“The key in all this is you’ve got to know your headphones.”
The best headphones for mixing are flat, open-back studio headphones, and the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO ($429) is our pick overall. If you also record vocals, get a closed-back pair like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO ($199.99). On a budget, the AKG K240 Studio ($99) is the pick for mixing and the Sennheiser HD 280 PRO ($99.95) for recording.
Your mix sounded huge in your headphones. Then you played it in the car, and the bass was gone and the vocal was buried. That’s usually not your mixing. It’s your headphones.
In his gear video, Max, the founder of Mix Elite, puts it simply: “Music is made out of frequencies, and only your headphones control how clearly you hear the music you make.” That’s why the pair you mix on matters so much. Below are 31 studio headphones worth buying in 2026, from $21.50 to $699, grouped the way people actually shop: for mixing, for recording, by budget, for late nights, wireless and for comfort.
Table of Contents
Why do mixes sound good in headphones but bad in the car?
Usually because your headphones aren’t flat. Many regular headphones boost the bass and treble to sound exciting, and a lot of them dip the boxy low mids too, so you mix to make up for problems that aren’t really there. The car plays the mix as it really is. Flat studio headphones fix the cause, and a quick car check catches the rest.
There’s a second, sneakier cause. If the car version also sounds distorted, check the true peak of your master. Mix Elite’s free FL Studio course warns that a master peaking right at 0 dB can hard clip once it becomes an MP3, and you’ll hear it on your phone or in the car.
What makes the best headphones for mixing?
The best headphones for mixing have a flat frequency response, clear imaging, comfort for long sessions and parts you can replace. On a budget, also check the impedance: pairs up to about 80 ohms play loud enough straight from a laptop or a basic audio interface.
The gear video puts the first two above everything else. A flat frequency response comes first. Frequencies are the lows, mids and highs that make up every sound, and a flat pair plays all of them at the same level. As Max puts it: “We want our headphones to not colorize any of these parts because the goal is to make sure that the music we make translates well to other playback systems like car stereo, laptops or earbuds.”
The second is good imaging: how clearly you can hear where each sound sits, like a guitar on the left and cymbals on the right. That’s what lets you pan and place sounds with confidence.
Two more things matter: comfort, because you’ll wear them for hours, and parts you can replace. Headphones wear out in a way studio monitors don’t, so ear pads and a cable you can swap keep a good pair going for years.
Open-back vs closed-back headphones: which do you need?
Open-back headphones are better for mixing, because their vented cups sound more open and natural. Closed-back headphones are better for recording and for late-night sessions, because their sealed cups keep your music out of the microphone and out of the room. If you record yourself or share a room, buy closed-back first.
- Open-back headphones have vented ear cups. Sound flows out the back, so they sound more open and natural, a bit like speakers in a room. That makes them the better tool for mixing. The catch: they leak, so a microphone nearby will pick up your music.
- Closed-back headphones have sealed cups. They block outside noise and keep your music in, which is what you need when you record vocals. They sound a little less open, but a good pair is still fine to mix on.
That’s why, when Max lists what you need to record vocals, he includes “a pair of closed back headphones.” If you only mix, and nobody sleeps nearby, open-back is the better buy.
How we picked these 31 headphones
We grouped 31 pairs the way people shop for them: the best one for mixing, closed-back pairs for recording, open-back pairs for mixing, two budgets, late nights, wireless and comfort. Each pair sits in the group where it fits best, so a pair listed for recording can still be fine to mix on.
Every price and spec below comes from the maker’s own website or store, in US dollars, checked on October 21, 2026. For the Samson, Superlux, Sony and Audio-Technica pairs, the prices are store prices from Sweetwater and Thomann, dated October 2026, and the specs come from the makers’ own spec sheets, manuals and store listings. Several pairs were on sale that day. We show the regular price next to the sale price, so check the maker’s page before you buy.
The best headphones for mixing overall
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO is the best headphone for mixing overall in 2026. It’s open-back, made for mixing, and light at 260 g. At 130 ohms it plays loud enough from a normal audio interface, so you don’t need an extra amp.
1. Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
Price: $429 on Sennheiser’s US store on October 21, 2026.
Sennheiser built the HD 490 PRO for mixing and mastering, and it’s the pair we’d buy if we could only own one. It comes with two sets of ear pads, one for mixing and one for producing, so you can change the sound for the job. Both sets are washable and replaceable, and the cable plugs into either ear cup.
Key specs: Open-back · 130 ohms, so a normal audio interface drives it without an amp · 5 to 36,000 Hz · 1.8 m detachable cable · 260 g.
Who it’s for: Anyone who mixes mostly on headphones and wants one pair they won’t outgrow.
The catch: It’s open-back, so it leaks sound. Don’t record vocals with it.
The best closed-back headphones for recording
For recording, buy closed-back headphones, because their sealed cups keep the beat out of your microphone. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO ($199.99) and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x ($139 at Thomann) are the classics. The DT 700 PRO X and the Sennheiser HD 480 PRO cost more, but they’re newer designs you can also mix on.
Recording vocals for the first time? Pair your headphones with a mic from our guide to vocal microphones.
2. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
Price: $199.99 on Beyerdynamic’s US store on October 21, 2026.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO has been a studio classic for decades. It’s still a safe first buy. It comes in three versions. Beyerdynamic’s own guide makes the choice easy: 32 ohms for mobile devices, 80 ohms for a universal studio setup, and 250 ohms for professional devices.
Key specs: Closed-back · 32, 80 or 250 ohms (only the 250-ohm version needs a strong headphone output) · 5 to 35,000 Hz · fixed cable · 375 g with the cable.
Who it’s for: Beginners who record vocals at home and want one pair for tracking and mixing. Get the 80-ohm version if it plugs into an audio interface.
The catch: Pick the version carefully. The 250-ohm one can sound quiet on a laptop or a small interface.
3. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Price: $139 at Thomann (October 2026).
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is one of the best-known studio headphones, and it’s on nearly every list like this one. It’s closed-back with 45 mm drivers, and it folds up. It comes with three detachable cables: a 1.2 m coiled one that stretches to about 3 m, a 3 m straight one and a 1.2 m straight one. Each cable locks in with a twist, so it won’t pull out in the middle of a take.
Key specs: Closed-back · 38 ohms, easy to drive · 15 to 28,000 Hz · three detachable cables · 285 g without the cable.
Who it’s for: Producers who record vocals or instruments and want a well-known closed pair that also travels.
The catch: If you mostly mix, look at the cheaper M40x below too. Audio-Technica describes that one as uncolored across the whole range.
4. Sony MDR-M1
Price: $199 at Thomann (October 2026).
The Sony MDR-M1 is Sony’s newer closed-back monitor headphone, which Sony builds for creators who need a very wide frequency range. It weighs about 216 g, and it comes with two detachable cables, 1.2 m and 2.5 m, plus an adapter for big jacks.
Key specs: Closed-back · 50 ohms, easy to drive · 5 to 80,000 Hz · two detachable cables · about 216 g without the cable.
Who it’s for: Producers who record and mix in the same pair and want something lighter than most closed headphones.
The catch: It costs about twice the MDR-7506. If you only record, the older Sony does the job.
5. Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X
Price: $279.99 on Beyerdynamic’s US store on October 21, 2026 (regular price $319.99).
The Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X is Beyerdynamic’s newer closed-back pair for recording. At 48 ohms it runs straight from a laptop or an interface. It comes with two detachable cables, 1.8 m and 3 m, that connect with a mini XLR plug, so a worn cable is a quick swap.
Key specs: Closed-back · 48 ohms, no amp needed · 5 to 40,000 Hz · two detachable cables · 350 g.
Who it’s for: Producers who record a lot and want a closed pair with cables they can replace.
The catch: At 350 g it’s heavier than the Sennheiser HD 480 PRO below, which weighs 272 g.
6. Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
Price: $399 on Sennheiser’s US store on October 21, 2026.
The Sennheiser HD 480 PRO is the closed-back model in the same family as the HD 490 PRO, and Sennheiser sells the same cables and cases for both. Sennheiser rates its noise blocking at 35 dB (at 5 kHz), so very little of your beat leaks into the microphone. Its coiled cable plugs into the left or the right ear cup.
