6 Best Headphones for Podcasting You Should Be Using in 2023

Most podcasters use podcast headphones while recording their episodes for various reasons, such as monitoring volume levels and ensuring sound isolation.

There are many headphones available for podcast recording, and it can be a bit overwhelming to choose the best podcast headphones for your business, especially if you are a beginner podcaster.

In this post, I will share with you why you need podcast headphones, exactly what features come with the best headphones, and how you can ensure high audio quality for your podcast fans.

We will discuss questions you may have such as

Do I need closed-back headphones?

What frequency range should the headphones have?

How do I check if my headphones offer noise-canceling?

Let’s get started.

Disclaimer: If you buy something using the links in this article, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Know that I only promote stuff that I use and trust for the sake of my readers and the reputation of this website.

Best Podcasting Headphones

1. Audio Technica M20X

2. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

3. Audio Technica ATH – M50X

4. Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

5. Shure SRH 1540

6. V-MODA Crossfade M-100

Why Do You Need Headphones For Podcasting?

If you listen to your favorite podcasts, you will find that they all have one thing in common – superior sound quality.

Podcast headphones can help you achieve this sort of audio quality so that you can make your podcasts a pleasure to listen to for your audience.

Here are some of the reasons you need the best podcast headphones for your podcast recording:

Perfect your mic technique

Working on your mic technique can help you avoid unpleasant sounds in your podcasts such as hard consonant pronunciation and popping sounds due to the air coming out of your mouth.

Podcast headphones can help you listen to yourself speaking and monitor your volume and sound so that you can adjust your seating position and mic distance.

This is especially important when you have guests on your podcast show. A pair of headphones can help you monitor your conversation in real-time so that you can make sound adjustments accordingly.

Reduce background noise

A pair of headphones can pick up a frequency range that your ears are not able to hear. This can help you discern background noises and set up an ideal podcast setup that is free from distractions.

Closed-back headphones are some of the best headphones that help in noise cancelling and sound isolation so that you are able to hear what you’re saying in high-quality audio.

Reduce editing time

High-quality headphones help you greatly reduce your editing time. Imagine recording an hour-long podcast episode with a guest only to find out that most parts of your audio are unclear or distorted because of background noises.

Headphones help you avoid having to spend additional hours removing those distortions and ambient noises from your podcast recording.

What Factors Should You Consider When Buying Podcast Headphones

When you are looking for a decent pair of high-quality headphones, there are certain criteria you will need to keep in mind.

1. Type

Before you pick a good pair of headphones for podcasting, figure out what type of headphones you need.

Would you prefer open-back headphones or closed-back studio headphones? Most professionals swear by closed-back headphones since they have closed and sturdy ear cups that prevent sound leakage and provide the best sound isolation.

2. Sensitivity/ Sound Quality

The sensitivity of headphones determines the overall sound quality that is produced in your ear. This is measured in terms of how an electrical signal is changed to sound waves.

If you want excellent sound quality, you will need to go for sensitive headphones that can pick up the slightest disturbances.

Good headphones that are meant for podcasting have a sensitivity of 80-125 SPL/mW (Sound Pressure Level per milliwatt).

3. Frequency Range

A good pair of headphones have a frequency range of 20Hz – 20kHz.

4. Comfort

Make sure the ear cups of the headphones are comfortable.

Podcast creators usually spend hours using headphones, so it is important that your over-ear headphones are not too heavy and are comfortable to use for long periods.

Look for ear cups that have replaceable ear pads or memory foam for added comfort.

5. Portability

If you are someone who travels a lot, you will need to make sure that your podcast equipment (including your podcast headphones) are easy to pack and carry around.

Choose over-ear headphones with a foldable design over other headphones so that you can conveniently tuck them into your bag when not in use.

You can also prefer wireless headphones with a Bluetooth adapter so that you do not have to deal with the hassle of detangling wires each time you need to record.

6. Durability

When you want to choose the right headphones for your podcast business, it helps to ask others for recommendations or check the internet for reviews.

Durability is an important factor if you plan to use your headphones for a long time without having to replace them with other models.

7. Noise Canceling

If you want excellent sound quality in your podcast recordings, you could choose ear cups with active noise cancellation. Noise-canceling ear pads will help improve noise isolation and cut out outside noise.

8. Wired or Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones may seem to be convenient, but you need to keep in mind that sound travels faster through a wire or cable medium.

Wireless headphones also tend to be heavier, which is why podcasters prefer wired headphones with coiled cables or straight cables.

The advantages of wired headphones weigh more than its disadvantages, but in the end, it’s left to what you prefer.

9. Price

Last but in no way least, determine your budget before you begin your search for the perfect pair of headphones.

There are many options available, but some of them come with a hefty price tag. ear cups

affordable earbuds

price tag

For more details on how to buy podcasting equipment, you can check out the post below:

Best Headphones for Podcasting

1. Audio Technica M20X

Key Features

• Wired headphones
• Sound isolation for balanced sound
• Durable design
• Low-frequency response – suited for studio recording
• Straight cable – single-side cable exit
• Budget headphones

Price

Audio Technica M20X costs $49.00

2. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

Key Features

• Rugged, comfortable design
• Closed, around-the-ear headphones
• Great sound quality
• Perfect for podcasters and sound engineers
• Noise isolation
• Unique collapsible design with swiveling ear cups
• Tough, single-sided cable

Price

Sennheiser HD280 Pro costs $99.00

3. Audio Technica ATH – M50X

Key Features

• Exceptional audio clarity with detailed sound
• 90-degree swiveling ear cups
• Closed-back headphones
• Optimum frequency response
• Minimal sound leakage

Price

Audio Technica ATH – M50X costs $164.00

4. Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

Key Features

• Closed-back ear headphones
• Sound isolation
• Covers a broad frequency range but with detailed sounds
• Impulse response
• Soft padded adjustable headband with cushioned ear cuffs

Price

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro costs $177.00

5. Shure SRH 1540

Key Features

• Wired premium headphones
• Great sound isolation
• Closed-back ear headphones
• Lightweight construction with high durability
• Good frequency response

Price

Shure SRH 1540 costs $499.00

6. V-MODA Crossfade M-100

Key Features

• Over-ear headphones
• Sturdy metal build with steel-flex headband
• High clarity audio with powerful bass
• Large memory foam cushions and 100% vegan leather headband for superior comfort
• Foldable design for easy portability
• Customizable

Price

V-MODA Crossfade M-100 costs $239.00

Best Podcast Headphones – FAQs

What kind of headphones do you need for podcasting?

Investing in the best podcast headphones for podcast recording can help you improve audio quality and noise-canceling, ensuring the best experience for your podcast listeners.

Determine the type of headphones (open-back or closed-back headphones), frequency range, sound quality, type of ear cups, and other factors while choosing the best headphones.

Do you need wired headphones for podcasting?

Although the type of headphones (wired or wireless) usually depends on personal preference, I would advise you to choose wired headphones for podcasting.

This is because sound travels faster through a wire or cable medium, and thus reduces delay in audio while recording your podcast.

Are open-back headphones good for podcasting?

Open-back headphones may seem to sound better than closed-back headphones, but they are not preferred for podcasting.

This is because there is sound leakage with open-back headphones, especially when you record in a place with loud ambient noise.

Conclusion

There may be many factors that influence your podcast headphone choice.

The type of headphones, wired or wireless, the price tag, frequency range, portability, and durability are just a few of those factors you will need to consider before you invest in a good pair of podcast headphones.

What podcast headphones do you use? Did I miss out on some of your favorites?

Leave a comment below and I’ll add them to this list! 🙂