TOP 16 best wired headphones: 2021 rating and which model to choose for your phone

Rating of the TOP 16 best wired headphones of 2021

Top 10 rating according to KP

Editor's Choice

Marshall Major III Bluetooth (average price 9,500 rubles)

Marshall Major III Bluetooth.
Photo: Marshall Our selection opens with Marshall Major III Bluetooth . Classic design. Convenient folding design that allows you to take the gadget with you on trips. Soft ear pads block out external sounds well.

Main characteristics:

• Invoices
• Dynamic
• Codec support: aptX
• Sensitivity 97 dB
• Weight 178 g

Folding design, Bluetooth, operating time 30 hours

Weak sensitivity of the built-in microphone, unusual control joystick

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Beats Solo3 Wireless (average price 11,490 rubles)

Beats Solo3 Wireless. Photo: Beats

Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones . Thanks to precise tuning of the speaker system, the user hears the clear sound of the composition without defects. This gadget is also convenient for transportation, as its cups fold. In addition, they support voice control. However, some functions can only be used using the joystick located on the body.

Main characteristics:

• Invoices, closed
• Bluetooth
• Dynamic
• Operating time 40 h
• Sensitivity 110 dB
• Impedance 32 Ohm
• Mini jack 3.5 mm connector with detachable cable
• Foldable design
• Weight 215 g.

The updated Solo with the W1 processor makes it as easy as possible to connect to iOS products. They can also work autonomously for a longer period of time.

High sound quality, ability to work in a discharged state via a cable, excellent design.

They turn off at severe subzero temperatures; for some users, the shape of the headphones causes discomfort

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JBL Tune 750BTNC (average price 3,740 rubles)

JBL Tune 750BTNC. Photo: JBL

The third position was taken by the model of the American manufacturer JBL Tune 750BTNC . It features powerful JBL Pure Bass sound. This gadget can work for 15 hours without recharging. It only takes 2 hours to recharge. These on-ear headphones come in four different colors. Thanks to this, each buyer can choose a model to suit their style.

Main characteristics:

• Invoices
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Bluetooth 4.2
• Dynamic
• Operating time 15 hours
• Mini jack 3.5 mm connector with detachable cable
• Foldable design
• Weight 220 g.

Value for money, good noise insulation, organic design

The design of the headband is not suitable for everyone, the included cable does not support the microphone, there are complaints about the sound quality

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What other on-ear headphones are worth paying attention to?

Audio-Technica ATH-SR30BT (average price 5,499 rubles)

Audio-Technica ATH-SR30BT. Photo: Audio-Technica

Next on the list is the Audio-Technica ATH-SR30BT . This device only supports wireless connection type. Bluetooth 5.0 is used for this. The greatest interest in this gadget is its battery. On-ear headphones can work for 70 hours without recharging. Experts also note the high sound quality.

Main characteristics:

• Invoices, closed
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Dynamic
• Operating time 70 h
• Codec support: AAC
• Sensitivity 99 dB
• Impedance 32 Ohm
• Foldable design
• Weight 193 g

Duration of operation, good connection via Bluetooth, high quality of materials from which the model is made

Short charging cable, no connector for wired connection, poor microphone

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Jabra Elite 85h (average price 14,990 rubles)

Jabra Elite 85h. Photo: Jabra

The Jabra Elite 85h over-ear headphones took pride of place in our ranking . The wireless device with noise-canceling function features a modern design. The gadget also allows you to independently configure music playback settings in accordance with your preferences and enjoy the clear sound of music with specially designed speakers.

Main characteristics:

• Invoices
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Dynamic
• Operating time 36 h
• Codec support: AAC

Comfortable fit, interesting design, moisture protection

Instability of connection to some smartphones, average noise reduction function

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Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless (average price 33,500 rubles)

Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless. Photo: Beyerdynamic

The most expensive model of on-ear headphones in our top Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireles s. High sound quality in this gadget was achieved thanks to Tesla technology. These headphones also feature touch controls via a panel on the outside of the speaker. It only takes two hours to fully charge the battery.

