Best Headphones for Podcasting

As people are getting busier, podcasts are gaining huge popularity by taking a significant place in everyone’s life. Podcast listening today is not only a rapidly growing trend but also a solid medium for people to keep themselves updated or educate about new latest things or latest happenings in the outside world in the most inexpensive way possible. 

Best Headphones for Podcasting

Over the past decade, podcasts have risen to this level of demand mainly because of their convenience of access. You can listen to this audio stream during your leisure time, running your errands, while driving to work, or dropping your kids at school. They are made available on the internet and can be easily accessed through your mobile device, computers, tablet, or laptops. Companies are also actively using this medium today to market their products through ads so they can reach a large group of people. 

Another important thing about listening to podcasts is it lets you become a part of different communities of your interest. For example, many podcasters open up a forum or create a community where you can share your thoughts, meet people of similar interest, and participate in various programs hosted by the initiators. Speaking in the context, these are the best headset for virtual meetings.

Other than the listeners, the hosts of the podcast reap the benefits of this platform too. You can podcast content without the need to live stream. Your audiences get the flexibility of downloading or saving your content and can listen to it later. It is a medium to share your thoughts and showcase your expertise and earn revenues based on the number of views or downloads. 

Why Do People Need Headphones for Podcasting?

For those who are new to this term, to make it simpler, ‘Podcast’ is pretty similar to radio streaming. It is mainly a series of audio episodes covering a wide range of topics related to politics, business, social issues, sports, humor, technology, and much more but is digitally broadcasted on the web. 

Now, if you are planning to start on your podcast streaming and need to set up your studio, one of the most critical things you cannot do without is a good pair of studio or podcasting headphones. Yes, your podcast can be a huge mess without a proper headphone with a good quality microphone integrated into it. Wondering why? 

Well, while most people think that a mic alone can suffice other than the laptop, PC, or the recording devices, they tend to ignore the fact that it is extremely important to keep a close watch on how they sound while the recording is being done. At the end of the day, you want your audience to give you all ears which can only happen if you sound good and clear. It is only possible when you make podcasting headphones a part of your recording. 

Why Is It So Important to Use Headphones When You Podcast?

Recording with your podcast headphones on have innumerable benefits:

Clear Voice

You can hear your voice more closely and just like you sound to others. This helps you to adjust your volume, know whether you should speak louder or softer,  change the tonality, and more. 

Improves Your Mic Approach

Once you can hear yourself better, you can keep a check on the mic position and adjust it to the correct angle where you will sound the best when broadcasted. In short, a podcast headset drastically improves your voice quality. 

Helps You Hear Your Guests Better

If your podcast involves interviews through Skype, Zoom, or even when you have invited them to your studio, each person must have a podcasting headphone on. Different people have a different vocal quality which makes some of them more audible while others are less. The use of podcasting headphones enables uniform audibility from everyone. 

Podcast Headset Mic Eliminate the Unwanted Surrounding Noises

It can get annoying when you hear your recording for review only to find out that someone is talking in the background or the vehicles are honking. It can make the entire presentation extremely unprofessional and unappealing. However, if you have one of the best headphones for podcasting with a noise-canceling feature, it sure will do its job of eliminating the ambient noises well. 

Podcasting Headphones Help You Edit Your Work With Precision

If you do not use a good pair of podcast headsets while editing, you wouldn’t be able to identify the unwanted sounds that only a good headphone is capable of. If they are left unedited, they can ruin your entire podcast. The headsets also allow you to perform sound mixing accurately so the result is pleasing. 

You Can Recognize the Sound Pops Easily

Pretty common in the recording industry, certain syllables often appear quite distinctively in an audio recording like the sound of ‘S’, ‘K’, ‘B’, or ‘P’. These are called “pops” and they usually occur when the mic is too close to your mouth. Once you detect the sounds you can edit them so the recording doesn’t get delivered to the listeners with them. 

You Can Go Wireless!

If the podcast content requires you to move around, then obviously your vocal quality will vary based on how close or near you are moving from your mic or the speakers. This will affect the overall quality of the radio. However, a pair of wireless podcast headphones will be able to overcome this issue. You can have a uniform voice even when you are moving as the mic of your audio gear remains intact in one place. Some of the best headphones for podcasting use class 1 Bluetooth that give you a good connectivity range so you can move around easily while recording.

Now, if you are on a hunt for a pair of good podcasting headphones, then there is a vast array of options out there. In case you are new to the professional headphone department and working on your very first podcast, then picking one out of so many options could be overwhelming. But don’t worry, we have got it covered for you. 

The next part of the article will completely focus on some of the best headphones for podcasting making your search more refined and easier. 

Podcasting Headphones: Best Headphones for Podcasting

Podcasting headphones are available across a broad pricing spectrum right from the budget-friendly range, mid-priced to the high-end, premium ones. We have covered headphones across a varying price range so everyone has something to look at. All of these headphones have their benefits and have received high ratings and recommendations from users and tech experts. 

Sennheiser HD280Pro: (Overall Best Podcast Headset)

One of the best headphones for podcasting, this model from Sennheiser is a dynamic pair of headphones that you get at an affordable price of $99.99. 

