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10 Most Comfortable Headphones (for Easy All-Day Comfort) in 2023

Last updated: 5 months ago
9 min read

Finding comfy headphones that don’t irritate ears is hard. And why would you listen to uncomfortable headphones if you don’t have to?

Some headphones are more comfortable than others. It’s just a matter of finding the right ones.

What’s the solution?

Get one of the 10 most comfortable headphones in 2023 (from our testing and user feedback) you can wear all day long without irritation.

Note: In case you’re looking for in-ear headphones, check this standalone most comfortable earbuds guide.

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Rating Price Type Back design Weight Replaceable earpads More info
Sennheiser HD 599 Comfiest overall
Sennheiser HD 599
4.7
Under $200
Over-ear
Open-back
8.8 Oz (249g)
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Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Comfiest Sennheiser
Sennehiser Momentum 4 Wireless small image
4.1
Under $275
Over-ear
Closed-back
10.3 Oz (292g)
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Sony WH-1000XM5 Comfiest Sony
Sony WH-1000XM5 small image
4.5
Under $400
Over-ear
Closed-back
8.82 Oz (250g)
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Apple AirPods Max Comfiest AirPods
Apple AirPods Max
4.4
Under $550
Over-ear
Closed-back
13.6 Oz (385g)
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Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Best build quality
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 small image
4.4
Under $400
Over-ear
Closed-back
9.07 Oz (307g)
crosscross
HIFIMAN Edition XS Best planar-magnetic
HIFIMAN Edition XS
4.4
Under $500
Over-ear
Open-back
13.02 Oz (405g)
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Bose QuietComfort 45 Comfiest Bose
Bose QuietComfort 45
4.6
Under $330
Over-ear
Closed-back
8.46 Oz (240g)
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4.0
Under $160
Over-ear
Closed-back
8.6 oz (245g)
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Meze 99 Classics Most unique
Meze 99 Classics Gold wired headphones
4.6
Under $310
Over-ear
Closed-back
9.2 Oz (261g)
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1MORE SonoFlow Best under $100
1MORE SonoFlow
4.3
Under $100
Over-ear
Closed-back
8.8 Oz (250g)
crosscross
CONTENTS (show more)

    Last update: Updated new models.

    Everyone wants the best headphones they can get for the money. Audio quality is usually the first thing you think of when deciding on a new pair. The next concern is probably the looks.

    At this point, almost all users stop and press the “order” button. Only to later find out that they’re not comfortable for extended listening.

    No matter how great headphones sound, you can’t listen to them if they aren’t comfortable to wear.

    You deserve to enjoy the headphones you put on your head. So, they need to be comfortable.

    For this reason, we made a list of the most comfortable headphones that are also great for listening to music and have the latest features.

    We took into account everything from sound quality, durability, and features, with a focus on earpads and headband comfort.

    See the list below:

    10 Most Comfortable Headphones

    1. Sennheiser HD 599

    wired MOST COMFORTABLE HEADPHONES ON THE MARKET
    Sennheiser HD 599 headphones

    Sennheiser updated their famous HD598 with the HD599 model. It’s easy to miss since they are almost the same.

    Connection icon Connection: Wired – 3.5mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 12-38.500Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Back design: Open-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 50 Ohm | Weight: 8.82 oz (250g) | Cable lenght: 118 inch (3m) & 47 inch (1.2m) | Features: Detachable cable
    • Smooth, enjoyable sound
    • Lightweight and comfortable
    • Easy to drive
    • Poor noise isolation

    The sound quality is great. Balanced frequency response with even slightly improved detail reproduction compared to HD598. You might as well use them as studio headphones.

    And if you want to have one of the most popular Sennheiser series, HD599 are one of the best comfortable headphones in the Sennheiser lineup.

    The older model had air padded headband cushion, which wasn’t the best. But with this new model, they improved the headband design to provide superb comfort.

    The velour ear pads are super comfortable and replaceable as well. You can find a replacement part online. Built quality is solid, too, as you’d expect from Sennheiser. If you can get them for a lower price, they’re a steal.