Main characteristics:

• Invoices, closed
• Bluetooth 4.2
• Dynamic
• Operating time 30 h
• Codec support: AAC, aptX, aptX HD
• Sensitivity 105 dB
• Impedance 32 Ohm
• Mini jack 3.5 mm connector with detachable cable
• Foldable design
• Weight 238 g

Original design, touch control, excellent sound quality

Poor quality plastic fastening of the guides, the microphone only works when connected wirelessly

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Adidas RPT-01 (average price 6,440 rubles)

Adidas RPT-01. Photo: Adidas

This gadget was created thanks to the collaboration of the sportswear brand Adidas and the Swedish company Zound Industries. Thanks to this collaboration, stylish on-ear headphones with high sound quality were born. They were originally intended for sports training. However, many people use them in everyday life.

Main characteristics:

• Invoices, closed
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Dynamic
• Operating time 40 h
• Water protection
• Weight 209 g

Convenient control joystick, stylish appearance, comfortable head

Heavy weight, average sound insulation

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Marshall Monitor II ANC (average price 24,990 rubles)

Marshall Monitor II ANC Photo: Marshall

These on-ear headphones have pretty good performance. However, the price for such pleasure is quite high. There is a headset function, an equalizer in the application, and a button to call a voice assistant. They didn’t forget about the sound - the flagship model sounds at the highest level.

Main characteristics:

• Invoices
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Dynamic
• Operating time 45 h
• Sensitivity 96 dB
• Impedance 32 Ohm
• Mini jack 3.5 mm connector with detachable cable
• Weight 320 g.

Stylish appearance, ease of operation, high sound quality

Price, average noise reduction of external sounds

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Mpow 059 (average price 2,790 rubles)

Mpow 059. Photo: Mpow

The most budget model on our list. However, it has a number of its advantages. These are closed-back over-ear headphones with passive noise isolation. Despite the seemingly bulky size, they sit on the head comfortably and comfortably. The ear pads completely cover the ears, which also provides isolation of external sounds.

Main characteristics:

• Invoices, closed
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Dynamic
• Operating time 13 hours
• Mini jack 3.5 mm connector with detachable cable
• Foldable design.

Low price, convenient design

Short operating time, simple design

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Tronsmart Encore S6 (average price 3,600 rubles)

Tronsmart Encore S6

The Tronsmart Encore S6 model closes our rating . This model has two operating modes - via Bluetooth and via cable. The gadget also has a built-in call answering function. Passive noise cancellation blocks out more than 80% of extraneous sounds.

Main characteristics:

• Full size
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Dynamic
• Operating time 24 hours
• Mini jack 3.5 mm connector with detachable cable

Low price, long operating time

Simple design, average sound quality

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How to choose?

In 2021, there is a huge range of each type of wired headphones on the market. They have different characteristics, purpose, design and size. Models differ in price and popularity. What should you pay attention to?

Main selection criteria:

• Depending on the type of headphones : open or closed. The first has a special mesh near the hole that transmits sound. The second one does not have such holes. If there is a sound conducting hole, the device has more advantages.
• Purpose of headphones . There is a classification: portable; domestic; sports; gaming; DJ; monitor Each type has its own characteristics, which the buyer needs to familiarize himself with before purchasing.
• Sound quality . The easiest way to evaluate this criterion is by ear. Advice - test the product before purchasing.
• Method of attaching headphones . Now there are 4 methods of fastening: classic, with self-adjusting, sliding or cast arms. One of the most popular is self-adjusting temples.
• Length, shape and quality of wire . The longer the cord, the more convenient it will be for the user to use the headphones. The shape is divided into round and flat. Flat is convenient because it does not get tangled.
• Volume control . Not a required feature, but its presence significantly increases the quality of use.

