7 Best Headphones for Audiobooks in 2023
Are you searching for the best audiobook headphones that provide an immersive experience while listening to audiobooks? Regardless of the time, whether it’s when you’re dozing off, on a lengthy flight, or during your morning jog, comfort is a crucial aspect to consider when selecting your audio device. Other factors to contemplate include sound quality, price, wireless capabilities, and style. This comprehensive guide presents our recommendations for the best headphones for audiobooks, catering to various budgets.
1. Sony WH-1000XM5 Best Headphones for Audiobooks
Sony is known for Industry-leading noise canceling1 with Dual Noise Sensor technology that provides the best sound experience for you. It can reduce noise by up to 98% so that you can ignore the world and focus on yourself, creating peace of mind and your world. Furthermore, it has long battery life that can play for up to 30 hours, and super comfortable to wear for long hours without any pressure. These are the best headphones for audiobooks in our list.
Key Features
- Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Transparency: Yes
- Battery: 30 hours
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0
- Codec code: SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Built-in mic and controls: Yes
- Driver unit: 40mm HD Driver Unit
- Water resistance: No
- Weight: 254g
Design:
- Earcups: designed for comfort, with a stable fit and foldable design
- Headband: solid and adjustable to fit any head size
- Voice control: use your voice assistant (Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa) to control features without using your hands
- Touch control: automatically turn down the volume to hear others by placing your hand over the earcup
- App: customize your sound preference with the companion app
Performance:
- Active Noise Cancellation: HD noise-canceling processor QN1 blocks external noise well, and the atmospheric pressure optimizing feature activates when traveling
- Adaptive sound control: an intelligent function that automatically adjusts the ambient sound for a better listening experience
- Microphone: advanced pickup voice and delivers clear voice quality during phone calls
- 360 Reality Audio: immerse yourself in the best sound quality
- Speak to chat: automatically stop the music whenever you speak without taking off the headphones
- Auto pause: the proximity sensor and two acceleration sensors in the headphones automatically pause music when you take them off
Pros:
- Multi-device connectivity
- Free code for four months of Amazon Music
- Powerful customizable ANC
Cons:
- Expensive
- No support for aptX or aptX HD
- USB-C port cannot be used for audio.
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 348.00
2. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 wireless headphones combine exceptional performance with a sleek portable design. They boast touch control and voice assistant compatibility. With an impressive battery life of 60 hours, these headphones prioritize longevity over noise-cancellation features that tend to drain power. The over-ear design effectively blocks out surrounding noise, and the generously sized ear pads comfortably accommodate those with larger ears.
Key Feature
- Impedance: 38 Ohm
- Cable: 1.20 m
- Sensitivity: 99 dB
- Frequency range: 15 – 28000 Hz (Headphone) | 85 -15000 Hz (Microphone)
- Driver diameter: 45 mm
- Weight: 307 g
Design:
- Earcups: Enjoy the flexibility of 90-degree rotating ear cups, which provide a customizable fit and offer exceptional comfort for long listening sessions.
- Headband: The headphones feature durable metal sliders, ensuring increased reliability and stability, even during extended use.
- App: Enhance your headphone experience by downloading the A-T Connect app, which provides extensive control over your ATH-M50xBT2 headphones. With this app, you can effortlessly activate low latency mode, fine-tune the EQ settings, adjust the volume balance between left and right channels, choose your preferred voice assistant, locate misplaced headphones, switch between different codecs, and enjoy various additional features and functionalities.
Performance:
- Sound quality: The ATH-M50xBT2 headphones provide a thrilling wireless listening experience by delivering the legendary M50x studio sound, characterized by exceptional clarity and precise, deep bass response.
- Microphone: Experience crystal-clear phone calls and reliable communication with the built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant, thanks to the exceptional vocal pickup provided by dual microphones and beamforming technology.
- Battery life: When fully charged, you can enjoy free listening with the ATH-M50xBT2, which offers up to 50 hours of uninterrupted use.
Pros:
- Accurate response level
- Great noise cancellation
Cons:
- Limited bass sound
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 199.00
3. Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
MOMENTUM 4 Wireless can offer a great active noise cancelling feature, great sound quality, and last long battery life that can play up to 60 hours; it comes well-designed and made with high-quality materials. Furthermore, transparency mode allows you to hear your surroundings and many other features worth the investment for people who want a high-quality and stylish.
