Best Studio Headphones for Video Editing (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank

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The beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X leads for video editing: 48 ohm open-back drivers that need no amp, with a detachable 3m mini-XLR cable in the box. If you need isolation from the room, the Sony MDR-M1 is the closed-back pick at 0.5 lb.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X	Check on Amazon
2	Lightest Pick	Sony MDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	Beats Studio Pro Premium Wireless Over-Ear Headphones-	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	Amazon Renewed Audio-Technica ATH-M50xWH Professional Studio Monitor Headphones	Check on Amazon
5	Also Great	Sennheiser HD 505 Wired Open-Back Audiophile Headphones	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Editors who want open-back reference sound for mixing: beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X See pick 1More picks: Best Open Back Studio Headphones
Editors who want closed-back sound isolation: Sony MDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones See pick 2More picks: Best Closed Back Headphones for Mixing
Editors who want active noise cancelling for flights: Beats Studio Pro Premium Wireless Over-Ear Headphones- See pick 3
Buyers who want a renewed pair of studio monitors: Amazon Renewed Audio-Technica ATH-M50xWH Professional Studio Monitor Headphones See pick 4More picks: Best Studio Monitor Headphones for Mixing
Buyers who want open-back headphones for home listening: Sennheiser HD 505 Wired Open-Back Audiophile Headphones See pick 5More picks: Best Open Back Headphones for Mixing

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

beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X

Detachable cable
Impedance: 48 ohm
Design: Open-Back
2-year warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall with 48 ohm open-back drivers, no amp needed and a detachable cable.

Who it suits

Editors who want open-back reference sound for mixing
Buyers who want a detachable 3m mini-XLR cable

Skip it if

You need closed-back isolation from room noise
You want a wireless connection to your devices

It has 48 ohm drivers that run at full volume from a laptop, interface or phone with no amp needed. The box holds the headphones, a detachable 3m mini-XLR cable, a 1/4-inch adapter and a protective case. It carries a 2-year warranty.

2Lightest Pick

Sony MDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones

Detachable cable
Impedance: 50 ohm
1-year warranty stated
0.5 lb, the lightest here

9.7Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Lightest Pick with 0.5 lb closed-back monitors and 5 Hz to 80 kHz playback.

Who it suits

Editors who want closed-back sound isolation
Buyers who want two detachable cable lengths

Skip it if

You want open-back sound for mixing
You need a wireless connection

It has a closed acoustic structure with 50 ohm drivers and playback from 5 Hz to 80 kHz. Two detachable cable lengths come in the box with a screw-in adapter for 6.3mm or 3.5mm jacks. Replaceable earpads keep it easy to maintain. It weighs 0.5 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.

3Also Great

Beats Studio Pro Premium Wireless Over-Ear Headphones-

Detachable cable not stated in the listing

9.7Spec score View on Amazon

The Beats Studio Pro pairs active noise cancelling with up to 40 hours of wireless battery.

Who it suits

Editors who want active noise cancelling for flights
Buyers who want USB-C lossless and a 3.5mm cable

Skip it if

You need an open-back reference for mixing
You want a detachable mini-XLR cable

It has active noise cancelling with a transparency mode, plus personalized spatial audio with head tracking. A 3.5mm cable gives a standard analog option beside USB-C lossless audio. The box holds the headphones, a woven carrying case, a 3.5mm cable and a USB-C charging cable. It weighs 0.6 lb.

4Also Great

Amazon Renewed Audio-Technica ATH-M50xWH Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

Detachable cable not stated in the listing
90-day warranty stated

9.2Spec score View on Amazon

The renewed ATH-M50xWH gives studio monitor sound with sound isolation at 2.2 lb.

Who it suits

Buyers who want a renewed pair of studio monitors
Editors who want sound isolation and a detachable cable

Skip it if

You want an open-back design
You need a warranty longer than 90 days

It is a renewed pair of professional studio monitor headphones with sound isolation and a dynamic driver. The detachable cable connects through a 3.5mm jack to laptops, desktops and phones. A user manual comes in the box. It carries a 90-day limited warranty.

5Also Great

Sennheiser HD 505 Wired Open-Back Audiophile Headphones

Detachable cable not stated in the listing
Design: Open-Back
2-year warranty stated

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

The Sennheiser HD 505 pairs an open-back design with a 1.8m cable and velour pads.

Who it suits

Buyers who want open-back headphones for home listening
Buyers who want a drawstring bag in the box

Skip it if

You need closed-back isolation
You want a wireless connection

It has an open-back design with a 1.8m cable and a 3.5mm plug for wired listening. Plush velour ear pads suit extended sessions, and a drawstring bag is included. It works with HD 500 series cables and accessories. It weighs 1.2 lb and carries a 2-year warranty.

Side by side

Product	Driver size	Detachable cable	Low-frequency reach (Hz)	Impedance	Design	Weight	Warranty
beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	48 ohm	Open-Back	0.6 lb	2-year
Sony MDR-M1 Professional Reference Closed Monitor Headphones	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	50 ohm	Not stated	0.5 lb	1-year
Beats Studio Pro Premium Wireless Over-Ear Headphones-	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	0.6 lb	Not stated
Amazon Renewed Audio-Technica ATH-M50xWH Professional Studio Monitor Headphones	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	2.2 lb	90-day
Sennheiser HD 505 Wired Open-Back Audiophile Headphones	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Open-Back	1.2 lb	2-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 video editing

Pick open-back or closed-back

The beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X and the Sennheiser HD 505 are open-back, the Sony MDR-M1 is closed-back and the renewed ATH-M50xWH lists sound isolation, and the Beats Studio Pro uses active noise cancelling. Match the design to where you edit.

Check impedance and the source

Impedance decides how much power the headphones need. The DT 990 Pro X runs at 48 ohm with no amp needed from a laptop, interface or phone. The Sony MDR-M1 runs at 50 ohm and connects through 6.3mm or 3.5mm jacks.

Wired or wireless for editing

Wired headphones give a direct connection with no battery to charge. The Beats Studio Pro is the only wireless pick here, with up to 40 hours of battery and a 3.5mm cable for wired use. If you edit for long stretches, wired removes the battery from the equation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need open-back headphones for video editing?

Open-back gives a wide image for mixing; closed-back isolates you from the room. The DT 990 Pro X and the HD 505 are open-back, the Sony MDR-M1 is closed-back. Pick by where you edit.

Can I plug these into my laptop directly?

The DT 990 Pro X runs at 48 ohm with no amp needed from a laptop. The Sony MDR-M1 connects through 6.3mm or 3.5mm jacks. The Beats Studio Pro pairs over Bluetooth or USB-C.

Which headphones reduce outside noise?

The Beats Studio Pro uses active noise cancelling. The Sony MDR-M1 and the renewed ATH-M50xWH list sound isolation. Open-back models like the DT 990 Pro X let sound in and out by design.