Wired headphones come in three kinds: closed over ear studio monitors, on ear headphones and in ear earphones. This page compares six that Australians can buy, using the listing facts, the rating and the number of ratings behind it. Start with the section for the kind you want, then use the buying guide at the end.
Every pick connects by cable, so none needs pairing. Jacks, cord length and whether there is a microphone differ a lot, and those are the details that decide most purchases.
Best overall: Sony MDR7506
Best overall: the Sony MDR7506, because it is a closed ear professional headphone with 40mm drivers, folds into a soft case and holds 4.7 stars from more than 27,000 ratings.
The listing describes neodymium magnets and 40mm drivers, a closed ear design for reduction of external noises, and a frequency response of 10Hz to 20 kHz. The cord is about 299 cm and ends in a gold plated plug, with an adapter for a 6.35mm plug included. The listing says it folds up for storage or travel in the provided soft case. It has 4.7 stars from 27,519 ratings, the highest rating on this page.
It suits anyone who wants one wired headphone for music, editing and listening at a desk. The honest catch: the cord is not detachable, there is no microphone in the listing, and it is the dearest pick on this page.
Best cheap in ear: JBL C50HI
Best cheap in ear: the JBL C50HI, because it is a lightweight wired earphone with bass sound and a one button remote with microphone, and it has the most ratings of any pick here.
The listing describes three sizes of ear tips (S, M and L), a one button universal remote with mic, noise isolation, high clean bass and a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. It uses a 3.5mm jack. It holds 4.4 stars from 114,323 ratings, the biggest count of the six.
It suits a spare pair for the bag, the gym bag or a student, and anyone who wants a microphone for calls. The honest catch: it is a basic earphone and the lowest priced pick here, so choose a studio pick if you want more detail.
Best studio value: Audio-Technica ATH-M30X
Best studio value: the Audio-Technica ATH-M30X, because it is a monitor headphone with 40 mm drivers that holds 4.6 stars from more than 12,000 ratings at a lower price than the Sony.
The listing describes advanced build quality and engineering, a tuning for enhanced detail with excellent mid range definition, and 40 mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper clad aluminium wire voice coils. A circumaural design contours around the ears for sound isolation in loud environments. It has 4.6 stars from 12,312 ratings.
It suits people who want the monitor headphone style for editing, practice or listening at a desk without paying for the Sony. The honest catch: the listing does not mention a microphone or a remote, and it does not describe a folding design.
Best budget for studio and DJ use: OneOdio Pro-10
Best budget for studio and DJ use: the OneOdio Pro-10, because it is a wired over ear monitor and mixing headphone with 50mm drivers and both 3.5mm and 6.35mm jacks.
The listing describes 50 millimetre drivers with neodymium magnets, soft padded ear cushions, an adjustable stretchable headband and 90 degree swivelling ear cups for single ear monitoring. A DJ style cord of about 299 cm comes with a 6.35mm plug and a 3.5mm plug, both detachable. It works with all devices that have a 3.5 or 6.35mm audio jack, and it holds 4.4 stars from 72,207 ratings.
It suits home recording, mixing, DJ practice and long sessions at a keyboard or amp. The honest catch: its rating of 4.4 is below the 4.6 and 4.7 of the two studio picks above.
Best on ear: JBL Tune 500
Best on ear: the JBL Tune 500, because it is a lightweight foldable wired headphone with a flat tangle free cable and a one button remote with mic.
The listing describes JBL Pure Bass sound, a one button remote and mic, a lightweight and foldable design, a tangle free flat cable and the option to ask Siri or Google Now. It has 4.4 stars from 11,075 ratings.
It suits commuters and students who want a headphone that folds down and can take calls. The honest catch: it is an on ear design, so the cups sit on the ears, and the listing says nothing about comfort over long sessions.
Best in ear for calls and music: JBL Tune 110
Best in ear for calls and music: the JBL Tune 110, because it is a wired earphone with a one button remote, microphone and flat tangle free cable, backed by almost 39,000 ratings.
The listing describes Pure Bass sound, a one button remote with microphone to control playback and answer calls, and a flat cable that is described as durable and tangle free. Technical details given are a 3.5mm plug, a 9mm dynamic driver and a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz. The box includes ear tips (S, M and L) and a warning card. It has 4.3 stars from 38,970 ratings.
It suits anyone who wants earphones for the phone and the headphone jack on a laptop. The honest catch: it is rated 4.3, a little lower than the other picks.
