Best Studio Headphones for Tracking (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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Audio-Technica ATH-M50X leads this list for tracking: 45mm drivers, 3 detachable cables and a screw-on adapter in a wired studio headphone. If you want wireless listening with ANC, the Beats Studio Pro models are the pick, with 40-hour battery life, USB-C lossless audio and a 3.5mm cable for a wired connection.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Engineers who track with 45mm drivers and a wired connection: Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Headphones See pick 1
- Listeners who want ANC and 40-hour battery life: Beats Studio Pro Over-Ear Headphones See pick 2
- Buyers who want the Black finish and a woven carrying case: Beats Studio Pro See pick 3
- Buyers who want 50mm drivers and a semi-open design: SAMSON SR850G Professional Studio Reference Open Ear See pick 4
- Buyers who want a closed-back design and a 6.35mm adapter: OneOdio Monitor 60 Professional Studio Headphones See pick 5More picks: Best Closed Back Headphones for Mixing
Want the full range? Best Mixing Headphones ranks the top studio headphones for every buyer, or browse all 51 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Headphones
- Driver size: 45 mm
- 2 year warranty stated
It earns Best Overall with 45mm drivers, 3 detachable cables and a screw-on adapter for studio tracking.
Who it suits
- Engineers who track with 45mm drivers and a wired connection
- Listeners who want 3 detachable cables and a screw-on adapter
Skip it if
- You want wireless listening with no cable attached
- You want a pair under 0.6 lb
The box holds 3 detachable cables and a screw-on adapter. The 45mm drivers use rare earth magnets and copper clad aluminum wire voice coils. The earcups swivel 90 degrees for one ear monitoring, and the headband and earpads use professional grade material. It weighs 0.6 lb and carries a 2 year warranty.
2Runner-Up
Beats Studio Pro Over-Ear Headphones
- Driver size not stated in the listing
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Runner-Up with USB-C lossless audio and a 3.5mm cable for a wired connection, plus 40-hour battery life.
Who it suits
- Listeners who want ANC and 40-hour battery life
- Travelers who want a foldable design and a carrying case
Skip it if
- You want a longer warranty than 1 year
- You want a wired-only headphone with no battery to charge
The box holds the headphones, a travel-ready woven carrying case, a 3.5mm audio cable and a Universal USB-C charging cable. It pairs with Apple and Android, and Class 1 Bluetooth gives a stable connection. A 10-minute Fast Fuel charge gives up to 4 hours of power, and the battery lasts up to 40 hours.
3Also Great
Beats Studio Pro
- Driver size not stated in the listing
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Also Great with 40-hour battery life, ANC and USB-C lossless audio, plus a 3.5mm cable for a wired connection.
Who it suits
- Buyers who want the Black finish and a woven carrying case
- Listeners who want ANC and 40-hour battery life
Skip it if
- You want a longer warranty than 1 year
- You want a new unit instead of a renewed one
The box holds the headphones, a woven carrying case, a 3.5mm audio cable and a Universal USB-C charging cable. It pairs with Apple and Android, and Class 1 Bluetooth gives a stable connection. A 10-minute Fast Fuel charge gives up to 4 hours of power, and the battery lasts up to 40 hours.
4Also Great
SAMSON SR850G Professional Studio Reference Open Ear
- Driver size: 50 mm
- Design: Semi-Open
- 2-year warranty stated
It earns Also Great with 50mm drivers and a semi-open design for tracking, plus a 1/4-inch adapter in the box.
Who it suits
- Buyers who want 50mm drivers and a semi-open design
- Engineers who track, mix and master with this pair
Skip it if
- You want a closed-back design for tracking
- You want a black finish
The box holds a 1/4-inch stereo adapter. The 50mm drivers use rare earth magnets and deliver an extended frequency response. The semi-open design has velour cushioning and a self-adjusting headband. It is designed for tracking, mixing, mastering and playback, and it carries a 2-year warranty.
5Also Great
OneOdio Monitor 60 Professional Studio Headphones
- Driver size not stated in the listing
- Design: Closed-Back
It earns Also Great with a closed-back design for tracking and a 6.35mm adapter for wired monitoring, plus soft earmuffs.
Who it suits
- Buyers who want a closed-back design and a 6.35mm adapter
- DJs who want wired monitoring with soft earmuffs
Skip it if
- You want a semi-open design for tracking
- You want wireless listening with no cable
The closed-back ear cups give passive noise isolation for focused listening. The 6.35mm jack is ideal for mixers, audio interfaces and other professional gear. The ergonomic design includes plush, cushioned ear pads and an adjustable headband for extended listening sessions. The cable is tangle-free with reinforced hinges.
Side by side
| Product | Driver size | Detachable cable | Low-frequency reach (Hz) | Impedance | Design | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Headphones | 45 mm | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 0.6 lb | 2 year |
| Beats Studio Pro Over-Ear Headphones | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 1-year |
| Beats Studio Pro | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 1-year |
| SAMSON SR850G Professional Studio Reference Open Ear | 50 mm | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Semi-Open | Not stated | 2-year |
| OneOdio Monitor 60 Professional Studio Headphones | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Closed-Back | 0.7 lb | Not stated |
How we ranked these studio headphones
Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has 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 tracking
Closed-back or semi-open for tracking
Closed-back ear cups keep headphone sound from reaching the microphone while you track, and the OneOdio Monitor 60 has closed-back ear cups. Semi-open designs let more sound through by design, and the SAMSON SR850G has a semi-open design. If you track with a microphone nearby, a closed-back pair keeps the headphone sound out of the take.
Check the driver size and the cable
Driver size is the number to compare first: the Audio-Technica lists 45mm drivers and the SAMSON lists 50mm drivers. Then check the cable: the Audio-Technica comes with 3 detachable cables and a screw-on adapter, the Beats models come with USB-C and a 3.5mm cable, and the OneOdio comes with a 6.35mm adapter. A wired connection avoids battery and wireless dropouts while you track.
Match the plug to your gear
Studio gear takes a 1/4-inch plug, so check the adapter in the box. The SAMSON comes with a 1/4-inch stereo adapter, the OneOdio comes with a 6.35mm adapter, and the Audio-Technica comes with a screw-on adapter. The Beats models come with a 3.5mm cable for a standard analog connection and USB-C for lossless audio.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need closed-back headphones for tracking?
Closed-back ear cups keep headphone sound from reaching the microphone. The OneOdio Monitor 60 has closed-back ear cups, and the SAMSON SR850G has a semi-open design.
Can I use wireless headphones for tracking?
You can, but a wired connection avoids battery and wireless dropouts. The Beats Studio Pro models come with USB-C lossless audio and a 3.5mm cable for a wired connection.
What driver sizes do these headphones list?
Driver size is one number to compare: the Audio-Technica lists 45mm drivers and the SAMSON lists 50mm drivers. Compare it with the cable, the design and the adapter in the box.
Do these headphones come with a warranty?
The Audio-Technica carries a 2 year warranty and the SAMSON carries a 2-year warranty, while the Beats Studio Pro models carry a 1-year warranty.
Gear that goes with it
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Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Nov 13, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.