Whether you're practising at home, recording in the studio, or just trying to hear the click over the guitarist’s amp (which apparently, needs to be that loud “for the tone”), a solid pair of drummer-friendly headphones is essential. What differentiates these from standard headphones is the emphasis on proper sound isolation, clear and accurate EQ, and enough durability to handle being perched precariously on a snare drum for weeks on end.
Headphones are, of course, a necessity if you’re playing an electronic drum set. Moreover, if you pull double shift as a beat maker or a budding producer too, you’ll need a solid pair of cans for multiple purposes. Then, to state the obvious, playing the drums - whether electronic or acoustic - can be incredibly loud, so taking care of your aural health is ultra important, too. I’ve taken this into consideration when pulling together this guide to the best headphones for drummers.
Having a pair of fit-for-purpose headphones or in-ears will enable you to direct and control which specific sonics you need, right to your ears. Some pairs will even help protect you from harmful frequencies. So, in this guide I’ve included options that will cover all the scenarios above, with over-ear, on-ear and in-ear options, depending on your needs. And I've got choices for every budget, too.
My number one choice right now is the venerable Audio-Technica ATH-M50X, offering a clean and detailed sound, and long-term comfort for extended stints on the throne.
If you need more guidance, head to my handy FAQs section.
Quick list
The ATH-M50x has been my weapon of choice for drumming tasks for some time now, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. The combination of comfort, excellent sound, great build quality, value and accurate response keeps us coming back to them time and again. A clear winner.
Beyerdynamic DT770 headphones sit at a perfectly affordable price point whilst delivering some of the highest quality sonics on the market. In a studio situation, drummers will be able to hear themselves cleanly, enabling them to strike that perfect balance between playing with intent and not overplaying. The closed-back design also gives the 770s some isolation, which is useful for all types of drumming.
The M20x offers much of the same reliability as its M50x sibling, just more wallet-friendly. While not quite as rich in tone, it still delivers solid sound and decent isolation, making it a great entry-level pick for beginner drummers.
If the main scenario you’ll be wearing drumming-specific headphones is sat behind an e-kit, then these cans, designed by Roland and V-Moda, should fit the bill. They're built to handle the crisp punch of a bass drum or the deep rumble of a floor tom, while lending some pleasing clarity to cymbals at the top end. They come with two cable lengths in the box, plus a handy spring-loaded clip for hanging your ‘phones off a nearby stand.
With deep, bassy quad-drivers providing rich low-end and an uncoloured overall sound; these IEM’s give a true representation of your playing and will allow drummers to play with comfort and precision. They're a generous alternative to custom-made in-ear monitors at a fraction of the (admittedly high) price and will serve professional drummers in most situations.
Vic Firth Stereo Isolation headphones are geared towards helping drummers protect their hearing when playing at loud volumes and the latest version includes cleaner mids, heavier lows, a more comfortable headband, and now... Bluetooth connectivity! And this is all for well under $/£100. If you’re looking at doing a lot of home practice on an acoustic or electronic drum kit, these Vic Firth headphones are the best way to protect your hearing without sacrificing sound quality.
The best overall
The M50x is a tried-and-tested workhorse, ask any studio engineer or DJ. These are the absolute go-to. Once you’ve seen the iconic design on the side of these cans, you’ll start to notice it everywhere. Even better is that they’re just as good behind the drums, delivering excellent clarity across the full frequency range, punchy bass, and snug isolation; they're a perfect fit for drummers wanting accuracy and comfort in a super solid build. These headphones are built to last, with a foldable design and detachable cables for added flexibility.
But what sets the M50x apart is the frequency response. They don’t over-hype the low end, meaning you’ll get a more realistic representation of your playing - ideal for recording or mixing your e-kit. Passive isolation is strong enough for most practice environments, and the earpads hold their shape even after long sessions.
Remember when I said before to “ask any studio engineer”? There are exceptions. One such engineer is my good friend and head honcho at Brick By Brick Studios in New York, John Ried. He and I have worked together on many recordings, swapping roles as producer and musician. John swears by my next choice (spoiler alert) - the Beyerdynamic DT770s - as his favourite headphones. Personally I think the ATH M50x’s cinch the top spot with their excellent low-end and coiled cable design.
"Comparing M50x to the old M50 the difference hits home as soon as you tax them with dense Electronic tracks. M50x goes deeper and feels clearer and more airy, with the M50 sounding more like the M40x."
Read more: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x review
Best for comfort
So, here we have the Brick By Brick Studios-endorsed favourite, and for good reason. It really is a matter of personal preference whether you pick these or the ATH M50x. The Beyerdynamic DT770 offers great isolation, while the soft velour pads make long practice or mixing sessions a breeze. They are particularly comfortable, albeit a touch sweaty in summer sessions.
