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The 7 best wired headphones and earbuds of 2025 for sound-conscious music lovers
They may not be as convenient as their wireless stablemates, but wired headphones still deliver the best sound quality money can buy. Bluetooth, Active Noise Cancellation and digital audio chipsets all affect sound quality, and without these, wired headphones can deliver music to your ears as faithfully as possible.
Wired headphones may not be as popular as they once were, but they still have a place for sound-conscious music lovers and those who need to listen critically for professional mixing purposes. I’ve tested hundreds of pairs in my 12 years as an audio reviewer, and this guide lists my top recommendations, from £90 to £449, that deliver benchmark performance alongside all-day comfort.
Read our full reviews below, followed by answers to frequently asked questions. But first, here’s a quick look at the top five pairs:
The best wired headphones: At a glance
How to choose the best wired headphones
While wired headphones don’t have the wealth of features of their wireless counterparts, there are still crucial factors to consider when choosing the best pair for you.
The most important is whether you want an open-back or closed-back design. With open earcups, you tend to get a more dynamically expressive sound and lighter construction, but with sound leaking in and out, they’re weaker in noisy environments. Closed-back headphones, meanwhile, provide more isolation for you and your neighbours, and generally have greater bass weight.
If you want to take your wired headphones out in the world, you should also consider their portability, as some fold down to a smaller size. Also look for an in-line microphone and remote for controlling music and voice calls, if connected to your phone. Using them primarily at home? You may prefer headphones bundled with a longer cable.
With sustainability at the forefront of many manufacturers’ minds, some pairs also feature replaceable parts for enhanced durability. Of course, comfort is also key, which is where my reviews come in. After all, you can only gauge so much about a headphone’s fit and feel by staring at pictures and trying to imagine the listed weight in practice.
