Best Studio Headphones for Guitar (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x leads for guitar: 40mm drivers, 90-degree swiveling earcups and a detachable cable with a 2-year warranty. If you want an open-back design, the Philips SHP9600 has 50mm drivers with detachable balanced and unbalanced cables.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Players who track and mix in a studio: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Professional Studio Monitor Headphone See pick 1
- Players who want 50mm drivers for monitoring: OneOdio Wired Over Ear Headphones Studio Monitor See pick 2
- Players who share audio with another listener: OneOdio A71 Hi-Res Wired Over-Ear Studio Headphones See pick 3
- Players who want 16 ohm drivers for phones: Philips Over Ear Wired Stereo Headphones See pick 4
- Home listeners who want an open-back design: PHILIPS Over Ear Open Back Stereo Headphones See pick 5More picks: Best Open Back Studio Headphones
Want the full range? Best Mixing Headphones ranks the top studio headphones for every buyer, or browse all 49 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Professional Studio Monitor Headphone
- Driver size: 40 mm
- Detachable cable
- Impedance: 35 ohm
- 2 year warranty stated
- 0.5 lb, the lightest here
Best Overall, with 40mm drivers, 90-degree swiveling earcups and a detachable cable.
Who it suits
- Players who track and mix in a studio
- DJs who want one-ear monitoring
Skip it if
- You want an open-back design
- You want Bluetooth instead of wired
The box holds the ATH-M40x, a coiled cable, a straight cable, a protective case and a screw-on adapter. Its 40mm drivers sit in circumaural earcups that swivel 90 degrees, and the cable detaches for replacement. It has 35 ohm impedance, weighs 0.5 lb and carries a 2-year warranty.
2Runner-Up
OneOdio Wired Over Ear Headphones Studio Monitor
- Driver size: 50 mm
- Impedance: 32 ohm
Runner-Up with 50mm drivers, a detachable coiled cord and 90-degree swiveling earcups.
Who it suits
- Players who want 50mm drivers for monitoring
- DJs who want single-ear monitoring
Skip it if
- You want an open-back design
- You want 40mm drivers instead
The box holds the Pro 10, a DJ-style coiled cord, a protective case and a user manual. Its 50mm drivers sit in over-ear earcups that swivel 90 degrees, with 6.35mm and 3.5mm plugs that detach. It has 32 ohm impedance, folds flat and weighs 0.9 lb.
3Also Great
OneOdio A71 Hi-Res Wired Over-Ear Studio Headphones
- Driver size: 40 mm
- Impedance: 32 ohm
Also Great with 40mm drivers, a shared audio port and a detachable coiled cord.
Who it suits
- Players who share audio with another listener
- DJs who want single-ear monitoring
Skip it if
- You want an open-back design
- You want a fixed, non-detachable cable
The box holds the A71, a coiled cable, a protective case and a user manual. Its 40mm drivers sit in over-ear earcups that swivel 90 degrees, with 6.35mm and 3.5mm plugs for amps, computers and guitars. The shared audio port takes a second pair, and it weighs 0.6 lb.
4Also Great
Philips Over Ear Wired Stereo Headphones
- Driver size: 40 mm
- Impedance: 16 ohm
Also Great with 40mm drivers, a 2m cable and a snap-on 6.3mm adapter.
Who it suits
- Players who want 16 ohm drivers for phones
- Listeners who want passive noise isolation
Skip it if
- You want an open-back design
- You want a detachable cable
The box holds the headphones, a 2m cable, ear cushions and a snap-on 6.3mm adapter. Its 40mm drivers sit in over-ear earcups that rotate 90 degrees for one-ear monitoring. It has 16 ohm impedance, passive noise isolation and a 3.5mm jack, and it weighs 0.6 lb.
5Also Great
PHILIPS Over Ear Open Back Stereo Headphones
- Driver size: 50 mm
- Impedance: 30 ohm
- Design: Open Back
- 1-year warranty stated
Also Great with an open-back design, 50mm drivers and detachable 3.0m cables.
Who it suits
- Home listeners who want an open-back design
- Players who want balanced and unbalanced cables
Skip it if
- You want strong sound isolation
- You want a fixed, non-detachable cable
The box holds the SHP9600, a 3.5mm 3m cable and an adapter. Its open-back design uses 50mm drivers tuned for crisp bass and balanced midrange. The cables detach, with balanced and unbalanced options in the box. It has 30 ohm impedance, weighs 0.7 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Driver size | Detachable cable | Low-frequency reach (Hz) | Impedance | Design | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Professional Studio Monitor Headphone | 40 mm | Yes | Not stated | 35 ohm | Not stated | 0.5 lb | 2 year |
| OneOdio Wired Over Ear Headphones Studio Monitor | 50 mm | Not stated | Not stated | 32 ohm | Not stated | 0.9 lb | Not stated |
| OneOdio A71 Hi-Res Wired Over-Ear Studio Headphones | 40 mm | Not stated | Not stated | 32 ohm | Not stated | 0.6 lb | Not stated |
| Philips Over Ear Wired Stereo Headphones | 40 mm | Not stated | Not stated | 16 ohm | Not stated | 0.6 lb | Not stated |
| PHILIPS Over Ear Open Back Stereo Headphones | 50 mm | Not stated | Not stated | 30 ohm | Open Back | 0.7 lb | 1-year |
How we ranked these studio headphones
Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Driver size weight 2
- Detachable cable weight 2
- Low-frequency reach (Hz) weight 1
Buying advice: studio headphones for guitar
Pick closed or open back
Closed back isolates, open back breathes. The Audio-Technica, both OneOdios and the Philips p2000 are closed-back designs with sound isolation for tracking. The Philips SHP9600 is the only open-back pick here, made for home listening. If you record with a live mic, closed back keeps bleed out of the track.
Match drivers and impedance
Driver size and impedance decide volume and source needs. The OneOdio Pro 10 and the Philips SHP9600 use 50mm drivers; the other three use 40mm drivers. Impedance runs from 16 ohm on the Philips p2000 to 35 ohm on the Audio-Technica, so phones drive them all easily. Lower impedance pairs better with phones and laptops.
Check cables and extra parts
A detachable cable outlives a fixed one. The Audio-Technica, the OneOdio Pro 10, the OneOdio A71 and the Philips SHP9600 all have detachable cables; the Philips p2000 has a 2m cable with a snap-on 6.3mm adapter. Swiveling earcups help single-ear monitoring on the ATH-M40x, the Pro 10, the A71 and the p2000. The ATH-M40x and the SHP9600 also ship a protective case or adapter.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plug these into a guitar amp?
Yes, with the right plug. The OneOdio Pro 10 and A71 ship 6.35mm and 3.5mm plugs, and the Philips p2000 has a snap-on 6.3mm adapter. The OneOdio A71 even names guitars among its compatible devices.
Which ones have detachable cables?
The ATH-M40x, the OneOdio Pro 10, the OneOdio A71 and the Philips SHP9600 all have detachable cables, so a worn cable does not end the headphone.
What is the difference between open and closed back?
Closed-back earcups seal around the ear for isolation, which suits tracking. Open-back earcups let air through for a spacious feel, which suits home listening. The SHP9600 is the only open-back pick here.
Which impedance is easiest to drive?
The Philips p2000 sits at 16 ohm, the SHP9600 at 30 ohm and the ATH-M40x at 35 ohm, so phones and laptops drive them all.
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Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.