Most popular headphones fall into three different categories: in-ear, over-ear, and on-ear. The last category — on-ear headphones — often gets overlooked because there aren’t any options with active noise cancellation. Not everyone wants to spend extra money on ANC, though, and there are plenty of benefits to the on-ear form factor. If you’re in search of the perfect on-ear headphones to suit your specific needs, the expert product reviewers at BGR have rounded up all the best options that are currently available.
Our top picks
- Best overall: Beats Solo 4
- Best budget on-ear headphones: JBL Tune 510BT
- Best for working out: JBL Live 400BT
- Best for gaming: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
- Best wired on-ear headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M60X
Now, let’s take a closer look at why we chose each pair of headphones.
1. Best overall: Beats Solo 4
Pros: Excellent sound quality, deep bass, long battery life, under $200
Cons: No active noise cancellation
Beats makes great headphones, and it has for years. As good as they are, however, you don’t typically find them at the top of any lists. When it comes to over-ear and in-ear headphones, there are so many options out there that top Beats in every category. But if you’re in search of on-ear headphones, nothing we’ve tested can top the new Beats Solo 4 headphones that were released in May 2024.
Beats Solo 4 offered the best overall sound quality we could find at a reasonable price point. As can be expected with any Beats headphones, this model shines extra bright when it comes to bass performance. Highs and mids are clean and clear as well.
In our extensive testing, Beats Solo 4 headphones were comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They’re lightweight, but they don’t feel too cheap.
Also important is battery life, and Beats really delivers on this front. Beats Solo 4 headphones will give you up to 50 hours of listening on a single charge. That means most people can likely go a week or even longer without having to worry about recharging their headphones.
As far as downsides, the only big one is that these headphones don’t have active noise cancelling. Needless to say, however, ANC isn’t very effective with the on-ear form factor, so it’s no surprise to see it omitted by Beats. If you want headphones with ANC, you can always check out the best noise-canceling headphones for the best options.
Check out our Beats Solo 4 review for more info on these great on-ear headphones.
2. Best budget on-ear headphones: JBL Tune 510BT
Pros: 40-hour battery life, on-headphone controls, support for Siri and Google Assistant
Cons: No active noise cancellation, may be difficult to connect to PC
JBL is another well-known name in the headphone world. While it has made a name for itself with options like the JBL Tour One, the company is also making strides with its more affordable options like the JBL Tune 510BT. Designed to work with both Android and iOS, this more affordable wireless headphone set comes with 40-hour battery life, on-headphone controls, and support for both Siri and Google Assistant.
By designing the headphones specifically for mobile devices, JBL has made it exceptionally easy to set up and start using. The sound profile onboard here is also great, especially for a set of cans in this price range. Of course, you’re not going to find the more expensive features like active noise cancellation including, but for this price, you really can’t expect it.
While there are no doubt other options within this price range, if you’re looking for a good set of budget-friendly on-ear headphones, JBL’s Tune 510BT delivers exceptional sound quality at a price you can’t beat. As if that wasn’t enough, the 40 hours of battery life is made even better thanks to fast charging technology, which lets you recharge five minutes for up to two additional hours of playtime.
3. Best on-ear headphones for working out: JBL Live 400BT
Pros: Tighter fit perfect for exercising, alternative wired connection, ambient aware feature
Cons: Might be too tight for some users, cheap look and feel
Another entry on our list from JBL, the Live 400BT headphones bring all the things you could have loved about the JBL Tune 510BT to another set of headphones perfect for those who want to jam out to their favorite songs while working out. Another affordable option on the list, these cans can often be found for under $60 despite the $100 retail price tag they typically carry.
Even at full price, though, that $100 gets you a great-sounding set of headphones, complete with a tight but comfortable fit for those who need something to stay on their heads while running or exercising. These also ship with support for ambient-aware mode, which lets you hear things going on around you to help ensure you’re safe while out and about.
