While I enjoy blasting out my vinyl collection through my turntable, there are times, particularly late at night, when I prefer to relax and listen to music a bit more intimately – I don't want to annoy the neighbours too much either – and that's where this guide to the best headphones for vinyl comes in.
Big brands including Sony, Sennheiser, AKG and Beyerdynamic develop and create a range of headphones which are ideally suited to enjoying your vinyl collection, and many headphones are available for great prices. I've picked out a selection of products which cover a range of budgets: everything from affordable headphones to luxury picks, but they all have one thing in common, they all deliver excellent audio.
When rounding up the best headphones for vinyl, I also looked at models that can be easily paired with both simple and more high-tech setups. I think this is important because there's more to vinyl than simply collecting it. The more serious you get about vinyl, the more your setup will grow to include amplifiers, a phono preamp, extra speakers and, of course, great headphones.
Quick list
These classic studio headphones deliver at a hyper-competitive price. A set of AKG K72s will step up and do the job asked of them remarkably well considering they come in at around a tenth of the price of some rivals here. They sound great and offer a sense of scale and prioritise a clear, uncluttered sound stage, and are very comfortable to wear for long sessions.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are some of the best noise-cancelling wireless headphones on the market right now. They might now fold down like the XM4s but they are light and comfortable. When it comes to sound, they're all about balance and deliver a wide soundstage. Audio can also be fine-tuned through the Sony headphone app. They're versatile and I wouldn't be without them.
The Shure SRH1540 might fly a little under the radar, but they're light, spacious and very comfortable thanks to their Alcantara ear pads, making these comfort-focused headphones pitch-perfect for marathon listening sessions. That’s a really good thing too, because sound-wise, the Shure SRH1540 deliver the goods in style and are worth a closer look.
Landing around the midway point in Audio-Technica's price range, the ATH-A1000Z are lightweight, comfortable and engineered to deliver a wide-ranging listening experience. They offer a sense of scope, with punchy bass operating in tandem with great audio clarity that helps bring out the best in each musical component. You can really go wrong.
The Beyerdynamic Amiron are perfect for those looking at a mid-range headphone upgrade. If your budget can stretch, these are the best headphones for detailed sound at this price point. They’re open-backed, offering the usual sense of space, but they can also handle all sorts of sonic mayhem if asked to. Balancing detailed treble and mid-ranges with bass that does exactly what’s needed.
The Dan Clark Audio Ether 2 headphones are extremely lightweight - making them ideal for long listening sessions - and are stylish in their industrial chic way. The audio delivery is designed to be open and responsive, reacting to the dynamic requirements of a wide range of styles. If you’ve got the cash and are seeking something high-end, these might be for you.
Best budget
✅ Buy if you want quality for a low price: The AKG K72 might fly under the radar, but for the money they are hard to beat for vinyl listening.
❌ Avoid if you want top-notch audio: Because of the cost, don't expect exceptional audio clarity. Audiophiles should look elsewhere.
These are classic studio headphones delivered at a hyper-competitive price. A set of AKG K72s will step up and do the job asked of them remarkably well considering they come in at around a tenth of the price of some rivals here.
They sound good, offering a sense of scale and prioritising a clear, uncluttered sound stage, and are very comfortable. They’re big and bulky, though, so are again very much designed to get to work at home rather than on public transport.
If you’re just getting started with your vinyl collection and are looking for a set of headphones to help provide up close and personal access for a great price, look no further than the AKG K72.
Read the full AKG K72 review
Best noise cancelling
✅ Buy for top-tier noise cancelling: These Sony headphones boast amazing noise cancelling - and they sound incredible. Seriously good headphones.
❌ Avoid if you want headphones that fold: Unlike the XM4s, the XM5s don't pack away as neatly, so go for the older model if travelling.
These things arrive packed to the rafters with features. Alongside a cracking mic system and remote, they’re wireless and noise cancelling. Crucially, a set of Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are also light and comfortable.
Sound-wise, these headphones are all about balance. They work hard to present a wide open sound stage, neatly situating vocals and lead lines at the forefront. And they don’t skimp on the bass either, keeping things nicely grounded.
With the battery going from dead to offering 5 hours of listening with just a 10 minute charge (a full charge gives you up to 40 hours) and the noise cancelling easily coping with the hustle and bustle of daily life, these are as good a pair of wireless headphones as you’ll find. You can also tweak the EQ settings via the Sony app - and update firmware etc.
Just make sure your record player has Bluetooth functionality before taking the plunge. A solid set of headphones that come highly recommended.
