Durable Headphones for the Savvy Listener: A Buyer’s Guide

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Top Pick

Best Overall

51kfp33MHaL. SL75

  • V-MODA Crossfade 2...
  • Durable frame
  • Foldable
  • Built-in mic
  • Can be used wired or wireless
  • Simultaneous device pairing
  • ANC
  • $480.56
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Best Runner-Up

31rv5JmdY4L. SL75

  • Audio-Technica ATH-M50X...
  • Compact folding size
  • Can be used as wired or wireless
  • Wide frequency range
  • moderately priced
  • Price not available
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Best Battery

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  • Long-lasting battery
  • High sound quality
  • High-quality microphone
  • Comfortable swiveling ear pads
  • Lightweight
  • Can be used wireless or wired
  • Great value for the price
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Best Hi-Fi

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  • Superior hi-fi sound quality
  • Comfortable and durable
  • Well-balanced bass
  • Lightweight
  • Reinforced cable
  • Great value for the price
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Best Value

51l4K1jTMVL. SL75

  • Symphonized Headphones |...
  • Sturdy build
  • Handcrafted all-natural genuine wood
  • Comfortable and adjustable fit
  • Can be used as wired or wireless
  • Great value for the price
  • Price not available
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Do your headphones keep letting you down? Are you tired of constantly having to buy new headphones?

Whether you are an avid music buff or prefer listening to books on your commute, we have got you covered. We know how important it is to find a reliable pair of durable headphones. So, we went and made a list of the 10 most durable headphones on the market.

Explore our product reviews to find out which durable headphones are the best fit for you.

The 10 Most Durable Headphones

Keep reading to find the best durable headphones that check all your boxes.

1. V-Moda Crossfade 2 : Best Overall

  • V-MODA Award-Winning signature sound (50+ editors' Choice Awards)...
  • Qualcomm apt audio CODEC for CD quality wireless audio playback +...
  • Lithium-ion battery provides up to 14+ hours of continuous music,...
  • Iconic cliqfold hinge enables ultimate mobility by folding into...
  • Unparalleled durability meeting V-MODA strictest testing...

The award-winning V-Moda headphones offer a unique listening experience. They can be used wired or wireless, and come in 3 fabulous colors.

The V-Moda Crossfade 2 headphones rely on their proprietary CliqFold Hinge mechanism. It allows them to fold down to an impressively compact size. This makes it easier to carry them around, as well as ensure proper storing.

The V-Moda features dual-diaphragm 50 mm drivers, which produce crystal-clear sound. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology also helps reduce surrounding noises. You will also find a built-in microphone for convenient hands-free calling.

The battery is also something to brag about. For 30 minutes of charging, you get close to 4 hours of playtime, and 14 hours after a full charge. You can even pair with 2 devices at once, with up to 33 feet of distance range.

  • ✓ Durable frame
  • ✓ Foldable
  • ✓ Built-in mic
  • ✓ Can be used wired or wireless
  • ✓ Simultaneous device pairing
  • ✓ ANC
  • Bass may be too powerful for some users
  • The price is a bit high
  • Not waterproof

2. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x : Best Runner-Up

  • Critically acclaimed sonic performance praised by top audio...
  • Proprietary 45 millimeter large aperture drivers with rare earth...
  • Exceptional clarity throughout an extended frequency range with...
  • Circumaural design contours around the ears for excellent sound...
  • 90 degree swiveling earcups for easy one ear monitoring and...

The Audio-Technica over-ear headphones are another solid choice. They are available in 4 stylish colors. Plus, they can be used as either wired or wireless.

The industry-grade headband fits snugly around your ears. Plus, the ear pads are designed for a comfortable fit. This offers a tight seal, which makes for a surprisingly good noise isolation feature.

The ATH-M50x provides excellent sound clarity. These headphones offer an extended frequency range, with deep bass response. Their 45 mm large-aperture drivers also play a big part in producing hi-fi sound quality.

  • ✓ Compact folding size
  • ✓ Can be used as wired or wireless
  • ✓ Wide frequency range
  • ✓ moderately priced
  • Bluetooth connectivity problems
  • Limited ANC

3. COWIN E7 : Best Battery

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Those who love a stylish pair of headphones, the COWIN E7 comes in 6 trendy colors. These amazing-looking headphones also come with a high-quality built-in mic.

