If you’re into Djing, without the right headphones, you may run into issues that can ruin your live performances.
For example, if your DJ headphones do not have flat frequency response or you’re using regular headphones, you may not be able to hear different frequencies and end up creating poor-quality mixes. Or, your mixes may not have smooth transitions between songs.
DJ headphones are your ears on the stage during live performances. They allow you to hear and control audio more accurately by blocking external noise, isolating individual elements in the audio, and adjusting the volume, pitch and tempo of these individual elements to create excellent mixes and tracks.
Here’s a detailed guide to help you pick the right DJ headphones.
Roundup of the Best DJ Headphones
| Overall Best DJ Headphones | Sennheiser Professional HD 25 On-Ear DJ Headphones |
| DJ Headphones With Best Sound Isolation | Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones |
| Best DJ Headphones for Professionals | Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10-K Headphones |
| Best Budget DJ Headphones | OneOdio A70 Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones |
| Best DJ Headphones for Beginners | Pioneer DJ CUE1 On-Ear DJ Headphones |
| Most Comfortable DJ Headphones | V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Master Over-Ear Headphones |
| Most Portable DJ Headphones | Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5 Professional DJ Headphones |
| Most Stylish DJ Headphones | Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5BT-N Headphones |
| Most Durable DJ Headphones | AIAIAI TMA-2 Modular DJ Preset Headphones |
| Best Wireless DJ Headphones | AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ Headphones |
How to Find the Best DJ Headphones?
Here are some factors you need to consider when buying a pair of DJ headphones:
1. Sound Quality
Along with good overall sound quality, ensure the DJ headphones you’re planning to buy cover a wide frequency range and have a flat frequency response.
DJ headphones with a flat frequency response enable DJs to:
- Create the best possible sound for their audience
- Hear each and every frequency accurately
- Make precise audio adjustments (such as EQ) while mixing
- Identify and fix potential audio issues, such as clipping and distortion
Just like the best studio headphones, DJ headphones with flat frequency response are most suitable for reproducing actual sound.
2. Noise Isolation
As a DJ, you need to block out all external noise in a loud environment to concentrate on your tracks. Therefore, you need DJ headphones with noise isolation.
3. Comfort
Next, carefully assess and evaluate the comfort delivered by the headphones by finding answers to the following questions:
- What is the ear cup material?
- Do the headphones have replaceable ear pads?
- What is the headband material?
- Is the headband adjustable?
- Is their enough headband padding?
After all, you’ll be wearing your DJ headphones for extended periods.
4. Durability
Since DJ headphones are subjected to frequent use and wear and tear, ensure the headphones you’re planning to get are durable and sturdy.
Also, assess the cable quality of the headphones. Buy DJ headphones with a durable and thick cable to avoid damage caused by regular use or tangling issues.
5. Compatibility With Your DJ Equipment
Next, ensure the DJ headphones are compatible with your other equipment, such as DJ mixer or controller.
6. Design – Open Back or Closed Back
Closed-back headphones are most suitable for DJs as they do not leak sound. While open-back headphones are highly preferred for casual listening and are typically more comfortable for continuous use, they come with sound leakage, which makes them an unsuitable choice for DJing.
Read the full open-back vs. closed-back headphones comparison.
7. Wired vs. Wireless Headphones
Both wired and wireless DJ headphones come with their own advantages and disadvantages for DJs.
Wired DJ headphones are typically considered more reliable as they deliver consistent audio quality, have minimum latency issues and come with a wider frequency response. These factors are critical for DJs to produce accurate and detailed tracks.
Moreover, wired DJ headphones do not have any battery issues; therefore, they’re more suitable for extended use.
On the other hand, wireless DJ headphones provide more room for movement and do not have cord-tangling issues (a big relief for DJs).
8. Portability and Weight
While bulky DJ headphones come with a rugged look, they’re not easy to handle while you’re performing on the stage. Most top-rated DJ headphones are made of aluminum, magnesium and titanium to make them lightweight.
Top 10 Best Headphones for DJs in 2023
Here are the top Dj headphones on the market that we have chosen after testing them on various parameters.
