Ever found yourself editing a podcast episode at 2 AM, only to discover mouth clicks and background noise that somehow slipped past during recording? Yeah, been there. After ruining countless episodes with subpar headphones, I’ve learned that your headphones can make or break your podcast.
Look, I get it. With every YouTuber and their dog pushing different audio gear, it’s hard to know what’s worth your money. After several years behind the mic, testing over 30 different headphones, and probably spending way more than my accountant would approve of, I’ve got some real talk for you about podcast headphones.
Here’s the thing: you don’t need to drop a month’s rent on headphones to sound professional, but grab the wrong pair, and you might as well be monitoring your audio through a drive-through speaker. Whether you’re just starting or looking to upgrade your setup, I’ve broken down exactly what works, what doesn’t, and what’s worth your hard-earned cash in 2025.
Fair warning: this isn’t your typical “I read the specs on Amazon” review. Every single headphone on this list has survived my personal gauntlet of late-night editing sessions, on-location recordings, and the occasional coffee spill.
Let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the “why didn’t someone tell me this sooner?”
Best Podcasting Headphones
1. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
The Holy Grail: Look, I know everyone and their grandmother recommends these, but there’s a reason I’ve stuck with my ATH-M50x headphones for the past three years. These bad boys nail the sweet spot between professional quality and not completely destroying your wallet ($169-189 typically).
The closed-back design means you won’t get audio bleeding into your mic – something I learned the hard way during an interview when my guest’s voice kept echoing through my old open-backs.
What I love about them:
- Crystal clear mid-ranges (perfect for vocal monitoring)
- Detachable cable (trust me, this is a lifesaver)
- Durable as heck (mine have survived countless drops)
- Flat frequency response (you hear things as they actually are)
Pro tip: Get the coiled cable option. I used to constantly run over my straight cable with my chair, but the coiled one stays neat.
2. Sony MDR-7506
The Budget Champion: When my co-host was just starting out, I recommended these ($99-120), and honestly? Sometimes I’m a bit jealous of how good they sound for the price. They’ve been an industry standard forever, and there’s a reason for that.
The sound profile is slightly brighter than the M50x, which helps catch subtle mouth sounds or background noise you might want to edit out.
The only downside? The ear pads tend to flake after about a year of heavy use. But here’s a hack I discovered: grab some velour replacement pads off Amazon. They’re like $15 and make these headphones feel premium AF.
3. Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro
The Premium Pick: Y’all, when I finally splurged on these ($179-199), it was like hearing my own voice for the first time. These are open-back headphones, which means they’re not great for recording in noisy environments, but for editing.
The soundstage is incredible, and you can wear them for hours without your ears feeling like they’re in a sauna.
Warning though: these can be brutal if you’re sensitive to high frequencies. I had to EQ down the 8-10kHz range a bit in my monitoring setup.
4. Shure SRH440A
The Dark Horse: Not enough people talk about these ($99-129). I borrowed a pair from a friend when my M50x were being repaired, and color me impressed. The neutral sound signature is perfect for podcasting, and they’re surprisingly comfortable for long recording sessions.
The detachable cable has a locking mechanism that’s actually better than the Audio-Technica‘s.
Quick pro tip I learned after way too many frustrating sessions: always, ALWAYS have a backup pair of decent headphones. Even if it’s just a pair of AKG K240s (which aren’t half bad, honestly), you don’t want technical difficulties derailing your recording schedule.
5. Rode NTH-100
The Perfect Companion: If there’s one thing that surprised me last year, it was these babies ($149-169). Rode knocked it out of the park with their first headphone attempt. I picked these up at a trade show on a whim, and they’ve become my go-to for location recording.
The isolation is incredible – I actually used them to record in a busy coffee shop, and none of the background chatter leaked through.
What sets them apart is the CoolTechâ„¢ gel cushions. I know it sounds gimmicky, but my ears stay noticeably cooler during long sessions. Plus, the FitLok sizing system means once you adjust them, they stay perfectly in place.
6. Austrian Audio Hi-X55
The Comfort King: Here’s a sleeper hit that doesn’t get enough love in the podcasting community. After developing tension headaches from marathon editing sessions, these were a game-changer. The memory foam earpads and perfect clamp force make them disappear on your head.
I’ve literally edited for six hours straight without that “please get these off my head” feeling.
The detail retrieval is cool too – I’ve caught mouth clicks and background hums that I missed with other headphones.
Just be prepared for some serious monitoring revelations about your audio quality!
7. V-MODA Crossfade M-200
The Portable Powerhouse: Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about these because of V-MODA’s reputation in the DJ world. But for mobile podcast recording? Total game-changer. The folding design and hard case make them perfect for throwing in a bag, and they’re built like a tank. I’ve accidentally sat on mine twice (don’t ask), and they’re still going strong.
Pro tip: Skip the bluetooth version – the wired ones have better sound quality and no latency issues to worry about.
8. AKG K371
The Budget Beast: Listen up, newbie podcasters – these ($149) might be all you ever need. The sound signature is surprisingly close to my $400 reference headphones. They fold up tiny, the bass response is perfect for male voices, and they’re comfortable enough for long sessions.
The only downside is the cable connection can be a bit finicky.
9. Neumann NDH 20
The Mixing Master: Okay, these are pricey, but if you’re serious about post-production, they’re worth every penny. The level of detail is almost scary – I had to re-record three episodes after getting these because I could suddenly hear all sorts of issues I’d missed before.
The stereo imaging is incredible for placing effects and transitions in your mix.
Fair warning though: they will make you hyperaware of any room noise or mic technique issues. It’s both a blessing and a curse!
10. Drop + Sennheiser PC38X
For The Remote Interview Warriors: This is my final pick in this list. The secret weapon for remote interviews. It’s technically a gaming headset, but hear me out – the boom mic is surprisingly good for backup audio, and the open-back design helps you hear your own voice naturally during long interview sessions.
Plus, having the mic attached to the headphones means one less thing to worry about when you’re traveling.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get great podcast audio. What matters most is understanding what you’re working with. After testing literally dozens of headphones (much to my partner’s amusement), I’ve found that anything from this list will serve you well.
Just remember – the best headphones are the ones that fit your specific needs and budget.
Extra Tips From My Experience:
- Always do a test recording with new headphones
- If you wear glasses, closed-back headphones can get uncomfortable after an hour
- Keep your headphone volume at 70% max – protect those ears, people!
- Clean your ear pads monthly (I use a slightly damp microfiber cloth)
- Consider a headphone amp if your interface’s headphone output is weak
Remember, at the end of the day, content is king. I’ve heard amazing podcasts recorded with basic headphones and terrible ones recorded with top-of-the-line gear. But having reliable, comfortable headphones makes the whole process so much more enjoyable – and helps you catch those little audio issues before they become big problems.
So there you have it, folks – my honest-to-goodness, battle-tested recommendations for the best podcast headphones in 2025. I hope this helps you find the perfect pair to elevate your audio game, whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your existing setup.
Let me know what you think in the comments – I’m always eager to hear your personal experiences and headphone hot takes.