Key specs: Closed-back · 130 ohms, fine from an interface · 3 to 28,700 Hz · 3 m detachable coiled cable · 272 g.
Who it’s for: Producers who record vocals and want a closed pair accurate enough to mix on.
The catch: It costs twice as much as the DT 770 PRO. Only pay up if you’ll mix on it too.
The best open-back headphones for mixing
Open-back headphones are the best for mixing, because their vented cups sound more natural and less boxed in. The Sennheiser HD 600 is the long-time reference, and the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X and Sony MDR-MV1 play loud without an amp. The Audeze MM-100 and HiFiMan Edition XS bring planar magnetic detail for $300 or less.
Four of these six cost under $350. The Neumann NDH 30 is the top-end pick.
7. Sennheiser HD 600
Price: $349.95 on Sennheiser’s US store on October 21, 2026 (regular price $499.95).
The Sennheiser HD 600 has been a mixing reference for a very long time. It’s open-back, the 3 m cable detaches, and Sennheiser sells spare cables, so one pair can last for years.
Key specs: Open-back · 300 ohms, so it needs a strong headphone output or an amp · 12 to 40,500 Hz · 3 m detachable cable · 260 g.
Who it’s for: Mixers who want a proven reference pair and already own a good interface or headphone amp.
The catch: Those 300 ohms can sound quiet on a laptop or a cheap interface. Budget for an amp.
8. Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X
Price: $279.99 on Beyerdynamic’s US store on October 21, 2026 (regular price $319.99).
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X is the open-back model in Beyerdynamic’s PRO X line, sold as a mixing headphone. At 48 ohms it plays loud from almost anything. That’s rare for an open pair. The velour pads are soft, and the cable detaches with a mini XLR plug.
Key specs: Open-back · 48 ohms, no amp needed · 5 to 40,000 Hz · detachable cable · 345 g.
Who it’s for: Mixers who want open-back sound without buying a headphone amp.
The catch: At 345 g it’s heavier than the HD 600, which weighs 260 g.
9. Sony MDR-MV1
Price: $369 at Thomann (October 2026).
The Sony MDR-MV1 is Sony’s open-back monitor headphone for creators. Sony made it for clear placement of sounds around you, which helps with spatial and 3D audio mixes. The cable detaches and screws in with a locking ring, and you can replace the ear pads yourself.
Key specs: Open-back · 24 ohms, no amp needed · 5 to 80,000 Hz · detachable locking cable · about 223 g without the cable.
Who it’s for: Mixers who want a light open pair, especially for spatial or 3D audio mixes.
The catch: At $369 it costs a little more than the HD 600 on sale.
10. Audeze MM-100
Price: $299 on Audeze’s store on October 21, 2026 (regular price $399).
The Audeze MM-100 uses planar magnetic drivers. Instead of a cone, a thin, flat film moves the air. Audeze designed it with Grammy-winning engineer Manny Marroquin, the same engineer quoted at the top of this page. The cable plugs into either side, so it fits whichever side of the desk your interface is on.
Key specs: Open-back, planar magnetic · 18 ohms, but Audeze recommends more than 250 mW of power, so use a strong output · 20 to 25,000 Hz · 2.5 m cable · 475 g.
Who it’s for: Mixers who want planar magnetic detail for under $300.
The catch: At 475 g it’s the heaviest pair on this list. You’ll feel it on long nights.
11. HiFiMan Edition XS
Price: $209 on HiFiMan’s store on October 21, 2026 (regular price $499).
Like the Audeze, the HiFiMan Edition XS is open-back and planar magnetic. HiFiMan shapes its magnets so sound waves pass through them, and the 1.5 m cable can be replaced.
Key specs: Open-back, planar magnetic · 18 ohms · 8 to 50,000 Hz · 1.5 m detachable cable · 405 g.
Who it’s for: Mixers who want planar magnetic sound for about $200.
The catch: Its sensitivity is fairly low (92 dB), so give it a strong headphone output.
