Best Video Editing Headphones

by Alex.   Last Updated On November 24th, 2023.
SoundGearLab is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission for purchases made after clicking on links on this page. Read our affiliate disclosure for more information.

If you are looking for the best video editing headphones, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options available in the market. There are headphones for different needs, preferences, and budgets. How do you choose the right one for your video editing projects?

In this article, we will help you find the best video editing headphones for your specific situation. We have recommendations for those with limited budget, for those who want wireless, for those with a lot of budget, and those who prioritize comfort.

We will also explain the features and specifications that you should look for in a good pair of video editing headphones.

By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of what kind of headphones you need and how to get them.

Whether you are a professional video editor or a hobbyist, you will find the best video editing headphones for your needs here. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents
+

Comparison of the Best Video Editing Headphones

Best Budget Video Editing HeadphonesSee On Amazon
photo of the Sony MDR-7506Sony
MDR-7506
Another Best Budget Video Editing HeadphonesSee On Amazon
photo of the Beyerdynamic DT 240 ProBeyerdynamic
DT 240 Pro
Best Premium Video Editing HeadphonesSee On Amazon
photo of the Focal Listen ProfessionalFocal
Listen Professional
Best Wireless Video Editing HeadphonesSee On Amazon
photo of the Sony WH-1000XM4 WirelessSony
WH-1000XM4 Wireless
Most Comfortable Video Editing HeadphonesSee On Amazon
photo of the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO Beyerdynamic
DT 770 PRO
Best Overall Video Editing HeadphonesSee On Amazon
photo of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xAudio-Technica
ATH-M50x

Reviews of the Best Video Editing Headphones

The Sony MDR-7506 headphones are the best budget video editing headphones on our list. They offer good sound quality, comfort, and durability for a low price.

See On Amazon

Specs:

  • Type:
    • Over-ear, closed back
  • Connection
    • Wired
    • 3 meters
    • Coiled
  • Driver Size:
    • 40 mm
  • Frequency Range:
    • 5 to 20,000 Hz
  • Impedance:
    • 63 Ohms
  • Weight
    • 261 grams

If you are looking for the cheapest video editing headphones on our list, the Sony MDR-7506 might be the perfect choice for you. These headphones are made for professional studio use, but they are also great for video editing, especially if you are still starting out or on a limited budget.

The Sony MDR-7506 headphones are made from plastic, a bit of metal, and faux leather. They are not that aesthetically pleasing, but they are durable and comfortable. The headphones can be folded for easy storage and transport.

The earcups are replaceable, so you can just swap them if they get worn out. The cable is 3 meters long and coiled, which is great for moving around without removing the headphones, even though they are wired.

The sound quality of the Sony MDR-7506 headphones is good, but not exceptional. They have a frequency response of 5 to 20,000 Hz and an impedance of 63 ohms, which means they can work with most audio devices. The 40mm Neodymium drivers deliver clear and balanced sound, ideal for video editing. They are also good for recording, mixing, and editing speech and music.

The Sony MDR-7506 headphones have oversized over-ear, closed-back earcups that can surround all ear sizes. This helps isolate the sound from the outside noise, which is important for video editing. However, some users might find them too tight or too hot after long hours of use.

What We Like

It has a long cord which is 3 meters long.

Replaceable earcups.

Know Before Buying

Wider frequency response could make this better.

Not that aesthetically pleasing.

See On Amazon

The Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO headphones are another best budget video editing headphones on our list, which are great for video editors who frequently travel.

 

See On Amazon

Specs:

  • Type:
    • Over-ear, closed back
  • Connection:
    • Wired
    • 1.25 – 3 meters
    • Coiled
  • Driver Size:
    • 40 mm
  • Frequency Range:
    • 5 to 35,000 Hz
  • Impedance:
    • 34 Ohms
  • Weight:
    • 196 grams

If you are a video editor who frequently travels, you might want to consider the Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO headphones. These headphones are another best budget video editing headphones on our list, which offer a foldable modern design, a lightweight build, and a simple and clean look.

The Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO headphones are made from metal and aluminum, which make them sturdy and durable. The earcups are smaller compared to other editing headphones, which make them easy to carry around with you anywhere.

They are also covered with leatherette, which adds some comfort and style. However, the leatherette earcups can be uncomfortable during summer days, as they can make your ears sweat.

The sound quality of the Beyerdynamic DT 240 PRO headphones is precise and well-balanced. They have a frequency response of 5 to 35,000 Hz and an impedance of 34 ohms, which means they can work with most audio devices.

The 40mm drivers deliver a warm sound, which is good for audio that requires tonal sharpness and clarity. The noise isolation is not that great, though, because of the small earcups. You might hear some background noise if you are in a noisy environment.

