After several hours of research in around thirty models of wired headphones, we have come to the conclusion that the most interesting choice is the Beyerdynamics DT240 Pro. Both sedentary and nomadic, it offers first-rate audio quality without neglecting the manufacturing quality.

 

Our choice, Best mid-range

Beyerdynamics DT240 Pro

Intended for lovers of audio quality, it is both sedentary and nomadic. It offers good comfort of use while offering a natural and balanced look.

With its clear and balanced sound quality in all areas, it can be used for professional listening as much as for pleasure, even if it is primarily intended for audiophiles. However, it has a perfectible sound insulation and its size can inconvenience the larger ears.

 

Best cheap

AKG K72

Semi-professional equipment at a low price, that’s what AKG offers you with this model. Its entry-level position does not prevent it from offering very good audio quality.

By combining first-rate comfort and high sound quality for its price, AKG has rightly hit the nail on the head. It can even boast of offering a certain listening pleasure thanks to its sufficiently present bass. The only complaints we can make are related to its irremovable cable and the quality of its mediums.

 

Best high end

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

With its very good manufacturing quality and its detailed and balanced sound, it is still one of the best products on the market. It is also very comfortable, which promises long listening sessions.

Despite the arrival of a new version with the MSR7B, this model is still an excellent choice, especially at the price at which it is offered. Whether you are an audiophile or a professional, it offers very high precision, free from distortion. It is certainly not made to be used on the move with its fairly limited passive insulation … But that is not what it is intended for.

 

Cheap alternative

Shure SRH145

True to the brand’s reputation for audio, it offers extremely high sound quality in a compact and easily transportable format, making it a good companion for your daily journeys.

Despite its on-ear design, these headphones offer neat audio quality combined with good sound insulation. It has beautiful qualities such as a rich and detailed sound, comfort suitable for all sizes and a reliable construction. In the end, its only faults are related to its size and its price range: the bass slightly lack power and the outer coating, of lower quality, is sensitive to scratches.

Mid-range alternative

Sony MDR-7506

Having arrived on the market for many years, this range of headphones is the industry benchmark when it comes to monitoring headphones. It is mainly characterized by its exceptional sound quality.

If you want a balance between price and sound quality, then the MDR-7506 is ideal. It is certainly not the most practical with its long and robust cable but in terms of audio, it is a reference. We find it unfortunate that the brand did not pay more attention to its visual, which is not at the level of its skills.

 

our selection

Our choice, Best mid-range	Best cheap	Best high end	Cheap alternative	Mid-range alternative
Beyerdynamics DT240 Pro	AKG K72	Audio-Technica ATH-M50X	Shure SRH145	Sony MDR-7506
Intended for lovers of audio quality, it is both sedentary and nomadic. It offers good comfort of use while offering a natural and balanced look.	Semi-professional equipment at a low price, that’s what AKG offers you with this model. Its entry-level position does not prevent it from offering very good audio quality.	With its very good manufacturing quality and its detailed and balanced sound, it is still one of the best products on the market. It is also very comfortable, which promises long listening sessions.	True to the brand’s reputation for audio, it offers extremely high sound quality in a compact and easily transportable format, making it a good companion for your daily journeys.	Having arrived on the market for many years, this range of headphones is the industry benchmark when it comes to monitoring headphones. It is mainly characterized by its exceptional sound quality.
See on Amazon	See on Amazon	See on Amazon	See on Fnac	See on Amazon

 

Why trust us ?

The Selectos editorial team spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and comparing products in order to find those that offer the best value for money.

None of our articles are sponsored. We sometimes receive a commission when you buy a product through our links, which allows us to finance our work while remaining completely impartial.

 

How did we choose?

The world of headphones is full of possibilities. The main difficulty in choosing the model that best suits us comes from the variety of products available to us. In the context of this article, we have focused on headsets for amateur audiophiles by favoring models designed for sound fidelity.

We therefore sought the best balance between the criteria defined below:

• The sound quality: in the case of wired headphones, the type of sound sought is oriented towards neutrality in order to guarantee a natural rendering whatever the listening medium. In this sense, the headphones must guarantee the flattest possible frequency response in order to avoid any excessive emphasis on certain elements, unlike general public headsets which have a particular color of sound. This type of headphone is mainly used for monitoring or by audiophiles.
• Comfort: look at the thickness and the material of the pads. The thicker they are, the longer you can keep the headphones on your ears. Then, the arch must be designed with good material, but also be adjustable, to best match the morphology of your head and thus ensure good support. Some emit a strong pressure on the skull, making the headphones uncomfortable during long periods of listening. Weight is also an important element.
• Noise isolation: For a good reproduction of the sound scene, audiophiles generally opt for so-called open models, which allow the different sounds to filter more. As a result, insulation is often overlooked, but some helmets try to compensate for this defect. The thickness and size of the pads also influence this factor. If this is important to you, turn to closed models instead.
• Mobility: if you want to opt for mobile use, the robustness and practicality of your helmet are important. To favor these factors, opt for models favoring more noble materials or, failing that, a higher quality plastic. Some helmets offer swivel earphones as a bonus, making it possible to reduce their size. For wired models, a final factor comes into play: the length of the cable. It is indeed quite difficult to slip more than 2 meters of cable into your pocket.

We started from around thirty models and only retained 10 after analyzing these criteria. Then, we consulted several critical English and French speaking sites, forums, blogs, etc. and we managed to establish a final selection of the 5 best wired headphones of the moment according to different price ranges.

PS: as we have already mentioned, different technologies and specific uses exist. If you are looking for more information about them, do not hesitate to visit our other articles dedicated to gaming headsets , noise reduction headsets , as well as bluetooth headsets. We particularly recommend these for your travels.

 

Our Choice: Beyerdynamics DT240 Pro

Our choice, Best mid-range

Beyerdynamics DT240 Pro

Intended for lovers of audio quality, it is both sedentary and nomadic. It offers good comfort of use while offering a natural and balanced look.

With its clean and balanced rendering in all areas, it can be used for professional listening as well as for pleasure, even if it is primarily intended for audiophiles. However, it has a perfectible sound insulation and its size can inconvenience the larger ears.

The DT240 Pro is a good example that studio-quality headphones can be practical on a daily basis.

Thus, its audio quality without particular color allows a clean and very well balanced rendering. The different tones are linked without snagging, avoiding any confusion, regardless of the style of music chosen. If you want to focus on listening to “pleasure”, you can easily change the equalization with a program or an app.

It provides good comfort thanks to its studied ergonomics. Its headband and pads are covered with a good quality imitation leather and the set is flexible and light, which gives it a good hold without it tightening too much. However, if you have large ears, you will not be able to take advantage of its “over-ear” format, because the size of the headphones is quite small, transforming it into an “on-ear” model for larger users.

This does not allow good sound insulation when its closed format should, on the contrary, help it. It is therefore not recommended for noisy environments.

However, it has good qualities which make it very practical: it is robust and well-constructed (thanks to the use of metal and aluminum), can fold flat and has a cable short enough to be practical on the move (1.5 m base, up to 3 m with the extension supplied). It is also quite flexible which minimizes the risk of breakage.

 

The best cheap wired headphones: AKG K72

Best cheap

AKG K72

Semi-professional equipment at a low price, that’s what AKG offers you with this model. Its entry-level position does not prevent it from offering very good audio quality.

By combining first-rate comfort and high sound quality for its price, AKG has rightly hit the nail on the head. It can even boast of offering a certain listening pleasure thanks to its sufficiently present bass. The only complaints we can make are related to its irremovable cable and the quality of its mediums.

Who says audio fidelity is expensive? With the K72, AKG proves that even on a low budget, an audiophile can find happiness. Indeed, its real strong point is precisely its quality / price ratio.