One great feature is how crisp and powerful the sound quality is. The E7 headphones come with proprietary 40 mm large-aperture drivers. They offer an accurate and deep bass response.

You also get 90-degree swiveling protein ear pads. Besides being comfortable and lightweight, they are high-performance active noise cancellation (ANC).

Looking for more? What about a long-lasting battery that can give you 30 hours of playtime for each charge?

  • ✓ Long-lasting battery
  • ✓ High sound quality
  • ✓ High-quality microphone
  • ✓ Comfortable swiveling ear pads
  • ✓ Lightweight
  • ✓ Can be used wireless or wired
  • ✓ Great value for the price
  • Microphone is weak
  • ANC does not work as promised

4. Miracle&Leseoul A7 : Best Hi-Fi

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These Shure headphones offer good looks, durable design, and hi-fi sound quality. The vocals are crisp and sharp, and the sound is exactly right for all types of music. The 40 mm large-aperture drivers guarantee superb audio quality.

After fully charging the A7 headphones for a couple of hours, you get up to 25 hours of continuous wireless playtime. You can also use the reinforced detachable cable. They are great at handling all-day heavy-duty use without a problem.

The built-in microphone offers convenient hands-free calling when you use these headphones wirelessly.

These lightweight headphones come in 2 classic colors. The ear pads are made of soft, high-quality protein padding. They are so comfortable your ears will not feel any soreness, even after wearing them for hours on end.

  • ✓ Superior hi-fi sound quality
  • ✓ Comfortable and durable
  • ✓ Well-balanced bass
  • ✓ Lightweight
  • ✓ Reinforced cable
  • ✓ Great value for the price
  • Bluetooth connection is prone to dropping off
  • No ANC
  • Does not come with a user manual

5. Symphonized Wraith 2.0 : Best Value

  • This refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work...

The Symphonized Wraith 2.0 headphones feature an all-natural wooden build. You can choose from cherry, maple, or walnut. This is combined with durable aluminum for a sturdy finish. The padded headband is adjustable, giving you a customizable fit. The ear pads are comfortable and work to reduce ear fatigue.

One of these headphones’ convenient features is that they can be used wired or wirelessly. On a full 2-hour charge, you can enjoy up to 10 hours of continuous playtime. They also give you 33 feet of distance range.

They have 40 mm audio drivers to ensure top-quality sound output. The vocals are crisp and clear for a fully enjoyable listening experience. There is a noise isolation feature that reduces ambient noise and supports a booming bass.

  • ✓ Sturdy build
  • ✓ Handcrafted all-natural genuine wood
  • ✓ Comfortable and adjustable fit
  • ✓ Can be used as wired or wireless
  • ✓ Great value for the price
  • ANC is weak
  • Sound fidelity is a bit lacking

Best Wireless

31PuPUWtkaL. SL75

  • Sony Premium Noise...
  • Top-of-the-line noise cancellation
  • High audio fidelity
  • Top-quality bass
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Lifting right earcup tunes in ambient noise
  • Comfortable design
  • $139.99
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Best Noise-Canceling

31+NMqrip5L. SL75

  • Bose Headphones 700,...
  • 11 noise-canceling modes
  • Snug fit
  • Powerful battery
  • Adaptive mic system
  • Intuitive touch controls
  • Voice assistant
  • Can be used as wired or wireless
  • $132.86
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Best Cable Design

519X868aYaL. SL75

  • Sennheiser HD 25 Plus...
  • Sturdy cable
  • Comes with a hard-body case
  • High-quality sound performance
  • Noise isolation
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable plush ear pads
  • Price not available
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Best Budget

41NIiFpuW7L. SL75

  • ARTIX GT7 Neckband...
  • Budget-friendly
  • Durable build
  • Choice of colors
  • Reliable in-line controls
  • Does not leak sounds
  • Price not available
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Best Comfortable Design

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  • Ultimate comfort
  • Hi-fi stereo sound output
  • Noise isolation
  • Can be used as wired or wireless
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Budget-friendly
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6. Sony MDR1000X : Best Wireless

  • Isolate yourself from external noise with industry-leading noise...
  • Frequency response - 4Hz-40,000Hz
  • Diaphragm:Aluminum coated LCP

Sony uses an optimizer that controls the noise level accordingly with your environment. They call it ‘smart listening’. That is one reason why the WH1000XM3 headphones are a popular choice.

