The 10 Best Studio Headphones as of June 2026

How we ranked these studio headphones

Each pick earns a score out of 10 from weighted criteria:

Performance (35%) — how well each studio headphone does its core job.
Value (25%) — quality and features for the price.
Build & reliability (20%) — materials, longevity and warranty.
Features (20%) — meaningful extras that improve the experience.

At a glance: top 10 compared

#	Studio Headphones	Score	Best for	Type	Approx price	Amazon links
1	Sennheiser HD 600	9.2	Best for mixing	Open-back	£350	View Price
2	Sennheiser HD 660S2	9.1	Best premium open	Open-back	£500	View Price
3	Audio-Technica ATH-M50x	9.0	Best all-rounder	Closed-back	£140	View Price
4	Audio-Technica ATH-R70x	9.0	Best open reference value	Open-back	£290	View Price
5	Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro	8.9	Best closed-back	Closed-back	£150	View Price
6	Sony MDR-7506	8.8	Best value classic	Closed-back	£90	View Price
7	Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro	8.8	Best open-back value	Open-back	£150	View Price
8	AKG K371	8.7	Best neutral closed	Closed-back	£130	View Price
9	Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X	8.7	Best modern closed	Closed-back	£200	View Price
10	Samson SR850	8.0	Best ultra-budget	Semi-open	£40	View Price

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The full ranking

Best for mixing

Sennheiser HD 600

9.2Our number one pick.

The Sennheiser HD 600 is a long-standing reference for mixing, with a famously neutral, detailed and natural sound that reveals exactly what is in your mix. They are open-back so they leak and need a little power, but for accuracy they are a benchmark.

Sound: 9.6Comfort: 9.2Build: 8.8Value: 8.8

Pros

Reference-neutral sound
Detailed and natural
Replaceable parts

Cons

Open-back leaks sound
Benefits from an amp

Check price on Amazon≈ £350

Best premium open

Sennheiser HD 660S2

9.1A superb runner-up.

The HD 660S2 refines the open-back reference formula with a richer low end and effortless detail, easier to drive than the HD 600 and superb for both mixing and pleasure. They are expensive, but they are a long-term reference.

Sound: 9.4Comfort: 9.2Build: 9.0Value: 8.4

Pros

Refined, detailed sound
Better bass than the HD 600
Comfortable

Cons

Expensive
Open-back leaks

Check price on Amazon≈ £500

Best all-rounder

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

9.0Rounds out our top three.

The ATH-M50x is the studio workhorse so many people own, with a closed-back design that isolates well, punchy detailed sound and tank-like build. The bass is slightly hyped for pure reference, but for tracking and everyday use it is superb value.

Sound: 8.8Comfort: 8.6Build: 9.2Value: 9.2

Pros

Great isolation
Punchy, detailed sound
Very durable

Cons

Slightly hyped bass
Tight clamp at first

Check price on Amazon≈ £140

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Best open reference value

Audio-Technica ATH-R70x

9.0A standout in the upper half.

The ATH-R70x is a lightweight open-back reference with a neutral, airy sound that many mixers love, and remarkable long-session comfort. They need a bit of power and leak sound, but as an honest mixing tool they are excellent value.

Sound: 9.2Comfort: 9.2Build: 8.6Value: 8.8

Pros

Neutral, airy reference
Very light and comfy
Good-value open-back

Cons

Needs some power
Open-back leaks

Check price on Amazon≈ £290

Best closed-back

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

8.9A well-rounded mid-table pick.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro is a studio staple for tracking and monitoring, with excellent isolation, plush velour pads and a crisp, detailed sound. The treble can be bright for some, but the comfort and build are outstanding.

Sound: 8.8Comfort: 9.2Build: 9.0Value: 9.0

Pros

Excellent isolation
Very comfortable
Built to last

Cons

Bright treble
Coiled cable not for all

Check price on Amazon≈ £150

Best value classic

Sony MDR-7506

8.8Great value in the middle of the pack.

The Sony MDR-7506 has been a studio and broadcast standard for decades, with revealing, slightly bright detail, great isolation and folding portability at a low price. The pads wear over time, but few headphones offer this much utility for the money.

Sound: 8.8Comfort: 8.4Build: 8.6Value: 9.4

Pros

Industry-standard detail
Great value
Folds for transport

Cons

Pads wear out
Non-detachable cable

Check price on Amazon≈ £90

Best open-back value

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro

8.8A dependable pick if the price is right.

The DT 990 Pro is a popular open-back for mixing and listening, with a wide soundstage, plush comfort and an energetic, detailed sound. The treble is lively and bass elevated, so they flatter rather than perfectly reference, but they are a joy for long sessions.

Sound: 8.8Comfort: 9.2Build: 9.0Value: 9.0

Pros

Wide soundstage
Very comfortable
Detailed and lively

Cons

Bright treble
Open-back leaks

Check price on Amazon≈ £150

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Best neutral closed

AKG K371

8.7Solid, if outshone by pricier rivals.

The AKG K371 is a closed-back that gets unusually close to a neutral reference target, making it great for mixing where isolation is needed. They fold and are comfortable, though the build feels a little plasticky.

Sound: 9.0Comfort: 8.8Build: 8.2Value: 9.0

Pros

Neutral, reference-like tuning
Good isolation
Folds flat

Cons

Plasticky build
Cable can be microphonic

Check price on Amazon≈ £130

Best modern closed

Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X

8.7A budget-friendly option worth a look.

The DT 700 Pro X updates Beyerdynamic's closed-back formula with a more neutral tuning, an easy-to-drive driver and a detachable cable, great for modern home studios. It is pricier than the DT 770, but more versatile across devices.

Sound: 8.8Comfort: 9.0Build: 9.0Value: 8.6

Pros

More neutral than DT 770
Easy to drive
Detachable cable

Cons

Pricier than DT 770
Large earcups

Check price on Amazon≈ £200

Best ultra-budget

Samson SR850

8.0Rounds out our top ten.

The Samson SR850 is a remarkable budget semi-open headphone with a surprisingly spacious, detailed sound that punches far above its tiny price, a favourite first studio pair. Build and comfort are basic, but for the money they are astonishing value.

Sound: 8.2Comfort: 7.8Build: 7.6Value: 9.6

Pros

Astonishing value
Spacious sound
Great first pair

Cons

Basic build
Basic pads

Check price on Amazon≈ £40

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Frequently asked questions

What's the best of the studio headphones in 2026?

Our top overall pick is the Sennheiser HD 600, which leads on our combined score for performance, value and features. The Sennheiser HD 660S2 and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are excellent alternatives depending on budget and needs.

How did we choose these?

We weight performance, value, build quality and features, drawing on hands-on use and independent testing. See the methodology box above for the full breakdown.

Are these prices accurate?

Prices are approximate UK figures at the time of writing and change frequently. Click through to Amazon for the current price.

The bottom line

If you just want the best studio headphones without overthinking it, the Sennheiser HD 600 is our top recommendation — it earns the highest overall score for performance, value and features. Have a look at the current price and see what you think.

Check price on Amazon ≈ £350

Our top picks at a glance

Sennheiser HD 600

Audio-Technica ATH-R70x

Sennheiser HD 660S2

How we ranked these studio headphones

At a glance: top 10 compared

The full ranking

Sennheiser HD 600

Pros

Cons

Sennheiser HD 660S2

Pros

Cons

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Pros

Cons

Audio-Technica ATH-R70x

Pros

Cons

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

Pros

Cons

Sony MDR-7506

Pros

Cons

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro

Pros

Cons

AKG K371

Pros

Cons

Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X

Pros

Cons

Samson SR850

Pros

Cons

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line

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