1. Sennheiser Professional HD 25 On-Ear DJ Headphones
Overall Best DJ Headphones
- Superb isolation for loud areas
- Sleek and simple
- Durable and sturdy
- Portable
- Lightweight yet sturdy construction
- Interchangeable wire
- Exceptional sensibility
- Accurate and detailed sound reproduction
- Superior comfort for extended use
- Tough, single-sided cable ensures ease of operation
- We did not experience any issues with these headphones
The Sennheiser Professional HD 25 On-Ear DJ Headphones are as near as you’ll get to a pair of DJ headphones everyone adores. The HD 25s are purpose-built monitoring headphones that efficiently block out background noise and can handle loud volumes without distortion.
They include a rotating capsule that allows for one-ear listening, and although the leatherette ear pads aren’t the most pleasant, they outperform competitors at the same price. The isolation makes this headphone a worker, albeit the ear cushions are nice and comfortable enough for extended usage.
The headphones’ closed-back design and generous cushioning allow DJs to concentrate while putting this DJ skills to use.
Sennheiser HD 25 has a maximum sound pressure level (SPL) of 120, making it ideal for noisy settings. The headphones boost the bass notes, making it easier to maintain time while on the go.
Take note that the cord is straight and 10 feet in length; a rubber band may come in handy if you want to use this device often.
The Sennheiser HD 25 DJ headphones sound excellent. They’re a great option as a crossover set of headphones due to their balanced frequency response. In addition to Djing, you can use them for mixing and mastering.
In conclusion, the Sennheiser Professional HD 25 On-Ear DJ Headphones have become the “industry standard” for DJ headphones because of their on-ear style. Famous DJs like David Guetta use them.
View on Amazon: Sennheiser Professional HD 25 On-Ear DJ Headphones
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
Best Affordable DJ Headphones
- Excellent noise isolation
- Looks stylish and cool
- Comfortable for extended use
- Suitable for beginners and expert DJs
- Deliver crisp and clear sound
- Replaceable cords
- Meticulously fabricated using high-quality metal parts
- Durable and sturdy
- Swiveling earcups at a 90-degree angle for simple one-ear monitoring
- Bass response slightly lacks in the mids
The Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones combine the requirements of DJs and music producers. The brand Audio-Technica is famous for providing studio-quality sound at affordable costs.
These headphones can also serve as your reference headphones for mixing and mastering. To enable DJs to hear complete details of their mix, they offer a wide frequency response and a flat response throughout the audio spectrum.
The ATH-M70x has removable ear pads, headband cushioning, and swiveling, metal-yoked ear cups that allow for one-ear monitoring. The frequency range of these is 5 Hz to 40 kHz. Thus, they can strike quite high, maybe beyond the range of human hearing. It explains in great detail how the highs may be so clear and distinct.
The headphones have a professional appearance that is both stylish and practical while also fitting well in a more relaxed setting, stylish and practical.
The soundstage and image are decent for headphones in this price range and on par with those offered by competing DJ or studio headphones. However, as expected with headphones with closed backs, their sound would be more confined inside the listener’s skull.
In conclusion, the Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones are superior headphones for DJs. They’re lightweight, have excellent sound quality, and comfortable for continuous use.
View on Amazon: Audio-Technica ATH-M70X Closed-Back Dynamic Professional Studio Monitor Headphones
3. Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10-K Headphones
Best DJ Headphones for Professionals
- Alternative monitoring configurations with swivel and twist hinge possibilities
- Great sound quality
- Deliver clear and sharp sound
- Excellent construction quality
- Unique ear cup protection against sweat damage
- Lightweight and comfy for long-term usage
- Outstanding isolation performance to minimize outside disturbances
- Nano coating provides sweat resistance
- Durable and sturdy
- Flexible headband and earcups make for a very comfortable wear
- Somewhat bulky
The Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10-K Headphones represent the pinnacle of Pioneer DJ’s headphone offerings and are the best possible product. They are powerful enough to withstand the rigorous testing conducted by the United States Military and loud enough for the world’s greatest DJ booths, and that’s why we have chosen them as the best DJ headphones for professional use.
