The best on-ear headphones in this guide are a great choice if you don't like the bulk of any of the best over-ear headphones – they're usually smaller and lighter. While over-ears designs dominate the market, you can still find a range of on-ear headphones to choose from made by the top names in audio tech, and we've chosen our favorites, based on our testing.
On-ear headphones have cushioned ear cups that sit on, rather than around, your ears. This means they're more compact than over-ears but still deliver a quality audio experience, and being smaller and lighter can make them ideal for commuting and even working out. The big question is comfort: some people can't stand on-ear headphones, and some prefer them. We can't help you know if they're right for you, but we can help you find the best pair!
We’ve reviewed many on-ear headphones over the years and this guide is packed with our top picks of the best on-ear headphones you can buy today. We've included some of the best cheap headphones to cater to those on a budget, as well as options that rank among the best wired headphones and best wireless headphones.
The Quick List
Our simple-to-browse list of the best on-ear headphones, categorised by the different needs they serve. See one you're interested in? Click to jump to more details about each model.
The best budget on-ear headphones
Well-balanced sound you can customize, multi-point pairing for device switching, and a strong 50-hour battery… these headphones are excellent value.
The best noise-cancelling on-ear headphones
It's not easy to get immersive ANC with on-ear headphones – they're just not built for it – but this pair do a solid job, sound good, and are lightweight.
The best wired on-ear headphones
Excellent audiophile sound in a comfortable and distinctive design that's wired and reliable – just be wary that they're open, so there'll be sound leakage in and out.
The best wireless audiophile on-ear headphones
Don't expect lots of features here, but these offer truly excellent sound quality in a wireless package. But again, they're open-back, so aren't good in noisy environments.
The best high-end wired on-ear headphones
A fantastic pair of wired headphones that deliver magnificent sonic performance from an unusual design that's open-back and incorporates sustainable hemp.
The best on-ear headphones for fashion
Other headphones in this list sound better, but Beats' design is iconic, and they're comfortable too. They're also packed with features, including spatial audio.
I've been testing and reporting on cutting-edge audio products since 2012, including the explosion of wireless headphones. I've tested many of the on-ear headphones in this list myself (along with a huge number of over-ear competitors), and I collaborated with our other reviewers and editors to craft our final recommendations and write this guide.
Recent updates
July 22, 2024
Fully overhauled this guide with new recommendations based on recent reviews and more up-to-date models. We also added a 'Quick list' to make it easier to find something to suit you.
The best on-ear headphones of 2024
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Below you'll find the full write-ups for each of the best on-ear headphones in this guide. We've tested each pair of headphones extensively, so our recommendations are based on real-world experience and plenty of hands-on time.
The best budget on-ear headphones
The Sony WH-CH520 are very well-priced, particular since you can regularly find them for far below their $60 / £60 / AU$99 asking price. They don't come with a ton of mod-cons at this price, but you get Sony's usual finely balanced sound profile, the ability to tweak the sound using Sony's app, and multi-point Bluetooth for easily switching between two devices.
In our review, we said: "The bass underpins things well, adding depth while staying controlled, and letting you have some fun with electronic or dance music. The mids are capable of letting vocals stretch their legs, and giving dense instrument mixes a chance to stand out, although obviously more detail is lost here than in higher-end models. And trebles elevate out of the mid-range well, feeling like they have enough room to breathe." Obviously, there are limits to how details and expansive they feel, but we said "though the sound here obviously isn't going to blow minds for the price, I could happily listen to it all day."
They're very light, generally comfortable to wear for long periods, and 50 hours of battery life only helps support that. It's frustrating that there's no 3.5mm jack for use on a plane, but they're a superb buy anyway.
Read our full Sony WH-CH520 review
The best noise cancelling on-ear headphones
It's not easy to create on-ear headphones that are capable of delivering good active noise cancellation. That's because ANC really needs a seal to work, and it's harder to achieve that with on-ears. But the JBL Tune 670NC do a decent job at noise-cancelling, bringing you a solid pair of headphones with reliable sound and excellent battery life too.
The JBL Tune 670NC have a bunch of features packed in, including adaptive ANC, Bluetooth 5.3 support, a fantastic app, multi-point Bluetooth, and up to 70 hours of battery, which is excellent compared to all of the other rivals in this guide.
Sound is solid, but not the best we've tested – we were a little disappointed by the weak bass – but happily there are a bunch of pre-set EQ modes in the accompanying app and ways to adjust the curve to your liking yourself. Active noise cancellation is also only fine, but it's our top pick because it'll suit most people, especially for the price.
