TOP 18 best wired headphones: rating 2021-2022 and which budget ones to choose based on price and quality

A wired headset is unlikely to lose its relevance, despite the rapid growth in the number of wireless models. Among the hundreds of models that can be bought on Aliexpress, it is difficult to choose the best wired headphones of 2022, because the requirements and areas of their application are individual. Based on the last criterion, you should approach the choice of accessories that differ significantly in design, cost, technical and operational characteristics.

Rating of the TOP 18 best wired headphones of 2021-2022

Place	Name	Price
TOP 5 best full-size wired headphones
1	Sennheiser HD 280 Pro	Find out the price
2	Sony MDR-XB950AP	Find out the price
3	Koss UR20	Find out the price
4	Audio-Technica ATH-M50x	Find out the price
5	Sennheiser HD 559	Find out the price
TOP 5 best wired earbuds
1	Sony MDR-XB5-AP	Find out the price
2	Sennheiser IE 4	Find out the price
3	JBL T110	Find out the price
4	Sony MDR-EX650	Find out the price
5	Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro HD	Find out the price
TOP 4 best wired in-ear headphones
1	Samsung EO-EG920	Find out the price
2	JBL T205	Find out the price
3	Apple EarPods (Lightning)	Find out the price
4	Sony STH40D	Find out the price
TOP 4 best wired on-ear headphones
1	Sony MDR-XB550AP	Find out the price
2	Sony MDR-ZX660AP	Find out the price
3	JBL T450	Find out the price
4	CaseGuru CGPods 5.0	Find out the price

How to choose and what to pay attention to?

When choosing headphones, you should evaluate not only their design, but also the following parameters and characteristics:

ergonomics - the design of the stereo headset determines how long it can be used without causing discomfort;
supported frequency range - for most models it ranges from 20 Hz to 20 kHz;
sensitivity - affects the sound quality of music;
microdynamics - the thicker the membrane on dynamic radiators, the better the low frequencies are captured;
noise insulation - the higher the indicator, the more comfortable it is to listen to music without being distracted by external stimuli.

What do you mean by cheap headphones?

This concept refers to headphones with an optimal ratio of cost and quality. That is, these are models that do not have outstanding characteristics and are suitable for amateur music listening: at home, on the street, in the subway. In addition, inexpensive models use cheaper materials, which is why their wear resistance and strength are lower. But with careful use, some models will work for several years without breakdowns.

TOP headphones for sound quality

The best over-ear wired headphones

The quality of the sound equipment determines how enjoyable listening to music will be. Full-size headphones reproduce all frequencies with high quality and also have excellent noise insulation. The rating presents 5 models that are the best according to buyers.

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

Model from a famous German brand . Features a high level of noise reduction

thanks to the tight fit of the ear pads. This model is highly reliable for 2021-2022.

With support for frequencies from 0.008 Hz to 25 kHz and a sensitivity of 102 dB, they reproduce natural sounds without distortion at any volume.

Due to the 2.0 format, you can create high-quality tracks with good acoustics.

There are 2 plugs on the case with a diameter of 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm. The model is suitable for professional use.

It comes with a 3-meter cable and weighs only 220 g.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 8-25000 Hz
sensitivity - 102 dB;
impedance - 64 Ohm;
cable length - 1 m, 3 m;
weight - 220 g.

pros

excellent sound insulation;
sit comfortably on the head;
good frequency characteristics;
long wire.

Minuses

they warm the head a lot;
don't add up.

Sony MDR-XB950AP

Dynamic headphones supporting frequencies from 3 Hz to 28 kHz . Equipped with universal

connector with a diameter of 3.5 mm, so they can be connected to a PC and any smartphone.

Due to the sensitivity of 106 dB and the resistance of 40 Ohms, the device reproduces high-quality sound regardless of the musical direction.

The model is equipped with a built-in microphone on the wire.

There is also a button for adjusting the volume and answering a call.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 3-28000 Hz;
sensitivity - 106 dB;
impedance - 40 Ohm;
cable length - 1.2 m;
weight - 245 g.

pros

powerful bass;
loud noise;
comfortable fit;
high-quality assembly.

Minuses

lacks equalizer;
The cord is short and cannot be disconnected.

Koss UR20

High-quality stereo headset for those who want to enjoy music of different genres.

Excellent sound reproduction is due to support for a wide frequency range from 30 Hz to 20 kHz, sensitivity of 97 dB and impedance of 32 ohms.

Due to the closed configuration of the device, you can be sure that external sounds will not distract from listening to music.

The model is equipped with a universal 3.5 mm jack and an additional 6.5 mm port.

The long cord provides freedom of movement.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 30-20000 Hz;
sensitivity - 97 dB;
impedance - 32 Ohm;
cable length - 2.4 m.

pros

low price;
comfortable fit;
balanced sound;
durable wire.