It offers a wide, detailed and deep sound rarely seen at this level of range. It has enough bass to be enjoyable for both critical listening and entertainment while maintaining excellent neutrality. Complex sounds are well mastered thanks to good management of the different elements. The only small downside comes from the mediums which may seem a little less coherent by their strangled side but, for this price … we can forgive him.

Comfort is not neglected. Its “over-ear” design is suitable for most large ears. It is equipped with very good quality imitation leather pads, a double hoop and a hammock to combine rigidity and comfort of use which guarantees you that you can wear it all day without problem.

Unfortunately, where the costs have been reduced, it is at the level of the insulation which is simply not at the level of the rest of the helmet and this, even if it is a closed model.

You should also know that it is intended more for sedentary use. Thus, it is adorned with a thick cable of 3 m, inconvenient when traveling. It is also not removable which makes it difficult to replace in the event of a problem.

In the end, if you are an audiophile who takes pleasure in listening to his favorite tracks installed on his sofa, it is perfect. Especially if you don’t want to ruin yourself.

 

The best high-end wired headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

Best high end

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X

With its very good manufacturing quality and its detailed and balanced sound, it is still one of the best products on the market. It is also very comfortable, which promises long listening sessions.

Despite the arrival of a new version with the MSR7B , this model is still an excellent choice, especially at the price at which it is offered. Whether you are an audiophile or a professional, it offers very high precision, free from distortion. It is certainly not made to be used on the move with its fairly limited passive insulation … But that is not what it is intended for.

In terms of sound quality, nothing to complain about. The M50X is intended purely and simply for monitoring which makes loyalty the key word. It offers a well-balanced reproduction with sufficient bass input. Its mediums allow you to effectively transcribe the instruments and the voices and treble are not neglected. The only slight black spot comes from the sound scene, somewhat limited by the closed design chosen by the brand.

In comfort, quality is also there. It follows the contour of your head effectively while being easily adjustable. The “over-ear” headphones can pivot on a vertical and horizontal axis, which allows them to both adapt to your body and fold them up for transport. The pads are comfortable even if they are quite thin. They are covered with imitation leather which, unfortunately, can cause a feeling of heating after a long period of use.

Passive reduction of ambient noise is quite effective, which allows you to enjoy it regardless of the environment where you are. Of course, it is not as effective as the active reduction of more expensive helmets but, for the price, it is a good performance.

Finally, you may want to consider using it while on the go. It is adorned with sturdy plastic which allows it to have some impact and, as we said above, it can be completely folded down which makes it easier to store in a bag. The cable is removable and the brand provides you with 3 formats: 1 coiled cord, practical on the move and 2 rights of different lengths. Take care of it because they have a proprietary connection which makes them more expensive to replace.

In the end, if you have the necessary budget, it is a good solution to listen to a natural and clear reproduction of your favorite tracks, whether at home or on the go.

 

A cheap alternative: Shure SRH145

Cheap alternative

Shure SRH145

True to the brand’s reputation for audio, it offers extremely high sound quality in a compact and easily transportable format, making it a good companion for your daily journeys.

Despite its on-ear design, these headphones offer high audio quality combined with good sound insulation. It has beautiful qualities such as a rich and detailed sound, comfort suitable for all sizes and a reliable construction. In the end, its only faults are related to its size and its price range: the bass slightly lack power and the outer coating, of lower quality, is sensitive to scratches.

Shure is well known to music lovers, especially for its excellent camera microphones. It is, therefore, natural that one of their helmets should be in our selection. Thus, faithful to the philosophy of the brand, it offers audio quality worthy of the name: the bass has a good definition (even if they lack a little power) and the treble are sharp. The result is a rich, detailed and relatively precise sound.

As a result, it is suitable for listening to a good variety of music.

Lightweight and easily adjustable, it can suit all heads… and all ears thanks to its port on the ear. It is therefore comfortable to wear it for several hours, in particular thanks to the fact that it does not exert too much pressure on the sides of the head. Its contained weight means that little padding is necessary, for the benefit of its compactness.

As a bonus, a rare occurrence for on-ear, the sound insulation is interesting. Admittedly, it will not filter all ambient noise as the best over-ear but the level of attenuated noise is sufficient to allow it to be used on the move.

Finally, when we focus on mobility, he is one of the best students in this selection. Its fully foldable design conceals quality construction despite the use of plastic. It has a cable short enough not to get tangled in it (1.5 m) and requires little power which makes it easy to use with all kinds of sources.

Unfortunately, its metallic effect coating is quite sensitive to scratches. So make sure you have a pocket to protect it.

To sum up, if you are looking for a good balance between portability and audio quality, it is perfect.

 

A mid-range alternative: Sony MDR-7506

Mid-range alternative

Sony MDR-7506

Having arrived on the market for many years, this range of headphones is the industry benchmark when it comes to monitoring headphones. It is mainly characterized by its exceptional sound quality.

Price not available on Amazon

If you want a balance between price and sound quality, then the MDR-7506 is ideal. It is certainly not the most practical with its long and robust cable but in terms of audio, it is a reference. We find it unfortunate that the brand did not pay more attention to its visual, which is not at the level of its skills.

So let’s start with its main asset: sound. Reserved for audiophiles, it perfectly reproduces the entire soundstage, without any particular color. It is considered an industry standard as it is efficient in this area. Monitoring professionals appreciate it mainly because it effectively transcribes each variation present in the audio track.

As it is primarily intended for professionals, the brand ignores a worked design without sacrificing comfort. Thus, even if the pads do not have memory foam, they are very comfortable for long hours of use. In addition, it remains relatively light. Some users still note a small lack of padding and a hoop that can tighten a little too hard the more sensitive heads.

Sound insulation level, its over-ear design promotes passive noise reduction while minimizing leaks. You can, therefore, enjoy your titles without deterioration due to external sources.

Finally, it is essentially in mobility that the shoe pinches. It is equipped with a long and thick cable which, although robust, is anything but practical on the move. It adds significant weight to the whole and its length can be inconvenient. As a bonus, it is made entirely of plastic which makes it less durable and it requires a good level of power which closes the door on many smartphones. Its only advantage on this point is its fully folding design which makes it rather compact.

In short, if you want a very good headset for sedentary listening and you don’t care much about the design, it is the perfect model … otherwise, go your way.

 

Honorable mentions

Audio-Technica MSR7B :

evolution of our best high-end, it pays more attention to the consumer by combining its excellent audio quality with an increase in manufacturing quality, reduced impedance and more practical features such as a cable containing a remote control and a microphone. The frequency amplitude is revised upwards, making it compatible with high-resolution audio.

 

After several hour of research, I finally made my selection of the best lavalier microphones from more than thirty commercial models currently available on the market. The one that I found the most interesting from a quality-price, durability and reliability point of view is the Audio-Technica PRO70. You will also find at the end of this article a buying guide that will allow you to find the lapel microphone of your dreams … Or in any case the one that best suits your needs and your budget. Good reading!

Best cheap	Best mid-range	Best high end
Rode Smartlav +	Audio-Technica Pro 70	Samson Go Mic Mobile
See on Amazon	See on Amazon	See on Amazon

The best cheap lapel microphones

To ensure a certain audio quality, you still have to be ready to invest a few dozen euros in your lapel microphone. But do not panic! There are high-performance models at fairly affordable prices.

Rode Smartlav + : the best entry-level

Advantages

• Good value for money
• Without batteries
• Good audio quality
• Easy to use
• Disadvantages
• Compatible only with smartphone

The Rode SmartLav + is an entry-level lapel microphone that can be found everywhere as soon as we look into the subject: many vloggers and podcasters recommend it and audiovisual professionals do not spit no longer on it.

We quickly understand why. It is a small, simple microphone specially designed for use with smartphones and tablets, which works without batteries and offers good audio quality.

The microphone is supplied with a clip, a windscreen foam windscreen, a Velcro fastening for the cable and a small pocket to store everything. It has a TRRS plug compatible with iPhone (beware! Not the latest, which do not have a jack) and some Android smartphones.