We love the JBL Tune 670NC's super portable design. In our review we wrote that these headphones "are very slim and ideal if you prefer to travel light." They fold and bend in all sorts of ways, which means you can easily toss them into your bag. This is why we recommend them for students, they're easy to carry, light, last a long time and, although there are better options for sound, they deliver everything you need for a good price.
Read our full JBL Tune 670NC review
The best wired on-ear headphones
The Grado SR80x headphones are the latest version of the brand’s classic (and more expensive) designs. We found them comfortable to wear thanks to their padded ear cups. Their aesthetic is a little unusual, which is refreshing, but not enough to look weird when you're wearing them. They have an open-back design, which means there’s sound leakage in and out, which is bound to be off-putting to some but no bother to others, depending on where you plan to use them.
Their 44m dynamic drivers deliver a balanced, clear and detailed sound. It's a performance that'll make you genuinely enjoy using them, delivering a fantastic degree of dynamic range for the price, and the kind of expansiveness and natural rhythm that similarly affordable closed-back headphones can only dream of. During our testing, we were desperate to listen to our favorite tracks, noticing new details and levels of precision every time.
You’d usually have to pay more for a pair of audiophile-grade headphones like these, but they cost only $125 / £130 / AU$179. You'll have to make compromises, of course. There's no noise cancellation, and you'll need to make peace with a wired connection and sound leakage – but for home listening, they're absolutely our favorite option balancing sound with value.
Read our full Grado SR80x review
The best wireless audiophile on-ear headphones
The Grado GW100x are a very rare thing: a pair of open-back wireless headphones. These isn't a very popular option because people like using wireless headphones when out and about, and the sound leakage in and out is not exactly ideal for this – but if you want the freedom of wireless when at home or in quiet locations, and you want audiophile-pleasing music from on-ear headphones, they'll work very nicely.
The sound quality here is excellent. In our review we wrote: "the overall sonic balance is really well judged [...] the GW100x sound just as poised as they do potent." We noted that the lower frequencies have plenty of power but they're controlled and, at the opposite end, there's plenty of detail and natural, uncolored tonality. Being the open-backed means the expression and expansiveness of the sound is peerless – even if it does mean they leak sound in both directions.
The Grado GW100x use Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity, with SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive codec compatibility, and feature multi-point pairing. They’re equipped with big (44mm) full-range drivers from Grado’s latest ‘X’ series, and promise a frequency response of 20Hz - 20kHz.
Battery life is a reasonably impressive 46 hours, and these are comfortable enough to wear over long periods, at just 188g and with adjustable earcups. They're fairly plain and basic-looking, so if you want style, scroll down to the Beats option below.
Read our full Grado GW100x review
The best high-end wired on-ear headphones
The Grado Hemp do things differently. Like other Grado on-ear headphones in this list, they have a distinctive design and they're open-backed, so you need to accept some sound leakage. Also like the others, they deliver balanced and entertaining sound that easily makes them our top wired and high-end on-ear pick.
The first thing you're bound to notice about the Grado Hemp is their design. This pair of on-ear headphones have Grado's distinctive metal mesh aesthetic and metal headband, but they also have a wooden driver housing, which makes them look even more unique. It's easy to see why this design was initially only limited-edition and has now been rolled out more widely, because they really do stand out compared to rivals from other brands.
In our review we commented that although they might not look and feel like a pair of high-end headphones, they certainly sound high-end. We described the sound as "straightforwardly enjoyable to listen to" particularly focusing on the incredible soundstage they create, which we said is "spacious, well-organized and, most of all, big." We said that listening to a full symphony orchestra we could detect each and every instrument being given space as well as creating an expansive overall experience.
The Grado Hemp on-ears are light on features. There are 44mm dynamic drivers here and a reliable and chunky 177cm cable that you'll want to plug into a worthwhile source of music, rather than straight into the headphone socket of a laptop or smartphone. So if you want high-end features and a sleek design, look elsewhere. But if you're willing to try a more unusual choices that sounds fantastic, the Grado Hemp are a great option.
Read our full Grado Hemp review
The best on-ear headphones for fashion
The Beats Solo 4 are a stylish pair of on-ears with a distinctive Beats design, we're talking a streamlined aesthetic, a chunky headband and the Beats 'b' logo on the cups, as well as a choice of colors. It's easy to see why they're our top fashion pick for those who want their tech to work well and work well as an accessory.
However, the Solo 4 aren't just all style. There's substance here too, especially with a whole host of Apple and Android smart features, lossless wired playback via 3.5mm or USB-C, and a generous 50 hours of playback.
