The Boss Waza-Air is one of the best guitar amp headphones for guitarists who don’t want to lug around extra cables and accessories. This pair of headphones feature a built-in guitar/headphone amp, wireless transmitter, and spatial audio, along with the Boss Waza Air app for customizing the guitar sound and adding effects.
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“Inspiration can hit you anytime,” so if you’re someone with an electric guitar as your primary instrument, finding the time and place to practice or write a new hook can be difficult without proper headphones.
So this is why you need guitar amp headphones: these can be studio-grade headphones or separate headphones specifically designed for monitoring your guitar notes (preferably with a built-in guitar amplifier).
So in this list, I’ve searched and picked a handful of the best guitar amp headphones on the market. I’ve covered their specs and listed the pros and cons of each. Hopefully, you’ll find a pair of headphones that suit your guitar needs.
So without further delays (reverbs or backing tracks), let’s get into the product reviews.
Table of Contents
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Comparison of the Best Headphones for Guitar Amp
| Most Feature-Packed Guitar Amp HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | Boss Waza-Air | See On Amazon |
| Best In-Ear Monitor Style Device for Guitar AmpsSee On Amazon |  | Shure SE425 | See On Amazon |
| Best Guitar Amp Headphones for BeginnersSee On Amazon |  | OneOdio Pro 50 | See On Amazon |
| Best Sounding Guitar Amp HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO | See On Amazon |
| Best Guitar Amp Headphones for Musicians on a BudgetSee On Amazon |  | AKG K240 | See On Amazon |
| Most Premium Guitar Amp HeadphonesSee On Amazon |  | Sennheiser HD650 | See On Amazon |
| Best Value for MoneySee On Amazon |  | Sony MDR7506 | See On Amazon |
| Best Headphones with Built-in Guitar AmpSee On Amazon |  | Vox VGH AC30 | See On Amazon |
| Best Headphones for Guitar Amps OverallSee On Amazon |  | Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless | See On Amazon |
Reviews of the Best Headphones for Guitar Amp
Specs
- Type: Over-ear closed-back headphones
- I/Os: Wireless Bluetooth, 2.4GHz and 1/4 TRS port
- Drivers: 50mm
- Weight: 12oz
- Frequency Range: Unspecified
- Sensitivity: Unspecified
- Impedance: Unspecified
These closed-back headphones come with a wireless transmitter that allows you to practice electric guitar without worrying about cables or bulky amplifiers. The headphones last around five hours on a single charge but take around three hours to recharge.
The headphones have a neutral and organic frequency response; they do a decent job “flattening the curve;” hence, they are a good pair of headphones for playing guitar on the go.
The rectangular ear cups on these Boss Waza Air headphones can be a bit bulky, and it can get a little hot inside (due to the closed-back design and protein leather cushions,) but you can wear these without hurting your ears.
Also, the headband, despite looking a little flimsy, does a phenomenal job of spreading its weight around.
For guitar players, who prefer to use a pair of low-profile earphones (instead of bulky studio headphones), the Shure SE425 (or any other budget-friendly IEMs) can be a great addition.
Specs
- Type: In-Ear Monitors
- I/Os: 3.5mm
- Drivers: Dual High-Definition Micro-Drivers
- Weight: 4.2oz
- Frequency Range: 20-19,000Hz
- Sensitivity:109 dB SPL/mW
- Impedance: 20Ω
The Shure SE425 is a pair of neat little IEMs with an over-the-ear design and exposed housing. The monitors have detachable cables and replaceable earbuds, allowing you to customize your fit and set up optional accessories.
There are various IEMs in the Shure product line, but according to my research, the Shure SE425-CL is the most “high-value” option, providing accurate sound monitoring at a stable price. Also, it is a well-balanced pair of IEMs that are fit not just for practicing guitar but for making music and playing at live shows — as long as you have a proper IEM system.
Also, the Shure SE425-CL (stands for Clear) is the barebones version with the detachable cable. I recommend this vanilla IEMs because it’s the most affordable option, and the detachable aux cable is long enough to avoid bothering you. That said, there are two other optional accessories: a universal inline controller/remote (w/ microphone) and a Bluetooth version (w/ 10 hours of continuous playback time).
The noise isolation capabilities are very respectable. So as long as you find the proper ear tips and route the cables properly, you can play freely and become a true virtuoso in the guitar world.
Unfortunately, these aren’t the most premium regarding sound quality since the overall frequency response can be a bit of a roller coaster (especially in the treble ranges). Luckily, it is more stable than most IEMs and would quite well as your new guitar headphones. (Don’t forget that you need separate guitar amplifiers for the best experience.)
