The 11 Best Podcast Headphones [2024 Guide]

Whether you’re a well-seasoned podcaster or just starting out, your podcasting headphones should be your best friend. 

Podcast headphones aren’t just a fashionable accessory. They can help you improve the way your podcast sounds and actually make an impact in recording top-quality podcasts. 

So whether you’re a skeptic or you’re simply in the market for a new pair, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll show you exactly why they’re the key to a studio-quality podcasts, what to look for, and the 10 best podcast headphones for any budget.

Why do podcasters wear headphones? 

If we’re being honest, everyone on your podcast should be wearing headphones, here’s why: 

With remote podcast guests speaking, if you don’t have headphones, the audio emitted by your speakers will cause terrible feedback in your microphone.

Headphones prevent audio echo and bleed

More generally, wearing headphones prevents audio echo and bleed, preserving the integrity of your recording.

• Echo is when your microphone picks up on the audio coming from your speakers. This can lead to feedback, cause delays in the audio, and mean it’s harder for your guests to hear you.
  
  
• Audio bleed is the same as echo but more subtle. This happens when you’re wearing the wrong type of headphones. For example, closed-back headphones will ‘leak’ less audio and prevent audio bleed. We’ll go into this in more detail later.

If you’re recording with guests who don’t have reliable podcast headphones, Riverside has an echo-cancellation feature that helps keep your recordings crisp and clear. Find out more or sign up today for top-quality podcast recordings.

Hear your own voice

As disconcerting as it can be, wearing headphones means you can hear your voice as others do. This actually means you have more control because you can adjust your levels as you’re recording.

Improved Mic Technique

Wearing headphones infinitely improves your mic technique because you can hear the minute audio fluctuations. 

• Self Review. You and your guests can self-review if you sound muffled or distant, adjusting your position or angle accordingly. This also means you don’t have to pester your guests during your recording.
  
  
• Pick up on ‘popping’. This is the sound created by hard consonants like p and k, something that is difficult to detect without headphones.

Monitor external audio

Wearing headphones also allow you to monitor if external audio is negatively impacting your recording, protecting you against any nasty surprises in post-production or having to awkwardly request a re-record with your guests.

Improved editing capacity and accuracy.

• Listening to your recording on computer speakers will mean you’re relying on sub-par audio quality.
  
  
• Sometimes when editing using speakers, it can be hard to discern whether noises are part of the track or in your recording environment.
  
  
• Headphones give you an accurate and high-fidelity representation of your recording allowing you to pick up on micro-details and subtleties in the audio.

All in all, it’s pretty clear that wearing headphones is key to producing a professional-grade podcast recording. With all of this in mind, you might be feeling a lot of pressure to pick the perfect set of headphones. Let’s take a look at how to make an informed decision.

If you're more of a visual person, start with the video below and then read on:

What factors to consider when choosing podcast headphones 

One thing to note before we jump in: opinions on equipment are highly subjective. Different people swear by different things, and it can be hard to navigate whose preferences align with your own. Go with what works for you and what feels right. 

Price/Budget 

Not everyone has the same budget, but it’s a good idea to think about how much you’re willing to spend before you start browsing. Luckily, with the wide variety of headphones available, price is not necessarily correlated to better quality. 

Comfort 

You’ll be wearing these headphones for long periods, so your comfort should be your top priority. 

• Look for lightweight headphones, heavier styles can be uncomfortable if worn for a long time. 
• Padded cushions and big headphone earpads are key to comfort. 
• Adjustability can make a big difference because you can fit your headphones exactly. 
  

Storage & Transportation 

Is portability important to you?  If you’re always on the move, you’ll want to think about the portability of your headphones. 

• How heavy and bulky are they? 
• Are they flexible? Can you fold them? 
  

Different Models/Types: Open-Back versus Closed-Back Headphones? 

Open-Back headphones:

Open-back headphones allow air to pass through the ear cups to the speaker element.