12. Neumann NDH 30
Price: $699 on Neumann’s US store on October 21, 2026.
The Neumann NDH 30 is Neumann’s open-back headphone for mixing and mastering. Neumann says it’s made to match the sound of its KH studio monitors, which helps if you mix on those speakers too. It folds for travel, and both the cable and the ear pads can be replaced.
Key specs: Open-back · 120 ohms · 12 to 34,000 Hz · 3 m detachable cloth-covered cable · 352 g.
Who it’s for: Producers who want one top-end open pair for mixing and mastering.
The catch: It’s the most expensive pick here. Buy it once you know open-back mixing suits you.
What are the best budget headphones for mixing?
The best budget headphones for mixing are the AKG K240 Studio ($99) and the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x ($99 at Thomann). For recording, the Sennheiser HD 280 PRO and the Sony MDR-7506 are the classics. Under $50, the Superlux HD 681 ($21.50 at Thomann) is the cheapest way to start.
Cheap doesn’t have to mean bad. A budget pair needs the same things as an expensive one: a flat sound, comfort for long sessions, and an impedance your laptop or interface can drive. All seven below are 64 ohms or less.
13. Sennheiser HD 280 PRO
Price: $99.95 on Sennheiser’s US store on October 21, 2026.
Sennheiser builds the HD 280 PRO for tracking, mixing and broadcasting. Its closed cups block up to 32 dB of outside noise, so very little of your track leaks into the microphone. It folds up small and has replaceable ear pads.
Key specs: Closed-back · 64 ohms, fine from a laptop · 8 to 25,000 Hz · coiled cable, 1.3 to 3 m · 285 g.
Who it’s for: Anyone who records vocals or guitar on a tight budget.
The catch: Closed cups sound less open than an open-back pair, so check your mixes in the car before you call them done.
14. Sony MDR-7506
Price: $92 at Thomann (October 2026).
The Sony MDR-7506 has been a studio staple for decades. Sony builds it as a professional headphone that handles high volume, and it folds into the carrying pouch in the box. The coiled cable stretches from about 1.2 m to 3 m and ends in a gold-plated plug that fits both small and big jacks.
Key specs: Closed-back · 63 ohms, fine from a laptop · 10 to 20,000 Hz · coiled cable, about 1.2 to 3 m · about 230 g without the cable.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a proven closed pair for recording for under $100.
The catch: Sony’s spec sheet stops at 20,000 Hz, the lowest top end here along with the M20x. That’s the edge of human hearing, so it matters less than it looks.
15. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Price: $99 at Thomann (October 2026).
The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is the M50x’s cheaper sibling. Audio-Technica describes its sound as uncolored across the whole range and calls it ideal for studio recording and mixing. It’s closed-back, folds up, and comes with two detachable locking cables: a 1.2 m coiled one that stretches to about 3 m, and a 3 m straight one.
Key specs: Closed-back · 35 ohms, easy to drive · 15 to 24,000 Hz · two detachable cables · 240 g without the cable.
Who it’s for: Beginners who want one closed pair under $100 for both recording and mixing.
The catch: It comes with one cable fewer than the M50x: there’s no short 1.2 m straight one.
16. AKG K240 Studio
Price: $99 on AKG’s US store on October 21, 2026.
The AKG K240 Studio is semi-open. That means it’s partly vented, so it sounds more open than a closed pair, but it still leaks some sound. AKG built it for mixing, mastering and playback. A self-adjusting headband sets the fit for you, and the 3 m cable detaches.
Key specs: Semi-open · 55 ohms, fine from a laptop · 15 to 25,000 Hz · 3 m detachable cable · 240 g.
Who it’s for: Beginners who mostly mix and want an open-sounding pair for under $100.
The catch: It doesn’t fold, and it leaks too much to record vocals with a mic nearby.
17. Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Price: $52 at Thomann (October 2026).
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is the entry model of Audio-Technica’s studio monitor line, and Audio-Technica calls it ideal for studio recording and mixing. It’s closed-back with 40 mm drivers and oval ear cups that block outside noise. At about 190 g it’s the lightest pair on this list, and its 3 m cable runs from one side and ends in a plug that fits small and big jacks.