The OneOdio Pro 50 is another great contender for home studios and on-the-go musicians. This pair of headphones feature a closed-back design with a sturdy aluminum frame and detachable cables; it’s perfect for when you want to monitor your music or play some video games.
Specs
- Type: Over-ear closed backs
- I/Os: 3.5mm port (w/ 3.5mm and 1/4″ cables)
- Drivers: 50mm dual dynamic
- Weight: 9.1oz
- Frequency Range: 20-40,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 110 dB SPL/mW
- Impedance: 32Ω
OneOdio makes a lot of affordable studio headphones, and from my experiences with the OneOdio Monitor 80, I can vouch for these headphones as being a very “high-value” pair of starter headphones.
The headphones feature a rather bulky design, with the entire build composed of plastic.
The earcups can perform all three movements needed for music work (such as swiveling, lying flat, or folding inwards), making them very comfortable and easy to use during guitar practice, mixing, and DJing.
The headband is well-padded and comes with a protein leather-like cover material. Unfortunately, this isn’t the best faux leather material out there, so despite blocking background noise and supporting your ears, they tend to flake out over time.
Although it doesn’t create an exception soundstage or do an extensive job setting up a stereo image, the OneOdio Monitor 80 has covered the basics. These include a somewhat stable frequency response and a decent job of sound isolation and preventing audio from leaking out.
If you wouldn’t mind going over the $100 mark, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO is a feasible option. So if you want to experience neutral guitar sound that is rich, clear, and accurate, there is nothing better.
Specs
- Type: From over-ear open-backs to closed-backs (depending on the impedance)
- I/Os: fixed 3.5mm cable
- Drivers: Dynamic drivers
- Weight: 9.5 ounces
- Frequency Range: 5-35,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 96dB SPL/mW
- Impedance: 32,80, or 250Ω
The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO comes in three flavors: 32Ω, 80Ω, or 250Ω, with the 32Ω option being fully closed-back while the other two variants range from semi-open to fully open-back headphones.
Although the physical construction of these high-quality headphones is mostly the same, I recommend going for the open-back variation because of their ability to produce better guitar audio, especially since you will be using a guitar amp to drive them anyway.
The headphones have very sturdy construction with a well-padded headband and ear cups. Thankfully, the liner material on the ear cups has a velour material, which makes the headphones more comfortable for long-term wear (especially regarding breathability).
The frequency response of these headphones is surprisingly impressive as they manage a very steady curve, especially in the lows and mids. Although the highs (treble) can be a bit out of touch, it’s not too bad, and you won’t have much issue with mixing or guitar practice.
The AKG K240s are a pair of affordable headphones with a decent sound profile, making them a budget-friendly pair of studio headphones for practicing guitar or getting the first draft of a song written down. They are also very comfortable, and you would have no issues wearing them for hours.
Specs
- Type: Over-ear semi-open
- I/Os: Detachable 3.5mm port
- Drivers: 30mm
- Weight: 19.68oz
- Frequency Range: 15-25,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 91dB SPL/mW
- Impedance: 55Ω
Thanks to its elastic headband and humungous ear cups, this pair of headphones tend to be on the bulkier end. On top of that, the ear cups are static, meaning they cannot fold, swivel or lie flat.
Regardless, these headphones are very light and comfortable to wear, the earcups flex to fit your ears, and the self-adjusting headband eases into your nogging and spreads its weight without digging into your head.
The headphones have an average frequency response ranging from 15Hz-25,000Hz; despite the somewhat disappointing lows and highs, the mids are very accurate and do a satisfying job of maintaining a studio-friendly sound profile.
Unfortunately, thanks (but no thanks) to the semi-open design, you’ll have lots of background noise coming in; hence, practicing guitar in a noisy environment can be difficult.
The AKG K240s are also on our list of the “best studio headphones under $100.”
The Sennheiser HD650 open-back headphones are one of the best headphones under $400 in the industry, as many industry professionals swear by their efficacy. These over-ear headphones can reproduce audio with tremendous accuracy under the right conditions.
Specs
- Type: Over-ear open-back headphones
- I/Os: Proprietary cable with 1/4″ jack
- Drivers: 42mm neodymium magnets
- Weight: 9.1oz
- Frequency Range: 10-41,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 103dB SPL/mW
- Impedance: 300Ω
Along with audio quality, you can see that Sennheiser has prioritized comfort and durability with this pair of headphones. For example, the Sennheiser HD650 hi-res includes a sturdy aluminum frame reinforced with extra bits of plastic. Thankfully, it is not too bulky and manages to maintain its sleek design on the outside of the headband, ear cups, and yoke.