Key Features
- Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Transparency: Yes
- Battery: 60 hours
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2
- Codec code: AAC, SBC, aptX
- Built-in mic and controls: Yes
- Driver unit: 42 mm
- Water resistance: No
- Weight: 292 g
Design:
- Earcups: large and super soft, providing a comfortable in long hours.
- Headband: stainless steel on the hinges and sliders, solid and flexible
- Carrying case: protect and secure the headphones well
- Touch control: freely control music, pause, skip or pick up the call without using your phone
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0, a strong and stable connection.
- Voice control: enable your voice assistant by just pressing and holding both volume buttons until you hear four chimes
- Touch control: control the playlist, adjust volume, skip or pick up/end call
- App: customize sound preference via the app
Performance:
- Active Noise Cancellation: improve your study with ANC on that, reduce all external sound, and better sound quality. Best fit for studies and focus in long hours.
- Transparency: allowing you to know and feel the world around you without taking them off
- Microphone: get a clear call experience with the advanced feature of pickup voice and delivery clearly through phone calls
- Sound quality: a balanced and perfect audio sound that helps you focus on your task without any distractions
- Battery life: quick charge, 10 minutes, offer 1.5 hours of playback
- Smart detection: auto-pause the music when you take them off, and continue to play when you put them on
Pros:
- Comfortable for long hours
- Premium design
- Convenience controls
- Long battery life
Cons:
- No support aptx
- No multiple-device connection
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 294.00
4. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones
Experience an enhanced listening journey with three levels of exceptional noise cancellation across different environments. Enjoy the convenience of voice access to music and information through Alexa integration. The noise-rejecting dual-microphone system ensures crystal-clear audio and accurate voice pickup. Regardless of the volume, the headphones deliver well-balanced audio performance. Effortlessly pair via Bluetooth, personalize settings, and access future updates through the Bose Connect app.
Key Features
- Adaptive Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Transparency: Yes
- Battery: 40 hours
- Built-in mic and controls: Yes
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1
- Drivers: 40 mm
Design:
- Earcups: soft leather ensure comfort and lengthy session of listening
- Headband: adjustable and secure your head, and it won’t slip off easily
- Voice assistant: By pressing the multi-function button, you can conveniently activate your phone’s built-in virtual assistant, such as Siri. Additionally, you can enjoy entertainment, gather information, and organize your daily tasks by simply making inquiries.
- Control: With a simple press of the designated button, you can effortlessly access Alexa from any location. Indulge in uninterrupted enjoyment of music, podcasts, and various audio content without the hassle of checking your phone. Alternatively, if Alexa isn’t your preferred option, utilize the button to easily adjust between three levels of noise cancellation, tailoring your audio experience to your liking.
- App: Utilize the Bose Connect app to customize your noise cancellation preferences, facilitate music sharing, handle Bluetooth connections, and stay updated with software updates.
- Water resistance: IPX4 handles sweat and dust well or even under the heavy rain
Performance:
- Noise cancellation: Eliminate the disturbances around you and concentrate on what truly counts. Immerse yourself further in your music, work, and personal pursuits, undisturbed by any external noise.
- Microphone: Even in loud surroundings, the dual-microphone system effectively filters out noise, ensuring clear phone calls.
- Battery life: Benefit from up to 20 hours of wireless playback with the convenience of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Alternatively, utilize the provided audio cable to switch to wired mode and extend your listening experience to 40 hours.
- Sound quality: Bose headphones are renowned for their exceptional audio performance, providing rich and immersive sound
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality
- Durable built
- Comfortable fit
Cons:
- High price
- Limited customization
Pricing:
Available at Amazon for only USD 344.79
5. Jabra Elite 85h Best Headphones for Audiobooks
Jabra Elite 85h is designed to help people relax and feel comfortable while listening to music; also the best headphones for audiobooks. There are many essential features, such as active noise canceling, transparency, and incredibly customizable sound in their app easily and fast. Furthermore, the design is solid and secure to the head, and it cannot fall out unless you take them off. These are the best over-ear headphones.
Key Feature
- Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Transparency: Yes
- Battery: 36 hours
- Built-in mic and controls: Yes
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0
- Codec code: AAC, aptX, and SBC
- Water resistance: Yes
Design:
- Earcups are super soft and breathable, easy to wear
- Headband: strong and adjustable arm, suitable for everyone, won’t fall off easily
- Voice control: control features with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.
