Any video editor worth their salt will use a decent pair of headphones. The best headphones for editing deliver a level of sound quality and detail that are crucial once you reach the professional level. There’s a fair bit of variety when it comes to headphones in this category.
The advantages of this level of choice are obvious. The only trouble is, it can be difficult to know where to start. This page runs through some of the best headphones for video editing. We’ve listed products with fantastic sound quality, frequency response and sound isolation.
Top Picks – Best Headphones for Editing
The list below contains some of the best headphones on the market. We feature some strong budget products as well as some more premium options.
1. Audio Technica Ath M50x
These studio monitor, professional headphones don’t come cheap, but they’re well worth considering if your work involves a lot of video editing. The sonic performance of the Audio Technica Ath M50X is critically acclaimed by many voices in the industry; these things are an audio engineer’s best friend.
The degree of clarity that persists throughout the extended frequency range of these headphones deserves a lot of praise. The performance here is due, in part, to the proprietary drivers that use rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum coils.
Forgetting the technical lingo for a moment, it’s worth emphasizing that headphones for video editing need to be comfortable. Video editing involves long periods of work in a fixed position. In situations like this, you’ll be grateful for an ergonomic design.
Luckily, the Audio Technica Ath M50x headphones fit comfortably over the ears. The materials used are durable and very comfortable to boot!
Pros:
- Fantastic sonic performance
- Comfortable for long video editing sessions
- Durable design
Cons:
- The snug ear pads can get a little warm
2. Sennheiser Professional Studio Headphones
This option from Sennheiser was designed with professionals in mind. A number of design considerations here make these some of the best headphones for video editing we’ve ever seen. As a brand, Sennheiser has built a formidable reputation in the world of audio quality.
If your video editing or audio work requires unparalleled levels of reproduction accuracy and quality, it’s hard to go wrong with Sennheiser. On these studio headphones, the ambient noise shielding and high-resolution acoustic system make the life of a professional much easier.
The foldable design of this model makes it very easy to take with you, and the construction seems durable enough to shoulder a fair bit of abuse if you’re clumsy when video editing. Everyone has slightly different preferences when it comes to the shape of the ear cups on headphones.
In our opinion, the ear cups on this model fit like a dream.
Pros:
- An acoustic system that delivers phenomenal clarity
- Foldable design
- Great headphones for video editing
Cons:
- With the exception of a small section, the wire is straight
3. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO
It’s tough to beat the pro-grade quality of monitors like these. Once you’re working in a professional context, headphones for video editing reach a new level. A pure, high-resolution sound is delivered with a frequency response of 5 – 35.000 Hz.
We recommend the 32OHM variant of these closed-back headphones if you’re going to be using them at home. The lower impedance will make it much easier for your computer, camera or mobile to drive sound through them.
The closed back design of the ear cups on the DT 770 make for an impressive bass response and great passive noise cancellation. These are two factors worth considering closely when browsing headphones for video editing.
When video editing or working with audio in the studio, it’s vital to have a reliable reference point you can use to keep your work consistent. The DT 770 PRO won’t let you down when it comes to accuracy or performance.
Pros:
- Broad frequency response
- Fantastic reference point for video editing or audio work
Cons:
- The ear cups ‘clamp’ quite tightly on the head
4. AKG K 240 MK
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This is another fantastic option if you need good headphones for video editing. These cans are something of a cult favorite among certain editing circles, mostly for how comfortable some people find them.
While headphone comfort is largely subjective, the K240MKs tick a lot of the right boxes. The tightness, ear cup softness and adjustability are all fantastic for most people.
The semi-open design of these headphones allows for rock-solid bass performance and airy, clear highs. The patented transducer design on this model delivers accurate signal transfer with phenomenal dynamic range.
The AKG brand has served as a studio standard for two decades now. While there’s plenty of competition in this space, the K240 MKs are hard to beat. This is a pair of video editing headphones that won’t let you down.
Pros:
- Very comfortable, self-adjusting headphones
- Brilliant signal transfer and dynamic range
- Decent frequency response
Cons:
- The included cable is a little on the short side
5. Sony WH-1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
This is a pair of headphones for video editing with a number of other perks thrown in for good measure. While the drivers on the WH-1000XM3 deliver brilliant sonic performance, they also come with built-in Alexa support, gesture control and quick charging.
Sony’s QN1 chip on these headphones allows for “industry leading” noise cancellation, a welcome feature for any video editor. The high-resolution audio here is supported by Sony’s optimization technology. This makes for a reliable level of performance that’s suitable for home studio use.
While gesture and assistant controls may seem like something of a gimmick, they can be surprisingly useful in certain contexts. Once you’ve got to grips with the “flow” of the control system, you may notice your workflow improves significantly.
If you access reference audio while working, the voice commands on these headphones will also come in handy. While some sonic performance is always lost in a wireless model, the quality here is remarkably strong and can hold its own fairly well.
