To find the best DJ headphones available, we began researching the factors that matter most, including each pair of headphones’ overall sound quality, comfort, included cables, and sound isolation. We’ll find the perfect headphones to DJ your next big event — headphones that sport excellent sound quality as well as comfy. Additionally, we’ll help to make sure that everything you need to start is in the box, and that your product is backed by a strong brand promise, so you stay protected if anything goes wrong. If you’re interested in some wireless headphones for stereo listening, then read our best headphones guide.
Based on our research, we found Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones to be our top pick for the best DJ headphones. Audio-Technica’s professional ATH-M50X headphones contain large 45-millimeter drivers that help to deliver acclaimed sonic performance and an extended frequency response of 15-28,000 Hz. The circumaural design contours help to isolate sound, while also providing comfort. Best of all, the entire package is protected by Audio-Technica’s two-year brand promise. Although, compare studio vs audiophile headphones first before you decide on these. Keep reading to find the best DJ headphones.
Top 6 Best DJ Headphones
#1 Audio Technica ATH-M50X DJ Headphones
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Audio Technica delivers top-tier audio performance with large 45mm drivers and a wide frequency response of 15-28,000 Hz; Audio Technica also throws in features DJs care about including two detachable cables and 90-degree swiveling headphones. With all these great features, they could be the best headphones for a guitar amp.
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- Large 45mm headphone drivers
- Wide 15-28,000 Hz frequency range
- Detachable cables & swiveling design
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- Not the best construction
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For DJs that need reliable audio performance, Audio Technica delivers with the ATH-M50X Professional Studio Monitor Headphones. The M50X headphones make our selection for the top DJ headphones due to their excellent sound quality and wide frequency range of 15-28,000 Hz, all backed by 45mm large-aperture drivers made from rare earth magnets.
Related: Check out our best lightning cable headphones.
We also love the inclusion of two detachable cables, one coiled and one straight, so you can pick what works best for you. The 90-degree headphone ear-cup design also allows DJs to jump into one-ear monitoring. The only thing we weren’t crazy about is the construction; it isn’t bad, but the quality could be a bit higher for our liking. Remember to get the right gear for the right job. The best headphones for TV won’t be the same for DJing.
#2 OneOdio Pro-10 DJ Headphones
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Relatively unknown company OneOdio, jumps into the spotlight with their DJ headphones; they offer superior sound quality with large 50mm drivers and an adjustable, yet comfortable, design.
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- Best on a budget
- Powerful bass response
- Share music with others
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- Cord is shorter than expected
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You might start by asking, who is OneOdio? This quite unknown company is one that you might not have heard of, but it is one that you should definitely take note of moving forward. The company’s Pro-10 headphones provide great sound at a killer price. The extra-large 50mm drivers with neodymium magnets help to produce sound with powerful bass. The entire headset can also be folded down and collapsed for easy transport in your bag between events. But, for headphones with even simpler transport, you’ll want to check out our comparison of the Bose Sport Earbuds vs the Bose Soundsport Free.
Sporting standard DJ functionality, such as single-side monitoring, this package does the extra mile with cords designed for both 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone jacks. These headphones even include a built-in cable microphone, making them one of the only DJ headphones with mic support. You can also daisy-chain the headphones and share music with others. The only factor we don’t love is that the included cord is a bit shorter than the stated 9.8-feet. This is more sophisticated than the best kids headphones.
#3 Audio-Technica ATH-M20X DJ Headphones
Award: BEST AUDIO RESPONSE
WHY WE LIKE IT: These inexpensive Audio-Technica headphones deliver a great audio response thanks to their 40mm drivers and custom tuning for enhanced low-frequency performance; all aimed specifically at tracking and mixing.
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- Solid sound isolating over-ear design
- Includes near 10-foot cable
- Enhanced for low frequencies
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- Cable isn’t detachable
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While Audio-Technica’s M50X headphones made our top pick, the company’s M20X option isn’t far behind. These headphones from Audio-Technica are a more affordable version. Still, they include some of the same great features, including the company’s flat audio response with enhanced low frequencies — great for monitoring audio. The over-ear cup design helps with sound isolation, and the included cable reaches nearly 10-feet.
The frequency range perfectly covers the human ear from 15-20,000 Hz so that you won’t miss out on any beats. The one thing we weren’t crazy about on the M20X headphones is the non-removable headphone cable that some might find a bit of an annoyance. You may also want to try out the best on-ear headphones.
#4 Status Audio CB-1 DJ Headphones
Award: MOST STYLISH
WHY WE LIKE IT: Style meets performance with these Status Audio headphones; they feature large 50mm drivers with an expansive soundstage, as well as a well-padded headband and overstuffed ear pads for extra comfort.
