What are the best on-ear headphones of all time?

Lighter, more portable, and often more polarizing — on-ear headphones have produced some of the most beloved cult classics in audio history. Whether you swear by a 1984 icon or a modern wireless design, pick your favorite.

1. 1
   Koss Porta Pro

   Introduced in 1984 and virtually unchanged since, this featherweight on-ear is a legendary cult classic beloved for its warm, punchy sound.
2. 2
   Sennheiser HD 25

   Launched in 1988 and the undisputed DJ booth standard for over three decades, this closed-back monitor delivers exceptional isolation and punchy mids.
3. 3
   Grado SR80x

   Grado's iconic supra-aural open-back design with flat foam pads, offering a lively, forward midrange and rock-oriented tuning at an entry audiophile price.
4. 4
   Grado SR225x

   A step up in the Grado Prestige line with more refined drivers and improved clarity, hand-assembled in Brooklyn with the signature on-ear open-back style.
5. 5
   AKG K240 Studio

   A semi-open on-ear professional headphone that has been a studio staple since the 1970s, widely used for mixing thanks to its accurate, neutral sound.
6. 6
   Marshall Major IV

   The latest evolution of Marshall's on-ear wireless line, delivering rock-tuned sound in a stylish retro design with a jaw-dropping ~80-hour battery life.
7. 7
   B&O Beoplay H4

   A premium Danish wireless on-ear headphone combining B&O's signature minimalist aesthetic with a warm, consumer-friendly tuning and exceptional build quality.
8. 8
   B&O Beoplay H6

   Highly regarded closed-back on-ear headphone with a smooth, balanced sound signature and outstanding build materials, considered one of the most beautiful headphones ever designed.
9. 9
   Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear

   Sennheiser's premium on-ear lifestyle line featuring a luxurious leather-and-steel build and balanced sound tuning in a compact commuter form factor.
10. 10
    Beats Solo Pro

    Apple-era Beats flagship on-ear headphone introducing active noise cancellation to the Solo line, with a transparent mode in a slim, foldable design.
11. 11
    Beats Solo 4

    The latest Beats on-ear flagship offering lossless audio via USB-C and a refined acoustic design, continuing the series dominance in mainstream wireless on-ear headphones.
12. 12
    V-MODA Crossfade LP2

    A cult-favorite on-ear headphone known for its military-grade steel construction, heavy bass boost, and highly customizable hexagonal shields.
13. 13
    JBL Live 460NC

    A well-rounded wireless on-ear delivering adaptive noise cancellation, multipoint Bluetooth, and a lively JBL sound signature at a mid-range price.
14. 14
    Koss KPH30i

    A modern Koss classic in the Porta Pro tradition — an ultra-lightweight on-ear with a surprisingly open, detailed sound that regularly appears on audiophile budget lists.
15. 15
    Urbanears Plattan

    A Scandinavian design-forward on-ear known for its minimal aesthetic, wide color range, and accessible pricing that made stylish headphones mainstream in the 2010s.
16. 16
    Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2

    A bass-focused wireless on-ear with a unique haptic bass slider that physically vibrates the ear cups, earning a cult following among bass enthusiasts.