Key specs: Closed-back · 47 ohms, fine from a laptop · 15 to 20,000 Hz · 3 m single-sided cable · about 190 g without the cable.
Who it’s for: Beginners who want a real closed studio pair for about $50.
The catch: It shares the lowest top end on this list (20,000 Hz) with the MDR-7506. That’s the edge of human hearing, so it matters less than it looks.
18. Samson SR850
Price: $49.99 at Sweetwater (October 2026). Samson doesn’t show a price on its own site.
The Samson SR850 is semi-open, with large 50 mm drivers and velour ear pads. Samson says the semi-open design lets a little outside sound in on purpose, for better stereo imaging.
Key specs: Semi-open · 32 ohms, easy to drive · 10 to 30,000 Hz · 2.5 m cable · 276 g.
Who it’s for: Anyone starting out who wants real studio headphones for under $50.
The catch: Like every semi-open pair, it leaks, so keep it away from the mic when you record.
19. Superlux HD 681
Price: $21.50 at Thomann (October 2026).
The Superlux HD 681 is the cheapest pair here. Superlux makes it as a semi-open studio headphone with 50 mm drivers and a self-adjusting headband. It comes with a carrying bag and a screw-on adapter for big jacks.
Key specs: Semi-open · 32 ohms, easy to drive · 10 to 30,000 Hz · 2.5 m straight cable · 276 g.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to try studio headphones for about $20.
The catch: The cable is built in, so treat it gently.
The best headphones for mixing under $200
Under $200, get the Sennheiser HD 560S ($199.95) if you mostly mix, or the AKG K371 ($199) if you also record. The Shure SRH840A ($169) and the Austrian Audio Hi-X15 ($149) are the closed picks for recording at home and on the go.
20. AKG K371
Price: $199 on AKG’s US store on October 21, 2026.
The AKG K371 is a closed-back pair tuned to AKG’s Reference Response target, which AKG describes as accurate, neutral sound. It folds up, and it comes with three detachable cables: two straight ones (1.2 m and 3 m) and a 3 m coiled one.
Key specs: Closed-back · 32 ohms, easy to drive · 5 to 40,000 Hz · three detachable cables · 255 g.
Who it’s for: Producers who want one closed pair under $200 for recording and mixing.
The catch: It costs twice as much as the HD 280 PRO. If you only record, the cheaper pair does the job.
21. Sennheiser HD 560S
Price: $199.95 on Sennheiser’s US store on October 21, 2026 (regular price $279.95).
The Sennheiser HD 560S is an open-back pair for mixing on a budget. Sennheiser gave it an all-new 120-ohm driver, and the 1.8 m cable detaches and ends in a 3.5 mm plug with an adapter for bigger jacks.
Key specs: Open-back · 120 ohms · 6 to 38,000 Hz · 1.8 m detachable cable · 280 g.
Who it’s for: Beginners who mostly mix and want open-back sound for under $200.
The catch: At 120 ohms it’s above the 80-ohm line we use for laptops, so plug it into an audio interface.
22. Shure SRH840A
Price: $169 on Shure’s US store on October 21, 2026.
Shure builds the SRH840A for recording, content creation and monitoring. It’s closed-back with 40 mm drivers, folds flat, and its 3 m straight cable locks into the ear cup and detaches for easy replacement.
Key specs: Closed-back · 40 ohms, easy to drive · 5 to 25,000 Hz · 3 m detachable locking cable · 273 g.
Who it’s for: Producers who record vocals and want a sturdy closed pair under $200.
The catch: It comes with only the straight cable, so buy a coiled one separately if you like to move around.
23. Austrian Audio Hi-X15
Price: $149 on Austrian Audio’s own store on October 21, 2026.
The Austrian Audio Hi-X15 is a closed-back pair that folds up, with memory foam pads and a detachable cable. At 225 g it’s one of the lightest pairs here, which you’ll notice after a long session.
Key specs: Closed-back · 25 ohms, easy to drive · 12 to 24,000 Hz · 1.4 m detachable cable · 225 g.