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- Expansive soundstage performance
- Slim & easily portable construction
- Minimal, black & gold design
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- Price seems too good to be true
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The Status Audio CB-1 headphones have everything you might want from an excellent pair of DJ headphones. Not only do the CB-1 headphones shine with a large audio frequency range and an expansive soundstage, but they look great too. With a slim and easily portable construction, these headphones sport a minimal, black & gold design that will look great when you’re on stage performing or in the studio mixing.
Status even includes extremely comfortable overstuffed ear pads and multiple cables, one coiled and one straight, in the box. Compare these to the best over-ear headphones.
#5 Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 32 DJ Headphones
Award: BEST FOR PROLONGED USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you are afraid of your ears or head getting uncomfortable after long periods of use, these Beyerdynamic headphones are your savior. The soft, circumaural velour ear pads and soft padded adjustable headband, allow you to listen for hours.
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- Very comfortable velour ear pads
- Adjustable padded headband
- Available in multiple Ohm ratings
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- Short cable length
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Putting on the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 32 headphones is akin to stepping onto cloud 9, as the soft velour ear pads cushion the sides of your head and the padded adjustable headband, keeping everything secure, yet comfortable. Best of all, comfort doesn’t sacrifice quality, as the DT 770 series offers exceptional reference capabilities, especially on the low end. Multiple Ohm options mean you can pick headphones best powered by your mobile device, studio console, or high-end electronics, making them the best headphones for radio DJs
The only caveat we had with the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 32 DJ headphones is the short, non-detachable cable. The cable on these headphones comes in at 1.6m and can’t be removed; however, a small extension cable can easily solve the problem. If you want to have tunes while working out, try the best headphones for working out.
#6 Pioneer HDJ-X10-K Professional DJ Headphones
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: These professional DJ headphones from Pioneer deceiver with superb quality and a refined design. With strong metal connections and a nano-coated polyurethane leather ear pad, Pioneer shines in both audio and construction quality.
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- Flagship model ensures the best sonics and comfort
- Nano-coated leather ear pads
- Includes flat carry case
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- Proprietary cable connection
- On the more expensive side
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For those who want both top-notch sound and build quality, the Pioneer HDJ-X10-K stands tall as the perfect option for DJs. These headphones can stand up to severe conditions and heavy use thanks to their inclusion of durable metal parts for robust connections. Each polyurethane leather earpad and the headband cushion, feature a nano-coating that is resistant to both dirt and seat. While these sit on the ears, they’re nothing like the top bone conduction headphones that distribute sound through the bones in the head. Wild, right?
An insanely great 5-40,000 Hz response range means you’ll be listening to the slightest pin drop thanks to the driver’s bass reflex chambers. For more info on driver size, you’ll want to check out our info article about the meaning of headphone driver size. The HDJ-X10-K headphones are on the more expensive side, and it is worth noting that they use a proprietary cable, meaning if you lose it, you’ll need to purchase another one directly from Pioneer.
How We Decided
When looking for the best DJ headphones on the market, we established a set of factors that make headphones excellent, including the overall sound quality, comfort, included cables, and sound isolation. We then set up a collection of criteria, ensuring that the headphones we feature in this guide are only the best options. No matter what selection you pick, we know you’ll choose a great DJ headphone option.
When it comes to overall sound quality, we looked at the frequency ranges of each device, as well as any tuning done for low-end and high-end performance. In general, we selected headphones that can reproduce minimum low frequencies of 20 Hz and high frequencies of 20,000 Hz; this covers the entire human hearing spectrum. We also made sure that all headphones we selected are closed-back to help isolate the DJ from surrounding noise. For comfort, we ensured each headphone offered padded ear pads and headbands, with research that pointed to positive user comfort experiences.
The included cables help define how you will use your product, and we made sure that all headphones that had detachable cables included at least one, if not two, options in the box for usage. On headphones with built-in cables, we ensured they stretched to at least 1.6 meters.
Best DJ Headphones Buyer’s Guide
Features
- Sound Quality: When researching sound quality, reference the given frequency range, but also take time to explore reviews and buyer’s guides, such as the one you are reading now from your friends at Gadget Review. A frequency range gives you an excellent point to start, ensuring that the human hearing range is covered from 20-20,000 Hz; however, first-hand experience is the only way to rate quality truly.
- Comfort: As a DJ, you are going to be wearing your headphones for long periods. As a result, you should seek out comfortable headphones that place focus on the materials used for the headband and ear pads. Materials such as velour and soft leather, help to create a more comfortable experience than standalone thin pads.
- Sound Isolation: Seek out options that are closed-back; this means that the back of the headphones isn’t open to outside noises. Open-back headphones can be great for sound quality, but they let in too much sound for a DJ on stage, who might want to isolate what he can hear during their performance.
- Included Cables: Ideally, you’ll want to purchase headphones with a detachable cable, so if it gets damaged, you aren’t out an entire pair of headphones. However, if you are buying headphones with an attached cord, ensure it is long enough for your work. Lastly, ensure the connector is the correct size for your device or console — either 3.5mm or 6.25mm.