IPhone users can download the Rode Rec app, which allows you to make and export recordings with or without wires. There are two versions of the app, one free and the other paid, which offers premium features such as an equalizer, Dropbox compatibility or even different playback speeds.

The microphone is extremely easy to use: just plug it into your phone’s jack and start recording. Omnidirectional microphones (this is the case with this one) are well suited to picking up voice, because they do not force the speaker to remain in a static position, but are still relatively vulnerable to background noise.

Here, it is relatively well mastered and we immediately appreciate the sound quality, clear and limpid with a sensitivity quite correct: no need to dig into the recording parameters to have a good voice performance .

It is particularly suitable for use in “micro-HF microphone”: instead of an expensive wireless system with transceiver (for which you can easily count up to € 500), you can clip the microphone to the interlocutor’s jacket and plug it into a smartphone that you can slip into the person’s pocket for freedom of movement.

Ideal when you want to make recordings in the field, knowing that you can then export the recordings to add them to a video track.

There are still two major drawbacks to this type of system. First, the impossibility of performing simultaneous monitoring of its recording, with the risk of ending up with extraneous noise (rubbing of clothes, etc.) and having to start all over again.

However, this is not an inherent problem with SmartLav +, but with all microphones of this nature. More specifically in this specific case, to use this microphone with a device other than a smartphone (his PC for example, or even a recorder) it would be necessary to acquire a TRRS to TRS adapter, which represents an additional cost not negligible.

In addition, you should know that iPhones from 7 and more and more Android phones (the Huawei P20 for example, or the Lenovo Moto Z) are devoid of jack, and more and more manufacturers phone should continue this momentum.

We can therefore ask the question of the merits of a “special smartphone” microphone which in a year or two would not be compatible with most phones on the market without a TRRS to Lightning or USB-C adapter.

It is however a microphone that I do not hesitate to recommend because of its affordable price, its ease of use and the quality of its audio recordings.

 

Audio-Technica ATR-3350iS : quality sound with simplicity

Advantages

• Affordable price
• Correct sound quality
• Smartphone adapter
• Disadvantages
• Low sensitivity
• No On / Off indicator

Let’s start our review of entry-level lavalier microphones with this low-cost model from the Japanese brand Audio Technica. With its very low price at less than 50 € and its smartphone connector, it is a microphone intended for a clear and precise reproduction of the voice, ideal, according to the brand, for aerobics or sport monitors ( personally, I’m not sure that a wired microphone is the most suitable system for this kind of use, but hey…).

It is an omnidirectional microphone with a 6 m cable (!) Integrated with a 3.5 mm mini-jack. It comes with its tie clip, a battery, an anti-foam windscreen and, as I said above, a TRRS smartphone adapter which makes it compatible with Android and iOS phones (supposedly! I will come back on the matter a little later).

One is immediately struck by the length of the cable, which, unless you need it for very specific use cases (an exclusive interview with a person on an elephant’s back for example?) Is likely to annoy more than ‘something else. With a weight of just over 6 g, it is very light and will slip easily into your bag – too bad, just that there is no pouch or case provided because with this gigantic cable, hello knots.

I also wonder about the durability of the pliers provided, questioned by some online reviews – it is actually not of remarkable solidity.

The microphone works thanks to a LR44 battery (supplied), but does not have an On / Off indicator, which means that there is a strong risk of forgetting to switch it off one day and finding the device consequently completely discharged. There is also no battery level indicator, knowing that LR44 batteries are not the easiest to find on the market: so remember to always plan one or two in advance.

As the battery drains, the audio quality of your microphone gradually deteriorates, and it’s pretty much the only way to determine its condition: so not very practical.

Fortunately, when it comes to sound quality, it’s not bad at all. You should know that the sensitivity of this microphone is not particularly high and that it must be adjusted to the level of your recorder to ensure clarity and intelligibility of the voice.

If you use the smartphone adapter provided, the sensitivity decreases all the more… So expect to have to make adjustments and record in a quiet place without too much surrounding noise. This question aside, the sound is quite correct and the voices are very well rendered.

Let’s come back to this question of smartphone adapter, which supposedly allows you to use the microphone with both Android and iOS: without a second adapter, it will not be compatible with the latest models of iPhone or iPad or with some newer Androids that don’t have a jack at all.

In conclusion, I will say that if your only objective is to have a sound of better quality than that provided by the integrated microphone of your smartphone or camera, this model will do the trick very well.

Otherwise, there are models for just a few euros more that do not require a battery, have a higher sensitivity and that do not have a cable several meters long in which to catch your feet in full Facebook Live.

The best mid-range clip-on microphones

Although an entry-level microphone may do the trick for simple voice pickup under static conditions, it may be necessary to invest a few euros more when you want a little more mobility or quality sound.

Small overview of mid-range microphones.

 

Audio-Technica Pro 70 : the best mid-range

Advantages

• Excellent value
• Very good audio quality
• Durable
• Disadvantages
• Subject to extraneous noise

We are going back to Audio Technica for this professional quality condenser lavalier cardioid microphone, designed to capture both voices and instruments. The range of lavalier microphones of the Japanese brand is generally very appreciated by both consumers and critics, recognized both for the quality of the sound and for the durability of the devices.

The AT PRO 70 is no exception. The components are very good, the finish is neat, the autonomy is excellent (you can choose between battery and phantom power) and the sound is above all of very good quality. The microphone is very popular for taking sound from acoustic instruments and a specific clamp is also provided for this purpose. It is also compatible with DSLR cameras using an XLR cable.

Admittedly, it is not a high-end microphone – we suspected, given its price around 200 € – but the sound produced is still professional and of a quality well above many lavalier microphones currently available on the market.

The microphone comes with its battery, two clips (clothes and instrument), a carrying case and has a gold-plated XLR output. We regret a little bit that the microphone is not detachable from the housing, which limits the possibilities of repair in the event of a breakdown.

Cardioid, the AT PRO 70 has very good sound insulation and effectively reduces ambient noise and reverberation while ensuring faithful performance of the voice or its instrument. Beware of parasites all the same: like all directional microphones, it tends to pick up the rustling and noises of friction of the device on clothing.

Even with its foam windscreen, it remains sensitive to the wind at the same time and is therefore not the most suitable microphone for outdoor capture.

We really appreciate its ease of use, with a small downside: if we choose battery power (we are happy to see that the microphone works thanks to an AA battery, easily available everywhere) you should know that there is no level indicator on the housing.

The autonomy is about ten hours; it is still better to provide recharging batteries and thus avoid being short in full capture.

In conclusion, a microphone of excellent value for money that will delight musicians and those who wish to make presentations or promotional videos, with a yield of fidelity rarely seen in a lavalier microphone.

Reliable, professional-quality equipment at a mid-range price: what more could you ask for?

 

Hey Mic! : interesting concept, but can do better

Advantages

• High mobility
• Good range
• Disadvantages
• Android compatibility issues
• Poor sound quality

We discover a small UFO with the Hey Mic !, a brand new fully wireless model which, however, works without using a transmitter / receiver system. Designed by a duo of British conference consultants, this 100% Bluetooth microphone which calls itself “ An AV team in your pocket ” clips onto the interlocutor’s clothes like a classic model and works hand in hand with its Hey Cam app.

Great idea in principle – but what does it look like on the ground? The convenience of Bluetooth in general is no longer to be questioned, but it is true that on the audio quality side, it usually leaves a lot to be desired compared to the wired.

Once again, we are on a model specially designed to work with smartphones. Marketing clearly targets an audience of vloggers, consultants and salespeople.

Weighing around 10 g, it is delivered in a small box in playful colors with its case, its micro USB charging cable, a small user manual and, the little touch that we appreciate, a magnetic support that we can be used to hang the microphone if you are not wearing clothes allowing it to be clipped, such as a turtleneck. Not stupid !