What We Like

Super lightweight at only 196 grams.

Easy to carry around with you.

Know Before Buying

Some might not like the small earcups.

Leatherette earcups can be a bit comfortable during summer days.

See On Amazon

The Focal Listen Professional headphones are the best premium video editing headphones on our list. They offer high-quality sound, comfort, and durability for a high price.

See On Amazon

Specs:

  • Type:
    • Over-ear, closed back
  • Connection:
    • Wired
      • 1.4-meter straight cable
      • 5-meter coiled cable
  • Driver Size:
    • 40 mm
  • Frequency Range:
    • 5 to 22,000 Hz
  • Impedance:
    • 32 Ohms
  • Weight:
    • 280 grams

If you are looking for the best premium video editing headphones on our list, you might want to check out the Focal Listen Professional headphones. These headphones are designed for professional audio production, but they are also excellent for video editing, thanks to their high-quality sound, comfort, and durability.

The Focal Listen Professional headphones come with two lengthy cables (one measuring 1.4 meters straight and the other 5 meters coiled), a hard-shell carrying case for safekeeping the headphones during travels, and a converter from 3.5mm to 1/4-inch jack.

The cables are detachable and have a locking mechanism, which prevents them from accidentally unplugging. The carrying case is sturdy and spacious, which protects the headphones from damage and dust.

The comfort of the Focal Listen Professional headphones is one of their best features. The earpads are made with the comfiest super-soft microfibre ear cushions memory foam, which conform to the shape of your ears and provide a snug fit.

The headband is also padded and adjustable, which ensures a comfortable and secure fit. You can edit for hours without feeling any fatigue or discomfort with these headphones.

The sound quality of the Focal Listen Professional headphones is superb, but not perfect. They have a frequency response of 5 to 22,000 Hz and an impedance of 32 ohms, which means they can work with any device with Windows, Apple, or Android operating systems. The 40mm drivers deliver a clear, balanced, and detailed sound, which is ideal for video editing.

They maintain the dynamic quality of music tracks while creating a transparent, clear soundstage without adding more bass, middle, or treble. However, some users might find the bass a bit lacking, especially for bass-heavy genres. These headphones can also get very loud, even on relatively weak headphone amps, which might be a problem for some users.

What We Like

Comes with two long cables upon purchase.

Can work with any device with Windows, Apple, or Android operating systems.

Know Before Buying

The volume can get very loud.

The bass is a bit lacking.

See On Amazon

If you are looking for a wireless headphone for video editing, you might want to check out the Sony WH-1000XM4.

See On Amazon

Specs:

  • Type:
    • Over-ear, closed back
  • Connection:
    • Wireless
    • Wired
      • 1.2-meter straight cable
  • Driver Size:
    • 40 mm
  • Frequency Range:
    • 4 to 40,000 Hz
  • Impedance:
    • 16 Ohms (unit on)
    • 47 Ohms (unit off)
  • Weight:
    • 254 grams

The Sony WH-1000XM4 are lightweight and comfortable, but not the lightest headphones on our list. They are easy to carry around and use for different purposes, such as listening to music or watching movies, not just for video editing. They come with a 1.2-meter long cable, so you can also use them as wired headphones if you prefer.

The Bluetooth connection of these headphones has a good 10-meter range, and the battery life is decent. You can use them for up to 30 hours without charging, or even longer if you turn off the active noise cancellation feature. Charging them from empty to full will take about 3 hours, which is not too bad.

The sound quality of these headphones is excellent, and they have an app where you can customize the sound profile according to your preferences. They also have advanced active noise cancellation, which is great if you don’t have a quiet studio to edit videos. You can block out any unwanted background noises and focus on your work.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 are perfect for video editing on MacBooks or PCs, and they have a sleek and elegant design. They are available in black or silver colors, and they have a touch-sensitive control panel on the right earcup. You can adjust the volume, play or pause the music, answer or reject calls, and activate the voice assistant with a simple tap or swipe.

What We Like

Has advanced Active Noise Cancelation.

Descent battery life.

Know Before Buying

Very pricey, great for those who have a bigger budget.

See On Amazon

If you are editing videos for long hours, you might want to invest in a pair of comfortable headphones. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are the most comfortable video editing headphones on our list, and they have a great sound quality as well.

See On Amazon

Specs:

  • Type:
    • Over-ear, closed back
  • Connection:
    • Wired
    • 1.6 meter straight cable
  • Driver Size:
    • 45mm
  • Frequency Range:
    • 5 to 35,000 Hz
  • Impedance:
    • 32 Ohms
  • Weight:
    • 270 grams

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO have large, soft, padded ear cups that make them feel like pillows on your ears. They also have a padded headband that distributes the weight evenly.

