Grado has been in the headphone manufacturing industry since time immemorial and has been making open-back headphones since time immemorial. Here are the best Grado headphones in the world of 2025.
Top 10 Best Grado Headphones in 2025
1. Grado SR60e
The 60e sounds identical to the 80e, but it’s a lot cheaper. If you’re interested in the Grado sound, I highly recommend buying the 60e and seeing if you like it.
Everything we’ve talked about with all the other models so far applies to the 60e as well.
They all share the same basic sound, but like the 80e, the 60e includes S-cushions that are much more generous on the ears.
There are very few comfort issues with this model, which is another reason to try it before the others.
2. GRADO SR80e
Enjoy the enhanced bass resonance and improved clarity seen in the SR80e Prestige Series headphones. The ear pads are made of soft foam for a comfortable fit.
In addition, these headphones feature the signature design of Grado vintage.
With these adaptive SR80e headphones, you can listen to a wide range of sounds while playing computer games or in the studio.
With the help of a 4-wire cable, the frequencies are balanced to create a uniform sound range. These headphones block out static or distortion, allowing you to hear more accurate sounds.
The open-back design allows for a more rounded and natural stereo recording. This structure also blocks out most background noise, making it ideal for indoor use.
The 1dB matching drivers contribute to the intelligent high-frequency texture while keeping the sound exceptionally well-rounded in the midrange.
Given the intensity of the bass, the exposure of the drivers in the open-back design is impressive. This style is often known to result in flat bass.
3. Grado SR225e
The SR225e has good clarity, an overall tight signature, and plenty of slam. Nevertheless, the same general issues are present in the midrange at 2kHz as well as the treble around 10k.
Once again, they tend to be sibilant, squeaky, and sharp, ruining an otherwise decent sound signature.
Like the 325e, the 225s feature the same L-cushioning and generally have the same comfort issues, so keep that in mind before you buy.
The soundstage is pretty good. I checked the back because I occasionally heard what sounded like it was coming from outside.
4. Grado SR80x
The Grado SR80x headphones are the latest iteration of the brand’s classic (and much more expensive) design.
Grado released its first iteration in 1991, and the Brooklyn-based audio company has been handcrafting its products ever since.
In Grado’s range, these SR80x Prestige X headphones succeed the SR80e in Grado’s Prestige E series and sit below the Reference range. This makes the SR80x the most budget-friendly option after the Grado SR60x.
Audiophile headphones of this type usually cost a lot more, but Grado has put together a great package for just $125/£130/AU$179.
Sure, they’re lacking compared to the best headphones money can buy (for one, there’s no noise-cancelling), and you’ll have to settle for a more traditional wired connection.
But after a few weeks of use, they’re definitely worthy of inclusion in TechRadar’s guide to the best on-ear headphones, and they can even compete with some of the best over-ear headphones.
The Grado SR80x headphones are technically on-ear, but they can also sit over your ears, depending on the size of your head and ears. They don’t have the same seal you’d expect from the best over-ear headphones, though.
This shape makes them very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Often, on-ear headphones can cause your ears to feel swollen and your head to hurt after an hour or so, but after four hours of continuous use, they didn’t.
5. Grado RS1e
This reference series boasts an authentic mahogany wood finish, unlike the metal or plastic of previous lines.
Don’t get me wrong, they’re a real deal. These headphones are all handcrafted from real wood at Grado’s Brooklyn headquarters.
The RS1e has a slightly smoother treble than the Prestige series models, and doesn’t sound as squeaky.
It’s also engaging at all listening levels, and sounds just as interesting at low levels as it does at high levels. The source is important. This product doesn’t make the music stand out, it just shows it as it is.
We recommend listening to high-quality files such as FLAC, WAV, or at least 320kbps MP3.
Overall, this product presents piano notes and music with incredible clarity and ease. Users say the bass isn’t that great, but I found it to be sufficient.
It’s more of a clear and detailed bass than a punchy bass. The cable is still quite thick, but in my experience with this product, it wasn’t as comfortable as some Prestige models.
6. Grado GW100 v2
The GRADO GW100 v2 headphones offer a wide backstage with improved sound clarity compared to other brands.
Grado also significantly improved the headset sound containment with an impressive open back and on-ear design for extended range.
Weighing just 11 ounces, these wireless headphones feature a lightweight design, making them easy to carry and use when traveling or carrying a lot of gadgets.
The new design includes a padded headband for comfort and foam ear cushions to eliminate discomfort during long listening sessions.
The headphones also provide a perfect clamping force on your ears. You won’t even notice they’re there.
The GRADO GW100 headphones feature Bluetooth 5.0 with triple compatibility: Apt-x, AAC, and SBC.
The new and improved v2 model also comes with a better-quality antenna. Dramatically improves the headset’s connectivity and extends the Bluetooth range of these headphones.
Requires one lithium-ion battery (included in the box) with a 40-hour listening time. However, the 40-hour period is advertised at 50% volume.
7. Grado RS2e
The difference in sound between the RS2 and the 225 is not huge, but it is there. Simply put, after listening to the RS2e, you won’t go back to the 225 because it sounds a little better.
The bass is heavier on this product, and the soundstage is wider and wider. The bass is more powerful, yet incredibly clear, crisp, and detailed. The overall sound is also a little clearer.
Like the RS1e, this product is not as strong at high volumes, but the cheaper models in the Prestige line can sometimes sound a little harsh.
8. GRADO GS1000e
These 14-ounce brown headsets from Grado Labs are ideal for listening to all types of media with high sound clarity.
They feature prominent ear chambers that fit perfectly over your earlobes, providing a personal listening experience.
This design allows air to flow along with the music you listen to, simulating excellent clarity and range.
The unique mahogany tone is hand-matched for the ultimate aesthetic.
The Grado GS1000e headphones also feature warm harmonic coloration. Finished with body vocals, excellent dynamics, and a smooth top end, they are the perfect pair of headphones.
They come with 50mm dynamic transducers and a new 1-conductor cable to deliver professional sound quality to your ears.
Also, the handcrafted wood of the earpieces and headband, ergonomic cable design, and drivers ensure tight control and stability at high and low frequencies.
Grado’s cushioning creates a wide soundstage for the listener’s spatial experience. This was an important design feature for the sound balance correction to create the pure sound that all users crave.
The adjustable headband of the headphones is made of a flexible piece of metal. It can be bent to fit the shape of your head, allowing you to sit neatly on top. The open back construction makes it almost imperceptible.
The downside is that the earcups twist forward and change position when you bend over. The ear cushions also fall off constantly.
9. Grado PS1000e
The G-Cushion PS1000e has almost the same quality as the others. Detailed and fast bass that is not overdone or muffled, and highs that sparkle as usual.
Nevertheless, the same general issues still appear, including a mid-range bump, more treble, and a generally sloppy sound.
Nevertheless, there is a good deal of precision and accuracy, with reports that the mic can identify the direction in which instruments are pointed.
Sure, that’s a pretty bold claim, but just know that the space between instruments is more pronounced than the previous members (probably due to the pad change).
But it’s probably not enough of a difference to justify such an outrageous price tag.
Notable differences include the increased driver size to 50mm and a wider frequency response. You can’t really hear anything above 20kHz, so this is a bit of a marketing ploy.
The PS1000e is heavy, much heavier than the other models in this line, and may actually require separate amplification, which is surprising considering Grado headphones usually don’t.