The microphone itself is black plastic looking a bit cheap and has two volume buttons, a 3.5 mm jack and a pairing button. Everything is designed for maximum portability and offers an autonomy of about 6 hours.

You can easily imagine keeping the small case at the bottom of your bag to take it out as soon as you feel the need to make a small capture.

Big advantage of the concept: we are done with the stories of TRS vs. TRRS, various and varied jack and adapters in every way: Bluetooth works with everything! Uh … in theory.

Hey Cam is currently only available in iOS version, and even if the manufacturer recommends Android apps that can do the trick, we quickly encounter problems as soon as we move away from the native app. Cuts, distortions, or no sound at all. You will understand: caveat Android users (Apple followers may not want to limit themselves to the official app either).

Another downside: it is not possible to make Facebook Live, YouTube Live or Periscope videos via mobile with this microphone, because the apps in question simply do not accept Bluetooth as an audio source.

Regarding the quality of the captures, it is unfortunately not too much either. The microphone is quite sensitive and renders voices audibly, and that’s it.

The sound, metallic and hollow, does not correspond at all to what one would expect from a professional microphone. The Hey Mic! does not pretend to be one, you will tell me, but with a price which is around 100 € we expect much better. We still appreciate a fairly large range of up to 20 m.

In conclusion ? The performance of the whole still leaves much to be desired, especially in terms of sound quality.

However, the concept remains very interesting and the product may need to evolve afterwards. We are waiting to see that!

 

The best high end lavalier microphones

Are you looking for quality sound, mobility, versatility and innovation? Discover the best high-end lavalier microphone currently available on the market.

 

Samson Go Mic Mobile : the best high-end

Advantages

• Great versatility
• Compatible with all smartphones
• Many possible configurations
• Good audio quality
• Disadvantages
• Interference issues

Once again, a model specially designed for capturing with your smartphone. The Go Mic Mobile is actually a stereo wireless system with a stand-alone receiver to which you can connect a lavalier microphone (supplied with), a portable handheld microphone or even a micro-barrel for great versatility.

Unlike wireless microphones with traditional transceivers, this one is particularly intended for mobile devices. it is supplied with all the necessary connectors for compatibility with various smartphone models.

The product includes a receiver for mounting on smartphone or tablet, several cables (mini jack, USB-C, micro-B to Lightning) and an AC adapter cable. We appreciate the fact that it is therefore compatible with just about all phones available on the market as well as DSLR cameras via their micro TRS input and cameras.

The receiver operates on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with an autonomy of approximately six hours according to the manufacturer. It has two analog and digital audio outputs, a volume control and a selector for mixing.

Three configurations are therefore possible: a conventional hand microphone, a lapel microphone with adapter or micro-barrel, with the possibility of simultaneously connecting two microphones to the same case and either mixing them in mono or separating them into a stereo track, choice which is done using a switch.

If you really want to see it big, you can even run three systems at the same time for a total of six microphones. A big plus: you can connect a headset and monitor it simultaneously, allowing you to make all the necessary adjustments in real time.

Usually, HF microphones require a minimum of know-how during start-up and amateurs can quickly feel overwhelmed by events. Here, this is not the case.

This system operates on the 2.4 Ghz frequency band and automatically selects the least congested channel, thereby limiting interference problems. From the point of view of the physical mounting of the case on your phone, various accessories are provided for maximum compatibility.

You understood: we are therefore dealing with a system which is really a cut above the other models tested in terms of compatibility and versatility. But what about audio quality?

The sound produced can be impressive, but only in certain contexts: as soon as you are in a very busy place with a lot of interference, the cuts become numerous.

Fortunately, we have the possibility of monitoring live, which allows us to react in real time in the event of a problem. The system still lends itself better to capturing in a quieter setting.

At the same time, there is the question of charging via micro-USB, especially with regard to a device which also claims to be innovative. A rather curious choice: why not rather USB-C?

Go Mic Mobile is therefore a product which corresponds very well to certain registration conditions and less to others. Those who wish to conduct interviews in a more isolated context will find their happiness and will appreciate both the quality of the audio and the variety of possible configurations.

Others may be frustrated by cutting and interference issues. It’s up to you to assess how you will use it and decide if this type of system is right for you.

We welcome in all cases the connectivity, the versatility and the ease of use of this device which is positioned on a market which is likely to grow more and more in the years to come.

The products of my selection on sale for now

How to choose your lapel microphone?

The clip-on microphone (also known as a lavalier microphone) is a small microphone that hangs on clothing, leaving the presenter’s hands free.

Equipped with a small capsule and a windscreen, it amplifies the voice of a person speaking to an audience, provides better sound quality for recordings and limits interference and unwanted noise.

How do you make sure you choose a microphone that fits both your budget and your needs?

The type of lavalier microphone

Lavalier microphones for smartphones or tablets

There are more and more lavalier microphones designed specifically for use with a smartphone or tablet. This recording method is of course very interesting when you need to quickly capture and share it via messaging or social networks. There are, however, two major drawbacks…

Most of these microphones operate using a TRRS connector, but the latest iPhones and iPads, as well as some newer Android smartphones, do not have a jack. Some brands (Sennheiser) now market models compatible with Apple’s Lightning plug.

When you connect your microphone to the jack, you cannot connect headphones or earphones at the same time and thus follow the recording to ensure the quality. There are commercially available adapters for connecting both simultaneously, but they are often prone to latency issues.

If however you want to record with your smartphone, note that not all microphones work automatically with mobile devices. Conventional microphones have two small bands on the 3.5mm jack (TRS connection).

Microphones compatible with telephone jacks have three small bands (TRRS connection). You will need to either use a TRS to TRRS adapter, or use a microphone with a TRRS connector.

If you record with a camera or other recorder in addition to your smartphone, I can only advise you to invest in a TRS microphone and an adapter. Thus, you will have a versatile microphone compatible with all your tools.

The lapel microphone for carrying out interviews in front of the camera

A lavalier microphone is by far the simplest solution for carrying out an interview in front of the camera, especially if your subject does not move. The microphone should rest on the solar plexus, over clothing.

Be careful that nothing rubs on the microphone to avoid noise that would make your recording completely unusable.

Wired or wireless

Wired

The wired microphone is more suited to static contexts and is generally marketed at a much more affordable price than the wireless microphone. It can perfectly adapt to other contexts, but certain additional criteria must therefore be taken into account (length of the wire for example).

This is a relatively free solution of complications: no battery problems or interference, as can be encountered with wireless microphones, and you can manage audio levels directly from the recorder.

Wireless

The wireless clip-on microphone connects to a transmitter that is usually in your pocket or attached to the presenter’s belt, which returns the signal to a receiver. The microphone therefore inevitably works in pair with a transmitter / receiver duo.

It is a much more expensive system than a wired microphone, with prices easily reaching 800 euros (most of the cost goes to transmitters / receivers), and more complicated to use, with higher possibilities. interference, batteries to be charged both at the transmitter AND the receiver, obsolescence due to the change in frequencies made available, little compatibility between systems, and so on…

Morality of the story: except in cases of great need for freedom of movement, prefer a wired lavalier microphone!

Sound quality

Let us be clear: it is not with a lavalier microphone that you will have an extraordinary quality sound. Quite simply, it is not made for.

But thanks to its small size, its discretion and its portability, the lavalier microphone lends itself easily to use with a smartphone and makes it possible to increase the quality of audio and video capture. The democratization of mobile devices and at the same time the rise of mobile journalism, the Youtubers phenomenon and the new trend of all-out podcasts have contributed to the development of a new series of lavalier microphones that are both affordable and affordable. ” a very respectable quality.

The sensibility

When we talk about the sensitivity of a microphone, we talk about the output voltage provided by it when it is subjected to ambient sound pressure.