How to choose wired headphones
Over ear, on ear or in ear
Over ear cups, like the Sony, Audio-Technica and OneOdio, go around the ears. On ear cups, like the JBL Tune 500, sit on them. In ear earphones, the JBL C50HI and Tune 110, sit in the ear with ear tips in three sizes. Pick the style you will actually wear, then compare ratings inside it.
Studio monitor or everyday listening
The Sony, Audio-Technica and OneOdio are sold as studio or monitor headphones. The JBL models are sold with a one button remote and a mic. If you take calls or use a phone, the JBL range suits better. If you edit, record or mix, a monitor headphone is the better fit.
Microphone and remote
Only the three JBL listings mention a microphone, and each has a one button remote. That makes them the picks for calls. The studio picks leave it out, so pair them with a separate microphone if you need one. Our USB microphone guide covers that.
Jacks and adapters
Laptops and older phones use a 3.5mm jack, while studio gear and amps often use 6.35mm. The OneOdio includes both plugs and the Sony lists an adapter for a 6.35mm plug. The JBL Tune 110 lists a 3.5mm plug. Match the plug to the port before you buy.
Cord length and detachable cables
The Sony and the OneOdio each list a cord of about 299 cm, long enough to reach from a desk to a TV or stereo. The OneOdio cords detach, while the Sony cord does not. The JBL Tune 500 and Tune 110 use a flat tangle free cable.
Noise isolation and noise cancelling
Wired headphones isolate with their shape, not with electronics. The Sony describes a closed ear design, the Audio-Technica a circumaural design and the JBL C50HI noise isolation. For powered noise cancelling, see our noise cancelling headphones guide.
Ratings and counts
Every pick here is rated 4.3 or higher from more than 11,000 ratings. The Sony leads at 4.7, the Audio-Technica follows at 4.6, and the JBL C50HI has the biggest count at over 114,000. If you would rather skip the cord, our wireless earbuds guide compares cordless options.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best wired headphones for music?
The Sony MDR7506 is our pick for music at home: the listing gives a frequency response of 10Hz to 20 kHz, 40mm drivers and neodymium magnets. The Audio-Technica ATH-M30X is the cheaper alternative, with a listing that says it is tuned for enhanced detail with excellent mid range definition.
Which wired headphones have a microphone?
The JBL C50HI, JBL Tune 500 and JBL Tune 110 all list a one button remote with a microphone, so you can control playback and take calls. The Sony MDR7506, Audio-Technica ATH-M30X and OneOdio Pro-10 listings do not mention a microphone, and their listings describe professional, monitor and DJ headphones.
What are the best wired in ear headphones?
The JBL C50HI is the best cheap in ear pair here, with three sizes of ear tips and the most ratings of any pick. The JBL Tune 110 adds a flat tangle free cable, a 3.5mm plug and a remote with microphone, and is the better choice for calls and music.
What are the best wired over ear headphones?
The Sony MDR7506 is the best over ear pair on this page, with a closed ear design and a cord that is not detachable. The Audio-Technica ATH-M30X and OneOdio Pro-10 are the other two. The OneOdio has detachable cords and swivelling ear cups, so it suits DJ and mixing use.
What are good cheap wired headphones?
The JBL C50HI is the lowest priced pick here and the most rated wired headphone, at 4.4 stars from more than 114,000 ratings. The JBL Tune 110 is the next cheapest and has 4.3 stars from nearly 39,000 ratings. Both are in ear, so they are basic compared with the studio picks.
Are there good wired headphones for gaming?
None of these six is sold as a gaming headset. The JBL Tune 500 has a one button remote with mic, and the OneOdio Pro-10 lists a long DJ style cord that reaches from the TV or stereo to your chair. For a headset with a boom microphone, see our gaming headset guide.
What are the best wired headphones for audiophiles?
We rate listings, not sound, so we cannot rank sound quality. The Sony MDR7506 (4.7 stars from more than 27,000 ratings) and Audio-Technica ATH-M30X (4.6 stars from more than 12,000 ratings) are the two studio monitor picks here, and the top rated of the six.
Are there wired noise cancelling headphones here?
None of these picks is described as active noise cancelling. The Sony MDR7506 listing describes a closed ear design for reduction of external noises, the Audio-Technica ATH-M30X a circumaural design for sound isolation, and the JBL C50HI noise isolation. Our noise cancelling headphones guide covers the powered options.
Do these wired headphones work with USB C or Lightning phones?
Not without an adapter: none of the six is a USB C or Lightning headphone. The JBL C50HI and Tune 110 listings give a 3.5mm plug, the OneOdio Pro-10 includes a 3.5mm and a 6.35mm plug, and the Sony MDR7506 includes a 6.35mm adapter. For a phone with no headphone socket, add the adapter for its port or go wireless.
