Are you on the hunt for some comfortable headphones?
Are you tired of going out and putting on your headphones, only to experience pain and discomfort after a few hours of listening?
This is not the experience you’ve hoped for and you definitely deserve a heck of a lot better.
For those seeking headphones with comfort and style, I’ve put together a list of my top seven choices for the most comfortable headphones for you to peruse today.
This information is invaluable to the right person. If you truly desire high quality headphones that supply comfort, style, wireless connectivity, noise cancelling, and affordability then you wound up in the right place.
Quick List: Top 7 Most Comfortable Headphones In2024
- Sony WH1000XM3 Headphones – Best Overall
- Razer Opus Wireless Headphones – Best Noise Cancelling
- HIFIMAN HE-400I Over Ear Headphones – Best Over Ear
- Hearprotek Sleep Earbuds – Best In Ear
- Philips SHP9500 Headphones – Best Under $100
- AKG K240 Headphones
Researching the Most Comfortable Headphones
Some headphones are going to be a lot more comfortable than others. And some headphones are going to be better overall from a quality standpoint. They’ll have better features, greater levels of comfortability, and other critical areas to focus on. More and more people are beginning to wear bone conduction headphones as well so they might be worth taking a look at also.
As an example, besides choosing headphones made of soft leather, I also look for ergonomically designed headphones that have really soft and cushiony ear pads, they have to be lightweight, and ultimately they have to be very comfortable.
Sometimes I’ll find out if there comfortable through personal use. At other times, I may have to scour the Internet for reviews from other users to find out what they think. But I always make sure that these headphones are made from high quality material that’s soft, breathable, and provide lasting levels of comfort.
But that’s only part of the process. I also look for headphones with touch controls, long battery life when applicable, easy to travel foldable designs, great Bluetooth connectivity, access to voice assistants, the best noise cancellation technology, premium sound quality, hands-free calling, and more.
The Most Comfortable Headphones In2024
1. Sony WH1000XM3 Headphones – Best Overall
- DIGITAL NOISE CANCELING: Industry leading ANC lends a personalized, virtually soundproof experience
The Sony WH1000XM3 Headphones are the number one choice for the best overall most comfortable headphones. They are ergonomically correct, made of soft and supple material, have long battery life and quick charging capabilities, and other excellent features.
✔️ What we like: Smart listening, Bluetooth connectivity, and built-in Alexa
❌ What we don’t like: Not supported for laptop and desktop computers
Standout Features
- Digital noise cancelling technology
- Built-in microphone
- Long battery life
- Audio cable for wired connection
- Ergonomically redesigned foldable headphones
These headphones are crazy awesome because they deliver the goods in so many different ways. Starting with comfort, the ear pads are so incredibly soft that they feel light to the touch and comfy on top of your ears like they are lying on top of a soft and comfy pillow. And the ergonomic design means that the wearer gets to experience maximum luxury combined with the best ease-of-use.
The smart listening feature is one edition that I truly appreciate. Depending on the activity that I’m in the middle of doing, the headphones themselves will adjust the levels of ambient sound and provide additional noise cancellation or less noise cancellation depending on the environment. This intuitive design means that I don’t have to constantly fiddle with the noise cancellation features to get them perfect. The headphones take care of it for me.
After three months of questioning the company, one reviewer finally got the answer he was looking for except it didn’t particularly work out right. He wanted to connect these headphones via Bluetooth to his laptop computer. Guess what? Sony finally told him that these headphones weren’t designed to connect with a laptop or PC computer. As you can imagine, this reviewer wasn’t the happiest camper but at least he finally got his answer even though it was the wrong one.
All in all, I truly appreciate the Sony WH1000XM3 Headphones because of the intuitive digital noise cancelling, the soft and plush ear cups, the ergonomic design, the smart listening features, the 30 hours of continuous battery life, the 10 minute quick charge feature, the convenient carry case, and quite a few other fantastic features that are too numerous to mention.
2. Razer Opus Wireless Headphones – Best Noise Cancelling
- The #1 Best-Selling Gaming Peripherals Manufacturer in the US: Source - The NPD Group, Inc., U.S. Retail Tracking Service, Gaming Designed: Keyboards, Mice, PC Headsets, and PC Microphones, Based on...