The X10s are composed of lightweight plastic yet have the luxury feel of much heavier metal. The plastic hinges, like the metal headband and the thick hex key bolts, all give off an air of sturdy durability.
The Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10 headphones are incredibly well-made, featuring a bendable headband and swiveling earcups to better fit your demands while mixing and performing. The hi-Res drivers on these DJ headphones are among the best in the industry. The case it comes with is tough and small, making it ideal for limited space in a travel bag.
The bottom end of the HDJ-X10s is neither overbearing nor muddy, and the speakers are quite well-balanced. As a result, we have no qualms about putting them to use in a recording studio.
And, as you would guess from the name, the “sound insulation chamber” does a fantastic job of keeping in sound and blocking out ambient noise.
Sound-wise, the 50mm high-definition speakers (an update from the older HDJ-2000MK2s) provide plenty of power, a frequency range of 5 Hz to 40 kHz, and the improved voice coil design allows for tighter bass notes, detailed mids, and sharp highs.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for top-tier DJ headphones on the market, go no further than Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10-K Headphones. DJ greats like Carl Cox, Roger Sanchez, and James Zabiela praised the HDJ-X series for their performance.
View on Amazon: Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10-K Headphones
4. OneOdio A70 Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones
Best Budget DJ Headphones
- Extremely lightweight
- Long-lasting cables
- Affordable
- Earcups that fold down for easy storage
- Useful audio-sharing functionality
- Deep bass, crisp highs
- Great battery life
- Stable and reliable Bluetooth connection
- Rotatable and collapsible
- Fit well and isolate sound
- Japanese voice coil and 40 mm speaker diaphragm provide stereo hi-res audio
- Slightly tight for larger heads
The OneOdio A70 Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones are a reasonably priced, lightweight set of wireless/wired headphones with impressive highs, lows, and battery life for the price. They’re attractive visually as well.
The A70’s style is rather sleek. Compared to the ubiquitous Audio-Technica ATH-M70X, this one doesn’t feel sturdy in hand, but it’s a very close comparison. It doesn’t seem weak in any way, but the plastic components and looser joints make it feel frailer than it is. There is some metal bracing the sliders, but that’s about it.
Folding earcups allow you to hear your surroundings and are useful when you use them for DJing. In terms of wearability, the A70 impressed us with its soft protein leather earpads and its light yet sturdy clamp. Protein leather cushions the headband as well.
We found the tonal balance worked, with the boosted treble and bass to provide an engaging listening experience. Whereas most inexpensive headphones develop into bass cannons by artificially amplifying the bass to absurd levels, the A70 avoids this pitfall.
We liked the turned-up bass response; it gave the music a more lively quality. A70s did a good job of enhancing the treble by giving the sound more sparkle and detail. The string and bass sections of the music were full.
In conclusion, OneOdio deserves a lot of credit for coming up with several novel approaches to the problem of tangled cables and developing the affordable, wireless OneOdio A70 Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones.
View on Amazon: OneOdio A70 Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones
5. Pioneer DJ CUE1 On-Ear DJ Headphones
Best DJ Headphones for Beginners
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Extensive semi-coiled cable for wired monitoring
- Wired and Bluetooth operations
- Bass-heavy with rich tones
- Customizable color choices for a radically new design
- Snug and comfortable fit for extended wear
- Appropriate microphone for hands-free calling
- Lightweight, folding design for portability
- Dynamic drivers let you feel the bass and hear mids and highs clearly, letting you mix precisely
- We did not experience any issues with these headphones
The Pioneer HDJ CUE1 On-ear DJ Headphones are fantastic in various ways. They are affordable, softly cushioned on-ear DJ headphones. The aesthetics of these headphones are likely to be the first thing that catches the buyer’s eye.
The Pioneer HDJ CUE1 headphones are lightweight yet have a very well-designed interior. While listening to your mixes, you may wear them for up to four hours straight.