    2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

    wireless COMFIEST WIRELESS HEADPHONES
    Sennehiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones

    Momentum 4 Wireless exchange the warm and bassy sound of their predecessor for a more detailed yet balanced response.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.2
    Driver size icon Driver size: 42mm dynamic
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 6-22.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 60h (with ANC) | Wireless range: 33 feet (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 2h – quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | Water resistance: None | Features: ANC, transparency mode, app
    • Detailed, balanced sound
    • Companion app with custom EQ
    • Improved comfort with well-padded headband
    • Outstanding battery life of up to 60 hours
    • Modern design that you happily wear in public
    • Active noise cancellation isn't on par with competitors

    Compared to the previous gen, the sound quality got much more balanced and detailed, surpassing even the best Bose headphones or Sony headphones by a long shot.

    Build quality is also better over their predecessor, now boasting more padding, especially in the headband. The fabric stitching on top makes Momentum 4 Wireless look and feel more premium.

    As a result of extra padding (and better weight distribution), headphones feel exceptionally comfortable. That’s perfect for long travels and daily commutes.

    Furthermore, headphones now last up to 60 hours per charge, can more effectively cancel out background noise, and look very sleek on your head in the process.

    And since they cost less than $300, they’re perfect for traveling audiophiles. Check out more of the best Bluetooth headphones on the market.

    3. Sony WH-1000XM5

    trophy MOST COMFORTABLE ALL-AROUNDERS
    Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones

    Sony WH-1000XM5 (successor to the popular Sony WH-1000XM4) are one of the best headphones for noise cancellation in a compact, travel-friendly design.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.2
    Driver size icon Driver size: 30mm dynamic
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 4-40.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 30h (with ANC) | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 3.5h – Quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC | Water resistance: None | Features: App, ANC, 360 Audio, Speak-to-chat
    • Fun sound with boosted bass
    • Modern, comfortable design
    • Class-leading active noise cancellation performance
    • Good battery life of up to 40 hours (without ANC)
    • Not the most detailed sound

    The sound of these is quite energetic and extremely easy to listen to. Very much like the previous Sony WH-1000XM4.

    These popular headphones offer a fun and punchy listening experience while remaining enjoyable even for more demanding audiophiles. They support LDAC, which is one of the best Bluetooth audio codecs.

    Thanks to plastic construction, they are relatively light and very comfortable. They come with a hard carrying case, which makes them super portable.

    Different touch controls, like changing volume levels, are helpful if you don’t like constantly touching your phone. You can further change Bluetooth settings in the app.

    These are some of the best noise cancelling headphones. If you travel a lot and don’t like the airplane noise, or just want to isolate the human voices in the cafeteria, these can block all of it.

    4. Apple AirPods Max

    Apple AirPods Max transparency mode

    The latest Bluetooth headphones from Apple with sleek design, sound, comfort, and high-end features. The list price is quite high, too.

    Apple AirPods Max review

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0
    Driver size icon Driver size: 40mm dynamic
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 24h (ANC & Transparency mode ON) | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – Lightning | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: None | Features: ANC, Transparency mode, Adaptive EQ, Spatial Audio
    • Excellent, smooth sound
    • Excellent ANC and realistic Transparency mode performance
    • Tons of features (for Apple users)
    • Premium build with replacable earpads
    • Exceptional Bluetooth range
    • Good battery life (23h with ANC)
    • Degraded user experience on Android devices
    • Uneven clamping force (could cause discomfort)
    • Included Smart case is useless

    AirPods Max use a U-shaped sound signature, providing deep, rumbly bass response and sparkly highs without sibilance.

    They’re fantastic headphones for both music and movies, even for audiophiles.

    Quickly swappable earpads are made from a fabric, which increases comfort level, breathability, and airflow, preventing excess sweating.

    Also, the memory foam ear pads ensure luxurious comfort. A knit-mesh canopy gently rests on your head and successfully distributes the weight of the headphones.

    The build is exceptional, with each ear cup being made from a single slab of aluminum.

    You also get excellent active noise cancellation performance, Transparency mode, Dolby Atmos support, Siri voice control, and great microphones for taking phone calls.