How to choose wired headphones

Headphones are a complex piece of technology, no matter how ridiculous it may seem at first glance. Here are just some of the features of the headphones: sensitivity, impedance, sound pressure, membrane diameter, driver technology and type, form factor, compatibility with any sound source, active noise reduction, passive noise isolation.

The average listener has no idea what each of the parameters is responsible for, and certainly does not know how they are interconnected. But to achieve good sound quality, you need to take into account the parameters of the sound source, i.e. in our case, the phone: the phone’s own amplifier resistance, power, distortion parameters, calculated headphone impedance, type of amplifier and DAC, and much more.

There are 4 main headphone form factors:

• Earbuds
• In-canal
• Invoices
• Full size

They differ from each other not only in appearance and method of putting them on, but also in the technologies used to create them.

In-ear headphones were the first of the miniature headphones, but they never became the best.

In-ear headphones are similar to earbuds, but differ in the way they fit in the ear and, most importantly, they have good passive noise isolation, which allows you to fully immerse yourself in the wonderful world of music.

The main difference is that all in-ear headphones have ear pads. Ear pads are a part that holds the headphones in the ear canal and completely covers it to create isolation from the outside world.

Over-ear headphone models are a compromise that should have significantly reduced the size of full-size headphones to an acceptable size for comfortable mobile use. This was partially successful, however, on-ear headphones have not only advantages, but also significant disadvantages.

Full-size headphones offer comfort, sound quality, and 3-in-1 design. But not all full-size headphones are comfortable for walking on the street.

Over-ear headphones may be a good phone fit, but even the smallest ones turn into monsters when it comes to mobile use.

Wired type of connecting headphones to the phone:

A wired connection is the easiest: if your phone has a 3.5mm audio jack, just plug in your headphones and they'll start working. There is no need to configure anything, press extra buttons or anything else.

If the headphones have a built-in microphone and remote control, they will also start working automatically. It is very comfortable.

But a wired connection has many technical parameters that you need to consider before purchasing headphones to ensure that they work well.

When connecting wired, there are many parameters to consider:

Pros and cons of a wired connection, taking into account the fact that you have chosen the headphones correctly and they are fully compatible with the phone in terms of technical parameters.

Pros:

• Instant connection, everything works immediately and always;
• Maximum sound quality;
• The microphone, if there is one in the headphones, works with maximum quality and without interference;
• Instant response of the phone to pressing buttons on the control panel, if there is one on the headphones;
• There is no need to monitor the headphone battery level.

Minuses:

• Before purchasing, you need to take into account all the technical parameters of the headphones and compare them with the parameters of the phone;
• The wire may not always be convenient; it may dangle and disturb you;
• You need to monitor the condition of the wire, and you should not bend the wire or put too much stress on it, it may simply break or be damaged inside.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity is a secondary indicator for headphones that will be used in conjunction with a phone.

Sensitivity is how loud the headphones will play. It seems that everything is easy, the higher the sensitivity, the louder the headphones play, but not everything is so simple.

The first thing you need to understand is that each manufacturer takes measurements differently. For example, companies like Sennheiser or AKG measure headphone volume at 1 kHz, while Beyerdynamic measures sensitivity at 500 Hz. Let's add here the fact that each headphone has its own frequency response graph.

You also need to take into account that measuring the volume of headphones at one frequency is not the same as how headphones will play real music at the same signal level from the amplifier. After all, when playing music, the driver needs to perform vibrations of a very different nature in order to reproduce both high and low frequencies at the same time. Therefore, the level of sensitivity of the headphones when actually listening to music will be quieter than when measuring this parameter with monotonous playback of a signal at one frequency.

Therefore, the “Sensitivity” parameter can be classified as secondary. Yes, it is interesting to look at it and only indirectly compare it with other headphones, but never rely on it as your main one, because... The headphones will sound different in reality than in the test lab.

