The best headphones for students create ideal audio interactions, in privacy, during class and beyond.
Headphones can allow each student to interact individually with their devices, in class, without distracting others or losing concentration. They're also great for learning languages, watching coding guidance, following quiz questions, getting instructions, listening to music, and more.
There are many listening options and depending on your needs, you can spend as much as you want. Features like active noise cancellation, built-in microphones, and wireless connectivity are worth considering.
Comfort can also be important if they are to be worn for long periods of time. For that reason, and cleanliness, it's usually best to opt for on-ear or on-ear options for multiple students to use in class.
So, considering all this, here are the best headphones for students.
1. Sony WH-1000XM4: Best overall student headphones
Students need look no further than the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones as they do it all. These are one of the best pairs of headphones for active noise cancellation, making them ideal for noisy environments where concentration is important. But they also offer an impressive 30-hour battery life, so you only need one or two charges to get you through the school week.
Crucially, they are very comfortable with soft memory foam cushioning that is gentle on the ears while still being breathable to prevent overheating. The five microphones on these headphones will isolate your voice from any background noise, providing it with maximum clarity, ideal for recording audio.
They are expensive, but can be used beyond the classroom with features like DSEE Extreme upscaling for top-quality sound. It even has a sensor that automatically pauses music when you take them off and plays it again when you put them back on. The 360 Reality Audio feature that allows you to listen to music as if you were in a concert hall also adds to the value.
Do you want to save money? Go for the previous-generation Sony WH-1000XM3, which is available for a little less and with little noticeable difference.
2. Plantronics BackBeat Go 810: Best affordable wireless headphones for students
The Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 headphones are a great option for students who don't want to break the bank but still want some premium features and decent quality. The result is comfortable over-ear headphones that also look great and offer active noise cancellation.
The sound quality is excellent with the balance and warmth you would expect from much more expensive headphones. The company's high-end kit technology is built in to deliver that warm sound and consistent wireless connection that make using these headphones a pleasure. Or, more specifically, making you forget that you're wearing headphones, leaving you more focused on learning.
The microphone is integrated and clearly picks up voice for interactive experiences. Combined with the quality of noise cancellation, it creates an isolated, clear and focused learning experience that can last all day thanks to the comfort of those ear pads.
3. 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones – Best Value In-Ear Headphones for Students
The 1More Triple Driver in-ear headphones take value for money to another level with a super affordable yet highly capable setup that's ideal for students. The in-ear nature of these makes them discreet and allows you to appear as if you are not wearing headphones while in class.
But it's the audio quality that makes this stand out for its price. Grammy-winning sound engineer Luca Bernard has tuned them to make the most of those triple drivers. The ergonomic tips make them comfortable while passively preventing background noise.
The remote feels a little plastic, but at this price something has to give and since students probably won't use the remote much during classes, this is a great setup.
4. Lypertek Tevi: Best truly wireless earbuds for students
Lypertek Tevi headphones allow students to use them completely wirelessly for maximum comfort and freedom of movement during lessons and beyond. These do this while still being relatively affordable considering how much technology is packed into these little buds.
The sound quality is decent and even surpasses that of some big name rival brands that charge much more. Battery life is a useful 10 hours, with a case that extends to a total of 70 hours, more than enough for a week of classes and more. Then it's high-speed USB-C charging to quickly get back to full power.
The built-in microphone makes them a do-it-all solution for class and everyday life. But IPX7 waterproofing also makes these great sports headphones add even more value.
5. Apple AirPods Pro: Best for Apple fanatic students
The Apple AirPods Pro are very expensive and you can't escape that with an Apple product. However, these manage to justify that price. They are designed to work perfectly with Apple devices and also offer truly impressive noise cancellation.
Not only is outside noise eliminated for the listener, but excess audio is also removed from the microphones, so students can hear and be heard clearly. The silicone earbuds allow the user to find the ideal fit, making them viable workout companions as well.
Get five hours on a charge, but put them back in your bag for a total run time of 24 hours, making it ideal for learning without worrying about charging.
6. Sony WH-CH510: Best value over-ear headphones for students
The Sony WH-CH510 over-ear headphones are a great option for students, combining affordability and quality. These are wireless and offer Sony-level sound quality, and feature lightweight plastic construction to keep the price and weight down.
Despite their lightweight and comfortable build, they manage a whopping 35 hours on a single charge before quick recharging via USB-C. Of course, these won't offer active noise cancellation for that price, but the cushioning does a good job of drowning out most of the background noise anyway. These sit in the ear, not over the ear, so these headphones may not be as comfortable as others.
It has a built-in microphone for interactivity. The only downside is the lack of a 3.5mm jack, so you can only use them wirelessly, and charging them before any class will be essential.
7. EarFun Air Pro 2: Best budget ANC wireless headphones
The EarFun Air Pro 2 headphones are completely wireless, surprisingly affordable, and offer excellent active noise cancellation, battery life, and audio performance. These waterproof headphones have built-in microphones to pick up your voice, but also to actively pick up and eliminate background noise. As such, you can hear and be heard clearly, regardless of background noise.
They are super comfortable and have different rubber tips to fit most ears. These have a decent seven-hour battery life, however, recharging from the carrying case is good for 34 hours. Bluetooth connectivity makes it easy to connect to multiple devices and touch controls let you vary the volume easily. An impressive set of buds for the price.
