The DJ headphone market is so diverse in terms of budget, style, quality, and specs that it can be overwhelming at first.
As with most DJ gear, considering your needs can go a long way in narrowing down the many options available. If you plan on using them regularly for long periods, comfort is also a consideration.
Our guide to the best DJ headphones can help you choose the perfect pair to suit your needs and budget.
Best DJ Headphones in 2025
1. Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1BT
If you want a versatile pair of headphones, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1BT can serve as both a wired DJ headphone and a wireless Bluetooth headphone, unlike the wired-only Sennheiser HD 25.
You can listen wirelessly on your phone on your way to the gig, and then simply plug in the coiled analog cable once you get there.
Their sound is quite bass-heavy, focusing on everything from the low rumble of sub-bass synths to the boom of a kick drum.
Their midrange and highs sound fairly neutral, somewhat neutralizing the slightly muddy sound, but the boosted bass is still noticeable enough for beat matching.
They fold down to a smaller footprint, and the ear cups swivel to let you hear the room. They’re not as stable as the detachable headband of the Sennheiser HD 25, but they do have some added benefits, like more cushioning.
As a result, they feel very comfortable with on-ear headphones. They also block out txhe highs a bit better than the Sennheiser, but that’s relative.
On-ears generally don’t excel at noise isolation. Even if the additional Bluetooth connectivity is a bit rudimentary, they are still good, and they offer playback controls and a battery life of about 46 hours.
However, if you have thick hair or wear glasses, be careful when wearing them, as the bass sound may be uneven.
If you want a pair of headphones that fit your ears, the Sony MDR-7506 is a wired-only alternative with slightly less bass emphasis than the Pioneer DJ cans.
They still deliver plenty of thump and punch when drumming, and the highs are more exciting, making them useful for hearing cymbals better.
The sound profile is more reliable and accurate between wears than the Pioneer DJ, especially if you wear glasses or have thick hair.
On the other hand, they have less cushioning, making them more practical, and the earcups don’t rotate. The cable isn’t detachable either, so you’ll need a soldering iron, a handy friend, or a new pair if it gets damaged.
2. Gemini DJX-500
Available in black or silver, the Gemini DJX-500 is a strong choice for a beginner’s DJ headphone set, offering decent sound and a professional look at a low price.
The lightweight, on-ear design makes it a comfortable option for those who aren’t used to wearing headphones for long periods of time.
The DJX-500 also boasts a wide frequency response and powerful drivers for its price, making it ideal for DJing, along with its closed-back earcups.
The only honest criticism is that they’re a bit light, which is an inevitable design compromise for budget headphones at this price point.
Aside from that, for a very affordable DJ headphone set, you can’t get much better than this.
3. Audio Technica ATH-M50X
I ordered this updated model because I have had the ATH-M50 Audio Technica for the longest time. I am not sure what difference the addition of the ‘X’ will make.
And now that I have used it, I am still not sure if the headphone cables can be used as they are, straight, coiled, long, or short, except for the extra cables that come in the box.
But the truth is that the M50 was a great headphone for DJs, and these M50X are great headphones for DJs too.
I have seen some user comments that they have had issues with sibilance (hissing) in the highs.
All I can say is that I have never noticed any sibilance issues, and fortunately, my hearing is perfect.
I don’t know if these people actually heard it, or if they ran their cans through a test software, and the software flagged that sibilance could be evident.
My advice on this issue is that if you are a very tech-savvy audiophile, you probably won’t care about the imperfections that are revealed in the analysis tests that you can run, and you can probably skip this test.
But if you are a fairly normal person and listen to what your ears hear, I wouldn’t worry about it.
4. Sennheiser HD 25 Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 25 headphones have become the industry standard for DJs around the world. You won’t find a “what DJ headphones to buy” discussion that doesn’t include these headphones at least once.
The reason these headphones are on the minds of DJs (both hobbyist and professional) around the world is because they hit the mark in almost every way a DJ cares about.
They’re comfortable and lightweight, durable enough to withstand the rigors of live use, and they sound great. Best of all, they don’t come with a ridiculous price tag.
The Sennheiser HD 25 are on-ear style, which some might assume won’t block out as much ambient noise as over-ear headphones, but surprisingly, they do a surprisingly good job of blocking out ambient noise.
The magic is that they press into your ears with just the right amount of pressure, allowing you to hear everything clearly, but not so much that it causes discomfort.
Plus, they’re incredibly lightweight at just 5 ounces (140g).
In terms of sound quality, these headphones are spot on. The best way to describe the sounds is that they’re very powerful.
They’re not as immersive as, say, the Beyerdynamic DT-770. But again, these headphones are much better suited for home and studio use.
The HD-25s also don’t have as much bass as the V-MODA M-100 Masters. That said, they deliver exactly the sound a DJ needs: clean, punchy bass, mids, and highs.
You’ll have no trouble hearing the beats and subtleties of your tracks while mixing.
5. AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ
Danish brand AIAIAI is channeling a bit of Scandinavian design sensibility with their TMA-2 range. The real appeal of this range is that you can design your dream setup yourself.
Everything from driver type to headband and cable can be customized here to suit your requirements.
However, if you’re not keen on the process of choosing your own, there are models available as ‘presets’.
One such design is a DJ-focused setup that’s spec’d for a powerful, bass-heavy sound and includes a sturdy, reinforced headband.
At the higher end of the price spectrum, AIAIAI has also recently released a new TMA-2 Studio Wireless+ headphone, created in collaboration with Richie Hawtin.
These boast ‘ultra-low latency, lossless’ Bluetooth audio, but at almost twice the price of a standard DJ setup, we’re not sure it’s worth splurging on wireless in the DJ booth.
6. Westone AM Pro X 10
In-ear monitors (IEMs) are great at completely isolating you from the outside world.
They are traditionally used by musicians to hear what their fellow performers are doing and to help them stay in sync with each other in time.
And while the Westone Audio AM Pro X 10 IEMs do this brilliantly, they deserve a spot on our list thanks to their passive ambiance feature.
Basically, the AM Pro X 10 lets in a bit of noise thanks to some clever filtering, so you get the best of both worlds. It’s clear what you’re playing and gives you an idea of how the crowd is listening.
I liked the included carrying case and the variety of eartips, so I was able to find the perfect fit for my ears.
The cable is quite short, so you may need to consider an extension cable, but otherwise, there’s a lot to like, especially if you’re looking to end your evening wearing bulky over-ear cans.
Conclusion: Are wireless or wired headphones better for DJs?
Wireless headphones are the worst choice for DJs. Wireless connections have a relatively high latency compared to wired connections.
The point is that there is enough latency between the headphones and the monitors. This makes it nearly impossible to accurately beatmatch, cue, and mix. I know there are a lot of DJ headphone reviews out there that recommend wireless sets.
Also read: 11 Best Earbuds For Tragus Piercing