Sound quality was a little disappointing. In our review we commented that "bass is hit-and-miss" and there's not as much detail as we were expecting. That's not to say they sound bad, and many people will be mostly happy with what they hear, but go for a pair from Grado if sonic performance is a priority. What the Beats Solo 4 do get right is great passive noise isolation despite the fact there are no active noise cancellation profiles. External sounds are blocked out well, which helps to make the most of spatial audio, which is also impressive and why we'd also highly recommend these on-ears for movie lovers.
Value-wise, you'll find better sound for a cheaper price – though expect to see these with heavy discounts fairly regularly, because that's the Beats way these days. However, it's not all about audio bang-for-buck with Beats. You might be able to find better value, but here you'd be paying for the specific styling and the unique mix of convenient Android- and iOS-friendly features, all of which are no bad thing at all.
Read our full Beats Solo 4 review
How to choose the best on-ear headphones for you
Which brands make the best on-ear headphones?
On-ear headphones may not be as ubiquitous as their over-ear and in-ear counterparts, but plenty of top audio brands make headphones in this style. Our favorite on-ear headphones companies include Beats, JBL, Sony, Grado, and AKG, all of which offer high-spec cans at good prices.
Will on-ear headphones hurt my ears?
That really depends on the person – we have people on the TechRadar team who can't stand them for any length of time, and those who prefer them to over-ears for comfort. Ultimately, they will apply pressure on your outer ear (the pinna), and different people will have different levels of sensitivity to this, and it may change depending on whether you wear glasses, or have piercings. As long as you choose a pair with generously padded earcups and the clamping force on your ears isn't too tight, you're minimizing the chance of discomfort. Many people find the lightweight build of these headphones more comfortable than over-ear models, and they work great for anyone who's squeamish about in-ear headphones.
What is better over-ear or on-ear headphones?
Choosing between over-ear headphones and on-ear headphones depends on your preferences. Over-ear headphones, which completely cover your ears and form a seal around them, rather then on them, typically provide better sound quality and noise isolation, which makes them ideal for immersive listening or listening at the office or on public transport. They also tend to be more comfortable for long periods due to their larger ear cups and cushioning. However, by design they're going to be bulkier and less portable than on-ears.
On the other hand, on-ear headphones rest on your ears and are more compact and lighter, making them more convenient for commuting, students and travel. They don't offer the same level of noise isolation as over-ear models (and ANC is difficult to get right) but they can be a better choice for those who need a balance of portability and performance. We also recommend them for anyone who doesn't like the restrictive feel over over-ears or the intrusive feel of in-ears.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities. We'd recommend that you choose over-ear headphones for sound quality and comfort during long sessions. But plenty of people opt for on-ear headphones for their portability and convenience.
Do on-ear headphones sound good?
On-ear headphones can deliver excellent sound quality, though it obviously varies by model, brand and how much you're willing to spend. On-ear headphones are designed to sit directly on your ears and can often deliver a balanced audio experience with clear mids and highs, as well as plenty of detail.
However, due to their design, on-ear headphones may not offer the same level of bass or noise isolation as over-ear models. This can affect the overall sound experience, especially in noisy environments. While they might not be the first choice for audiophiles seeking the highest fidelity, there are several audiophile-grade options above that should suit those looking for a more high-end experience.
How we test the best on-ear headphones
We've tested all of the best on-ear headphones in this guide. As we put each model through their paces we were first and foremost looking for certain criteria that make an excellent pair of headphones more generally, like good quality sound and ease-of-use.
However, we also got more specific. Because when it comes to a pair of on-ears, we're looking for comfort – no one likes that squashed ear feeling – and stability provided by the headband.
We were also looking for a certain level of noise isolation, but can't possibly compare the best on-ears to the best over-ears in that regard. For wireless options, we put the battery life to the test and for wired options we checked the material of the wire to ensure it doesn't get tangled after an hour of listening.
We've included a variety of price points for you to consider, but we were mostly looking for value above all else. That means you'll find cheaper options and some high-end choices that we think represent quality and solid value, whatever your budget.
Ultimately, we only included on-ears that do everything we expect a good pair of on-ears to do, bring us comfortable and reliable sound rolled into a design that's a great middle ground between on-ears and over-ears.
The latest updates to our best on-ear headphones guide
July 22, 2024
Fully overhauled this guide with new recommendations based on recent reviews and more up-to-date models. We also added a 'Quick list' to make it easier to find something to suit you.