The 30-hour battery life and super-quick charging capabilities of the WH-1000XM3 make the convenience of a wireless setup even more inciting. If noise cancellation or convenience features matter to you, these headphones are well worth considering.
Pros:
- Convenient assistant features
- Handy wireless design
- Industry leading noise cancellation
Cons:
- The construction is a little heavy and hot during prolonged use
6. OneOdio Wired Over Ear Headphones
This is one of our absolute favorite options for those who need video editing headphones on a budget. Don’t let the price point of this offering from OneOdio fool you; these cans still deliver in most of the areas that count.
The bass in particular deserves praise on these headphones. The 50mm speakers allow for rich lows, clear vocals and crisp highs. This model isn’t quite rule of the roost when it comes to sonic performance.
For most editing contexts though, these headphones are worth far more than the asking price in our opinion. Other nice-to-have features include the built-in microphone, swivelling ear cups and foldable design.
Whether you’re DJing to a live audience or video editing at home, these headphones are designed to stay comfortable for hours at a time. The soft, large cups should be soft enough for even the pickiest of professionals.
Pros:
- Brilliant performance considering the price
- Super comfortable
Cons:
- The noise isolation isn’t great
7. Sony MDR7506
These closed-ear headphones come with a 9.8ft cord and 40mm drivers for pure, detailed sound performance. The larger diaphragm on this model gives it a level of performance suitable for a wide variety of professional contexts.
With a frequency response of 10 Hz to 20 KHz and Sony’s decades of engineering experience, these cans have more than earnt their place on this list. If you’re looking for great video editing headphones, these are unlikely to disappoint.
Comfort and general ergonomics are reasonably well-considered here. While some users may have their gripes, they’re perfectly comfortable in our opinion. The foldable design reduces the headphones down to a surprisingly small footprint, making them a breeze to carry with you to the studio.
External noise is handled very well by the MDR7506. The closed-ear design keeps distractions and external distortions at bay.
Pros:
- Great noise isolation
- Detailed highs
- Nice long cord that’s curly
Cons:
- The durability of these headphones could use a little work
8. Focal Listen Professional
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Neutral, accurate sonic performance is a hallmark of good editing headphones. The neutral performance on these Focal Listen Professionals is fantastic and uses no artificial enhancements on the lows, mids or highs.
They achieve this while remaining a brilliant pair of headphones of casual listening too! Durability is another area where these headphones really shine. The titanium drivers and silicone headband lining make for an ultra-comfortable pair of cans that should last even the clumsiest professional a long time.
It’s worth mentioning that these headphones are often described as some of the most comfortable available. The memory foam earcups are probably the cosiest we’ve seen. The closed-back design allows for a level of noise isolation that some professionals expect when editing.
As a pair of monitoring headphones for studio use, the Focal Listen Professional is hard to ignore.
Pros:
- Best-in-class comfort
- Durable build quality
- Fantastic neutral sound
Cons:
- Not the cheapest option on this list
How to Find the Best Headphones for Video Editing
When hunting for the right headphones, it’s important to understand some of the things to look out for. Even some of the most reputable brands like to throw a lot of marketing lingo around. We’ll run through some of the key features of a professional set of headphones below.
Sound Isolation
When editing, or working in any other context where sound accuracy is key, the sound isolation of your headphones is very important. Headphones with good isolation use premium, well-designed constructions that work to block out unwanted external sound.
The less noise you hear that isn’t the audio you’re working on, the better. Some headphones use active noise cancellation that takes things one step further. Whereas some units use passive systems to block external noise, some options actively cancel external sounds with onboard audio processing.
It’s worth noting that the methods used for cancellation can sometimes sacrifice some fidelity when editing.
Frequency Response
Frequency response describes the range of a unit. The range of a particular set of headphones determines the number of musical tones they’re capable of reproducing. It’s not uncommon to see frequency ranges given without clear information about the +dB values.
While the range (eg 20Hz-20KHz) alone is enough to get a general idea, it isn’t enough to communicate how to unit will actually sound. You need to know your +dB values for this.
Generally speaking, a frequency range of around 20Hz-20KHz + 2 or 3 dB offers the ‘flat’ frequency line that’s necessary for accurate audio editing.
Open vs Closed Back
In short, open headphones allow air to pass through the back of the ear cups. The advantage of this is that it makes for better audio accuracy in certain environments. Without pressure build-up or internal echoes, the editor is able to get a clearer idea of what they’re actually hearing.
That is, until they have to deal with external noise. Closed designs trade some audio accuracy for better external sound blocking. Consider your typical work environment and choose headphones accordingly.
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Final Thoughts
As this page has demonstrated, there’s plenty of choice these days when it comes to high-quality editing headphones. Have a think about your own requirements and budget and choose a product from this list that fits.
