearCast microphone, lossless wireless audio, and a comfortable ski-goggle headband.
Best headphones for recording in the studio:
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO: $159 - Closed-back design for noise isolation, comfortable fit, and accurate audio reproduction.
AKG K371: $149 - Balanced audio, foldable design, and a closed-back design for noise reduction.
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x: $349 - Open-back design for a natural soundstage, lightweight construction, and accurate audio reproduction.
Headphones Comparison Table
| Price Range | Model | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $100 | Audio-Technica ATH-M20x | $49 | Affordable, great sound quality, and durable construction. |
| AKG K72 | $44 | Comfortable fit, accurate sound reproduction, and an over-ear design for noise isolation. | |
| Sony MDR-7506 | $99 | Professional sound quality, foldable design, and a closed-back design for noise reduction. | |
| Between $100 - $200 | Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO | $159 | Exceptional comfort, accurate sound reproduction, and rugged build quality. |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | $149 | Balanced audio performance, comfortable fit, and detachable cable. | |
| Sennheiser HD 280 Pro | $99 | Excellent noise isolation, accurate audio reproduction, and a collapsible design for portability. | |
| $200 and over | Shure SRH1540 | $499 | Premium build quality, rich audio performance, and a comfortable fit. |
| Sennheiser HD 660 S | $499 | Natural sound reproduction, lightweight design, and an open-back design for a spacious soundstage. | |
| Audeze LCD-1 | $399 | Planar magnetic drivers for high-quality audio, collapsible design, and lightweight construction. | |
| $400 and above | Focal Clear Professional | $1,499 | Exceptional audio detail, comfortable design, and a high-quality build. |
| Neumann NDH 20 | $499 | Closed-back design for isolation, accurate sound reproduction, and a durable construction. | |
| Audeze LCD-X | $1,199 | Planar magnetic technology, an open-back design for an expansive soundstage, and premium build quality. | |
| Best headphones with in-built mic | Logitech G Pro X | $129 | Detachable microphone, comfortable fit, and customizable sound profiles. |
| HyperX Cloud II | $99 | Noise-cancelling microphone, 7.1 virtual surround sound, and memory foam ear cushions. | |
| SteelSeries Arctis 7 | $149 | ClearCast microphone, lossless wireless audio, and a comfortable ski-goggle headband. | |
| Best headphones for recording in the studio | Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO | $159 | Closed-back design for noise isolation, comfortable fit, and accurate audio reproduction. |
| AKG K371 | $149 | Balanced audio, foldable design, and a closed-back design for noise reduction. | |
| Audio-Technica ATH-R70x | $349 | Open-back design for a natural soundstage, lightweight construction, and accurate audio reproduction. |
In conclusion, finding the best headphones for podcasting requires careful consideration of factors such as comfort, sound quality, noise isolation, wired or wireless connectivity, and budget. We hope this article gives you an idea of the variety of headphones available to podcasters. The first thing you need to do is think about where you will be producing your episodes, the studio conditions, and how much you have to invest.
Best advice is to start small and build into what you need.
Sometimes, earbuds you get from a flight may be all you need.
Enjoy your podcast, the process is a blast!
If you need help with the heavy lifting of strategizing, editing, and promoting, click the link below and we’ll sit down for a 30-minute chat. I would love to hear your excitement for this new adventure, your goals, and how we may be able to help!