The breath

This is the noise that the microphone itself can make, apart from the noise from the recording.

The response curve

This is the way in which the microphone picks up frequencies and favors the midrange and / or treble.

Directivity

This is the area in which the microphone picks up sounds: in particular, 360 ° for omnidirectional microphones and forward for cardioid microphones.

After many hours of research and careful examination of about fifteen wireless microphones, we have determined that the Audio Technica – ATW-1102 constitutes the best quality / price ratio of the moment, mainly for those who sing in large spaces. Between its excellent sound quality, its robustness and its versatility, this model has it all. For several years now, it has been a reference for lovers of song and music.

Our choice, Best high end

Audio Technica – ATW-1102

This model has a very good sound quality, a good range, ease of use and exceptional versatility. It is so complete that it is suitable for all singers who practice in large halls.

 

With a range of 150 meters and an autonomy of more than 7 hours, it is the ideal tool if you want to be heard in large spaces. Its ease of use and sound fidelity make it extremely complete. This system is intended in particular for all singing lovers.

 

Best cheap

Tonor 10 Channel Wireless Microphone

With an unbeatable price, this device is equipped with a mini receiver and has an autonomy of 8 hours. It is ideal for occasional singers wishing to acquire their first microphone.

 

Easy to use and very inexpensive, the Tonor wireless microphone has an adjustable frequency, a 6.45 mm mini receiver, a 3.5 mm adapter, as well as bluetooth compatibility allowing connection fast with your phone. It is a very popular model for beginners wishing to invest in their very first microphone.

 

Best mid-range

AKG WMS 40 Pro mini 2

This versatile device has one of the most popular systems in recent years. It is ideal for beginners, since this product is in an affordable price range.

Composed of a two-channel receiver and two hand microphones, this equipment has the capacity to adjust and correct the sound quality recorded by the device. This then makes an excellent sound. It is pleasant to hold and has an autonomy of 30 hours. Unfortunately, it does not accept the change of frequency.

 

Mid-range alternative

RØDE Wireless Go System

Ideal for interviews or video documentaries, this all-in-one wireless microphone system will attach perfectly to your video devices and can follow you everywhere. It is also the preferred tool of many youtubers.

 

Light, discreet and compact, this small microphone has very good transmission quality, a range of 70 m and a range of 7 hours. Thanks to its jack and its compatible clip, it can be perfectly hung on a camera or connected to a lavalier microphone. You can even connect it to your smartphone, if you get the right adapter.

 

High-end alternative

Shure BLX24E-SM58

This extremely versatile professional system for singing as well as for speeches is suitable for all types of voice and filters handling noise rather well thanks to its shock-absorbing suspension.

The Shure brand is extremely popular with music professionals. Relatively light it is nonetheless very solid and presents an exceptional sound quality. In addition, the wireless pocket transmitter allows fast frequency synchronization and accepts up to 12 compatible channels.

 

our selection

Our choice, Best high end	Best cheap	Best mid-range	Mid-range alternative	High-end alternative
Audio Technica – ATW-1102	Tonor 10 Channel Wireless Microphone	AKG WMS 40 Pro mini 2	RØDE Wireless Go System	Shure BLX24E-SM58
This model has a very good sound quality, a good range, ease of use and exceptional versatility. It is so complete that it is suitable for all singers who practice in large halls.	With an unbeatable price, this device is equipped with a mini receiver and has an autonomy of 8 hours. It is ideal for occasional singers wishing to acquire their first microphone.	This versatile device has one of the most popular systems in recent years. It is ideal for beginners, since this product is in an affordable price range.	Ideal for interviews or video documentaries, this all-in-one wireless microphone system will attach perfectly to your video devices and can follow you everywhere. It is also the preferred tool of many youtubers.	This extremely versatile professional system for singing as well as for speeches is suitable for all types of voice and filters handling noise rather well thanks to its shock-absorbing suspension.
See on Amazon	See on Amazon	Check on Amazon	See on Amazon	Check onAmazon

 

 

Why trust us ?

The Selectos editorial team spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and comparing products in order to find those that offer the best value for money.

None of our articles are sponsored. We sometimes receive a commission when you buy a product through our links, which allows us to finance our work while remaining completely impartial.

 

How did we choose?

If you are looking for a wireless microphone, you will quickly realize that the offer on offer is huge. In order to make it easier for you to choose, we have pointed out several criteria aimed at defining the microphone that suits you best.

• Use: it is necessary to choose a wireless microphone according to your use. Indeed, the price ranges vary enormously in the musical field. If you want to buy a wireless microphone for a recreational purpose (for example karaoke), it is probably unnecessary to have a device that is too sophisticated and, in fact, more expensive. On the other hand, if you are a fan of the scene, opt instead for a device of higher range.
• Transmission quality: good transmission quality is absolutely essential when you want to buy a microphone, whatever its use. The accessory must amplify the sound and make it as audible as possible, all without loss of quality.
• Range: The transmission range between the transmitter and the receiver plays an essential role since it is directly correlated with the sound quality and its price. In addition,  if you have to move along a stage or a room, this is a factor not to be overlooked.
• Autonomy: like all wireless devices, the microphones use an exhaustible energy source. Wireless microphones generally do not have a rechargeable battery, but batteries. Some products are more demanding than others, which requires you to change the batteries more often.
• Frequency: the transmission frequency of the system is a fundamental element for its proper functioning. A HF microphone system operates on a single frequency of radio waves at a time, allowing the transmitter and receiver to communicate with each other. According to national standards, certain frequencies are reserved for other uses, such as telephony or defense-related activities. As a general rule, it is advisable to choose a multi-frequency microphone, so that you always have an available range.

These criteria allowed us, in the first instance, to pre-select fifteen popular wireless microphones.

It was only after several hours of research on different specialized sites, blogs and forums as well as by consulting multiple user reviews that we were able to refine our selection to retain only 5 models, which have the best characteristics. of the market in their price range.

 

Our Choice: Audio Technica – ATW-1102 

Our choice, Best high end

Audio Technica – ATW-1102

This model has a very good sound quality, a good range, ease of use and exceptional versatility. It is so complete that it is suitable for all singers who practice in large halls.

 

With a range of 150 meters and an autonomy of more than 7 hours, it is the ideal tool if you want to be heard in large spaces. Its ease of use and sound fidelity make it extremely complete. This system is specially designed for all song lovers.

It offers high digital fidelity thanks to its 24-bit / 48 kHz configuration, and presents a very good sound quality, robustness and simplicity of installation which make anyone want to push the song. It consists of a receiver and a microphone with integrated transmitter.

The ATW-1102 is part of the System 10 Wireless range, a proven digital wireless transmission system. Note also that it can be connected to eight other Wireless 10 systems of the brand, which allows it to be used even in the biggest concerts.

In addition, thanks to its range of more than 100 m, it allows you to use it over large spaces – across an entire scene, for example – without risking losing sound quality.

In order to guarantee interference-free communication, it offers three levels of diversity. The first, Frequency Diversity, guarantees the transmission of the signal simultaneously on two independent frequencies and offers uninterrupted sound. The second, Diversity Time, ensures that the mobile signal remains pure. Finally, the space function transmits the audio signal twice on each of the antennas for additional security.

In conclusion, it is its many qualities, compared to its few faults that led us to select the Audio Technica ATW-1102 as the best wireless microphone of the moment.

 

The Best Cheap Wireless Microphone: Tonor 10 Channel Wireless Microphone

Best cheap

Tonor 10 Channel Wireless Microphone

With an unbeatable price, this device is equipped with a mini receiver and has an autonomy of 8 hours. It is ideal for occasional singers wishing to acquire their first microphone.

 

Easy to use and very inexpensive, the Tonor wireless microphone has an adjustable frequency, a 6.45 mm mini receiver, a 3.5 mm adapter, as well as bluetooth compatibility allowing connection fast with your phone. It is a very popular model for beginners wishing to invest in their very first microphone.