Another top-line feature is their ‘Quick Attention’ mode. This enables you to take in ambient noise without the need to take off your headphones. Simply cover the right earcup with your palm, and it turns down the volume.

These headphones have 40 mm audio drivers. They offer high-quality, crisp sound. The battery is also powerful. It runs for 20 hours uninterrupted on a full charge. Plus, they are foldable for trouble-free portability and storage.

  • ✓ Top-of-the-line noise cancellation
  • ✓ High audio fidelity
  • ✓ Top-quality bass
  • ✓ Long-lasting battery life
  • ✓ Lifting right earcup tunes in ambient noise
  • ✓ Comfortable design
  • Diminished audio clarity
  • Earcup controls are not up to par
  • Relatively expensive

7. Bose Wireless Bluetooth 700 : Best Noise-Canceling

Sale
  • POWERFUL NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: 11 levels of active noise...
  • ASTONISHING SOUND: Crisp, clear details. Deep, full bass. These...
  • UNRIVALED VOICE PICKUP: A revolutionary microphone system adapts...
  • KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND HANDS FREE: With easy access to voice...
  • PREMIUM DESIGN AND COMFORT: With a lightweight stainless steel...
  • BATTERY LIFE: Get up to 20 hours of wireless battery life on a...
  • ONE TOUCH TO LISTEN TO SPOTIFY: Instantly listen to your last...
  • ALEXA CALLING: Use these wireless noise cancelling headphones to...
  • BOSE SIMPLESYNC TECHNOLOGY: SimpleSync pairs your Bose Noise...

The Bose 700 headphones live up to the hype. They are one of the leading noise-canceling headphones on the market. Thanks, to their 11 noise-canceling modes, you get full control over keeping ambient noises out or letting them in.

In addition, you can enjoy crisp, hi-fi sound quality for an unrivaled listening experience. The built-in adaptive 4-microphone system works to isolate your voice, while canceling surrounding noises.

Intuitive touch controls on the ear cups makes volume control, track changes, and taking calls much simpler. These headphones are also optimized for Google Assistant and Alexa voice commands.

The battery lasts up to 20 hours on a full charge, which usually lasts 2.5 hours. You can also plug in their cable and use them wired.

  • ✓ 11 noise-canceling modes
  • ✓ Snug fit
  • ✓ Powerful battery
  • ✓ Adaptive mic system
  • ✓ Intuitive touch controls
  • ✓ Voice assistant
  • ✓ Can be used as wired or wireless
  • The price is relatively high
  • They are not foldable

8. Sennheiser HD25 : Best Cable Design

  • High sensitivity due to lightweight aluminium voice coils and...
  • Capable of handling very high sound pressure levels, Professional...
  • Comfortable, even if used for long periods of time
  • Rotatable capsule for single-ear listening, Adjustable, padded...
  • Closed-back earcups and thick on-ear cushions block out unwanted...

The Sennheiser HD25 features a padded headband. It can be easily adjusted for a custom-fit. Also, the ear-contouring plush leather ear pads are lightweight and extremely comfortable.

The cables are also one of their best features. The HD25 headphones come with a 5-foot cable. It is bolted to the headset, which reduces the risk of breakage.

These headphones produce superb sound-quality, thanks to their extremely sensitive audio quality. They are also great at balancing frequencies without a fault.

Another great feature is their ability to block out ambient noise. It is great for enjoying an in-depth listening experience.

  • ✓ Sturdy cable
  • ✓ Comes with a hard-body case
  • ✓ High-quality sound performance
  • ✓ Noise isolation
  • ✓ Lightweight
  • ✓ Comfortable plush ear pads
  • The headband may be too tight for some users
  • Price is relatively high

9. Artix Foldable : Best Budget

  • Discover wireless in-ear neckband headphones that DELIVER the...
  • With Artix GT7 your best wireless earphones audio adventure...
  • Stop dreaming of superior wireless Bluetooth earbuds! Hit your...
  • Revel in Bluetooth earphones that align with your deeper values....
  • There should be no compromise in Quality for the best Bluetooth...

