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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.