The UHF wireless system and its ten frequency bands guarantee improved signal strength and minimal static interference. The LED display screen indicates the operating status and battery capacity when the microphone is on.

The mini receiver has a compact design and makes it very easy to transport, it is also equipped with a 6.35 mm jack connector. The practical side is that a 3.5 mm plug is included in the box, which can be connected to several products, including audio, amplifier, computer, wireless microphone system and television. Before making your purchase, make sure your device has a microphone input port.

The receiver has a micro USB-C port which ensures easy charging. Its autonomy of 8 hours allows you to enjoy it without having to change the batteries too regularly. Note that it requires two “AA” batteries (not included), and that the receiver requires an 18650 lithium battery (supplied).

Its range of 24m limits its use in large spaces and the microphone is not very robust given its composition mainly made of plastic.

However, if you want to acquire an affordable microphone offering great versatility, the Tonor is ideal. You just have to be aware of its limits, especially in terms of sound quality.

 

The best mid-range wireless microphone: AKG WMS 40 Pro mini 2

Best mid-range

AKG WMS 40 Pro mini 2

This versatile device has one of the most popular systems in recent years. It is ideal for beginners, since this product is in an affordable price range.

 

Composed of a two-channel receiver and two hand microphones, this equipment has the capacity to adjust and correct the sound quality recorded by the device. This then makes an excellent sound. It is pleasant to hold and has an autonomy of 30 hours. Unfortunately, it does not accept the change of frequency.

It is not surprising that we find it in our selection, since AKG is an Austrian brand of professional reference audio equipment. In addition the value for money is really there.

Its real strong point is the sound quality, linked to the presence of a receiver for two different transmitters. The receiver is indeed more than a third smaller than most models. It still includes a balanced output, a volume button and three LED status indicators.

Small flat in terms of frequency, since the AKG WMS 40 pro mini has a monofrequency system. That is, frequency change is not allowed, therefore problems may arise if more than one wireless instrument is found to be connected to the same frequency. However, it is unlikely to happen.

Note also that the microphones seem quite light, with a rather fragile capsule. Even if this does not affect their sound quality in any way, they should nevertheless be handled with care.

Finally, the manufacturer announces a battery life of 30 hours for the necessary AA battery (and supplied in the pack), which saves you from having to change it too often.

In conclusion, this device is very suitable for karaokes, receptions and trade shows, even even small concerts.

 

A mid-range alternative: RØDE Wireless Go System

Mid-range alternative

RØDE Wireless Go System

Ideal for interviews or video documentaries, this all-in-one wireless microphone system will attach perfectly to your video devices and can follow you everywhere. It is also the preferred tool of many youtubers.

 

Light, discreet and compact, this small microphone has very good transmission quality, a range of 70 m and a range of 7 hours. Thanks to its jack and its compatible clip, it can be perfectly hung on a camera or connected to a lavalier microphone . You can even connect it to your smartphone, if you get the right adapter.

Made in Australia, it is not the most professional sound recording equipment, but this product is still very clever. Designed for videographers who do not have the luxury of having a sound engineer at their disposal, it is very easy to use, providing more than satisfactory results without too many adjustments.

These two boxes are much more compact than their big brother Rode Microphones Link . This product is generally worn on the belt, but its lightness (31 grams) allows you to slip it into your pocket or even hang it on your chest.

The clip that was designed to hang the case on the belt is also compatible with hot shoe, which is used to hang the receiver directly on your camera. But still, it includes a jack intended to connect a multitude of lavalier microphones.

Another positive point is that this device is compatible with smartphones if you have an adequate adapter. This can form a small film set, which delights the most tech-savvy among you.

Level ergonomics, the receiver is provided with a very practical small screen which displays several useful information such as the battery level. This whole system operates on a frequency of 2.4 Ghz which is effective in all countries, thus avoiding interference problems.

This microphone is therefore a wise choice if you want to increase the quality of your recordings without cluttering yourself excessively.

 

A high-end alternative: Shure BLX24E / SM58-14

High-end alternative

Shure BLX24E-SM58

This extremely versatile professional system for singing as well as for speeches is suitable for all types of voice and filters handling noise rather well thanks to its shock-absorbing suspension.

 

The Shure brand is extremely popular with music professionals. Relatively light this microphone is nonetheless very solid and has an exceptional sound quality. In addition, the wireless pocket transmitter allows fast frequency synchronization and accepts up to 12 compatible channels.

The Shure BLX series is made up of different types of wireless transmitters and receivers for singing, speech and music, all offered at an affordable price. This system includes the BLX22 transmitter with the SM58 capsule and the BLX4 receiver. It is easy to use and works on the UHF ( ultra high frequency) frequency band.

The SM58 microphone is extremely popular. Versatile, it offers excellent performances for singing as well as speeches, while being insensitive to feedback. It also has an internal anti-shock suspension to reduce handling and background noise.

The manufacturer announces a maximum range equivalent to 90 m, ensuring great freedom of movement.

Relatively light, it weighs a little less than 300 g and displays fairly compact dimensions (23 x 162 x 51 mm). It is equipped with a cast steel body, a windproof sphere with a pop filter and a shockproof, which makes it a robust and solid device.

Finally, the Shure BLX-2 wireless pocket transmitter offers fast frequency synchronization and accepts up to 12 compatible channels.

Note that it operates on two AA batteries and has a battery life of up to 14 hours. A microphone clip also abailable.

This is a complete device for professional audience. Even if its price is still high, it has all the qualities of an excellent wireless microphone.

 

Honorable mentions

AKG WMS45V-A System :

 this Perception Wireless 45 system constitutes a quality solution for the user who needs a reliable, economical and fast HF link. It seems to offer slightly better sound quality than the AKG WMS 40 mini, but its price is much higher. In addition, he is sensitive to tapping.

After several hours of research and the in-depth study of fifteen models on the market, we have determined that the Sony WH-1000XM3 offers the best active noise reduction. It has impeccable sound quality, neat comfort and high autonomy.

Our choice, Best high end

Sony WH-1000XM3

This model has an excellent sound quality which delights the purist music lovers. The high level of comfort makes you forget that it is on your head. Noise reduction is the best you can find.

With its great autonomy up to 30 hours, it is a very good traveling companion for those on the budget. Lightweight, with large and padded pads, it is also possible to calibrate it according to the morphology. The worked design brings an additional advantage. We also emphasize the presence of USB-C.

 

Best cheap

Anker SoundCore Space NC

Here is a very interesting value for money model. Enduring and efficient, it is intended for a novice user in the field wishing to test this technology by combining good comfort and pleasant ergonomics.

The noise reduction of these headphones can be either passive or active, depending on the needs. Balance is present across the spectrum in both cases, with, however, slightly more bass in active reduction.

 

Best mid-range

Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2

With record autonomy, these headphones offer excellent sound quality with or without the reduction activated. Quite heavy, we recommend it for short-term use in low noise environments.

Its robust and durable design combined with its record autonomy (25 hours in active and more than 40 hours in passive) make it an ideal companion for travel. In addition, it can be used by wire. If you are looking for a headset with impeccable audio quality you have found it! The ergonomics are worked but the weight does not allow prolonged listening.

 

Cheap alternative

TaoTronics TT-BH22

The sound quality is correct for such a low price and you will like it if a more present bass enchants you. Noise reduction is enough for an office and the comfort allows you to keep it all day.

Light and compact, the TaoTronics TT-BH22 has many surprises in store. It obviously does not have the overall design of the larger ones but has a pleasant sound quality. Active reduction is already part of the job to allow you to immerse yourself in your bubble, and the autonomy of 25 hours exceeds that of certain high-end models.

 

Mid-range alternative

JBL Live 650BTNC

With high sound quality and comfort, this model would have everything upscale if its active noise reduction had also followed. Fast charging will still appeal to the most eager among you.