Read the full Sony WH-1000XM5 review
Best comfort
✅ Buy for comfort and sound: These are a great headphone pick if you're into prog epics as they're comfortable for long listening sessions.
❌ Avoid if you want noise cancelling: The Shure SRH1540 sound great, but there's no noise cancelling included.
Sometimes I just want to settle in with a few favourite albums back-to-back, and that’s where a pair of Shure SRH1540s enter the picture.
Light, spacious and supremely comfortable thanks to their Alcantara pads, these headphones won’t aggravate you even after a marathon prog-style listening session. That’s a really good thing as sound-wise, they supply the goods in some style.
The SRH1540s are texturally literate and open to new things, laying bare the intricacies of a wide range of styles through propulsive bass and an expressive overall presentation.
Read the full Shure SRH1540 review
Best mid-range
✅ Buy if you want punchy bass: Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z deliver pounding bass without sacrificing audio quality.
❌ Avoid if you want premium looks: These are not a bad looking pair of headphones, but the amount of plastic might put some off.
Audio-Technica have been reliable contributors to the world of vinyl fandom for years now thanks to their wide variety of excellent tunrtables, and their range of headphones only underlines that pedigree.
Landing around the midway point in their price range, these ATH-A1000Z headphones are lightweight, comfortable and engineered to deliver a wide-ranging, fun listening experience.
I found they offered a sense of scope, with punchy bass operating in tandem with great audio clarity that helped to bring out the best in each musical component. They might be up there in price, but the ATH-A1000Z should definitely be part of the conversation if you’re looking to take the next step and own a pair of the best headphones for vinyl.
And speaking of their record players, check out our pick of the best Audio-Technica turntables you can buy right now.
Best for detail
✅ Buy if you want crisp, detailed sound: Don't discount these Beyerdynamic headphones because of their open-back design - they sound fantastic.
❌ Avoid if you want to minimise sound leakage: Anyone else in the room will be treated to second-hand sound when the volume is cranked.
The Amiron headphones, from German audio equipment manufacturer Beyerdynamic, are a sumptuous option for anyone looking at a mid-range upgrade. If your budget can stretch, these are the best headphones for vinyl right now.
They’re open-backed, offering the usual sense of space, but can handle all sorts of sonic mayhem if asked to. Balancing detailed treble and mid-ranges with bass that does exactly what’s needed, they’re a great utility player.
And, adding to that, they’re comfortable and boast clean, slick design choices that drive home the idea that they’re a high-end choice. There's also a wireless version available, so a Bluetooth connection with your particular turntable is a must.
Read the full Beyerdynamic Amiron review
Best high-end
✅ Buy if you've won the lottery: These headphones are super expensive, but deliver the kind of audio quality you'd expect with an outrageous price tag.
❌ Avoid if you want bang for your buck: The eye-watering price takes the Dan Clark Audio Ether 2 out of the reach of most of us - and you can get awesome headphones for a fraction of the price.
Designed and crafted in San Diego, California, the Ether 2 is an exercise in assembling the best vinyl headphones for audiophiles possible with a price tag to match.
Comprising interlocking metal and carbon fibre elements, these things are extremely light (the Dan Clark team boast that they’re 90 grams lighter than other models in the Ether Flow range) and very stylish in their industrial chic way.
The sound is designed to be open and responsive, reacting to the dynamic requirements of a wide range of styles. If you’ve got the cash and are seeking something high-end, then these lovingly designed headphones might be the perfect fit for you.
Buying advice
How do I choose the best headphones for vinyl?
While added features have their place, the most important factor when choosing the best headphones for vinyl is the sound they produce. Skimping on sound quality will only ruin your record-listening experience, sell your record collection short, it will also render the high-fidelity world of vinyl almost completely pointless.
Normal in-ear headphones, while brilliant in many situations – especially when using them out and about or for a gym session or two and also ideally suited for pairing with a phone for music – won’t be able to offer the sheer audio muscle you’ll need to enjoy every inch of your records. That’s why my roundup of headphones for vinyl and turntables is led by sound first and foremost, and then by features and style.
Weigh up whether on-ear (which generally emphasise mid-range tones) or over-ears (prioritising the low-end) are your ideal style, both sonically and in terms of comfort, and also if open-backed (which add a sense of space, allowing some sound to bleed which isn't great for fellow passengers on a train journey) or closed-backed (which tend to emphasise bass, and offer some basic noise cancellation) are your bag.
Who makes the best headphones for vinyl?
In the world of vinyl, headphones are employed to allow deep, meaningful access to the music in a solitary fashion, so they need to pass muster. The best headphones for vinyl use are made by brands including Sony, Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser, all of which offer headphones catering to every budget and musical preference. You want bass? You got it. You want wide-open prog sonics? You've got that in spades too.