    5. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2

    trophy BEST BUILT COMFY HEADPHONES
    Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Bluetooth headphones

    Upgrading from an already amazing Px7 model, the Px7 S2 improves the overall construction and looks. And they’re also more comfortable than other headphones.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.2
    Driver size icon Driver size: 40mm dynamic
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 10-20.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 30h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | Water resistance: Moisture repellent | Features: ANC, wear detection
    • Excellent sound with detailed presentation
    • Improved comfort over their predecessor
    • High build quality
    • Good battery life of 30 hours per charge
    • Active noise cancelling could be better

    The company has a long history of making great audio equipment. So there is no surprise these headphones sound fantastic.

    However, they are tuned to please the general public. Therefore the bass is boosted, but the overall sound is still crystal clear, packed with tons of details.

    Headphones kept the same carbon fiber composite arms that look very unique and durable.

    There is still a lot of fabric stitching along with the band and on the metal cups. The pads are now much cushier, providing a comfortable fit, thus making these ones of the most comfortable headset you can get.

    These can also actively remove background noises, which is on par with the competition. Px7 S2 excellent battery life lasts for 30 hours on a single charge, playing your favorite music even for long listening sessions.

    For cheaper ANC options, see the best budget noise cancelling headphones.

    6. HIFIMAN Edition XS

    trophy COMFIEST PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES
    HIFIMAN Edition XS

    HIFIMAN Edition XS are oversized open planar-magnetic headphones for all the “big heads” out there.

    Connection icon Connection: Wired – 3.5mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: Planar magnetic
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 8-50.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Back design: Open-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 18 Ohm | Weight: 14.28 oz (405g) | Cable lenght: n/a | Features: Detachable cable
    • Extremely balanced sound
    • Flat bass response
    • Great build quality
    • Can be uncomfortable on smaller heads

    While they lean slightly on the brighter side, Edition XS are still considered neutral-to-balanced (these truly aren’t among the best bass headphones). For $500, they have excellent technical capabilities and a vast soundstage.

    Having a huge planar magnetic driver instead of a dynamic one, headphones sport massive open-back ear cups. That means they can fully encapsulate your ears and let them breathe.

    The latter is further improved by using hybrid earpads: a mix of leather and velvet that touches your skin.

    All of that together results in a very comfortable experience, despite headphones weighing 405 grams.

    However, that’s what you get when buying premium audiophile headphones that also use metal instead of primarily plastic, as in most consumer headphones.

    7. Bose QuietComfort 45

    trophy COMFIEST BOSE HEADPHONES
    Bose QuietComfort 45 over-ear headphones

    Beautifully crafted wireless over-ear headphones that are made from exquisite high-quality materials.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.1
    Driver size icon Driver size: n/a
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: n/a
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 24h | Wireless range: 33ft (10m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: Quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC | Water resistance: None | Features: ANC, ambient mode, app, active EQ
    • Balanced sound
    • Lightweight & comfortable design
    • Excellent active noise cancellation
    • Good battery life
    • No custom EQ
    • You can't completely turn off ANC or ambient mode

    A successor to Bose’s most successful wireless headphones is better in every way, even in sound. It’s still nicely balanced and pleasant to listen to, with a good detail rendition.

    Bose headphones have a super lightweight design, with just enough padded earcups to ensure excellent comfort. You can wear them for hours and forget they’re on your head.

    On top of that, the excellent noise cancellation is again top-notch. It’s on par with the competition, reducing a big chunk of background sounds.

    Other improvements are seen in better battery life, measuring around 24 hours per charge, and a switch to USB-C and fast charging.

    Strangely, you can’t completely turn off ANC or ambient mode, which can be annoying.

    8. Treblab Z7 Pro

    Treblab Z7 Pro on CDs

    Treblab Z7 Pro are very comfy headphones with warm sound and good active noise cancellation.

