10 Best Headphones for Video Editing: 2024 Top Picks (All Budgets)

Why should you use reliable headphones for video editing?

Here’s why you should use a good pair of headphones to edit your videos:

Improved accuracy and sound quality

With a reliable, high-quality pair of headphones, you get a more accurate representation of audio levels. This allows you to make fine adjustments and ensure that your audio is high-quality, tonally neutral, and distortion-free.

A high-quality pair of headphones gives you access to a wider frequency range, which is crucial for a professional-sounding final product.

The human ear can detect between 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. A good pair of studio headphones can accurately reproduce all of these frequencies. This opens your ears to more details in the recording that would otherwise be lost with low-quality headphones, and allows you to create better mixes and masters.

You can easily detect and erase all the clipping and distortion that you wouldn’t even be able to pick up on with a narrower frequency range.

Improved sound design

With a more accurate reproduction of the audio, you can create better sound design. The frequencies of studio headphones allow you to better hear nuances in each take and figure out which is the best for your video.

You can create rich and engaging acoustic landscapes and make more informed creative decisions thanks to the higher-quality sound, and this results in a better end product overall.

Comfort and wearability

Video editing takes a lot of time, ranging anywhere from 5 days to over a week for an hour-long video.

Comfortable headphones will take some of the fatigue out of long editing sessions. High-quality headphones are ergonomic and suited to the shape of the human ear, allowing you to stay focused and work efficiently.

Noise isolation and cancellation

High-quality headphones can help block out external noise, which allows you to focus on the audio. This brings us to noise isolation and cancellation.

These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. Noise isolation refers to the physical blocking of external noise through ear pads or tips. Noise cancellation, however, relies on electronic systems to neutralize ambient noise like chatty coworkers or the sound of traffic.

Durability

Good headphones use high-quality and sturdy materials such as stainless steel or reinforced plastic. Padding made of leather or faux leather can also make headphones more durable and allow them to last longer.

Also, look for sweat- and water-resistant headphones. They can hold up against the rigors of extensive daily use, which means you’ll need less replacements and won’t have to spend money multiple times to get new pairs like with low-quality headphones.

What to consider when choosing video editing headphones

Closed-back vs. open-back

These terms pop up a lot in headphone discussions. Here’s what they mean: Closed-back headphones have earcups with a solid outer shell that completely encloses the back of the drivers (speakers).  Open-backed headphones have perforations, grills, or a mesh-like covering on the back of the drivers that allows air to pass through.

So what’s the difference?

Closed-back headphones provide more isolation from external noise — as well as prevent any noise from the cans from leaking out.

Open-back headphones sound clearer and don’t have the low-frequency bass boost that can unintentionally occur in closed-back models. However, the sound playing in open-back headphones can leak out and be heard by people or even microphones around you.

Consider the environment that you work in. Ideally, for editing, an open-back setup is preferred — but this may not always be the ideal choice for the reason we just mentioned above.

Wireless vs. wired

Wireless and wired headphones both have their benefits and drawbacks. While wireless headphones can provide freedom of movement and flexibility, they also rely on the Bluetooth capabilities of other devices you’ll use with them. If the devices are incompatible, you may experience lag or other issues.

If you’re certain about getting wireless headphones, make sure you find ones with low latency. This minimizes audio delay and sync problems.

Wired headphones are preferable to avoid the potential drop in quality that comes with wireless interference. They usually come with a 3.5mm cable, which most computers and smartphones have a jack for.

Impedance

Impedance, measured in Ohms, refers to the current drawn from the headphone amplifier inside your laptop, smartphone, or other audio interface.

Although most headphones work with most amplifiers, you should consider the impedance of your headphones before purchasing to ensure compatibility.

Ohm ratings like 32-35 ohms are suitable for smartphones and laptops. They don’t sound as good as higher-impedance headphones, though.

Higher impedance headphones (in the 50+ ohms range) sound much clearer and less distorted, which makes them better for editing. Anything above 50 ohms requires a pre-amp to run and needs more power than your laptop can provide.

On-ear or over-ear

Another thing to consider is whether you prefer on-ear or over-ear headphones. This refers to whether the ear cups sit on top of or fit over your ears.

This depends mostly on you and how you prefer to wear your headphones. Both categories have great options in terms of sound quality and comfort, so it really depends on personal taste.

Sound quality

Sound quality is of the utmost importance for video editing, so make sure to get headphones with a flat frequency response. This ensures all audio frequencies are represented evenly across the spectrum without inconsistencies and some frequencies being louder than others.

This way, you’ll get a fully accurate representation of the actual audio without issues or biases of the headphone itself.

Price

Budget is another important factor to consider — set a budget and look at what options suit that budget. High-quality options are available at lots of price points, so don’t think you need a particularly high budget for a good pair of headphones.

Some headphone companies provide replaceable ear pads, which is useful to maintain optimal performance and comfort over time without needing to buy a new pair of headphones.