Advantages

• ‍Better audio.  These can sound ‘better’, more natural, and clearer because this means pressure doesn’t build up and adversely impact your audio. However, this ‘better’ audio quality is only true in completely soundproofed environments. 

• More ambient sound. Some people would say that because open-back headphones take in more ambient sound, the audio quality is closer to what your listener will hear. 
  

Disadvantages:

• ‍Less sound isolation. Open-back headphones don’t afford you the same level of sound isolation as closed-back headphones.
  ‍
• Vulnerable to sound bleed and leakage. This is when your mic picks up the sound ‘leaked’ from your headphones, meaning it hears both your recorded voice and your live voice.
  ‍
• Less durable. Open-back headphones tend to be less durable because their open nature makes them less resistant to moisture. 
  

Closed-Back Headphones 

Closed-back headphones are completely sealed or ‘closed’. 

Advantages

• ‍Limited sound leakage or bleed. The closed structure means that the only audio emitted goes straight into your ear.
  

• Limited sound leakage means you’re able to listen to yourself during your recording without fear that your mic will pick up both your recorded and live voice. 
  

Disadvantages

• ‍Less natural audio. Unlike open-back headphones, closed-back headphones are far more effective at blocking out external sounds, this can result in less ‘natural’ sounding audio. 

• Generally speaking, closed-back headphones are preferable for podcasting. Enhanced sound isolation and decreased risk of sound leakage are invaluable both during recording and post-production. 
  

Wired v Wireless Headphones? 

This decision is completely up to your personal preference and habits. If you tend to wander around a lot, chances are going wireless is going to save you from tripping up on your cable! 
‍
Battery life. One thing to consider is that wireless headphones need to be charged every so often, which can be quite disruptive mid-flow.

• Luckily, most wireless headphones also have the option to be wired.
  

Higher latency. Wireless headphones tend to have more latency.

• Latency refers to the time it takes between hitting play and the sound reaching your ears.
  
• Latency is affected by a few different factors such as wireless technology and environmental factors, but generally speaking, wired headphones have lower latency than their wireless counterparts.
  

In-Ear, On-Ear, or Over-Ear? 

In-Ear

• Portable. In-ear headphones are extremely portable because of their small size.
  
  
• Uncomfortable. They can be uncomfortable if worn for long periods - not ideal for long recording or editing sessions.
  
  
• Worse Audio Quality. Due to the small driver size, in-ear headphones deliver inaccurate frequency representation (i.e. sub-optimal audio quality) meaning they are not well-suited to podcasting
  
  
• Over-priced. Finally, in-ear headphones can often be expensive and still offer worse quality than a lot of other options on the market. 
  

On-Ear

• Portable and lightweight. On-ear headphones, also known as ‘supra-aural’ headphones, are extremely popular because they are portable and lightweight.
  
  
• Open sound. On-ear headphones give a more ‘open’ sound because you are still able to hear what’s going on around you. 
  

Over-Ear 

• Over-ear headphones, also known as ‘circumaural headphones’, are the top pick for podcasters and sound engineers alike.
  
  
• Comfortable with great audio quality. An over-the-ear fit is extremely comfortable and the audio quality is superb.
  
  
• Not portable. Over-ear headphones aren’t always very portable, which is something to consider if you’re on the move a lot. 

With or without a mic? 

An inbuilt mic is an attractive option - less hassle, easy to use, and affordable because you don’t have to invest in a separate microphone. 

Low audio standard. Headset microphones are designed to pick up close audio, so their frequency is intentionally limited.

• A standalone microphone has the capacity for a wider frequency response, which means it can pick up the nuances and subtleties of your audio.
  

As we probably all know, a good microphone will trump an inbuilt microphone every time, but again, this is down to personal preference and there are definitely some good options out there. 

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Podcast Headphone Specifications

Noise-canceling versus Sound Isolation 

• Sound isolation means headphones that block out external noise such as traffic, fans, or other low-level noise - ideal for podcast recording.
  
• Avoid noise-canceling headphones. These capture and then invert outside noise to cancel out, leaving you with weird compressed audio. 
  