The Razer Opus Wireless Headphones are our top-of-the-line choice for the best noise cancelling headphones with maximum comfort. They provide a combination of Bluetooth and 3.5 mm headphone jack for connectivity, 25 hours of battery life, ANC wireless noise cancelling, and other great features.
✔️ What we like: THX certified headphones, plush leatherette memory foam ear cushions
❌ What we don’t like: Difficulty connecting to other Bluetooth devices
Standout Features
- ANC noise cancelling technology
- Designed for long hours of wear
- Snug clamping fit
- Balanced weight
- Optional 3.5 mm jack
I’m a huge fan of these noise cancelling headphones because they have incorporated advanced active noise cancellation technology, otherwise known as ANC tech. What does this mean? It means you can eliminate each and every background distraction from entering into your awareness. This noise will not disrupt your audiobook, podcast, or music playing whatsoever. In fact, the beauty of ANC tech is its detection capabilities. It will hone into background noise and immediately nullify the sounds and keep them out of your space of awareness.
Another cool thing about the ANC technology is the ability to remain aware of your surroundings at all times. Not only does it nullify sound, but the ANC technology can also amplify background sound as well. So if you’re walking through a dark alley at night and you’re afraid someone might be following you, you can press the ANC button and hold it down for a few seconds.
This will turn on the amplification of ambient noises and you’ll suddenly have a heightened sense of awareness and know everything that’s going on around you.
One reviewer was upset because she had a difficult time connecting her headphones to other Bluetooth devices. She claimed that she had to connect to the Bluetooth on her computer first before she could connect to her iPhone or android devices. This came directly from tech support, so if you’re having the same problem, please remember to connect to the Bluetooth on your computer before attempting to connect to other devices.
Overall, I recommend the Razer Opus Wireless Headphones for the plush leatherette memory foam ear cushions, the easy portability, the foldable design, the high fidelity sound and THX certification, and the noise cancellation or amplification options.
3. HIFIMAN HE-400I Over Ear Headphones – Best Over Ear
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The HIFIMAN HE-400I Over Ear Headphones were chosen as the best over ear headphones because the headband has a newly improved pressure pattern for maximum comfort, they are 30% lighter than similar headphones, and the beveled hybrid ear pads are made of velour and leather to provide maximum comfort.
✔️ What we like: Steel reinforced headphone yoke, attractive contemporary design
❌ What we don’t like: Padded ear cups fell apart after six months
Standout Features
- High-quality stereo sound
- ABS polymer ear cups
- Improved sound quality
- Added comfort
- Planar magnetic headphones
The thing I like the most about these planar magnetic headphones is the innovative planner magnetic technology used in this high quality design. These magnets create a critical listening experience that works perfectly whether you’re sitting at home or in the studio.
Normally, these additional magnets will cause the headphones to become heavy and more uncomfortable. But this headphone is of the new generation and it’s designed to keep sensitivity intact without adding extra weight.
The pressure pattern in the design has been improved to create an experience of maximum comfort. Couple this with the ABS polymer ear cups and beveled ear pads made of leatherette and soft velour. These materials are so comfortable that you can wear these over ear headphones all day whether you’re at work or at home listening to your favorite audio programs.
You will not feel uncomfortable or ill at ease at all because the design was made to provide maximum coziness for long stretches of time.
And speaking of the ear cups, one reviewer was upset because his padded ear cups fell apart after six months. He said the glue started to wear off and the ear cups needed to be replaced. The good thing is the option exists to replace them inexpensively, so if yours do eventually fall apart at least you know that you can get replacements online for a nominal fee.
In general, I have no problem recommending the HIFIMAN HE-400I Over Ear Headphones to anyone looking for top-quality over ear headphones. They have a great sound, a gorgeous contemporary design, a newly designed headband, crystalline metal 3.5 mm cables, and other outstanding features.
4. Hearprotek Sleep Earbuds – Best In Ear
- 【Comfy & ErgoFit】Double-layer tip ergonomic design moulds to the ear cavity to maximize comfort and helps provide a secure fit to block the noise reduction effectively, which is specially designed...
