Sennheiser is one of the most popular headphone companies in history. Sennheiser headphones are for everyone, from audiophiles to musicians, gamers to runners.
Sennheiser’s staff consists of renowned sound engineers with decades of experience in the headphone industry.
Top 10 Best Sennheiser Headphones of 2025
1. Sennheiser HD 800 S
The Sennheiser HD 800 S is the best Sennheiser headphone for audiophiles that we’ve tested.
The high price tag may be prohibitive for most people, and if you don’t have an amplifier, you’ll need to buy one to get the most out of the headphones.
However, if you don’t mind the investment, these open-back headphones are worth considering if you want to immerse yourself in audio, as they offer a wide, spacious, and natural soundstage.
Instrumental localization is a strong point of these headphones, and the wide soundstage helps the enthusiast listen critically and capture elements of the mix.
These headphones have a very balanced and neutral sound profile.
Like most open-back headphones, they lack bass, but there’s a little extra treble that adds warmth to the mix without overwhelming vocals or lead instruments.
The headphones are very solidly built and very comfortable to wear, making them a good choice for long listening sessions. However, if you have a smaller head, the earcups may be a bit too large.
2. MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is extremely comfortable to listen to for long periods of time.
Sennheiser has taken things a step further with the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, its premium active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones.
These headphones are comfortable to listen to for long periods of time, even for those who wear glasses.
With an impressive battery life of 56 hours and 21 minutes with ANC on, you might want to run out of battery life, but if you need to, you can still connect the headphones wired. An in-flight adapter is also provided.
The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless combines the isolation and ANC (wireless noise-cancelling) functions to reduce the volume of the high frequencies by 75 to 95 percent.
The low frequencies are reduced by around 75 percent. This premium experience is complemented by high-quality Bluetooth codecs such as SBC, AAC, aptX, or aptX Adaptive.
Following the recent trend of premium headphones, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless also features touch controls.
The touch controls work well, and the app offers convenient features such as an equalizer that can be adjusted to your taste.
Most users won’t want to change their sound too much, as the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless offers a sound that’s very close to their preference curve.
The fact that the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless sells for slightly less than the flagship Sony WH-1000XM5 means that it’s not only a great headset with a better codec and longer battery life, but it’s also a great deal.
However, if you’re looking for a more affordable headset, check out our other recommendations.
3. Sennheiser HD 250BT
The HD 250BT may not have the flashiest of flashy on-ear headphones, but it’s a great sounding, durable, and truly compelling value for money pair.
In fact, it was named “Best Wireless Headphones” at the 2022 What Hi-Fi? Awards.
Despite its low price tag, it packs aptX low-latency Bluetooth 5.0, 25-hour battery life, app support, and Sennheiser’s transducer technology that DJs love. It’s a pretty good deal.
The exterior is made of black plastic, but it’s functional and solid, and each earcup has the Sennheiser logo in white with a rectangular S logo. The earcups are well-cushioned, but the headband lacks it.
The HD 250BT is musically detailed and agile for its impressive price tag, with excellent rhythmic control across the entire frequency range.
Overall, the HD 250BT is a great value for money pair and a great way to experience Sennheiser’s capabilities without breaking the bank.
4. Sennheiser HD820
The Sennheiser HD820 is a fantastic headphone, the flagship model of the stunning HD800S. The 800 has been and still is one of the world’s best-sounding headphones.
The HD820 took things a step further in every way with its closed design when it was first released, and even in 2025, it remains not only one of the best Sennheiser headphones but also one of the best audiophile headphones.
In fact, I liked them so much that I ended up buying a pair for myself last year. These headphones are my benchmark when evaluating other headphones.
As mentioned earlier, the HD820 headphones are closed-back headphones, but many people mistake them for open-backed headphones because the dynamic drivers are visible through the viewing window in each earcup.
In my entire review, these are one of the most transparent-sounding headphones I’ve tested, and when paired with a good source, they provide a great listening experience. These headphones sound as good as the original.
The soundstage is very wide, and honestly, they sound much closer to the speakers than other audiophile headphones I’ve tested over the past year.
Stylistically, the HD820s are truly stunning. The futuristic earcup design has black and silver accents. Not only do they fit well on your head, but the wide earcup design allows free airflow, making them comfortable to wear.
The only thing I can suggest is to get the most out of the HD820s, especially if you have audiophile-grade source gear.