The podcast headset with a closed-back features solid noise isolation capability, thanks to its over-ear thickly padded ear cups that sit comfortably surrounding the entire ear. The lightweight design and a coiled cable make this audio gear, even more, user-friendly.

With a frequency response of 8 Hz to 25,000 Hz, which is a pretty wide range, the headphone can pick up every little sound clearly so you know exactly what to edit. It also reproduces a warm and neutral sound which is perfect for sound editing. So if you are looking for good podcast headphones for monitoring applications with a $100 budget cap, this is worth taking a look at. 

 Audio Technica ATH-M50x:(Best Headphones for Podcasting With Excellent Sound Quality)

When it comes to high-quality sound, Audio Technical tops the list. So if you are looking for the best headphones for podcasting on a professional grade, this one, undoubtedly, is a great choice. It is appreciated by several audio enthusiasts and professionals across the globe for its performance. 

These podcast headphones are engineered with 45 mm drivers with neodymium magnets that are responsible for crisp and clear sound. This is a highly versatile pair that can easily adapt to wireless options as well by using a Bluetooth adapter. The over-ear style, softly padded ear cups protect the ears from excessive pressure thus making it super comfortable to wear for long hours. 

The ear cups create a perfect seal around the ears effectively isolating the ambient noise giving you an amazing listening experience. These podcast headphones cover a range of 5 Hz to 28,000 Hz offering you a detailed sound profile. The product has a price tag of $169.00, so if you are open to a slightly higher budget, then this is coming you cannot afford to miss. 

Sony MDR7506 Professional Headphone: (Best Podcast Headphones for Recording Under $100 Mark)

Right from the sturdy, durable build to high-resolution and precise sound, this pair of podcast headsets is a complete studio package. The headphone has 40 mm large speaker drivers that reproduce the sound perfectly. The frequency response between 10 Hz to 20,000 Hz gives you a rich bassline, crisp mids, and undistorted highs. 

One of the best headphones for podcasting, this one from Sony is made keeping in mind ultimate comfort with its thickly padded ear-covering cups which also isolate the noise perfectly, giving you a quieter ambiance. The headphone can be conveniently folded for easy storage. 

Some of the things that you should note about this headphone are – it comes with an attached cable that cannot be removed. It may be slightly more bassy than being flat or neutral. Speaking of the bass, these are the best headphones for bass that you might also find interesting. If you are extremely particular about a neutral-sounding headphone, then you have to give it a second thought. You will get this pair for $99.99 which is quite competitive. 

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO: (Best Podcast Headphones for Editing)

Beyerdynamic is yet another brand that makes some incredible products that are professional with high-quality and detailed sound. The bass, mids, and highs are quite distinguishable. This helps you detect the sonic artifacts accurately, allowing the podcasters to edit their recording to perfection.

These podcast headphones are ergonomically designed for the perfect fit and have an incredible ability to isolate the surround sound, allowing you to stay focused. It filters the surrounding sound and also prevents the sound from leaking outside ensuring the quality remains intact. 

The swiveling ear cups are also ideal if you want to use these podcast headsets on one ear for quick monitoring. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is available in 80 Ohm as well as 250 Ohm so you can choose depending on our needs. The latter is perfect for more critical listening if you are working on a big project. So if you are looking for the best headphones for podcasting that can help you achieve the professional touch in your work and do not mind spending $159.00, then it can be your ideal choice. 

Bose QuietComfort 35 II: (Best Headphones for Podcasting in Premium Category)

Here’s one more coming from another well-reputed headphones brand, Bose. The QuietComfort 35 II is a premium pair of podcasting headphones mainly for professional podcasters. 

The headset has a smart make with integrated voice control that allows hands-free access to some functionalities. It also features 3 levels of industry-leading active noise cancellation letting you choose the most ideal listening environment for perfect recording and editing. The headphones integrated dual-mic picks up your voice clearly while filtering the surrounding sound rendering high vocal quality. 

One of the best headphones for podcasting, this audio gear has a well-balanced sound at all frequency ranges. It is a wireless option with an incredible battery backup of 20 hours on a single charge, perfect for those podcasters who need to move around while recording or editing. The headphone has a price tag of $299.00. An expensive option, but if you are looking for a highly versatile headphone that is ideal for various types of applications, then this is something you should take a look at. 

AKG K 240 MK II: (Podcast Headphones With Stereo Sound)

Here is a great-sounding headphone with a semi-open back for superior stereo sound effect with airy highs. Because of its stereo surround sound, this podcast headset is a popular choice among musicians as well as podcasters. The sound professionals talk positively of the headphone’s ability to deliver a well-balanced sound across the entire frequency range. The sound is also quite loud and clear owing to the company’s very own Varimotion 30 mm transducers.  

When it comes to comfort, the brand never compromises. It has a self-adjust headband that gives a perfect fit. The over-ear earcups cushion around the ears well for perfect noise isolation giving you a better listening experience. AKG K 240 MK II will cost you $120.00 which is quite competitively priced.