The Hearprotek Sleep Earbuds are the best in ear design because they are ergonomically molded to your inner your cavity to provide maximum comfort. They are lightweight, incredibly soft, durable, portable, and they even have a three button in-line remote.
✔️ What we like: Convenient in-line controls, easy to transport
❌ What we don’t like: Earbuds activate Siri while attempting to sleep
Standout Features
- Double layer ear tip
- Ergonomically designed ear molds
- Improved noise reduction
- Designed specifically for side sleepers
- Lightweight design and soft material
Finding the best in ear earbuds to wear while sleeping is never an easy task to accomplish, but I feel like I’ve finally found the right choice. These earbuds have double layered ear tips that mold to the inside of the cavity of your ear canal. This design means you will experience maximum comfort because they will fit securely within your ear canal to eliminate background noise while offering a comfortable feel that will not disturb your sleep whatsoever.
I also like that the earbuds are incredibly soft and lightweight. They are made with a soft silicone, not a bulky and uncomfortable plastic. This silicone design means maximum comfort because they are flexible and will not dig inside your ear canal causing pain.
They will fit within the ear canal comfortably instead of causing unnecessary distress. And since the design is incredibly lightweight at less than a third of an ounce per pair, you’ll never feel like you have a bulky or heavy ear piece weighing you down.
Unfortunately, one reviewer ran into a bit of trouble when she used her earbuds before going to sleep. She said that whenever she would lie down to go to sleep, her music would suddenly stop out of nowhere. She would grab her phone and turn the music back on again, but within moments, the phone and music would automatically turn off.
She realized that as she was laying there attempting to sleep, it would activate Siri and shut everything off. This was a frustrating situation and it doesn’t seem like she found an answer to her problem. No one else seems to have the same complaint though.
At the end of the day, I think you’ll like the Hearprotek Sleep Earbuds because of the soft silicone material, the comfortable design, the durability, and the full in-line three button controls.
5. Philips SHP9500 Headphones – Best Under $100
- 50mm neodymium drivers deliver full spectrum of sound
The Philips SHP9500 Headphones is the overall front runner for the best headphones under $100 because of the 50 mm neodymium drivers, the comfortable double layered headband, the extremely long cord, and the gold-plated connectors.
✔️ What we like: Open back over the ear design creates authentic sound
❌ What we don’t like: Faulty headphones, Philips doesn’t honor their warranty
Standout Features
- 50 mm high-powered drivers
- Comfortable headband cushion
- Breathable ear cushions
- Durable steel headband
- Precisely angled drivers
There is so much to love about these headphones but the levels of comfort that they provide are what immediately springs to mind. Not only were they designed with an adjustable steel headband that they covered in the softest padding you can ever imagine, they also designed these headphones using breathable ear pads that are soft, lessen the pressure on your ears, and even lower the levels of heat that you’ll experience while wearing them for extended periods of time.
Not only is the comfort amazing, but the sound quality is second to none as well. They use high power neodymium magnets to create the most dynamic music and audio you’ve ever listen to. These headphones deliver pristine high frequencies, transparent mid-range, and balanced crisp bass to totally enhance your overall listening pleasure. And the open back over ear design eliminates the buildup of air pressure creating freedom of movement, sound transparency, and smoothly extended high frequencies.
One reviewer had a difficult time with Philips because he said they would honor their warranty. He purchased a set of faulty headphones. They told him that they wouldn’t fix his headphones and they wouldn’t honor their warranty and send him a replacement. It’s possible this person was trying to get new headphones outside of the designated warranty time frame.
Typical reviewers, when writing a complaint review, usually say the headphones were brand-new or only three months old when they broke and they needed a replacement. This reviewer isn’t using the same language, which means he probably didn’t qualify for a warranty in the first place.
All things considered, I’m still going to recommend the Philips SHP9500 Headphones because I’m unsure if the complaint is real, but I know that the headphones are ultra soft, incredibly comfortable, and fit over my head like a glove. I never had any trouble with these headphones and I doubt you will too.
6. AKG K240 Headphones
The AKG K240 Headphones are a fine choice because they are professionally designed studio headphones, come with a 3 m replaceable cable, and they have 30 mm XXL transducers delivering dynamic range, even more sensitivity, and the highest sound levels possible in this semi-open design.
