The best headphones for podcasting are closed-back, comfortable enough to wear for hours, and accurate enough to catch mouth noise, room reflections and level problems while you record. For most podcasters that means a wired pair of closed-back monitoring headphones rather than wireless lifestyle cans, because they isolate well and avoid bleeding back into the mic.
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Quick answer: our top headphones for podcasting
- Best all-rounder: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x — accurate, durable, comfortable.
- Best budget pick: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x or Sony MDR-7506.
- Best for long sessions: Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (closed-back).
- Best for multiple guests: a set of identical, cheaper closed-back cans plus a headphone amp.
Why closed-back headphones win for podcasting
When you record a podcast you usually monitor live through the headphones while a mic is open in front of your face. Open-back headphones leak sound, so the audio you are listening to spills out and gets picked up by the microphone. Closed-back headphones seal against your ears and keep that bleed to a minimum. If you want the full breakdown of the two designs, read our guide to open-back vs closed-back headphones.
For mixing and editing later you might prefer open-back cans, but for the live capture stage closed-back is the safe default. See studio monitors vs headphones for mixing if you are deciding how to handle the post-production side.
How to choose headphones for podcasting
Closed-back design and isolation
Prioritise closed-back models. Good isolation also helps you hear yourself clearly in a noisy room and reduces the temptation to push monitoring volume too high.
Comfort for long recordings
Podcasts run long. Look for replaceable earpads, a padded headband and a clamp that holds without crushing. Velour pads (as on the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO) stay cooler than pleather over a two-hour episode.
Flat, honest sound
You want headphones that reveal problems, not flatter them. A relatively neutral, slightly detailed response lets you hear plosives, sibilance, chair creaks and room echo while you record. Hyped consumer bass hides exactly the issues you need to catch.
Wired, with the right connector
Wired headphones avoid latency and battery hassle. Check whether the plug is 3.5 mm with a 6.3 mm adapter so it fits both your interface and laptop. Detachable cables are a bonus for durability.
Build and repairability
Studio staples last because parts are replaceable. Cables and earpads wear out first, so models with cheap spares win over years of use.
The best headphones for podcasting
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x — best overall
The ATH-M50x is a closed-back studio standard for good reason: a detailed, fairly balanced sound, solid isolation, a folding build and detachable cables. It is accurate enough to edit on and tough enough to survive daily use, which makes it the safe single recommendation for most podcasters.
Sony MDR-7506 — proven and lightweight
A broadcast and field-recording fixture for decades. The MDR-7506 is light, isolates well and has a forward, slightly bright sound that exposes mouth noise and sibilance — useful when you are listening for problems. The coiled cable suits a desk setup.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO — best for comfort
If you record marathon episodes, the DT 770 PRO’s velour pads and roomy fit are hard to beat. It is closed-back with strong isolation and a clear, extended sound. It comes in different impedance versions; the lower-impedance models pair more easily with laptops and portable recorders.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x — best budget
For guest headphones or a starter pair, the ATH-M20x delivers closed-back isolation and a reasonably honest sound at an entry level. Buying several identical pairs keeps every guest hearing the same thing.
Outfitting multiple guests
For a multi-mic, multi-guest table you will need several headphones plus a way to feed them all. A small headphone amplifier or a multi-output interface lets everyone monitor at once. Plan your signal chain alongside our guide to how to record a podcast at home, and browse more options in our studio monitors and headphones hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use earbuds or AirPods for podcasting?
Wired earbuds work in a pinch for guests, but wireless earbuds like AirPods add latency and rely on battery, and their hyped sound hides recording problems. For the host, closed-back wired headphones are far more reliable.
Do I need open-back headphones at all?
Only if you do a lot of editing and mixing and want a more natural soundstage. They leak too much to wear live with an open mic, so most podcasters keep a closed-back pair for recording and, optionally, open-back for post.
What impedance should podcasting headphones be?
Lower-impedance models (around 32 to 80 ohms) drive easily from interfaces, laptops and portable recorders without a dedicated amp, which is what most podcast setups have. Save high-impedance versions for rigs with a proper headphone amplifier.
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