- Control: you can customize your preferred sound with the app
- Water-resistant: IPX4 handles sweat and dust well
- Intelligent detection: when you take off the headphone, the music will auto-pause
-
Jabra Sound+ app: access bright sound, and customize features and sound as you like
Performance:
- Active Noise Cancellation: completely blocks all external noise and makes it easy to focus on music
- Transparency: allows you to hear your surroundings even though you are on the music
- Microphone: 8 microphones make your voice clear and easy to communicate via phone
- Sound quality: excellent sound quality, precise and deep bass
- Spatial audio: detect your environment as you move your head, and the music surrounds you
- Bright sound: detect and analyze your environment and provide the sound that is suitable to that situation
Pros:
- Modern and matte looks
- High-quality audio sound
- Rain resistant
- Long battery life
- Multi-devices connection
Cons:
- Ear cups are not foldable
- Touch control problem
Pricing:
Available at Amazon for only USD 341.98.
6. Master & Dynamic MW75 Headphones
This MW75 provides perfect sound, perfectly silent the world, with active noise cancelling features which is the best headphones for audiobooks. Delivers detail and rich audio sound, perfect headphones for autistic adults, luxury and modern design, super comfortable and fit to any age. It’s available in four colors that each indemnify its beauty and luxury.
Key Features
- Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Transparency: Yes
- Battery: 32 hours
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1
- Codec code: AAC, aptX™
- Built-in mic and controls: Yes
- Driver unit: 40mm Beryllium
- Water resistance: Yes
- Weight: 338g
Design:
- Earcups: the earpad wrap of memory foam is comfortable and breathable for your ears
- Headband: strong and adjustable metal frame, easy to fit in
- Voice control: activate your voice assistance and control features by using your voice.
- Touch Control: control the playlist via the button at the right earcup
- Smart detection: Auto pause music for you when it detects that you have taken them off
- Case: made from soft leather inside to protect the headphones from dust and scratch
- M&D app: personalize your sound with the app, adjust and customize your sound preference
Performance:
- Active Noise Cancellation: Perfectly blocks unwanted noise and automatically adjusts the level of noise cancelling depending on your surrounding
- Adaptive sound control: there are two modes of ambient listening, suitable for outdoor and indoor, providing better noise isolation depending on where you are.
- Microphone: 4 Microphones provide better talk quality and protect your voice from background noise, even wind sound.
- Sound quality: wide soundstage, with the driver 40mm Beryllium, delivers rich sound, tuning the music to another level of perfection
Pros:
- Multi-device connection
- Fast and easy connection
Cons:
- Quite expensive
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 599.00
7. Soundcore Space Q45
This model space Q45 is compelling in offering sound quality and a modern look, the best headphones for audiobooks. Especially the price is insane; it costs only USD 149.99. Furthermore, getting a rich and detailed soundstage, noise isolation features, and excellent call quality is worth paying for.
Key Features
- Active Noise Cancelling: Yes
- Transparency: Yes
- Battery: 50 hours
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3
- Codec code: SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Built-in mic and controls: Yes
- Driver unit: 40mm
- Water resistance: Yes
- Weight: 292g
Design:
- Earcups: incredibly soft and made from eco-friendly materials, comfortably fitting your ear
- Headband: smooth extension, durable, seamless design, lightweight, no pressure,
- Touch Control: Control or adjust the sound volume, pause music and pick up calls at the left ear cup
- Voice Control: control anything using your voice assistant without using your hand
- Connectivity: easily connects to both Apple and Android, but with their Apple W1 chip, even more, accessible for Apple to use
- Soundcore App: adjustable EQ, customize and control your sound preference with the app
Performance:
- Active Noise Cancellation: blocks all the ambient noise and provides immersive sound, perfect for you to enjoy your world
- Sound quality: the LDAC transfer three times more detail than standard Bluetooth and provides a better sound experience with Hi-res audio, bright sound, and strong bass.
- Microphone: two microphones and an AI algorithm that identifies and picks up your voice and reduces background noise, providing clear phone calls
- Battery life: strong battery life, last long for playing music for up to 50 hours with ANC on and 65 hours with ANC off.
Pros:
- Modern design
- Multiple devices connection
- Best for traveling
Cons:
- Limited features in the app
Pricing:
Available on Amazon at the price of USD 149.99
Summary
For avid audiobook listeners, investing in quality headphones is essential. However, several factors must be considered before purchasing, including price, durability, comfort, battery life, and noise cancellation. Portability and style can also help personalize your choice to align with your preferences.
