The 6 Best Headband Headphones
This wiki has been updated 17 times since it was first published in August of 2019. When you're running, lifting weights, or trying to sleep, regular headphones aren't always suitable. But if you stick some speakers inside a headband, you can listen to tunes while keeping your hair in one place, the sweat out of your eyes, or the noisy world at bay. They may not offer audiophile-grade sound quality, but the convenience and comfort of these designs is hard to beat. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
January 22, 2021:
Headband headphones may not have the advanced features of more performance-oriented headsets, but they're especially comfortable, and a great choice for walking or running in the cold, trying to fall asleep with white noise, or taking a nap during the day. Because there isn't much demand for these, we haven't significantly changed our recommendations recently, as the ToPoint Bluetooth is still the best wireless choice for adults, and the Halo CozyPhones the best wired option. Similarly, the CozyPhones Kids remains a safely volume-limited option to keep the little ones warm, entertained, and possibly even asleep.
August 30, 2019:
As you might imagine, headband headphones are a relatively niche category, and as such, there aren't a ton of options to choose from. The ToPoint get high marks for both quality and reliability, and the Halo CozyPhones are a close second, though some users report that their units don't last incredibly long. For kids, the Assker are hard to beat, not only because they're comfy and cute, but they're also limited to 88 decibels so as to prevent hearing damage to young ears. The Paww SilkSound aren't designed for working out or sleeping, but rather more for discreet music listening, and their funky designs make for a pretty attractive accessory. If you're trying to sleep, both the CozyPhones and ToPoint models are functional, but the Lightime Mask is designed specifically to fit on the contour of your eyes all night. The Sonxtronics are essentially an imitation of a pair of classic Sony headphones that are no longer manufactured and are incredibly hard to find at reasonable prices; these super-lightweight ear speakers aren't incredibly durable, but their portability makes them a must-have for some runners.
If you want something specifically designed for sports and working out, we can recommend some great choices, or if you need something that plays tunes but doesn't block out the real world, check out some clip-on or bone conduction headphones.