Headphones are an absolute necessity for any DJ. Sure, you can get away mixing with iPhone ear buds or consumer headphones – you can even just “ride waveforms” if you’re mixing on a laptop or tablet – but you’re putting yourself at a huge disadvantage. That’s because consumer headphones don’t have the necessary bass response, clarity and noise isolation that DJs rely on to zero in on sonic details when mixing in a crowded, noisy venue.
Read this next: 5 Things To Look For In DJ Headphones
That’s why DJ headphones are a specialist piece of monitoring gear, and one that us DJs take seriously. Headphones that are not up to task can make beatmixing more difficult because you aren’t able to properly hear what you’re cueing up next, and it also ruins your hearing in the long run because you keep cranking up the volume just so you can hear your headphone cue mix above the venue noise.
If you’re thinking of trading up to a better pair of cans, you can’t go wrong with any one of these picks.
Best DJ Headphones For 2024
1. Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10
The Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10 is one of the best headphones out there today. The overall comfort and noise isolation provided by the cushy ear pads are second to none, and we love the deep bass and clear highs that the onboard speaker drivers deliver.
Pioneer DJ markets these as “high-definition” headphones capable of playing Hi-Res audio files, but even if you just spin with normal MP3 files you’ll appreciate the clarity and tight sound of these phones. The only downside is that they’re on the chunky, bulky side, so you might skip these if you prefer smaller on-ear cans.
Price: $369
Buy it now: Pioneer DJ website
Read our review: Pioneer DJ HDJ-X10
2. Sennheiser HD 25
Debuting in 1988, the iconic Sennheiser HD 25 is the oldest out of all the headphones on this list, but it’s a model that continues to be favoured by professional DJs the world over. It’s revered for its lightweight build, making it ideal for extended DJ use.
Tweaks have been made to its design over the years, and today’s model features a split headband that can be adjusted for comfort without adding significant heft and weight to the headphone. Of course, the sound is still as good as ever, with a tight bass signature that punches above its speaker driver size class. This is the headphone of choice for many travelling techno and house DJs, and one that won’t go out of style anytime soon (or ever).
Price: $150
Buy it now: Sennheiser website
3. AIAIAI TMA-2
The modular TMA-2 from Danish company AIAIAI continues to improve on the original, adding different speaker driver models and ear cup sizes that you can pick from when building your own headphone pair. The latest innovation includes a Bluetooth headband that gives any TMA-2 headphone model the ability to be used wireless with smartphones and tablets. You can still use them with a cable since each speaker driver has a jack for wired connections. A digital DJ favourite that’s well-loved by music producers and clued-up listeners too.
Price: from $200
Buy it now: AIAIAI website
Read our review: AIAIAI TMA-2 review
4. V-Moda Crossfade M100 Master
V-Moda’s Crossfade M-100 Master has a unique hexagon ear cup design that helps it stand out from all the other DJ headphone models out there. Starting with the original Crossfade M-100, it’s pushing a decade since these headphones were introduced into the DJ world, and they’re still worn and used by EDM and big room DJs because of their low-end response and killer looks.
You can even 3D print or have your logo laser etched on the ear cup shields for added branding. An enduring classic.
Price: $250
Buy it now: V-Moda website
5. Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1
These are a fun headphone, because Pioneer DJ sells replacement ear pads and cables in a variety of colours – that’s how we created the iconic “Digital DJ Tips” pink and blue headphones that often feature in our livestreams, and that we always get asked about.
The HDJ-CUE1s are more than just an easy-to-customise model, though: These do everything a DJ needs their headphones to do, at a price that means unless you want to, you really don’t have to pay any more for flashier models. They’re available in a Bluetooth version too if you’d like to use them for “general” listening.
Price: $69
Buy it now: Pioneer DJ website
Read our review: Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1 review
6. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT is an update to the original, this time with added Bluetooth wireless connectivity for on-the-go use. While not primarily a pair of headphones for DJing, the ATH-M50x is favoured by DJ/producers because it’s excellent for music production use and critical listening applications. It’s got a tight low-end and an excellent reproduction of the stereo sound stage making it a great monitoring alternative in a home studio that already has a pair of desktop speakers. The noise isolation is its weakest point though, and you may find yourself turning up the volume in a crowded bar or DJ booth.
Price: $199
Buy it now: Audio-Technica website
7. Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX
These are Pioneer DJ’s take on the Sennheisers that are also featured here. They’re not a straight copy, even though they look similar and have the same type of small “on ear” earcups. For a start, they have metal adjustable sections above each earcup, and also, they are only wired to one of the two earcups – an improvement over the Sennheisers.
What they do share with that model, though, is the ridiculous light weight – if you like the idea of small headphones that are slight and compact, consider these alongside the HD 25s, from which they clearly take their cue (no pun intended).
Price: $149
Buy it now: Pioneer DJ website
Read our review: Pioneer DJ HDJ-CX Headphones Review
Finally…
Your choice of DJ headphones boils down to preference and budget. If you’ve been DJing for a while and have outgrown your beginner pair of headphones, our recommendation is to buy the best that you can get for the money that you’re willing to spend. All the headphones on this list are reliable and built to last, so if you’re thinking twice about spending, it’s worth considering that you’re going to be using them for a long time anyway.
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What’s your favourite pair of DJ headphones? Which of these would you like to add to your collection? Let us know in the comments.
Phil Morse