Frequency Response 

Frequency response is related to how your headphones sound, which obviously makes a huge difference when you’re listening to your recording.

You are looking for a flat frequency response because this means your audio will be accurate and unfiltered - ideally between 20Hz to 20,000Hz 

Impedance 

Impedance is about the quality and amplitude of the audio your headphones emit. 

You’re looking for low impedance, between 32 and 80 Ohms, this means your headphones use a small amount of power to deliver high audio levels. 

Sensitivity 

Sensitivity indicates how well a pair of headphones can convert an electrical signal into an acoustical one, and how loud they can get. 

• Headphones with high sensitivity ratings will produce louder sounds than those with low sensitivity.
  

You’re looking for sensitivity between 80 to 125 dB 

The 11 Best Headphones for Podcasting in 2024

Under $100 

Audio Technica ATH-m20x

‍

• Price: $54
• Type: Closed-back & Circumaural 
• Comfort: Moderate
• Size: Small 
• Frequency response: 15- 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 96 dB 
• Impedance: 47 Ohms 
  

Sennheiser 280 PRO

• Price: $95 
• Type: Closed-Back & Circumaural
• Comfort: Good, padded ear cups and headband
• Frequency response: 8 - 25,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 113dB 
• Impedance: 64 Ohms 

Between $100 - $200 

Sony MDR7506/1

• Price: $120 
• Type: Closed-back & Circumaural 
• Comfort: Good, lightweight with padding 
• Other specs: Good sound isolation and high level of clarity and depth 
• Frequency response: 10 - 20,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 106dB 
• Impedance: 63 Ohms 
  

Sennheiser HD-25 ‍

These are considered the industry standard for DJs and perform well in loud environments

• Price: $149 
• Type: Closed-back & Supra-aural 
• Comfort: Lightweight and robust with adjustable padded headband 
• Other specs: Thick on-ear cushions block out external sound effectively 
• Frequency Response: 16 - 22,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 120 dB 
• Impedance: 20 Ohms 
  

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

• Price: $165
• Type: Closed-back, wireless with wired option and circumaural
• Comfort: Professional-grade ear-pads and headband 
• Other specs: Collapsable with the ability to swivel ear cups
• Frequency Response: 15 - 28,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 99dB 
• Impedance: 38 Ohms 
  

$200 and over

Shure SRH940 

‍

• Price: $213 
• Type: Closed-back & Circumaural 
• Comfort: Great choice for comfort and quality 
• Frequency Response: 5 - 30,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 100dB
• Impedance: 42 Ohms
  

Bose QuietComfort 35

• Price: $299.95
• Type: Closed-back, wireless with wired option, and circumaural 
• Comfort: Good with padded headband and plush ear cushions 
• Other specs: Two levels of noise cancelling and impact-resistant materials with high durability
• Frequency response: undisclosed
• Sensitivity: undisclosed
• Impedance: undisclosed
  

$400 and above 

Shure SRH1540 Premium Closed-Back Headphones

• Price: $499 
• Type: Closed-back, wireless with wired option, and circumaural
• Comfort: Good, low density, slow-recovery foam for maximum comfort
• Frequency response: 5 - 25000 Hz 
• Sensitivity: 99dB 
• Impedance: 46 Ohms 
  

Sennheiser HD 660S Open Back Professional Studio Headphones

• Price: $594 
• Type: Open-back & Circumaural 
• Comfort: Good
• Frequency Response: 10 - 41,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 104 dB 
• Impedance: 150 Ohms 
  

Best Headphones With In-Built Mic

Audio-Technica BPHS1

• Price: $250 
• Type: Closed-back & circumaural 
• Comfort: good 
• Other specs: Microphone can be worn on the left or right with durable and robust build 
• Frequency response: 600 - 1000 Hz 
• Sensitivity: 100dB 
• Impedance: 65 ohms 
  