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0 / Wired – 3.5mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: 40mm dynamic
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 20-20.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 45h | Wireless range: 40ft (12.2m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 2.5h + quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD | Water resistance: IPX4 | Features: Auto play/pause, ambient sound mode, foldable
    • Good sound quality
    • Comfortable design
    • Stable fit, even for working out
    • IPX4 sweat resistance
    • Foldable design with included hard-shell case
    • Support for aptX HD & multipoint
    • Good active noise cancellation
    • Mediocre transparency mode
    • Slightly muffled-sounding with some genres
    • No app and custom EQ/presets

    Treblab headphones have a very warm sound signature with smooth treble and relaxing midrange.

    However, they’re no detail monsters, so don’t expect high-end fidelity.

    On the other hand, Treblab Z7 Pro are well-built and don’t rattle when shaken. They have sufficient and thick memory foam padding, dressed in soft faux leather.

    Oval-shaped ear cups help enclose the entire ear, so you don’t feel any pressure. Just be aware that the pleather isn’t very breathable, so you will get sweaty over time.

    Thankfully, headphones are rated for an IPX4, making their internals protected against sweat and light rain.

    For commuting, you’ll be pleased to know headphones sport pretty effective active noise cancellation.

    9. Meze 99 Classics

    trophy MOST UNIQUE DESIGN
    Meze 99 Classics Gold headphones

    Yet another well-built over-ears without a hint of cheap plastic on them. Only steel, soft pleather pads, and real wood.

    Connection icon Connection: Wired – 3.5mm & 6.3mm
    Driver size icon Driver size: 40mm
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 15-25.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Back design: Closed-back | Noise cancelling: No | Mic & Controls: No | Impedance: 32 Ohm | Weight: 9.2 oz (260g) | Cable lenght: 4 feet (1.2m) | Features: Detachable cable
    • Beautiful design with wooden earcups
    • Warm, smooth sound with nice bass punch
    • Cables tangle very quickly

    These luxury headphones have a very smooth, warm sound signature. There is a slightly upper-bass bump to bring out the punch a bit more.

    Meze put a lot of details into the build. At first sight, you notice the earcups are made from real wood. That doesn’t only look cool but can help to shape the sound signature.

    Of course, you can’t have a great listening experience without good comfort. Thankfully, 99 Classics excel at that, offering you comfortable memory foam pads with pleather cover.

    You get two detachable cables, one of which has an inline remote, a 6.3mm adapter, an airline adapter, and a hard shell carrying case.

    10. 1MORE SonoFlow

    1MORE SonoFlow headphones

    Simple and lightweight design helps 1MORE SonoFlow to remain comfortable during long listening sessions.

    1MORE SonoFlow review

    Connection icon Connection: Bluetooth 5.0
    Driver size icon Driver size: 40mm dynamic
    Frequency range icon Frequency range: 20-40.000Hz
    Type: Over-ear | Battery life: 60h (with ANC) | Wireless range: 50 feet (15.2 m) | Noise cancelling: Yes | Charging: 80min + quick charge – USB-C | Mic & Controls: Yes | Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC | Water resistance: None | Features: App, ANC, ambient sound mode, multipoint
    • Great sound quality (especially after EQ)
    • Comfortable fit with soft pleather earpads
    • Exceptional battery life (up to 50h with ANC)
    • Robust Bluetooth connection with an LDAC audio codec
    • Hard-shell carrying case for improved protection
    • Decent active noise cancelling performance
    • Bright and thinny transparency mode
    • Bloated, muddy sound when in wired mode

    To truly shine, SonoFlow need some equalization and ANC turned on. Then is where their sound becomes quite enjoyable, especially for the price of under $100.

    Headphones have modest padding that doesn’t look too confident at first glance. However, due to the very lightweight construction, you barely feel them on your head.

    Overall, the construction is pretty good and comparable to similarly priced headphones. One thing to be aware of is that you can’t replace the earpads once they wear off.

    On the positive side, headphones support LDAC Bluetooth codec and the 1MORE Music app for additional customization.

    Moreover, the battery life is outstanding at 61.5 hours on a single charge in our test (more in the review).

    You can find similar finds among the best headphones under $100.

    Honorable Mentions

    V-MODA XS

    V-Moda XS wired headphones

    If you want comfortable on-ear headphones with good isolation and fun, bass-rich sound, V-MODA XS are your top pick.

    Their build quality is also top-notch. However, the price point is a bit up.