Who it’s for: Producers who want a light closed pair for recording at home and on the go.
The catch: The included cable is only 1.4 m. That can feel short at a studio desk.
The best headphones for late-night mixing in a bedroom
For late-night mixing, use closed-back headphones, so the sound stays in your ears and out of the next room. Pick a closed pair that’s accurate enough to mix on, like the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X ($229.99), and keep the volume low.
Open-back pairs are the wrong tool here. Anyone in the room hears a thin version of your beat, and a partner trying to sleep will hear every hi-hat.
24. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X
Price: $229.99 on Beyerdynamic’s US store on October 21, 2026.
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X is the pair on screen in Mix Elite’s gear video when the headphone part starts. It’s a newer take on the DT 770 PRO with Beyerdynamic’s STELLAR.45 driver. At 48 ohms it works straight from a laptop, and its detachable 3 m cable locks in with a mini XLR plug.
Key specs: Closed-back · 48 ohms, no amp needed · 5 to 40,000 Hz · 3 m detachable cable · 305 g.
Who it’s for: Bedroom producers who mix late and record in the same room.
The catch: Beyerdynamic calls the headband pressure a firm fit, which can feel tight over long sessions.
25. Neumann NDH 20
Price: $599 on Neumann’s US store on October 21, 2026.
The Neumann NDH 20 is Neumann’s closed-back headphone. It blocks more than 34 dB of outside sound above 4 kHz, folds for travel, and comes with two detachable cables, one straight and one coiled.
Key specs: Closed-back · 150 ohms, so use a good interface or a headphone amp · 5 to 30,000 Hz · 3 m straight and 1.5 to 3 m coiled cables · 390 g.
Who it’s for: Producers who mix at night and want a premium closed pair that keeps the sound in.
The catch: At 390 g it’s heavy. Take short breaks on long nights.
Can you mix on wireless headphones?
You can, but don’t mix on Bluetooth. Bluetooth squeezes the audio to send it (that’s what a codec like SBC does) and adds a delay, so you don’t hear exactly what you’re making, and playing notes in time gets hard. Mix with a cable, or with a low-latency wireless link made for music.
That’s why both picks below can also plug in. Use the wireless mode for the bus and the couch, and the cable at your desk.
26. Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT
Price: $199 on Austrian Audio’s own store on October 21, 2026.
The Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT works three ways: Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C and a normal headphone cable. On Bluetooth it only uses the SBC codec. Treat that as your listening mode. Plug in the cable or USB-C when you mix.
Key specs: Closed-back · 25 ohms · 12 to 24,000 Hz · 1.4 m jack cable and 1.2 m USB-C cable · 270 g · up to 30 hours per charge.
Who it’s for: Producers who want one pair for the commute and the studio.
The catch: SBC is the most basic Bluetooth codec, so the wireless mode isn’t for mixing.
27. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2
Price: $168 at Thomann (October 2026).
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is the wireless version of the M50x. It supports the LDAC, AAC and SBC codecs, has a low-latency mode, and runs up to about 50 hours per charge. A 1.2 m cable comes in the box, so you can plug it in when you mix.
Key specs: Closed-back · 38 ohms · 15 to 28,000 Hz · Bluetooth 5.0 or the included 1.2 m cable · about 307 g.
Who it’s for: M50x fans who want the same closed design without a cable on the go.
The catch: Even in low-latency mode, Bluetooth adds some delay. Use the cable for mixing and recording.
28. AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless
Price: $300 on AIAIAI’s store on October 21, 2026.
The AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless skips Bluetooth for studio work. It uses AIAIAI’s own W+ Link transmitter, which plugs into your gear by mini-jack or USB-C and sends 24-bit, 48 kHz audio with under 10 ms of delay. It still has Bluetooth 5.3 for your phone, and you can plug in a cable too.
Key specs: Over-ear, with memory foam cushions AIAIAI says give high sound isolation · 32 ohms · 10 to 40,000 Hz · W+ Link, Bluetooth or cable · 227 g · more than 20 hours on W+ Link.
Who it’s for: Producers who hate cables and want wireless they can actually make music with.