The sound profile is especially flattering to mid and high frequencies, helping your snare and cymbals shine through in busy mixes. These come in several impedance variants, but for drummers using audio interfaces or headphone amps, the 80-ohm version strikes a perfect balance. While these are slightly bulkier than some others, the comfort level and sonic detail more than make up for it. Just be ready to crank that volume if you’re a heavy hitter.
“Excellent value and delivering spoonfuls of trusted Beyerdynamic quality, neutrality and practicality for a handful of dosh. Their lack of portability means that we wouldn't necessarily recommend these for use when travelling, but for home and/or studio use, these workhorse cans still have a lot to offer. A well-built, durable and great-sounding set of comfortable headphones that perform equally well at home or in the studio."
Read more: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro review
Best budget
Now, let’s look at an excellent budget option. The M20x offers much of the same reliability as its M50x sibling, just more wallet-friendly. While not quite as rich in tone, it still delivers solid sound and decent isolation, making it a great entry-level pick for beginner drummers.
For most people, because of the build quality and genuinely stellar sound, I think these will last from the beginner phase all the way up to semi-pro territory. As long as you take care of them, you shouldn’t need to upgrade for quite a while.
The lightweight build and clean response make them an ideal first pair of practice headphones, especially for electronic drum kits. If you're not ready to splash out but still want something that’ll do the job without fuss, these are your best option right now.
Best for e-drums
Roland collaborated with V-MODA to create these headphones specifically for e-kit players. Designed to complement modules like the TD-27, TD-5 and V71, the VMH-D1 offers deep, articulate low-end and crisp highs tailored for sampled drums and virtual kits.
The cable design is unique: it includes a short lead for connection at your throne, plus an extension for studio setups. This is a small but thoughtful inclusion that makes a big difference for e-kit players.
With a lightweight headband and plush ear cushions, they're also surprisingly comfortable for long practice sessions. Not to mention they have that excellent build quality that Roland is known for.
“A stylish and comfortable pair of e-kit headphones with a fair frequency response and a host of accessories included.”
Read more: Roland VMH-D1 review
Best in-ears
Okay. Let’s get this out of the way. These in-ear monitors are incredibly expensive. If you're looking for in-ears but are on a budget, do not stop here. Check out the Shure 215 Pros - which top our guide to the best budget in-ears monitors - instead, or read down to see the benefits of Drumeo’s surprisingly excellent offering.
If you’re still reading, you must be after serious on-stage monitoring. The SE846 Pros are exactly what you need. These are a premium pair of in-ear headphones that deliver rich, accurate sound and plenty of isolation. With four high-definition microdrivers per ear, this setup gives you detailed separation and low-end depth that rivals over-ear cans.
What makes the SE846 Pro especially appealing is its modularity. You get multiple tuning filters to tweak your sound, as well as a host of ear tip options to ensure a perfect fit. For drummers relying on click tracks, the tight seal and noise isolation make a world of difference. As far as in-ears go, I’ve found them to be pretty comfortable too! After a few gigs you stop noticing that they’re sitting in your ear.
“Delivering outstanding detail and clarity across the board, these top-of-the-line pro IEM's are some of the most capable earphones we’ve heard.”
Read more: Shure SE846 Pro review
Best with Bluetooth
When I was a teenager, we used to practice at my bandmate Alessandro’s house. At his kit, he had this red pair of Vic Firth headphones that had zero functionality other than to protect your ears when you were playing drums. They were so comfortable to me and I used to have a blast playing his drum kit at ear splitting volumes with zero consequences (as far as my 14-yr old ears were concerned), thanks to these marshmallowy cans.
Vic Firth’s Bluetooth Isolation Headphones combine that same marshmallowy comfort with the brand’s well-known passive isolation and added wireless convenience. These are great for drummers who play along to tracks or lessons from their devices. The Bluetooth functionality is a game-changer for practice setups - no more snaking aux cables or knocking over your phone mid-fill.
Don’t expect audiophile-grade sound here; these are made for utility, not reference-level mixing. If you need some high quality, comfortable cans to practice with, whether you’re just looking to vibe along to tracks you like, or you’re a junior drummer just getting started; you can’t go wrong with these. Especially at this price point.
Also tested
How to choose the best headphones for drumming
1. What do you need?
The first thing to consider when shopping for a pair of headphones for drumming is what your specific needs are. Are you about to embark on a month-long tour and need some cans to kick out those backing tracks with clean precision? Perhaps you’re a hobbyist who’s just looking for something to use with the electronic drum kit you just bought? Working this out will inform the type of qualities you’re looking for in your headphones.