Resistance

Impedance is the main parameter when choosing headphones; you should definitely pay attention to it.

Each headphones have their own resistance, which they transfer to a closed electrical circuit. Each amplifier also has its own resistance, even the one installed in the phone.

The resistance value must be indicated on the packaging with the headphones. Remember that the resistance should not exceed 32 Ohms, but it is also not advisable to drop below 16 Ohms.

Power

Power is a secondary consideration when choosing headphones for your phone; you can pay attention to it, but don’t put it at the forefront.

On many headphones, the manufacturer indicates the “Power” parameter. For in-ear headphones this could be 5 mW, or maybe 100 mW. What's better? At what headphone power setting will you hear the best sound?

There is no clear answer to this question, because, as in the case of sensitivity, each manufacturer measures power using its own patterns.

In general, the higher the power, the louder the headphones play. But we must take into account that we will listen to them on the phone, and the amplifier built into it is not very powerful. It is important to strike a balance so that the headphones do not demand too much from the amplifier, otherwise it will begin to overload and the sound will become simply terrible.

Suggested place to listen to music

Another thing to consider when choosing headphones is where you want to listen to them.

It’s one thing when you choose headphones for the office or home, it’s another thing if you want to listen to headphones during a fitness class or while walking.

Pay close attention to the form factor, imagine whether it will be comfortable for you to run in on-ear or full-size headphones; it is quite possible that in-ear models for running will be much better suited.

But for long-term listening to music in the office, comfortable full-size headphones may be better suited, even if connected to a phone.

Customer Reviews

Anna Svistunova

JBL C100SI

It's Jbl!!! We only use headphones from this company and we don’t use any others. Our whole family has headphones from this company (some people like wired ones, some like wireless ones). I always wear wired ones, because... I listen to the radio the old fashioned way through my phone, not through apps. The only fly in the ointment... when talking through them, the interlocutor is not particularly comfortable, a crackling sound is heard, but this does not cause any inconvenience to me, I calmly disconnect the headphones, speak and connect them again.

Evgeniy Shabashev

Sony MDR-EX155AP

I thought for a long time about which headphones to choose. I looked from the cheapest to the most expensive. I myself have always used full-size headphones and was skeptical about earplugs. These headphones didn't change my mind, but I really liked them. The sound in them is tolerable, quite deep (for the price), they overplay the bass a little and underplay the top, which I consider to be the norm for budget acoustics. What I liked most was how they fit in my ears. For me, vyakumki have always been a torment, because they flew out at the slightest pick and all I got from them was hassle. These ones hold tight, even in my small ears, an hour of running on the ellipse, and no problems. The headphones are one of the best in their price segment, if you don’t plan to buy headphones more expensive than 5,000, then there is no point in overpaying, you are unlikely to find better.

Alexander B.

Sennheiser HD 206

Initially, they press quite hard, but at the same time they jam the surroundings. You can bend the arm a little with your hands (lightly, not too hard), then they will stop pressing, and they will sit normally, but they will no longer dampen the surroundings. For some, the latter is a minus, but for me, a paranoid person, it’s a huge plus - no one will sneak up behind you unnoticed. The sound, considering the price, is quite normal. Please note that these are not headphones for 40 thousand, or even 5 thousand. The price is one and a half thousand. At the same time, previous similar models (out of production) served me for more than 5 years, and only because I could not find replacement ear pads for them.

Alexander K.

Marshall Mode EQ

I encountered this problem, I like the earphones, but the problem is with the sound, it involuntarily decreases when the wire with the microphone moves. (As I already understood, this is a problem with Xiaomi phones of modern years) I have a note 10pro, Android 10. As I decided, I installed the “button mapper”, tried to find the headphone microphone key separately, but still finds it as the volume_down key (25), which corresponds to the volume down rocker key. I only managed to block the “single press” volume control item. Everything seems to be working, but if you want to turn down the volume, you have to press (press) the rocker.