The catch: Under 10 ms is low, but it’s still a delay. For recording vocals, a cable is safer.
The most comfortable headphones for long mixing sessions
For long sessions, look for soft, breathable ear pads and a low weight. The RØDE NTH-100 ($159) puts cooling gel under Alcantara cushions, the Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa ($329 at Thomann) weighs about 199 g, and the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO ($199.99) weighs 250 g, with soft velour pads.
Comfort matters more than it sounds. If your ears hurt after an hour, you’ll stop mixing early, or you’ll start making choices just to get the headphones off.
29. RØDE NTH-100
Price: $159 on RØDE’s US store on October 21, 2026.
RØDE built the NTH-100 around comfort. Its memory foam cushions sit over a CoolTech cooling gel layer, covered in soft Alcantara, and a FitLok system locks the headband once you’ve found your fit. The cable plugs into either ear cup.
Key specs: Over-ear with passive noise isolation (RØDE rates it at 20 dBA) · 32 ohms, easy to drive · 5 to 35,000 Hz · 2.4 m detachable cable · 350 g.
Who it’s for: Producers who wear headphones for hours and get sore ears or a hot head.
The catch: At 350 g it’s heavier than the other two comfort picks.
30. Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa
Price: $329 at Thomann (October 2026).
The Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa is Audio-Technica’s professional open-back reference headphone and the newer version of the ATH-R70x. At about 199 g it’s the lightest open-back pair here, and Audio-Technica reworked the headband so it stays comfortable through long sessions. The 3 m cable detaches and comes with an adapter for big jacks.
Key specs: Open-back · 470 ohms, so it needs a headphone amp or a strong interface output · 5 to 40,000 Hz · 3 m detachable cable · about 199 g without the cable.
Who it’s for: Mixers who wear headphones for hours and already own a strong headphone output.
The catch: At 470 ohms it’s the hardest pair here to drive. A laptop jack won’t do it justice.
31. Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO
Price: $199.99 on Beyerdynamic’s US store on October 21, 2026, for the 80-ohm or the 250-ohm version.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO is Beyerdynamic’s classic open-back studio pair. It weighs 250 g without the cable, and Beyerdynamic makes the breathable velour pads for exactly this: session after session.
Key specs: Open-back · 80 or 250 ohms (the 250-ohm version needs a strong output) · 5 to 35,000 Hz · fixed cable · 250 g without the cable.
Who it’s for: Mixers who want a light, open pair for long sessions.
The catch: The cable is fixed, so you can’t swap it if it breaks.
Which headphones should you buy?
- Under $50: Superlux HD 681, $21.50 at Thomann, or Samson SR850, $49.99 at Sweetwater.
- Under $100: AKG K240 Studio ($99) to mix, Sennheiser HD 280 PRO ($99.95) to record, or Audio-Technica ATH-M40x ($99 at Thomann) for both.
- Under $200: Sennheiser HD 560S ($199.95) to mix, or AKG K371 ($199) to record and mix.
- One pair for recording and mixing: Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, $199.99, or Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, $139 at Thomann.
- Late nights in a shared home: Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO X, $229.99.
- The best for mixing: Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, $429, or Sennheiser HD 600, $349.95 on sale.
- Wireless you can make music on: AIAIAI TMA-2 Studio Wireless, $300.
- Long, comfortable sessions: RØDE NTH-100, $159.
Building your first setup? Our home studio guide shows where headphones fit next to the rest of your gear.
Do you need a headphone amp?
Usually not. Impedance, measured in ohms, tells you how much power a pair needs. Pairs up to about 80 ohms play loud enough from a laptop or an audio interface. Higher ones, like the 300-ohm HD 600, the 250-ohm versions of the DT 770 PRO and DT 990 PRO, or the 150-ohm NDH 20, need a stronger headphone output, so check your interface first or add a small headphone amp.
Impedance isn’t the whole story, though. The Audeze MM-100 is only 18 ohms, but Audeze recommends more than 250 mW of power, so it likes a strong output too.
Your audio interface matters more than an amp at first. Skip ultra-cheap interfaces: the gear video warns they can break quickly, add latency (a delay you can hear) or fail to give your microphone enough power. Our guide to the best audio interfaces lists good ones at every budget.