2. Comfort
Whether you’re jumping on the kit for a quick 20 minute practice session, or a 3 hour shed, you’ll want your headphones to feel comfortable, rather than intrusive, and not so isolated and clamped to your skull that they make things sweatier than they need to be. Look for plenty of padding in the ear cups and headband, and enough flexibility that it doesn’t feel like your head’s in a vice.
3. Build quality
It should go without saying that the more you spend, the better components and overall build quality you’ll get. And don’t forget, headphones spend much of their lives being stretched open up and wrapped around heads, so they need to be flexible and able to go the distance. And if you want to take them on the road, you’ll want everything from the cable, to connections to be rock solid.
4. What’s your budget?
Once you’ve answered the above three essential questions, then it’s a case of matching a pair of headphones to the budget you’ve set.
FAQs
What types of drumming headphones are there?
In the world of headphones for drummers, there are three distinct categories:
In-ears - These are, as the name suggests, smaller earbuds that go directly into your ears. Anyone who’s used a pair of earbuds like Apple’s AirPods will know what to expect in terms of comfort. When it comes to in-ears, a cable connects the earphones together, and this can be wrapped behind your neck (and sometimes clipped to your shirt collar) to make them extra secure and avoid you accidentally pulling them out as you play. Some in-ears specifically designed for live performance are attached to a monitoring pack and are known as ‘in-ear monitors’ (or ‘IEMs’ for short). The technology used tends to make these a more expensive option, so these are probably only essential if you’re embarking on long tours with a very sophisticated live set-up.
Over-ear headphones - These will sit over your whole ear and thus block out quite a lot of external sound, making them ideal for recording situations. They are able to kick out a deep sonic range and can give very accurate monitoring feedback in quiet environments.
Over-ears are considered quite a safe option as they can give good, accurate feedback at low volumes and do not need to be inserted in or over the ear, which some might find the most comfortable option. As well as drumming, over-ear headphones make for an excellent tool for producing music at home or in a studio.
On-ear headphones - These are similar to over-ears in that they sit over the ear instead of inside them, except on-ears won’t cover the entire ear. Again, this comes down to preference and comfort. Largely speaking, on-ears are a good option for home practice, especially with an electronic drum kit. Since they sit just over your ears, they won’t feel so isolating, which some drummers might find more comfortable - it allows a combination of directed sounds vs natural acoustics.
What connector types are available to me?
So, we’ve covered the different types of headphones, now let’s look at some of the other specifics, starting with the connector. Most headphones will come with a 7 3.5mm “mini jack” as standard, but since the universal standard connection for most musical inputs is 6.5mm (also known as a “jack”), often there will be an adapter included. This might sit on the end of the headphones and will need to be twisted off to reveal the 3.5mm connector underneath, or it might come disconnected and will need to be twisted on.
What should I consider when it comes to cable length?
Another thing to consider is the length and durability of the supplied cable. If you are going to be using the headphones in a studio setting, you’ll want a long and strong - possibly even coiled - cable, that will be able to withstand some movement. If you’re just using them at home or in the studio, this is less of an issue. In fact, if you’re only looking for a pair to plug into an electronic drum kit, you won’t want an extensively long cable because it will likely get in the way.
How do I use headphones safely without damaging my ears?
If you’re using headphones to make music, it’s important to remember that you’ll still be receiving higher volumes than normal directly into your ears. With this in mind, you should be conscious of regulating the volume that you intake music at. A good guideline is always to start as quietly as you are comfortable with and then only increase the volume incrementally as you need.
Secondly, clean your ears! Ear wax clogging up your ear canals can be quite harmful and impede the actual levels of what’s being sent to your ears. This can result in higher-than-necessary listening volumes and possible infections. When you have the time, ensure to clean your ears out; especially if you’re thinking about getting in-ear headphones.
How we choose the best headphones for drummers
Here at MusicRadar, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing, creating and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything music gear related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best headphones for drummers available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are musicians, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best headphones for drummers on the market right now.
Find out more about how we test music gear and services at MusicRadar.
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MusicRadar first launched in 2007 and has been an authority on headphones ever since, rigorously testing the majority of key launches - from studio headphones to in-ear monitors - since day one. The site is run by a diverse team of passionate musicians who live to gig, record and jam, alongside a core group of trusted specialist freelance writers. We understands what players need, because we’re players ourselves, and we test from this perspective.
Our team have been testing music gear for 18+ years, constantly refining our methodology, delving deeper into products and drawing on our experience of what has come before to understand today’s products better than anyone.
Latest updates
30/07/25: This guide has been overhauled top to bottom, including an audit and update to the product choices, plus the addition of new FAQ and how to choose section to help advise you better. This update was write by Jai Widdowson-Jones a full-time Grammy-nominated drummer who, when not writing for MusicRadar, spends the majority of his time in studios and on stage.
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