10 Best Wired Headphones

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones offer very good overall sound quality and excellent comfort. They come with active noise canceling and are suitable for extended wear with a long battery life. Their build quality and built-in controls are considered very good. These headphones are well-suited for music listening, calls and meetings, gaming, TV and video, and also for air travel due to their noise isolation capabilities. However, they may not be the best choice for exercise due to their over-ear form factor and size. They also provide an app for equalization and audio control customization, and they support high-quality codecs like AptX Adaptive for improved wireless audio transmission.

The Sennheiser 450BT headphones, released in early 2020, are a good option if you're seeking high-quality sound with the convenience of both wired and wireless connectivity. They have closed-back, over-ear design, are foldable for portability, and are priced in the lower midrange. With a good comfort score, these headphones may be suitable for long listening sessions, and their very good build quality makes them a durable choice. Active noise cancelling is included, enhancing the experience in noisy environments such as air travel, where they're rated as best for use. The 450BT also offers aptX Low Latency, optimizing them for video content by minimizing delay, though they might not be the top choice for exercise, given their form factor. Notably, the microphone quality is very good, which is a plus for calls and meetings, and they offer a long battery life of about 27.5 hours. They come with an app that provides an equalizer and audio controls, boosting their versatility. However, if your primary use is gaming, these may not be ideal due to potential latency issues with wireless headphones in general.

The Audeze Maxwell are premium closed-back over-ear headphones with both wireless and wired capabilities. They offer very good overall sound quality, with an impressive soundstage and imaging capability, making them excellent for immersive music, gaming, and TV/video experiences. Comfort and build quality are also rated very high, along with mic quality, which benefits calls and meetings. The headphones support LDAC for high-quality audio over Bluetooth and feature a detachable cable, a boom mic for clear communication, and an app equalizer for sound customization. They are substantial in weight and size, so they aren't ideal for exercising or use on-the-go. While they aren't specifically optimized for Android or Apple, they do work well with either, and the battery life is lengthy, allowing for prolonged use. However, they may not be the best choice for those seeking optimal noise isolation or portability, and there's no mention of sweat or dust resistance, which could be a consideration for some users.

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95 are high-end over-ear closed-back headphones that offer excellent comfort, very good overall sound quality, and best-in-class noise isolation, making them particularly suitable for air travel and noisy environments. Their build quality is also rated very good, with features like a detachable cable and foldability enhancing durability and portability. For wireless audio, they support high-quality codecs like AptX Adaptive and AAC, but their suitability for exercise is limited due to lack of sweatproof certification. The Beoplay H95 also boasts a long battery life of 35 hours, an integrated mic, but the mic quality is only fair which may affect calls. Despite the high price, these headphones are well-suited for immersive music listening, calls and meetings, gaming, TV and video, and book/podcast experiences. However, for high-movement activities or environments where microphone quality is paramount, other options might be more appropriate.

The Sennheiser HD 400S is a budget-friendly pair of closed-back, over-ear headphones released in 2019, with a focus on good sound quality and excellent comfort. They come with a very good built-in microphone, making them suitable for calls and meetings, and have robust build quality. However, they lack wireless capability, active noise cancelling, and app-related features such as equalizer adjustments. Due to their closed enclosure, they provide some degree of noise isolation, although not as effectively as active noise cancelling headphones. Plus, they're not ideal for exercise since they aren't sweatproof. They have a detachable cable, which can be useful for portability and cable management. The Sennheiser HD 400S folds for easier storage and comes with a medium-sized carry case. Their wired connection ensures low latency, making them a good choice for gaming and watching TV or videos. However, the lack of wireless functionality means they're less convenient for on-the-go use compared to wireless options.

The EPOS PC38X headphones are well-regarded for their excellent soundstage and imaging, making them a strong choice for an immersive gaming and music experience. They have open-back enclosures which contribute to a more expansive sound but do not isolate noise well, so they may not be ideal for noisy environments or air travel. Although the headphones have a microphone that rates highly for calls and meetings, the boom mic isn't removable, though it can be folded out of the way. Designed primarily for home use, as they are wired and not suited for exercise, their midrange price and very good build quality provide a balance between affordability and durability.

The Sennheiser 560S headphones are a premium offering designed for an exceptional music listening experience. They feature an over-ear, open-back enclosure which contributes to a very good soundstage, delivering an immersive and natural sound. With excellent comfort and very good build quality, they are particularly suited for extended home or studio use. They are wired, which means you don't have to worry about battery life, but this could limit mobility and convenience compared to wireless options. These headphones are not recommended for use during exercise or air travel due to their size and lack of noise isolation. There is no active noise cancelling, and they are not certified as sweatproof or dustproof, so they are better used in quiet and clean environments. They also lack features such as a microphone and built-in controls, which may make them less suitable for calls, meetings, and interactive gaming. However, for pure audio quality in music and TV/video consumption, the 560S are a strong choice.

The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 headphones offer very good overall sound quality and are particularly well-suited for music, calls and meetings, and air travel, thanks to their excellent noise isolation and comfort. They also excel in portability since they're foldable and have a compact carrying size. These over-ear, closed-back headphones are wireless but come with a detachable cable, offering flexibility in how you use them. Although they have a premium price and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, their performance for gaming and TV is poor, potentially due to latency issues. Suitable for prolonged use, they have an impressive battery life of over 20 hours. However, they may not be the best option for exercise due to their design and lack of sweatproof certification.

The Apple Airpods Max are over-ear, closed-back headphones known for excellent build quality, comfort, and noise isolation, making them ideal for air travel and environments where you want to block out distractions. They're wireless with the option for a wired connection and have a good reputation for sound quality and a built-in microphone that is suitable for calls. However, for gaming and TV, they may not be the best due to lower performance scores in those areas. They are not sweat or dustproof, which makes them less ideal for exercise, but they do offer 21 hours of battery life for extended listening sessions. They're optimized for Apple devices and support features like ear/head detection and have an integrated mic. The headphones can be folded for easier portability, though they're on the heavier side at 385.5 grams. Keep in mind, they are considered a high-end product, which is reflected in their price.