Sennheiser HMD 300 Pro-XQ-2

‍Designed with broadcasters in mind

• Price: $299
• Type: Closed-back & Circumaural 
• Comfort: Pressure-sensitive design means better comfort - very minimal pressure which is evenly distributed. 
• Other specs: Microphone can be worn on either the left or right side and foldable ear cup design means easier storage/transport 
• Frequency response: 60 Hz - 25000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 100dB 
• Impedance: 64 ohms

Best Headphones for Recording in Studio

When it comes to recording in studio, you want a good pair of headphones that playback sound as smoothly and as clearly as possible.If you’re on a bit of a budget you can try the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro microphone from our list. This microphone has a good frequency response giving you crisp and clear-sounding audio. It’s ideal for podcast mixing but also works well for recording music. 

If you’re not too worried about budget, then one of your best pair of headphones for recording is the Shure SRH940. This headphone is popular for it’s impressive audio detail and clarity. It has a rather accurate frequency response, is lightweight yet durable and is ideal for audio monitoring.

Best Headset Microphone for Recording Audio for Podcasts

Headsets are essentially headphones with a microphone attached. In our list, we’ve mentioned two options for the best headsets with mics for podcasting.

The Audio-Technica BPHS1 is good at minimizing on picking up background noise as it has a dynamic cardioid microphone. This means sound is mostly picked from the front of the microphone, and the fact that it’s a dynamic mic means fewer background sounds will be picked up. It’s designed more for broadcasting which means that it can certainly be used for podcasting. 

Another one of the best headsets for podcasts is the Sennheiser HMD 300 Pro-XQ-2. This headset has a super-cardioid mic for recording in noisy environments. Just like the Audio Technica BPHS1, this mic is designed to pick up less background noise and is also a dynamic mic. Its earpads are designed with passive ambient noise attenuation to maximize on a clear listening experience. 

Final Thoughts 

If you weren’t convinced before, you should be now! Headphones are a must-have for all podcasters, and they’re crucial to producing a studio-quality recording. With the wide range of products available on the market, there’s something for everyone and every budget. Good luck, and thank us later. 

FAQs on the Best Podcast Headphones

Do you need special headphones for podcasting?

Technically, you don't need any special type of headphones for podcasting. You can likely get away with whatever you already have handy. That said, for the best results, you may want to invest in a good pair more well-suited to podcasting. This would include choosing a pair of headphones that:

• is comfortable for long hours of wear
• doesn't have an audio delay or high audio latency (this is why we suggest avoiding wireless or bluetooth sets)
• offers good sound isolation.

Can you also use earbuds instead of headphones?

They’ll do fine, but as we said earlier, the audio quality will be sub-optimal. Headphones will do better.

Can you podcast without headphones?

You can, but it’s not advisable. Your editing capabilities will be limited, and there’s the risk of feedback during your actual recording. You’ll also be unable to monitor your levels accurately during your podcast. 

What are Joe Rogan’s headphones?

Good question. Podcast legend Joe Rogan uses the Sennheiser HD280 PRO (as listed above) - this just goes to show that a big budget doesn’t always mean you get the best.  

What is the All In podcast host Chamath Palihapitiya’s headset? 

According to a tweet, the headphones ar likely to be Mpow 071s. This is a USB headset with a unidirectional microphone making it ideal for recording voice audio such as for podcasting.

Are AirPods good for podcasting?

Airpods are everywhere nowadays which means it’s likely that you or your guests already have them on hand. The noise cancellation is good but the microphone is not up to standard for podcast recording. 

How can I hear myself through headphones?

This is called monitoring. Headphones are a style of ‘monitor’ because they enable you to listen to the audio as you’re recording. Mic monitoring is how you hear yourself when you’re recording because your mic input is fed directly into your headphones. 

Note: you may have to enable mic monitoring on your DAW 

Do you need a headphone amplifier? 

This is down to personal preference, and recording etiquette. However, make sure to match the amplifier and headphones quality. Sound equipment only ever sounds as good as the worst component. 

Adding an amplifier can significantly improve audio quality. Headphones amp raise weak audio signals and allow you to change audio levels for each guest, so everyone can set the volume to their preference during the recording.