5. Sennheiser HD 660S2
The Sennheiser HD 660S2 headphones aren’t ideal for everyday commuting or working out at the gym, thanks to their wired connection and open design.
If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that deliver great detail at home, look no further.
These excellent audiophile headphones may not be a huge upgrade, but they sound great. The open design of the HD 660S2 allows for a large audio reproduction space, allowing you to enjoy your music in a natural way.
While audiophile headphones tend to pursue the most neutral sound possible to truly express the source, the HD 660S2 is finely tuned.
The HD 660S2 has a slight emphasis on the low end, providing a richer sound when needed. However, the audio is surprisingly detailed and sounds really vivid when listening to high bitrate streaming platforms such as Tidal.
The HD660S2 is the perfect choice for immersing yourself in your favorite music in the comfort of your own home, but the velour ear pads are a real plus.
The ear pads don’t feel too tight, and at 260g, they’re barely noticeable even after long listening sessions. In conclusion, the HD660S2 headphones offer a perfect balance of detailed sound, comfortable fit, and attractive design.
6. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
For audiophiles looking for a budget-friendly option, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro 2016 is a great option.
It uses a wired cable, so you can’t easily replace the cable, which is common with budget headphones.
Unlike other audiophile headphones that have been released before, the HD 280 Pro 2016 is a closed-back headphone, which is typical for this price range.
The passive soundstage is less immersive and spacious than open-back headphones like the Sennheiser HD 560S, but there’s much less headphone leakage for the microphone to pick up, making it useful for live recording monitoring.
It also blocks out midrange and high-frequency noise, such as ambient noise.
The fairly balanced sound profile delivers a good bass response that adds resonance without overwhelming the rest of the mix.
On the other hand, vocals and instruments are audible, but the treble is recessed and somewhat muffled, which can make cymbals sound hollow.
The headband can feel tight on your head and can be uncomfortable if you wear glasses or listen to music for long periods of time.
If you want more bass, the Sennheiser HD 25 on-ear headphones, designed for DJs, offer a rich bass boost.
7. Sennheiser HD 650
The Sennheiser HD 650 is Sennheiser’s proven studio headphone. First introduced in 2003,
It’s earned a classic reputation among audio professionals and enthusiasts alike for its reference-quality sound tuning, premium construction, and exceptional comfort for extended listening sessions.
The open design with its distinctive metal grille provides an expansive, natural soundstage that’s ideal for critical monitoring applications.
Sennheiser’s Axel Grell-tuned 42mm drivers deliver precise sound reproduction with clean mids and highs, but the bass falls off smoothly below 100Hz.
Despite being nearly 20 years old, the HD 650’s solid construction with replaceable cables has long been a benchmark for studio reference.
The large, padded earcups and adjustable headband provide excellent comfort, minimizing fatigue during long mixing sessions.
At $649, the HD 650’s audiophile-level resolution and solid durability more than justify its price tag.
The HD 650’s frequency response, measured on the B&K 5128, is in line with our expectations for these legacy reference headphones, as evidenced by the “studio” target response curve highlighted in pink in the chart.
The only significant deviation from ideal sound is the gentle roll-off in the low frequencies below 100Hz (around -10dB at 20Hz) and the slight undershoot in the high frequencies around 10kHz.
8. Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX
The Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX is the affordable way to high-end audio.
The successor to the venerable Sennheiser HD 650, it offers similar sonic performance at a significantly lower price, making it the perfect choice for audiophiles who value sound quality over flashy design.
The simple design of matte black plastic and metal is pleasing to the eye and ear without compromising on durability or aesthetics.
Comfort is the key to the HD 6XX. The lightweight design and thick velour pads are designed to be comfortable to wear for long periods of time without strain, and are especially pleasing to those who wear glasses.
The open design is not suitable for noisy environments, but it delivers an immersive audio experience that reflects the professional tradition.
With a 300Ω impedance rating and a sensitivity of 103dB/1Vrms, the HD 6XX offers a clean and neutral sound profile, minimizing distortion and channel imbalances and delivering music with clarity and fidelity that are true to the original sound.
The Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX is a great choice for those looking to upgrade their home audio setup without breaking the bank.
This headset focuses on pure performance rather than functionality, and at $200, it’s a worthy value in the audiophile market.
While it’s not designed for comfort on the go, it delivers sound quality that rivals that of more expensive headsets for those who use it in a fixed space.
9. Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO is an excellent choice for audio professionals, music producers, and mixing engineers looking for versatile studio headphones.
These open-backed headphones offer the advantage of being able to tailor the sound to either producing (velour) or mixing (fabric) via interchangeable velour and fabric ear pads.
The velour ear pads provide a fun, user-friendly sound with a boost in the low end, while the fabric ear pads provide a neutral reference tuning that is ideal for critical mixing sessions.
No matter which ear pad you choose, the HD 490 PRO delivers outstanding resolution, clarity, and spatial imaging thanks to its open design and Sennheiser’s reference tuning expertise.
Instruments and vocals come alive with detail, and a wide, precise soundstage is delivered.
The lightweight, durable construction and interchangeable parts ensure long-term comfort, even during long studio sessions.
Useful extras, such as the included dearVR MIX-SE plug-in, simulate a variety of acoustic environments for versatile monitoring.
At an affordable $399, the HD 490 PRO offers home studios and budding music producers outstanding sonic performance, a customizable fit, and professional-level features.
The thoughtful design and outstanding performance make it a flexible and valuable choice for aspiring audio engineers on a budget.
10. Sennheiser HD 450BT
If you’re on a tight budget, the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones are a great choice.
At this price point, they offer great value for money, with attractive features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and an impressive 30-hour battery life.
Sennheiser’s biggest strength is its dedication to providing high-quality technology that suits a wide range of budgets.
If you have plenty of money, there are plenty of great options, but if you don’t, Sennheiser offers a variety of options. One of the most affordable Sennheiser headphones is the 450BT.
You might think that you have to spend $250 or more to get a decent pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Sennheiser is here to tell you that you don’t have to.
The inclusion of ANC is a great option at this price point, and combined with the closed-back design, the HD 450BT is very effective at blocking out and blocking out everyday noise.
If you’re a frequent flyer on planes, trains, or cars, the 450BT could be a great travel companion. The 30-hour battery life and fast USB-C charging are two additional travel-friendly features.
The 450BT features Bluetooth 5.0 and supports aptX, which delivers better sound quality than the standard SBC and AAC codecs.
The 450BT also supports aptX Low Latency, which is important for those who enjoy watching or streaming videos, as it has less than 40 milliseconds of delay between audio and video.
Finally, the headphones themselves feel solid, although the padding around the headband and earcups could have been a little more comfortable. It’s never soft.
Conclusion
Sennheiser is a big brand with a wide range of products, from consumer to professional audio applications.
As such, they offer a wide range of headphones, from headphones specifically designed for specific applications to versatile headphones suitable for everyday use.
However, even in the lower price range, Sennheiser headphones tend to focus more on sound quality than versatility, and offer more models that are more suitable for precise listening or home theater entertainment than for sports or travel.
FAQs
Why are Sennheiser headphones so good?
There’s a reason Sennheiser headphones are so popular. The German brand dates back to 1945 and has been a powerhouse in the audio industry for over 75 years.
Every product Sennheiser makes is built on a long history and expertise. Sennheiser puts decades of passion and innovation into every pair of headphones.
In addition, Sennheiser’s balanced audio delivers an incredibly enjoyable listening experience. The moment you put on the headphones, you’ll immediately feel the incredible sound quality.
We have put a lot of effort into providing you with the best listening experience. Sennheiser has a wide range of products, from budget to high-end, catering to a wide range of audiophiles.
Does Sennheiser offer active noise cancellation?
Yes, like other big brands like Bose and Sony, Sennheiser does offer ANC (Active noise cancellation) in some of their headphones.
Sennheiser is not known for its ANC headphones, but products like the Momentum 4 include ANC, showing the company’s commitment to innovation and competitiveness in the market.
Are Sennheiser headphones better than Bose?
It depends on what you are looking for. Bose is known for their excellent noise cancellation technology, and if you are focusing on noise cancellation, the QuietComforts are the best.
However, Sennheiser has been making headphones for over 50 years, which is why they are able to make such a wide range of great-sounding products.
Sennheiser has quite a few high-end products, but unlike Bose, they also offer affordable products.
Sennheiser sells headphones for around £100, and while we’d recommend them for that price range, you’ll pay at least twice as much for the best Bose headphones.
Bose, on the other hand, isn’t really for the serious hi-fi listener.
All Bose products are closed-back wireless headphones, which are great for aeroplanes but not for someone looking for a pair of headphones to relax in at home.