If you want to switch gears and listen to something different for a minute, you can spin the cups completely 90 degrees. Moreover, the headphones collapse into a flat, transportable shape.
The headband’s construction is solid, giving it a premium feel. With the Pioneer HDJ CUE1 headphone, you may experience your music at any level and still get the full effect. Like other DJ-oriented headphones, they include dynamic drivers to guarantee that you can feel the bass.
The Pioneer HDJ CUE1 is a fantastic choice for beginner DJs because of its warm, inviting sound. These headphones are great for cueing, mixing, and just plain listening. You’ll get somewhat better sound quality with the wired connection, but the Bluetooth drivers are well-tuned enough to perform in either setting.
In conclusion, if you’re looking to start DJing with outstanding mixing experiences, the Pioneer HDJ-CUE1 On-Ear headphones are a terrific option.
View on Amazon: Pioneer DJ CUE1 On-Ear DJ Headphones
6. V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Master Over-Ear Headphones
Most Comfortable DJ Headphones
- Deliver detailed and precise sound
- Fold to an incredibly small size; perfect for traveling and Djing on the go
- Excellent build quality; sturdy and durable
- Snug and secure fit
- Compact and sturdy carrying case
- 100% vegan leather headband offers greater comfort for long listening sessions
- CCAW coil drivers produce thrilling bass and unsurpassed clarity
- We did not experience any issues with these headphones
The Crossfade M-100 Master Over-Ear Headphones are V-MODA’s most recent and premier model of wired headphones. They provide optimum comfort, sound quality, and longevity, and look voguish by their distinct hexagon ear cup shape and fashionable appearance.
M-100 Master are among the toughest DJ headphones available thanks to their 3D mesh exterior, steel frame, and super-flexible SteelFlex headband (excellent for single-ear monitoring).
The huge vegan leather cushions and the headband, padded with memory foam, make them surprisingly lightweight and ideal for prolonged use (the leather is resistant to sweat).
The removable and replaceable shields on the outside of each ear cup of the M-100 Master are another selling point. The shields come in either black or silver, but you can customize them to be whatever color you choose and even add a logo.
The headphones’ dual-diaphragm 50mm drivers use Japanese CCAW coil technology (Copper-clad aluminum wire) for a strong bass response without compromising the clarity of the mids and highs.
In conclusion, the V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Master Over-Ear Headphones are widely used by electronic dance music (EDM) DJs, gamers, and audiophiles because of their high quality, long lifespan, and balanced sound. Another good set of DJ headphones in terms of comfort is beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 Ohm Over-Ear Studio Headphones. You can wear them for endless hours. However, V-MODA Crossfade M-100 is more durable.
View on Amazon: V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Master Over-Ear Headphones
7. Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5 Professional DJ Headphones
Most Portable DJ Headphones
- 40 mm driver enable users to hear their tracks loud and clear
- Lot sturdier compared to Audio Technica ATH-M70X
- Flexible, durable headband and swiveling ear cups
- Comfortable and generously padded for continuous use
- Easily foldable
- Compact carry pouch makes portability a breeze
- Decent noise isolation
- Treble is slightly overpowering at higher volumes
When looking at Pioneer DJ’s HDJ-X series of headphones, the HDJ-X5 is the starting point. It looks quite similar to the other two HDJ-X versions, and its speaker driver is just 40mm in diameter.
The HDJ-small X5’s light weight is a plus for DJs who play lengthy sets. As far as low-priced headphones go, it’s about what you’d expect. The HDJ-highs X5s aren’t as open as those of the HDJ-X10 and HDJ-X7, and the bass isn’t as deep as it is on those other two models. So the sound quality is acceptable for the asking price.
This pair of headphones is sturdy enough for DJ sets and parties, so don’t worry about accidentally breaking it. Furthermore, the vocals are fantastic on these headphones; they sound very intimate and reproduce vocal texture accurately.
We liked that the bass is substantial but not too heavy or thumping; the treble has a fair amount of sizzle, which isn’t overpowering but is still annoying at loud levels. Acoustic instruments have amazing clarity and impact, and brass has a lovely breathy tone.