Minuses

ears sweat, especially in summer;
quite massive.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Closed-back dynamic stereo headset capable of reproducing audio frequencies from 15 Hz to 28 kHz.

Combined with a sensitivity of 99 dB and an impedance of 38 ohms, this provides spacious and clear sound.

The device weighs only 285 g and the membrane diameter is 45 mm.

Equipped with a standard 3.5 mm mini-jack and supplied with a 6.3 mm adapter.

Due to the wide and soft headband, the headphones do not cause discomfort during long-term use. The set includes 2 straight and 1 twisted wire.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 15-28000 Hz;
sensitivity - 99 dB;
impedance - 38 Ohm;
cable length - 3 m;
weight - 285 g.

pros

good fit;
balanced sound;
excellent bass;
good equipment;
high-quality assembly.

Minuses

high frequencies are too clear;
Not suitable for smartphones with weak audio.

Sennheiser HD 559

These headphones allow you to enjoy sound quality when listening to tracks and watching videos..

This is due to audio reproduction in the range from 14 Hz to 26 kHz, sensitivity of 108 dB and impedance of 50 ohms.

The model is equipped with a 3-meter wire and soft ear pads, due to which the ears are not compressed.

The headphones are suitable for use with professional audio equipment.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 14-26000 Hz;
sensitivity - 108 dB;
impedance - 50 Ohm;
cable length - 3 m;
weight - 285 g.

pros

surround and clear sound;
rich bass;
soft ear pads and headband;
long wire.

Minuses

The kit does not include a 6.3 mm adapter;
tight bow.

Good headphones for Samsung

AKG - excellent headphones with Type-C for any Android smartphone

It's no secret that many users of our Telegram chat who own Samsung appreciate headphones from AKG : they used to come with smartphones, but now, unfortunately, they have to be purchased separately. Fortunately, they are of very high quality, so they can be used even with new smartphones or laptops. These Type-C headphones even come with a storage case to prevent them from breaking down.

They sound great, fit perfectly in the ears, and look very stylish from the outside. The control panel allows you to switch volume and tracks. In the comments, users are happy with the purchase: add to cart, don’t forget to choose color and equipment.

Buy AKG headphones

The best wired earbuds

The popularity of vacuum headphones is due to their compactness, high quality of reproduced music and lower price compared to full-size ones.

Sony MDR-XB5-AP

The model has a high level of sound insulation . High sound quality is achieved in

account of dynamic emitters with neodymium magnets, support for frequencies from 4 Hz to 24 kHz, 40 Ohm impedance and 106 dB sensitivity.

The output is rich sound without the slightest distortion, regardless of the volume level.

The model is equipped with 4 pairs of ear pads.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 4-24000 Hz;
sensitivity - 106 dB;
impedance - 40 Ohm;
cable length - 1.2 m.

pros

powerful bass;
respond to equalizer settings;
good noise reduction;
don't fall out of your ears.

Minuses

short wire;
weak connections with headphones.

Sennheiser IE 4

Wide-frequency model with 106 dB high sensitivity and 16 ohm low impedance.

Equipped with a 3.5 mm plug, so it is suitable for connecting to any devices.

The body is made of durable plastic.

The cable is rubberized, which increases its flexibility. Comfortable silicone tips do not fall out of your ears.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 4-24000 Hz;
sensitivity - 106 dB;
impedance - 16 Ohm;
cable length - 1.2 m.

pros

fit comfortably in the ears;
no discomfort during long-term use;
high-quality sound at all frequencies;
excellent noise reduction.

Minuses

thin wire;
Average bass quality.

JBL T110

Lightweight and compact stereo headset is perfect for active people . Ear pads

are securely fixed in the ear, do not fall out and do not cause discomfort.

Sound is reproduced at frequencies from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Combined with 100 dB sensitivity, the reproduction of surround and rich sound is ensured at any volume..

The design includes a microphone, buttons for answering calls and adjusting the volume.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 20-20000 Hz;
sensitivity - 100 dB;
impedance - 16 Ohm;
cable length - 1.1 m.

pros

high-quality assembly;
excellent bass;
do not hurt the ears;
Beautiful design.

Minuses

inconvenient curved plug;
weak connections with headphones.

Sony MDR-EX650

Stereo headset with custom-shaped earbuds and a tangle-free ribbed cord.

Silicone tips are securely fixed in the ears without causing discomfort.

Frequencies from 5 Hz to 28 kHz are supported, which provides spacious and rich sound for music of different genres.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 5-28000 Hz;
sensitivity - 107 dB;
impedance - 16 Ohm;
cable length - 1.2 m.

pros

high-quality assembly;
ergonomic design;
deep and clear sound;
several pairs of attachments included.