The closed-back ear cups and leatherette ear pads help isolate your ears from outside noise, which is ideal for video editing. The only downside is that the leatherette ear pads can feel a bit hot on summer days or for long editing periods. You might want to replace them with velour ear pads if you prefer a cooler feel.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO have three variants of impedance: 32 ohms, 80 ohms, and 250 ohms. Here, I recommend the lowest impedance for wide device compatibility. They sound the same as the higher impedance variants, but they are easier to drive with different devices, such as laptops, smartphones, or tablets. You don’t need an amplifier to use them, which is convenient.

The sound quality of these headphones is excellent, and they have a balanced and detailed sound profile. They have a clear and crisp treble, a smooth and natural midrange, and a deep and punchy bass. They are suitable for different genres of music, as well as for video editing. They have a spacious and accurate soundstage, which is rare for closed-back headphones.

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO have a sturdy and durable design, and they have a detachable 1.6-meter straight cable. They are available in black or gray colors, and they have a simple and professional look. They are not very travel-friendly, though, as they are on the bulkier side and they don’t fold or come with a case. You might want to leave them at your studio or home office.

What We Like

Low impedance with wide device compatibility.

Affordable headphones.

Know Before Buying

Prone to heat build hot during hot days.

Not great for travels.

See On Amazon

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X are the best overall video editing headphones on our list, and they have a sleek and professional look.

See On Amazon

Specs:

  • Type:
    • Over-ear, closed back
  • Connection:
    • Wired
      • 3 meters coiled cable
      • 1.2 meter straight cable
      • 3 meter straight cable
  • Driver Size:
    • 45 mm
  • Frequency Range:
    • 15 to 28,000 Hz
  • Impedance:
    • 38 Ohms
  • Weight:
    • 285 grams

If you are looking for the best overall video editing headphones, you might want to consider the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. These are affordable, comfortable, and perfect for noise isolation and video editing.

They have a great sound quality and a flat, neutral response, which means they don’t alter the sound profile of your videos. However, they are also bulky and not very travel-friendly, so you might want to use them mainly at your studio or home office.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50X are made from aluminum, copper-clad aluminum wire, neodymium magnets, vinyl, and lightweight plastic. They have a sturdy and durable design, and they come with three detachable cables: a 3-meter coiled cable, a 1.2-meter straight cable, and a 3-meter straight cable. You can choose the cable that suits your needs and preferences. They also have a foldable design, which makes them easier to store and carry.

The comfort level of these headphones is high, and they have large, padded ear cups that fit snugly around your ears. They also have a padded headband that adjusts to your head size. The closed-back ear cups and the leatherette ear pads help isolate your ears from outside noise, which is essential for video editing.

The only downside is that the leatherette ear pads can get a bit hot and sweaty on your ears after long hours of use. You might want to replace them with velour ear pads if you want a cooler and softer feel.

The sound quality of these headphones is excellent, and they have a balanced and detailed sound profile. They have a clear and crisp treble, a smooth and natural midrange, and a deep and punchy bass.

They are ideal for video editing, as they have been designed for a flat, neutral response, which prevents the sound profile from being amplified or distorted. They have excellent audio accuracy, and they can reproduce the sound of your videos as they are. They are also suitable for different genres of music, as well as for gaming or watching movies.

What We Like

Comfortable and has good isolation.

Affordable.

Know Before Buying

Bulky, not travel friendly.

See On Amazon

Buying Guide for the Best Video Editing Headphones

Frequency response

For video editing, you want headphones that have a flat, neutral, or balanced frequency response, which means they don’t boost or cut any frequencies. This way, you can hear the sound of your videos as they are, without any coloration or distortion.

Impedance

The higher the impedance, the more power the headphones need to produce sound, and the lower the impedance, the less power they need.

For video editing, you want headphones that have a low impedance, which means they are easy to drive with different devices, such as laptops, smartphones, or tablets. You don’t need an amplifier to use them, which is convenient.

Sound Quality

This is the overall impression that the headphones give you when you listen to them, and it depends on many factors, such as the frequency response, the driver size, the soundstage, the clarity, the detail, the bass, the treble, the midrange, and the distortion.

For video editing, you want headphones that have a high sound quality, which means they can reproduce the sound of your videos with accuracy and detail. You want headphones that have a clear and crisp treble, a smooth and natural midrange, and a deep and punchy bass.

You also want headphones that have a spacious and accurate soundstage, which is the sense of space and direction that the headphones create.

headphones on top of a table

Connection (Wired is recommended)

This is the way that the headphones connect to your device, either wirelessly or wired. For video editing, you might want to choose wired headphones, which have a more stable and reliable connection than wireless headphones.

Wireless headphones can have issues with latency, interference, or battery life, which can affect your video editing experience.