In conclusion, if you want professional-looking DJ headphones that won’t break the bank and can be taken anywhere you go, the HDJ-X5 can be a perfect choice.
View on Amazon: Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5 Professional DJ Headphones
8. Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5BT-N Headphones
Most Stylish DJ Headphones
- Deliver pure, clear and detailed sound
- Come with a stylish and attractive color combination and design
- Outstanding passive noise isolation
- Great battery life
- Ergonomic built ensures comfortable and snug fit
- Durable and sturdy
- Balanced tuning and bass reflex chambers provide exceptional bass response
- Beautiful gold and black look
- We did not experience any issues with these headphones
The Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5BT-N Headphones are wireless headphones that builds on the success of the HDJ-X5 (Pioneer’s previous entry-level headphones reviewed above) by adding Bluetooth connectivity.
Although not the best-sounding headphones in their price bracket, they are a nice option for beginning DJs who want a set of stylish headphones to spin at events and listen to music or podcasts in their spare time. The gold-black combination looks fantastic.
These headphones are made entirely out of plastic and are extremely lightweight.
They don’t have a high-end feel, but that’s to be expected from a low-price set of headphones. So if you’re concerned that the HDJ-X5BT headphones seems “cheap” compared to other Pioneer DJ cans, be assured that they all have a similar style and still have the “pro” DJ appearance.
HDJ-X5BT is ideal for both DJing and leisure listening. As with the rest of the HDJ-X series, it reproduces a respectable amount of bass, albeit not quite as much as the HDJ-X10.
The HDJ- X5BT’s cushions perform a great job of enclosing your ears, reducing the amount of outside noise that enters your ears. After all, noise isolation is crucial in a busy club or DJ booth, and better for your ears in the long run since you won’t have to crank up the volume on your headphones to a deafening level.
In conclusion, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5BT-N Headphones have good sound and look extremely attractive. So you don’t just end up producing fantastic tracks but also looking stylish and chic. Another good pair of DJ headphones in terms of looks and style is AKG M220 Pro Stylist Professional Large Diaphragm DJ Semi-Open High Definition Over-Ear Studio Headphones. You can also explore these headphones if you are more inclined toward white color.
View on Amazon: Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5BT-N Headphones
9. AIAIAI TMA-2 Modular DJ Preset Headphones
Most Durable DJ Headphones
- Lightweight, comfortable, and suitable for long Djing sessions
- Good value for money
- Flexible modular design
- Durable and sturdy construction
- Drivers with Neodymium magnets deliver excellent sound separation
- We did not experience any issues with these headphones
TMA-2 is a line of headphones made by AIAIAI, a Danish company. The TMA-2 line comes with a unique setup method that lets users construct headphones out of interchangeable modules.
The TMA 2s are the sleekest, most fashionable alternative, and the most’ eco-friendly’ since every part (even the box) is crafted from recycled materials. But, perhaps most significantly, they don’t weigh a thing while yet providing reassurance of durability.
The memory foam in the nylon ear pads makes these headphones very pleasant to use for extended periods.
While the mids and highs aren’t quite as crisp as they are with the Sennheiser HD 25s (No. 1), the drivers’ powerful, snappy bass response is noticeable when using these “DJ settings.”
One of the main selling points is the ability to personalize it to your liking, thanks to the system’s “modular” design (composed of removable components).
For music creation, you may want to choose headphones with a “flatter” response (less bass-heavy) from the drivers and the bigger over-ear cups intended for studio usage.
In conclusion, the AIAIAI TMA-2 Modular DJ Preset Headphones are versatile over-ear headphones (also known as supra aural) DJ headphones that deliver great performance. Famous DJs and producers like Richie Hawtin and Charlotte de Witte use AIAIAI products, so there’s no reason not to appreciate them.