Anna

Sony MDR-XB50AP

My impressions: I read reviews here before purchasing, but decided to purchase. I realized that the issue of comfort and sound quality of headphones can only be decided individually. Until you try, you won't understand. Briefly: the sound is excellent and the shape is comfortable for my ears. Super headphones! Details: I had different models of headphones before (both cheap and expensive - up to 5.5 thousand rubles), but I can say with confidence that I liked these headphones. Just imagine, I turn on the same songs - my favorite ones, which I have listened to for many years, and I understand that I haven’t really heard even half of the musical elements and instruments that sound there. In fact, the entire playlist has a new sound, I’m getting to know my favorite artists again. Any headphones, especially when it comes to non-professional earbuds, will have drawbacks, but for me this turned out to be the best choice. I didn’t use a microphone—no need. I really hope they last a long time.

Kostya Mironovsky

Sony MDR-EX155AP

- a good microphone both outdoors and indoors when using both a PC and a phone - clear and balanced sound in all genres, which I’m used to (before there were the same ones, just without a microphone, they broke due to my carelessness in handling) - black color cool, but I took the ear pads from the previous ones, they seemed more comfortable than the new ones - I’ll separately note the cool packaging, in the box there will be another cardboard box, and in it there will be a bag with headphones and other things. And the boxes open and close well and are not torn. Yes, the boxes are also cool. Overall, I think they are the best headphones among wired and wireless ones, because sound quality comes first, otherwise what kind of wireless headphones are these that sound worse than these Sony ones for 1000 rubles?

Ekaterina S.

Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Basic

They fit like family in my sore ears (otitis media) and within a few hours my ears didn’t get tired, which rarely happens with any headphones. Sound. Excellent, clean. I heard more details in some of my favorite compositions. I last heard a similar sound in the Walkman headphones that came with the phone of the same name. I gave it to my husband, who has an ear for music, to listen to. Check it out. Naturally, the price. Cord length. Noise suppression. It is both a plus and a minus. You can't hear the TV at medium volume. However, I didn’t hear my son roaring either. I haven't checked it on the bus yet.

Panasonic RP-HT010GU-H

Panasonic RP-HT010GU-H

Take this money, you won't regret it. Let them even be like second headphones. I took 2 pairs 3 months ago. So far, none of them have broken, although children use their cell phones for school. I also buy from them, they are very convenient. If you sit in them all day, then you begin to feel them.

arny

Sony MDR-EX650AP

I was looking for good headphones “always with me”, I listen on the go (smartphone) and on a laptop (via FIIO Olympus/E10). They sound great. Before this I had the Sennheiser CX-300 ii (loud, but “hit” the ears, feeling of constant overload), Sennheiser IE 4 (I caught the drive with them, they sound better from the phone than from a stationary one, I lost them). I like the Sony mdr-ex650 better than the previous ones. I was looking at IE 4, but then I accidentally saw these, believed the good reviews, and now I’m crazy. There is a microphone effect from the jacket, with music turned on - OK. But the sound they produce is worth it. As a headset/control, the PowerAmp works great, I just installed the Smart Key from the play store.

Kristina D.

Sony MDR-XB50AP

I've been using it for almost 2 years, they've never let me down, they've never broken or stuttered, my ears are on fire. The sound is excellent, maybe not the lowest bass, but you can hear what they are singing about and what other instruments are playing. I used a medium size attachment, after a year and a half it started to come off on one ear and got lost. I put it in a larger size, now it’s not always convenient to insert it into the ear, but that’s my problem, such tips are not designed for the size of my ear) Regarding sound insulation, there are no complaints at all. While there is a pause between tracks, you can still hear the announcement of the next metro station, when the track is already playing, you can’t even hear the noise of the train. The ears were given as a birthday present, to be honest, for such quality I expected them to cost thousands 7) Apparently they saved money on me