There are numerous options to go for when you are looking to get yourself good headphones. If you are looking for something extremely portable, then a pair of the best on-ear Headphones will serve you well. If on the other hand comfort is a top priority for you, then you must turn your attention to getting a good pair of circumaural headphones. If you belong to the group who desire the best of both worlds; those seeking portable comfort, your best option is a set of on-ears.
A lot of people have discovered that on-ear headphones strike the perfect balance between the portable in-ears and the comfort offered by over-ear headphones. On-ears are designed to possess smaller ear cups that fit snugly on your ears ensuring that they are more compact and breathable than over-ear headphones without causing you the discomfort earbuds sticking inside your ear.
On-ears are often tighter than over-ears when it comes to fit. Depending on the design, this may sometimes lead to some discomfort due to the amount of pressure it exacts on your ears. The best on-ears are designed to offer you a comfortable fit and a sound profile that is perfect for your beloved music genre. The cream of the crop will also offer such additional features as Bluetooth support and Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)
To help you make a good choice, we tested lots of on-ear headphones before creating the catalog below. We are aware that the best headphones are often expensive, we have not made decisions based on cost, what we have done is to show you the best on-ear headphones you can buy anywhere!
Best On-Ear Headphones in 2020:
1. Beats Solo Pro Wireless
The Beats Solo Pro Wireless is the best wireless on-ear headphones amongst all the others we tested. It comes with some great features including an excellent design, a great Active Noise Cancelation (ANC), and a battery built to last for 24 hours of continuous use. The general performance is such that appeals to everyone on all sides of the music divide because of its versatility.
The sound profile is mostly neutral albeit slightly exciting. The sound profile serves listeners well even when they switch between several music tropes. The low bass carries a little extra thump and punch making it excellent for heavy bass genres like EDM and Hip-Hop. You don’t have to worry about bothering the people around you, these headphones do not leak much sound.
They have a few drawbacks; they can prove to be a little tight for some users meaning they don’t offer the best comfort. The microphone doesn’t offer a great recording quality, it projects a muffled tone and loses a lot of details.
That said, these headphones remain a great choice if you are looking for a pair of versatile on-ear wireless headphones.
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M60x
The Audio-Technica M60x takes its place as the best wired on-ear headphones we tested. They are lightweight and compact. They spot an impressive design of a dense plastic frame and metal hinges. Two removable cables are a part of the package, they are here to serve your needs especially if you desire a little more range. There are also two 1/8” to ¼” adapters for when one gets lost.
Despite possessing a unique design when compared to other headphones in the ATH-M line, these headphones come with sufficient padding on the earcups to guarantee a comfortable fit. The sound profile strikes a perfect balance although you will experience a slight dip in the low-mids. Despite the slight dip in the low-mids, these headphones are still great for listening to different audio genres irrespective of casual or professional studio usage. There is a soft pouch to help keep them safe from scratches, dust, etc. especially if you are often on the move.
These headphones are built solely for listening to audio; there is no microphone attached, no controls, and no companion app. They are poor when it comes to noise isolation and won’t serve you well during your daily commute or at the office.
Besides these drawbacks, these headphones are perfect for those seeking a neutral sound experience without concerns for audio latency.
3. JBL Live 400BT Wireless
The JBL Live 400BT Wireless is the best on-ear headphones for working out amongst all we have tested. The fitting is solid and steady and won’t budge while you run. It has a breathable on-ear design and easy-to-use controls. They can easily be folded into a more portable package that doesn’t take up much space in your workout bag. The wireless design ensures you can work out freely without worrying about a tangle with the long cable.
Just like a lot of other on-ears, the sound profile is mostly determined by their fitting. If you get earcups that fit snugly on your ears, then you will get a more balanced sound with a pump of extra bass to get your spirits up for your run. The battery life is excellent; it gives you 30-hours of battery life. There is an auto-off timer to help them last even longer. These headphones can connect simultaneously to two devices which will serve you well if you have another MP3 player for running.
Although the light fit helps ensure that these headphones stay in place while you run or work out, it also makes for more uncomfortable headphones when compared to some others on this list. The build quality is poor which means a fall during your run could cause some damage. Besides these drawbacks, if you desire headphones you can wear while taking a quick run in the neighborhood, the JBL Live 400BT Wireless will serve you well.
4. Skullcandy Grind Wireless
We have the Skullcandy Grind Wireless taking the spot for best budget on-ear headphones on this list. Due to their lightweight nature and soft earcups, these Bluetooth headphones offer great comfort. They come with simple controls and their design is fairly sturdy considering their price. It has a 15-hour battery and you get two audio cables to boot, one comes with an in-line mic while the other comes without a mic.
Although most Skullcandy headphones come with over the top bass range, the Skullcandy Grind offers a more-balanced and bright sound. Their fitting determines the amount of bass you will get with them. For most people, the sound is very neutral and natural although some higher frequencies may sound slightly harsh and piercing. Not to worry, the harsh and piercing sound isn’t very overt; some people won’t even notice it. These headphones are versatile for most genres of music.
They fall short in the noise blocking department which is a failure noticeable with most on-ear headphones especially those lacking ANC feature. There is no dedicated companion app to help make changes to the sound profile which is not a surprise for a headphone of this price range. Generally, these headphones are great even for their price which makes them one of the best on-ear headphones and the best choice for people on a budget.
5. Beats Ep Wired On-Ear Headphones
If you desire headphones with a good microphone, especially if you are the type that love to take your calls with your headphones, then get yourself a Beats Ep. They offer a boomier sound profile than the Audio-Technica ATH-M60x. The cable isn’t removable but their inline microphone makes them a more universal option for casual use. In spite of the boomy sound profile, these headphones are still very versatile and allow you to enjoy music from every genre because the other ranges are versatile.
They will stay dependably around the head more than the Audio-Technica which is an advantage for those who need to run to catch a bus or enjoy the full use of the headphone around the gym. The recording quality of the microphone is excellent. They may feel slightly uncomfortable when you use them for long because they can be a little tight on the head. Their in-line remote does not work with Android devices.
If a microphone isn’t important to you and you just desire a pair of cans for enjoying your music, go for the Audio-Technica but if what you desire is a more nifty set of on-ear headphones for casual use, go for the Beats Ep.