    Check XS price

    Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2

    Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT wireless headphones

    If you like bass and good comfort in closed-back over-ear headphones, then ATH-M50xBT are for you.

    You can also use them as studio monitor headphones.

    Check ATH-M50xBT2 price

    Sony MDR-1AM2

    Sony MDR1AM2

    Audiophile headphones with an insane response (3-100.000Hz) for detailed audio playback and excellent comfort with no pressure points.

    Bass sound is slightly boosted to make their presentation more fun.

    Check MDR-1AM2 price

    V-MODA Crossfade M-200

    V-MODA Crossfade M-200 headphones

    If you want good build and comfort, these are a great pair for money.

    They have a more narrow frequency response than M-100, which makes them great for studio.

    Check M-200 price

    Bose QuietComfort 35 II

    Bose QC35II wireless headphones

    Previous version to the 45’s but still good pair of headphones from Bose that are comfortable to wear. Their sound quality and active noise cancellation technology are still excellent.

    The newest Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are also quite good.

    Check QuietComfort 35 II price

    Koss KTXPRO1 Titanium

    Koss KTXPRO1

    These old on-ear headphones might look strange, but their comfort is excellent. It’s mostly due to how incredibly light they feel on your head.

    Check out more best cheap headphones.

    Check KTXPRO1 Titanium price

    How Can I Know What Comfortable Headphones Are?

    We all have different head shapes and head sizes, so there’s no other way to know unless you try them.

    Theoretically, you could visit your local tech store and try a lot of different headphones, but that’s not realistic since we all have busy lives. You will just have to make a decision, and the best is an educated decision.

    This is why we made a list of the most extremely comfortable headphones according to our own research, where we used not only ours but other people’s experiences as well.

    These are the models most people claim to be very comfortable for them, so they’re more likely to be more comfortable for everyone else as well. It’s not a specific rule but more of general guidance.

    But to give quick advice:

    • If you have a big head, try looking for bigger frames. Bigger headphones are less likely to have overly strong clamp force.
    • Look for bigger, over-ear earpads with thick padding. Of course, headphones can be comfy even without excessive padding. But if you can’t try them by yourself and you have to pick one based on pictures, this is a good indicator of comfort.
    • Also, check for noise-canceling headphones. You don’t have to crank up the volume as high as with non-canceling headphones (you will be less bothered by ambient noise), which is good for hearing protection.

    Which Type of Headphones is The Most Comfortable?

    Generally, the headphone design plays a big role, and in our opinion, this is the most comfortable design:

    Over-ear: These have the biggest cups and are sometimes heavy, but they make up to it with lots of cushioning and big frames that fit even the biggest and most unusual head sizes. You can wear them for hours on end without any discomfort. Many high-end over-ear headphones offer the option of changing earpads, which can even improve comfort. This is the standard and most comfortable overall headphone design.

    In-ear: Or earbuds, as they’re also known, are the smallest headphones, and that’s their advantage. Due to their small size and weight, they’re easy to put in your ear canal and forget about. The in-ear model’s comfort can be adjusted by changing the ear tips. Since there are many sizes and shapes of ear tips as well as different materials (foam), you can really adjust the fit. For most people, foam eartips offer the best comfort as well as a secure fit. Bluetooth earbuds are the best since they lack wires.

    Check the most comfortable earbuds here.

    On-ear: These are the smaller brothers of over-ear headphones. The cups and ear pads are smaller to fit on the ears instead of over the ears, hence the name. While most on-ear headphones can be very comfortable for hours, if they have quality cushioning, they do get slightly uncomfortable after many hours, which is their biggest problem. For all-day-wearing, over-ear or in-ear might be a great all-around choice for comfort. This is not a fact for all on-ear headphones but more of a general rule. Keep that in mind when buying a pair of headphones.

    2 Comments
    1. ATH50x… Excellent sounding cans (no doubt), but bulky and very uncomfortable. Tight to the ears, and awful pads (pleather, not velour). Loved the sound, but sold em exactly because i couldn’t wear more than an hour 🙁

      Reply

    2. It would be such a relief if this article could have also mentioned the best headphones for really small heads.

      Reply

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