Designed for durability, these wired headphones offer many great features for budget buyers. They come in 3 spunky color choices to pick from.

Some other great features include the adjustable headband, pillow-soft ear pads, and foldable design. Plus, the cable is tangle-free for optimal longevity.

These headphones can withstand heavy use. Plus, their drivers are solid enough to provide an excellent audio experience.

Their built-in controls and microphone offer convenience and reliability. Use the in-line controls to adjust the volume, pick tracks, or take a call.

  • ✓ Budget-friendly
  • ✓ Durable build
  • ✓ Choice of colors
  • ✓ Reliable in-line controls
  • ✓ Does not leak sounds
  • No ANC
  • Not waterproof

10. Mpow 059 : Best Comfortable Design

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The Mpow 059 is one of the most comfortable headphones you will ever come across. The ear pads are made from memory-protein foam, which feels light on your ears. It also reduces ear fatigue. Even the headband is padded for maximum support.

These headphones can be used as wired or wireless. After a full charge, you get 20 hours of listening. A quick 10-minute charge can give you a maximum of 2 hours of battery life.

The sound quality is impressive. They come with 40 mm drivers, which produce hi-fi- stereo sound. There’s also noise isolation, which provides an engaging listening experience.

  • ✓ Ultimate comfort
  • ✓ Hi-fi stereo sound output
  • ✓ Noise isolation
  • ✓ Can be used as wired or wireless
  • ✓ Long-lasting battery
  • ✓ Budget-friendly
  • Wireless connection is prone to malfunction
  • No ANC

Top Features All Durable Headphones Should Have

Having a good pair of headphones means you get to enjoy great sound quality. But what good is great sound quality if the headphones do not last very long?

Here are some features you should look out for when buying durable headphones.

Construction Material

Almost all durable headphones are made from copper, aluminum, or steel. These are two of the most durable materials you can hope for in your headphones.

Durability

Durability does not refer to only the strength of the headphones. It also means they can handle the constant wear and tear of heavy-duty use.

Cables

Durable headphones feature cables that can endure up to a million bends effortlessly. Most cables are also reinforced with Kevlar. Others have several layers of rubber or silicone for enhanced durability.

Ear pads

Ear pads are considered by many to be the most important part of the entire headphone. Their shape and design are responsible for the amount of noise isolation. They also determine how much sound may leak out.

Then there is the material. Ear pads should be padded with soft padded foam. Many even are designed with memory foam that contours to the shape of your ears. Since ear pads are both the grip and the cushioning on your ears, finding the most comfortable fit is vital.

Weight

Even though durable headphones are made with solid, sturdy materials, they should still feel lightweight. Light headphones reduce strain on your ears, both in and out depending on what type of headphones you are using. They also prevent neck and ear fatigue.

Noise Isolation/Cancellation

Noise isolation results in extremely clear audio for a high-quality performance. On-ear headphones offer the finest noise isolation of all types of headphones.

Noise cancellation, on the other hand, reduces ambient noise. On some high-end durable headphones, it may remove surrounding noises altogether.

Frequency Range

The depth of your audio is mainly determined by the frequency range. It is how the headphones can replicate all frequencies equally. A good pair of headphones can reproduce frequencies that range between 20 and 20,000 Hz.

Our Best Pick

Whether you like your headphones flashy or understated, wired or wireless, we give you the 10 best-ever durable headphones. They are all made of heavy-duty materials that can withstand the grind of daily use and abuse.

Our favorite durable headphones are the V-Moda Crossfade 2. These headphones offer so many great features. There is the CliqFold Hinge, the compact folding size, and the impressive ANC.

Not to mention the long-lasting battery, and comfortable fit. They also come in 3 stylish colors to match every listening mood.

Looking for something more budget-oriented? We suggest the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. They are comfortable, durable, and come in 4 trendy colors.

Another thing we love about these headphones is their hi-fi superb sound. All these features make the ATH-M50x one pair of winner headphones.

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