The underside of the headband and the earcups come with lots of padding, and they have a liner made with a premium velour material. The headphones are very breathable, and thanks to their open-back design, they are very comfortable and safe to use.
Apart from passive noise isolation and sound leakage, the extended frequency range and accurate sound profile makes it one of the top contenders for audio work; hence, for anybody playing electric guitar, these would make a great pair of studio-grade headphones.
The Sony MDR7506 is a tried-and-true classic: it’s affordably priced and has a relatively stable sound profile. These closed-back over-ear headphones are an attractive alternative for studio work or hooking up to a guitar amplifier.
Specs
- Type: Closed-back over ears
- I/Os: Fixed 3.5mm coiled cable (9.8ft)
- Drivers: 40mm Neodymium magnets
- Weight: 8.1oz
- Frequency Range: 10-20,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 106dB SPL/mW
- Impedance: 63Ω
These closed-back studio headphones might not be the most trendy-looking, especially with the exposed metal ratcheted headband and “puny” earcups. Also, despite having a propensity to fall out of your head, these headphones are relatively comfortable.
The headband is a thin aluminum sheet covered with another thin layer of cushioning and faux leather; it’s not ideal but successfully disperses the weight of the ear cups without hurting your head.
The padding on the ear cups could be better, and the liner material could have been a more soft and premium faux leather type, but it’s not too uncomfortable once you get used to it.
The sound profile is highly laudable since the bass response, mids, and highs all manage exceptionally well. Imaging is top-notch, and it’s got a decent soundstage. Unfortunately, these closed-backs are not very good at eliminating background noise, so playing guitar on a crowded street or noisy room will prove difficult.
Equipped with the Vox VGH AC30 (or any other two VGH guitar headphones), you’ll be a for a quick guitar jam session. This bad boy has a built-in guitar amp with customizable effects such as gain, reverbs, and delays. All you have to do is plug these headphones in and start playing.
Specs
- Type: Over-ear-close backs
- I/Os: Fixed 1/4″ jack for guitars along with a 3.5mm port for normal use
- Drivers: 40mm dynamic
- Weight: 9.17oz
- Frequency Range: 20-20,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 97dB SPL/mW
- Impedance: 49Ω
The headphones come in three variations: the AC30, Bass, and Rock. As the name suggests, the Bass headphones feature a built-in bass guitar amp, while the rock headphones include sound effects and an equalizer leaning toward rock music. Meanwhile, the AC30 has a neutral frequency response with the same built-in effects.
The headphones have a fairly average construction with soft earcups and a ratcheted headband. The ear cups are closed-backs and tend to do an “okay” job of passive noise isolation.
The ear cups are sufficiently-padded with a soft protein leather liner material. These headphones aren’t the most comfortable, but you get used to them after a couple of weeks.
The headphones feature a fixed aux cable with a 1/4″ jack on the other end. The aux cable is almost 8ft long and helps you put some distance between you and your guitar (a handy addition for telekinetic guitar players).
Sadly, the audio output isn’t the best, and the sound effects aren’t that impressive. Nonetheless, these are highly affordable, and you don’t have to worry about lugging an extra guitar amplifier wherever you go.
Considering the price, performance, and viability for casual and professional use, there’s nothing like the Audio Technica ATH-M50x. These close-backed studio headphones are a staple among recording artists, musicians, and podcasters.
Specs
- Type: Over-Ear Closed-back headphones
- I/Os: 3.5mm or Bluetooth
- Drivers: 45mm dynamic
- Weight: 16oz
- Frequency Range: 15-28,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 99dB SPL/mW
- Impedance: 38Ω
Most audiophiles and musicians are already familiar with the design of the Audio Technica ATH-M50x. It looks like a well-built pair of headphones with somewhat flexible ear cups (that can fold and swivel) and a sturdy frame.
The ear cups and adjustable ratcheted headband have lots of padding, with the cushions lined with protein leather — the most widely used cover material for headphones and headsets.
The Audio Technica ATH M50x has two variants: wired-only and wireless. Both options share the same aesthetics and audio hardware except for the connectivity options. I wholeheartedly recommend the wireless option for guitarists because I’ve had many situations where the aux chord hits a string and makes everything sound weird.
These wireless features include multipoint pairing and integration with the A-T connection app, which allows you to set up low-latency mode, custom EQs, L/R stereo imaging, and many more.
The battery lasts around 50 hours on a full charge and uses a type-C interface for recharging. Also, you can get three hours of emergency use with a 10-minute fast recharge.