View on Amazon: AIAIAI TMA-2 Modular DJ Preset Headphones
10. AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ Headphones
Best Wireless DJ Headphones
- Modular design permits repairs and upgrades
- Bluetooth battery life of up to 80 hours
- Pleasant, unfatiguing sound profile
- Superior vocal presence
- Supports CD-quality wireless transfer without data loss
- Excellent comfort with Alcantara over-ear memory foam cushions
- Signature bio-diaphragm speakers calibrated for precision and clarity
- W+ Link technology provides ultra-low latency and lossless sound
- W+ Link’s noise floor is noticeably elevated
- Not foldable
The AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ Headphones are purpose-built specialized headphones that perform well when used for their intended purpose.
Studio Wireless+’s major selling features are fairly specialized: its latency-free and lossless wireless audio are ideal for audiophiles, DJs, and professionals in the music and film industries.
Thanks to the modular architecture, you can update the speaker drivers, change the ear cup material, and switch from over-ear to on-ear. It also implies that the corporation may release many variants of the TMA-2 that share common parts.
The supplied EO8 over-ear Alcantara pads are spacious, soft, and cozy; nevertheless, they get heated after prolonged usage. Fabric mesh is visible inside and seems to serve two purposes: tuning the sound and increasing ventilation.
In Bluetooth mode, the battery can last for up to 80 hours; however, in W+ Link mode, it only lasts 16 hours, and every 30 hours, you need to charge the X01 transmitter.
Bluetooth allows you to play, stop, skip tracks, etc., on the source device. There is only the possibility of an aural connection with W+ Link. Using the W+ Link, you may also silence the in-car microphone. The sound is balanced and well-defined through, with tamed bass and treble.
In conclusion, we highly recommend the AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ because they are great DJ headphones in every way (comfortable, versatile, with superb sound, and, most importantly, liberating).
View on Amazon: AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ Headphones
Frequently Asked Questions About DJ Headphones
DJ headphones can be used for gaming; however, they may not provide an immersive listening experience like gaming headsets and headphones.
DJ headphones typically have a closed-back design and large ear cups to deliver excellent noise isolation. The noise isolation feature may make them suitable for gaming, especially in loud environments. However, they not come with additional audio features required for gaming, such as surround sound and positional audio.
Therefore, whether DJ headphones are good for gaming or not will completely depend on the users preference and requirements.
Noise cancelation is not always a “must-have” feature for DJs as they prefer noise-isolating headphones, which block external noise with a help of physical barriers. Therefore, most DJ headphones come with noise isolation.
Since noise-canceling headphones use active noise canceling, they can impact the sound quality of the track being played. Also, some DJs prefer hearing external noise to monitor their audience’s interest and response.
According to our evaluation, the Sennheiser Professional HD 25 On-Ear DJ Headphones are the overall best DJ headphones. They are good for beginners, professionals, and an on-the-go DJing.
Yes, DJs still use headphones for cueing up their tracks while the audience listens to the current one over the main speakers.
David Guetta typically uses the Sennheiser HD 25 Headphones for DJing.
The best combination of Pioneer DDJ400 will either be with Sennheiser Professional HD 25 On-Ear or V-MODA Crossfade M-100 Master Over-Ear Headphones.
You can choose Sennheiser Professional HD 25 On-Ear DJ Headphones or Pioneer DJ-HDJ-X10-K to pair best with Denon Prime 4.
You can use the Apple AirPods Max Headphones as DJ headphones. However, they do not comprise all the features necessary for a great DJing experience. For example, professional DJ headphones typically have swiveling ear cups and deliver excellent noise isolation.
Yes, you can also find single ear headphones for DJs. One classic example is the Reloop RHP 10 Mono Professional One-Ear Headphone. It is also known as a lollipop DJ headphone.
Yes, you can use the JBL J55i High-Performance On-Ear Headphones for DJing.
Final Words
If you are a DJ, you need headphones that are comfortable for long periods, won’t break, and let you concentrate on your performance rather than your ears or your mix. All of the above-reviewed headphones are strong contenders for consideration.
However, if you ask us to pick one out of the lot, we recommend the Sennheiser Professional HD 25 On-Ear DJ Headphones. They’re excellent in every aspect. They are comfortable, durable, versatile and perfect for all DJing needs.