AKG Acoustics K 702 (Best Open Back Podcast Headset):

Now, if you are an AKG fan and looking for a little more high-end version from the company, K702 is sure to impress you. Quite a strong contender in the best headphones for podcasting list, these headphones are sophisticated to look at and have superior sound. 

The open back gives a spacious sound with clarity on every single note. On the technical side, this pair of podcasting headphones also features a dual-layered diaphragm for a cut above sound at both extreme lows and very high frequencies. It also uses a flat wire voice coil which gives a higher sound sensitivity. 

The memory foam inserted over-ear cushions provide ultra comfort so you can wear them for longer hours. The leather headband also gives these headphones an edge over the others in terms of comfortable wear. The headphone is on the higher end of the price scale costing you $179.00. 

Shure SRH 1540: (High-fidelity Podcasting Headphones)

These are an expensive pair of high-fidelity headphones with some solid features and exceptionally well-balanced yet powerful acoustics. While this may not be an option for everyone, if you are a professional podcaster or working on a high-end podcast in collaboration with a company, then this one is something worth taking a look at. 

This professional pair of podcast headsets are designed with 40 mm neodymium drivers that give an ultimate sound performance. With a wide range of frequency, the headphone ensures undistorted sound throughout ensuring accurate editing. 

These closed back best studio headphones have a circumaural design and have a lightweight build that offers superior comfort and is perfect for audio engineers and professionals who work at the studio for the longest hours of the day. It has a price tag of $499.00. 

Shure SRH440: (Best Budget Podcasting Headphones)

If you want a Shure headphone equipped with all the features you need for working on the podcast without having to break your bank, then here’s a wallet-friendly option for you. SRH440 comes with closed-back over-ear padding for better noise isolation. This allows minimum to no sound leaking making sure you receive the best quality audio these podcasting headphones are capable of. 

The optimized impedance and power handling ensure improved sound output which makes it ideal for podcasting work or any other applications for that matter. All these at $99.00. 

V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Master Over-Ear Headphone: (High-end Studio Headphones Under $250)

If you are looking for high-end professional-grade podcast headphones within the $250 mark, then here is one of the best headphones for podcasting that will give you amazing results. 

The headphone features 50 mm large drivers that give distinct bass tones, crisp and well-sculpted mids with a flawless treble response. The clear and immersive signature sound that the headphone delivers has won this product several awards. This also makes it an ideal option for both amateur and professional podcasters as well as audiophiles who need an exceptionally well-rounded sound profile with fine detailing.  

One of the best headphones for podcasting this one comes with a microphone designed with cutting edge technology that promotes voice clarity. The ergonomically designed audio gear is suited for long hours of wearing with its foam-made ear padding and leather finished headband. It carries a price tag of $249.99.

So, now you have a pretty narrowed-down list of some of the best headphones for podcasting, which should help you finalize one. But, if you still want to check out more options before picking one, there are a few parameters to consider.

Factors to Consider When You Are Buying a Headphone for Podcasting:

Here are a few factors that determine your decision on which headphones for podcasting are best suited for you:

Comfort:

You may need to be working on your recording studio for several hours at a stretch. Therefore, it is extremely crucial to have one that offers ultimate comfort on wearing and doesn’t cause inflamed ears. 

Frequency Response:

The sound reproduction makes a huge difference in how your podcast will sound. Therefore, go for one that has a flat frequency or has neutral sound so your recording sounds uniform without overemphasis at any range. 

Noise Isolation:

While recording, you do not want to be distracted by the outside noise nor do you want your recording to have weird background sounds, right? Therefore, choosing headphones that are designed for effective noise isolation, or one having an active noise cancellation feature is necessary. However, in most cases noise-isolating headphones are sufficient and you will not need the noise cancellation feature that comes with an expensive price tag.

Wired or Wireless Option:

This can be a bit tricky to come to a decision as both have their own benefits. While the wireless podcast headphones let you move around independently, the wired ones have better sound quality as the sound passes through the wire quicker than thorough RF waves. But if you need to go out and interview people for your podcast then a wireless headphone will be ideal. 

Durability:

Well, what’s the point in investing a good amount in a headphone and it is not long-lasting. So along with other features and sound profile, go for a podcast headset that is comfortable yet durable and can hold up the stress of your long work hours really well. Oftentimes, extremely cheaper headphones may trade the durability part to cut down a few bucks. So, it is recommended to go for one that is mid-priced at least. 

Price:

Every individual has their own budget but it is also super important to see if you really need to pay a huge amount for a pair where you can get similar features under a lower price tag. Typically a good pair of podcasting headphones are available between $70 to $150. It is also a fact that the higher the budget is the more features you get. But do your homework on whether you really need those extra features or are they just going to be redundant before you purchase one. 

Conclusion

Headphones are an integral part of the recording and every podcaster, be it a professional or a beginner. You can get away without using headphones once in a while, but in most cases, when you hear the recording you will realize what difference it can make in an audio recording when you use one. With that said, do not get stressed out over this because you do not need to spend a hefty amount on this audio gear.

You will get several options with reasonable price tags. Some of the best headphones for podcasting are pretty moderately priced to suit anyone’s budget. The list provided above has a variety of different price ranges so you find the perfect one for your needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s):