As I mentioned, the sound profile is very neutral. The bass response (along with the mids) is substantially flat, and the treble reproduction is relatively more accurate to the target curve. You might have some issues with noise isolation, but for the most part: these are still: the best headphones for guitar practice.
For more information, don’t forget to check out our full review of the Audio Technica ATH-M50x (wired).
Guitar Amp Headphones Buying Guide
Sound Quality
Headphones for guitar amps have to be more akin to studio headphones and monitors. As such, their sound profile needs to be accurate; hence, a more flat frequency response where the bass, mids, and highs are not deviating too much from the target curve.
Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to reproduce the original target curve — and in some cases: unnecessary. As a result, response curves vary and mostly depend on the construction and the materials used.
Ideally, the best headphones for guitar amps are ones with more stable and flat frequency responses. Those will produce the most accurate sounds, allowing you to listen to fine-tune your music while practicing or recording.
So if prioritizing sound quality (and accuracy) when playing guitar, I recommend high-end studio headphones with wired connectivity.
Price
Money can be an issue for budding audiophiles and musicians, so if you’re trying to practice electric guitar or get your feet with audio equipment, you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of headphones.
Therefore, it’s best to understand to requirements and consider your budget. If you are willing to spend more than $200, I recommend plug-and-play guitar amp headphones (with a built-in guitar amp) or a pair of high-quality audiophile headphones (such as open-backs).
On the flip side, if you’re limited in your budget, it makes more sense to invest in a budget-friendly pair of headphones, specifically studio-grade ones with a flat response.
Connectivity Options
You don’t have much to worry about connectivity since most guitar amp headphones provide adapters to suit your needs.
That said, to help you minimize clutter and avoid dealing with Bluetooth-only devices, it is better to consider the various connectivity options available for the pair of headphones you are hoping to buy.
Always consider the accessories you get right out of the box. If you only receive a 3.5mm aux cable, you will have to purchase a 3.5mm to 1/4″ adapter separately, or you may even find that the aux cable is too short or too long. (Yes, it can be too long, especially when it’s not coiled).
Also, make sure that the wireless headphones you purchase have wired options, and remember to be mindful of the charging interface — USB-C is always better — and what kind of batteries they use. (Consumable or built-in rechargeable).
Comfort and Build Quality
Comfortable headphones are essential to keep you focused through those long recording sessions or time spent writing a new song. Otherwise, you will constantly be readjusting your headphones or IEMs without getting much work done.
Guitar players will have different preferences on how they want to wear their headphones while playing guitar. Some may desire more freedom of movement, while others wouldn’t mind sitting in one place and jamming out. On top of that, they also might want to block ambient sound or keep their ears cool by letting some air inside.
Whatever the case, I recommend going for guitar headphones with a large adjustable headband and lots of padding.
It might be uncomfortable, but you’ll get used to them after a couple of weeks.
Common Questions Related to Guitar Amp Headphones
Do Guitar Amps Sound Better with Headphones than Loudspeakers?
Yes, headphones can do a better job than loudspeakers when it comes to eliminating background noises and producing more detail in the audio. On top of that, the sound produced by headphones isn’t affected by your room; hence, acoustic phenomena such as reverbs and echos cannot occur.
So most of the time, you will feel like you’re getting better sound with headphones than with loudspeakers.
Although headphones are necessary for fine-tuning your music and practicing guitar without waking up the neighbors, they can get in the way — especially with wired options. As a result, you might not have too much freedom to move around. Also, you’ll miss that authentic experience of playing on a stage and jamming with the band.
Do I need High-Impedance Headphones for Guitar Amps?
No, you don’t need high-impedance headphones. However, if you prefer better sound quality over portability and compatibility with smaller devices (such as mobile phones and laptops), it makes more sense to get high-impedance wired headphones.
So unless you’re using plug-and-play guitar headphones — that feature built-in guitar amps — you will have to resort to using a solid state guitar amp.
Can I use Wireless Headphones for Guitar Amps?
Unfortunately, wireless headphones are not a viable option for those of us in the guitar world. The primary reason: you can’t connect most guitar amps to these wireless headphones.
The alternative is to use dedicated guitar amp headphones, which feature a separate transmitter that connects to your electric guitar.
Final Thoughts
Although you can use your casual pair of headphones as monitors, you need dedicated studio-grade devices or guitar amp headphones for the most authentic guitar-playing experience. Otherwise, you will miss out on the clarity of your notes, making it difficult to practice or rehearse.
Apart from blasting your ears with accurate notes, guitar amp headphones can also help you play discreetly at any time of the day without disturbing your neighbors or family members. They are a great asset, especially for someone hoping to make music or podcasts in the future.