Compatibility

Ensure your headphones are compatible with your PC, laptop, audio interface, smartphone, and chosen video editing software or an editor app.

Advanced features

Many headphones provide advanced features that you may require in your editing, such as:

• Surround sound: Some headphones have virtual surround sound capabilities which allow you to work with multi-channel audio formats.

• Customizable sound profiles/EQ settings: Certain headphones allow you to customize sound profiles or EQ settings, which can be adjusted to suit the needs of your projects.

• Angled drivers: Angled drivers in headphones aim sound towards your ears at an angle. This allows for a more natural listening experience and helps you perceive audio cues more accurately.

• Soundstage and imaging: With a wider soundstage and accurate imaging, you can pinpoint specific bits of audio and identify where they are in the stereo or surround field. This is useful when editing complex audio tracks with lots of different elements.

10 best headphones for video editing for all budgets

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Over-Ear Headphones (Best Overall):

Price: $159

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO headphones are an industry standard. With a plush headband and super soft earpads, they are ideal for usage over extended periods of time. Their closed-back design allows them to reduce external noise and keep the audio in your ears.

Supporting a frequency range from 5 – 35,000 Hz, the DT 770 PRO offers pristine sound quality and is extremely durable. You can also swap out the ear pads whenever they need to be changed, which is more economical than buying a new pair.

It comes in a range of different Ohm ratings from 32 Ohms (which can be used directly with laptops and smartphones) up to 250 Ohms (which requires a headphone amplifier).

Pros:

• Highly comfortable
• Excellent noise reduction
• Crystal-clear sound quality and neutral response across frequencies

Cons:

• Long cable

Best for: Long editing sessions, usage in noisy environments

Focal Listen Professional (Most Comfortable)

Price: $254

Focal Listen Professional headphones are designed to be comfortable. The earpads are made from memory foam, which makes it soft on the ears. Their over-ear design makes them easy to wear and use for long periods of time.

The sound is balanced, neutral, and perfect for critical listening. The headphones do a good job of filtering out external noise and can produce a clear soundstage without any inconsistencies, even at low volumes.

It has a 32-ohm impedance, which means you can use it with smartphones, laptops, PCs, and headphone amps.

Pros:

• Balanced and highly accurate sound
• Memory foam earpads for comfort
• No artificial boosting of frequencies

Cons:

• Expensive

Best for: Those who want quality headphones that are comfortable and easy to wear while editing

Nuraphone Headphones (Best for Personalized Listening)

Price: $200

Nuraphone headphones automatically adjust to the user’s individual hearing profile, providing you with the best listening experience for your hearing. This is very useful in an editing context. They also have ANC (active noise cancellation) to block out ambient noise. Its design offers both in-ear and over-ear coverage.

To achieve a personalized sound profile, you have to pair it with the Nura app for iOS and Android, which guides you through the process. With its unique Tesla venting technology, speaker drivers pump air through the ear cups to keep your ears cool, preventing overheating when you use it for long periods of time.

Pros:

• Personalized soundscape
• Active noise cancellation
• Tesla venting to cool your ears

Cons:

• Expensive
• In-ear feature may be uncomfortable for some users

Best for: Those who want a personalized soundscape and active noise cancellation or who edit for long stretches at a time

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X (Best Portable Headphones)

Price: $169

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X features a swiveling over-ear, closed-back design with a frequency response of 15 to 28,000 Hz. Its wide range lets you clearly hear balanced, flat, and neutral frequencies across the spectrum. It doesn’t compromise accuracy and provides a true representation of sound.

These headphones offer great noise isolation and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. As an added plus, they fold up for easy transport and portability. They also come with a detachable cable.

Pros:

• Excellent natural sound and accuracy across the audio spectrum
• Collapsible design for portability
• Detachable cable

Cons:

• Not completely neutral in the bass range

Best for: Video editors who want high-quality and easily transportable headphones

Sennheiser HD 300 PRO (Best Value)

Price: $195

The Sennheiser HD 300 PRO headphones feature an ergonomic design and are built for accurate sound reproduction. With a closed-back design that’s ideal for noise isolation, they offer a neutral sound for video editing and critical listening.

They come with a folding headband and feature a 123dB max sound pressure. That means they can get really, really loud. With a 64 Ohm impedance, you’ll need a dedicated headphone amp.

Pros:

• Can reach high volumes
• Folding headband
• Excellent noise isolation
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Requires a dedicated headphone amp

Best for: Those who want headphones that can reach high levels of volume and provide balanced audio for critical listening

Sony WH-1000XM4 (Best Wireless)

Price: $348

The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are the best wireless headphones available for video editing. With their high levels of noise cancellation, you can get a quiet listening experience even in noisy places. They support multiple Bluetooth codecs, increasing their compatibility across different devices, and have a long battery life. They support a range of frequencies from 4 Hz to 40,000 Hz.

