Everyone should wear headphones during a podcast recording. Stick around to find out why, and explore the 5 best podcasting headphones for any budget.
Why should you wear headphones during a podcast?
Wearing headphones prevents echo and audio bleed.
Echo is when your microphone picks up the audio coming from your speakers. This can lead to feedback and cause delays in audio. This means that it’s harder for your listeners to hear you.
Audio bleed is the same as echo, but more subtle. This happens when you’re wearing the wrong type of headphones and they leak audio, which is then picked up in the microphone.
Wearing headphones means that you can hear your own voice just as others do. This allows you to have more control because you can adjust your levels as you’re recording.
Wearing headphones infinitely enhances your mic technique since they allow you to hear audio fluctuations as they happen. This enables both you and your guests to monitor whether you sound muffled or distant, allowing adjustments to be made to your angle and position accordingly.
Headphones also allow you to pick up on ‘popping.’ This is the sound created by hard consonants like ‘P’ and ‘K,’ and it’s very difficult to detect when you’re not wearing headphones.
Wearing headphones allows you to hear if there’s any external audio impacting your recording, which will save you tons of time in post-production.
Remember, it’s easier to prevent bad audio than it is to fix it.
Things to consider when buying the best podcasting headphones
Before purchasing your headphones, there are some things to consider.
Price
You want to make sure that you have a pair that falls into your desired price and budget.
Comfort
You want to make sure that they’re comfortable because you’re going to be wearing them for an extended period of time.
Portability
Make sure that they’re easily portable so you can record in different locations.
Wireless / Wired
Decide between wireless or wired: which are the best podcasting headphones? I highly recommend wired headphones because with any wireless option, there will be a 1-second delay. This delay can be extremely distracting during recording and makes it hard to monitor others’ voices.
Type
Consider the different models and types. In-ear headphones are more portable but can be less comfortable and provide worse audio quality. On-ear headphones are portable and lightweight and allow you to hear the things that are going on around you. Over-ear headphones are the top pick for podcasters and audio engineers. They are comfortable with great audio quality but they aren’t as portable as the other two options.
Mic?
Decide if you want your headphones with or without a mic. There are some good options of headphones with built-in mics and they’re very convenient, but a good external microphone will always capture better audio quality.
Can I use AirPods for podcasting?
You may be wondering if AirPods are a good option. These can be used, but because they’re wireless, the delay will make monitoring audio difficult. AirPods Max do have the option to be connected with a wire, so if you are going the AirPods route, this is your best option.
Headphone terminology and specifications
What is sound isolation?
Sound isolation means headphones that block out unwanted external sounds like fans, traffic, and any other background noise, making them ideal for successful podcasting. Avoid noise canceling headphones. These capture and then invert outside noise to cancel out, leaving you with weird compressed audio that won’t be an accurate representation of the sound that you’re working with.
What is frequency response?
Frequency response is related to how your headphones sound, which is obviously hugely important when listening to a recording. You’re looking for a flat frequency response. Ideally between 20 to 20,000 Hz.
What is impedance?
Impedance is about the quality and the amplitude that your headphones emit. High impedance headphones will provide better sound quality, but low impedance headphones will be more compatible across devices. This is because high impedance headphones require a more powerful audio output. The M2 MacBook Air and MacBook Pros have high impedance headphone jacks, but other laptops may not and could require an audio interface to drive the headphones. If you’re looking for low impedance headphones, look between 32 and 80 Ohm.
What is headphone sensitivity?
Sensitivity indicates how well a pair of headphones can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic one and how loud they can get. You’re looking for a sensitivity between 80 to 125 Db.
Best podcasting headphones
Based on the above-mentioned requirements, here are the 5 best podcasting headphones under $200.
Audio Technica ATH-M20X
- Comfort: Moderate
- Frequency response: 15 – 20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 96 dB
- Impedance: 47 Ohm
These are a great budget-friendly option. They’re small and moderately comfortable.
Sennheiser 280 PRO
- Comfort: Good
- Frequency response: 8 – 25,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 113 dB
- Impedance: 64 Ohm
Sticking under the $100 mark, these are a more comfortable option. And these are the headphones that Joe Rogan uses.
Sony MDR7506
- Comfort: Good
- Frequency response: 10 – 20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 106 dB
- Impedance: 63 Ohm
These are a bit more expensive. They are comfortable and lightweight. They also have great sound isolation + a high level of clarity and depth.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
- Comfort: Excellent
- Frequency response: 5 – 35,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 100.45 dB
- Impedance: 250 Ohm
I highly recommend these headphones, specifically the 250 Ohm version. You see them on a lot of podcasts. Something to note is that the DT 770 PRO require a high impedance audio jack.
Sennheiser HD-25
- Comfort: Excellent
- Frequency response: 16 – 22,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 120 dB
- Impedance: 20 Ohm
These are considered the industry standard for DJs. They are lightweight with an adjustable padded headband. The thick on-ear cushions effectively block out sound.
I hope this article helps you in your podcasting journey. Be sure to bookmark this gear reviews page, as I’m consistently adding captivating articles to keep you informed and entertained.
Happy podcasting!
Disclaimer: This “Best Podcasting Headphones for All Budgets (2024 Reviewed)” review page contains several affiliate links which I receive a small % of the sale if you buy something. This is at no additional cost to you (sometimes you can even get a discount). I do my best and review only products and services that I think are worth your attention.