Wired headphones can also have a better sound quality than wireless headphones, as they don’t have any compression or loss of signal.

However, wireless headphones can also have some advantages, such as portability, convenience, and comfort.

You can use them without any cables getting in your way, and you can also use them for different purposes, such as listening to music or watching movies.

Comfort

This is the level of comfort that the headphones provide you when you wear them, and it depends on many factors, such as the weight, the size, the shape, the padding, the material, the fit, and the heat.

For video editing, you want headphones that are comfortable, especially if you are editing for long hours.

You want headphones that are lightweight, that have a good fit, that have soft and padded ear cups and headband, and that don’t make your ears hot or sweaty.

Noise Cancelation

This is the ability of the headphones to block out or reduce the external noise that reaches your ears, either passively or actively.

Passive noise cancellation is the natural noise isolation that the headphones provide by their design and material, such as closed-back ear cups and leatherette ear pads.

Active noise cancellation is the artificial noise reduction that the headphones provide by using a microphone and a circuit to create a sound wave that cancels out the external noise.

For video editing, you might want headphones that have a good noise cancellation, especially if you don’t have a quiet studio to edit videos.

You want headphones that can block out or reduce any unwanted background noises, such as traffic, people, or machines, and that can help you focus on your work.

Price or Budget

This is the amount of money that you are willing to spend on the headphones, and it depends on your personal preference and financial situation.

These are some of the factors that you should consider before buying the best video editing headphones.

Of course, there are other factors that you might want to take into account, such as the design, the color, the brand, the warranty, the customer reviews, and the personal taste.

Ultimately, the best video editing headphones are the ones that suit your needs and preferences, and that make you happy and satisfied.

man wearing headphones and using his computer

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use gaming headphones for video editing?

Absolutely! Gaming headphones can be used for video editing, as they often share similar features with audio-centric headphones.

Look for headphones with a flat or neutral frequency response, as this ensures accurate audio representation, crucial for video editing.

Keep in mind that some gaming headphones may emphasize bass, which can affect the accuracy of your editing. Always prioritize a clear and balanced sound profile when selecting headphones for video editing, regardless of whether they are marketed for gaming or not.

Do I need a headphone amplifier for video editing headphones?

In many cases, you won’t need a headphone amplifier for video editing headphones, especially if your headphones have low impedance (ohms).

Headphone amplifiers are primarily beneficial for high-impedance headphones, as they provide additional power to drive the audio properly.

If your video editing headphones have an impedance of 32 ohms or lower, they should work efficiently with most devices without the need for an amplifier.

However, if you’re using high-impedance headphones, investing in a headphone amplifier may enhance the audio performance, ensuring accurate sound reproduction during your editing tasks.

How do I clean and maintain my video editing headphones?

Proper maintenance is key to ensuring the longevity and performance of your video editing headphones. Here’s a simple guide:

  1. Wipe Down Regularly: Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the ear cups, headband, and any visible surfaces regularly. This helps remove dust and prevents dirt buildup.
  2. Clean Ear Pads: If your headphones have removable ear pads, take them off and clean them separately according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If they are not removable, use a small brush to gently remove any debris.
  3. Use a Damp Cloth: For more stubborn dirt or stains, you can lightly dampen the cloth with water or a mild cleaning solution. Make sure the cloth is not too wet, and avoid getting moisture into the headphone drivers.
  4. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not use harsh chemicals, alcohol, or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the materials and finishes of your headphones.
  5. Store Properly: When not in use, store your headphones in a cool, dry place. Avoid leaving them in extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.
  6. Handle with Care: Be gentle when adjusting the headband size or folding the headphones. Avoid unnecessary bending or twisting.
  7. Replace Ear Pads if Necessary: If the ear pads show signs of wear or discomfort, consider replacing them with compatible replacements provided by the manufacturer.

Remember to refer to your headphone’s user manual for specific cleaning and maintenance instructions tailored to your model. Taking care of your video editing headphones ensures they continue to provide optimal comfort and sound quality throughout your editing endeavors.

Conclusion

Best Budget Video Editing Headphones
Another Best Budget Video Editing Headphones
Best Premium Video Editing Headphones

When you edit videos, you need good headphones to hear everything clearly and be creative. In this article, we looked at different kinds of headphones for different needs and budgets.

Some are cheap, some are wireless, some are expensive, and some are very comfortable. The best one for you depends on what you want and what you can afford.

The best headphones for most people are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. They are not too expensive, not too uncomfortable, and have great sound quality. They can help you edit your videos well and make them look amazing.

When you choose your headphones, you should think about how they sound, how they fit, how they connect, and how they block noise. Pick the headphones that match your style and your goals. Enjoy editing your videos and making them awesome!