Pros:

• Wireless
• Long battery life
• Supports multiple Bluetooth codecs

Cons:

• Expensive

Best for: Those who want great wireless headphones that can withstand long usage

Sennheiser HD25 (Best On-Ear Design)

Price: $150

The Sennheiser HD25 headphones are known for their on-ear design that has a secure yet comfortable fit. They have a balanced and detailed sound that is great for critical listening applications. These headphones are lightweight and portable, folding up so you can easily carry them around.

The HD25s feature multiple replaceable components, such as the ear cups and head pads. This keeps the headphones’ service life long and allows you to get the best use out of them.

Pros:

• Lightweight and portable
• Good noise isolation
• Balanced sound

Cons:

• On-ear design can be uncomfortable for some

Best for: Those who want a good on-ear headphone that’s also portable

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (Best Open-Back)

Price: $159

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO headphones feature an open-back design, which allows for a wider soundstage and better imaging. This headphone is highly regarded among audio professionals for its comfortable fit and detailed sound.

The 990 PROs feature a frequency response of 5 to 35,000 Hz with a balanced and neutral sound across all frequencies. With a 250 ohm drive, you won’t be able to use these headphones directly with your computer or smartphone and will require a headphone amp.

Pros:

• Detailed and more natural sound than closed-back models
• Comfortable fit
• Wide soundstage
• Balanced and neutral sound across the audio spectrum

Cons:

• Not as portable as closed-back headphones
• Doesn’t feature as much noise isolation

Best for: Mixing in a quiet environment

Beyerdynamic DT 240 Pro (Best Budget)

Price: $79

The Beyerdynamic DT 240 Pro headphones are excellent for those on a budget. They offer high-quality sound with detail and clarity and are comfortable on the ears. They feature an over-ear, closed-back design with a 5 to 35,000 Hz frequency response.

The price is accessible and affordable while still offering studio-level sound specs. It’s also compact, lightweight, and easy to take with you on the go.

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Balanced across the frequency spectrum
• Portable and easy to carry around
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Limited noise isolation

Best for: Video and audio editors on a budget who want good sound quality and a comfortable fit

Audio Technica ATH-E70 (Best for Detail)

Price: $399

The Audio Technica ATH-E70 headphones are made for detail-oriented work, such as adjusting levels or EQ or isolating specific sounds. With balanced armature drivers, you’ll get highly detailed and accurate sound that’s always clear.

They’re designed to be comfortable but also to provide as much noise isolation as possible so that you can hear everything in clear detail. These headphones come with multiple ear tips for a customized fit depending on what’s comfortable for you.

Pros:

• Highly accurate and detailed audio
• Comfortable fit
• Multiple ear tips for customization
• High levels of noise isolation

Cons:

• Expensive

Best for: Video editors who need maximum detail and accuracy in their sound

Tips on using headphones when editing videos

• Keep the audio at a comfortable volume that allows you to hear details, but not too high that it causes ear fatigue or hearing damage.

• Take breaks from wearing headphones to avoid ear fatigue or headaches.

• Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your editing.

• Pay attention to audio levels and make adjustments if needed.

• Use audio meters and waveform displays to visualize the audio levels of your recording.

• Check audio across multiple devices like speakers or other headphones to ensure it sounds good across various playback systems.

• Organize your workspace and keep your cables tidy.

• Check your audio in mono to ensure it sounds good when played on devices without stereo capabilities.

• Use markers in your editing software to highlight parts of the audio that need attention so that you can easily identify them and fix them. Riverside does this well with its ability to mark sections of the recording.

• Regularly clean your headphone earpads and drivers with a brush or fabric cloth to maintain audio quality hygiene and keep them lasting long.

• Keep track of your preferred EQ profiles, settings, audio editing software, and the headphones you’re using. This helps you replicate your preferred listening environment across multiple projects.

FAQs on Best Headphones for Video Editing

Is Sony WH 1000XM4 good for editing?

Yes. The Sony WH-1000XM4 is a high-quality wireless headphone that offers accurate and faithful sound reproduction. This makes it highly suitable for video editing, mixing, and mastering.

Since it supports multiple Bluetooth codecs, it’s more likely to be compatible with any system you use and not have any latency issues.

Are Bose headphones good for video editing?

Bose headphones are good for video editing, particularly the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones, which use Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to block out any ambient noise.

However, they can be on the more expensive end, which is why consumers often choose headphones that offer more value for the price, such as the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. If you want a good pair of headphones on a tight budget, the DT 240 PRO is a good option as well.

Is it better to edit with headphones or speakers?

This depends on the environment and use case. If you’re looking to catch small details and isolate audio, it’s better to use headphones as they concentrate the audio to your ears. If you want to see how audio will sound in a real-world setting, speakers are the way to go.

What volume should my headphones be at when editing?

For editing, it’s recommended to stay in the range of up to 70 decibels. This helps you avoid ear fatigue and hearing damage. If you absolutely must listen to higher volumes, it’s recommended to take frequent breaks.