The autonomy of 20 hours in noise reduction allows you to take it everywhere. It is comfortable but we do not recommend it with big ears. Maintenance is not the best and active reduction can be improved. It is however a model that is worth its price despite its few flaws, the sound quality approaching that of high-end models.

 

High-end alternative

Bose QuietComfort 35 II

These headphones appeal to users looking for real noise reduction. It is robust, compact and discreet. The sound rendering is balanced and the multilingual voice commands are additional assets.

With a reference noise reduction, an autonomy of 20 hours making it very nomadic and a very good comfort, these headphones are a precious ally for noisy trips. The sound quality is nothing below for the bass but can be customized by the dedicated application. We regret, however, its difficult repair and its bearings, which are not very suitable for heat.

 

Our selection

Our choice, Best high end	Best cheap	Best mid-range	Cheap alternative	Mid-range alternative	High-end alternative
Sony WH-1000XM3	Anker SoundCore Space NC	Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2	TaoTronics TT-BH22	JBL Live 650BTNC	Bose QuietComfort 35 II
This model has an excellent sound quality which delights the purist music lovers. The high level of comfort makes you forget that it is on your head. Noise reduction is the best you can find.	Here is a very interesting value for money model. Enduring and efficient, it is intended for a novice user in the field wishing to test this technology by combining good comfort and pleasant ergonomics.	With record autonomy, these headphones offer excellent sound quality with or without the reduction activated. Quite heavy, we recommend it for short-term use in low noise environments.	The sound quality is correct for such a low price and you will like it if a more present bass enchants you. Noise reduction is enough for an office and the comfort allows you to keep it all day.	With high sound quality and comfort, this model would have everything upscale if its active noise reduction had also followed. Fast charging will still appeal to the most eager among you.	These headphones appeal to users looking for real noise reduction. It is robust, compact and discreet. The sound rendering is balanced and the multilingual voice commands are additional assets.

 

Why trust us ?

The Selectos editorial team spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and comparing products in order to find those that offer the best value for money.

None of our articles are sponsored. We sometimes receive a commission when you buy a product through our links, which allows us to finance our work while remaining completely impartial.

 

How did we choose?

The choice of a headset being essentially linked to the requirements of each, the main difficulty was to find which headphones would suit the greatest number.

To do this, we have focused our attention on the following points, which will allow you, according to your criteria, to define which model is right for you.

• The sound quality: the frequencies are divided into three classes (bass, mid and treble) and determine the quality of the rendering. A good balance between them and a good range of frequencies covered are essential to benefit from a better result and high listening comfort. Many models tend to offer too much bass, which is not suitable for musical styles requiring more finesse. If this criterion is really important for you, we advise you to go to our article on wired headsets.
• Noise reduction: there are two types of noise reduction: passive and active. The passive is linked to the material aspect of the headphones: the material of the ear cushions, their shape and their thickness are decisive. The active requires a more technological intervention: microphones pick up the sound around you and send an equivalent of this sound in negative frequency to your headphones to cancel it. It is the same principle as 1 + (- 1) = 0.
• Comfort and ergonomics: these criteria are very important because you will have to wear your helmet for several consecutive hours. Pay attention to the composition of the headband and headphones (pads, shape) and the type of helmet. There are two: over-ear headsets (which rest on the ear) and over-ear headsets (which include the ear). For noise control, favor the latter which, passively, already offer much better sound insulation.
• Autonomy: the majority of noise reduction headsets use Bluetooth to operate. If you decide to favor this technology, be sure to choose a product with good endurance so that you do not have to take your charger everywhere with you. Wireless models often offer a wired alternative that makes them usable even if your reserves are depleted, but, in this case with passive noise reduction.

Based on these criteria, we were able to reduce our selection to ten models.

Reading user reviews on both English and French sites, blogs, forums and pages specialized in the field, allowed us to determine the 6 best noise reduction headphones of the moment.

Please note that depending on your use of this type of product, some criteria may be more important than others. The products presented focus mainly on the balance of these factors.

 

Our Choice: Sony WH-1000XM3

Our choice, Best high end

Sony WH-1000XM3

This model has an excellent sound quality which delights the purist music lovers. The high level of comfort makes you forget that it is on your head. Noise reduction is the best you can find.

This model has established itself thanks to its high sound quality, capable of satisfying the most purist of you, its great autonomy, and its excellent comfort. Most importantly, it offers the best noise reduction on the market.

The sound quality, if it was already very good on the first version of these headphones, here has become almost flawless. The only small downside is the overdose of the bass, which will delight some and discourage others. But you can, of course, adjust the rendering via the dedicated application to adapt it to your needs.

The treble, which was the default of the first version, has become the strong point of the XM3. We can clearly see that Sony has worked the sound to the maximum. However, avoid using it with the wired off, the rendering will go from high quality to just fair, which would be a shame.

Noise reduction is high level. It even succeeds where many others have failed: the attenuation of human voices and the wind.

After calibrating the parameters according to the morphology and atmospheric conditions, you will benefit from a bubble of tranquility that even the wind cannot disturb. It also benefits from the “Ambient Aware” mode (lower volume of music and amplification of outside noise).

Other strong points of the XM3, its comfort and its ergonomics are impeccable. The XM2 was already a benchmark in this area but the new iteration further improves the result with its wider and better padded pads and its reduced weight (255 g against 270). We even come to forget that it is on our head! The touch panel dedicated to reading control is very responsive and intuitive to use.

A voice command system from the XM2 is also available, but unfortunately only works in English. However, Google Assistant and Alexa are present to compensate.

In the end, all these advantages, combined with its great autonomy (up to 30 hours), make it a very good traveling companion … If your wallet allows it. It is also present in our comparison on Bluetooth headsets.

 

The best cheap active noise canceling headphones: Anker SoundCore Space NC

Best cheap

Anker SoundCore Space NC

Here is a very interesting value for money model. Enduring and efficient, it is intended for a novice user in the field wishing to test this technology by combining good comfort and pleasant ergonomics.

With a high autonomy, this model has an excellent quality / price ratio. Ergonomics and comfort are present. It is perfect for a user wishing to test the effects of noise reduction at a lower cost.

The Soundcore Space NC is one of the first headphones from the manufacturer. In view of the range targeted, it makes sense to expect mixed results … But this is not the case!

The noise reduction system can be passive or active, depending on your needs.

In passive, the rendering is balanced in the bass and midrange, where the treble tends to be set back. This reduces the spatialization effects (reverberation, echoes, etc.) and gives an impression of compactness. Fortunately, effective stereophony partially offsets the impact of this problem.

In active, this balance tends to deteriorate in favor of the bass but cohesion and quality are still in order.

Passive reduction is correct without being perfect and will avoid you using your battery in environments where noise is weak. For more noisy situations, do not hesitate to use the active mode which, even if it is not perfect, will easily compensate for static noise (engine, rolling noise, etc.).

This lightweight helmet (263 g) is comfortable. Its memory foam pads include the ear well but can get hot, which can affect its use in summer.

Despite its standard plastic design, it is well assembled and looks robust. The only point to watch are the cables located at the forks, which are not protected by the helmet structure.

Access to the various controls is intuitive and classic, which allows neophytes to easily get used to it. The volume and playback are controlled via a dedicated touch interface. Unfortunately, it is not reactive enough and can be frustrating with use.

Its autonomy lasts more than 23 hours. With the supplied cable, it will remain usable even without a battery.

In the end, Anker offers us a model with a value for money more than interesting. Enduring and efficient, it is a good first step in the field of noise reduction.

Anker also offers the Soundcore Life Q20 version (even cheaper). It goes up to 38 hours of autonomy for an active reduction quite effective for its price!