Minuses

the paint peels off quickly;
The cord becomes dull in the cold.

Xiaomi Mi In-Ear Headphones Pro HD

A stereo headset that provides high-quality acoustics and clear bass . Supported

frequency range from 20 Hz to 40 kHz, which, combined with high sensitivity of 98 dB, ensures the reproduction of surround and rich sound without the slightest distortion.

The model is equipped with a standard 3.5 mm mini-jack and a 1.25-meter cable.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 20-40000 Hz;
sensitivity - 98 dB;
impedance - 32 Ohm;
cable length - 1.25 m.

pros

deep sound;
powerful bass;
excellent equipment;
high-quality assembly.

Minuses

heavy;
The wire becomes dull in the cold.

Editor's Choice

Sennheiser CX 175

Sennheiser CX 175. Photo: market.yandex.ru
The headphones have a minimalist design and are based on high-quality plastic. Thanks to the soft pads, they take the shape of the auricle and do not fall out while walking or jogging. Due to the L-shaped plug, there are no wire kinks. The cable length is 1.2 meters, this is enough to use the headphones comfortably.

It is based on dynamic technology, it allows bass, low, mid and high frequencies to sound high quality, without wheezing or drops. Headphone sensitivity: 121 dB, which ensures high-quality sound reproduction without distortion

Main characteristics

Device type	wired headphones
Design	intracanal
Technology	dynamic
Minimum reproducible frequency	17 Hz
Maximum playback frequency	23000 Hz
Sensitivity	121 dB

Advantages and disadvantages

Good sound at any volume, rubberized wires, good sound insulation

Not very reliable materials, thin cord, no bag for headphones

Best Wired In-Ear Headphones

The sound quality of in-ear headphones is no worse than that of in-ear and on-ear models. At the same time, their design is more convenient for many users.

Samsung EO-EG920

Wired headphones are perfect for athletes and active people . Model

It is equipped with comfortable ear pads that are fixed on the ear. This is one of the highest quality models for 2021-2022.

The standard frequency range from 0.02 to 20 kHz is supported.

Combined with high sensitivity (101 dB) and low impedance (32 Ohms), the output results in spacious and rich sound.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 20-20000 Hz;
sensitivity - 101 dB;
impedance - 32 Ohm;
cable length - 1.2 m.

pros

low price;
high-quality sound;
good noise reduction;
comfortable fit.

Minuses

The button to answer a phone call is slow.
flat cable.

JBL T205

Stereo headset with closed acoustic design reproduces sounds in the range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

The output sound is voluminous and rich.

The model is equipped with a microphone for answering calls, attached to a wire.

The device weighs only 14 g and comes with a convenient storage case . The cord length is 1.2 m.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 20-20000 Hz;
sensitivity - 101 dB;
impedance - 32 Ohm;
cable length - 1.2 m;
weight - 14.3 g.

pros

balanced sound;
volume;
the wire does not get tangled;
case included.

Minuses

no noise reduction;
There is no last number redial option.

Apple EarPods (Lightning)

An audio device with ergonomically shaped earbuds that closely follow the geometry of the ear.

Suitable for long-term wearing and sports. Compatible with all Apple devices.

The cable contains buttons for volume control, answering calls and playing music..

Support of the frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz provides rich sound when listening to music of any genre.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 20-20000 Hz;
sensitivity - 102 dB;
impedance - 32 Ohm;
cable length - 1.2 m;
weight - 10 g.

pros

no discomfort during long-term use;
stylish appearance;
optimal price;
deep sound without interference.

Minuses

poor sound insulation;
unreliable plug.

Sony STH40D

Ergonomically shaped headphones for listening to tracks in any style . Fine

reproduce calm melodies, bass and voice.

Supports sound reproduction at frequencies from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, which, combined with high sensitivity, allows you to reproduce rich sound.

The connector has a universal size of 3.5 mm, so the headphones can be connected to any computers and smartphones

There are keys for turning on tracks and answering calls.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 20-20000 Hz;
sensitivity - 102 dB;
impedance - 32 Ohm;
cable length - 1.2 m;
weight - 18 g.

pros

high quality cord;
lightness and ergonomics;
surround sound;
stylish appearance.

Minuses

at a volume of 50% or more, the music can be heard by others;
weak bass.

Inexpensive headphones with good bass

Headphones from Xiaomi are always useful, especially when wireless ones are low

A variety of options are suitable for this role, from JBL to Sennheiser. But you will have to pay a considerable amount for them. buy inexpensive Xiaomi headphones for the same money ? They are lightweight and suitable for any smartphone, player or laptop. It comes with replaceable ear pads, and the area near the plug is reinforced to prevent wear and tear. The headphones themselves have an excellent sense of low frequencies: they are literally created for hip-hop or electronic music. Feel free to buy and enjoy while they're on sale, and don't forget to choose your color on the seller's page.