They don’t have quite the battery life of the cheaper Tune 510BTs. However, with 24 hours of battery life, you aren’t going to run out of juice during your workout. Additionally, you can easily change things up with a 15-minute jaunt on the charger, which will give you another two hours of battery life. Finally, the built-in mic lets you talk to friends and family on the go, though it isn’t the highest-rated microphone you’ll ever find on a headset like this.
4. Best for gaming: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Pros: Wear-detection system, low-latency with Qualcomm APTX HD Audio
Cons: Expensive, low battery life
When it comes to wireless headphones, using them for gaming can often be rough. Not only do you have to worry about audio latency, but you also don’t want to have to worry about the battery on your headset going dead halfway through a match. While the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e won’t satiate those looking for long-lasting battery life, it does resolve one part of the equation: latency.
Thanks to the inclusion of Qualcomm’s APTX HD Audio, the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e make for a fantastic set of cans for those looking to do a little gaming on their Bluetooth-enabled devices. The low-latency audio means you’ll hear footsteps and other game noises as quickly as possible, something you just won’t get with a lot of other headsets out there.
The downside, of course, is the expensive price tag that’s associated with this set. Despite that, though, Bowers and Wilkins have delivered a great set of headphones that gamers will be more than happy to make use of when playing their favorite games. Of course, if you want a headset made specifically for gaming, then we suggest heading over to our guide on gaming headsets available right now.
5. Best wired on-ear headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M60X
Audio-Technica ATH-M60X On-Ear Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Pros: No battery life concerns, premium sound quality, interchangeable cable options
Cons: Cable may be too short for some users, not very portable
If you love on-ear headphones but aren’t really into wireless, then the Audio-Technica ATH-M60X is the perfect set of headphones for you. Without any wireless functionality, you won’t have to fuss over how long the battery lasts or whether or not you charged it up the night before. Instead, you just plug in your preferred cable option and run with it.
The wired connection also makes this a perfect addition for those who want to use these headphones with their computer, especially if they’re using a system that doesn’t support Bluetooth by default. Of course, price is a consideration here. But Audio-Technica’s history in the audio industry and the overall quality that these cans offer make them more than worth the price you’ll pay.
The cables might be a bit short for users who need cables that typically run six feet or so, but with three different options to choose from, it’s likely you can find one that works for you. What really makes the M60X shine, though, is how well it delivers the power and quality of more expensive headsets to a pair of cans that only cost $200. That might seem like a lot to pay for headphones, but in a market where you can spend upwards of thousands on high-fidelity options, Audio-Technica continues to deliver great performance and sound at a price that isn’t completely out of reach.
Why should you trust us?
Finding a good set of headphones can be tough, especially when you’re looking for a distinctive style, like on-ear headphones. Sure, you can find different brands and options around every corner of the big electronic stores and even online storefronts, but how do you know which sets are actually worth your time and money? That’s where we come in. We’ve put together a list of the best on-ear headphones available to help you sort through the junk and find a diamond worth taking home.
Of course, there are always some things you can keep an eye out for when looking for the best headphones. First, look for something that will fit you. If you have a smaller or larger head, you’re going to want something adjustable. This will help ensure you can wear the headphones comfortably. You’ll also want to decide whether you want wireless or wired. There are a lot of options for both, but not many pairs allow you to switch between the two options easily.
Some headphones also suffer from audio bleed, which means your audio might leak through, letting others head what you’re listening to. While this can be a concern in quiet environments, louder environments should cover things up pretty well. If you’re in a place where you don’t have to worry about bothering other people, it might be worth looking into one of the best Bluetooth speakers, instead.
In any case, the product reviewers here at BGR have been doing this for a long, long time. We know all the ins and outs of the industry, and we know what makes a great pair of on-ear headphones. We’ve tested dozens of different pairs of on-ear headphones, and all that knowledge and experience went into the recommended headphones we chose to feature in this guide.