How to set up your headphones in FL Studio
Plug your headphones into your audio interface’s headphone jack, then tell FL Studio to use the interface:
- Open Options, then Audio settings.
- Click the device menu (1) and look under ASIO devices (2).
- Pick the ASIO driver with your interface’s name. If there isn’t one, pick FL Studio ASIO or ASIO4ALL (3).
ASIO is a fast audio driver. It keeps the delay between pressing a key and hearing the sound short, which matters most when you record.
How to record vocals in headphones without a delay
The delay you hear in your headphones while you record is called latency. Here are the fixes from Mix Elite’s free FL Studio course:
- Record into a new, empty project, or switch off the effects on your mixer while you record.
- Open the recording menu on the Playlist track you record on (1) and keep External input only (2), so you get a raw take with no effects.
- Set Monitor external input to Off (3) if you don’t want to hear yourself through FL Studio.
Closed-back headphones help here too. They keep the beat in your ears and out of the microphone.
Can you mix with just headphones?
Yes. Most beginners start on headphones, and a flat pair is enough to make a good mix, as long as you check it on other systems before you call it done. The free FL Studio course ends its mastering chapter that way: play the finished song on different headphones, laptops, cars and Bluetooth speakers, and listen for problems.
Headphones and studio speakers each hide different problems. Our guide to mixing in headphones vs studio monitors shows what each one misses and how to check both. When you’re ready for speakers, start with our studio monitor guide.
Whatever pair you buy, learn it. Play songs you know well through it every day for a week. Soon you’ll know what a good mix sounds like on your headphones.
New to all of this? Our guide to producing music walks you through every step of your first song.
DAY 1 OF THE 7-DAY MUSIC PRODUCER COURSE
Picked your headphones? Set up the rest of your studio
Day 1 of the 7-Day course is all about your setup: the ‘Perfect Triangle’ formula for setting up a home studio on any budget, how to choose the music hardware and software that suit you, and a download with our full list of the best hardware, so you don’t spend days researching. It’s taught in FL Studio (the free trial works), about 45 minutes a day, and at the end a pro gives you personal feedback on your finished track. It’s $27, and you get 60 days to decide if it was worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my mix sound good in headphones but bad in the car?
Usually because your headphones aren’t flat. Many regular headphones boost the bass and treble, so you mix to make up for it, and the car shows the real balance. Mix on flat studio headphones, check every mix in the car before you finish it, and keep your master’s true peak below 0 dB so it doesn’t clip as an MP3.
Should I get open-back or closed-back headphones?
Open-back for mixing, closed-back for recording. Open-back headphones sound more natural but leak sound into the room and the mic. Closed-back headphones keep the sound in, so they’re the right pick if you record vocals or make music late at night near people who are sleeping. If you buy one pair and you record, get closed-back.
What are the best budget headphones for mixing?
For mixing on a budget, the AKG K240 Studio ($99 on AKG’s US store) is a semi-open pair that sounds more open than most cheap headphones. For recording, get the closed-back Sennheiser HD 280 PRO ($99.95). Under $50, the Samson SR850 is $49.99 at Sweetwater, and the Sony MDR-7506 ($92 at Thomann) is another proven closed pick. Under $200, the open-back Sennheiser HD 560S ($199.95) is the step up.
Can I mix on Bluetooth headphones?
It’s best not to. Bluetooth compresses the sound and adds a delay, so you don’t hear exactly what you’re mixing. Use the cable or USB-C mode instead; the Austrian Audio Hi-X25BT has both. If you want wireless while you make music, AIAIAI’s TMA-2 Studio Wireless uses its own W+ Link with under 10 ms of delay.
Do I need an amp for studio headphones?
Only for high-impedance pairs. Headphones up to about 80 ohms play fine from a laptop or an audio interface. Pairs like the 300-ohm Sennheiser HD 600, the 150-ohm Neumann NDH 20 or the 250-ohm versions of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO and DT 990 PRO need a strong headphone output. If they sound quiet even at full volume, add a small headphone amp.
