'Why I still swear by the best wired headphones for fuss-free listening'
Nowadays, Bluetooth headphones – including the best wireless earbuds and top over-ear headphones – might seem to be the go-to choice for convenience. However, I’m here to tell you there’s a surprisingly compelling argument for good, old-fashioned, reliable wired headphones.
As a tech editor, you might think I’d rely only on the latest in wireless simplicity where all the new innovations are happening. And, of course, I love these options, especially the best noise-cancelling headphones. But, they don’t come without downsides.
The biggest drawbacks of going wire-free are that you have to worry about battery life, increased lag and compressed audio quality. When I’m at home rather than travelling or commuting, I’m honestly just as likely to pick up one of my beloved wired pairs.
Below, I’ve shared my favourite picks for wired headphones in 2025, including top over-ear headphones and wired earphones (which are also known as “in-ear monitors”).
Whether you’re a budding audiophile looking for the best sound or just want a no-fuss option, I’ve got something for you.
But, a word of warning, there’s loads of competition out there and my list only scratches the surface for beginners getting into the headphone hobby – there’s far more to discover, if you want to get serious about it.
Read more: Best true wireless earbuds | Best wireless over-ear headphones | Best noise-cancelling headphones | Best headphones under £50 | Best open earbuds | Best headphones for kids | Best headphones for exercise
M20x
You'll find that Audio-Technica's ATH-M20x are favourites among budding audio engineers on a budget. They're affordable at under £50, and have a comfortable and lightweight design. Unsurprisingly, the balanced sound profile is one of the big benefits here.
It makes them good for studio monitoring and casual listening, and you should be able to wear them for hours at a time without getting tired of them. Aesthetically, they're a little utilitarian and plasticky, but durable enough if well cared for. I could come up with some downsides, including that the cable isn't detachable. But, overall, you won't be disappointed if you're taking a first step into wired sound.
Chu II
Honestly, the Moondrop Chu II in-ear monitors (IEMs) are pretty remarkable for anyone venturing into the audiophile world on a budget. They're priced at under £20 and you might find they're all you need for high-quality sound. I'm a fan of the sturdy metal build and detachable cable (great for keeping them functional if you need to replace the cord), which are features usually reserved for pricier pairs.
They're tuned for a neutral sound signature and deliver a lot of detail and clarity. It's worth knowing that you need to twist the cord behind your ear to wear them properly, but once you get the hang of it, it's second nature. As an ultra-affordable entry point for those after the high-fidelity sound, these are always my first recommendation.
FT1
There's a lot of hype around the FiiO FT1 wired headphones, after they seemingly took the audio world by storm in 2024. They pack in exceptional value to challenge higher-priced competitors, offering a premium experience for under £140. I particularly love the natural solid wood earcups, plush earpads, and large 60mm dynamic drivers. These deliver an engaging and energetic sound that brings the best out of all music genres.
FiiO is generous with accessories too, providing both 3.5mm and 4.4mm cables, along with a hard storage case. These may look a little bit enormous on most people's heads and they're far from portable, but I reach for them over almost all other options when I'm listening to music at home.
£139.99 at advancedmp3players.co.uk
Alba
If you're after exceptional value from in-ear monitors, I'd recommend looking at the Meze Alba wired earphones. Meze Audio is a high-end Romanian company known for equipment that can cost thousands, so I'm impressed that you get so much quality for around £150 from these compact buds. They're made with zinc alloy and aluminium shells, with a lovely pearlescent finish, and they come with a neat little storage case. They also have a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, so you don't need to worry about providing your own.
Inside these in-ears are 10.8mm dynamic driver speakers that deliver a rich and detailed sound signature. They're ideal for a natural and engaging musical experience across a wide range of genres, although I'm not certain that they'll suit those after a more clinical reference sound. These are especially great for hearing the nuances of vocals and instrumental separation, though.
IE 200
For balanced and precise audio, you can't go wrong with Sennheiser. The German brand specialises in reproducing natural sound, and has done so since 1945. The IE 200 earphones are a reasonably priced yet highly impressive option for pinpointing details and experiencing music on a wide soundstage. They're fantastic for bringing out nuances in your favourite songs.
It's worth saying, though, that you may need some time to get used to the less bass-heavy sound of a more neutral option like these. Once you do, though, it's easy to appreciate the level of clarity and richness that they offer. They're also lightweight and comfortable for long listening sessions, and they come with a soft pouch for travel too. The only things you might miss are in-line controls and a microphone for calls.
99 Classics
They may feel like a pricier option, but it's worth mentioning that high-end wired headphones can cost thousands of pounds. As I mentioned above, this list isn't going to scratch the surface for those deep in the hobby! For what you pay, though, there's a lot to recommend with the Meze 99 Classics and their old-school design. The build features hand-finished wooden ear cups and a self-adjusting headband, with no plastic or glue in sight. The premium materials and use of screws mean these are designed for longevity, with repairable parts.