 

The best mid-range active noise canceling headphones: Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2

Best mid-range

Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2

With record autonomy, these headphones offer excellent sound quality with or without the reduction activated. Quite heavy, we recommend it for short-term use in low noise environments.

The sound quality of Backbeat Pro was already recognized, that of the new iteration is just as recognized. No matter the frequency, you benefit from a high level rendering. Clean and homogeneous, it easily covers the entire spectrum, whether without or with active noise reduction.

The result generally tends to deteriorate when this technology is activated, but this is not the case here even if the bass is more powerful and the treble more present.

In terms of noise reduction, the application gives you access to active and passive modes, but also to a third mode allowing you to listen to outside sounds. Overall, the result is mixed: the reduction is effective for the majority of noises but hardly succeeds in attenuating low frequency noises.

From the point of view of ergonomics and comfort, if it benefits from soft and pleasant pads and a lined arch, its weight (294 g) makes wearing uncomfortable after a few hours, despite excellent support.

Another small detail, the larger ears are likely to feel some discomfort because the atria tend to put pressure on the upper part.

The different controls are arranged on the side of the headphones and easily accessible. This model also has “Smart Sensors”, which detect whether you wear it or not and which act on the music accordingly.

This feature could have been very interesting if it worked fully but several users have noted “bugs” where the music cuts when you put on the headphones and activates when you take it off.

Its robust and durable design combined with its record autonomy (25 hours in active and more than 40 hours in passive) make it an ideal companion for your travels. In addition, if you manage to exhaust it, it remains usable by wire.

In conclusion, if you are looking for headphones whose audio quality is impeccable and with extraordinary endurance, this is the model for you! On the other hand, if you want to use it in a fairly noisy environment, consider spending a higher budget to orient yourself towards the high end.

 

A cheap alternative: TaoTronics TT-BH22

Cheap alternative

TaoTronics TT-BH22

The sound quality is correct for such a low price and you will like it if a more present bass enchants you. Noise reduction is enough for an office and the comfort allows you to keep it all day.

With such a small price, this model is stunning. The sound quality is correct, but will particularly satisfy bass lovers. If its active reduction is obviously not the best on the market, it is quite sufficient for use in a not too noisy environment (an office, for example), and its comfort allows you to keep it all day.

Audio level, obviously do not expect Bose or Sony, but the whole is still not bad. The bass is a little more present without being too pronounced. The midrange is a bit withdrawn. Treble such as cymbals or the higher notes of an acoustic guitar can be a bit disturbing if you are sensitive. However, once wired, the quality is better.

With the active reduction, the bass becomes a little more punchy which pleases or not according to the tastes. The treble becomes a little brighter. Everything remains well defined.

We do not recommend it to reduce ambient noise without music because a slight breath is heard. Fortunately, it is no longer audible after the music has started.

This reduction works well in an office but does not compete with a noisier place.

Comfort and ergonomics levels, we were surprised by the thick foam (a little less attractive in summer) below the adjustable headband and on the 90 ° swivel pads and properly wrapping the ear. This makes this helmet very comfortable and allows you to keep it all day at work, barely feeling it even when wearing glasses. Especially since it weighs only 214 g.

Its storage case is a little more in its favor: robust, it allows you to take your helmet everywhere without damaging it.

For autonomy, 25 hours are announced which seems to be verified in the field (depending on the volume of listening, of course). It’s more than some high-end models.

The TaoTronics TT-BH22 therefore holds many surprises. It obviously does not have the overall design of the larger ones but has a pleasant sound quality, and allows you to immerse yourself in your bubble rather effectively.

 

A mid-range alternative: JBL Live 650BTNC

Mid-range alternative

JBL Live 650BTNC

With high sound quality and comfort, this model would have everything upscale if its active noise reduction had also followed. Fast charging will still appeal to the most eager among you.

If this model offers a sound quality worthy of high-end headphones, a good autonomy (with a very practical fast recharge) and excellent comfort, it fishes by a less sophisticated active noise reduction, which explains its place as an alternative.

From an audio point of view, no bad surprise. JBL has extensive experience in this area and the Live 650 is no exception to the rule with its advanced rendering. The bass is sufficiently present and the treble is very clear, which allows it to easily adapt to all musical styles.

By default, it is configured according to the “home” configuration, favoring the bass, but this can be adjusted through the application. It offers you various presets and the possibility of creating personalized profiles.

Where the shoe pinches is in noise reduction. Thus, if he manages to erase the muffled noises of an office, he will toil for the majority of the other sources. The only way to balance things out is to increase the volume in this case. A solution rather harmful for your ears … Delivered with an auxiliary cable, it can also be used in a completely passive way in case of battery failure.

The real strong point of this helmet comes from its comfort. It is light (260 g), its headband is well padded and its memory foam pads are pleasant. However, it remains poorly suited to big ears, like the majority of current headsets.

Easily transportable thanks to its foldable earphones, it can accompany you on your daily journeys. Its autonomy is correct (20 hours in active reduction, 30 hours in passive) and it has access to a rapid recharging system which guarantees it 2 hours of use for 15 min of recharging in case you fall on the reserve.

JBL was already well known in the field of portable audio, whether through its bluetooth speakers (which we were talking about here ) or its headsets (including those specifically dedicated to children). It is therefore logical that the brand decides to ride the wave of noise reduction models.

In short, this model is a very good mid-range alternative. It only tilts because of its reduced autonomy, its insufficient maintenance and its perfectible active reduction.

 

A high-end alternative: Bose QuietComfort 35 II

High-end alternative

Bose QuietComfort 35 II

These headphones appeal to users looking for real noise reduction. It is robust, compact and discreet. The sound rendering is balanced and the multilingual voice commands are additional assets.

This model is ideal for users looking for a real noise reduction solution. Robust, compact and discreet, it is an ideal model to take everywhere, and its multilingual voice commands are a plus distinguishing it from the competition.

It offers a neat and overall balanced audio rendering, even if we deplore the bass that is too present but not punchy enough. The mobile application available, however, allows you to adapt the rendering according to your wishes.

Noise reduction, on the contrary, is a benchmark. It will effectively compensate for any extraneous noise so that you can have an ideal experience.

From a comfort and ergonomics point of view, there is nothing to report, except for the pads which tend to heat the ears. It is practical in winter but much less in summer! It is heavier than its competitor from Sony (285 g), but still has first-rate comfort thanks to a well-adapted roll cage.

Its design, on the other hand, is nothing scary. It is fairly generic and the body is plastic, which offers a much less premium rendering than what one would expect from a helmet at this price. In return, this model is robust and compact, which makes it easily transportable.

Its autonomy of more than 20 hours is sufficient for nomadic use, although inferior to many current models.

Another important element, this helmet is not easily repairable. The battery is irremovable (and therefore irreplaceable) and the cable dedicated to wired has a proprietary format requiring to go through the brand to change it. Despite these few shortcomings, there is still less than an excellent headset, particularly in terms of noise reduction.

 

Honorable mentions

Jabra Elite 85H :

here is the king of autonomy. With its endurance of 36 hours, it is far ahead of other models. Its sound rendering is of good level even if it sometimes lacks precision. Comfortable, it will suit users who do not have too large heads. Another specification, it is certified IP52 (resistance to splashes and dust). It is its audio quality and its ergonomics inferior to the models of our selection which pushed us to dismiss it.

AKG N60NC:

renowned among professionals, AKG presents us with a general public helmet. In its chic design, it contains good sound quality, even if the treble deserves more attention. Its noise reduction is quite effective and will fill you in most situations, but it tends to be uncomfortable after a few hours because it puts pressure on the ears. Its autonomy is also limited to 15 hours in bluetooth.

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: high-end model from mid-2019, it is intended for less nomadic use than those of our selection. But this sacrifice is not in vain because it is done for the benefit of sound quality and noise reduction. In addition, if you are used to making calls with your bluetooth headset, this model is made for you because it has one of the best microphones at present.