✔️ What we like: Self adjusting headband, over ear pads, ideal fit
❌ What we don’t like: Dulled sound quality and muffled listening experience
Standout Features
- Professional mini XLR connector
- 3 m cable
- Convertible jack plug
- Semi open headphone design
- Replaceable ear pads
When I think about these headphones, I think about classic cans. Why? Because of their design. They look like the headphones that you would see in a music studio. But they are incredibly accurate and engineers, producers, and musicians all over the world use them because of their mixing detail, the high quality sound, the fact that they are incredibly comfortable, and even more important they are quite durable so you can drop them, knock them over, and do your worst and they’ll still survive.
Another nice feature is the 3 m cable. This gives you plenty of additional length to walk around your home, the music studio, or anywhere else and not have to feel like you are being held back because your headphones don’t have any reach. This cable is just long enough to allow you to walk across a standard size room without any difficulty whatsoever. And the convertible jack plug means you can plug it directly into many different types of portable equipment with the greatest of ease.
On the downside, one reviewer said the sound quality was dulled and he said that the audio coming through his headphones was muffled, which you can imagine ruined his overall listening experience. This doesn’t seem to be a normal complaint from other reviewers. In fact, I only read it this one time but I wanted to tell you about it anyway just to put it on your radar.
On the whole, the AKG K240 Headphones are comfortable, stylish, effective, durable, easy to use, self-adjusting, and the perfect fit for music aficionados, music producers and engineers, and average and ordinary people like me.
A Guide to Choosing Comfortable Headphones
Choosing the most comfortable headphones might seem like a chore. You search the Internet, ask everyone you know for recommendations, and you want to discover the greatest most comfortable pair. Yet when you think about it, you do not precisely know what to look for when making your final choice.
I believe in focusing on comfort, stereo sound quality, and noise cancellation capabilities. If you’re looking at purchasing wireless headphones, make sure they have long battery life, excellent Bluetooth connectivity, and quick recharging capabilities certainly doesn’t hurt.
While you’re at it, you could always focus on the quality of the audio since that’s also very important. Hi-fi stereo sound is something to look out for. You can also learn from other reviewers to find out if they liked the sound quality or not, which will certainly point you in the right direction as well.
Noise Cancellation Capabilities
Although I mentioned noise cancellation first, it may not be the most important area to focus on. But it’s important nonetheless because most people hate it when they have too much background noise bleeding into their listening experience. So if you can find great headphones with noise cancellation capabilities you’ll be on the right track for finding excellent headphones that you’ll absolutely love.
Comfortable, Breathable Material
In my opinion, you should focus on comfort first if that’s your main concern. You want headphones made of soft leather, breathable material, padded headbands, memory foam ear cups, protein ear cups, and the material should be silky smooth and velvety to the touch.
Stereo Quality Sound
Sound quality is definitely on the list of important attributes to consider. If the sound quality is dull, muffled, or otherwise out of sync, you’ll end up hating these headphones because they will not deliver the beautiful audio that you long to hear. You can have all of the comfort and noise cancellation in the world, but if the sound quality suffers then the overall experience suffers.
Your headphones will ultimately end up becoming an expensive paper weight if you do not appreciate the beautiful sounds that it makes.
Discover The Most Comfortable Headphones For You
Thanks for taking time out of your regularly scheduled life to read all the way to the end of this review.
Finding comfortable headphones is necessary but it can be a real chore if you do not know where to begin.
Try the recommendation that speaks to you the most and see how you like it. Or use the guide shared above to discover the ideal set of the comfortable headphones on your own.
Always remember to take time to appreciate the finer things in life like great music, stimulating talk radio, and audiobooks that really speak to you at the soul level.
Further Reading:
- Unveiling the Magic: How Do Noise Canceling Headphones Work?
- Taotronics SoundLiberty Pro P10 Earbuds Review
- Over The Ear vs On-Ear Headphones Compared – Which Is Best For You?
- Open Back vs Closed Back Headphones For Gaming (Which is Better?)
- Noise Isolating vs Noise Cancelling Headphones – What’s The Difference?
Trent is a music lover, musical instrument player and passionate audio afficionado.