The 99 Classics are excellent for all-day comfort, so they won't let you down if you want to listen to your favourite albums back-to-back for hours. The sound isn't what I'd call clinical, leaning more towards a warm and engaging experience, with some slightly pronounced bass frequencies. They provide a detailed and musical sound, and I'm a fan of the throwback style. The one thing I'd say is just to make sure you put them on carefully – nobody's going to want to get their hair caught in the steel frames!
E11C
Want a pair of go-to earphones you can rely on every day? Soundmagic's E11C also features on Good Housekeeping's list of the best headphones under £50 for good reason. They're a versatile and affordable choice for music lovers, and I really like the durable cable with its built-in microphone and three-button controls. I find this makes it easy to handle playback and volume without digging my phone out of my pocket, and it's not always a feature you'll find on other IEMs.
These also have a straightforward fit that doesn't require you to twist a cable behind your ear. And the sound they deliver is impressive, well-balanced, energetic and detailed. It matches the experience of much more expensive models, and is a much more sensible option than Apple’s EarPods (which get constantly tangled, in my experience). Another pair I’d recommend at the sub-£50 price point is the Final E3000. They’ve got a lovely stainless steel chassis, can be bought with a built-in microphone and deliver a fantastic sound quality without a high cost.
Why choose wired headphones?
Serious headphone hobbyists will tell you that they’d barely even consider most wireless options for critical listening. But why, exactly? In some areas, it’s true that Bluetooth tech isn’t lagging that far behind, but there are a couple of sticking points where you’re simply better off sticking with old-school headphones. Here are the key issues, from my perspective.
Battery life: For me, this is a big one. Wired headphones don’t need charging, which means they’re always ready to go. You’ll never have to worry about them dying on you, especially during long trips where music or podcasts are essential.
Sound quality: In the simplest terms, it’s a lot harder for Bluetooth headphones to keep up with the quality of a wire because they need to compress audio to send it from your source to your ears. Thanks to the absence of Bluetooth compression in wired options, there’s often a noticeable improvement in audio quality, especially for keen listeners.
Latency and call performance: Additionally, wired options tend to have lower latency or lag. This is most crucial when watching live videos or playing games, where even a slight delay can be annoying. Plus, if you’re on Zoom or FaceTime calls, the in-line microphones on some wired headsets tend to deliver better clarity, although not all options include microphones.
Why choose wireless headphones?
There are several good reasons why wireless headphones remain the more popular option and why we’re probably never headed back to a time when “wired” is the default.
Portability and convenience: There’s no getting around it, going wire-free is much better if you’re transporting your headphones from place-to-place, and not having to worry about a wired connection means you’re not going to get said wire caught on anything or tangled up. The controls are also on the headphones themselves, rather than built into the wire, which ends up being simpler.
Noise-cancellation: This is such a major selling point for most of us, and something that significantly improves commutes, flights and days at the office. Active noise-cancellation, or ANC, uses microphones to hear the sound waves of the outside world around your headphones and then “invert” them to silence them in your ears. It can be an absolute game-changer if you’re often in noisy environments.
Extra features and customisation: Beyond ANC, you’ll find there are a plethora of features on wireless headphones once they’re connected to a companion app on a smartphone. These include the likes of personalised audio, customised controls, spatial 360-degree audio, wearing detection, battery monitoring, wind noise reduction and much more. With a wired pair, you’re stuck with one sound experience, which could make them feel much less versatile.
How to connect to wired headphones
Unfortunately, most flagship smartphones no longer include headphone jacks.
Thankfully, though, affordable adapters are widely available, allowing you to connect your wired headphones to USB-C ports easily. You’ll see these called portable DACs (digital to analogue converters) – I’ve tried several, and I have included my favourites below.
USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter
Apple’s adapter is great for the basics. It’s simple and affordable, and works seamlessly with USB-C devices. On test, it delivered clear and reliable audio and it’s well-regarded for its compatibility and value. If I have any downsides, they’re that it feels a bit flimsy and only comes in white. But, at this low price, it’s the go-to pick for a no-fuss solution.
GO link DAC & Amplifier
This is a definite upgrade on budget dongles, offering some clear benefits when it comes to getting the most out of your music. To my ears, it delivers a notable improvement in richness, depth and detail, but these differences are also quite subtle and hard to notice without comparing it to the cheaper options side-by-side and really listening for differences. However, it does also have a better build quality and is just as portable.
BTR13 Bluetooth Headphone Amplifier
This is a bit more than just a digital-to-analogue converter, as it also works as a Bluetooth receiver and has a tiny screen. Overall, I was impressed when trying it. It’s a versatile option to pair with headphones, offering wireless support for high-resolution files and excellent wired support that results in clear and rich sound. It also has a clip and USB-C charging, but is just a little bulkier and pricier than a basic dongle.
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