It’s also worth remembering that technology is having an increasingly sizeable say in the vinyl market, and headphones space isn’t immune. There are Bluetooth turntables that can be paired with Bluetooth headphones for maximum wire-free convenience, for example. But just remember this is a lossy, digital format that will take just a little of this shine off your warm vinyl experience.
Active noise cancelling has also been a major selling point with headphones for some time now and it just keeps getting better. If you want even more immersion in your music, choosing vinyl headphones with noise cancelling could be a way to go as with this tech in place, the outside world will fade away, leaving just you to relax with your wax.
How do you use headphones with a turntable?
In the majority of cases, you won’t be able to plug your headphones straight into your record player, but there are a few ways to connect the two. Your first option is to use a headphone amplifier to drive more detailed sound your headphones, in addition to a phono preamp to boost your record player’s output to line level.
In a nutshell, there are two main types of headphone amp: dedicated headphone amps, and integrated amps with headphone output. The former have just one job on their hands, so the sound quality is often superior, making it the best choice for audiophiles.
Integrated amps with a built-in headphone amp usually have a jack on the front for you to connect your headphones. Integrated amps are also popular among people who listen to music from a few different sound sources. Either of these will help you get the most from any of the best headphones for vinyl featured above.
Another option is to use a Bluetooth turntable or Bluetooth transmitter with Bluetooth-enabled headphones. Keep in mind that Bluetooth will digitise vinyl’s analog sound, so it won’t sound as good.
How do I choose the right set-up for vinyl listening?
Speakers are great for when you want to play your records loud and don’t need to hear every little nuance of each song, but when you want a more intimate listening session and want to avoid the wrath of your neighbours or family members, then only a good pair of headphones for vinyl will do. Speakers have to be positioned correctly for optimum sound too, which means a lot more messing around to find the perfect position to enjoy your record collection. You have no such worries with vinyl-friendly headphones, as you simply connect them to your turntable and you're ready to go.
A good pair of headphones for vinyl will also reveal extra layers to old songs that you may not have picked up on before. When choosing a new pair of headphones, you have a few choices to make, namely, on-ears or over-ears, and closed-back or open-back designs.
Over-ear headphones are designed to replicate the sound of a speaker more easily. They position the drivers further from the ear, thus creating a more natural sound. Though the comfier of the two, they are much larger than other types of headphones and won’t appeal to those who want a sleeker look.
On-ear headphones focus the sound directly into your ears, so it’s less natural. Due to the constant pressure they place directly on your ears, they can feel uncomfortable during longer listening periods. They can also be problematic if you wear glasses as the legs can be pushed into the side of your head which, while bearable for short listening sessions, simply isn't great if you want a more chilled-out experience.
The other choice you’ll need to make when buying the best headphones for vinyl is whether you go with an open-back or closed-back design. Many open-back headphones have a grill on the outside, through which air passes to the internal speaker elements. The sound is therefore freer and more natural, but the very obvious downside is sound bleed - anyone sitting near you will hear exactly what you’re listening to.
Closed-back headphones are fully contained, with no exposed elements. The sound bleed is therefore greatly reduced, so you won’t annoy anyone else in the living room if you’re listening to your vinyl collection on your headphones. Again, the sound is directed into your ear, making it less natural than with open-back headphones, but luxury closed-back headphones more than make up for this with superior sound.
In an ideal world, the best headphones for vinyl are open-back over-ears, but where you regularly listen to your record collection, who else is in the room, and your budget are all major factors to keep in mind.
How we test
When accessing headphones to partner with a vinyl turntable, specific criteria apply, depending on the type of record deck you’re likely to own.
Increasingly, modern turntables are arriving with Bluetooth on board. Models like the Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT, Pro-Ject Essential III and Sony PS-LX310BT are three of Louder's favourites. These record decks can be paired with Bluetooth speakers and Bluetooth wireless headphones, as they behave like any other music source.
Consequently, all the usual Bluetooth headphone buying criteria still applies - specifically battery life (how much playtime do they offer?), comfort (are they light enough to wear for extended periods?) as well as general kickass musicality.
If a turntable isn’t Bluetooth enabled and you’re opting to run it through a separate headphone amplifier, then your choice of headphones is likely to be wired and audiophile-centric.
Attributes that make a pair of headphones particularly suited to vinyl include their ability to convey the warm tonality often associated with records. We want to hear an openness to Lzzy Hale’s vocals, and a lack of splashy sibilance when it comes to treble reproduction. Ideally they should sound as smooth as Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford’s pate.
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You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.
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