This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
In the world of headphones, there's a sweet spot between those bulky over-ear headphones and tiny earbuds: On-ear headphones. And with the classic on-ear style, you really do get to enjoy the best of both worlds. Sounds great, right?
And here's why: On-ear headphones have the benefit of having speakers large enough to produce hi-fi sound (the way over-ear headphones do) while remaining compact enough to stow away for easy transport (like earbuds). The makers of quality on-ear options can pack the ear cups full of technology, like active noise cancellation and radio frequency tech, while ensuring that the headphones are still lightweight and produce great audio full of rich bass and crisp mids.
On-ear headphones typically have have adjustable headbands to fit all head sizes, plus padded cushions that relieve pressure on the ears, regardless of how expensive or cheap they are. All you need to do it choose a pair that suit you. Here's a quick guide plus a round-up of the best on-ear headphones available right now.
What are on-ear headphones?
On-ear headphones, as the name suggests, sit on your ears rather than covering them like over-ear or inserting into your ears like earbuds. On-ear headphones used to be the standard style but are a bit more of a niche now, usually reserved for budget options or specialist audiophile models. The benefits of on-ear headphones are a more comfortable fit and a better awareness of the outside world as they don't isolate you in the same way. And hey, some people just enjoy the classic on-ear style.
Are headphones or earbuds best?
There is no right or wrong answer to this. It comes down to personal choice. Some listeners prefer the all-encompassing feel of on-ear or over-ear headphones, but others love putting buds directly into their ears. There are benefits to both, of course. On-ear headphones tend to have higher-quality sound, and therefore audiophiles should focus largely on this style of headphones. Earbuds are more compact, portable, and inconspicuous, so they’re better suited to commuting, air travel, or the gym.
Can you still buy wired headphones?
Wireless technology has certainly taken over the market, but that’s not to say wired headphones aren’t an option. They’re often the choice of serious audiophiles as Bluetooth can cause issues with decoding high resolution file formats (though Bluetooth codecs help with that). Good quality wired headphones have become harder to find, but there's one listed below that offers excellent wired audio quality.
Do on-ear headphones have noise cancellation?
Noise cancellation blocks out external noise, allowing you to fully immerse in the music without distraction. There are two basic types of noise cancellation: Passive noise cancellation, which physically blocks out noise with the design of the cups, and active noise cancellation (ANC). This uses a system of small microphones to pick up incoming sounds and create anti-noise sound waves that cancel them out. Both kinds are more common on over-ear headphone and earbuds because they create a seal around or in your ear. However, you can find noise cancellation for on-ear headphones if you shop around. In fact, you'll find a good ANC option below.
What is the best headphones brand?
We all know the big ones — Sony, Beats, JBL and so on — but you'll also find plenty of good (and often cheaper) options from lesser-known, less obvious brands like Skullcandy. Keep reading to discover some of the best.
What are the best on-ear headphones?
Since virtually every company claims its headphones produce the best sound, with the best materials, and with the best features available, we decided to turn to reviewers to see which on-ear headphones were the most worthy of your money.
These are the best on-ear headphones in 2025.