Cheap Xiaomi headphones

The best wired on-ear headphones

The store's assortment includes hundreds of different types of on-ear headphones. They differ in the level of noise reduction of external sounds, supported frequency range and other parameters.

Sony MDR-XB550AP

Model with soft ear pads . Provides high-quality and deep sound of any

tracks thanks to support for frequencies from 5 Hz to 22 kHz.

Due to the soft headband, discomfort during prolonged use is eliminated.

The headphones do not fall out of your ears due to their secure fit . The 1.2-meter wire does not get tangled or twisted due to its flat cross-section.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 20-22000 Hz;
sensitivity - 102 dB;
impedance - 24 Ohm;
cable length - 1.2 m;
weight - 180 g.

pros

soft ear pads;
noticeable low frequencies;
decent sound insulation;
the wire does not get tangled.

Minuses

the wire transmits noise from hitting or touching something;
lack of high frequencies.

Sony MDR-ZX660AP

The headphones reproduce high-quality bass thanks to on-ear speakers equipped with neodymium magnets.

Thanks to the rigid headband, they fit snugly to the head, thereby protecting against extraneous noise.

Supporting frequencies from 5 Hz to 25 kHz combined with 104 dB sensitivity and 40 ohm impedance produces natural, spacious sound.

The 40 mm membrane in the speakers ensures natural sound of music without the slightest distortion.

Characteristics:

frequencies - 5-25000 Hz;
sensitivity - 104 dB;
impedance - 40 Ohm;
cable length - 1.2 m;
weight - 193 g.

pros

high-quality sound;
bass is not drowned out;
sit comfortably;
good sound insulation.

Minuses

do not fold;
fall off when jumping.

JBL T450

Classic headphones with frequency range support from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

They are equipped with a removable cable, so they can connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth.

In wireless mode, they work for 11 hours on a single charge.

Charging takes only 2 hours.

Thanks to the soft ear pads and ergonomic shape, they are suitable for long-term use.

Characteristics:

frequency range - 20-20000 Hz;
sensitivity - 104 dB;
impedance - 32 Ohm;
weight - 320 g.

pros

low price;
high-quality construction;
do not put pressure on the ears;
connection to any smartphone.

Minuses

tight buttons;
weak noise reduction.

CaseGuru CGPods 5.0

Budget headphones with moisture protection and a heavy-duty case.
Outside of our rating, we’ll talk about CGPods 5.0 - wireless headphones that quickly broke into all the TOP sales rankings and rankings for 2021-2022. It is noteworthy that CGPods is a Tyumen brand whose products are not sold in retail chains .

You can only buy CGPods directly through online platforms - at a fair price from the manufacturer (RUB 4,000). CGPods 5.0 are equipped with an original case made of professional aviation aluminum (exactly the same alloy used in the production of Boeing aircraft) .

The maximum weight that the CGPods case can withstand is 220 kg (the famous AppleAirPods can only withstand 84 kg, although they are 4 times more expensive than Tyumen ears).

The CGPods headphones are waterproof, so they are quite capable of “surviving” even washing under the tap (AppleAirPods are not waterproof at all).

CGPods 5.0 lasts 17 hours without being plugged into a power outlet. As you already understand, the Tyumen headphones are superior in a number of characteristics to even the expensive AppleAirPods (the latter have neither moisture protection nor a durable case).

Although Tyumen CGPods cost 4 times less than apples.

Specifications:

Frequencies – 24 Hz – 24800 Hz
Sensitivity – 92 dBm.
Transmission range – up to 10 m.
The weight of one earphone is 4.9 g.
The headphone battery capacity is 2*55 mAh.

pros

affordable price (RUB 4,000).
Decent sound.
Moisture protection.

Minuses

not detected.

Adviсe

There is a huge range of each type of wired headphones on the market. They have different characteristics, purpose, design and size. Models differ in price and popularity. What should you pay attention to?

Depending on the type of headphones: open or closed. The first has a special mesh near the hole that transmits sound. The second one does not have such holes. If there is a sound conducting hole, the device has more advantages.
Purpose of headphones. There is a classification: portable; domestic; sports; gaming; DJ; monitor Each type has its own characteristics, which the buyer needs to familiarize himself with before purchasing.
Sound quality. The easiest way to evaluate this criterion is by ear. Advice - test the product before purchasing.
Method of attaching headphones. Now there are 4 methods of fastening: classic, with self-adjusting, sliding or cast arms. One of the most popular is self-adjusting temples.
Length, shape and quality of wire. The longer the cord, the more convenient it will be for the user to use the headphones. The shape is divided into round and flat. Flat is convenient because it does not get tangled.
Volume control. Not a required feature, but its presence significantly increases the quality of use.